Communication method based on protocol data unit set and related device

Abstract

The invention discloses a communication method based on a protocol data unit set and a related device, and the method comprises the steps: transmitting first information which is used for indicating that a plurality of data packets belonging to the same protocol data unit set PDU SET are transmitted in at least two QoS flows; and sending a plurality of data packets belonging to the same PDU SET, wherein the plurality of data packets belonging to the same PDU SET are transmitted through at least two QoS flows. Therefore, different QoS requirements of different data packets in the same PDU SET can be met. For example, if the data borne by the same PDU SET is the data of the 3D media frame, shunt transmission of geometric data and attribute data in the 3D media frame can be realized through the first information. The business requirements of various businesses are met, the data transmission quality is improved, and the user experience is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method based on a protocol data unit set and related devices. Background Art

[0002] With the development of the fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication technology, media service business has shown exponential growth. Media service business such as high-definition video business and extended reality (XR) business has high requirements on network transmission bandwidth and network transmission delay. At present, the concept of protocol data unit (PDU) set (PDU SET) is proposed. The PDU set includes one or more data packets carrying an application layer payload, such as a PDU, and the application layer payload is a media frame, a video frame or a video slice.

[0003] For common media services, such as two-dimensional (2D) media frames (or 2D frames for short), usually the importance and quality of service (QoS) requirements of multiple data packets included in a 2D frame are the same. The importance or QoS requirements of different 2D frames in the same service flow (or the same data flow) may be different. Therefore, multiple data packets included in a 2D frame are usually transmitted in one QoS flow, and data of different 2D frames may be transmitted in different QoS flows.

[0004] With the development of media services, new media services represented by three-dimensional (3D) media services have emerged. Data related to 3D media services (such as 3D media frame data or 3D point cloud data) can be divided in a variety of ways according to different encoding methods. For example, in 3D multiview video coding (MVC), data is classified according to viewpoints, and a 3D media frame of a single viewpoint includes a data packet corresponding to the left eye and a data packet corresponding to the right eye. For another example, in a 3D mesh, 3D point cloud data is divided into attribute data and geometric data. Among them, the geometric data stream carries the geometric coordinates of each point in the 3D point cloud data, and the attribute data stream carries information such as the color, reflectivity, and normal vector of each point in the point cloud data. Different data packets in the same media frame may have different importance or different QoS requirements. Accordingly, the importance of multiple data packets included in a PDU SET carrying the media frame may be different or the QoS requirements of multiple data packets may be different. Therefore, new requirements are put forward for the transmission mechanism of PDU SET. Summary of the invention

[0005] In the first aspect, an embodiment of the present application proposes a communication method based on a protocol data unit set, and the method is applied to an application function network element AF, or a third-party server (application server, AS), or a combination of AF and AS. For example, the sender of the first information is AF, and the sender of the data packet is AS. The following takes the application to the application function network element AF as an example. It should be noted that the method proposed in the first aspect can also be applied to other network functions or network elements or software modules that can realize the functions of the application function. The method includes:

[0006] In one possible implementation, the application function sends first information, where the first information is used to indicate that multiple data packets belonging to the same protocol data unit set PDU SET are transmitted in at least two quality of service QoS flows; the application function sends the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET, and the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET are transmitted through the at least two QoS flows.

[0007] Optionally, the first information belongs to protocol description information.

[0008] In another possible implementation, the application function sends first information, wherein the first information is used to indicate that multiple data packets belonging to the same data stream are transmitted in at least two quality of service QoS streams; the application function sends the multiple data packets belonging to the same data stream, and the multiple data packets belonging to the same data stream are transmitted through the at least two QoS streams.

[0009] The "multiple data packets of the same data stream" or "multiple data packets of the same PDU SET" in this application indicate the form of expression of the data packets that need to be diverted for transmission. That is, the above-mentioned multiple data packets can be transmitted in the same data stream or in the same PDU SET. "Multiple data packets transmitted in the same data stream" is similar to "multiple data packets transmitted in the same PDU Set", which means that the multiple data packets have the same identity. Exemplarily, the identity can be information such as an Internet Protocol IP triplet, a quintuple, or a septuple. The IP triplet includes: source port number, source IP address, and protocol type. The IP quintuple includes: destination IP address, destination port number, source IP address, source port number, and protocol type. The IP septuple includes: source IP address, destination IP address, source port, destination port, transport layer protocol information, queue pair (queue pair, QP), service type, and port index.

[0010] In another possible implementation, the application function sends the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET, and the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET carry first information, where the first information is used to indicate that the multiple data packets belonging to the same protocol data unit set PDU SET are transmitted in at least two quality of service QoS flows, and the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET are transmitted through the at least two QoS flows.

[0011] It should be noted that the data packet in the embodiment of the present application may be a protocol data unit (PDU) or a service data unit (SDU), such as a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) SDU, a packet data convergence layer protocol (PDCP) SDU, a radio link control (RLC) SDU, or a media access control (MAC) SDU. It is understandable that the data packet sent from the user plane function (UPF) to the access network device may be in the format of a protocol data unit. When the access network device receives the data packet from the SDAP layer, the data packet may be in the SDAP SDU format. When the data packet is transmitted from the SDAP layer to the PDCP layer, the data packet arrives at the PDCP layer and is converted to a PDCP SDU. Similarly, after the data packet arrives at the RLC layer, the data packet is converted to an RLC SDU. After the data packet arrives at the MAC layer, the data packet is converted to a MAC SDU. The data unit of the data packet granularity processed by each layer may be different. It is understandable that the data packet in the embodiment of the present application may also be a data unit of other granularity, and the embodiment of the present application is not limited to this.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present application, an application function sends a first information to implement the shunting transmission of multiple data packets in the same PDU SET in at least two QoS flows, and the first information is used to indicate that multiple data packets belonging to the same protocol data unit set PDU SET are transmitted in at least two service quality QoS flows to meet the different QoS requirements of different data packets in the same PDU SET. For example, when the data carried by the same PDU SET is the data of a 3D media frame, the shunting transmission of geometric data and attribute data in a 3D media frame can be implemented through the first information. For another example, the shunting transmission of left-eye video data and right-eye video data in a 3D media frame can be implemented through the first information. For another example, the shunting transmission of video data from different viewpoints in a 3D media frame can be implemented through the first information. It is achieved to meet the business needs of multiple services, improve the data transmission quality, and improve the user experience.

[0013] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation of the first aspect, the application function sends second information, and the second information is used to indicate the offload transmission mechanism of the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET. For example, the second information may be description information of the data flow or detection rules of the data packets, and the multiple data packets of the same protocol data unit set PDU SET have at least two types of data flow description information or detection rules of the data packets. The second information can be used to indicate that the multiple data packets of the same protocol data unit set PDU SET are transmitted in at least two quality of service QoS flows when being transmitted over a 5G network.

[0014] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation of the first aspect, the first information includes: any one or more of the importance information, priority information, transmission delay information, and packet error rate information of each of the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET. Taking the importance information as an example, the importance information of each of the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET corresponds one-to-one to the different QoS flows carrying the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET. For example, the importance information includes a field, a bit, or a value, and the importance of the data packet associated with the importance information is explicitly indicated by the field, bit, or value included in the importance information, and the information can be carried in the data packet header. For example, the importance information of data packet #1 is "low", indicating that the importance of data packet #1 is low; the importance information of data packet #2 is "high", indicating that the importance of data packet #2 is high. For another example, the importance information of data packet #1 is "0", indicating that the importance of data packet #1 is low; the importance information of data packet #2 is "1", indicating that the importance of data packet #2 is high. The importance information of the data packet indicates the QOS flow carrying the data packet, which improves the implementation flexibility of the solution. Other information besides the importance information may also be indicated in the form of representation of the importance information.

[0015] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, each of the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET carries the importance information of the data packet. The importance information of the data packet can be carried in the data packet, so that the multiple data packets of the same PDU SET can be transmitted in at least two QOS flows with low signaling overhead.

[0016] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation of the first aspect, the importance information of the data packet is used to characterize the encoding method of the data packet, and the importance of the data packet is determined by the encoding method of the data packet. Alternatively, the importance information of the data packet is used to characterize the data type of the data packet, and the importance of the data packet is determined by the data type of the data packet. The importance information can be characterized by the encoding method of the data packet, and the importance information can also be characterized by the data type of the data packet. The importance of the data packet is indicated in multiple ways, which improves the implementation flexibility of the solution.

[0017] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation of the first aspect, the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET belong to different sub-PDU SETs, and the first information further includes: an identity of the sub-PDU SET to which each of the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET belongs, and each of the sub-PDU SETs includes at least one data packet. The sub-PDU SET proposed in the embodiment of the present application is a subset of the PDU SET, the sub-PDU SET includes at least one data packet, the data packets included in the sub-PDU SET belong to the PDU SET, and the PDU SET includes multiple sub-PDU SETs. The sub-PDU SET can also be called a PDU SET subset or other names, for example, the PDU SET is called a media frame, or a video frame, or a data frame, or a frame, then the multiple sub-PDU SETs included in the PDU SET are called sub-media frames, or sub-video frames, or sub-data frames, or sub-frames, and the embodiment of the present application does not limit this.

[0018] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation of the first aspect, the first information includes: an association relationship between the sub-PDU SET to which the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET belong and the QoS flow carrying the sub-PDU SET. Exemplarily, the first PDU SET is taken as an example for description. The first PDU SET includes a first sub-PDU SET, a second sub-PDU SET, and a third sub-PDU SET. The association relationship between the sub-PDU SET to which the data packets belong and the QoS flow carrying the sub-PDU SET includes: the QoS flow carrying the data packets of the first sub-PDU SET is QoS flow #1, the QoS flow carrying the data packets of the second sub-PDU SET is QoS flow #2, and the QoS flow carrying the data packets of the third sub-PDU SET is QoS flow #3. According to the first information (the association relationship between the sub-PDU SET to which the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET belong and the QoS flow carrying the sub-PDU SET), it can be determined that data packet #1 is transmitted in QoS flow #1. A specific implementation method may be that the UPF maps the data packet corresponding to the first sub-PDU SET to QoS flow #1 for transmission according to the detection rule of the data packet corresponding to the first sub-PDU SET, and the implementation methods of the second and third sub-PDU SETs are the same as the first sub-PDU SET.

[0019] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation of the first aspect, the application function sending the first information includes: the application function sending the data packet included in the same PDU SET, the data packet carrying the first information. The first information carried by the data packet is associated with the data packet. For example, the first information is importance information, and the first information carried by the data packet is the importance information of the data packet. By carrying the first information in the data packet, signaling overhead is saved.

[0020] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, a real-time transport protocol RTP message header of the data packet carries the first information, or a GTP-U message header of the data packet carries the first information.

[0021] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, a type field of a network abstraction layer message header NAL header of the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET carries the first information.

[0022] In the second aspect, an embodiment of the present application proposes a communication method based on a protocol data unit set, and the method is applied to a user plane function UPF. It should be noted that the method proposed in the second aspect can also be applied to other network functions or network elements or software modules that can realize user plane functions. The method includes:

[0023] Receive multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET; determine the QoS flow carrying the data packets according to first information and / or second information, wherein the first information indicates that the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET are transmitted in at least two quality of service QoS flows, and the second information is used to indicate a split transmission mechanism for the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET.

[0024] In another possible implementation, multiple data packets belonging to the same data stream are received, and the multiple data packets belonging to the same data stream are transmitted through the at least two QoS streams; based on the first information and / or the second information, the QoS stream carrying the data packets is determined, the first information indicates that the multiple data packets of the same data stream are transmitted in at least two quality of service QoS streams, and the second information is used to indicate a diversion transmission mechanism for the multiple data packets belonging to the same data stream.

[0025] Optionally, the user plane function obtains the first information from the data packet.

[0026] Optionally, the user plane function obtains the second information from the application function. For example, the second information may be description information of a data flow or a detection rule of a data packet, and multiple data packets of the same protocol data unit set PDU SET have at least two types of data flow description information or data packet detection rules. The second information may be used to indicate that multiple data packets of the same protocol data unit set PDU SET are transmitted in at least two quality of service QoS flows when transmitted over a 5G network.

[0027] Optionally, the user plane function obtains the second information from the session management function SMF.

[0028] In the embodiment of the present application, after receiving multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET, the UPF determines, based on the first information and / or the second information, that the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET are transmitted in at least two QoS flows, so as to meet different QoS requirements of different data packets in the same PDU SET, improve data transmission quality, and improve user experience.

[0029] In combination with the second aspect, in a possible implementation of the second aspect, the first information includes: importance information of each data packet among the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET, wherein the importance information of each data packet among the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET corresponds one-to-one to different QoS flows carrying the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET; the second information includes: an association relationship between the importance information of the data packet and the QoS flow; determining the QoS flow carrying the data packet according to the first information and / or the second information, including: determining the QoS flow associated with the importance information of the data packet according to the importance information of each data packet among the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET and / or the association relationship between the importance information of the data packet and the QoS flow, and the QoS flow is used to carry the data packet.

[0030] In one example, the user plane function determines the importance of the data packet based on the importance information of the data packet, and then determines the QoS flow corresponding to the data packet based on the importance. For example, a data packet with high importance in the same PDU SET uses a QoS flow with high priority, and a data packet with low importance uses a QoS flow with low priority. For another example, a data packet carrying geometric data in the same PDU SET uses a QoS flow with high priority, and a data packet carrying attribute data uses a QoS flow with low priority.

[0031] In another example, the user plane function determines the QoS flow corresponding to the data packet according to the association relationship between the sub-PDU SET to which the data packet belongs and the QoS flow carrying the sub-PDU SET. For example, after the user plane function determines the sub-PDU SET to which the data packet belongs according to the first information related to the data packet, the QoS flow carrying the sub-PDU SET is determined according to the above association relationship. Then, the QoS flow is determined as the QoS flow carrying the data packet.

[0032] Optionally, the importance information may be replaced by other information, including but not limited to: priority information, transmission delay information, packet error rate information, or packet loss rate information.

[0033] In the embodiment of the present application, the user plane function can determine the QOS flow carrying the data packet in a variety of ways, thereby realizing the transmission of multiple data packets of the same PDU SET in at least two QOS flows, thereby improving the implementation flexibility of the solution.

[0034] In conjunction with the second aspect, in a possible implementation of the second aspect, the importance information of the data packet is used to characterize the encoding method of the data packet, and the importance of the data packet is determined by the encoding method of the data packet. Alternatively, the importance information of the data packet is used to characterize the data type of the data packet, and the importance of the data packet is determined by the data type of the data packet. The importance information can be characterized by the encoding method of the data packet, and the importance information can also be characterized by the data type of the data packet. The importance of the data packet is indicated in a variety of ways, thereby improving the implementation flexibility of the solution.

[0035] In combination with the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the second aspect, each of the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET carries the importance information of the data packet. The importance information of the data packet can be carried in the data packet, so that the multiple data packets of the same PDU SET can be transmitted in at least two QOS flows with low signaling overhead.

[0036] In combination with the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the second aspect, determining the QoS flow that carries the data packet according to the first information and / or the second information includes: determining the sub-PDU SET to which the data packet belongs according to the first information and / or the second information, the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET belong to different sub-PDU SETs, and each of the sub-PDU SETs includes at least one data packet; determining the QoS flow corresponding to the sub-PDU SET according to the sub-PDU SET to which the data packet belongs, and the QoS flow is used to carry the data packet.

[0037] Specifically, after determining the sub-PDU SET to which the data packet belongs according to the first information (for example, information of the sub-PDU SET), the QoS flow carrying the sub-PDU SET is determined according to the second information. The QoS flow is then selected as the QoS flow carrying the data packet. For example, after determining the sub-PDU SET to which the data packet belongs, the QoS flow, QoS parameters or QoS requirements corresponding to the sub-PDU SET are determined according to the second information. Then, according to the QoS flow, QoS parameters or QoS requirements corresponding to the sub-PDU SET, the QoS flow carrying the data packet is determined. In the embodiment of the present application, the user plane function can determine the QOS flow carrying the data packet in a variety of ways, thereby realizing the transmission of multiple data packets of the same PDU SET in at least two QOS flows, thereby improving the implementation flexibility of the solution.

[0038] In combination with the second aspect, in a possible implementation of the second aspect, the second information includes: the packet detection rules of the multiple sub-PDU SETs in the same PDU SET; determining the sub-PDU SET to which the packet belonging to the same PDU SET belongs according to the first information and / or the second information, includes: detecting the data of the packet according to the packet detection rules of the multiple sub-PDU SETs in the same PDU SET, and determining the sub-PDU SET to which the packet belongs. Specifically, according to the packet detection rules of the multiple sub-PDU SETs in the same PDU SET, detecting the data of the packet, and determining the sub-PDU SET to which the packet belongs. Then, according to the sub-PDU SET to which the packet belongs, determining the QoS flow carrying the sub-PDU SET. Then using the QoS flow as the QoS flow carrying the packet. In the embodiment of the present application, the user plane function can determine the QOS flow carrying the packet in multiple ways, thereby realizing the transmission of multiple packets of the same PDU SET in at least two QOS flows, thereby improving the implementation flexibility of the solution.

[0039] In combination with the second aspect, in a possible implementation of the second aspect, the first information includes: an association relationship between the sub-PDU SET to which the data packet belonging to the same PDU SET belongs and the quality of service QoS flow carrying the sub-PDU SET; determining the QoS flow carrying the data packet according to the first information and / or the second information includes: determining the QoS flow corresponding to the data packet according to the association relationship between the sub-PDU SET to which the data packet belongs and the QoS flow carrying the sub-PDU SET, and the QoS flow is used to carry the data packet. Specifically, the user plane function determines the QoS flow corresponding to the data packet according to the association relationship between the sub-PDU SET to which the data packet belongs and the QoS flow carrying the sub-PDU SET. For example, after the user plane function determines the sub-PDU SET to which the data packet belongs according to the first information related to the data packet, it determines the QoS flow carrying the sub-PDU SET according to the above association relationship. Then, the QoS flow is determined as the QoS flow carrying the data packet. In the embodiment of the present application, the user plane function can determine the QoS flow carrying the data packet in multiple ways, thereby realizing that multiple data packets of the same PDU SET are transmitted in at least two QoS flows, thereby improving the implementation flexibility of the solution.

[0040] In combination with the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the method further includes: obtaining a data packet including the first information according to the data packet and the first information; and mapping the data packet including the first information to the QoS flow for transmission. The first information related to the data packet is transmitted to the access network device in a follow-the-flow manner, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0041] In combination with the second aspect, in a possible implementation method of the second aspect, obtaining the data packet including the first information according to the data packet and the first information includes: adding the first information to the GTP-U message header of the data packet to obtain the data packet including the first information.

[0042] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application proposes a communication method based on a protocol data unit set, and the method is applied to an access network device RAN. It should be noted that the method proposed in the third aspect can also be applied to other devices or hardware or software modules that can realize the functions of the access network device. The method includes:

[0043] Receive multiple data packets of the same protocol data unit set PDU SET; determine a data radio bearer DRB that carries the data packets based on first information and / or second information, wherein the first information indicates that the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET are transmitted in at least two quality of service QoS flows, and the second information is used to indicate a split transmission mechanism for the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET; map the data packets to the DRB determined to carry the data packets.

[0044] In another possible implementation, multiple data packets belonging to the same data stream are received, and the multiple data packets belonging to the same data stream are transmitted through the at least two QoS streams; according to the first information and / or the second information, a wireless data bearer carrying the data packets is determined, the first information indicates that the multiple data packets of the same data stream are transmitted in at least two service quality QoS streams, and the second information is used to indicate the split transmission mechanism of the multiple data packets belonging to the same data stream. In the embodiment of the present application, after receiving multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET, the RAN determines that the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET are transmitted in at least two service quality QoS streams according to the first information and / or the second information, and then maps the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET to the corresponding DRB and transmits them to the terminal device. The multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET can be mapped to at least one DRB. Through the above method, different QoS requirements of different data packets in the same PDU SET are met, the data transmission quality is improved, and the user experience is improved.

