Communication method, communication device and communication system

Abstract

The invention provides a communication method, a communication device and a communication system. According to the method, the QoS flow is monitored according to the granularity of the PDU sets, and each PDU set comprises a plurality of data packets, so that the monitoring efficiency of the QoS flow can be improved. Moreover, the method can also open the monitoring result to the outside through the second network element, so that the network element receiving the monitoring result can control the service based on the monitoring result, thereby facilitating the improvement of the accuracy of service control, and avoiding the blind control of the service.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of wireless communication technologies, and in particular, to a communication method, a communication device, and a communication system. Background Art

[0002] The existing quality of service (QoS) mechanism guarantees services at the granularity of data packets. Data packets of the same traffic flow will be mapped into the same QoS flow for transmission. Data packets of different traffic flows may be mapped into the same QoS flow or different QoS flows. Different data packets of the same QoS flow will be processed and transmitted according to the same QoS parameters packet by packet. In other words, all data packets within the same QoS flow will be processed equally and without discrimination during transmission.

[0003] To obtain the transmission status of a QoS flow, the QoS flow can be monitored at the granularity of data packets. However, to support the transmission of real-time media services such as extended reality (XR) and cloud gaming, a QoS transmission guarantee mechanism at the granularity of data packet sets is introduced to perform QoS guarantee and transmission at the granularity of data packet sets. How to monitor and report the QoS transmission situation at the granularity of data packet sets remains to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method, a communication device, and a communication system to improve the efficiency of monitoring QoS flows.

[0005] In a first aspect, an embodiment of this application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a first network element or a chip applied to the first network element. The method includes: receiving first information, where the first information is used to monitor a protocol data unit (PDU) set of a QoS flow and report a monitoring result of the PDU set; monitoring the PDU set carried by the QoS flow according to the first information; and sending the monitoring result of the PDU set to a second network element.

[0006] In the above solution, the QoS flow is monitored and reported at the granularity of PDU sets. Each PDU set includes multiple data packets, enabling the monitoring and reporting of the transmission status of PDU sets within the QoS flow. Compared with monitoring the QoS flow at the granularity of data packets, the method of monitoring the QoS flow at the granularity of PDU sets can improve the monitoring efficiency by increasing the monitoring granularity and is more applicable to service scenarios where data is encoded in the form of PDU sets, thus improving the service transmission efficiency. Moreover, this solution can also expose the monitoring results to the outside through a second network element, enabling the network element receiving the monitoring results to perceive the transmission situation of PDU sets in the QoS flow based on the monitoring results and further control the service. For example, adjusting the code rate of the service or the redundancy of the forward error correction (FEC) of the service according to the monitoring results helps improve the accuracy of service control and avoids blind control of the service.

[0007] In a possible implementation method, the first information includes a PDU set loss rate event, and the PDU set loss rate event indicates that the monitoring object is the PDU set loss rate. The monitoring of the PDU sets carried by the QoS flow according to the first information includes: monitoring the PDU set loss rate of the QoS flow according to the first information.

[0008] In the above solution, the first network element can measure the PDU set loss rate of the QoS flow and expose the PDU set loss rate to the outside through a second network element, enabling the entity receiving the PDU set loss rate to control the service based on the PDU set loss rate, which helps improve the accuracy of service control and avoids blind control of the service. For example, the application server obtains the situation of the PDU set loss rate and makes corresponding adjustments on the service side. For instance, when the PDU set loss rate is relatively high, indicating that the current network is poor, the application server can reduce the code rate or increase the proportion of FEC redundancy, thereby improving the network situation while ensuring the service experience.

[0009] In a possible implementation method, the first network element is an access network device, and the PDU set loss rate includes one or more of the following:

[0010] The proportion of PDU sets that the access network device fails to successfully send to the terminal device, that is, the ratio of the number of PDU sets in the QoS flow that fail to be successfully sent to the terminal device to the total number of PDU sets sent by the access network device to the terminal device;

[0011] The proportion of the PDU sets discarded due to packet loss, that is, the ratio of the number of PDU sets that fail to be successfully sent to the terminal device due to packet loss in this QoS flow to the total number of PDU sets sent from the access network device to the terminal device;

[0012] The proportion of the PDU sets discarded due to transmission failure, that is, the ratio of the number of PDU sets that fail to be successfully sent to the terminal device due to transmission failure in this QoS flow to the total number of PDU sets sent from the access network device to the terminal device;

[0013] The proportion of the packets with transmission failure, that is, the ratio of the number of packets with transmission failure sent to the terminal device in this QoS flow to the total number of packets sent from the access network device to the terminal device;

[0014] The total number of packets with transmission failure, that is, the number of packets with transmission failure sent to the terminal device in this QoS flow; or

[0015] The proportion of the PDU sets discarded due to packet loss based on the importance of the PDU sets, that is, the ratio of the number of PDU sets discarded due to different PDU set importance levels to the total number of PDU sets sent from the access network device to the terminal device.

[0016] In a possible implementation method, the first network element is a terminal device, and the PDU set loss rate includes one or more of the following:

[0017] The proportion of the PDU sets that the terminal device fails to successfully send to the access network device, that is, the ratio of the number of PDU sets that fail to be successfully sent to the access network device in this QoS flow to the total number of PDU sets sent from the terminal device to the access network device;

[0018] The proportion of the PDU sets discarded due to transmission failure, that is, the ratio of the number of PDU sets that fail to be successfully sent to the access network device due to packet transmission failure in this QoS flow to the total number of PDU sets sent from the terminal device to the access network device;

[0019] The proportion of the packets with transmission failure, that is, the ratio of the number of packets with transmission failure sent to the access network device in this QoS flow to the total number of packets sent from the terminal device to the access network device;

[0020] The total number of packets with transmission failure, that is, the number of packets with transmission failure sent to the access network device in this QoS flow; or

[0021] The proportion of the PDU sets discarded due to packet loss based on the importance of the PDU sets, that is, the ratio of the number of PDU sets discarded due to different PDU set importance levels to the total number of PDU sets sent from the terminal device to the access network device.

[0022] In a possible implementation method, the monitoring result includes the loss rate of each PDU set corresponding to the importance of the PDU set.

[0023] In a possible implementation method, the first information includes a PDU set delay event, and the PDU set delay event indicates that the monitoring object is the PDU set delay; the monitoring of the PDU set carried by the QoS flow according to the first information includes: monitoring the PDU set delay of the QoS flow according to the first information.

[0024] In the above solution, the first network element can measure the PDU set delay of the QoS flow and can open the PDU set delay to the outside through the second network element, so that the entity receiving the PDU set delay can control the service based on the PDU set delay, which helps to improve the accuracy of service control and avoid blind control of the service. For example, the application server obtains the situation of the PDU set delay and makes corresponding adjustments on the service side. For example, when the PDU set delay is relatively high, it indicates that the current network is not good, and the application server can reduce the code rate or increase the proportion of FEC redundancy, thereby improving the network situation while ensuring the service experience.

[0025] In a possible implementation method, the first network element is an access network device, and the PDU set delay includes one or more of the following:

[0026] The time taken for the access network device to successfully transmit the PDU set to the terminal device;

[0027] The time taken for the access network device to successfully transmit the PDU set to the terminal device within the PDU set delay budget time;

[0028] The proportion or quantity of the PDU set successfully transmitted by the access network device to the terminal device within the PDU set delay budget time;

[0029] The proportion or quantity of the PDU set successfully transmitted by the access network device to the terminal device exceeding the PDU set delay budget time; or

[0030] The time taken for the access network device to successfully transmit the PDU set to the terminal device exceeding the PDU set delay budget time.

[0031] In a possible implementation method, the first network element is a terminal device, and the PDU set delay includes one or more of the following:

[0032] The time taken for the terminal device to successfully transmit the PDU set to the access network device;

[0033] The time taken by the terminal device to successfully transmit the PDU set to the access network device within the PDU set delay budget time;

[0034] The proportion or number of PDU sets successfully transmitted by the terminal device to the access network device within the PDU set delay budget time;

[0035] The proportion or number of PDU sets successfully transmitted to the access network device by the terminal device beyond the PDU set delay budget time; or

[0036] The time taken by the terminal device to successfully transmit the PDU set to the access network device exceeds the PDU set delay budget time.

[0037] In a possible implementation method, the monitoring result includes the PDU aggregate delay, or includes the sum of the PDU aggregate delay and the N3 segment core network packet delay budget (core network packet delay budget, CNPDB).

[0038] In a possible implementation method, the monitoring result includes the PDU set delay corresponding to the importance of each PDU set.

[0039] In a possible implementation method, the first network element is a user plane network element; the first information includes a PDU set spread delay (PDU Set Spread Delay) event, and the PDU set spread delay event indicates that the monitored object is the PDU set spread delay; and monitoring the PDU set carried by the QoS flow according to the first information includes: monitoring the PDU set spread delay of the QoS flow according to the first information.

[0040] In the above scheme, the first network element can measure the PDU set extended delay of the QoS flow, and can open the PDU set extended delay to the outside through the second network element, so that the entity that receives the PDU set extended delay can control the service based on the PDU set extended delay, which helps to improve the accuracy of service control and avoid blind control of the service. For example, after the application server or policy control network element obtains the PDU set extended delay, the application server adjusts the traffic characteristics of the service PDU set. For example, when the PDU set extended delay is relatively high, it means that the current network is not good. The application server can reduce the bit rate or increase the proportion of FEC redundancy, thereby improving the network situation while ensuring the service experience. The policy control network element can adjust the QoS parameters according to the PDU set extended delay.

[0041] In a possible implementation method, the PDU set extended delay includes one or more of the following:

[0042] The time interval between the arrival of the first packet of the PDU set at the user plane network element and the arrival of the last packet at the user plane network element;

[0043] The time interval between the arrival of the first packet of the PDU set at the user plane network element and the departure of the last packet from the user plane network element;

[0044] The time interval between the departure of the first packet of the PDU set from the user plane network element and the departure of the last packet from the user plane network element; or

[0045] The proportion of the target PDU set, where the time interval between the arrival of the first packet of the target PDU set at the user plane network element and the arrival of the last packet at the user plane network element does not exceed a preset threshold.

[0046] In a possible implementation method, the monitoring result is the PDU set extended delay corresponding to the importance of each PDU set.

[0047] In a possible implementation method, the first network element is a session management network element; the first information includes an enabling state event of PDU set QoS processing, and the enabling state event of PDU set QoS processing indicates that the monitoring object is the enabling state of PDU set QoS processing; the monitoring of the PDU set carried by the QoS flow according to the first information includes: monitoring the enabling state of PDU set QoS processing of the QoS flow according to the first information.

[0048] In the above solution, the first network element can measure the enabling state of PDU set QoS processing of the QoS flow, that is, determine whether the PDU set QoS processing of the QoS flow is enabled, and can externally expose the enabling state of PDU set QoS processing through the second network element, so that the entity receiving the enabling state of PDU set QoS processing can perceive the enabling state of PDU set QoS processing, thereby realizing accurate control of services and avoiding blind control of services, such as the policy control network element obtaining the enabling state of PDU set QoS processing for different charging processes or third-party applications learning the enabling state of PDU set QoS processing.

[0049] In a possible implementation method, the monitoring of the enabling state of PDU set QoS processing of the QoS flow includes: receiving a capability indication from an access network device, where the capability indication is used to indicate that the access network device has the PDU set QoS processing capability; and monitoring the enabling state of PDU set QoS processing of the QoS flow according to the capability indication.

[0050] In a possible implementation method, monitoring the enabling status of QoS processing for the PDU set of the QoS flow according to the capability indication includes: sending QoS parameters of the PDU set to the access network device according to the capability indication, and then determining that the QoS processing of the PDU set of the QoS flow has been enabled.

[0051] In a possible implementation method, monitoring the enabling status of QoS processing for the PDU set of the QoS flow includes: sending QoS parameters of the PDU set to the access network device; receiving a capability indication from the access network device, and then determining that the QoS processing of the PDU set of the QoS flow has been enabled, where the capability indication is used to indicate that the access network device has the PDU set QoS processing capability.

[0052] In a possible implementation method, the first information includes a reporting indication, and the reporting indication is used to indicate reporting the monitoring result of the PDU set to the second network element; sending the monitoring result of the PDU set to the second network element includes: sending the monitoring result to the second network element according to the reporting indication.

[0053] In the above solution, the first network element is notified to send the monitoring result to the second network element through the reporting indication, so that the first network element can accurately know that it needs to report the monitoring result to the second network element based on the reporting indication, which helps to improve the reporting speed and accuracy.

[0054] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by an application function network element or a chip applied to an application function network element. The method includes: sending a subscription request, where the subscription request is used to subscribe to the monitoring result of the PDU set of the service flow; receiving the monitoring result of the PDU set of the service flow.

[0055] In the above solution, the QoS flow is monitored and reported in the granularity of the PDU set, and each PDU set includes multiple data packets, so that the transmission status of the PDU set granularity in the QoS flow can be monitored and reported. Compared with monitoring the QoS flow in the granularity of data packets, the method of monitoring the QoS flow in the granularity of the PDU set can improve the monitoring efficiency by increasing the monitoring granularity, and is more applicable to service scenarios where data is encoded in the PDU set manner, which can improve the service transmission efficiency. And the application function network element can receive the monitoring result, so that it can control the service based on the monitoring result, such as adjusting the code rate of the service or the FEC redundancy of the service according to the monitoring result, which helps to improve the accuracy of service control and avoid blind control of the service.