[0045] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation method of the third aspect, determining a data wireless bearer DRB that carries the data packet according to the first information and / or the second information, includes: determining the sub-PDU SET to which the data packet belongs according to the first information and / or the second information, the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET belong to different sub-PDU SETs, and each sub-PDU SET includes at least one data packet; determining the DRB corresponding to the sub-PDU SET according to the sub-PDU SET to which the data packet belongs, and the DRB is used to carry the data packet.

[0046] Specifically, when the access network device receives a data packet from a user plane function, it determines the sub-PDU SET to which the data packet belongs based on the first information corresponding to the data packet (for example, the first information carried in the data packet) and / or the second information. Then, based on the sub-PDU SET to which the data packet belongs, the DRB corresponding to the sub-PDU SET is determined. The access network device maps the data packet to the DRB for transmission. The access network device determines the DRB for transmitting the data packet based on the sub-PDU SET to which the data packet belongs, and implements the diversion and transmission of multiple data packets of the same PDU SET in at least one DRB through a variety of methods, thereby meeting the different QOS requirements of different data packets in the same PDU SET, improving the data transmission quality, and improving the user experience.

[0047] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation method of the third aspect, determining the DRB corresponding to the sub-PDU SET of the data packet belonging to the same PDUSET includes: determining the DRB that meets the QoS parameter requirements of the sub-PDU SET based on the QoS parameters of the sub-PDU SET.

[0048] Specifically, the QoS parameters corresponding to the sub-PDU SET are determined according to the second information (for example, a QoS template profile obtained from the SMF, and the QoS profile includes the QoS parameters corresponding to the sub-PDU SET). Then, according to the QoS parameters, a DRB that meets the QoS parameter requirements is determined, and the DRB is determined as the DRB that carries the data packet.

[0049] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the QoS parameters of the sub-PDU SET include any one or more of the following: a delay budget sub PDU SET delay budget of the sub-PDU SET, a bit error rate sub PDU SET error rate of the sub-PDU SET, or integrated processing information sub PDUSet Integrated Handling Information of the sub-PDU SET.

[0050] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation of the third aspect, the method further includes: determining a retransmission mechanism of the data packet according to the first information and / or the second information. Specifically, the retransmission mechanism may indicate which data packets in the same PDU SET need to be retransmitted when packet loss occurs, and which data packets do not need to be retransmitted when packet loss occurs. The retransmission mechanism may also indicate the number of retransmissions of which data packets in the same PDU SET when packet loss occurs. This achieves meeting the business needs of multiple services, improving data transmission quality, and improving user experience.

[0051] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation of the third aspect, determining a retransmission mechanism of the data packet according to the first information and / or the second information includes: determining the sub-PDU SET to which the data packet belongs according to the first information and / or the second information; determining the retransmission mechanism of the data packet according to the sub-PDU SET.

[0052] Optionally, the access network device may also determine the retransmission mechanism of the data packet according to the importance information of the data packet. In the embodiment of the present application, the access network device determines the retransmission mechanism of the data packet through multiple methods, which improves the implementation flexibility of the solution.

[0053] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation of the third aspect, determining the retransmission mechanism of the data packet includes: determining the retransmission priority of the data packet according to the first information and / or the second information, wherein the retransmission priority indicates the priority of the access network device to retransmit the data packet when the data packet is lost; determining the retransmission mechanism of the data packet according to the retransmission priority of the data packet. Regarding the retransmission priority, it indicates the priority of the access network device to retransmit the data packet when the data packet is lost. For example, when a data packet with a high retransmission priority is lost, the access network device retransmits it first. For another example, when a data packet in the retransmission priority is lost, the access network device retransmits the data packet in the retransmission priority after completing the retransmission of the data packet with the high retransmission priority. For another example, when a data packet with a low retransmission priority is lost, the access network device does not retransmit the data packet with the low retransmission priority.

[0054] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation of the third aspect, the retransmission priority of the data packet is determined based on the first information and / or the second information, including: the first information includes: importance information of the data packet; the retransmission priority of the data packet is determined based on the first information and / or the second information, including: based on the importance information of the data packet, determining the retransmission priority corresponding to the importance information.

[0055] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation of the third aspect, the second information includes: the QoS parameters of each sub-PDU SET of multiple sub-PDU SETs belonging to the same PDU SET; determining the retransmission priority of the data packet according to the first information and / or the second information, including: determining the QoS parameters corresponding to the data packet from the second information; determining the retransmission priority of the data packet according to the QoS parameters corresponding to the data packet.

[0056] In the embodiments of the present application, the access network device can determine the retransmission priority of the data packet in a variety of ways, thereby improving the implementation flexibility of the solution.

[0057] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the third aspect, determining the retransmission mechanism of the data packet according to the retransmission priority of the data packet includes: a packet data convergence layer protocol PDCP layer of the RAN obtains or determines the retransmission priority of the data packet; the PDCP layer of the RAN obtains a transmission status of the data packet, where the transmission status includes a successful transmission or a failed transmission; and the PDCP layer of the RAN determines the retransmission mechanism of the data packet according to the transmission status of the data packet and the retransmission priority of the data packet.

[0058] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the PDCP layer of the RAN obtains the transmission status of the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET, including: the PDCP layer of the RAN receives a status report sent by a radio link control RLC layer of the RAN, where the status report includes the transmission status of the data packets; and the PDCP layer of the RAN obtains or determines the transmission status of the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET according to the status report sent by the RLC layer.

[0059] Alternatively, the PDCP layer of the RAN subscribes to the data packet transmission status of the RLC layer of the RAN; and the PDCP layer of the RAN receives the transmission status of the data packet sent by the RLC layer of the RAN.

[0060] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the third aspect, a packet data convergence layer protocol PDCP layer of the RAN includes a first PDCP layer, the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET include a first data packet, and the first data packet belongs to a first sub-PDU SET included in the same PDU SET;

[0061] Determining the retransmission priority of the data packet according to the first information and / or the second information includes:

[0062] The control plane CU of the RAN determines the retransmission priority of the first data packet according to the second information and / or the first information of the first data packet;

[0063] Determining a retransmission mechanism for the data packet according to the retransmission priority of the data packet includes:

[0064] The CU of the RAN acquires a transmission status of the first data packet from a first PDCP layer or a first RLC layer of the RAN;

[0065] The CU of the RAN determines a retransmission mechanism of the first data packet according to a transmission state of the first data packet and a retransmission priority of the first data packet;

[0066] The CU of the RAN indicates a retransmission mechanism of the first data packet to a first PDCP layer or a first RLC layer of the RAN.

[0067] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the control plane CU of the RAN acquires the transmission status of the first data packet from the first PDCP layer, including:

[0068] The CU of the RAN receives a status report sent by a first PDCP layer or a first RLC layer of the RAN, where the status report includes a transmission status of the first data packet;

[0069] or,

[0070] The CU of the RAN subscribes to the data packet transmission status of the first PDCP layer or the first RLC layer of the RAN;

[0071] The CU of the RAN receives the transmission status of the first data packet sent by the first PDCP layer or the first RLC layer of the RAN.

[0072] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the PDCP layer of the RAN further includes a second PDCP layer, the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET further include a second data packet, the second data packet belongs to a second sub-PDU SET included in the same PDU SET, the data packet of the first sub-PDU SET and the data packet of the second sub-PDU SET are transmitted in different quality of service QoS flows,

[0073] Determining the retransmission priority of the data packet according to the first information and / or the second information includes:

[0074] The control plane CU of the RAN determines the retransmission priority of the second data packet according to the second information and / or the first information of the second data packet;

[0075] Determining a retransmission mechanism for the data packet according to the retransmission priority of the data packet includes:

[0076] The CU of the RAN acquires a transmission status of the second data packet from a second PDCP layer or a second RLC layer of the RAN;

[0077] The CU of the RAN determines a retransmission mechanism of the first data packet and a retransmission mechanism of the second data packet according to a transmission status of the first data packet, a transmission status of the second data packet, a retransmission priority of the first data packet, and a retransmission priority of the second data packet;

[0078] The CU of the RAN indicates a retransmission mechanism of the first data packet to a first PDCP layer or a first RLC layer of the RAN;

[0079] The CU of the RAN indicates a retransmission mechanism of the second data packet to a second PDCP layer or a second RLC layer of the RAN.

[0080] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the control plane CU of the RAN acquiring the transmission status of the second data packet from the second PDCP layer or the second RLC layer includes:

[0081] The CU of the RAN receives a status report sent by a second PDCP layer or a second RLC layer of the RAN, where the status report includes a transmission status of the second data packet;

[0082] or,

[0083] The CU of the RAN subscribes to the data packet transmission status of the second PDCP layer or the second RLC layer of the RAN;

[0084] The CU of the RAN receives the transmission status of the second data packet sent by the second PDCP layer or the second RLC layer of the RAN.

[0085] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the method further includes:

[0086] Determine, according to the first information and / or the second information, a transmission priority of the data packet, wherein the transmission priority indicates a priority of the access network device in transmitting the data packet;

[0087] A transmission mechanism for the data packet is determined according to the transmission priority of the data packet.

[0088] In combination with the first aspect, the second aspect, or the third aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the second aspect, or the third aspect, the first information includes any one or more of the following information:

[0089] The importance information of the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET, wherein the importance information of the data packets indicates the QoS flow carrying the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET;

[0090] The identity of the sub-PDU SET to which the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET belong;

[0091] The association relationship between the sub-PDU SET to which the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET belong and the QoS flow transmitting the sub-PDU SET;

[0092] a first packet identifier of the sub-PDU SET, where the first packet identifier of the sub-PDU SET is used to indicate the first data packet among multiple data packets included in the sub-PDU SET;

[0093] The end packet identifier of the sub-PDU SET is used to indicate the last data packet among multiple data packets included in the sub-PDU SET;

[0094] The number of data packet bits of the sub-PDU SET, where the number of data packet bits of the sub-PDU SET indicates the size of the data packet included in the sub-PDU SET;

[0095] Alternatively, the data packet sequence number of the sub-PDU SET, wherein the data packet sequence number of the sub-PDU SET indicates the sequence number of the data packet included in the sub-PDU SET in the sub-PDU SET.

[0096] In combination with the first aspect, the second aspect, or the third aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the second aspect, or the third aspect, the second information includes at least one of the following:

[0097] The association between the importance information of the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET and the QoS flow;

[0098] The association between the importance information and QoS requirements of the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET;

[0099] The association between the importance information of the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET and the QoS parameters;

[0100] Split transmission indication information, where the split transmission indication information is used to indicate that the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET are mapped to multiple QoS flows for transmission according to the first information;

[0101] The data packet detection rules of multiple sub-PDU SETs belonging to the same PDU SET;

[0102] QoS parameters of each sub-PDU SET of multiple sub-PDU SETs in the same PDU SET, wherein the QoS parameters of each sub-PDU SET correspond to parameters of a QoS flow carrying one sub-PDU SET;

[0103] Alternatively, the QoS requirements of multiple sub-PDU SETs in the same PDU SET, the QoS requirement of each sub-PDU SET indicates requirement information for the QoS flow of the data packet carrying the sub-PDU SET.

[0104] In combination with the first aspect, the second aspect, or the third aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the second aspect, or the third aspect, the QoS parameters of the sub-PDU SET include any one or more of the following:

[0105] The delay budget of the sub PDU SET sub PDU SET delay budget, the bit error rate of the sub PDU SET sub PDU SET error rate, or the integrated processing information of the sub PDU SET sub PDU Set IntegratedHandling Information.

[0106] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application proposes a communication method based on a protocol data unit set, and the method is applied to a session management function SMF. It should be noted that the method proposed in the fourth aspect can also be applied to other devices or hardware or software modules having network functions that can implement session management functions. The method is summarized as follows:

[0107] Receive a policy and charging control PCC rule; generate second information according to the PCC rule, the second information being used to indicate a split transmission mechanism for multiple data packets of the same protocol data unit set PDU SET; and send the second information.

[0108] For example, the SMF generates the second information (such as the QoS parameters of the sub-PDU SET) according to the PCC rule. Then the SMF sends the second information to the RAN. The SMF may send a QoS profile to the RAN, and the QoS profile includes the second information.

[0109] Optionally, the SMF may also set (or update) the QoS parameters of the sub-PDU SET granularity according to the PCC rules. For example, the PER or PSER information of different sub-PDU SETs in the same PDU SET may be set (or updated) according to the PCC rules. Then, the SMF sends the QoS parameters of the sub-PDU SET granularity to the RAN.

[0110] In the embodiment of the present application, SMF can modify or add the first information and / or the second information according to actual needs to meet the business needs of various services, improve data transmission quality, and enhance user experience.

[0111] In combination with the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the second information includes: the QoS parameters of each sub-PDU SET of multiple sub-PDU SETs belonging to the same PDU SET, wherein the QoS parameters of each sub-PDU SET correspond to the parameters of the QoS flow carrying one sub-PDU SET.

[0112] In combination with the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the QoS parameters of the sub-PDU SET include any one or more of the following: a delay budget sub PDU SET delay budget of the sub-PDU SET, a bit error rate sub PDU SET error rate of the sub-PDU SET, or integrated processing information sub PDUSet Integrated Handling Information of the sub-PDU SET.

[0113] In combination with the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the sub PDU SET delay budget in the QoS parameters of each sub PDU SET of the multiple sub PDU SETs in the same PDU SET is the same. By setting the sub PDU SET delay budget of the multiple sub PDU SETs in the same PDU SET to be the same, data packets of different sub PDU SETs in the same PDU SET can arrive at the terminal device at the same time.

[0114] In combination with the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, sub PDU SET delay budget in QoS parameters of the multiple sub PDU SETs is determined according to importance information of the multiple sub PDU SETs in the same PDU SET.

[0115] In combination with the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the PSDB belonging to the same PDU SET is greater than or equal to the subPDU SET delay budget in the QoS parameters of the multiple sub-PDU SETs included in the same PDU SET. The delay budget of the sub-PDU SET in the same PDU SET shall not be greater than the delay budget of the PDU SET to avoid transmission failure.

[0116] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the second information further includes at least one of the following:

[0117] The association between the importance information of the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET and the QoS flow;

[0118] The association between the importance information and QoS requirements of the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET;

[0119] The association between the importance information of the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET and the QoS parameters;

[0120] Split transmission indication information, where the split transmission indication information is used to indicate that the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET are mapped to multiple QoS flows for transmission according to the first information;

[0121] Alternatively, the QoS requirements of multiple sub-PDU SETs in the same PDU SET, the QoS requirement of each sub-PDU SET indicates requirement information for the QoS flow of the data packet carrying the sub-PDU SET.

[0122] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application proposes a communication method based on a protocol data unit set, the method being applied to a policy control function PCF, the method comprising:

[0123] Receive second information, where the second information is used to indicate a split transmission mechanism for data packets of a first protocol data unit set (PDU SET); generate a policy and charging control (PCC) rule according to the second information; and send the PCC rule, where the PCC rule includes information indicating that multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET are transmitted in at least two quality of service (QoS) flows.

[0124] In the embodiment of the present application, the PCF can modify or add the first information and / or the second information according to actual needs to meet the business needs of various services, improve the quality of data transmission, and enhance the user experience.

[0125] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, the second information includes at least one of the following:

[0126] The association between the importance information of the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET and the QoS flow;

[0127] The association between the importance information and QoS requirements of the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET;

[0128] The association between the importance information of the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET and the QoS parameters;

[0129] Split transmission indication information, where the split transmission indication information is used to indicate that the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET are mapped to multiple QoS flows for transmission according to the first information;

[0130] The data packet detection rules of multiple sub-PDU SETs belonging to the same PDU SET;

[0131] QoS parameters of each sub-PDU SET of multiple sub-PDU SETs in the same PDU SET, wherein the QoS parameters of each sub-PDU SET correspond to parameters of a QoS flow carrying one sub-PDU SET;

[0132] Alternatively, the QoS requirements of multiple sub-PDU SETs in the same PDU SET, the QoS requirement of each sub-PDU SET indicates requirement information for the QoS flow of the data packet carrying the sub-PDU SET.

[0133] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which is applied to application function AF, and the communication device includes: a transceiver module and a processing module;

[0134] The transceiver module is further used to send first information, where the first information is used to indicate that multiple data packets belonging to the same protocol data unit set PDU SET are transmitted in at least two quality of service QoS flows;

[0135] The transceiver module is further configured to send the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET, and the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET are transmitted through the at least two QoS flows.

[0136] In a possible implementation manner, the first information includes: importance information of each data packet among the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET, and the importance information of each data packet among the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET corresponds one-to-one to different QoS flows carrying the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET.

[0137] In a possible implementation manner, each of the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET carries importance information of the data packet.

[0138] In a possible implementation manner, the importance information of the data packet is used to characterize the encoding method of the data packet, or the importance information of the data packet is used to characterize the data type of the data packet.

[0139] In a possible implementation manner, the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET belong to different sub-PDU SETs, and the first information further includes: an identity of the sub-PDU SET to which each of the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET belongs, and each of the sub-PDU SET includes at least one data packet.

[0140] In a possible implementation manner, the first information includes: an association relationship between the sub-PDU SET to which the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET belong and the QoS flow carrying the sub-PDU SET.

[0141] In a possible implementation manner, the transceiver module is further configured to send the data packet included in the same PDU SET, where the data packet carries the first information.

[0142] In a possible implementation manner, the first information includes at least one of the following information:

[0143] a first packet identifier of a sub-PDU SET, where the first packet identifier of the sub-PDU SET is used to indicate the first data packet among multiple data packets included in the sub-PDU SET;

[0144] The end packet identifier of the sub-PDU SET is used to indicate the last data packet among multiple data packets included in the sub-PDU SET;

[0145] The number of data packet bits of the sub-PDU SET, where the number of data packet bits of the sub-PDU SET indicates the size of the data packet included in the sub-PDU SET;

[0146] Alternatively, the data packet sequence number of the sub-PDU SET, wherein the data packet sequence number of the sub-PDU SET indicates the sequence number of the data packet included in the sub-PDU SET in the sub-PDU SET.

[0147] In a possible implementation manner, the transceiver module is further configured to send second information, where the second information is used to indicate a split transmission mechanism for the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET.

[0148] The second information includes at least one of the following information:

[0149] The association between the importance information of the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET and the QoS flow;

[0150] The association between the importance information and QoS requirements of the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET;

[0151] The association between the importance information of the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET and the QoS parameters;

[0152] Split transmission indication information, where the split transmission indication information is used to indicate that the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET are mapped to multiple QoS flows for transmission according to the first information;

[0153] The data packet detection rules of multiple sub-PDU SETs belonging to the same PDU SET;

[0154] QoS parameters of each sub-PDU SET of multiple sub-PDU SETs in the same PDU SET, wherein the QoS parameters of each sub-PDU SET correspond to parameters of a QoS flow carrying one sub-PDU SET;

[0155] Alternatively, the QoS requirements of multiple sub-PDU SETs in the same PDU SET, the QoS requirement of each sub-PDU SET indicates requirement information for the QoS flow of the data packet carrying the sub-PDU SET.

[0156] In a possible implementation manner, the QoS parameters of the sub-PDU SET include any one or more of the following:

[0157] The delay budget of the sub PDU SET sub PDU SET delay budget, the bit error rate of the sub PDU SET sub PDU SET error rate, or the integrated processing information of the sub PDU SET sub PDU Set IntegratedHandling Information.

[0158] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which is applied to a user plane function UPF, and the communication device includes: a transceiver module and a processing module;

[0159] The transceiver module is further used to receive multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET;

[0160] The processing module is further used to determine the QoS flow carrying the data packet according to the first information and / or the second information, wherein the first information indicates that the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET are transmitted in at least two quality of service QoS flows, and the second information is used to indicate the split transmission mechanism of the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET.

[0161] In a possible implementation manner, the first information includes: importance information of each data packet among the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET, wherein the importance information of each data packet among the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET corresponds one-to-one to different QoS flows carrying the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET;

[0162] The second information includes: an association between the importance information of the data packet and the QoS flow;

[0163] The processing module is also used to determine the QoS flow associated with the importance information of the data packet based on the importance information of each data packet among the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET and / or the association between the importance information of the data packet and the QoS flow, and the QoS flow is used to carry the data packet.

[0164] In one possible implementation,

[0165] The processing module is further used to determine the sub-PDU SET to which the data packet belongs according to the first information and / or the second information, the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET belong to different sub-PDU SETs, and each of the sub-PDU SETs includes at least one data packet;

[0166] The processing module is further used to determine, according to the sub-PDU SET to which the data packet belongs, a QoS flow corresponding to the sub-PDU SET, where the QoS flow is used to carry the data packet.

[0167] In one possible implementation,

[0168] The second information includes: the data packet detection rules belonging to multiple sub-PDU SETs in the same PDU SET;

[0169] The processing module is further configured to detect data of the data packet according to the data packet detection rule of the multiple sub-PDU SETs in the same PDU SET, and determine the sub-PDU SET to which the data packet belongs.

[0170] In one possible implementation,

[0171] The first information includes: an association relationship between the sub-PDU SET to which the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET belong and a quality of service QoS flow carrying the sub-PDU SET;

[0172] The processing module is further used to determine the QoS flow corresponding to the data packet according to the association relationship between the sub-PDU SET to which the data packet belongs and the QoS flow carrying the sub-PDU SET, and the QoS flow is used to carry the data packet.

[0173] In one possible implementation,

[0174] The processing module is further configured to obtain a data packet including the first information according to the data packet and the first information;

[0175] The transceiver module is further used to map the data packet including the first information into the QoS flow for transmission.

[0176] In a possible implementation manner, the first information includes any one or more of the following information:

[0177] The importance information of the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET;

[0178] The identity of the sub-PDU SET to which the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET belong;

[0179] The association relationship between the sub-PDU SET to which the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET belong and the QoS flow transmitting the sub-PDU SET;

[0180] a first packet identifier of the sub-PDU SET, where the first packet identifier of the sub-PDU SET is used to indicate the first data packet among multiple data packets included in the sub-PDU SET;

[0181] The end packet identifier of the sub-PDU SET is used to indicate the last data packet among multiple data packets included in the sub-PDU SET;

[0182] The number of data packet bits of the sub-PDU SET, where the number of data packet bits of the sub-PDU SET indicates the size of the data packet included in the sub-PDU SET;

[0183] Alternatively, the data packet sequence number of the sub-PDU SET, wherein the data packet sequence number of the sub-PDU SET indicates the sequence number of the data packet included in the sub-PDU SET in the sub-PDU SET.

[0184] In a possible implementation manner, the second information includes at least one of the following:

[0185] The association between the importance information of the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET and the QoS flow;

[0186] Split transmission indication information, where the split transmission indication information is used to indicate that the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET are mapped to multiple QoS flows for transmission according to the first information;

[0187] Or, the data packet detection rules belonging to multiple sub-PDU SETs in the same PDU SET.

[0188] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which is applied to an access network device RAN, and the communication device includes: a transceiver module and a processing module;

[0189] The transceiver module is further used to receive multiple data packets belonging to the same protocol data unit set PDU SET;

[0190] The processing module is further used to determine a data radio bearer DRB that carries the data packet according to the first information and / or the second information, wherein the first information indicates that the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET are transmitted in at least two quality of service QoS flows, and the second information is used to indicate a split transmission mechanism of the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET;

[0191] The transceiver module is also used to map the data packet to the DRB determined to carry the data packet.

[0192] In one possible implementation,

[0193] The processing module is further used to determine the sub-PDU SET to which the data packet belongs according to the first information and / or the second information, the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET belong to different sub-PDU SETs, and each of the sub-PDU SETs includes at least one data packet;

[0194] The processing module is further used to determine the DRB corresponding to the sub-PDU SET according to the sub-PDU SET to which the data packet belongs, and the DRB is used to carry the data packet.

[0195] In one possible implementation,

[0196] The processing module is further used to determine a retransmission mechanism of the data packet according to the first information and / or the second information.

[0197] In one possible implementation,

[0198] The processing module is further configured to determine a retransmission priority of the data packet according to the first information and / or the second information, wherein the retransmission priority indicates a priority of the access network device for retransmitting the data packet when the data packet is lost;

[0199] The processing module is further used to determine the retransmission mechanism of the data packet according to the retransmission priority of the data packet.

[0200] In one possible implementation,

[0201] The processing module is further configured to determine a transmission priority of the data packet according to the first information and / or the second information, wherein the transmission priority indicates a priority of the access network device in transmitting the data packet;

[0202] The processing module is further used to determine the transmission mechanism of the data packet according to the transmission priority of the data packet.

[0203] In a possible implementation manner, the first information includes any one or more of the following information:

[0204] The importance information of the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET, wherein the importance information of the data packets indicates the QoS flow carrying the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET;

[0205] The identity of the sub-PDU SET to which the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET belong;

[0206] The association relationship between the sub-PDU SET to which the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET belong and the QoS flow transmitting the sub-PDU SET;

[0207] a first packet identifier of the sub-PDU SET, where the first packet identifier of the sub-PDU SET is used to indicate the first data packet among multiple data packets included in the sub-PDU SET;

[0208] The end packet identifier of the sub-PDU SET is used to indicate the last data packet among multiple data packets included in the sub-PDU SET;

[0209] The number of data packet bits of the sub-PDU SET, where the number of data packet bits of the sub-PDU SET indicates the size of the data packet included in the sub-PDU SET;

[0210] Alternatively, the data packet sequence number of the sub-PDU SET, wherein the data packet sequence number of the sub-PDU SET indicates the sequence number of the data packet included in the sub-PDU SET in the sub-PDU SET.

[0211] In a possible implementation manner, the second information includes at least one of the following:

[0212] The association between the importance information of the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET and the QoS flow;

[0213] The association between the importance information and QoS requirements of the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET;

[0214] The association between the importance information of the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET and the QoS parameters;

[0215] Split transmission indication information, where the split transmission indication information is used to indicate that the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET are mapped to multiple QoS flows for transmission according to the first information;

[0216] The data packet detection rules of multiple sub-PDU SETs belonging to the same PDU SET;

[0217] QoS parameters of each sub-PDU SET of multiple sub-PDU SETs in the same PDU SET, wherein the QoS parameters of each sub-PDU SET correspond to parameters of a QoS flow carrying one sub-PDU SET;

[0218] Alternatively, the QoS requirements of multiple sub-PDU SETs in the same PDU SET, the QoS requirement of each sub-PDU SET indicates requirement information for the QoS flow of the data packet carrying the sub-PDU SET.

[0219] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, the communication device session management function SMF, the communication device comprising: a transceiver module and a processing module;

[0220] The transceiver module is also used to receive policy and charging control PCC rules; generate second information according to the PCC rules, the second information is used to indicate the offload transmission mechanism of multiple data packets of the first protocol data unit set PDU SET; and send the second information.

[0221] In a possible implementation manner, the second information includes: QoS parameters of each sub-PDU SET of multiple sub-PDU SETs belonging to the same PDU SET, wherein the QoS parameters of each sub-PDU SET correspond to parameters of a QoS flow carrying one sub-PDU SET.

[0222] In a possible implementation manner, the QoS parameters of the sub PDU SET include any one or more of the following: a delay budget sub PDU SET delay budget of the sub PDU SET, a bit error rate sub PDUSET error rate of the sub PDU SET, or integrated processing information sub PDU Set Integrated HandlingInformation of the sub PDU SET.

[0223] In a possible implementation manner, the sub PDU SET delay budget in the QoS parameters of the sub PDU SETs of the multiple sub PDU SETs in the same PDU SET is the same.

[0224] In one possible implementation,

[0225] The processing module is further configured to determine, according to the importance information of the multiple sub-PDU SETs in the same PDU SET, the sub PDU SET delay budget in the QoS parameters of the multiple sub-PDU SETs.

[0226] In a possible implementation manner, the PSDB belonging to the same PDU SET is greater than or equal to the sub PDU SET delay budget in the QoS parameters of the multiple sub PDU SETs included in the same PDU SET.

[0227] In a possible implementation, at least one of the following is also included:

[0228] The association between the importance information of the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET and the QoS flow;

[0229] The association between the importance information and QoS requirements of the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET;

[0230] The association between the importance information of the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET and the QoS parameters;

[0231] Split transmission indication information, where the split transmission indication information is used to indicate that the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET are mapped to multiple QoS flows for transmission according to the first information;

[0232] Alternatively, the QoS requirements of multiple sub-PDU SETs in the same PDU SET, the QoS requirement of each sub-PDU SET indicates requirement information for the QoS flow of the data packet carrying the sub-PDU SET.

[0233] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which is applied to a policy control function PCF, and the communication device includes: a transceiver module and a processing module;

[0234] The transceiver module is further used to receive second information, where the second information is used to indicate a split transmission mechanism for data packets of the first protocol data unit set PDU SET;

[0235] The processing module is further used to generate a policy and charging control PCC rule according to the second information;

[0236] The transceiver module is further used to send the PCC rule, where the PCC rule includes information indicating that the multiple data packets included in the same PDU SET are transmitted in at least two quality of service QoS flows.

[0237] In a possible implementation manner, the second information includes at least one of the following:

[0238] The association between the importance information of the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET and the QoS flow;

[0239] The association between the importance information and QoS requirements of the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET;

[0240] The association between the importance information of the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET and the QoS parameters;

[0241] Split transmission indication information, where the split transmission indication information is used to indicate that the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET are mapped to multiple QoS flows for transmission according to the first information;

[0242] The data packet detection rules of multiple sub-PDU SETs belonging to the same PDU SET;

[0243] QoS parameters of each sub-PDU SET of multiple sub-PDU SETs in the same PDU SET, wherein the QoS parameters of each sub-PDU SET correspond to parameters of a QoS flow carrying one sub-PDU SET;

[0244] Alternatively, the QoS requirements of multiple sub-PDU SETs in the same PDU SET, the QoS requirement of each sub-PDU SET indicates requirement information for the QoS flow of the data packet carrying the sub-PDU SET.

[0245] In an eleventh aspect of the present application, a communication device is provided, which can implement the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect. The device includes corresponding units or modules for executing the above method. The units or modules included in the device can be implemented by software and / or hardware. For example, the device can be an application function, or the device can be a component in the application function (such as a processor, a chip or a chip system, etc.), or the device can also be a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the application function. Among them, the communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module. For example, the communication device is a server with an application function.

[0246] The twelfth aspect of the present application provides a communication device, which can implement the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. The device includes corresponding units or modules for executing the above method. The units or modules included in the device can be implemented by software and / or hardware. For example, the device can be a user plane function, or the device can be a component in the user plane function (such as a processor, chip or chip system, etc.), or the device can also be a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the user plane function. Among them, the communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module.

[0247] The thirteenth aspect of the present application provides a communication device, which can implement the method in the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect. The device includes corresponding units or modules for executing the above method. The units or modules included in the device can be implemented by software and / or hardware. For example, the device can be an access network device, or the device can be a component in the access network device (such as a processor, a chip or a chip system, etc.), or the device can also be a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the access network device. Among them, the communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module.

[0248] In a fourteenth aspect of the present application, a communication device is provided, which can implement the method in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect. The device includes corresponding units or modules for executing the above method. The units or modules included in the device can be implemented by software and / or hardware. For example, the device can be a session management function, or the device can be a component in the session management function (such as a processor, a chip or a chip system, etc.), or the device can also be a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the session management function. Among them, the communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module.

[0249] In the fifteenth aspect of the present application, a communication device is provided, which can implement the method in the fifth aspect or any possible implementation of the fifth aspect. The device includes corresponding units or modules for executing the above method. The units or modules included in the device can be implemented by software and / or hardware. For example, the device can be a policy control function, or the device can be a component in the policy control function (such as a processor, chip or chip system, etc.), or the device can also be a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the policy control function. Among them, the communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module.

[0250] A sixteenth aspect of an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, comprising at least one processor, which is coupled to a memory; the memory is used to store programs or instructions; the at least one processor is used to execute the program or instructions so that the device can implement any possible implementation method of the first to fifth aspects mentioned above.

[0251] A seventeenth aspect of an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, including a communication interface for inputting and / or outputting signaling or data; a processor for executing a computer-executable program so that the device implements any possible implementation method of the first to fifth aspects mentioned above.

[0252] An eighteenth aspect of an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, comprising at least one logic circuit and an input / output interface; the input / output interface is used to input or output information; the logic circuit is used to execute the method in any possible implementation manner as described in any of the first to fifth aspects above.

[0253] A nineteenth aspect of an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product (or computer program). When the computer program product is executed by the processor, the processor executes the above-mentioned first to fifth aspects, and any possible implementation method.

[0254] The twentieth aspect of an embodiment of the present application provides a chip system, which includes at least one processor for supporting a communication device to implement the above-mentioned first to fifth aspects, and any possible implementation method.

[0255] In a possible design, the chip system may also include a memory for storing program instructions and data necessary for the communication device. The chip system may be composed of a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices. Optionally, the chip system also includes an interface circuit, which provides program instructions and / or data for the at least one processor.

[0256] A twenty-first aspect of an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which includes the communication device of the sixth aspect, the communication device of the seventh aspect, the communication device of the eighth aspect, the communication device of the ninth aspect and / or the communication device of the tenth aspect.

[0257] Among them, the technical effects brought about by any design method in the sixth to twenty-first aspects can refer to the technical effects brought about by different implementation methods in the first to fifth aspects mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0258] A twenty-second aspect of an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method based on a protocol data unit set, the method being applied to a communication system, the communication system including an application function and a user plane function, the method including:

[0259] The application function sends first information, where the first information is used to indicate that multiple data packets belonging to the same protocol data unit set PDU SET are transmitted in at least two quality of service QoS flows;

[0260] The application function sends the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET;

[0261] The user plane function receives the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET;

[0262] The user plane function determines the QoS flow that carries the data packet according to the first information and / or the second information.

[0263] In a possible implementation manner, the communication system further includes an access network device, and the method further includes:

[0264] The access network device receives the multiple data packets belonging to the same protocol data unit set PDU SET;

[0265] The access network device determines, according to the first information and / or the second information, a data radio bearer DRB that carries the data packet;

[0266] The access network device maps the data packet to the DRB determined to carry the data packet.

[0267] In a twenty-third aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a communication method based on a protocol data unit set is proposed. The method is applied to a communication system, the communication system includes a user plane function and an access network device, and the method includes:

[0268] The user plane function receives a plurality of data packets belonging to the same PDU SET;

[0269] The user plane function determines the QoS flow carrying the data packet according to the first information and / or the second information, the first information indicating that the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET are transmitted in at least two quality of service QoS flows, and the second information is used to indicate a split transmission mechanism for the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET;

[0270] The access network device receives the multiple data packets belonging to the same protocol data unit set PDU SET;

[0271] The access network device determines a data radio bearer DRB that carries the data packet according to the first information and / or the second information;

[0272] The access network device maps the data packet to the DRB determined to carry the data packet.

[0273] In a possible implementation manner, the communication system further includes an application function, and the method further includes:

[0274] The application function sends the first information;

[0275] The application function sends the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET.

[0276] It should be understood that, for components in a device, the “sending” mentioned above may be referred to as “output” and the “receiving” may be referred to as “input”. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0277] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a communication system in an embodiment of the present application;

[0278] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a processing flow of a PDU set;

[0279] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a media frame of 3D MVC;

[0280] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of an embodiment flow of a communication method based on a protocol data unit set proposed in an embodiment of the present application;

[0281] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a sub-PDU SET in an embodiment of the present application;

[0282] Figure 6 A schematic flow chart of another embodiment of a communication method based on a protocol data unit set proposed in an embodiment of the present application;

[0283] Figure 7 A schematic flow chart of another embodiment of a communication method based on a protocol data unit set proposed in an embodiment of the present application;

[0284] Figure 8 A schematic flow chart of another embodiment of a communication method based on a protocol data unit set proposed in an embodiment of the present application;

[0285] Fig. 9 Schematic diagram of a structure of a first PDU SET in an embodiment of the present application;

[0286] Fig.10A schematic diagram of a data packet transmission in an embodiment of the present application;

[0287] Fig.11 A schematic flow chart of another embodiment of a communication method based on a protocol data unit set proposed in an embodiment of the present application;

[0288] Fig.12 This is a schematic diagram of another data packet transmission in an embodiment of the present application;

[0289] Fig.13 A schematic flow chart of another embodiment of a communication method based on a protocol data unit set proposed in an embodiment of the present application;

[0290] Fig.14 A schematic diagram of an application scenario proposed in an embodiment of the present application;

[0291] Fig.15 A schematic diagram of a communication device provided for this application;

[0292] Fig.16 Another schematic diagram of a communication device provided by the present application;

[0293] Fig.17 Another schematic diagram of a communication device provided by the present application;

[0294] Fig.18 Another schematic diagram of a communication device provided by the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0295] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. The terms "first", "second" and corresponding terminology labels in the specification and claims of the present application and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the terms used in this way are interchangeable where appropriate, and this is merely a way of distinguishing objects of the same attributes when describing the embodiments of the present application. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, so that a process, method, system, product or device that includes a series of units is not necessarily limited to those units, but may include other units that are not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0296] In the description of the present application, unless otherwise specified, " / " means or, for example, A / B can mean A or B; "and / or" in the present application is merely a description of the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist, for example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. In addition, in the description of the present application, "at least one" refers to one or more items, and "multiple items" refers to two or more items. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, c can be single or multiple.

[0297] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, for example: long term evolution (LTE) system, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (TDD), universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, fifth generation (5G) system, new generation (NR) communication system or future sixth generation communication system, etc.

[0298] The part operated by the operator in various communication systems can be called the operator network. The operator network can also be called the public land mobile network (PLMN) network, which is a network established and operated by the government or an operator approved by the government for the purpose of providing land mobile communication services to the public. It is mainly a public network in which mobile network operators (MNO) provide mobile broadband access services to users. The operator network or PLMN network described in the embodiment of the present application can be a network that meets the requirements of the third generation partnership project (3GPP) standard, referred to as a 3GPP network. Usually, the 3GPP network is operated by an operator, including but not limited to the fifth generation (5th-generation, 5G) mobile communication network, the fourth generation (4th-generation, 4G) mobile communication network or the third generation (3rd-generation, 3G) mobile communication technology network. It also includes the future sixth generation (6th-generation, 6G) mobile communication network.

[0299] See also Figure 1 , Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a communication system in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 1 As shown, the communication system includes access and mobility management function (AMF), session management function (SMF), unified data management (UDM), radio access network (RAN), policy control function (PCF), terminal equipment, user plane function (UPF), network exposure function (NEF), application function (AF), data network (DN), etc.

[0300] Below Figure 1 A brief introduction is given to each network function (or network element) shown in the figure.

[0301] Terminal equipment: can be called user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent or user device.