[0056] In a possible implementation method, the subscription request includes a PDU set loss rate event, and the PDU set loss rate event indicates that the monitoring object is the PDU set loss rate; receiving the monitoring result of the PDU set of the service flow includes: receiving the PDU set loss rate of the service flow.

[0057] In the above solution, the monitoring result obtained by the application function network element includes the PDU set loss rate. Therefore, the application function network element can control the service based on the PDU set loss rate. For example, when the PDU set loss rate is relatively high, it indicates that the current network is not good. The application server can reduce the code rate or increase the proportion of FEC redundancy, thereby improving the network situation while ensuring the service experience, contributing to improving the accuracy of service control and avoiding blind control of the service.

[0058] In a possible implementation method, the PDU set loss rate comes from the access network device, and the PDU set loss rate includes one or more of the following:

[0059] The proportion of the PDU set that the access network device fails to successfully send to the terminal device;

[0060] The proportion of the PDU set discarded due to packet loss;

[0061] The proportion of the PDU set discarded due to transmission failure;

[0062] The proportion of packets with transmission failure;

[0063] The total number of packets with transmission failure; or

[0064] The proportion of the PDU set discarded due to packet loss based on the importance of the PDU set.

[0065] In a possible implementation method, the PDU set loss rate comes from the terminal device, and the PDU set loss rate includes one or more of the following:

[0066] The proportion of the PDU set that the terminal device fails to successfully send to the access network device;

[0067] The proportion of the PDU set discarded due to transmission failure;

[0068] The proportion of packets with transmission failure;

[0069] The total number of packets with transmission failure; or

[0070] The proportion of the PDU set discarded due to packet loss based on the importance of the PDU set.

[0071] In a possible implementation method, the monitoring result includes the loss rate of each PDU set corresponding to the importance of the PDU set.

[0072] In a possible implementation method, the subscription request includes a PDU set delay event, and the PDU set delay event indicates that the monitoring object is the PDU set delay; receiving the monitoring result of the PDU set of the service flow includes: receiving the PDU set delay of the service flow, or the sum of the PDU set delay and the N3 segment core network packet data delay budget CN PDB.

[0073] In the above solution, the monitoring result obtained by the application function network element includes the PDU set delay, or includes the sum of the PDU set delay and the N3 segment CN PDB. Therefore, the application function network element can control the service based on the monitoring result. For example, when the PDU set delay is relatively high, it indicates that the current network is not good. The application server can reduce the code rate or increase the proportion of FEC redundancy, thereby improving the network situation while ensuring the service experience, helping to improve the accuracy of service control, and avoiding blind control of the service.

[0074] In a possible implementation method, the monitoring result comes from an access network device, and the PDU set delay includes one or more of the following:

[0075] The time taken by the access network device to successfully transmit the PDU set to the terminal device;

[0076] The time taken by the access network device to successfully transmit the PDU set to the terminal device within the PDU set delay budget time; the proportion or quantity of the PDU sets successfully transmitted by the access network device to the terminal device within the PDU set delay budget time;

[0077] The proportion or quantity of the PDU sets successfully transmitted by the access network device to the terminal device exceeding the PDU set delay budget time; or

[0078] The time taken by the access network device to successfully transmit the PDU set to the terminal device exceeding the PDU set delay budget time.

[0079] In a possible implementation method, the monitoring result comes from a terminal device, and the PDU set delay includes one or more of the following:

[0080] The time taken by the terminal device to successfully transmit the PDU set to the access network device;

[0081] The time taken by the terminal device to successfully transmit the PDU set to the access network device within the PDU set delay budget time;

[0082] The proportion or quantity of the PDU set successfully transmitted by the terminal device to the access network device within the delay budget time of the PDU set;

[0083] The proportion or quantity of the PDU set that the terminal device successfully transmits to the access network device's PDU set beyond the delay budget time of the PDU set; or

[0084] The time taken for the terminal device to successfully transmit the PDU set to the access network device beyond the delay budget time of the PDU set.

[0085] In a possible implementation method, the subscription request includes a PDU set extended delay event, and the PDU set extended delay event indicates that the monitoring object is the extended delay of the PDU set; receiving the monitoring result of the PDU set of the service flow includes: receiving the extended delay of the PDU set of the service flow.

[0086] In the above solution, the monitoring result obtained by the application function network element includes the extended delay of the PDU set. Therefore, the application function network element can control the service based on the extended delay of the PDU set. For example, when the extended delay of the PDU set is relatively high, it indicates that the current network is not good. The application server can reduce the code rate or increase the proportion of FEC redundancy, thereby improving the network situation while ensuring the service experience, helping to improve the accuracy of service control, and avoiding blind control of the service.

[0087] In a possible implementation method, the monitoring result comes from the user plane network element, and the extended delay of the PDU set includes one or more of the following:

[0088] The time interval between the arrival of the first packet of the PDU set at the user plane network element and the arrival of the last packet at the user plane network element;

[0089] The time interval between the arrival of the first packet of the PDU set at the user plane network element and the departure of the last packet from the user plane network element;

[0090] The time interval between the departure of the first packet of the PDU set from the user plane network element and the departure of the last packet from the user plane network element; or

[0091] The proportion of the target PDU set, where the time interval between the arrival of the first packet of the target PDU set at the user plane network element and the arrival of the last packet at the user plane network element does not exceed a preset threshold.

[0092] In a possible implementation method, the subscription request includes an enabled status event for PDU set QoS processing, and the enabled status event for PDU set QoS processing indicates that the monitoring object is the enabled status of PDU set QoS processing; receiving the monitoring result of the PDU set of the service flow includes: receiving the enabled status of PDU set QoS processing of the service flow.

[0093] In the above solution, the monitoring results obtained by the application function network element include the enabled state of the PDU set QoS processing. Thus, the application function network element can control services based on the enabled state of the PDU set QoS processing, which helps improve the accuracy of service control and avoid blind control of services.

[0094] In a possible implementation method, the subscription request includes a reporting indication, and the reporting indication is used to indicate reporting the monitoring results of the PDU set to a second network element; receiving the monitoring results of the PDU set of the service flow includes: receiving the monitoring results from the second network element.

[0095] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which may be a first network element or a chip for the first network element. The device has the functions of implementing any implementation method in the first aspect above. This function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0096] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which may be an application function network element or a chip for the application function network element. The device has the functions of implementing any implementation method in the second aspect above. This function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0097] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, including units or means for performing each step of any implementation method in the first aspect to the second aspect above.

[0098] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, including a processor and an interface circuit. The processor is used to communicate with other devices through the interface circuit and execute any implementation method in the first aspect to the second aspect above. The processor includes one or more.

[0099] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, including a processor. The processor is used to call a program to execute any implementation method in the first aspect to the second aspect above. And the processor may be one or more.

[0100] Optionally, the communication device may further include a memory, which is coupled to the processor. The memory may be located inside the device or outside the device.

[0101] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, including a processor; when the device runs, the processor executes computer instructions to enable the device to execute any implementation method in the above first aspect to second aspect.

[0102] Optionally, the communication device may further include a memory for storing the computer instructions.

[0103] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is run on a communication device, any implementation method in the above first aspect to second aspect is executed.

[0104] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium. Instructions are stored in the computer-readable storage medium. When they are run on a communication device, any implementation method in the above first aspect to second aspect is executed.

[0105] In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a chip system, including: a processor for executing any implementation method in the above first aspect to second aspect.

[0106] In a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system, including a first network element for receiving first information, where the first information is used to monitor a PDU set carried by a QoS flow and report a monitoring result of the PDU set; monitoring the PDU set carried by the QoS flow according to the first information; and sending the monitoring result of the PDU set to a second network element; the second network element is used to receive the monitoring result.

[0107] In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system, including an application function network element for sending a subscription request to a policy control network element, where the subscription request is used to subscribe to a monitoring result of a PDU set of a service flow; and receiving the monitoring result of the PDU set of the service flow from the policy control network element; the policy control network element is used to receive the subscription request; and send the monitoring result to the application function network element. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0108] FIG. 1(a) is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture based on a service-based architecture;

[0109] FIG. 1(b) is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture based on a point-to-point interface;

[0110] Figure 2 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0111] Figure 3Schematic flowchart of another communication method provided by an embodiment of this application;

[0112] Figure 4 Schematic flowchart of another communication method provided by an embodiment of this application;

[0113] Figure 5 Schematic flowchart of another communication method provided by an embodiment of this application;

[0114] Figure 6 Schematic flowchart of another communication method provided by an embodiment of this application;

[0115] Figure 7 Schematic flowchart of another communication method provided by an embodiment of this application;

[0116] Figure 8 Schematic flowchart of another communication method provided by an embodiment of this application;

[0117] Figure 9 Schematic flowchart of another communication method provided by an embodiment of this application;

[0118] Figure 10 Schematic flowchart of another communication method provided by an embodiment of this application;

[0119] Figure 11 Schematic diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of this application;

[0120] Figure 12 Schematic diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of this application. Detailed implementation manners

[0121] To address the challenges of wireless broadband technologies and maintain the leading edge of the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) network, the 3GPP standards group has developed the architecture of the next generation mobile communication network system, known as the 5th generation (5G) network architecture. This architecture not only supports the access of wireless access technologies defined by the 3GPP standards group (such as long term evolution (LTE) access technology, 5G radio access network (RAN) access technology, etc.) to the 5G core network (CN), but also supports the access to the core network using non-3GPP access technologies through the non-3GPP interworking function (N3IWF) or the next generation packet data gateway (ngPDG).

[0122] Fig. 1(a) is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture based on a service-oriented architecture. The 5G network architecture shown in Fig. 1(a) may include access network devices and core network devices. The terminal device accesses the data network (DN) through the access network device and the core network device. Among them, the core network devices include, but are not limited to, some or all of the following network elements: the authentication server function (AUSF) network element (not shown in the figure), the unified data management (UDM) network element, the unified data repository (UDR) network element, the network repository function (NRF) network element (not shown in the figure), the network exposure function (NEF) network element (not shown in the figure), the application function (AF) network element, the policy control function (PCF) network element, the access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, the session management function (SMF) network element, the user plane function (UPF) network element, the binding support function (BSF) network element (not shown in the figure).

[0123] The terminal device may be a user equipment (UE), a mobile station, a mobile terminal device, etc. The terminal device can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart city, etc. The terminal device can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a wearable device, a vehicle, an urban air vehicle (such as an unmanned aircraft, a helicopter, etc.), a ship, a robot, a robotic arm, a smart home device, etc. For ease of explanation, this application uses the UE as an example of the terminal device for illustration, and the UE that appears at any subsequent position can be replaced by the terminal device.

[0124] The access network device can be a radio access network device (RAN device) or a wired access network device. Among them, the radio access network device includes a 3GPP access network device, a non-trusted non-3GPP access network device, and a trusted non-3GPP access network device. The 3GPP access network device includes but is not limited to: the evolved NodeB (eNodeB) in LTE, the next generation NodeB (gNB) in the 5G mobile communication system, the base station in the future mobile communication system, or a module or unit that completes part of the base station functions, such as the central unit (CU), the distributed unit (DU), etc. The non-trusted non-3GPP access network device includes but is not limited to: a non-trusted non-3GPP access gateway or N3IWF device, a non-trusted wireless local area network (WLAN) access point (AP), a switch, a router. The trusted non-3GPP access network device includes but is not limited to: a trusted non-3GPP access gateway, a trusted WLAN AP, a switch, a router. The wired access network device includes but is not limited to: a wireline access gateway, a fixed telephone network device, a switch, a router. For the convenience of description, this application takes the base station as an example of the access network device for description, and the base station that appears at any subsequent position can be replaced by the access network device.

[0125] The base station and the UE can be in a fixed position or movable. The base station and the UE can be deployed on land, including indoor or outdoor, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on the water surface; they can also be deployed on airplanes, balloons, and artificial satellites in the air. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of the base station and the UE.

[0126] The AMF network element includes functions such as performing mobility management, or access authentication / authorization, etc. In addition, it is also responsible for transmitting user policies between the UE and the PCF.

[0127] The SMF network element includes functions such as performing session management, executing the control policies issued by the PCF network element, selecting the UPF network element, or allocating the internet protocol (IP) address of the UE, etc.

[0128] The UPF network element includes functions such as completing user plane data forwarding, session / flow-level billing statistics, or bandwidth limitation, etc.

[0129] The UDM network element includes functions such as performing management of subscribed data, or user access authorization, etc.

[0130] The UDR includes access functions for executing types of data such as subscription data, policy data, or application data.

[0131] The NEF network element is used to support the opening of capabilities and events.

[0132] The AF network element transmits the requirements from the application side to the network side. For example, quality of service (QoS) requirements or user status event subscriptions, etc. The AF can be a third - party functional entity or an application service deployed by the operator, such as an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) voice call service. Among them, the AF network element includes the AF network element within the core network (i.e., the operator's AF network element) and the third - party AF network element (such as an application server of an enterprise).

[0133] The PCF network element includes policy control functions such as being responsible for charging, QoS bandwidth guarantee, and mobility management at the session and traffic flow levels, or UE policy decision - making. The PCF network element includes the access and mobility management policy control function (AM PCF) network element and the session management PCF (SM PCF) network element. Among them, the AM PCF network element is used to formulate AM policies and user policies for the UE. The AM PCF network element can also be called the policy control network element that provides services for the UE (PCF for a UE). The SM PCF network element is used to formulate session management policies (SM policies) for sessions. The SM PCF network element can also be called the policy control network element that provides services for the protocol data unit (PDU) session ((PCF for a PDU session)).