[0302] The terminal device may be a device that provides voice / data to users, for example, a handheld device or a vehicle-mounted device with a wireless connection function. At present, some examples of terminals are: mobile phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MID), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self driving, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication functions, computing devices or other processing devices connected to wireless modems, wearable devices, terminal devices in 5G networks or terminal devices in future evolved public land mobile communication networks, etc., and the embodiments of the present application are not limited to this.

[0303] As an example but not limitation, in the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device may also be a wearable device. Wearable devices may also be referred to as wearable smart devices, which are a general term for wearable devices that are intelligently designed and developed using wearable technology for daily wear, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. A wearable device is a portable device that is worn directly on the body or integrated into the user's clothes or accessories. Wearable devices are not only hardware devices, but also powerful functions achieved through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. Broadly speaking, wearable smart devices include full-featured, large-sized, and fully or partially independent of smartphones, such as smart watches or smart glasses, as well as devices that only focus on a certain type of application function and need to be used in conjunction with other devices such as smartphones, such as various types of smart bracelets and smart jewelry for vital sign monitoring.

[0304] In addition, in the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device may also be a terminal device in an Internet of Things (IoT) system. IoT is an important part of the future development of information technology. Its main technical feature is to connect objects to the network through communication technology, thereby realizing an intelligent network that interconnects people and machines and things.

[0305] It should be noted that the terminal device and the access network device can communicate with each other using a certain air interface technology (such as NR or LTE technology, etc.). The terminal devices can also communicate with each other using a certain air interface technology (such as NR or LTE technology, etc.).

[0306] In the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device may be replaced by a device for realizing the function of the terminal device, or may be a device capable of supporting the terminal device to realize the function, such as a chip system or a chip, which may be installed in the terminal device. In addition, the chip system may be composed of a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0307] The access network equipment (also called wireless access network) may be a device with wireless transceiver function. The access network equipment may be a device that provides wireless communication function services, usually located on the network side, including but not limited to: the next generation base station (gNodeB, gNB) in the fifth generation communication system, the next generation base station in the sixth generation (mobile communication system, the base station in the future mobile communication system or the access node in the WiFi system, etc., the evolved node B (evolved node B, eNB) in the LTE system, the radio network controller (radio network controller, RNC), the node B (node ​​B, NB), the base station controller (basestation controller, BSC), the home base station (for example, home evolved NodeB, or home Node B, HNB), the wireless access point, the base band unit (base band unit, BBU), the transmission reception point (transmitting point, TP), the base transceiver station (base transceiver station, BTS), etc. In a network structure, the access network equipment may include a centralized unit (CU) node, or a distributed unit (distributed unit) node. The access network device provides services for the cell, and the user equipment communicates with the base station through the transmission resources used by the cell (for example, frequency domain resources, or spectrum resources). The cell can be a cell corresponding to a base station (for example, a base station). The cell can belong to a macro base station or a base station corresponding to a small cell. The small cell here can include: metro cell, micro cell, pico cell, femto cell, etc. These small cells have the characteristics of small coverage and low transmission power, and are suitable for providing high-speed data transmission services. The access network device can be a macro base station, a micro base station or an indoor station (, and can also be a relay node or a donor node. The device that provides wireless communication services to user equipment in the V2X communication system, the cloud radio access network (cloud radio access The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form used by the access network device.

[0308] The unified data management element (also called unified data management network element, unified data management network element entity, data management equipment, unified data management network element equipment) is a type of core network equipment, mainly used to process terminal equipment identification, access authentication, registration and mobility management, etc. The unified data management is a control plane device.

[0309] Policy control function (also known as policy control network element, policy control functional network element, policy control equipment, policy control functional network element entity, etc.): mainly responsible for policy control functional network element such as billing for sessions and service flow levels, service quality bandwidth guarantee and mobility management, terminal device policy decision-making, etc.

[0310] Session management function (also called session management function network element): mainly performs session management, execution of control policies issued by PCF, selection of UPF, allocation of Internet Protocol addresses for terminal devices, etc.

[0311] The access and mobility management function (also known as access and mobility management function entity, access and mobility management equipment, access and mobility management function network element, access management equipment, mobility management equipment) is a type of core network equipment, mainly used for mobility management and access management, etc. It can be used to implement other functions of the mobility management entity (MME) except session management, such as lawful interception, or access authorization (or authentication), user equipment registration, mobility management, tracking area update process, reachability detection, selection of session management network element, mobile state transition management and other functions.

[0312] User plane functions (also known as user plane equipment, user plane function network element, user plane network element, user plane function entity): mainly include the following functions: data packet routing and transmission, packet detection, service usage reporting, QoS processing, legal monitoring, uplink packet detection, downlink data packet storage and other user plane related functions.

[0313] The application function AF is similar to an application server, which interacts with other 5G core network control planes (NFs) and provides business services. AF can exist for different application services and can be owned by operators or trusted third parties. For example, the main function of this network element is to tell PCF the latest third-party enterprise's business requirements for a certain application. PCF will generate corresponding quality of service (QoS) rules based on the requirements to ensure that the services provided by the network meet the requirements of the third party.

[0314] Network open function. NEF can also be called network open device, network open function entity, network open function network element, network capability open function entity, network capability open function device, network capability open function network element, or network capability open device. NEF is mainly used to support the opening of capabilities and events, such as securely opening the services and capabilities provided by 3GPP network functions to the outside world.

[0315] It should be understood that the RAN, SMF, PCF or AF in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as a communication device or a communication equipment, which may be a general device or a dedicated device, and the present application does not make any specific limitations on this.

[0316] It should also be understood that the above naming is only used to distinguish different functions, and does not mean that these devices are independent physical devices. The present application does not limit the specific form of the above devices. For example, they can be integrated into the same physical device, or they can be different physical devices. In actual deployment, network functions (or simply referred to as functions), network elements or devices can be combined. For example, the access and mobility management function network element can be combined with the session management function network element; the session management function network element can be combined with the user plane function network element. When two functions are combined, the interaction between the two functions provided in the embodiment of the present application becomes the internal operation of the combined function or can be omitted.

[0317] It is understandable that the above functions can be network elements in hardware devices, software functions running on dedicated hardware, or a combination of hardware and software, or virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).

[0318] It should be noted that Figure 1 The naming of each device (such as AF, SMF, PCF, AMF, etc.) is just a name, and the name does not limit the function of the device itself. In 5G networks and other future networks, the above-mentioned devices may also have other names, and this application does not make specific restrictions on this. For example, in a 6G network, some or all of the above-mentioned network elements may use the terminology in 5G, or may be other names, etc., which are uniformly explained here and will not be repeated below.

[0319] It should be noted that the exemplary examples mentioned in this application do not represent the optimal ones; the first, second, etc. mentioned in this application are only used to distinguish different information, messages or other objects, and do not represent a sequential relationship; in addition, the various embodiments in this application can refer to and learn from each other, and the same or similar steps or nouns will not be repeated one by one.

[0320] In order to better understand the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, some technical concepts involved in the embodiments of the present application are introduced below.

[0321] 1. Network coding (NC).

[0322] The network coding function in the present application includes network coding of the original data packet and adding a coded packet header. The network coding function may also include the process of processing the original data unit, such as a service data unit (SDU) or a protocol data unit (PDU), to obtain the original data packet. The processing may include one or more of segmentation, cascading, or padding. The network coding function of the sending end corresponds to the network decoding function of the receiving end. The receiving end can recover K original data packets by decoding at least K coded packets successfully received together, where K is a positive integer. The protocol layer with a network coding function or a decoding function corresponding to network coding is called a network coding / decoding layer. In the present application, the network coding / decoding layer is referred to as a network coding layer, that is, the above-mentioned protocol layer with network coding is called a network coding layer.

[0323] The network coding layer may be a radio resource control (RRC) layer, a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, a backhaul adaptation protocol (BAP) layer, a radio link control (RLC) layer, a medium access control (MAC) layer, or a physical layer (PHY) or other protocol layers. The network coding layer may also be a new protocol layer in addition to the PHY layer, the MAC layer, the RLC layer, the BAP layer, the PDCP layer, the SDAP layer, and the RRC layer, and may be a network coding layer added above the PDCP layer (for example, in 5G NR, a network coding layer is added between the PDCP layer and the SDAP layer), or a network coding layer is added above the BAP layer, or a network coding layer is added between the PDCP layer and the RLC layer, or a network coding layer is added between the RLC layer and the MAC layer, or a network coding layer is added between the MAC layer and the PHY layer.

[0324] Taking the data packets included in a PDU set (PDU SET, or PDU set, or PDU Set) as an example, the PDU set includes Internet Protocol (IP) data packets, and IP data packets are data packets with PDU granularity. The data packets included in the PDU set can also be called PDU data packets, or PDUs, or simply data packets.

[0325] At the SDAP layer, the IP packet is taken as an SDAP SDU and the data packet header (head, H) of the SDAP SDU is added. Then the SDAP layer forwards the SDAP SDU and the header added by the SDAP layer as a complete data packet (for the convenience of description, the complete data packet is called an SDAP data packet) to the PDCP layer.

[0326] At the PDCP layer, the SDAP data packet is used as a PDCP SDU and a data packet header of the PDCP SDU is added. The PDCP layer then forwards the PDCP SDU and the header added by the PDCP layer as a complete data packet (for ease of description, the complete data packet is referred to as a PDCP data packet) to the RLC layer.

[0327] At the RLC layer, the PDCP data packet is treated as an RLC SDU and a data packet header of the RLC SDU is added. The RLC layer then forwards the RLC SDU and the header added by the RLC layer to the MAC layer as a complete data packet (for the sake of convenience, the complete data packet is referred to as an RLC data packet). It should be noted that the PDCP data packet can be segmented in the RLC layer. For example, the PDCP data packet corresponding to the mth IP packet is segmented into two service data unit segments (SDU segments) at the RLC layer. The RLC layer treats the SDU segments as RLC SDUs and then adds headers to each of them.

[0328] At the MAC layer, the RLC data packet is used as a MAC SDU and a data packet header of the MAC SDU is added. The MAC layer concatenates one or more MAC SDUs and the corresponding headers as a MAC PDU.

[0329] It should be noted that the data packet in the embodiment of the present application may be a protocol data unit (PDU) or a service data unit (SDU), such as a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) SDU, a packet data convergence layer protocol (PDCP) SDU, a radio link control (RLC) SDU, or a media access control (MAC) SDU. It is understandable that the data packet sent from the user plane function (UPF) to the access network device may be in the format of a protocol data unit. When the access network device receives the data packet from the SDAP layer, the data packet may be in the SDAP SDU format. When the data packet is transmitted from the SDAP layer to the PDCP layer, the data packet arrives at the PDCP layer and is converted to a PDCP SDU. Similarly, after the data packet arrives at the RLC layer, the data packet is converted to an RLC SDU. After the data packet arrives at the MAC layer, the data packet is converted to a MAC SDU. The data unit of the data packet granularity processed by each layer may be different. It is understandable that the data packet in the embodiment of the present application may also be a data unit of other granularity, and the embodiment of the present application is not limited to this.

[0330] 2. PDU set. A PDU set can also be called a PDU set. A PDU set includes one or more PDU data packets. The following is a description of the processing flow of the 5G system (5G system, 5GS) for the PDU set in conjunction with the attached figure. Figure 2 , Figure 2 The figure is a schematic diagram of the processing flow of a PDU set.

[0331] R1. AF sends an AF request to PCF, and the AF request carries information related to PDU SET. The information related to PDU SET can also be called PDU SET information. The information related to PDU SET includes protocol description, QoS parameters of PDU SET and / or QoS requirements of PDU SET. QoS parameters of PDU SET include: PDU Set Delay Budget (PSDB), PDU Set Error Rate (PSER), and / or PDU Set Integrated Handling Information (PSIHI).

[0332] The PDU SET information specifically includes any one or more of the following information: a sequence number of a PDU set (PDU Set Sequence Number), an indication of an end PDU of the PDU Set (Indication of End PDU of the PDU Set), a PDU sequence number within a PDU Set (PDU Sequence Number within a PDU Set), a PDU set size in bytes (PDU Set Size in bytes), or a PDU set importance (PDU Set Importance). The PDU set importance is used to identify the relative importance of a PDU Set compared to other PDU Sets within a QoS Flow (which identifies the relative importance of a PDU Set compared to other PDU Sets within a QoS Flow).

[0333] Correspondingly, the PCF generates a policy and charging control (PCC) rule related to the PDU SET according to the PDU SET related information provided by the AF, and transmits the PCC rule related to the PDU SET to the SMF.

[0334] Correspondingly, the SMF obtains the QoS parameters related to the PDU SET and the detection rules of the PDU SET according to the PCC rules.

[0335] R2a. AF sends PDU SET identification information (PDU SET identification) to UPF.

[0336] R2b. SMF sends the QoS parameters of PDU SET to RAN through AMF.

[0337] R3 and UPF identify the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET according to the PDU SET identification information. Then, the PDU SET information of the PDU SET to which the data packet belongs is carried in the general packet radio service tunneling protocol-user plane (GTP-U) header of the data packet. UPF transmits the PDU SET information to the RAN by sending a data packet carrying the PDU SET information to the RAN.

[0338] 3. Point cloud data

[0339] Point cloud data or 3D point cloud data refers to a set of vectors in a three-dimensional coordinate system. Point cloud data is obtained by scanning the environment through a laser sensor (such as lidar) or a camera matrix. In addition, point cloud data is recorded in the form of points, and each point contains three-dimensional coordinates.

[0340] In some cases, the points in the point cloud data may include information such as position information in space and reflection intensity. Among them, the reflection intensity information refers to the echo intensity collected by the laser scanner receiving device. The reflection intensity information is related to the surface material, roughness, incident angle direction of the target, and the emission energy and laser wavelength of the instrument. For example, LiDAR (light detection and ranging) can be used to collect three-dimensional point cloud data of the scene. The measured point cloud data is a discrete point representation of the digital surface model (DSM), and the point cloud data contains spatial three-dimensional information and laser intensity information.

[0341] In other cases, the points in the point cloud data may include information such as location information in space, color, reflectivity, or normal vector. Point cloud data can be used in various applications, such as 3D immersive telepresence, virtual reality (VR) services, extended reality (XR) services, 3D video playback, geographic information systems, cultural heritage, navigation services based on 3D dynamic maps, or smart driving applications.

[0342] 4. 3D media frame

[0343] The media frame in the embodiment of the present application may also be referred to as a multimedia audio and video frame, or a video frame. The embodiment of the present application is not limited to this. In a 3D scene, 3D expression can be achieved in a variety of ways, such as by point cloud data, or by multi-viewpoint (or single viewpoint left and right eye data) data. 3D media frames can support multi-data stream transmission.

[0344] First, we introduce the 3D expression through point cloud data:

[0345] Point cloud data in 3D scenes can be divided into geometric data (or geometric data stream) and attribute data (or attribute data stream) according to the attributes of the data. Geometric data includes the coordinate information of the point corresponding to the point cloud data in the three-dimensional coordinate system, which is the basic information of the point cloud data. Attribute data includes the attribute information of the point corresponding to the point cloud data, such as color information, reflectivity information, or normal vector information. Attribute data needs to be based on geometric data, so the encoding and decoding of attribute data needs to rely on geometric data. Geometric data is more important than attribute data.

[0346] Taking Video-based Point Cloud Compression (V-PCC) as an example, the specific encoding and decoding method is as follows: the encoding end projects the original 3D point cloud data into a 2D space with different angles, and then uses a 2D video encoder to process the above data to obtain various data such as geometric data and attribute data. The geometric data stream corresponding to the geometric data and the attribute data stream corresponding to the attribute data are packaged as a V-PCC data stream. The decoding end decodes the V-PCC data stream to obtain the collection data and attribute data.

[0347] Next, we will introduce how to realize 3D expression through multi-viewpoint (or single-viewpoint left and right eye data):

[0348] Taking 3D multiview video coding (MVC) as an example, in the encoding of traditional 2D videos, the previous and next frames are generally referenced, and the correlation between the previous and next images is used for compression encoding. 3D videos can be encoded using traditional 2D video encoding technology for the left and right eyes respectively, but obviously, there is a high correlation between the left and right eye images. Therefore, in 3DMVC, in addition to referring to the previous and next frames for encoding, the right eye (left eye) will also refer to the left eye (right eye) for encoding. For example Figure 3 shown. Figure 3 3D MVC media frame diagram. Each frame in 3D MVC carries left eye (L) video data and right eye (R) video data. Usually, the right eye video data is encoded based on the left eye video data, so the left eye video data is more important than the right eye video data.

[0349] Under 3D MVC, each media frame can carry not only single-view left-eye video data but also multi-view video data. When each media frame carries multi-view video data, the correct decoding of the media frame can be achieved by successfully transmitting the video data of some viewpoints. For example, each media frame carries video data of 9 viewpoints, among which the successful transmission of the video data of viewpoint 0 and the video data of the current viewpoint can successfully decode the media frame. Therefore, the importance of the video data of viewpoint 0 and the video data of the current viewpoint is higher than the video data of other viewpoints.

[0350] From the above description, it can be seen that different data packets in the same media frame may have different importance or different QoS requirements. Accordingly, the importance of multiple data packets included in a PDU SET carrying the media frame may be different or the QoS requirements of multiple data packets may be different. Therefore, new requirements are put forward for the transmission mechanism of PDU SET.

[0351] It should be noted that multiple data packets transmitted in the same PDU Set refer to the multiple data packets having the same Internet Protocol IP quintuple information. The IP quintuple information includes: destination IP address, destination port number, source IP address, source port number, and protocol type. Similar to "multiple data packets transmitted in the same PDU Set", multiple data packets transmitted in the same data stream have the same IP quintuple information. Therefore, multiple data packets with the same IP quintuple information may be mapped to the same QoS stream for transmission, that is, multiple data packets transmitted in the same data stream may also be mapped to the same QoS stream for transmission. Multiple data packets transmitted in the same data stream may have differentiated QoS transmission requirements. Therefore, new requirements are also put forward for the transmission mechanism of data streams.

[0352] Based on this, an embodiment of the present application proposes a communication method based on a protocol data unit set. Send first information, the first information is used to indicate that multiple data packets belonging to the same protocol data unit set PDU SET are transmitted in at least two quality of service QoS flows. Send the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET so that the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET sent by the AF can be transmitted through the at least two QoS flows. By sending the first information, multiple data packets of the same PDU SET are diverted and transmitted in at least two QoS flows to meet different QoS requirements of different data packets in the same PDU SET.

[0353] It can be understood that the communication method based on the protocol data unit set proposed in the embodiment of the present application can also be applied to the scenario where multiple data packets of the same data stream are transmitted. The specific implementation method is similar to the scenario where multiple data packets of the same PDU SET are transmitted, and will not be elaborated on. Specifically, the communication method based on the protocol data unit set proposed in the embodiment of the present application also includes: the application function sends a first information, and the first information is used to indicate that multiple data packets belonging to the same data stream are transmitted in at least two quality of service QoS streams; the application function sends the multiple data packets belonging to the same data stream, so that the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET sent by the AF are transmitted through the at least two QoS streams after being received by the receiving end. By sending the first information, multiple data packets of the same data stream are diverted and transmitted in at least two QoS streams to meet the different QoS requirements of different data packets in the same data stream.

[0354] The following is an introduction to the embodiments of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Figure 4 , Figure 4A flow chart of an embodiment of a communication method based on a protocol data unit set proposed in an embodiment of the present application. A communication method based on a protocol data unit set proposed in an embodiment of the present application includes:

[0355] First, let's introduce the sub-PDU SET. For ease of understanding, please refer to Figure 5 , Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a sub-PDU SET in an embodiment of the present application. Exemplarily, the sub-PDU SET proposed in the embodiment of the present application is a subset of the PDU SET, the sub-PDU SET includes at least one data packet, the data packet included in the sub-PDU SET belongs to the PDU SET, and the PDU SET includes multiple sub-PDU SETs. The sub-PDU SET can also be called a PDU SET subset or other names. For example, if the PDU SET is called a media frame or a video frame or a data frame or a frame, then the multiple sub-PDU SETs included in the PDU SET are called sub-media frames or sub-video frames or sub-data frames or sub-frames, and the embodiment of the present application does not limit this.

[0356] There are multiple possible implementations for transmitting the first information from the application function to the user plane function, including: method (1), the first information and the data packet are independent of each other; method (2), the first information is carried in the data packet and sent along with the flow. Each of them is described below.

[0357] Method (1):

[0358] S1. An application function sends first information to a user plane function, where the first information is used to indicate that multiple data packets of a same PDU SET are transmitted in at least two QoS flows.

[0359] In step S1, the application function sends first information to the user plane function.

[0360] In a possible implementation manner, the first information is used to indicate that multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET are transmitted in at least two QoS flows to meet different QoS requirements of different data packets in the same PDU SET.

[0361] Regarding the first information, the present application embodiment proposes one or more of the following possible implementations, which are described below respectively:

[0362] Mode A: The first information includes the importance information of each data packet among the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET (which may be referred to as PDU importance information). The importance information of each data packet among the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET corresponds one-to-one to the different QoS flows that carry the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET. For example, PDU SET#1 includes data packet #1, data packet #2, and data packet #3, wherein the importance information of data packet #1 corresponds to QoS flow #1, and QoS flow #1 is used to carry data packet #1; the importance information of data packet #2 corresponds to QoS flow #2, and QoS flow #2 is used to carry data packet #2; the importance information of data packet #3 corresponds to QoS flow #3, and QoS flow #3 is used to carry data packet #3.

[0363] Furthermore, there are multiple possible implementations of importance information, which are described below:

[0364] In one possible implementation, the importance information explicitly indicates the importance of the data packet. For example, the importance information includes fields, bits or values, and the fields, bits or values ​​included in the importance information explicitly indicate the importance of the data packet associated with the importance information. For example, the importance information of data packet #1 is "low", indicating that the importance of data packet #1 is low; the importance information of data packet #2 is "high", indicating that the importance of data packet #2 is high. For another example, the importance information of data packet #1 is "0", indicating that the importance of data packet #1 is low; the importance information of data packet #2 is "1", indicating that the importance of data packet #2 is high. Furthermore, the importance information can be carried in the header of the data packet.

[0365] In yet another possible implementation, the importance information implicitly indicates the importance of the data packet.

[0366] For example, the importance information is represented by a data packet encoding method, and the importance of the data packet is determined by the encoding method of the data packet. Exemplarily, the header of the data packet includes a type field, and the type field indicates the encoding method of the data packet. The type field can also be used as the importance information of the data packet. In other words, the importance of the data packet is determined by the type field. Taking the example that multiple data packets of the same PDU SET belong to the same 3D media frame, the multiple data packets of the same PDU SET are encoded using V-PCC. Among the multiple data packets of the same PDU SET, the header of the data packet includes a network abstraction layer message header (NAL header), and the NAL header includes a type field, which indicates that the type of the data packet belongs to geometric data (such as the coordinates of point cloud data) or attribute data (such as the color of point cloud data). The type field can be a "NAL_Unit_type" field. When the "NAL_Unit_type" field indicates that the data packet belongs to geometry data, the "NAL_Unit_type" field indicates that the importance of the data packet is high; when the "NAL_Unit_type" field indicates that the data packet belongs to attribute data, the "NAL_Unit_type" field indicates that the importance of the data packet is low.

[0367] For another example, the importance information is represented by the data type of the data packet, and the importance of the data packet is determined by the data type of the data packet. Exemplarily, the header of the data packet includes a type field, which indicates the data type (or data attribute) of the data packet. The type field can also be used as the importance information of the data packet. In other words, the importance of the data packet is determined by the type field. Taking the example that multiple data packets of the same PDU SET belong to the same 3D media frame, the 3D media frame includes left-eye video data (data packet #1) and right-eye video data (data packet #2). A field of data packet #1, such as the type field, indicates that the data carried by data packet #1 is left-eye video data; a field of data packet #2, such as the type field, indicates that the data carried by data packet #2 is right-eye video data. When the type field indicates that the data packet carries left-eye video data, the type field indicates that the importance of the data packet is high; when the type field indicates that the data packet carries right-eye video data, the type field indicates that the importance of the data packet is low.

[0368] It should be noted that the granularity of the above-mentioned importance information can be a data packet, a sub-PDU SET, or a data stream granularity, such as the importance information of the sub-PDU SET (sub PDU SET importanceinformation), and another example is: the importance information of the data stream. For example, the PDU SET includes sub-PDU SET#1, sub-PDU SET#2, and sub-PDU SET#3, and the importance information of any data packet in sub-PDU SET#1 indicates that the importance of the data packet of sub-PDU SET#1 is high, the importance information of any data packet in sub-PDU SET#2 indicates that the importance of the data packet of sub-PDU SET#2 is medium, and the importance information of any data packet in sub-PDU SET#3 indicates that the importance of the data packet of sub-PDU SET#3 is low.

[0369] It should be noted that the importance information in method A may also be replaced by other information, including but not limited to: priority information, transmission delay information, packet error rate information, or packet loss rate information.

[0370] Mode B: The first information includes the association relationship between the sub-PDU SET to which the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET belong and the QoS flow carrying the sub-PDU SET. Exemplarily, the first PDU SET is taken as an example for description. The first PDU SET includes a first sub-PDU SET, a second sub-PDU SET, and a third sub-PDU SET. The QoS flow carrying the data packets of the first sub-PDU SET is QoS flow #1, the QoS flow carrying the data packets of the second sub-PDU SET is QoS flow #2, and the QoS flow carrying the data packets of the third sub-PDU SET is QoS flow #3. The association relationship between the sub-PDU SET to which the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET belong and the QoS flow carrying the sub-PDU SET is shown in Table 1.

[0371] Table 1

[0372] Sub-PDU SET QoS Flow QoS Flow Identifier (QFI) First sub-PDU SET QoS Flow #1 QFI#1 Second sub-PDU SET QoS Flow #2 QFI#2 The third sub-PDU SET QoS Flow #3 QFI#3

[0373] Exemplarily, in combination with Table 1, the first sub-PDU SET includes data packet #1, and the first information corresponding to data packet #1 includes an association relationship between the first sub-PDU SET and the QoS flow #1 carrying the first sub-PDU SET. According to the first information, it can be determined that data packet #1 is transmitted in QoS flow #1.

[0374] Optionally, the first information includes a QoS flow identifier corresponding to the sub-PDU SET to which the data packet belongs. In conjunction with Table 1, for example, the first PDU SET includes data packet #1, and the sub-PDU SET to which data packet #1 belongs is the first sub-PDU SET, then the first information corresponding to data packet #1 may be QFI #1.

[0375] Mode C: The first information includes the identity of the sub-PDU SET to which each of the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET belongs, or is called the sub-PDU SET sequence number.

[0376] Regarding the identity of the sub-PDU SET to which the data packet belongs (for example, the sequence number Sub PDUSet SN (sequence number) of the sub-PDU SET), illustratively, the first PDU SET is taken as an example for description. The first PDU SET includes a first sub-PDU SET, a second sub-PDU SET, and a third sub-PDU SET. The identity of the first sub-PDU SET may be "1", the identity of the second sub-PDU SET may be "2", and the identity of the third sub-PDU SET may be "3". The first PDU SET includes data packet #1, data packet #2, and data packet #3, wherein the sub-PDU SET to which data packet #1 belongs is the first sub-PDU SET, and data packet #1 includes the identity "1" of the first sub-PDU SET; the sub-PDU SET to which data packet #2 belongs is the second sub-PDU SET, and data packet #1 includes the identity "2" of the second sub-PDU SET; the sub-PDU SET to which data packet #3 belongs is the third sub-PDU SET, and data packet #3 includes the identity "3" of the third sub-PDU SET.

[0377] Mode D: The first information includes: a sub-PDU SET start indication, where the sub-PDU SET start indication is used to indicate the first data packet among the multiple data packets included in the sub-PDU SET. For example, sub-PDU SET#1 includes data packet#1, data packet#2, and data packet#3. In one example, data packet#1 includes a sub-PDU SET start indication, where the sub-PDU SET start indication indicates that data packet#1 is the first data packet among the multiple data packets included in sub-PDU SET#1. For example, the header of data packet#1 carries the start indication.

[0378] In another example, the packet sequence number (PDU SN) of each data packet in the sub-PDU SET about the PDU SET includes a corresponding identification information, and the identification information indicates the position of the data packet in the multiple data packets of the sub-PDU SET. For example, the identification information of the packet sequence number of data packet #1 is set to "1", and the identification information "1" indicates that data packet #1 is the first data packet in sub-PDU SET #1, and the indication information "1" is used as the first packet identification. For another example, Table 2 shows that sub-PDU SET #1 includes data packet #1, data packet #2, data packet #3 and data packet #4, and sub-PDU SET #2 includes data packet #5, data packet #6, data packet #7, data packet #8 and data packet 9.

[0379] Table 2

[0380]

[0381] Mode E: The first information includes: a sub PDU SET end indication, where the sub PDU SET end indication is used to indicate the last data packet among the multiple data packets included in the sub PDU SET. For example, the first PDU SET includes data packet #1, data packet #2, data packet #3, and data packet #4. In one example, data packet #4 includes a sub PDU SET end indication, where the sub PDU SET end indication indicates that data packet #4 is the last data packet among the multiple data packets included in sub PDU SET #1. For example, the message header of data packet #3 carries the end indication.

[0382] For example, the last packet identifier may be identification information corresponding to a data packet sequence number (PDU SN) of a data packet, and sub-PDU SET #1 includes data packet #1, data packet #2, data packet #3, and data packet #4. For example, as shown in Table 1 above, the PDU SN of data packet #4 is 4, and the identification information of PDU SN 4 is set to "2", indicating that data packet #4 is the last packet of sub-PDU SET #1.

[0383] Mode F: The first information includes: the number of data packet bits of the sub PDU SET (Sub PDU Set Size), and the number of data packet bits of the sub PDU SET indicates the size of the data packet included in the sub PDU SET. For example, the first PDU SET includes data packet #1, data packet #2, data packet #3, and data packet #4. The first PDU SET includes a first sub PDU SET and a second sub PDU SET, and the data packets belonging to the first sub PDU SET include data packet #1 and data packet #2, and the data packets belonging to the second sub PDU SET include data packet #3 and data packet #4. The number of data packet bits of the first sub PDU SET is 500 bits, and the number of data packet bits of the second sub PDU SET is 400 bits. The first information corresponding to data packet #1 is 500 bits, and the first information indicates that the size of the sub-PDU SET #1 to which data packet #1 belongs is 500 bits; the first information corresponding to data packet #2 is 500 bits, and the first information indicates that the size of the sub-PDU SET #1 to which data packet #2 belongs is 500 bits; the first information corresponding to data packet #3 is 400 bits, and the first information indicates that the size of the sub-PDU SET #2 to which data packet #3 belongs is 400 bits; the first information corresponding to data packet #4 is 400 bits, and the first information indicates that the size of the sub-PDU SET #2 to which data packet #4 belongs is 400 bits.

[0384] In one example, the number of data packet bits of different sub-PDU SETs in the same PDU SET may be different, so the QoS flow carrying the data packet of the sub-PDU SET can be determined according to the number of data packet bits of the sub-PDU SET. For example, a sub-PDU SET with a higher importance in the same PDU SET includes more data, so the number of data packet bits of the sub-PDU SET with a higher importance is larger. A sub-PDU SET with a lower importance in the same PDU SET includes less data, so the number of data packet bits of the sub-PDU SET with a lower importance is smaller. A QoS flow with a higher priority can be allocated to the data packet of the sub-PDU SET with a larger number of data packet bits of the sub-PDU SET, and a QoS flow with a lower priority can be allocated to the data packet of the sub-PDU SET with a smaller number of data packet bits of the sub-PDU SET.

[0385] Mode G: The first information includes: the data packet sequence number of the sub-PDU SET, and the data packet sequence number of the sub-PDU SET indicates the sequence number of the data packet included in the sub-PDU SET in the sub-PDU SET. For example, the first PDU SET includes data packet #1, data packet #2, data packet #3 and data packet #4. Among them, the first PDU SET includes the first sub-PDU SET and the second sub-PDU SET, the data packets belonging to the first sub-PDU SET include data packet #1 and data packet #2, and the data packets belonging to the second sub-PDU SET include data packet #3 and data packet #4. The sequence number of data packet #1 in the first sub-PDU SET is 1, the sequence number of data packet #2 in the first sub-PDU SET is 2, the sequence number of data packet #3 in the second sub-PDU SET is 1, and the sequence number of data packet #4 in the second sub-PDU SET is 2.

[0386] In one example, the data packets in the sub-PDU SET are sequentially scheduled by using the data packet sequence number of the sub-PDU SET. For example, multiple data packets of the sub-PDU SET are sorted according to the data packet sequence number of the sub-PDU SET, or multiple data packets of the sub-PDU SET are sent in sequence according to the data packet sequence number of the sub-PDU SET.

[0387] In another example, the data packet further includes: a sequence number regarding a PDU SET, the PDU SET referring to the PDU SET to which the data packet belongs, and the sequence number regarding the PDU SET indicating the order of the data packet in the multiple data packets included in the PDU SET. For example, data packet #5 is the fifth data packet in PDU SET #1, and the sequence number regarding the PDU SET of data packet #5 is "5". Data packet #5 is the first data packet in sub-PDU SET #2, and the sequence number of the sub-PDU SET of data packet #5 is "1", and PDU SET #1 includes sub-PDU SET #2. Based on the sequence number "5" regarding the PDU SET of data packet #5 and the sequence number "1" of the sub-PDU SET, it is determined that data packet #5 is a data packet of a sub-PDU SET, and data packet #5 needs to be shunted for transmission. Based on other first information and / or second information related to data packet #5, the QoS flow carrying data packet #5 is determined.

[0388] For the sake of convenience, the first information of the above-mentioned methods B to G may also be referred to as subPDU SET information (subPDU SET information).

[0389] In another possible implementation, the information of the sub-PDU SET (the first information of Mode B to Mode G) may also be information allocated to the data packet after the user plane function determines the sub-PDU SET to which the data packet belongs. In this implementation, the first information sent by the application function includes only Mode A, but does not include Mode B to Mode G.

[0390] In another possible implementation, the first information is used to indicate that multiple data packets of the same PDU SET are transmitted in at least one QoS flow according to at least two transmission rules. The transmission rules include but are not limited to: transmission priority or retransmission priority.

[0391] For example, the transmission priority indicates which data packets among multiple data packets carried in the same QoS flow are sent first and which data packets are sent later. Taking the multiple data packets included in the first PDU SET carried in the first QoS flow as an example, the first PDU SET includes a first sub-PDU SET and a second sub-PDU SET, wherein the transmission priority of the data packets of the first sub-PDU SET is higher than the transmission priority of the data packets of the second sub-PDU SET.

[0392] For example, the retransmission priority indicates which data packets are preferentially retransmitted when packet loss occurs and which data packets are retransmitted later when packet loss occurs among multiple data packets carried on the same QoS flow. Taking multiple data packets included in the first PDU SET carried on the first QoS flow as an example, the first PDU SET includes a first sub-PDU SET and a second sub-PDU SET, wherein the retransmission priority of the data packets of the first sub-PDU SET is higher than the retransmission priority of the data packets of the second sub-PDU SET.

[0393] Exemplarily, the transmission rule of the data packet is determined by the importance information of the data packet. Taking the case where multiple data packets included in the first PDU SET are carried in the first QoS flow as an example, the first PDU SET includes a first sub-PDU SET and a second sub-PDU SET, wherein the importance information of the data packets of the first sub-PDU SET indicates that the importance of the data packets of the first sub-PDU SET is high, and the importance information of the data packets of the second sub-PDU SET indicates that the importance of the data packets of the second sub-PDU SET is low. Based on the importance information, it is determined that the transmission priority of the first sub-PDU SET is higher than the transmission priority of the data packets of the second sub-PDU SET.

[0394] In a possible example, the AF sends the first information independently from the AF sending the data packet. For example, the AF sends protocol description information, and the protocol description information includes any one or more items of the first information.

[0395] Exemplarily, the above-mentioned first information may also be referred to as differentiated information of a data packet or a data stream.

[0396] Optionally, in addition to sending the first information to the user plane function, the application function may also send the first information to other network functions (or network elements, or devices). For example, the application function sends the first information to the PCF. For another example, the application function sends the first information to the SMF. For another example, the application function sends the first information to the RAN.

[0397] Correspondingly, the user plane function receives the first information from the application function, and the first information may be received directly from the application function, or the user plane function may receive the first information indirectly through other network functions (or network elements, or devices). This embodiment of the present application does not limit this.

[0398] It should be noted that the application function sending the first information to the user plane function is only an example. The application function can send the first information directly to the user plane function, and the application function can also send the first information to the user plane function through other network functions or network elements. In addition, the application function can also send the first information to other network functions or network elements or devices, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0399] S2. The application function sends multiple data packets of the same PDU SET to the user plane function.

[0400] It should be noted that the execution order of step S1 and step S2 is not limited in the embodiment of the present application. Step S1 can be executed first and then step S2, or step S2 can be executed first and then step S1, or step S1 and step S2 can be executed simultaneously.

[0401] Method (2):

[0402] S3. The application function sends multiple data packets of the same PDU SET to the user plane function, where the data packets carry first information, where the first information is used to indicate that the multiple data packets of the same PDU SET are transmitted in at least two QoS flows.

[0403] In step S3, the application function sends multiple data packets of the same PDU SET to the user plane function, and the data packets carry the first information. For the first information, please refer to the aforementioned step S1, which will not be described here.

[0404] In a possible example, when AF sends multiple data packets of PDU SET, any one or more of the above multiple data packets carry the first information corresponding to the data packet. It should be noted that the first information carried in the data packet may be any one or more of the first information in methods A to G in the above step S1. The first information carried in the data packet may only include the first information related to the data packet. For example, data packet #1 carries the importance information of data packet #1, and data packet #2 carries the importance information of data packet #2. For another example, data packet #1, data packet #2 and data packet #3 belong to sub-PDUSET #1, and data packet #1, data packet #2 and data packet #3 carry the association relationship between sub-PDU SET #1 and QoS flow #1; data packet #4, data packet #5 and data packet #6 belong to sub-PDU SET #2, and data packet #4, data packet #5 and data packet #6 carry the association relationship between sub-PDU SET #2 and QoS flow #2. In addition to the first information related to the data packet, the first information carried in the data packet may also include the first information related to other data packets, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0405] For example, the data packet carries the importance information corresponding to the data packet. It should be noted that when the data carried by the PDU SET includes a media frame, the first information of the sub-PDU SET in the PDU SET can also be referred to as identification information of the data in the frame.

[0406] Furthermore, the data packet may carry the first information in a variety of ways, which are introduced below respectively.

[0407] In one possible implementation, a header (or message header) of a data packet carries the first information. For example, an extension header of a data packet carries the first information. For another example, a general packet radio service tunneling protocol-user plane (GTP-U) message header of a data packet carries the first information. For another example, a type field of a network abstraction layer message header NAL header of a data packet carries the first information. For another example, a newly added message header of a data packet carries the first information.

[0408] In another possible implementation, the payload field of the data packet carries the first information, such as a payload field.

[0409] It should be noted that the above-mentioned method (1) and method (2) can be implemented in a selective manner, or different methods can be used for different data packets. For example, the AF adopts method (1) for the data packet of the first PDU SET, and the first information and the data packet of the first PDU SET are sent independently of each other. The AF adopts method (2) for the data packet of the second PDU SET, and the data packet of the second PDU SET carries the first information.