[0134] The NRF network element can be used to provide a network element discovery function. Based on the requests of other network elements, it provides network element information corresponding to the network element type. The NRF network element also provides network element management services, such as network element registration, update, deregistration, or network element status subscription and push, etc.

[0135] The BSF network element can provide functions such as BSF service registration / deregistration / update, connection detection with the NRF network element, creation of session binding information, acquisition of UE information, and query of session binding information with duplicate IP addresses.

[0136] The AUSF network element is responsible for authenticating users to determine whether to allow users or devices to access the network.

[0137] DN is a network outside the operator network. The operator network can access multiple DNs. Multiple services can be deployed on DN, which can provide data and / or voice services to UE. For example, DN is the private network of a smart factory. The sensors installed in the workshop of the smart factory can be UEs. The control server of the sensors is deployed in DN, and the control server can provide services for the sensors. The sensors can communicate with the control server, obtain instructions from the control server, and transmit the collected sensor data to the control server according to the instructions. For another example, DN is the internal office network of a company. The mobile phones or computers of the company's employees can be UEs. The employees' mobile phones or computers can access information, data resources, etc. on the company's internal office network.

[0138] In Figure 1(a), Npcf, Nudr, Nudm, Naf, Namf, and Nsmf are service-oriented interfaces provided by the above PCF, UDR, UDM, AF, AMF, and SMF, respectively, for invoking corresponding service-oriented operations. N1, N2, N3, N4, and N6 are interface serial numbers, and the meanings of these interface serial numbers are as follows:

[0139] 1) N1: The interface between the AMF network element and the UE, which can be used to transmit non-access stratum (NAS) signaling (such as QoS rules from the AMF network element) to the UE.

[0140] 2) N2: The interface between the AMF network element and the base station, which can be used to transmit radio bearer control information from the core network side to the base station.

[0141] 3) N3: The interface between the base station and the UPF network element, mainly used to transmit uplink and downlink user plane data between the base station and the UPF network element.

[0142] 4) N4: The interface between the SMF network element and the UPF network element can be used to transmit information between the control plane and the user plane, including controlling the issuance of forwarding rules, QoS rules, traffic statistics rules, etc. for the user plane and reporting of information on the user plane.

[0143] 5) N6: The interface between UPF network element and DN, used to transmit the uplink and downlink user data flows between UPF network element and DN.

[0144] Figure 1(b) is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture based on a point-to-point interface. The functions of the network elements therein can be referred to the functions of the corresponding network elements in Figure 1(a), and will not be repeated here. The main difference between Figure 1(b) and Figure 1(a) is that the interface between the control plane network elements in Figure 1(a) is a service-oriented interface, while the interface between the control plane network elements in Figure 1(b) is a point-to-point interface.

[0145] In the architecture shown in Figure 1(b), the interface names and functions between various network elements are as follows:

[0146] 1) The meanings of the N1, N2, N3, N4, and N6 interfaces can be referred to the foregoing descriptions.

[0147] 2) N5: The interface between the AF network element and the PCF network element, which can be used for the application service request to be sent down and the network event to be reported.

[0148] 3) N7: The interface between the PCF network element and the SMF network element, which can be used for sending down the PDU session granularity and the service data flow granularity control policies.

[0149] 4) N8: The interface between the AMF network element and the UDM network element, which can be used for the AMF network element to obtain the access and mobility management related subscription data and authentication data from the UDM network element, and for the AMF to register the UE mobility management related information with the UDM, etc.

[0150] 5) N9: The user plane interface between the UPF network element and the UPF network element, which is used to transfer the uplink and downlink user data flows between the UPF network elements.

[0151] 6) N10: The interface between the SMF network element and the UDM network element, which can be used for the SMF network element to obtain the session management related subscription data from the UDM network element, and for the SMF network element to register the UE session related information with the UDM, etc.

[0152] 7) N11: The interface between the SMF network element and the AMF network element, which can be used for transferring the PDU session tunnel information between the base station and the UPF network element, transferring the control messages sent to the UE, transferring the radio resource control information sent to the base station, etc.

[0153] 8) N15: The interface between the PCF network element and the AMF network element, which can be used for sending down the UE policy and the access control related policies.

[0154] 9) N35: The interface between the UDM network element and the UDR network element, which can be used for the UDM network element to obtain the user subscription data information from the UDR network element.

[0155] 10) N36: The interface between the PCF network element and the UDR network element, which can be used for the PCF network element to obtain the policy related subscription data and the application data related information from the UDR network element.

[0156] It can be understood that the above network element or function can be either a network element in a hardware device, a software function running on dedicated hardware, or a virtualized function instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). Optionally, the above network element or function can be implemented by one device, jointly implemented by multiple devices, or be a functional module within a device. The embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations in this regard.

[0157] The session management network element, user plane network element, and application function network element in the present application can respectively be the SMF network element, UPF network element, and AF network element in the architectures of Figure 1(a) or Figure 1(b), or can also be network elements with the functions of the above SMF network element, UPF network element, and AF network element in future communication systems such as 6G communication systems. The present application does not make limitations in this regard. In the embodiments of the present application, an example is described with the SMF network element, UPF network element, and AF network element being the session management network element, user plane network element, and application function network element respectively, and the SMF network element, UPF network element, and AF network element are respectively abbreviated as SMF, UPF, and AF. In addition, in the embodiments of the present application, the PCF network element and NEF network element are respectively abbreviated as PCF and NEF.

[0158] Existing QoS mechanisms guarantee services at the granularity of data packets. Data packets of the same traffic flow will be mapped into the same QoS flow for transmission. Data packets of different traffic flows may be mapped into the same QoS flow or may be mapped into different QoS flows. Different data packets of the same QoS flow will be processed and transmitted according to the same QoS parameters packet by packet. In other words, all data packets within the same QoS flow will be processed equally and without discrimination during transmission.

[0159] In the embodiments of the present application, for real-time media services, such as emerging augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), mixed reality (MR), and cloud gaming services, there are extremely stringent requirements for end-to-end latency, and the data processing granularity during the encoding and transmission of upper-layer media services may no longer be at the granularity of data packets. For example, when encoding at the media layer, media frames, slices, etc. can be used as the basic granularity for processing, that is, media frames, slices, etc. can be independently encoded at the application layer as basic units; at the same time, the receiving side will also perform decoding and display processing at the same granularity of media frames, slices, etc. In addition, a basic data unit such as a media frame or a slice often contains multiple data packets (the size of each data packet is limited, for example, less than 1500 bytes). To represent the basic data units of the above media service layer, the embodiments of the present application call them PDU sets (PDU Sets) or data packet sets. Therefore, a QoS flow will carry one or more PDU sets, and each PDU set includes multiple data packets, which can also be called PDU data packets, such as specifically IP data packets or Ethernet data packets, etc. The PDU set is the basic unit that the upper service layer can independently process. Once a data packet in the PDU set is lost or damaged, the entire PDU set may be difficult to correctly decode and display.

[0160] Furthermore, the present application proposes a QoS handling mechanism at the PDU set granularity (PDU Set QoS handling), that is, the loss rate and latency requirements at the PDU set granularity are given as QoS parameters at the PDU set granularity. The 5G system identifies the relationship between different data packets and PDU sets, clarifies which data packets a PDU set contains, and schedules, processes, and transmits all the data packets within the PDU set as a whole based on the QoS parameters at the PDU set granularity to ensure the user's service experience.

[0161] The QoS handling at the PDU set granularity includes integrity transmission and differential transmission. Among them, integrity transmission means that the network side guarantees transmission at the granularity of the PDU set during scheduling transmission. Once a PDU data packet is lost or damaged, the entire PDU set can be discarded. Differential transmission means using the reference relationship introduced by the encoding between media frames (or slices) to determine the relative importance between PDU sets. When network congestion occurs, the less important PDU sets are discarded according to the importance of the PDU sets.

[0162] However, after the introduction of the QoS processing mechanism at the PDU set granularity, the processing status of the PDU set cannot be perceived and opened to the outside, which will lead to incorrect judgment and estimation of the network situation by the application layer, specifically including:

[0163] First, the QoS processing at the PDU set granularity may cause active packet loss due to integrity transmission or differential transmission. The closed-loop network prediction and control between traditional application layer clients and application servers cannot ensure that the application layer can perceive the most accurate transmission situation.

[0164] Second, the QoS processing at the PDU set granularity is executed by the application side requesting the core network. While aiming to improve network capacity and ensure the user's service experience, the application side cannot perceive whether the network side has executed the QoS processing at the PDU set granularity and the specific execution status, resulting in the application side being unable to decide whether to adjust the QoS request at the corresponding PDU set granularity.

[0165] Third, when the N6 delay between the application side and the UPF cannot be guaranteed, the delay of the PDU set cannot be guaranteed either. However, the application side cannot perceive whether the N6 delay guarantee can be met.

[0166] To solve the above problems, the embodiment of the present application proposes a method for monitoring and reporting at the PDU set granularity. By monitoring and reporting the processing status of the PDU set within the network, blind control of the service layer is avoided.

[0167] Figure 2 FIG. is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. This method is executed by a first network element or a chip for the first network element, and a second network element or a chip for the second network element. Hereinafter, an example in which the first network element and the second network element execute this method will be used for illustration. Among them, the first network element may be a UE, a base station, a UPF, or an SMF.

[0168] The method includes the following steps:

[0169] Step 201, the first network element receives first information, where the first information is used to monitor the PDU set carried by the QoS flow and report the monitoring result of the PDU set.

[0170] Among them, the first information is used to monitor the PDU set carried by the QoS flow and report the monitoring result of the PDU set. For example, it may be: the first information is used to trigger the monitoring of the PDU set carried by the QoS flow and report the monitoring result of the PDU set, or to cause the monitoring of the PDU set carried by the QoS flow and report the monitoring result of the PDU set, or to indicate the monitoring of the PDU set carried by the QoS flow and report the monitoring result of the PDU set.

[0171] Exemplarily, the first information includes a PDU set event, which is used to indicate a monitoring object, or the PDU set event may also be referred to as the monitoring object or the monitoring object corresponding to the PDU set. The monitoring object may be the PDU set loss rate, the PDU set delay, the PDU set extended delay, or the enabled state of PDU set QoS processing. For example, when the PDU set event is a PDU set loss rate event, it indicates that the PDU set loss rate is monitored; when the PDU set event is a PDU set delay event, it indicates that the PDU set delay is monitored; when the PDU set event is a PDU set extended delay event, it indicates that the PDU set extended delay is monitored; when the PDU set event is an enabled state event of PDU set QoS processing, it indicates that the enabled state of PDU set QoS processing is monitored.

[0172] Exemplarily, the first information includes the identification information of the QoS flow, and the identification information may be the QoS flow identity (QFI).

[0173] Exemplarily, the first information includes a reporting indication, which is used to indicate reporting the monitoring result of the PDU set to the second network element, or the reporting indication is used to trigger reporting the monitoring result of the PDU set to the second network element, or the reporting indication is used to cause reporting the monitoring result of the PDU set to the second network element.

[0174] Exemplarily, the first information further includes a monitoring window, which is used to indicate the time length of monitoring, such as specifically 1 hour, 2 hours, etc., or the monitoring window is used to indicate the time window for monitoring, such as from 2 pm to 4 pm, etc. Among them, the monitoring window may come from the SMF, that is, it is generated by the SMF. Or in another implementation method, the monitoring window may also be pre-configured on the first network element.

[0175] Exemplarily, the first information further includes a measurement frequency / reporting frequency, which is used to indicate the frequency or time interval of measuring / reporting the monitoring result of the PDU set.

[0176] It should be understood that monitoring and reporting the PDU set carried by the QoS flow is specifically for monitoring and reporting the transmission situation of the PDU set in the QoS flow, and the transmission situation of the PDU set may be a PDU set event. For example, the transmission situation of the PDU set may specifically be the PDU set loss rate, the PDU set delay, the PDU set extended delay, or the enabled state of PDU set QoS processing.

[0177] Step 202, the first network element monitors the PDU set carried by the QoS flow according to the first information.

[0178] Step 203: The first network element sends the monitoring result of the PDU set to the second network element. Correspondingly, the second network element receives the monitoring result of the PDU set.

[0179] Exemplarily, if the above-mentioned first information includes a reporting indication, then step 203 may be: the first network element sends the monitoring result of the PDU set to the second network element according to the reporting indication. Wherein, if the first network element is a UE, the second network element may be a UPF or an SMF, specifically, the UE may carry the monitoring result of the PDU set to the UPF through an uplink data packet or send the monitoring result of the PDU set to the SMF through an uplink signaling information. If the first network element is a base station, the second network element may be a UPF or an SMF, specifically, the base station may carry the monitoring result of the PDU set to the UPF through an uplink data packet (such as the monitoring result of the PDU set carried in the GTP-U header of the uplink data packet) or send the monitoring result of the PDU set to the SMF through an uplink signaling information. If the first network element is a UPF, the second network element may be an SMF or a NEF, that is, the UPF reports the monitoring result of the PDU set to the SMF, or the UPF opens the monitoring result of the PDU set to the outside through the NEF. If the first network element is SMF, the second network element may be PCF or NEF, that is, SMF reports the monitoring result of the PDU set to SMF, or SMF opens the monitoring result of the PDU set to the outside through NEF.

[0180] Exemplarily, if the above-mentioned first information includes a measurement frequency / reporting frequency, the first network element measures / reports the PDU set monitoring result according to the measurement frequency / reporting frequency.