[0410] S4. The application function sends second information to the user plane function, where the second information is used to indicate a split transmission mechanism for multiple data packets of the same PDU SET.

[0411] Step S4 is an optional step. When step S4 is not performed, the user plane function may be pre-configured with the second information, and then the user plane function determines the QoS flow carrying the data packet according to the pre-configured second information and the first information corresponding to the data packet. Alternatively, the user plane function may also determine the QoS flow carrying the data packet only according to the first information.

[0412] In step S4, the application function sends a second message to the user plane function, and the second message is used to indicate the diversion transmission mechanism of multiple data packets of the same PDUSET. It should be noted that the execution order of step S4 and the aforementioned steps S1 to S2 and the aforementioned step S3 is not limited. Step S4 may be executed first, and then steps S1 to S2; or steps S1 to S2 may be executed first, and then step S4. Step S4 may be executed first, and then step S3; or step S3 may be executed first, and then step S4.

[0413] Regarding the second information, the present application embodiment proposes one or more of the following possible implementations, which are described below respectively:

[0414] In mode A, the second information includes: the association between the importance information of the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET and the QoS flow, as shown in Table 3.

[0415] Table 3

[0416] Importance Information QoS Flow High importance QoS flow #1, QoS flow #3, QoS flow #5... Low importance QoS flow #2, QoS flow #4, QoS flow #6... Geometry data (encoding method) QoS flow #1, QoS flow #3, QoS flow #5... Attribute data (coding method) QoS flow #2, QoS flow #4, QoS flow #6... Left eye video data (data type) QoS flow #1, QoS flow #3, QoS flow #5... Right eye video data (data type) QoS flow #2, QoS flow #4, QoS flow #6...

[0417] In mode B, the second information includes: the association between the importance information of the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET and the QoS requirements, as shown in Table 4, for example.

[0418] Table 4

[0419] Importance Information QoS Requirements High importance Bandwidth, latency, data loss and / or jitter meet the first condition Low importance Bandwidth, latency, data loss and / or jitter meet the second condition Geometry data (encoding method) Bandwidth, latency, data loss and / or jitter meet the first condition Attribute data (coding method) Bandwidth, latency, data loss and / or jitter meet the second condition Left eye video data (data type) Bandwidth, latency, data loss and / or jitter meet the first condition Right eye video data (data type) Bandwidth, latency, data loss and / or jitter meet the second condition

[0420] For example, in Table 4, the second condition is looser than the first condition. For example, the second condition requires a delay of less than 10 milliseconds, while the first condition requires a delay of less than 2 milliseconds.

[0421] Mode C: The second information includes: the association between the importance information of the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET and the QoS parameters (or QoS flow parameters), as shown in Table 5.

[0422] Table 5

[0423] Importance Information QoS parameters High importance QoS Parameter #1 Low importance QoS Parameter #2 Geometry data (encoding method) QoS Parameter #1 Attribute data (coding method) QoS Parameter #2 Left eye video data (data type) QoS Parameter #1 Right eye video data (data type) QoS Parameter #2

[0424] The above-mentioned QoS parameters include but are not limited to: guaranteed flow bit rate (GFBR), maximum flow bit rate (MFBR), notification control (notification control), reflective QoS attribute (reflective QoS attribute, RQA), and maximum packet loss rate (maximum packet loss rate-up link and down link) of uplink and downlink, etc.

[0425] Mode D, the second information includes: diversion transmission indication information, the diversion transmission indication information is used to indicate that the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET are mapped to multiple QoS flows for transmission according to the first information. For example, the diversion transmission indication information is associated with the first PDU SET, the second PDU SET and the fourth PDU SET. The diversion transmission indication information is used to indicate that the multiple data packets of the first PDU SET, the second PDU SET and the fourth PDU SET are respectively mapped to multiple QoS flows for transmission according to the first information. The data packets of other PDU SETs, such as the multiple data packets of the third PDU SET, are mapped to one QoS flow for transmission according to the original transmission method. Exemplarily, the diversion transmission indication information includes the identity or sequence number of the PDU SET.

[0426] Optionally, the offload transmission indication information may also include filtering rules for data packets and corresponding QoS flows, and determine which data packets in the same PDU SET are transmitted using a high-priority QoS flow and which data packets are transmitted using a low-priority QoS flow according to the filtering rules for the data packets.

[0427] Mode F: The second information includes: packet forwarding model (PDR) of the multiple sub-PDU SETs belonging to the same PDU SET.

[0428] It should be noted that a data packet detection rule may target one or more data streams, and one or more PDU SETs are transmitted in the data stream. For example, a data packet detection rule targets a data packet transmitted in a data stream, and the data stream may carry one or more PDU SETs.

[0429] Optionally, a data packet detection rule may be targeted at a PDU SET. For example, the sub-PDU SET to which multiple data packets included in a PDU SET belong may be determined based on a PDR.

[0430] Optionally, one data packet detection rule may be for one sub-PDU SET. For example, the sub-PDU SET to which multiple data packets included in one PDU SET belong may be determined according to multiple PDRs, and each PDR corresponds to one sub-PDU SET.

[0431] Optionally, the data packet detection rule may further include the split transmission indication information in the aforementioned method D, or other second information.

[0432] Mode G, the second information includes: the QoS parameters of each sub-PDU SET of the multiple sub-PDU SETs in the same PDU SET, wherein the QoS parameters of each sub-PDU SET correspond to the parameters of the QoS flow carrying one sub-PDU SET. The parameters of the QoS flow include but are not limited to: guaranteed flow bit rate (GFBR), maximum flow bit rate (MFBR), notification control, reflective QoS attribute (RQA), and maximum packet loss rate (maximum packet loss rate–up link and down link) for uplink and downlink, etc. Further optionally, the QoS parameters of the sub PDU SET include any one or more of the following: the delay budget of the sub PDU SET sub PDUSET delay budget, the bit error rate of the sub PDU SET sub PDU SET error rate, or the integrated handling information of the sub PDU SET sub PDU Set Integrated Handling Information.

[0433] Mode H: The second information includes: QoS requirements of multiple sub-PDU SETs in the same PDU SET, and the QoS requirement of each sub-PDU SET indicates the requirement information for the QoS flow of the data packet carrying the sub-PDU SET. The QoS requirement includes but is not limited to: bandwidth, delay, data loss or jitter.

[0434] In a possible implementation, the second information may be configuration of the application function to the user plane function. In another possible implementation, the second information may also be pre-configuration of the user plane function.

[0435] It should be noted that the application function sending the second information to the user plane function is only an example. The application function can send the second information directly to the user plane function, and the application function can also send the second information to the user plane function through other network functions or network elements. The application function can also send the second information to other network functions (or network elements, or devices). For example, the application function sends the second information to the PCF. For another example, the application function sends the second information to the SMF. For another example, the application function sends the second information to the RAN.

[0436] Correspondingly, the user plane function receives the second information from the application function, and the second information may be received directly from the application function, or the user plane function may receive the second information indirectly through other network functions (or network elements, or devices), which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0437] S5. The user plane function determines the QoS flow that carries the data packet according to the first information and / or the second information.

[0438] In step S5, in a possible implementation, the user plane function determines a QoS flow that carries the data packet according to the first information.

[0439] In one example, the user plane function determines the importance of the data packet based on the importance information of the data packet, and then determines the QoS flow corresponding to the data packet based on the importance. For example, a data packet with high importance in the same PDU SET uses a QoS flow with high priority, and a data packet with low importance uses a QoS flow with low priority. For another example, a data packet carrying geometric data in the same PDU SET uses a QoS flow with high priority, and a data packet carrying attribute data uses a QoS flow with low priority.

[0440] It should be noted that the high-priority QoS flow in the embodiment of the present application can be a QoS flow with a larger bandwidth, lower latency and / or lower packet loss rate; the low-priority QoS flow in the embodiment of the present application can be a QoS flow with a lower bandwidth, higher latency and / or higher packet loss rate.

[0441] In another example, the user plane function determines the QoS flow corresponding to the data packet according to the association relationship between the sub-PDU SET to which the data packet belongs and the QoS flow carrying the sub-PDU SET. For example, after the user plane function determines the sub-PDU SET to which the data packet belongs according to the first information related to the data packet, the QoS flow carrying the sub-PDU SET is determined according to the above association relationship. Then, the QoS flow is determined as the QoS flow carrying the data packet.

[0442] In another possible implementation manner, the user plane function determines the QoS flow that carries the data packet according to the first information and the second information.

[0443] In one example, the first information includes: the importance information of each data packet among the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET; the second information includes: the association relationship between the importance information of the data packet and the QoS flow. According to the importance information of each data packet among the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET and the association relationship between the importance information of the data packet and the QoS flow, the QoS flow associated with the importance information of the data packet is determined. For example, according to the importance information, it is determined that data packet #1 carries geometric data, and then according to the association relationship between the importance information and the QoS flow, it is determined that the QoS flow carrying the geometric data is a QoS flow with a high priority. Finally, the QoS flow carrying data packet #1 is determined from the QoS flows with a high priority. For another example, according to the importance information, it is determined that data packet #2 carries attribute data, and then according to the association relationship between the importance information and the QoS flow, it is determined that the QoS flow carrying the attribute data is a QoS flow with a low priority. Finally, the QoS flow carrying data packet #2 is determined from the QoS flows with a low priority.

[0444] In another example, the first information includes: importance information of each data packet among the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET. Then, the QoS flow corresponding to the importance information is determined according to the second information. For example, the QoS requirement corresponding to the importance information is determined according to the second information, and then the QoS flow that meets the QoS requirement is determined as the QoS flow carrying the data packet. For another example, the QoS parameter corresponding to the importance information is determined according to the second information, and then the QoS flow carrying the data packet is configured according to the QoS parameter.

[0445] In another example, after determining the sub-PDU SET to which the data packet belongs according to the first information (e.g., information of the sub-PDU SET), the QoS flow carrying the sub-PDU SET is determined according to the second information. The QoS flow is then selected as the QoS flow carrying the data packet. For example, after determining the sub-PDU SET to which the data packet belongs, the QoS flow, QoS parameters, or QoS requirements corresponding to the sub-PDU SET are determined according to the second information. Then, the QoS flow carrying the data packet is determined according to the QoS flow, QoS parameters, or QoS requirements corresponding to the sub-PDU SET.

[0446] In another possible implementation manner, the user plane function determines the QoS flow that carries the data packet according to the second information.

[0447] In one example, the second information includes: the packet detection rule belonging to the multiple sub-PDU SETs in the same PDU SET. According to the packet detection rule belonging to the multiple sub-PDU SETs in the same PDU SET, the data of the packet is detected to determine the sub-PDU SET to which the packet belongs. Then, according to the sub-PDU SET to which the packet belongs, the QoS flow carrying the sub-PDU SET is determined. Then, the QoS flow is used as the QoS flow carrying the packet.

[0448] In another example, the second information includes: offload transmission indication information, the offload transmission indication information is used to indicate that the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET are mapped to multiple QoS flows for transmission according to the first information. According to the offload transmission indication information, it is determined which QoS flows the multiple data packets of the same PDU SET are mapped to respectively.

[0449] Optionally, after the user plane function determines the sub-PDU SET to which the data packet belongs according to the second information, the user plane function allocates first information to the data packet, and the first information can also be used to indicate the sub-PDU SET to which the data packet belongs. The first information allocated to the data packet by the user plane function is any one or more of the methods B to G in the aforementioned step S1, which will not be described in detail here. Further, optionally, after the user plane function allocates the first information to the data packet, the first information is filled into the data packet, and the data packet filled with the first information is mapped to the corresponding QoS flow for transmission.

[0450] S6. The user plane function maps the data packet to a QoS flow for transmission.

[0451] In step S6, after the user plane function determines the QoS flow carrying the data packet, it maps the data packet to the QoS flow for transmission. In a possible implementation, the user plane function adds the QoS flow identifier (QFI) of the QoS flow carrying the data packet to the data packet so that the data packet can be transmitted through the QoS flow.

[0452] For example, the first PDU SET includes multiple data packets, and the first PDU SET carries data of a 3D media frame. The first PDU SET includes a first sub-PDU SET and a second sub-PDU SET, the first sub-PDU SET carries geometric data in the 3D media frame, and the second sub-PDU SET carries attribute data in the 3D media frame. One or more data packets included in the first sub-PDU SET are mapped to a high-priority QoS stream transmission, and one or more data packets included in the second sub-PDU SET are mapped to a low-priority QoS stream transmission. The above method is used to implement the offload transmission of multiple data packets of the same PDU SET.

[0453] Optionally, before the user plane function maps the data packet to the QoS flow for transmission, the user plane function adds first information to the data packet, for example, adds sub-PDU SET information of the sub-PDU SET to which the data packet belongs (see the first information of the method B to the method G in the aforementioned step S1), and then the user plane function maps the data packet with the first information added to the QoS flow for transmission. For example, the user plane function adds the first information to the GTP-U message header of the data packet, and then maps the data packet with the first information added to the QoS flow for transmission.

[0454] S7. The access network device determines the DRB that carries the data packet based on the first information and / or the second information.

[0455] In step S7, the access network device can obtain the first information and / or the second information in a variety of ways. For example, the access network device directly obtains the first information and / or the second information from the application function; for example, the access network device obtains the first information and / or the second information through SMF, which is not limited to this embodiment of the present application.

[0456] In one example, when the access network device receives a data packet from a user plane function, the sub-PDU SET to which the data packet belongs is determined based on the first information corresponding to the data packet (for example, the first information carried in the data packet) and / or the second information. Then, the QoS parameters corresponding to the sub-PDU SET are determined based on the second information (for example, a QoS template profile obtained from the SMF, and the QoS profile includes the QoS parameters corresponding to the sub-PDU SET). Then, based on the QoS parameters, a DRB that meets the QoS parameter requirements is determined, and the DRB is determined as the DRB that carries the data packet.

[0457] Optionally, the access network device determines a retransmission mechanism for the data packet based on the first information and / or the second information. The retransmission mechanism may indicate which data packets in the same PDU SET need to be retransmitted when packet loss occurs, and which data packets do not need to be retransmitted when packet loss occurs. The retransmission mechanism may also indicate the number of retransmissions of which data packets in the same PDU SET when packet loss occurs.

[0458] Optionally, the access network device determines a transmission mechanism for the data packet according to the first information and / or the second information. The retransmission mechanism may indicate which data packets in the same PDU SET are to be transmitted first.

[0459] In an embodiment of the present application, the first information and / or the second information are used to implement the shunting transmission of multiple data packets in the same PDU SET in at least two QoS flows. The first information is used to indicate that multiple data packets belonging to the same protocol data unit set PDUSET are transmitted in at least two service quality QoS flows, and the second information is used to indicate the shunting transmission mechanism of multiple data packets of the same PDUSET. This is to meet the different QoS requirements of different data packets in the same PDU SET. For example, when the data carried by the same PDU SET is the data of a 3D media frame, the shunting transmission of geometric data and attribute data in a 3D media frame can be implemented through the first information. For another example, the shunting transmission of left-eye video data and right-eye video data in a 3D media frame can be implemented through the first information. For another example, the shunting transmission of video data from different viewpoints in a 3D media frame can be implemented through the first information. It is possible to meet the business needs of various services, improve the data transmission quality, and enhance the user experience.

[0460] In combination with the above-mentioned embodiments, another embodiment proposed by the present application is introduced below. Figure 6 , Figure 6 A flow chart of another embodiment of a communication method based on a protocol data unit set proposed in an embodiment of the present application. The communication method based on a protocol data unit set proposed in an embodiment of the present application further includes:

[0461] H1. AF sends the first information and / or the second information to NEF.

[0462] In step H1, the AF sends a "Nnef_AFsessionWithQoS Create request" message to the NEF, carrying the first information. "Nnef_AFsessionWithQoS Create request" is only an example of sending the first message and / or the second information. In a possible manner, the first information and / or the second information may also be carried in a "Nnef_AFsessionWithQoS update request" message. The following embodiments are based on the "Nnef_AFsessionWithQoS Createrequest" message.

[0463] It should be noted that the AF may send the first information and the second information to the NEF through different messages. The AF may also send only the first information or the second information to the NEF, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0464] H2. NEF sends the first information and / or the second information to PCF.

[0465] In step H2, NEF performs authorization according to the "Nnef_AFsessionWithQoS Create request" message. After successful authorization, NEF sends the first information and / or the second information to PCF, for example, NEF sends "Npcf_PolicyAuthorization Create request" to PCF, and the "Npcf_PolicyAuthorizationCreate request" message carries the first information and / or the second information.

[0466] H3. PCF sends the first information and / or the second information to SMF.

[0467] In step H3, the PCF generates a corresponding PCC rule according to the "Npcf_PolicyAuthorization Create request" message, and the PCC rule indicates the first information and / or the second information. Then the PCF sends the first information and / or the second information to the SMF. For example, the PCF sends an "SM Policy Association Establishment" message to the SMF, and the message carries a PCC rule, and the PCC rule indicates the first information and / or the second information.

[0468] For example, the PCC rule indicates that multiple data packets included in the same PDU SET are transmitted in at least two QoS flows.

[0469] H4. SMF sends the first information and / or the second information to RAN.

[0470] In step H4, the SMF sends the first information and / or the second information to the RAN through the AMF in response to the "SM Policy Association Establishment" message. For example, the AMF sends an "N2 message" message to the RAN, which carries the first information and / or the second information.

[0471] For example, the SMF generates the second information (such as the QoS parameters of the sub-PDU SET) according to the PCC rule. Then the SMF sends the second information to the RAN. The SMF may send a QoS profile to the RAN, and the QoS profile includes the second information.

[0472] Optionally, the SMF may also set (or update) the QoS parameters of the sub-PDU SET granularity according to the PCC rules. For example, the PER or PSER information of different sub-PDU SETs in the same PDU SET may be set (or updated) according to the PCC rules. Then, the SMF sends the QoS parameters of the sub-PDU SET granularity to the RAN.

[0473] H5. SMF sends the first information and / or the second information to UPF.

[0474] In step H5, the SMF sends the first information and / or the second information through the UPF in response to the "SM Policy Association Establishment" message. For example, the AMF sends an "N2 message" message to the UPF, which carries the first information and / or the second information.

[0475] For example, the SMF generates the second information (eg, QoS parameters and / or packet detection rules of the sub-PDU SET) according to the PCC rule, and then sends the second information to the UPF.

[0476] H6. UPF fills the first information in the data packet.

[0477] In step H6, illustratively, after the UPF determines the sub-PDU SET to which the data packet belongs according to the second information, it determines the information of the sub-PDU SET (i.e., the first information of the method B to the method G in the aforementioned step S1). Then, the UPF fills the sub-PDU SET information into the data packet, for example, into the GTP-U message header of the data packet.

[0478] H7. UPF sends a data packet filled with the first information to RAN.

[0479] In step H7, the UPF maps the data packet filled with the first information to the QoS flow that carries the data packet, and sends the data packet filled with the first information to the RAN.

[0480] H8. RAN determines a transmission mechanism and / or a retransmission mechanism of the data packet according to the first information and / or the second information.

[0481] In step H8, after the RAN determines the DRB carrying the data packet according to the first information and / or the second information, it can also determine the transmission mechanism and / or retransmission mechanism of the data packet. Then, the RAN sends the data packet to the UE through the DRB according to the transmission mechanism and / or retransmission mechanism.

[0482] Optionally, the access network device may determine the PDU SET to which the data packet belongs according to the PDU SET information of the data packet, and further determine the sub-PDU SET to which the data packet belongs according to the first information and / or the second information of the data packet.