[0181] Exemplarily, if the first information does not include a reporting indication, step 203 may be: the first network element may send the monitoring result of the PDU set to the second network element according to the local configuration.

[0182] As an implementation method, before the above step 201, the AF sends a subscription request to the PCF. The subscription request includes service flow description information. The service flow corresponding to the service flow description information is carried in a QoS flow. The subscription request is used to subscribe to the monitoring results of the PDU set of the service flow. Then the PCF sends the above first information to the first network element. Therefore, the above step 201 is specifically: the first network element receives the first information from the PCF. Correspondingly, after the above step 203, the second network element also sends the monitoring results of the PDU set to the PCF. Then the PCF sends the monitoring results of the PDU set to the AF. After receiving the monitoring results of the PDU set, the AF can perform corresponding processing according to the monitoring results. For example, it can adjust the bit rate or adjust the forward error correction (FEC) redundancy. For example, when the loss rate of the PDU set is relatively high or the delay of the PDU set is relatively high, it indicates that the current network is not good. The application server will correspondingly reduce the bit rate or increase the proportion of FEC redundancy, so as to improve the network situation while ensuring the experience of the service.

[0183] In the above solution, the QoS flow is monitored and reported at the granularity of the PDU set, and the transmission status of the PDU set granularity in the QoS flow can be monitored and reported. And this solution can also expose the monitoring results to the outside through the second network element, so that the network element receiving the monitoring results can perceive the transmission situation of the PDU set granularity of the QoS flow based on the monitoring results, and further control the service, which helps to improve the accuracy of service control and avoid blind control of the service.

[0184] Among them, "expose to outsise" in the implementation of this application means sending a certain kind of information (such as the loss rate of the PDU set, the delay of the PDU set, the extended delay of the PDU set or the enabled state of the QoS processing of the PDU set) to the network element that needs to use this information through a certain path (such as the user plane path or the control plane path), such as opening it to the application function network element (for example, it can be an application server) or the upper layer of the UE, etc. The meaning of "expose to outsise" is explained here and will not be repeated later.

[0185] The following introduces various specific implementation methods for monitoring the PDU set carried by the QoS flow in the above step 202.

[0186] Implementation method 1: The above step 202 is specifically: the first information includes a PDU set loss rate event, and the PDU set loss rate event indicates that the monitoring object is the PDU set loss rate; the first network element monitors the PDU set loss rate of the QoS flow according to the first information.

[0187] It can be understood that the first piece of information is used to monitor the PDU set loss rate of the QoS flow. Therefore, the first network element monitors the PDU set loss rate of the QoS flow according to the first piece of information. Among them, the first piece of information is used to monitor the PDU set loss rate of the QoS flow. For example, it can be that the first piece of information is used to indicate monitoring the PDU set loss rate of the QoS flow, or the first piece of information is used to trigger monitoring the PDU set loss rate of the QoS flow, or the first piece of information is used to enable monitoring the PDU set loss rate of the QoS flow.

[0188] As an implementation method, if the first network element is a base station, the first piece of information is used to monitor the PDU set loss rate in the downlink direction of the QoS flow. Among them, the PDU set loss rate includes one or more of the following (1) to (6):

[0189] (1) The proportion of the PDU set that the base station fails to successfully send to the UE.

[0190] Exemplarily, the proportion of the PDU set that the base station fails to successfully send to the UE is equal to the ratio of the number of PDU sets in the QoS flow that the base station fails to successfully send to the UE to the number of PDU sets that need to be sent to the UE.

[0191] Exemplarily, the proportion of the PDU set that the base station fails to successfully send to the UE is equal to the ratio of the number of PDU sets in the QoS flow that the base station fails to successfully send to the UE to the number of PDU sets that need to be sent to the UE within a certain monitoring window.

[0192] (2) The proportion of the PDU set discarded due to packet loss.

[0193] That the PDU set is discarded due to packet loss means that when the base station receives the PDU set from the UPF, if at least one packet is lost in the received PDU set, or when redundant coding transmission is used in the PDU set and the number of lost packets exceeds a certain threshold and the base station cannot recover the original packets, the base station discards the PDU set. At this time, the discarded PDU set will be counted.

[0194] Exemplarily, the proportion of the PDU set discarded due to packet loss is equal to the ratio of the number of PDU sets in the QoS flow that fail to be successfully sent to the UE due to packet loss to the total number of PDU sets sent by the base station to the UE.

[0195] Exemplarily, the proportion of the PDU set discarded due to packet loss is equal to the ratio of the number of PDU sets in the QoS flow that fail to be successfully sent to the UE due to packet loss to the total number of PDU sets sent by the base station to the UE within a certain monitoring window.

[0196] (3) Proportion of discarded PDU sets caused by transmission failures.

[0197] The discarding of a PDU set due to a transmission failure means that the base station sends a PDU set to the UE, and the PDU set is discarded because at least one data packet in the PDU set fails to be transmitted, or when redundant coding is used in the PDU set, the number of failed data packets exceeds a certain threshold, resulting in the UE being unable to recover the original data packets, thus causing the PDU set to be discarded. In this case, the discarded PDU set will be counted.

[0198] Exemplarily, the proportion of discarded PDU sets caused by transmission failures is equal to the ratio of the number of PDU sets that fail to be successfully sent to the UE due to transmission failures within a QoS flow to the total number of PDU sets sent by the base station to the UE.

[0199] Exemplarily, the proportion of discarded PDU sets caused by transmission failures is equal to the ratio of the number of PDU sets that fail to be successfully sent to the UE due to transmission failures within a QoS flow over a certain monitoring window to the total number of PDU sets sent by the base station to the UE.

[0200] (4) Proportion of data packets with transmission failures.

[0201] Exemplarily, the proportion of data packets with transmission failures is equal to the ratio of the number of data packets that fail to be transmitted to the UE within a QoS flow to the total number of data packets sent by the base station to the UE.

[0202] Exemplarily, the proportion of data packets with transmission failures is equal to the ratio of the number of data packets that fail to be transmitted to the UE within a QoS flow over a certain monitoring window to the total number of data packets sent by the base station to the UE.

[0203] (5) Total number of data packets with transmission failures.

[0204] Exemplarily, the total number of data packets with transmission failures is equal to the number of data packets that fail to be transmitted to the UE within a QoS flow.

[0205] Exemplarily, the total number of data packets with transmission failures is equal to the number of data packets that fail to be transmitted to the UE within a QoS flow over a certain monitoring window.

[0206] (6) Proportion of discarded PDU sets due to packet loss based on the importance of the PDU set.

[0207] Exemplarily, in the case of network congestion, when the base station sends a PDU set to the UE, in order to reduce the network load or improve the success rate of sending the PDU set, the base station can discard PDU sets with relatively low importance. In this case, the discarded PDU set will be counted.

[0208] Exemplarily, the proportion of PDU sets discarded due to packet loss based on the importance of PDU sets is equal to the ratio of the number of PDU sets discarded due to different PDU set importance levels to the total number of PDU sets sent by the base station to the UE.

[0209] Exemplarily, the proportion of PDU sets discarded due to packet loss based on the importance of PDU sets is equal to the ratio of the number of PDU sets discarded due to different PDU set importance levels to the total number of PDU sets sent by the base station to the UE over a certain monitoring window.

[0210] It should be noted that the PDU set loss rate can be calculated for one or more of the above (1) to (6) for each PDU set importance level, or can be calculated for all PDU set importance levels in a unified manner for one or more of the above (1) to (6).

[0211] As another implementation method, if the first network element is the UE, the first information is used to monitor the PDU set loss rate in the uplink direction of the QoS flow, where the PDU set loss rate includes one or more of the following (1) to (5):

[0212] (1) The proportion of PDU sets that the UE fails to successfully send to the base station.

[0213] Exemplarily, the proportion of PDU sets that the UE fails to successfully send to the base station is equal to the ratio of the number of PDU sets in the QoS flow that the UE fails to successfully send to the base station to the number of PDU sets that need to be sent to the base station.

[0214] Exemplarily, the proportion of PDU sets that the UE fails to successfully send to the base station is equal to the ratio of the number of PDU sets in the QoS flow that the UE fails to successfully send to the base station to the number of PDU sets that need to be sent to the base station over a certain monitoring window.

[0215] (2) The proportion of PDU sets discarded due to transmission failure.

[0216] The discarding of PDU sets due to transmission failure means that when the UE sends a PDU set to the base station, the PDU set is discarded because at least one data packet in the PDU set fails to be transmitted, or when redundant coding is used for transmission in the PDU set, the number of failed data packets exceeds a certain threshold, resulting in the base station being unable to recover the original data packets, thereby causing the PDU set to be discarded. In this case, the discarded PDU set will be counted.

[0217] Exemplarily, the proportion of the PDU set discarded due to transmission failure is equal to the ratio of the number of the PDU set that fails to be successfully sent to the base station due to transmission failure within the QoS flow to the total number of the PDU set sent by the UE to the base station.

[0218] Exemplarily, the proportion of the PDU set discarded due to transmission failure is equal to the ratio of the number of the PDU set that fails to be successfully sent to the base station due to transmission failure within the QoS flow on a certain monitoring window to the total number of the PDU set sent by the UE to the base station.

[0219] (3) The proportion of data packets with transmission failure.

[0220] Exemplarily, the proportion of data packets with transmission failure is equal to the ratio of the number of data packets that fail in transmission to the base station within the QoS flow to the total number of data packets sent by the UE to the base station.

[0221] Exemplarily, the proportion of data packets with transmission failure is equal to the ratio of the number of data packets that fail in transmission to the base station within the QoS flow on a certain monitoring window to the total number of data packets sent by the UE to the base station.

[0222] (4) The total number of data packets with transmission failure.

[0223] Exemplarily, the total number of data packets with transmission failure is equal to the number of data packets that fail in transmission to the base station within the QoS flow.

[0224] Exemplarily, the total number of data packets with transmission failure is equal to the number of data packets that fail in transmission to the base station within the QoS flow on a certain monitoring window.

[0225] (5) The proportion of the PDU set discarded due to packet loss based on the importance of the PDU set.

[0226] Exemplarily, in the case of network congestion, when the UE sends a PDU set to the base station, in order to reduce the network load or improve the success rate of sending the PDU set, the UE can discard the PDU set with relatively low importance, and at this time, the discarded PDU set will be counted.

[0227] Exemplarily, the proportion of the PDU set discarded due to packet loss based on the importance of the PDU set is equal to the ratio of the number of PDU sets discarded due to different PDU set importance to the total number of PDU sets sent by the UE to the base station.

[0228] Exemplarily, the proportion of the PDU set discarded due to packet loss based on the importance of the PDU set is equal to the ratio of the number of PDU sets discarded due to different PDU set importance on a certain monitoring window to the total number of PDU sets sent by the UE to the base station.

[0229] It should be noted that the PDU set loss rate can be calculated for each PDU set importance, for one or more of the above (1) to (5), or for all PDU set importances, uniformly calculating one or more of the above (1) to (5).

[0230] Based on the first implementation method, the monitoring results reported in step 203 above include the PDU set loss rate.

[0231] For a specific example of the first implementation method, reference can be made to the following Figures 3 to 4 embodiments.

[0232] In the second implementation method, step 202 above is specifically: the first information includes a PDU set delay event, and the PDU set delay event indicates that the monitoring object is the PDU set delay; the first network element monitors the PDU set delay of the QoS flow according to the first information.

[0233] It can be understood that the first information is used to monitor the PDU set delay of the QoS flow. Therefore, the first network element monitors the PDU set delay of the QoS flow according to the first information. Among them, the first information is used to monitor the PDU set delay of the QoS flow. For example, it can be: the first information is used to indicate monitoring the PDU set delay of the QoS flow, or the first information is used to trigger monitoring the PDU set delay of the QoS flow, or the first information is used to enable monitoring the PDU set delay of the QoS flow.

[0234] As a implementation method, if the first network element is a base station, the first information is used to monitor the PDU set delay in the downlink direction of the QoS flow, where the PDU set delay includes one or more of the following (1) to (3):

[0235] (1) The time taken for the base station to successfully transmit the PDU set to the UE.

[0236] Exemplarily, the time taken for the base station to successfully transmit the PDU set to the UE specifically includes: the time taken for the base station to successfully transmit the PDU set to the UE can be the average, maximum, minimum or median of the times taken for each PDU set in at least two PDU sets to be transmitted to the UE; it can also be the average, maximum, minimum or median of the times taken for the base station to successfully transmit at least two PDU sets to the UE within the monitoring window, or include the time taken for each PDU set to be successfully transmitted to the UE.

[0237] It should be noted that the time taken by the base station to successfully transmit a PDU set to the UE can refer to the time from when the base station receives the first data packet of the PDU set to when it successfully transmits the last data packet of the PDU set to the UE, or the time from when the base station receives the first data packet of the PDU set to when it successfully transmits all the data packets in the PDU set to the UE.

[0238] (2) The time taken by the base station to successfully transmit a PDU set to the UE within the PDU set delay budget time.