[0483] Optionally, the access network device may determine which QoS flows transmit data packets of the same PDU SET according to the network function or network element indication of the core network. For example, the access network device includes 10 QoS flows, and determines according to the indication that QoS flows #1, QoS flows #3, and QoS flows #5 transmit multiple data packets of the first PDU SET. Then, it detects from QoS flows #1, QoS flows #3, and QoS flows #5 which data packets belong to the first PDU SET, and the sub-PDU SET to which the data packets belonging to the first PDU SET belong.

[0484] H9. RAN sends a data packet to UE.

[0485] In step H9, the RAN sends the data packet to the UE via the DRB that carries the data packet.

[0486] Optionally, the RAN determines the delay budget of the data packet according to the QoS parameters of the sub-PDU SET to which the data packet belongs. Alternatively, the RAN determines the delay budget of the data packet according to the importance information of the data packet (or the importance information of the sub-PDU SET to which the data packet belongs).

[0487] In one example, for data packets included in multiple sub-PDU SETs in the same PDU SET, the same delay budget may be set to enable the multiple data packets in the same PDU SET to arrive at the UE in a coordinated manner.

[0488] Optionally, after determining the importance of the data packet according to the first information and / or the second information, the RAN preferentially schedules the data packet with high importance among the multiple data packets of the same PDU SET. For example, preferentially transmit the data packet with high importance. For another example, preferentially retransmit the data packet with high importance.

[0489] Optionally, after determining the importance of the data packet according to the first information and / or the second information, the RAN adopts differentiated channel coding for multiple data packets of the same PDU SET according to the importance.

[0490] Optionally, after determining the importance of the data packet according to the first information and / or the second information, the RAN adopts differentiated code rates to transmit multiple data packets of the same PDU SET according to the importance.

[0491] Optionally, after the RAN determines the importance of the data packet according to the first information and / or the second information, a differentiated retransmission mechanism is adopted for multiple data packets of the same PDU SET according to the importance. For example, for a data packet with high importance, an acknowledged mode (AM) is enabled, and for a data packet with low importance, an unacknowledged mode (UM) is enabled.

[0492] In the embodiment of the present application, the first information and / or the second information of the AF can be transmitted to the UPF and the RAN through other network functions, which improves the implementation flexibility of the method. During the transmission of the first information and / or the second information between network functions, the PCF and the SMF can modify or add the first information and / or the second information according to actual needs, meet the business needs of various services, improve the data transmission quality, and improve the user experience.

[0493] Next, the access network device determines a retransmission mechanism of a data packet according to the first information and / or the second information. Figure 7 , Figure 7 A flow chart of another embodiment of a communication method based on a protocol data unit set proposed in an embodiment of the present application. The communication method based on a protocol data unit set proposed in an embodiment of the present application further includes:

[0494] D1. The access network device obtains the first information and / or the second information.

[0495] In step D1, the access network device may obtain the first information and / or the second information in a variety of ways, as detailed in the above embodiments, which will not be described in detail here.

[0496] In one example, the access network device may obtain the second information from the SMF, and the access network device may obtain the first information from the received data packet.

[0497] D2. The access network device determines the retransmission priority of the data packet according to the first information and / or the second information.

[0498] In step D2, in a possible implementation, the access network device determines the retransmission priority corresponding to the importance information according to the importance information of the data packet.

[0499] In another possible implementation, a QoS parameter corresponding to the data packet is determined from the second information, and then a retransmission priority of the data packet is determined according to the QoS parameter corresponding to the data packet.

[0500] Regarding the retransmission priority, it indicates the priority of the access network device to retransmit the data packet when the data packet is lost. For example, when a data packet with a high retransmission priority is lost, the access network device gives priority to retransmission. For another example, when a data packet in the retransmission priority is lost, the access network device retransmits the data packet in the retransmission priority after completing the retransmission of the data packet with a high retransmission priority. For another example, when a data packet with a low retransmission priority is lost, the access network device does not retransmit the data packet with a low retransmission priority.

[0501] D3. The access network device obtains the transmission status of the data packet.

[0502] In step D3, the access network device can obtain the transmission status of the data packet in a variety of ways. For example, the access network device determines whether the data packet is successfully transmitted by obtaining an acknowledgment (ACK) or a negative acknowledgment (NACK) from the terminal device regarding the data packet. The transmission status of the data packet indicates that the data packet is successfully transmitted or the data packet fails to be transmitted.

[0503] It should be noted that the execution order of step D2 and step D3 is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0504] D4. The access network device determines the retransmission mechanism of the data packet according to the retransmission priority of the data packet and the transmission status of the data packet.

[0505] In step D4, after the access network device obtains the retransmission priority of the data packet and the transmission status of the data packet, the access network device determines the retransmission mechanism of the data packets for the data packets whose transmission status is failed transmission. The retransmission mechanism can indicate which data packets in the same PDU SET need to be retransmitted when packet loss occurs, and which data packets do not need to be retransmitted when packet loss occurs. The retransmission mechanism can also indicate the number of retransmissions of which data packets in the same PDU SET when packet loss occurs.

[0506] Exemplarily, for multiple data packets included in the first PDU SET, the access network device first determines whether the received first data packet belongs to the first PDU SET. When the first data packet belongs to the first PDU SET, the access network device determines the sub-PDU SET to which the first data packet belongs based on the first information and / or the second information. For example, the first data packet belongs to the first sub-PDU SET in the first PDU SET. Based on the first information and / or the second information, it is determined that the retransmission priority of the first sub-PDU SET is high. Then, when the access network device determines that the first data packet is lost, it determines that the retransmission mechanism of the first data packet is priority retransmission based on the retransmission priority of the first sub-PDU SET.

[0507] It should be noted that the access network device retransmits a packet that has been lost in the same PDU SET, which needs to meet the delay requirement indicated by the QoS parameter of the packet. For example, the packet can be retransmitted only when it is lost within the delay requirement of the packet.

[0508] In the embodiment of the present application, the access network device may also determine the retransmission priority of the data packet according to the first information and / or the second information. When the transmission status of the data packet indicates that the data packet is lost, it is determined whether the data packet is retransmitted first based on the retransmission priority of the data packet. Differentiated retransmission of different data packets in the same PDU SET is achieved to meet the business needs of multiple services, improve data transmission quality, and enhance user experience.

[0509] Since multiple data packets included in a PDU SET can be transmitted in the same QoS flow or in different QoS flows, the access network device can use different methods to determine the retransmission mechanism of the data packet for different scenarios. In combination with the above embodiments, the following are respectively described. For ease of understanding, the first PDU SET includes multiple data packets as an example for description. Please refer to Fig. 9 , Fig. 9 This is a structural diagram of the first PDU SET in an embodiment of the present application. The first PDU SET includes multiple data packets, the first PDU SET includes multiple sub-PDU SETs, and each sub-PDU SET includes at least one data packet. For example, the first PDU SET includes a first sub-PDU SET and a second sub-PDU SET, the first sub-PDU SET includes multiple data packets such as a first data packet, and the second sub-PDU SET includes multiple data packets such as a second data packet.

[0510] Scenario 1: Multiple data packets included in the PDU SET are transmitted in the same QoS flow, for example Fig.10 As shown, Fig.10 Schematic diagram of a data packet transmission in an embodiment of the present application. Fig. 9 , Fig.10 The first data packet included in the first sub-PDU SET and the second data packet included in the second sub-PDU SET are both transmitted in the first QoS flow. Fig.11 , Fig.11 A flow chart of another embodiment of a communication method based on a protocol data unit set proposed in an embodiment of the present application. The communication method based on a protocol data unit set proposed in an embodiment of the present application further includes:

[0511] G1. The PDCP layer obtains or determines the retransmission priority of the data packet.

[0512] In step G1, the PDCP layer may obtain the retransmission priority of the data packet from the control plane (CU) of the RAN, and the control plane (CU) of the RAN determines the retransmission priority of the data packet according to the first information and / or the second information. Alternatively, the PDCP layer may also determine the retransmission priority of the data packet according to the first information and / or the second information, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0513] G2. The PDCP layer obtains the transmission status of the data packet.

[0514] In step G2, in a possible implementation manner, the PDCP layer of the RAN receives a status report sent by a radio link control RLC layer of the RAN, where the status report includes a transmission status of the data packet.

[0515] In another possible implementation, the PDCP layer of the RAN subscribes to the data packet transmission status of the RLC layer of the RAN. When the RLC layer of the RAN determines the transmission status of the data packet, the RLC layer of the RAN sends the transmission status of the data packet to the PDCP layer of the RAN. Correspondingly, the PDCP layer of the RAN receives the transmission status of the data packet sent by the RLC layer of the RAN.

[0516] It should be noted that the execution order of step G2 and step G1 is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0517] G3. The PDCP layer determines the retransmission mechanism of the data packet according to the transmission status of the data packet and the retransmission priority of the data packet.

[0518] Step G3 is similar to the aforementioned step D4 and will not be described in detail here.

[0519] In another possible implementation, the PDCP layer first obtains the transmission status of the data packet. After the PDCP layer determines the data packets that have been lost, it further obtains the first information and / or second information of the data packets that have been lost. Then, the retransmission priority of the data packets that have been lost is determined, for example, the corresponding retransmission priority is determined according to the importance information of the data packets that have been lost, or the sub-PDU SET to which the data packets that have been lost belong is determined, and then the corresponding retransmission priority is determined according to the sub-PDU SET. In other words, step G2 is performed first, then step G1, and finally step G3 is performed.

[0520] Scenario 2: Multiple data packets included in the PDU SET are transmitted in the same QoS flow, for example Fig.12 As shown, Fig.12 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of another data packet transmission in an embodiment of the present application. Fig. 9 , Fig.12 The first data packet included in the first sub-PDU SET is transmitted in the first QoS flow, and the second data packet included in the second sub-PDU SET is transmitted in the second QoS flow. Each QoS flow corresponds to a set of independent entities, including: PDCP layer, RLC layer and MAC layer. Please refer to Fig.13 , Fig.13 A flow chart of another embodiment of a communication method based on a protocol data unit set proposed in an embodiment of the present application. The communication method based on a protocol data unit set proposed in an embodiment of the present application further includes:

[0521] J1. The CU of the RAN determines the retransmission priority of the first data packet and the retransmission priority of the second data packet.

[0522] In step J1, the CU of the RAN determines the retransmission priority of the first data packet according to the first information and / or the second information of the first data packet. The CU of the RAN determines the retransmission priority of the second data packet according to the first information and / or the second information of the second data packet.

[0523] J2. The first PDCP layer of the RAN obtains the transmission status of the first data packet.

[0524] In step J2, in a possible implementation manner, the first PDCP layer of the RAN receives a status report sent by a first radio link control RLC layer of the RAN, where the status report includes a transmission status of the data packet.

[0525] In another possible implementation, the first PDCP layer of the RAN subscribes to the data packet transmission status of the first RLC layer of the RAN. When the first RLC layer of the RAN determines the transmission status of the data packet, the first RLC layer of the RAN sends the transmission status of the data packet to the first PDCP layer of the RAN. Correspondingly, the first PDCP layer of the RAN receives the transmission status of the data packet sent by the first RLC layer of the RAN.

[0526] J3. The CU of the RAN obtains the transmission status of the first data packet.

[0527] In step J3, in a possible implementation manner, the CU of the RAN receives a status report sent by a first PDCP layer of the RAN, where the status report includes a transmission status of the first data packet.

[0528] In another possible implementation manner, the CU of the RAN subscribes to the data packet transmission status of the first PDCP layer of the RAN. The CU of the RAN receives the transmission status of the first data packet sent by the first PDCP layer of the RAN.

[0529] J4. The second PDCP layer of the RAN obtains the transmission status of the second data packet.

[0530] J5. The CU of the RAN obtains the transmission status of the second data packet.

[0531] Steps J4 to J5 are similar to the aforementioned steps J2 to J3 and are not described in detail here.

[0532] J6. The CU of the RAN determines the retransmission mechanism of the first data packet and the retransmission mechanism of the second data packet according to the transmission status of the first data packet, the retransmission priority of the first data packet, the transmission status of the second data packet and the retransmission priority of the second data packet.

[0533] In step J6, after the CU of the RAN obtains the transmission status and retransmission priority of different data packets of the same PDU SET from different PDCP entities, the CU of the RAN comprehensively considers the retransmission mechanism of each of the multiple data packets of the same PDU SET.

[0534] In a possible implementation, the CU of the RAN determines the data packet with the highest retransmission priority among multiple data packets of the same PDU SET, and then preferentially retransmits the data packet with the highest retransmission priority that has been lost. The CU of the RAN determines the data packet with the second highest retransmission priority among multiple data packets of the same PDU SET, and then retransmits the data packet with the second highest retransmission priority that has been lost after the data packet with the highest retransmission priority has been retransmitted. The CU of the RAN determines the data packet with the lowest retransmission priority among multiple data packets of the same PDU SET, and then does not retransmit the data packet with the lowest retransmission priority that has been lost.

[0535] After the CU of the RAN determines the retransmission mechanism of each data packet among multiple data packets of the same PDU SET, it sends the retransmission mechanism of the data packet to the PDCP layer corresponding to each data packet.

[0536] J7. The CU of the RAN sends a retransmission mechanism of the first data packet to the first PDCP layer of the RAN.

[0537] J8. The CU of the RAN sends a retransmission mechanism of the second data packet to the second PDCP layer of the RAN.

[0538] In an embodiment of the present application, the access network device may also determine the retransmission priority of the data packet based on the first information and / or the second information. When the transmission status of the data packet indicates that the data packet is lost, it is determined whether the data packet should be retransmitted first based on the retransmission priority of the data packet. The CU in the access network device obtains the transmission status of each data packet through different sub-PDU SETs corresponding to different PDCP entities. The CU comprehensively considers the retransmission mechanism of each data packet based on the transmission status and retransmission priority of the data packets of different sub-PDU SETs of the same PDU SET, and sets different retransmission mechanisms for data packets of different importance. Differentiated retransmission of different data packets in the same PDU SET is achieved to meet the business needs of multiple services, improve data transmission quality, and enhance user experience.

[0539] Optionally, in the embodiment of the present application, the access network device may also determine a transmission mechanism for the data packet according to the first information and / or the second information. Figure 8 , Figure 8 A flow chart of another embodiment of a communication method based on a protocol data unit set proposed in an embodiment of the present application. The communication method based on a protocol data unit set proposed in an embodiment of the present application further includes:

[0540] F1. The access network device obtains the first information and / or the second information.

[0541] F2. The access network device determines the transmission priority of the data packet according to the first information and / or the second information.

[0542] Optionally, the access network device determines a transmission mechanism for the data packet according to the first information and / or the second information. The retransmission mechanism may indicate which data packets in the same PDU SET are to be transmitted first.

[0543] F3. The access network device determines the transmission mechanism of the data packet according to the transmission priority of the data packet.

[0544] In the embodiment of the present application, the access network device may also determine the transmission priority of the data packet according to the first information and / or the second information. The transmission order of different data packets in the same PDU SET carried in the same QoS flow is determined based on the transmission priority of the data packet. Different transmission mechanisms are set for data packets of different importance. Differentiated transmission of different data packets in the same PDU SET is achieved, the business requirements of multiple services are met, the data transmission quality is improved, and the user experience is improved.

[0545] A possible application scenario is Fig.14 As shown, AF allocates the first information and / or the second information to the PDU SET corresponding to the service according to the service requirements. For example, in the 3D video service, the geometric data in the 3D media frame has high QoS requirements, and the attribute data in the 3D media frame has low QoS requirements. Therefore, AF can allocate the first information and / or the second information to different sub-PDU SETs in a PDU SET that carries the 3D media frame. For example, AF allocates high importance information to the data packet of sub-PDU SET#1 carrying geometric data in the PDU SET, and AF allocates low importance information to the data packet of sub-PDU SET#2 carrying attribute data in the PDU SET. Each sub-PDU SET includes one or more data packets, and each sub-PDU SET carries part of the data of a 3D media frame.

[0546] AF sends the first information and / or the second information to other network functions (including but not limited to NEF, PCF, SMF or AMF). AF can also send the first information and / or the second information to UPF along with the flow (data flow of PDU SET). For example, UPF obtains the first information along with the flow and obtains the second information from other network functions. UPF determines the QoS flow that carries the data packet based on the first information (such as importance information) and / or the second information of each data packet. Multiple data packets of the same PDU SET are transmitted in different QoS flows. For example, Fig.14In the embodiment, the QoS flow of the data packet carrying sub-PDU SET#1 is independent of the QoS flow of the data packet carrying sub-PDU SET#2. The RAN obtains the first information along with the flow and obtains the second information from other network functions. The RAN determines the DRB carrying the data packet based on the first information (e.g., importance information) and / or the second information of each data packet. Optionally, the RAN can also determine the retransmission mechanism and / or transmission mechanism of the data packet based on the first information (e.g., importance information) and / or the second information of each data packet. Through the above method, the differentiated QoS requirements of the 3D video service for intra-frame data are met, the data transmission quality is improved, and the user experience is improved.

[0547] It should be noted that the method proposed in the embodiment of the present application can also be applied to other application scenarios that require intra-frame differentiated QoS processing. For example, in a laser radar scenario, for the same point cloud data frame of the laser radar, high-importance information can be assigned to the geometric data in the point cloud data frame, and low-importance information can be assigned to the attribute data in the point cloud data frame. This satisfies the differentiated QoS requirements of different subframes within a point cloud data frame.

[0548] The present application is described above from the perspective of method, and other embodiments provided by the present application will be further described below.

[0549] See also Fig.15 , is a schematic diagram of an implementation of the communication device provided in the present application, and the communication device 1500 includes a processing module 1501 and a transceiver module 1502. The communication device 1500 can implement the functions of the communication device (including AF, UPF, SMF, PCF and / or RAN, etc.) in the above method embodiment, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiment. In the embodiment of the present application, the communication device 1500 can be AF, UPF, SMF, PCF and / or RAN, or an integrated circuit or component inside AF, UPF, SMF, PCF and / or RAN, such as a chip, or an integrated circuit or component integrated with AF, UPF, SMF, PCF and / or RAN.

[0550] See also Fig.16 , is another schematic structural diagram of the communication device 1600 provided in the present application, and the communication device 1600 at least includes an input and output interface 1602. The communication device 1600 may be a chip or an integrated circuit.

[0551] Optionally, the communication device also includes a logic circuit 1601.

[0552] in, Fig.15 The transceiver module 1502 shown may be a communication interface, which may be Fig.16The input / output interface 1602 in the communication interface 1602 may include an input interface and an output interface. Alternatively, the communication interface may also be a transceiver circuit, which may include an input interface circuit and an output interface circuit.

[0553] Optionally, when the communication device 1600 is AF, UPF, SMF, PCF and / or RAN in the aforementioned embodiments, the input-output interface 1602 is used to input and output information; the logic circuit 1601 is used to execute the method executed by AF, UPF, SMF, PCF and / or RAN in the aforementioned embodiments.

[0554] The logic circuit 1601 and the input / output interface 1602 may also execute other steps executed by the communication device in any embodiment and achieve corresponding beneficial effects, which will not be described in detail here.

[0555] In one possible implementation, Fig.15 The processing module 1501 shown can be Fig.16 The logic circuit 1601 in.

[0556] Optionally, the logic circuit 1601 may be a processing device, and the functions of the processing device may be partially or completely implemented by software. The functions of the processing device may be partially or completely implemented by software.

[0557] Optionally, the processing device may include a memory and a processor, wherein the memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor reads and executes the computer program stored in the memory to perform corresponding processing and / or steps in any one of the method embodiments.

[0558] Alternatively, the processing device may include only a processor. A memory for storing a computer program is located outside the processing device, and the processor is connected to the memory via a circuit / wire to read and execute the computer program stored in the memory. The memory and the processor may be integrated together, or may be physically independent of each other.