[0239] Exemplarily, the time taken by the base station to successfully transmit a PDU set to the UE within the PDU set delay budget time specifically includes: the average value, maximum value, minimum value or median of the time taken by the base station to successfully transmit at least two PDU sets to the UE, or includes the time taken by each PDU set to be successfully transmitted to the UE. The time taken by each PDU set successfully transmitted to the UE is less than or equal to the PDU set delay budget time. For example, if the PDU set delay budget time is equal to 10 milliseconds (ms), then the base station calculates the average value, minimum value, maximum value or median of the time taken by at least two PDU sets successfully transmitted to the UE within 10 ms, or calculates the time taken by the PDU sets successfully transmitted to the UE within 10 ms. It can be the average value, maximum value, minimum value or median of the time taken by the base station to successfully transmit at least two PDU sets to the UE within a period of time (i.e., within the monitoring window), or includes the time taken by each PDU set to be successfully transmitted to the UE, and here, the time taken by each PDU set successfully transmitted to the UE is less than or equal to the PDU set delay budget time.

[0240] (3) The time taken by the base station to successfully transmit a PDU set to the UE beyond the PDU set delay budget time.

[0241] Exemplarily, the time taken for the base station to successfully transmit a PDU set to the UE beyond the PDU set delay budget time may be: the average, maximum, minimum, or median of the times taken for the base station to successfully transmit at least two PDU sets to the UE; or the time taken for each PDU set to be successfully transmitted to the UE, where the time taken for each PDU set successfully transmitted to the UE is greater than the PDU set delay budget time. For example, if the PDU set delay budget time is equal to 10 ms, the base station statistically calculates the average, maximum, minimum, or median of the times taken for at least two PDU sets successfully transmitted to the UE beyond 10 ms, or statistically calculates the time taken for the PDU sets successfully transmitted to the UE beyond 10 ms. Optionally, it may be the average, maximum, minimum, or median of the times taken for the base station to successfully transmit at least two PDU sets to the UE within a period of time (i.e., within the monitoring window), or includes the time taken for each PDU set to be successfully transmitted to the UE, and, here, the time taken for each PDU set successfully transmitted to the UE is greater than the PDU set delay budget time.

[0242] Exemplarily, the PDU set delay further includes the proportion or quantity of the PDU sets successfully transmitted by the base station to the UE within the PDU set delay budget time.

[0243] Exemplarily, the PDU set delay further includes the proportion or quantity of the PDU sets successfully transmitted by the base station to the UE beyond the PDU set delay budget time.

[0244] It should be noted that the PDU set delay may calculate one or more of the above (1) to (3) for each PDU set importance level, or may uniformly calculate one or more of the above (1) to (3) for all PDU set importance levels.

[0245] As another implementation method, if the first network element is a UE, the first information is used to monitor the PDU set delay in the uplink direction of the QoS flow, where the PDU set delay includes one or more of the following (1) to (3):

[0246] (1) The time taken for the UE to successfully transmit a PDU set to the base station.

[0247] Exemplarily, the time taken for the UE to successfully transmit a PDU set to the base station specifically includes: the time taken for the UE to successfully transmit each PDU set to the base station, which may be the average, maximum, minimum, or median of the times taken for each PDU set in at least two PDU sets to be transmitted to the UE; or the average, maximum, minimum, or median of the times taken for the UE to successfully transmit at least two PDU sets to the base station within the monitoring window, or includes the time taken for each PDU set to be successfully transmitted to the base station.

[0248] It should be noted that the time taken for the UE to successfully transmit the PDU set to the base station may refer to the time from when the lower layer of the UE (such as the modulation layer) receives the first data packet of the PDU set from the upper layer of the UE (such as the application layer) to when the last data packet of the PDU set is successfully transmitted to the base station, or it may refer to the time from when the lower layer of the UE (such as the modulation layer) receives the first data packet of the PDU set from the upper layer of the UE (such as the application layer) to when all the data packets in the PDU set are successfully transmitted to the base station.

[0249] (2) The time taken for the UE to successfully transmit the PDU set to the base station within the PDU set delay budget time.

[0250] Exemplarily, the time taken for the UE to successfully transmit the PDU set to the base station within the PDU set delay budget time specifically includes: the average value, maximum value, minimum value, or median of the time taken for the UE to successfully transmit at least two PDU sets to the base station, or includes the time taken for each PDU set to be successfully transmitted to the base station, and the time taken for each PDU set successfully transmitted to the UE is less than or equal to the PDU set delay budget time. For example, if the PDU set delay budget time is equal to 10 ms, then the UE calculates the average value, minimum value, maximum value, or median of the time taken for at least two PDU sets successfully transmitted to the base station within 10 ms, or calculates the time taken for the PDU sets successfully transmitted to the base station within 10 ms. Specifically, it may be the average value, maximum value, minimum value, or median of the time taken for the UE to successfully transmit at least two PDU sets to the base station within a period of time (i.e., within the monitoring window), or includes the time taken for each PDU set to be successfully transmitted to the base station, and the time taken for each PDU set successfully transmitted to the base station is less than or equal to the PDU set delay budget time.

[0251] (3) The time taken for the UE to successfully transmit the PDU set to the base station beyond the PDU set delay budget time.

[0252] Exemplarily, the time taken for the UE to successfully transmit the PDU set to the base station beyond the PDU set delay budget time specifically includes: the average, maximum, or minimum value of the time taken for the UE to successfully transmit at least two PDU sets to the base station, or includes the time taken for each PDU set to be successfully transmitted to the base station, and, here, the time taken for each PDU set successfully transmitted to the base station is greater than the PDU set delay budget time. For example, if the PDU set delay budget time is equal to 10 ms, then the UE calculates the average, minimum, or maximum value of the time taken for at least two PDU sets successfully transmitted to the base station beyond 10 ms, or calculates the time taken for the PDU sets successfully transmitted to the base station beyond 10 ms. Optionally, it can be the average, maximum, minimum, or median value of the time taken for the UE to successfully transmit at least two PDU sets to the base station within a period of time (i.e., within the monitoring window), or includes the time taken for each PDU set to be successfully transmitted to the base station, and, here, the time taken for each PDU set successfully transmitted to the base station is greater than the PDU set delay budget time.

[0253] Exemplarily, the PDU set delay further includes the proportion or quantity of the PDU sets successfully transmitted by the UE to the base station within the PDU set delay budget time.

[0254] Exemplarily, the PDU set delay further includes the proportion or quantity of the PDU sets successfully transmitted by the UE to the base station beyond the PDU set delay budget time.

[0255] It should be noted that the PDU set delay can calculate one or more of the above (1) to (3) for each PDU set importance level, or can uniformly calculate one or more of the above (1) to (3) for all PDU set importance levels.

[0256] Based on this second implementation method, the monitoring result reported in step 203 above includes the PDU set delay, or includes the sum of the PDU set delay and the N3 segment CN PDB, that is, additionally includes the delay of the N3 segment. Among them, this N3 segment CN-PDB is the delay required for the base station and the UPF to transmit data packets or PDU sets. If the N3 segment delay is the N3 segment CN-PDB, it can be considered as a static delay. It is also possible to reuse the existing N3 delay measurement mechanism to obtain the dynamic N3 segment delay.

[0257] For a specific example of this second implementation method, reference can be made to the following Figures 6 to 7 embodiment.

[0258] Implementation method three, specifically, step 202 is as follows: The first information includes a PDU set extended delay event, and the PDU set extended delay event indicates that the monitoring object is the PDU set extended delay; the first network element monitors the PDU set extended delay of the QoS flow according to the first information. Among them, the first network element is the UPF.

[0259] It can be understood that the first information is used to monitor the PDU set extended delay of the QoS flow. Therefore, the first network element monitors the PDU set extended delay of the QoS flow according to the first information. Among them, the first information is used to monitor the PDU set extended delay of the QoS flow. For example, it can be: the first information is used to indicate monitoring the PDU set extended delay of the QoS flow, or the first information is used to trigger monitoring the PDU set extended delay of the QoS flow, or the first information is used to enable monitoring the PDU set extended delay of the QoS flow.

[0260] As an implementation method, the PDU set extended delay includes one or more of the following (1) to (2):

[0261] (1) The time interval between the arrival of the first packet of the PDU set at the UPF and the arrival of the last packet at the UPF.

[0262] That is, for the downlink direction, the time interval between the UPF receiving the first packet of a certain PDU set and receiving the last packet of the PDU set, and this time interval reflects the delay situation of the N6 link. For example, if the time when the first packet of a certain PDU set arrives at the UPF is T1, and the time when the last packet of the PDU set arrives at the UPF is T2, then the PDU set extended delay may include T2 - T1.

[0263] (2) The time interval between the arrival of the first packet of the PDU set at the user plane network element and the departure of the last packet from the user plane network element.

[0264] That is, for the downlink direction, the time interval between the UPF receiving the first packet of a certain PDU set and the departure of the last packet from the UPF after the last packet of the PDU set arrives at the UPF, and this time interval reflects the delay situation of the N6 link. For example, if the time when the first packet of a certain PDU set arrives at the UPF is T1, and after the last packet of the PDU set arrives at the UPF, it is sent out from the UPF at time T2 (such as sent to the base station), then the PDU set extended delay may include T2 - T1.

[0265] (3) The time interval between the departure of the first packet of the PDU set from the user plane network element and the departure of the last packet from the user plane network element.

[0266] That is, for the downlink direction, the time interval from when the first packet of a PDU set arrives at the UPF to when the last packet of the PDU set arrives at the UPF and then leaves the UPF reflects the latency situation of the N6 link. For example, after the first packet of a certain PDU set arrives at the UPF, it is sent out from the UPF at time T1 (such as sent to the base station), and after the last packet of the PDU set arrives at the UPF, it is sent out from the UPF at time T2 (such as sent to the base station). Then the extended latency of the PDU set can include T2 - T1.

[0267] (4) The proportion of the target PDU set, where the time interval between the arrival of the first packet and the arrival of the last packet of the target PDU set at the UPF does not exceed a preset threshold, and this threshold comes from the AF, PCF, or SMF, or is locally configured by the UPF.

[0268] That is, if the time interval from when the UPF receives the first packet of a certain PDU set to when it receives the last packet of the PDU set is less than or equal to the preset threshold, then this PDU set is called the target PDU set, and the UPF counts the proportion of the target PDU set among all PDU sets.

[0269] In another implementation method, it is also possible to define that the time interval between the arrival of the first packet and the arrival of the last packet of the target PDU set at the UPF is greater than the preset threshold. That is, if the time interval from when the UPF receives the first packet of a certain PDU set to when it receives the last packet of the PDU set is greater than the preset threshold, then this PDU set is called the target PDU set, and the UPF counts the proportion of the target PDU set among all PDU sets.

[0270] Or it is also possible to define that the time interval between the arrival of the first packet and the departure of the last packet of the target PDU set at the UPF does not exceed the preset threshold, or it is also possible to define that the time interval between the arrival of the first packet and the departure of the last packet of the target PDU set at the UPF is greater than the preset threshold, or it is also possible to define that the time interval between the departure of the first packet and the departure of the last packet of the target PDU set from the user plane network element does not exceed the preset threshold, or it is also possible to define that the time interval between the departure of the first packet and the departure of the last packet of the target PDU set from the user plane network element is greater than the preset threshold.

[0271] It should be noted that the extended latency of the PDU set can be calculated for one or more of the above (1) - (4) for each PDU set importance level, or it can be calculated for all PDU set importance levels in a unified manner for one or more of the above (1) - (4).

[0272] Based on this implementation method three, the monitoring results reported in step 203 above include the extended latency of the PDU set.

[0273] For a specific example of the third implementation method, please refer to the following Figure 9 embodiment.

[0274] Implementation method four, specifically, step 202 is as follows: The first information includes an enabling status event for PDU set QoS processing, and the enabling status event for PDU set QoS processing indicates that the monitoring object is the enabling status of PDU set QoS processing; the first network element monitors the enabling status of PDU set QoS processing for the QoS flow according to the first information. Among them, the first network element is the SMF.

[0275] It can be understood that the first information is used to monitor the enabling status of PDU set QoS processing for the QoS flow. Therefore, the first network element monitors the enabling status of PDU set QoS processing for the QoS flow according to the first information. Among them, the first information is used to monitor the enabling status of PDU set QoS processing for the QoS flow. For example, it can be: the first information is used to indicate to monitor the enabling status of PDU set QoS processing for the QoS flow, or the first information is used to trigger to monitor the enabling status of PDU set QoS processing for the QoS flow, or the first information is used to cause to monitor the enabling status of PDU set QoS processing for the QoS flow.

[0276] As an implementation method, the SMF receives a capability indication from the base station, and this capability indication is used to indicate that the base station has the PDU set QoS processing capability. Then, the SMF determines the enabling status of PDU set QoS processing for the QoS flow according to the capability indication. For example, the SMF sends the QoS parameters of the PDU set to the base station according to the capability indication. After sending the QoS parameters of the PDU set, it is determined that the PDU set QoS processing for the QoS flow has been enabled, that is, the enabling status of PDU set QoS processing for the QoS flow is on.

[0277] As another implementation method, the SMF sends the QoS parameters of the PDU set to the base station. After that, if the SMF receives a capability indication from the base station, and this capability indication is used to indicate that the base station has the PDU set QoS processing capability, then the SMF determines that the PDU set QoS processing for the QoS flow has been enabled, that is, the enabling status of PDU set QoS processing for the QoS flow is on.

[0278] As another implementation method, the SMF sends the QoS parameters of the PDU set to the base station. After that, if the SMF receives an indication information from the base station, and this indication information is used to indicate that the base station has received the QoS parameters of the PDU set, then the SMF considers that the base station has the PDU set QoS processing capability and determines that the PDU set QoS processing for the QoS flow has been enabled, that is, the enabling status of PDU set QoS processing for the QoS flow is on.

[0279] Based on Implementation Method 4, the monitoring results reported in step 203 above include the enabled status of PDU set QoS processing.

[0280] For a specific example of this Implementation Method 4, reference can be made to the following Figure 10 embodiment.

[0281] The following combines Figures 3 to 10 specific embodiments to illustrate the foregoing Figure 2 embodiment.

[0282] Figure 3 FIG. is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment is for the monitoring and external disclosure of the PDU set loss rate in the downlink direction. Exemplarily, the base station monitors the PDU set loss rate and externally discloses the monitoring results through the user plane or the control plane. The Figure 3 embodiment is a specific example based on Implementation Method 1 in the foregoing Figure 2 embodiment, and this base station is Figure 2 a specific example of the first network element in the

[0283] The method includes the following steps:

[0284] Step 301, the AF sends a subscription request to the PCF. Correspondingly, the PCF receives the subscription request.

[0285] The subscription request includes traffic flow description information, a PDU set loss rate event (PDU Set LossRateEvent), a monitoring trigger condition, and / or a reporting trigger condition. The subscription request is used to request the PCF to subscribe to the PDU set loss rate.

[0286] The traffic flow description information is used to indicate the traffic flow to be monitored. The traffic flow description information can be information such as the IP triple or quintuple of the traffic flow.

[0287] The monitoring trigger condition is used to indicate the condition for triggering the monitoring of the PDU set loss rate. Exemplarily, the monitoring trigger condition is used to indicate periodic triggering of monitoring or event-triggered monitoring. When the monitoring trigger condition is used to indicate periodic triggering of monitoring, the monitoring trigger condition may include the period size of the monitoring, or the period size is pre-configured or protocol-prescribed. Among them, event-triggered monitoring can be, for example, when the number of lost PDU sets is greater than a preset threshold, or the number of lost PDU data packets is greater than a preset threshold, or the network congestion degree exceeds a preset threshold, and so on.

[0288] The reporting trigger condition is used to indicate the condition for triggering the reporting of the PDU set loss rate. Exemplarily, the reporting trigger condition is used to indicate periodic triggering of reporting, or is used to indicate event-triggered reporting. When the reporting trigger condition is used to indicate periodic triggering of reporting, the reporting trigger condition may include the size of the reporting period, or the size of the period is pre-configured or protocol-prescribed. Among them, event-triggered monitoring may be, for example, when the number of lost PDU sets is greater than a preset threshold, or the number of lost PDU data packets is greater than a preset threshold, or the network congestion degree exceeds a preset threshold, or the loss rate of the PDU set is greater than a preset threshold, and so on.

[0289] It should be noted that the monitoring trigger condition and the reporting trigger condition may be the same or different. When they are the same, the monitoring trigger condition and the reporting trigger condition may be collectively referred to as the trigger condition.

[0290] Optionally, the subscription request further includes a monitoring window, which is used to indicate the length of the monitoring time, such as specifically 1 hour, 2 hours, and so on.

[0291] Optionally, the subscription request further includes a reporting indication, which is used to indicate sending the monitoring result to the UPF. It can be understood that the reporting indication is used to indicate opening the monitoring result to the outside through the user plane. Or, the reporting indication is used to indicate sending the monitoring result to the SMF. It can be understood that the reporting indication is used to indicate opening the monitoring result to the outside through the control plane.

[0292] As an implementation method, the AF may be a third-party application server or an application server within the 5G core network. If the AF is within the trusted domain, the AF can directly interact with the PCF, that is, by invoking the service interface of the PCF, such as the Npcf_PolicyAuthorization service interface or the Npcf_EventExposure service interface, to send a subscription request to the PCF. If the AF is in the non-trusted domain, the AF needs to interact with the PCF through the NEF. The AF invokes the service interface of the NEF, such as the Nnef_AFSessionWithQoS service interface or the Nnef_EventExposure service interface, to send a subscription request to the PCF. Subsequently, the NEF correspondingly invokes the service interface of the PCF to send a subscription request to the PCF, so that the PCF receives the subscription request.

[0293] Among them, for the definition of the PDU set loss rate, reference can be made to the description of Implementation Method 1 in the foregoing Figure 2 embodiment, and details will not be repeated.

[0294] Step 302, the PCF generates a PCC rule.

[0295] Exemplarily, the PCF generates a PCC rule according to a subscription request and / or a local policy. The PCC rule includes traffic flow description information, a PDU set loss rate event, a monitoring trigger condition, and / or a reporting trigger condition. Optionally, the PCC rule further includes at least one of a monitoring window or a reporting indication.

[0296] Step 303, the PCF sends the PCC rule to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the PCC rule.

[0297] In one implementation method, if it is a PDU session establishment or modification process initiated by the UE, the SMF actively initiates a session management policy association establishment or modification process and obtains the PCC rule from the PCF.

[0298] In another implementation method, if it is a session management policy association modification process initiated by the PCF, the PCF actively sends the PCC rule to the SMF.

[0299] Step 304, the SMF generates monitoring parameters.

[0300] Exemplarily, the SMF generates monitoring parameters according to the PCC rule and / or a local policy.

[0301] The monitoring parameters include a QFI, a PDU set loss rate event, a monitoring trigger condition, and / or a reporting trigger condition. Optionally, the monitoring parameters further include at least one of a monitoring window or a reporting indication.

[0302] Among them, the QFI is used to indicate the QoS flow corresponding to the traffic flow description information.

[0303] Step 305, the SMF sends the monitoring parameters to the base station. Correspondingly, the base station receives the monitoring parameters.

[0304] After step 305, the remaining PDU session establishment or modification process will be completed. For details, reference can be made to section 4.3.2.1 of TS23.502.

[0305] Among them, when the SMF sends the monitoring parameters to the base station, specifically, the SMF can send the monitoring parameters to the base station through the AMF.

[0306] Step 306, the base station determines the PDU set loss rate according to the monitoring parameters.

[0307] Exemplarily, the base station monitors the PDU set loss rate of the downlink PDU set according to the PDU set loss rate event and the monitoring trigger condition in the monitoring parameters.

[0308] Step 307, the base station sends the PDU set loss rate.

[0309] In one implementation method, if the reporting indication is used to indicate (or trigger, or cause) sending the monitoring result to the UPF, then step 307 is specifically as follows: The base station adds the PDU set loss rate to the general packet radio service (GPRS) tunnelling protocol user plane (GTP-U) layer of the uplink data packet and reports it to the UPF, and then the UPF sends the PDU set loss rate to the AF, or the UPF sends the PDU set loss rate to the AF through the NEF.

[0310] In another implementation method, if the reporting indication is used to indicate (or trigger, or cause) sending the monitoring result to the SMF, then step 307 is specifically as follows: The base station sends the PDU set loss rate to the SMF, and subsequently the SMF sends the PDU set loss rate to the PCF, and the PCF sends the PDU set loss rate to the AF, or the PCF sends the PDU set loss rate to the AF through the NEF.

[0311] Optionally, after receiving the PDU set loss rate, the application layer of the AF can perform corresponding processing according to the PDU set loss rate. For example, the coding rate can be adjusted or the FEC redundancy can be adjusted.

[0312] In the above solution, the AF requests the core network to obtain the PDU set loss rate, the base station monitors the PDU set loss rate of the downlink PDU set, and opens the PDU set loss rate to the outside, that is, opens it to the AF, so that the AF can perform corresponding processing according to the PDU set loss rate, which can avoid blind control at the service layer and improve the service experience.

[0313] Figure 4 It is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment is for the monitoring and external opening of the PDU set loss rate in the uplink direction. Exemplarily, the UE monitors the PDU set loss rate and externally opens the monitoring result through the user plane or the control plane. This Figure 4 The embodiment is based on the above Figure 2 The first specific example of the implementation method 1 in the embodiment, and this UE is Figure 2 The specific example of the first network element in the embodiment.

[0314] The method includes the following steps:

[0315] Step 401, the AF sends a subscription request to the PCF. Correspondingly, the PCF receives the subscription request.

[0316] The subscription request includes traffic flow description information, PDU set loss rate events, monitoring trigger conditions, and / or reporting trigger conditions. This subscription request is used to request the PCF to subscribe to the PDU set loss rate.

[0317] The traffic flow description information is used to indicate the traffic flow to be monitored. The traffic flow description information can be information such as the IP triple or quintuple of the traffic flow.

[0318] The monitoring trigger condition is used to indicate the condition for triggering the monitoring of the PDU set loss rate. Exemplarily, the monitoring trigger condition is used to indicate periodic trigger monitoring or event trigger monitoring. When the monitoring trigger condition is used to indicate periodic trigger monitoring, the monitoring trigger condition may include the period size of the monitoring, or the period size is pre-configured or protocol-prescribed. Among them, event trigger monitoring can be, for example, when the loss quantity of the PDU set is greater than a preset threshold, or the loss quantity of the PDU data packet is greater than a preset threshold, or the network congestion degree exceeds a preset threshold, and so on.

[0319] The reporting trigger condition is used to indicate the condition for triggering the reporting of the PDU set loss rate. Exemplarily, the reporting trigger condition is used to indicate periodic trigger reporting or event trigger reporting. When the reporting trigger condition is used to indicate periodic trigger reporting, the reporting trigger condition may include the period size of the reporting, or the period size is pre-configured or protocol-prescribed. Among them, event trigger monitoring can be, for example, when the loss quantity of the PDU set is greater than a preset threshold, or the loss quantity of the PDU data packet is greater than a preset threshold, or the network congestion degree exceeds a preset threshold, or the loss rate of the PDU set is greater than a preset threshold, and so on.

[0320] It should be noted that the monitoring trigger condition and the reporting trigger condition may be the same or different. When they are the same, the monitoring trigger condition and the reporting trigger condition can be collectively referred to as the trigger condition.

[0321] Optionally, the subscription request further includes a monitoring window, which is used to indicate the monitoring time length, such as specifically 1 hour, 2 hours, and so on.

[0322] Optionally, the subscription request further includes a reporting indication, which is used to indicate (or trigger, or cause) the monitoring result to be sent to the UPF. It can be understood that the reporting indication is used to indicate (or trigger, or cause) the monitoring result to be externally opened through the user plane. Or, the reporting indication is used to indicate (or trigger, or cause) the monitoring result to be sent to the SMF. It can be understood that the reporting indication is used to indicate (or trigger, or cause) the monitoring result to be externally opened through the control plane.

[0323] As an implementation method, the AF can be a third-party application server or an application server within the 5G core network. If the AF is within the trusted domain, the AF can directly interact with the PCF, that is, by invoking the service interfaces of the PCF, such as the Npcf_PolicyAuthorization service interface or the Npcf_EventExposure service interface, to send a subscription request to the PCF. If the AF is in the untrusted domain, the AF needs to interact with the PCF through the NEF. The AF invokes the service interfaces of the NEF, such as the Nnef_AFSessionWithQoS service interface or the Nnef_EventExposure service interface, to send a subscription request to the PCF. Subsequently, the NEF correspondingly invokes the service interfaces of the PCF to send a subscription request to the PCF, so that the PCF receives the subscription request.

[0324] Among them, regarding the definition of the PDU set loss rate, reference can be made to the description of Implementation Method 1 in the foregoing Figure 2 embodiment, which will not be elaborated here.

[0325] Step 402, the PCF generates a PCC rule.

[0326] Exemplarily, the PCF generates a PCC rule according to the subscription request and / or local policy. The PCC rule includes service flow description information, PDU set loss rate event, monitoring trigger condition, and / or reporting trigger condition. Optionally, the PCC rule further includes at least one of a monitoring window and a reporting indication.

[0327] Step 403, the PCF sends the PCC rule to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the PCC rule.

[0328] In one implementation method, if it is a PDU session establishment or modification process initiated by the UE, the SMF actively initiates a session management policy association establishment or modification process and obtains the PCC rule from the PCF.

[0329] In another implementation method, if it is a session management policy association modification process initiated by the PCF, the PCF actively sends the PCC rule to the SMF.

[0330] Step 404, the SMF generates monitoring parameters.

[0331] Exemplarily, the SMF generates monitoring parameters according to the PCC rule from the PCF and / or local policy.

[0332] The monitoring parameters include QFI, PDU set loss rate event, monitoring trigger condition, and / or reporting trigger condition. Optionally, the monitoring parameters further include at least one of a monitoring window and a reporting indication.

[0333] Among them, QFI is used to indicate the QoS flow corresponding to the service flow description information.

[0334] Step 405: The SMF sends monitoring parameters to the UE. Correspondingly, the UE receives the monitoring parameters.

[0335] After step 405, the remaining PDU session establishment or modification process will be completed. For details, please refer to section 4.3.2.1 of TS23.502.

[0336] Among them, the SMF sends monitoring parameters to the UE. Specifically, the SMF may send the monitoring parameters to the UE through the AMF and the base station.

[0337] Step 406: The UE determines the PDU set loss rate according to the monitoring parameters.

[0338] The UE monitors the PDU set loss rate of the uplink PDU set according to the PDU set loss rate event and the monitoring trigger condition in the monitoring parameters.

[0339] Step 407: The UE sends the PDU set loss rate.

[0340] In one implementation method, if the reporting indication is used to indicate (or trigger, or cause) sending the monitoring result to the UPF, then step 407 is specifically as follows: The UE adds the PDU set loss rate to the PDCP layer header of the uplink data packet and sends it to the base station. Then the base station adds the PDU set loss rate to the GTP-U layer of the uplink data packet and reports it to the UPF. Then the UPF sends the PDU set loss rate to the AF, or the UPF sends the PDU set loss rate to the AF through the NEF.