[0559] Optionally, the processing device may be one or more chips, or one or more integrated circuits. For example, the processing device may be one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), system on chip (SoC), central processor unit (CPU), network processor (NP), digital signal processor (DSP), microcontroller unit (MCU), programmable logic device (PLD) or other integrated chips, or any combination of the above chips or processors.

[0560] See also Fig.17 , is a communication device 1700 involved in the above-mentioned embodiments provided in an embodiment of the present application, and the communication device 1700 can specifically be a communication device serving as AF, UPF, SMF, PCF and / or RAN in the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0561] Among them, a possible logical structure diagram of the communication device 1700 is shown, and the communication device 1700 may include but is not limited to at least one processor 1701 and a communication port 1702.

[0562] Further optionally, the device may also include at least one of a memory 1703 and a bus 1704. In an embodiment of the present application, the at least one processor 1701 is used to control and process the actions of the communication device 1700.

[0563] In addition, the processor 1701 can be a central processing unit, a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a transistor logic device, a hardware component or any combination thereof. It can implement or execute various exemplary logic blocks, modules and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of this application. The processor can also be a combination that implements a computing function, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, and the like. Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that for the convenience and simplicity of description, the specific working process of the above-described system, device and unit can refer to the corresponding process in the aforementioned method embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0564] It should be noted that Fig.17The communication device 1700 shown can be specifically used to implement the steps implemented by AF, UPF, SMF, PCF and / or RAN in the aforementioned method embodiments, and to achieve the technical effects corresponding to AF, UPF, SMF, PCF and / or RAN. Fig.17 The specific implementation methods of the communication device shown can all refer to the description in the aforementioned method embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0565] See also Fig.18 , is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 1800 involved in the above embodiments provided in the embodiments of the present application. The communication device 1800 may specifically be a communication device as AF, UPF, SMF, PCF and / or RAN in the above embodiments. The structure of the communication device may refer to Fig.18 The structure shown.

[0566] The communication device 1800 includes at least one processor 1801 and at least one network interface 1804. Further optionally, the communication device also includes at least one memory 1802, at least one transceiver 1803 and one or more antennas 1805. The processor 1801, the memory 1802, the transceiver 1803 and the network interface 1804 are connected, for example, through a bus. In an embodiment of the present application, the connection may include various interfaces, transmission lines or buses, etc., which are not limited in this embodiment. The antenna 1805 is connected to the transceiver 1803. The network interface 1804 is used to enable the communication device to communicate with other communication devices through a communication link. For example, the network interface 1804 may include a network interface between the communication device and the core network device, such as an S1 interface, and the network interface may include a network interface between the communication device and other communication devices (such as other wireless access networks or core network devices), such as an X2 or Xn interface.

[0567] The processor 1801 is mainly used to process the communication protocol and communication data, and to control the entire communication device, execute the software program, and process the data of the software program, for example, to support the communication device to perform the actions described in the embodiment. The communication device may include a baseband processor and a central processing unit, the baseband processor is mainly used to process the communication protocol and communication data, and the central processing unit is mainly used to control the entire terminal device, execute the software program, and process the data of the software program. Fig.18The processor 1801 in the embodiment can integrate the functions of the baseband processor and the central processor. It can be understood by those skilled in the art that the baseband processor and the central processor can also be independent processors, which are interconnected through technologies such as buses. It can be understood by those skilled in the art that the terminal device can include multiple baseband processors to adapt to different network formats, and the terminal device can include multiple central processors to enhance its processing capabilities. The various components of the terminal device can be connected through various buses. The baseband processor can also be described as a baseband processing circuit or a baseband processing chip. The central processor can also be described as a central processing circuit or a central processing chip. The function of processing the communication protocol and the communication data can be built into the processor, or it can be stored in the memory in the form of a software program, and the processor executes the software program to realize the baseband processing function.

[0568] The memory is mainly used to store software programs and data. The memory 1802 can be independent and connected to the processor 1801. Optionally, the memory 1802 can be integrated with the processor 1801, for example, integrated into a chip. Among them, the memory 1802 can store program codes for executing the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and the execution is controlled by the processor 1801. The various types of computer program codes executed can also be regarded as drivers of the processor 1801.

[0569] Fig.18 Only one memory and one processor are shown. In an actual terminal device, there may be multiple processors and multiple memories. The memory may also be referred to as a storage medium or a storage device, etc. The memory may be a storage element on the same chip as the processor, i.e., an on-chip storage element, or an independent storage element, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0570] The transceiver 1803 can be used to support the reception or transmission of radio frequency signals between the communication device and the terminal, and the transceiver 1803 can be connected to the antenna 1805. The transceiver 1803 includes a transmitter Tx and a receiver Rx. Specifically, one or more antennas 1805 can receive radio frequency signals, and the receiver Rx of the transceiver 1803 is used to receive the radio frequency signal from the antenna, and convert the radio frequency signal into a digital baseband signal or a digital intermediate frequency signal, and provide the digital baseband signal or the digital intermediate frequency signal to the processor 1801, so that the processor 1801 further processes the digital baseband signal or the digital intermediate frequency signal, such as demodulation processing and decoding processing. In addition, the transmitter Tx in the transceiver 1803 is also used to receive a modulated digital baseband signal or a digital intermediate frequency signal from the processor 1801, and convert the modulated digital baseband signal or the digital intermediate frequency signal into a radio frequency signal, and send the radio frequency signal through one or more antennas 1805. Specifically, the receiver Rx can selectively perform one or more stages of down-mixing and analog-to-digital conversion processing on the RF signal to obtain a digital baseband signal or a digital intermediate frequency signal, and the order of the down-mixing and analog-to-digital conversion processing is adjustable. The transmitter Tx can selectively perform one or more stages of up-mixing and digital-to-analog conversion processing on the modulated digital baseband signal or digital intermediate frequency signal to obtain a RF signal, and the order of the up-mixing and digital-to-analog conversion processing is adjustable. The digital baseband signal and the digital intermediate frequency signal can be collectively referred to as a digital signal.

[0571] The transceiver 1803 may also be referred to as a transceiver module, a transceiver, a transceiver device, etc. Optionally, a device in the transceiver module for implementing a receiving function may be regarded as a receiving unit, and a device in the transceiver module for implementing a sending function may be regarded as a sending unit, that is, the transceiver module includes a receiving unit and a sending unit, the receiving unit may also be referred to as a receiver, an input port, a receiving circuit, etc., and the sending unit may be referred to as a transmitter, a transmitter, or a transmitting circuit, etc.

[0572] It should be noted that Fig.18 The communication device 1800 shown can be specifically used to implement the steps implemented by AF, UPF, SMF, PCF and / or RAN in the aforementioned method embodiments, and to achieve the technical effects corresponding to AF, UPF, SMF, PCF and / or RAN. Fig.18 The specific implementation methods of the communication device 1800 shown can all be referred to the description in the aforementioned method embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0573] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing one or more computer-executable instructions. When the computer-executable instructions are executed by a processor, the processor executes the method as a possible implementation of AF, UPF, SMF, PCF and / or RAN in the aforementioned embodiments.

[0574] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product (or computer program) storing one or more computers. When the computer program product is executed by the processor, the processor executes the method of possible implementation of the above-mentioned AF, UPF, SMF, PCF and / or RAN.

[0575] The embodiment of the present application also provides a chip system, which includes at least one processor for supporting a communication device to implement the functions involved in the possible implementation of the above-mentioned communication device. Optionally, the chip system also includes an interface circuit, which provides program instructions and / or data for the at least one processor. In one possible design, the chip system may also include a memory, which is used to store the necessary program instructions and data for the communication device. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or it can include a chip and other discrete devices, wherein the communication device can specifically be AF, UPF, SMF, PCF and / or RAN in the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0576] An embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system, which includes the AF, UPF, SMF, PCF and / or RAN in any of the above embodiments.

[0577] 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 unit 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 an indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0578] 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.

[0579] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application can be integrated into a processing module, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The above-mentioned integrated unit can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional unit. If the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application is essentially or the part that contributes or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, and the computer software product is stored in a storage medium, including several instructions for a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a wireless access network, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the method of each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: U disk, mobile hard disk, read-only memory (ROM, Read-Only Memory), random access memory (RAM, Random Access Memory), disk or optical disk and other media that can store program code.

Claims

1. A communication method based on a protocol data unit set, characterized in that: The method is applied to an application function AF, and the method comprises: Sending first information, where the first information is used to indicate that multiple data packets belonging to the same protocol data unit set PDU SET are transmitted in at least two quality of service QoS flows; The multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET are sent, and the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET are transmitted through the at least two QoS flows.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first information includes: importance information of each data packet among the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET, and the importance information of each data packet among the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET corresponds one-to-one to different QoS flows carrying the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that Each of the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET carries the importance information of the data packet.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The importance information of the data packet is used to characterize the encoding method of the data packet, or the importance information of the data packet is used to characterize the data type of the data packet.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET belong to different sub-PDU SETs, and the first information further includes: an identity of the sub-PDU SET to which each of the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET belongs, and each of the sub-PDU SET includes at least one data packet.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The first information includes: an association relationship between the sub-PDU SET to which the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET belong and the QoS flow carrying the sub-PDU SET.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The application function sending the first information includes: The application function sends the data packet included in the same PDU SET, where the data packet carries the first information.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The first information includes at least one of the following information: a first packet identifier of a sub-PDU SET, where the first packet identifier of the sub-PDU SET is used to indicate the first data packet among multiple data packets included in the sub-PDU SET; The end packet identifier of the sub-PDU SET is used to indicate the last data packet among multiple data packets included in the sub-PDU SET; The number of data packet bits of the sub-PDU SET indicates the size of the data packet included in the sub-PDU SET; Alternatively, the data packet sequence number of the sub-PDU SET, the data packet sequence number of the sub-PDU SET indicates the sequence number of the data packet included in the sub-PDU SET in the sub-PDU SET.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The method further comprises: The application function sends second information, where the second information is used to indicate a split transmission mechanism for the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET, The second information includes at least one of the following information: The association between the importance information of the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET and the QoS flow; The association between the importance information and QoS requirements of the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET; The association between the importance information of the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET and the QoS parameters; Split transmission indication information, where the split transmission indication information is used to indicate that the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET are mapped to multiple QoS flows for transmission according to the first information; The data packet detection rules of multiple sub-PDU SETs belonging to the same PDU SET; QoS parameters of each sub-PDU SET of multiple sub-PDU SETs in the same PDU SET, wherein the QoS parameters of each sub-PDU SET correspond to parameters of a QoS flow carrying one sub-PDU SET; Alternatively, the QoS requirements of multiple sub-PDU SETs in the same PDU SET, the QoS requirement of each sub-PDU SET indicates requirement information for the QoS flow of the data packet carrying the sub-PDU SET.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The QoS parameters of the sub-PDU SET include any one or more of the following: The delay budget of the sub PDU SET sub PDU SET delay budget, the bit error rate of the sub PDU SET subPDU SET error rate, or the integrated processing information of the sub PDU SET sub PDU Set IntegratedHandling Information.

11. A communication method based on a protocol data unit set, characterized in that: The method is applied to a user plane function UPF, and the method comprises: Receiving multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET; According to the first information and / or the second information, the QoS flow carrying the data packet is determined, the first information indicates that the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET are transmitted in at least two quality of service QoS flows, and the second information is used to indicate the split transmission mechanism of the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The first information includes: importance information of each data packet among the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET, wherein the importance information of each data packet among the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET corresponds one-to-one to different QoS flows carrying the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET; The second information includes: an association between the importance information of the data packet and the QoS flow; Determining, according to the first information and / or the second information, a QoS flow carrying the data packet, comprising: According to the importance information of each data packet among the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET and / or the association between the importance information of the data packet and the QoS flow, the QoS flow associated with the importance information of the data packet is determined, and the QoS flow is used to carry the data packet.

13. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that Determining, according to the first information and / or the second information, a QoS flow carrying the data packet, comprising: Determine, according to the first information and / or the second information, the sub-PDU SET to which the data packet belongs, wherein the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET belong to different sub-PDU SETs, and each of the sub-PDU SETs includes at least one data packet; According to the sub-PDU SET to which the data packet belongs, a QoS flow corresponding to the sub-PDU SET is determined, and the QoS flow is used to carry the data packet.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The second information includes: the data packet detection rules belonging to multiple sub-PDU SETs in the same PDU SET; Determining, according to the first information and / or the second information, the sub-PDU SET to which the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET belong, includes: According to the data packet detection rule belonging to multiple sub-PDU SETs in the same PDU SET, the data of the data packet is detected to determine the sub-PDU SET to which the data packet belongs.

15. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The first information includes: an association relationship between the sub-PDU SET to which the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET belong and a quality of service QoS flow carrying the sub-PDU SET; Determining, according to the first information and / or the second information, a QoS flow carrying the data packet, comprising: According to the association relationship between the sub-PDU SET to which the data packet belongs and the QoS flow carrying the sub-PDU SET, a QoS flow corresponding to the data packet is determined, and the QoS flow is used to carry the data packet.

16. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that The method further comprises: Obtaining a data packet including the first information according to the data packet and the first information; The data packet including the first information is mapped into the QoS flow for transmission.

17. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that The first information includes any one or more of the following information: The importance information of the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET; The identity of the sub-PDU SET to which the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET belong; The association relationship between the sub-PDU SET to which the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET belong and the QoS flow transmitting the sub-PDU SET; a first packet identifier of the sub-PDU SET, where the first packet identifier of the sub-PDU SET is used to indicate the first data packet among multiple data packets included in the sub-PDU SET; The end packet identifier of the sub-PDU SET is used to indicate the last data packet among multiple data packets included in the sub-PDU SET; The number of data packet bits of the sub-PDU SET indicates the size of the data packet included in the sub-PDU SET; Alternatively, the data packet sequence number of the sub-PDU SET, the data packet sequence number of the sub-PDU SET indicates the sequence number of the data packet included in the sub-PDU SET in the sub-PDU SET.

18. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 17, characterized in that The second information includes at least one of the following: The association between the importance information of the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET and the QoS flow; Split transmission indication information, where the split transmission indication information is used to indicate that the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET are mapped to multiple QoS flows for transmission according to the first information; Or, the data packet detection rules belonging to multiple sub-PDU SETs in the same PDU SET.

19. A communication method based on a protocol data unit set, characterized in that: The method is applied to an access network device RAN, and the method includes: Receiving multiple data packets belonging to the same protocol data unit set PDU SET; Determine, according to the first information and / or the second information, a data radio bearer DRB that carries the data packet, wherein the first information indicates that the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET are transmitted in at least two quality of service QoS flows, and the second information is used to indicate a split transmission mechanism for the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET; The data packet is mapped to the DRB determined to carry the data packet.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that Determining, according to the first information and / or the second information, a data radio bearer DRB that carries the data packet includes: Determine, according to the first information and / or the second information, the sub-PDU SET to which the data packet belongs, wherein the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET belong to different sub-PDU SETs, and each of the sub-PDU SETs includes at least one data packet; According to the sub-PDU SET to which the data packet belongs, the DRB corresponding to the sub-PDU SET is determined, and the DRB is used to carry the data packet.

21. The method according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that The method further comprises: A retransmission mechanism of the data packet is determined according to the first information and / or the second information.

22. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that Determining a retransmission mechanism for the data packet includes: Determine a retransmission priority of the data packet according to the first information and / or the second information, wherein the retransmission priority indicates a priority of the access network device for retransmitting the data packet when the data packet is lost; A retransmission mechanism for the data packet is determined according to the retransmission priority of the data packet.

23. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 22, characterized in that The method further comprises: Determine a transmission priority of the data packet according to the first information and / or the second information, wherein the transmission priority indicates a priority of the access network device in transmitting the data packet; A transmission mechanism for the data packet is determined according to the transmission priority of the data packet.

24. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 23, characterized in that The first information includes any one or more of the following information: The importance information of the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET, wherein the importance information of the data packets indicates the QoS flow carrying the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET; The identity of the sub-PDU SET to which the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET belong; The association relationship between the sub-PDU SET to which the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET belong and the QoS flow transmitting the sub-PDU SET; a first packet identifier of the sub-PDU SET, where the first packet identifier of the sub-PDU SET is used to indicate the first data packet among multiple data packets included in the sub-PDU SET; The end packet identifier of the sub-PDU SET is used to indicate the last data packet among multiple data packets included in the sub-PDU SET; The number of data packet bits of the sub-PDU SET indicates the size of the data packet included in the sub-PDU SET; Alternatively, the data packet sequence number of the sub-PDU SET, the data packet sequence number of the sub-PDU SET indicates the sequence number of the data packet included in the sub-PDU SET in the sub-PDU SET.

25. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 24, characterized in that The second information includes at least one of the following: The association between the importance information of the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET and the QoS flow; The association between the importance information and QoS requirements of the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET; The association between the importance information of the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET and the QoS parameters; Split transmission indication information, where the split transmission indication information is used to indicate that the data packets belonging to the same PDU SET are mapped to multiple QoS flows for transmission according to the first information; The data packet detection rules of multiple sub-PDU SETs belonging to the same PDU SET; QoS parameters of each sub-PDU SET of multiple sub-PDU SETs in the same PDU SET, wherein the QoS parameters of each sub-PDU SET correspond to parameters of a QoS flow carrying one sub-PDU SET; Alternatively, the QoS requirements of multiple sub-PDU SETs in the same PDU SET, the QoS requirement of each sub-PDU SET indicates requirement information for the QoS flow of the data packet carrying the sub-PDU SET.

26. A communication device, characterized in that: Including transceiver module and processing module: The transceiver module is used to input and / or output signaling or data; The processing module is used to execute the method described in any one of claims 1 to 10, or the method described in any one of claims 11 to 18, or the method described in any one of claims 19 to 25 through the communication unit.

27. A communication device, characterized in that: Including communication interface and processor: The communication interface is used to input and / or output signaling or data; The processor is used to execute a computer executable program so that the method described in any one of claims 1 to 10 is executed, or the method described in any one of claims 11 to 18 is executed, or the method described in any one of claims 19 to 25 is executed.

28. A communication device, characterized in that: including a processor and memory, The memory is used to store computer programs or instructions; The processor is used to execute the computer program or instructions in the memory, so that the method described in any one of claims 1 to 10 is executed, or the method described in any one of claims 11 to 18 is executed, or the method described in any one of claims 19 to 25 is executed.

29. A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions, characterized in that: When the instructions are executed by a processor, the method of any one of claims 1-10, or claims 11-18, or claims 19-25 is implemented.

30. A computer program product comprising a program, characterized in that When the program is executed by a processor, the method of any one of claims 1-10, or claims 11-18, or claims 19-25 is implemented.

31. A chip system, characterized in that: The chip system includes at least one processor, and when the program instructions are executed in the at least one processor, the method described in any one of claims 1-10, or claims 11-18, or claims 19-25 is implemented.

32. A communication system, characterized in that: The invention comprises a communication device for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, a communication device for executing the method according to any one of claims 11 to 18, and a communication device for executing the method according to any one of claims 19 to 25.

33. A communication method based on a protocol data unit set, characterized in that: The method is applied to a communication system, the communication system includes an application function and a user plane function, and the method includes: The application function sends first information, where the first information is used to indicate that multiple data packets belonging to the same protocol data unit set PDUSET are transmitted in at least two quality of service QoS flows; The application function sends the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET; The user plane function receives the multiple data packets belonging to the same PDU SET; The user plane function determines the QoS flow that carries the data packet according to the first information and / or the second information.

34. The method according to claim 33, characterized in that The communication system further includes an access network device, and the method further includes: The access network device receives the multiple data packets belonging to the same protocol data unit set PDU SET; The access network device determines, according to the first information and / or the second information, a data radio bearer DRB that carries the data packet; The access network device maps the data packet to the DRB determined to carry the data packet.

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