[0341] In another implementation method, if the reporting indication is used to indicate (or trigger, or cause) sending the monitoring result to the SMF, then step 407 is specifically as follows: The UE sends the PDU set loss rate to the SMF. Subsequently, the SMF sends the PDU set loss rate to the PCF, and the PCF sends the PDU set loss rate to the AF, or the PCF sends the PDU set loss rate to the AF through the NEF.

[0342] Optionally, after receiving the PDU set loss rate, the application layer of the AF may perform corresponding processing according to the PDU set loss rate. For example, it may adjust the coding rate or adjust the FEC redundancy.

[0343] In the above solution, the AF requests the core network to obtain the PDU set loss rate. The UE monitors the PDU set loss rate of the uplink PDU set and makes the PDU set loss rate open to the outside, that is, open to the AF. Thus, the application layer of the AF can perform corresponding processing according to the PDU set loss rate, which can avoid blind control at the service layer and improve the service experience.

[0344] Figure 5 It is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of this application. This embodiment is for monitoring and externally exposing the loss rate of the PDU set in the uplink direction. Exemplarily, the modulation layer (modem) of the UE monitors the PDU set delay, and opens the monitoring result to the application layer of the UE. The modulation layer of the UE is mainly responsible for wireless reception, transmission, and related functions.

[0345] This method includes the following steps:

[0346] Step 501, the application layer of the UE sends a subscription request to the modulation layer of the UE. Correspondingly, the modulation layer of the UE receives this subscription request.

[0347] This subscription request includes traffic flow description information, PDU set loss rate event, monitoring trigger condition, and / or reporting trigger condition. This subscription request is used to request a subscription to the PDU set loss rate from the PCF.

[0348] The traffic flow description information is used to indicate the traffic flow to be monitored. The traffic flow description information can be information such as the IP triple or quintuple of the traffic flow.

[0349] The monitoring trigger condition is used to indicate the condition for triggering the monitoring of the PDU set loss rate. Exemplarily, the monitoring trigger condition is used to indicate periodic trigger monitoring, or to indicate event trigger monitoring. When the monitoring trigger condition is used to indicate periodic trigger monitoring, the monitoring trigger condition may include the period size of the monitoring, or the period size is pre-configured or protocol-prescribed. Among them, event trigger monitoring can be, for example, when the number of lost PDU sets is greater than a preset threshold, or the number of lost PDU packets is greater than a preset threshold, or the network congestion degree exceeds a preset threshold, etc.

[0350] The reporting trigger condition is used to indicate the condition for triggering the reporting of the PDU set loss rate. Exemplarily, the reporting trigger condition is used to indicate periodic trigger reporting, or to indicate event trigger reporting. When the reporting trigger condition is used to indicate periodic trigger reporting, the reporting trigger condition may include the period size of the reporting, or the period size is pre-configured or protocol-prescribed. Among them, event trigger monitoring can be, for example, when the number of lost PDU sets is greater than a preset threshold, or the number of lost PDU packets is greater than a preset threshold, or the network congestion degree exceeds a preset threshold, or the loss rate of the PDU set is greater than a preset threshold, etc.

[0351] It should be noted that the monitoring trigger condition and the reporting trigger condition may be the same or different. When they are the same, the monitoring trigger condition and the reporting trigger condition can be collectively referred to as the trigger condition.

[0352] Optionally, the subscription request further includes a monitoring window for indicating the duration of monitoring, such as 1 hour, 2 hours, and so on.

[0353] Optionally, the subscription request further includes a reporting indication for indicating (or triggering, or causing) the reporting of the monitoring result through the interaction interface between the modulation layer and the application layer of the UE, that is, the modulation layer of the UE sends the monitoring result to the application layer of the UE.

[0354] Among them, the specific meaning of the PDU set loss rate is the same as that Figure 4 described in step 401 of the embodiment.

[0355] Step 502, the modulation layer of the UE determines the PDU set loss rate.

[0356] The modulation layer of the UE monitors the PDU set loss rate of the uplink PDU set according to the PDU set loss rate event and the monitoring trigger condition in the subscription request.

[0357] It should be noted that the modulation layer of the UE can determine the corresponding QFI according to the service flow description information in the subscription request, and then determine the PDU set loss rate of the QoS flow indicated by the QFI.

[0358] Step 503, the modulation layer of the UE sends the PDU set loss rate.

[0359] This step 503 is specifically: the modulation layer of the UE sends the PDU set loss rate to the application layer of the UE.

[0360] Optionally, after receiving the PDU set loss rate, the application layer of the UE can perform corresponding processing according to the PDU set loss rate. For example, the coding rate can be adjusted or the FEC redundancy can be adjusted.

[0361] In the above solution, the application layer of the UE requests to obtain the PDU set loss rate, the modulation layer of the UE monitors the PDU set loss rate of the uplink PDU set, and opens the PDU set loss rate to the outside, that is, opens it to the application layer of the UE. Therefore, the application layer of the UE can perform corresponding processing according to the PDU set loss rate, which can avoid blind control of the service layer and improve the service experience.

[0362] Figure 6 It is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of this application. This embodiment is for the monitoring and external opening of the PDU set delay in the downlink direction. Exemplarily, the base station monitors the PDU set delay and opens the monitoring result to the outside through the user plane or the control plane. The Figure 6 embodiment is a specific example based on the Figure 2 second implementation method in the aboveFigure 2 Specific examples of the first network element in the embodiments.

[0363] The method includes the following steps:

[0364] Step 601, the AF sends a subscription request to the PCF. Correspondingly, the PCF receives the subscription request.

[0365] The subscription request includes traffic flow description information, PDU Set Delay Event, monitoring trigger conditions, and / or reporting trigger conditions. The subscription request is used to request the PCF to subscribe to the PDU set delay.

[0366] The traffic flow description information is used to indicate the traffic flow to be monitored. The traffic flow description information can be information such as the IP triple or quintuple of the traffic flow.

[0367] The monitoring trigger conditions are used to indicate the conditions for triggering the monitoring of the PDU set delay. Exemplarily, the monitoring trigger conditions are used to indicate periodic triggering of monitoring or event-triggered monitoring. When the monitoring trigger conditions are used to indicate periodic triggering of monitoring, the monitoring trigger conditions may include the size of the monitoring period, or the size of the period is pre-configured or protocol-prescribed. Among them, event-triggered monitoring can be, for example, that the maximum delay (or average delay) of the PDU set is greater than a preset threshold, or the network congestion level exceeds a preset threshold, and so on.

[0368] The reporting trigger conditions are used to indicate the conditions for triggering the reporting of the PDU set delay. Exemplarily, the reporting trigger conditions are used to indicate periodic triggering of reporting or event-triggered reporting. When the reporting trigger conditions are used to indicate periodic triggering of reporting, the reporting trigger conditions may include the size of the reporting period, or the size of the period is pre-configured or protocol-prescribed. Among them, event-triggered monitoring can be, for example, that the maximum delay (or average delay) of the PDU set is greater than a preset threshold, or the network congestion level exceeds a preset threshold.

[0369] It should be noted that the monitoring trigger conditions and the reporting trigger conditions may be the same or different. When they are the same, the monitoring trigger conditions and the reporting trigger conditions can be collectively referred to as trigger conditions.

[0370] Optionally, the subscription request further includes a monitoring window, and the monitoring window is used to indicate the length of the monitoring time, such as specifically 1 hour, 2 hours, and so on.

[0371] Optionally, the subscription request further includes a reporting indication for indicating (or triggering, or causing) the sending of monitoring results to the UPF. It can be understood that the reporting indication is used to indicate (or trigger, or cause) the opening of the monitoring results to the outside through the user plane. Alternatively, the reporting indication is used to indicate the sending of monitoring results to the SMF, which can be understood as the reporting indication being used to indicate (or trigger, or cause) the opening of the monitoring results to the outside through the control plane.

[0372] As an implementation method, the AF can be a third-party application server or an application server within the 5G core network. If the AF is within the trusted domain, the AF can directly interact with the PCF, that is, by invoking the service interface of the PCF, such as the Npcf_PolicyAuthorization service interface or the Npcf_EventExposure service interface, to send a subscription request to the PCF. If the AF is in the non-trusted domain, the AF needs to interact with the PCF through the NEF. The AF invokes the service interface of the NEF, such as the Nnef_AFSessionWithQoS service interface or the Nnef_EventExposure service interface, to send a subscription request to the PCF, and then the NEF correspondingly invokes the service interface of the PCF to send a subscription request to the PCF, so that the PCF receives the subscription request.

[0373] Among them, regarding the definition of the PDU set delay, reference can be made to the description of Implementation Method 2 in the foregoing Figure 2 embodiment, which will not be elaborated here.

[0374] Step 602, the PCF generates a PCC rule.

[0375] Exemplarily, the PCF generates a PCC rule according to the subscription request and / or local policy. The PCC rule includes service flow description information, PDU set delay event, monitoring trigger condition, and / or reporting trigger condition. Optionally, the PCC rule further includes at least one of a monitoring window, a reporting indication, and a QoS monitoring policy.

[0376] Step 603, the PCF sends the PCC rule to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the PCC rule.

[0377] In one implementation method, if it is a PDU session establishment or modification process initiated by the UE, the SMF actively initiates a session management policy association establishment or modification process and obtains the PCC rule from the PCF.

[0378] In another implementation method, if it is a session management policy association modification process initiated by the PCF, the PCF actively sends the PCC rule to the SMF.

[0379] Step 604, the SMF instructs the base station and the UPF to monitor the QoS measurement delay of the N3 segment between the base station and the UPF.

[0380] The N3 segment QoS measurement delay between the base station and the UPF refers to the delay required for transmitting data packets or PDU sets between the base station and the UPF.

[0381] The N3 segment QoS measurement delay monitored by the base station and the UPF can be considered a dynamic delay, that is, the QoS delay that needs to be dynamically measured and obtained.

[0382] As an implementation method, the SMF sends indication information to the base station and the UPF based on the QoS monitoring strategy in the PCC rule, for indicating the base station and the UPF to monitor the N3 segment QoS measurement delay between the base station and the UPF.

[0383] Optionally, the UPF can also report the N3 segment QoS measurement delay between the base station and the UPF to the SMF, and the SMF can also report the N3 segment QoS measurement delay between the base station and the UPF to the PCF.

[0384] This step 604 is an optional step.

[0385] Step 605, the SMF generates monitoring parameters.

[0386] Exemplarily, the SMF generates monitoring parameters according to the PCC rule and / or local policy from the PCF.

[0387] The monitoring parameters include QFI, PDU set delay event, monitoring trigger condition, and / or reporting trigger condition. Optionally, the monitoring parameters further include at least one of a monitoring window and a reporting indication.

[0388] Among them, the QFI is used to indicate the QoS flow corresponding to the service flow description information.

[0389] Step 606, the SMF sends the monitoring parameters to the base station. Correspondingly, the base station receives the monitoring parameters.

[0390] After step 606, the remaining PDU session establishment or modification process will be completed. For details, reference can be made to section 4.3.2.1 of TS23.502.

[0391] Among them, when the SMF sends the monitoring parameters to the base station, specifically, the SMF can send the monitoring parameters to the base station through the AMF.

[0392] Step 607, the base station determines the PDU set delay according to the monitoring parameters.

[0393] Exemplarily, the base station monitors the PDU set delay of the downlink PDU set according to the PDU set delay event and the monitoring trigger condition in the monitoring parameters.

[0394] Step 608, the base station sends the PDU set delay.

[0395] In one implementation method, if the reporting indication is used to indicate (or trigger, or cause) sending the monitoring result to the UPF, then this step 608 is specifically: the base station adds the monitoring result to the GTP-U layer of the uplink data packet and reports it to the UPF, and then the UPF sends the monitoring result to the AF, or the UPF sends the monitoring result to the AF through the NEF. Among them, the monitoring result is the PDU set delay, or the sum of the PDU set delay and the N3 segment CN-PDB. The N3 segment CN-PDB is the delay required for transmitting data packets or PDU sets between the base station and the UPF, and the N3 segment CN-PDB can be considered a static delay.

[0396] In another implementation method, if the reporting indication is used to indicate (or trigger, or cause) sending the monitoring result to the UPF, then this step 608 is specifically: the base station adds the PDU set delay to the GTP-U layer of the uplink data packet and reports it to the UPF, and the UPF determines the monitoring result according to the PDU set delay, and then the UPF sends the monitoring result to the AF, or the UPF sends the monitoring result to the AF through the NEF. Among them, the monitoring result is the sum of the PDU set delay and the N3 segment CN-PDB, or the sum of the PDU set delay and the N3 segment QoS measurement delay.

[0397] In another implementation method, if the reporting indication is used to indicate (or trigger, or cause) sending the monitoring result to the SMF, then this step 608 is specifically: the base station sends the monitoring result to the SMF, and subsequently the SMF sends the monitoring result to the PCF, and the PCF sends the monitoring result to the AF, or the PCF sends the monitoring result to the AF through the NEF. Among them, the monitoring result is the PDU set delay, or the sum of the PDU set delay and the N3 segment CN-PDB.

[0398] In another implementation method, if the reporting indication is used to indicate (or trigger, or cause) sending the monitoring result to the SMF, then this step 608 is specifically: the base station sends the PDU set delay to the SMF, and subsequently the SMF sends the PDU set delay to the PCF, and the PCF determines the monitoring result according to the PDU set delay, and then the PCF sends the monitoring result to the AF, or the PCF sends the monitoring result to the AF through the NEF. Among them, the monitoring result is the sum of the PDU set delay and the N3 segment CN-PDB, or the sum of the PDU set delay and the N3 segment QoS measurement delay.

[0399] In another implementation method, if the reporting indication is used to indicate (or trigger, or cause) the sending of the monitoring result to the SMF, then step 608 is specifically as follows: The base station sends the PDU set delay to the SMF. Subsequently, the SMF determines the monitoring result based on the PDU set delay and sends the monitoring result to the PCF. Then, the PCF sends the monitoring result to the AF, or the PCF sends the monitoring result to the AF through the NEF. Among them, the monitoring result is the sum of the PDU set delay and the N3 segment CN-PDB, or the sum of the PDU set delay and the N3 segment QoS measurement delay.

[0400] Optionally, after receiving the monitoring result, the application layer of the AF can perform corresponding processing according to the monitoring result. For example, the coding rate can be adjusted or the FEC redundancy can be adjusted.

[0401] In the above solution, the AF requests the core network to obtain the monitoring result. The base station monitors the PDU set delay of the downlink PDU set and opens the PDU set delay to the outside, that is, opens it to the AF. The AF can obtain the monitoring result, so that the AF can perform corresponding processing according to the monitoring result, which can avoid blind control at the service layer and improve the service experience.

[0402] Figure 7 It is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment is for the monitoring and external opening of the PDU set delay in the uplink direction. Exemplarily, the UE monitors the PDU set delay and opens the monitoring result to the outside through the user plane or the control plane. The Figure 7 This embodiment is based on the above Figure 2 specific example of implementation method two in the embodiment, and the UE is Figure 2 specific example of the first network element in the embodiment.

[0403] This method includes the following steps:

[0404] Step 701, the AF sends a subscription request to the PCF. Correspondingly, the PCF receives the subscription request.

[0405] The subscription request includes service flow description information, PDU set delay event, monitoring trigger condition, and / or reporting trigger condition. The subscription request is used to request the PCF to subscribe to the PDU set delay.

[0406] The service flow description information is used to indicate the service flow to be monitored. The service flow description information can be information such as the IP triple or quintuple of the service flow.

[0407] The monitoring trigger condition is used to indicate the condition for triggering the monitoring of the PDU set delay. Exemplarily, the monitoring trigger condition is used to indicate periodic triggering of monitoring, or is used to indicate event-triggered monitoring. When the monitoring trigger condition is used to indicate periodic triggering of monitoring, the monitoring trigger condition may include the size of the monitoring period, or the size of the period is pre-configured or protocol-prescribed. Among them, event-triggered monitoring may be, for example, that the maximum delay (or average delay) of the PDU set is greater than a preset threshold, or the network congestion level exceeds a preset threshold, and so on.

[0408] The reporting trigger condition is used to indicate the condition for triggering the reporting of the PDU set delay. Exemplarily, the reporting trigger condition is used to indicate periodic triggering of reporting, or is used to indicate event-triggered reporting. When the reporting trigger condition is used to indicate periodic triggering of reporting, the reporting trigger condition may include the size of the reporting period, or the size of the period is pre-configured or protocol-prescribed. Among them, event-triggered monitoring may be, for example, that the maximum delay (or average delay) of the PDU set is greater than a preset threshold, or the network congestion level exceeds a preset threshold.

[0409] It should be noted that the monitoring trigger condition and the reporting trigger condition may be the same or different. When they are the same, the monitoring trigger condition and the reporting trigger condition may be collectively referred to as the trigger condition.

[0410] Optionally, the subscription request further includes a monitoring window, which is used to indicate the length of the monitoring time, such as specifically 1 hour, 2 hours, and so on.

[0411] Optionally, the subscription request further includes a reporting indication, which is used to indicate (or trigger, or cause) the sending of the monitoring result to the UPF. It can be understood that the reporting indication is used to indicate (or trigger, or cause) the opening of the monitoring result to the outside through the user plane. Or, the reporting indication is used to indicate (or trigger, or cause) the sending of the monitoring result to the SMF. It can be understood that the reporting indication is used to indicate (or trigger, or cause) the opening of the monitoring result to the outside through the control plane.

[0412] As an implementation method, the AF can be a third-party application server or an application server within the 5G core network. If the AF is within the trusted domain, the AF can directly interact with the PCF, that is, by invoking the service interfaces of the PCF, such as the Npcf_PolicyAuthorization service interface or the Npcf_EventExposure service interface, to send a subscription request to the PCF. If the AF is in the non-trusted domain, the AF needs to interact with the PCF through the NEF. The AF invokes the service interfaces of the NEF, such as the Nnef_AFSessionWithQoS service interface or the Nnef_EventExposure service interface, to send a subscription request to the PCF. Subsequently, the NEF correspondingly invokes the service interfaces of the PCF to send a subscription request to the PCF, so that the PCF receives the subscription request.

[0413] Among them, regarding the definition of the PDU set delay, reference can be made to the description of Implementation Method 2 in the foregoing Figure 2 embodiment and will not be elaborated here.

[0414] Step 702, the PCF generates a PCC rule.

[0415] Exemplarily, the PCF generates a PCC rule according to the subscription request and / or local policy. The PCC rule includes service flow description information, PDU set delay event, monitoring trigger condition, and / or reporting trigger condition. Optionally, the PCC rule further includes at least one of a monitoring window, a reporting indication, and a QoS monitoring policy.

[0416] Step 703, the PCF sends the PCC rule to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the PCC rule.

[0417] In one implementation method, if it is a PDU session establishment or modification process initiated by the UE, the SMF actively initiates a session management policy association establishment or modification process and obtains the PCC rule from the PCF.

[0418] In another implementation method, if it is a session management policy association modification process initiated by the PCF, the PCF actively sends the PCC rule to the SMF.

[0419] Step 704, the SMF instructs the base station and the UPF to monitor the QoS measurement delay of the N3 segment between the base station and the UPF.

[0420] The QoS measurement delay of the N3 segment between the base station and the UPF refers to the delay required for transmitting data packets or PDU sets between the base station and the UPF.

[0421] The QoS measurement delay of the N3 segment monitored by the base station and the UPF can be considered as a dynamic delay.

[0422] As an implementation method, based on the QoS monitoring policy in the PCC rule, the SMF sends indication information to the base station and the UPF to indicate the base station and the UPF to monitor the QoS measurement delay of the N3 segment between the base station and the UPF.

[0423] Optionally, the UPF can also report the QoS measurement delay of the N3 segment between the base station and the UPF to the SMF, and the SMF can also report the QoS measurement delay of the N3 segment between the base station and the UPF to the PCF.

[0424] This step 704 is an optional step.

[0425] Step 705, the SMF generates monitoring parameters.

[0426] Exemplarily, the SMF generates monitoring parameters according to the PCC rule and / or local policy from the PCF.

[0427] The monitoring parameters include QFI, PDU set delay event, monitoring trigger condition and / or reporting trigger condition. Optionally, the monitoring parameters further include at least one of a monitoring window and a reporting indication.

[0428] Among them, the QFI is used to indicate the QoS flow corresponding to the service flow description information.

[0429] Step 706, the SMF sends the monitoring parameters to the UE. Correspondingly, the UE receives the monitoring parameters.

[0430] After step 706, the remaining PDU session establishment or modification process will be completed. For details, please refer to section 4.3.2.1 of TS23.502.

[0431] Among them, when the SMF sends the monitoring parameters to the UE, specifically, the SMF can send the monitoring parameters to the UE through the AMF.

[0432] Step 707, the UE determines the PDU set delay according to the monitoring parameters.

[0433] The UE monitors the PDU set delay of the downlink PDU set according to the PDU set delay event and the monitoring trigger condition in the monitoring parameters.

[0434] Step 708, the UE sends the PDU set delay.

[0435] In one implementation method, if the reporting indication is used to indicate (or trigger, or cause) sending the monitoring result to the UPF, then step 708 is specifically as follows: The UE adds the monitoring result to the PDCP layer header of the uplink data packet and sends it to the base station. Then the base station adds the monitoring result to the GTP-U layer of the uplink data packet and reports it to the UPF. Then the UPF sends the monitoring result to the AF, or the UPF sends the monitoring result to the AF through the NEF. Among them, the monitoring result is the PDU set delay, or the sum of the PDU set delay and the N3 segment CN-PDB. The N3 segment CN-PDB is the delay required for transmitting data packets or PDU sets between the base station and the UPF, and the N3 segment CN-PDB can be considered a static delay.

[0436] In another implementation method, if the reporting indication is used to indicate (or trigger, or cause) sending the monitoring result to the UPF, then step 708 is specifically as follows: The UE adds the PDU set delay to the PDCP layer header of the uplink data packet and sends it to the base station. Then the base station adds the PDU set delay to the GTP-U layer of the uplink data packet and reports it to the UPF. The UPF determines the monitoring result based on the PDU set delay. Then the UPF sends the monitoring result to the AF, or the UPF sends the monitoring result to the AF through the NEF. Among them, the monitoring result is the sum of the PDU set delay and the N3 segment CN-PDB, or the sum of the PDU set delay and the N3 segment QoS measurement delay.

[0437] In another implementation method, if the reporting indication is used to indicate (or trigger, or cause) sending the monitoring result to the SMF, then step 708 is specifically as follows: The UE sends the monitoring result to the SMF, and then the SMF sends the monitoring result to the PCF, and the PCF sends the monitoring result to the AF, or the PCF sends the monitoring result to the AF through the NEF. Among them, the monitoring result is the PDU set delay, or the sum of the PDU set delay and the N3 segment CN-PDB. (or trigger, or cause)

[0438] In another implementation method, if the reporting indication is used to indicate (or trigger, or cause) sending the monitoring result to the SMF, then step 708 is specifically as follows: The UE sends the PDU set delay to the SMF, and then the SMF sends the PDU set delay to the PCF. The PCF determines the monitoring result based on the PDU set delay. Then the PCF sends the monitoring result to the AF, or the PCF sends the monitoring result to the AF through the NEF. Among them, the monitoring result is the sum of the PDU set delay and the N3 segment CN-PDB, or the sum of the PDU set delay and the N3 segment QoS measurement delay.

[0439] In another implementation method, if the reporting indication is used to indicate (or trigger, or cause) the sending of the monitoring result to the SMF, then step 708 is specifically as follows: The UE sends the PDU set delay to the SMF, and then the SMF determines the monitoring result according to the PDU set delay and sends the monitoring result to the PCF, and then the PCF sends the monitoring result to the AF, or the PCF sends the monitoring result to the AF through the NEF. Wherein, the monitoring result is the sum of the PDU set delay and the N3 segment CN-PDB, or the sum of the PDU set delay and the N3 segment QoS measurement delay.

[0440] Optionally, after receiving the monitoring result, the application layer of the AF can perform corresponding processing according to the monitoring result. For example, the code rate can be adjusted or the FEC redundancy can be adjusted.

[0441] In the above solution, the AF requests the core network to obtain the monitoring result, the UE monitors the PDU set delay of the uplink PDU set, and opens the PDU set delay to the outside, that is, opens it to the AF. The AF can obtain the monitoring result, so that the AF can perform corresponding processing according to the monitoring result, which can avoid blind control of the service layer and improve the service experience.

[0442] Figure 8 It is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment is for the monitoring and external opening of the PDU set delay in the uplink direction. Exemplarily, the modulation layer of the UE monitors the PDU set delay and opens the monitoring result to the application layer of the UE. The method includes the following steps:

[0443] Step 801, the application layer of the UE sends a subscription request to the modulation layer of the UE. Correspondingly, the modulation layer of the UE receives the subscription request.

[0444] The subscription request includes service flow description information, PDU set delay event, monitoring trigger condition, and / or reporting trigger condition. The subscription request is used to request the PCF to subscribe to the PDU set delay.

[0445] The service flow description information is used to indicate the service flow to be monitored. The service flow description information can be information such as the IP triple or quintuple of the service flow.

[0446] The monitoring trigger condition is used to indicate the condition for triggering the monitoring of the PDU set delay. Exemplarily, the monitoring trigger condition is used to indicate periodic triggering of monitoring, or to indicate event-triggered monitoring. When the monitoring trigger condition is used to indicate periodic triggering of monitoring, the monitoring trigger condition may include the monitoring period size, or the period size is pre-configured or protocol-prescribed. Among them, event-triggered monitoring can be, for example, that the maximum delay (or average delay) of the PDU set is greater than a preset threshold, or the network congestion degree exceeds a preset threshold, and so on.

[0447] The reporting trigger condition is used to indicate the condition for triggering the reporting of the PDU set delay. Exemplarily, the reporting trigger condition is used to indicate periodic reporting trigger, or is used to indicate event-triggered reporting. When the reporting trigger condition is used to indicate periodic reporting trigger, the reporting trigger condition may include the size of the reporting period, or the size of the period is pre-configured or protocol-prescribed. Among them, event-triggered monitoring may be, for example, that the maximum delay (or average delay) of the PDU set is greater than a preset threshold, or the network congestion level exceeds a preset threshold.

[0448] It should be noted that the monitoring trigger condition and the reporting trigger condition may be the same or different. When they are the same, the monitoring trigger condition and the reporting trigger condition may be collectively referred to as the trigger condition.

[0449] Optionally, the subscription request further includes a monitoring window, which is used to indicate the length of the monitoring time, such as specifically 1 hour, 2 hours, and so on.

[0450] Optionally, the subscription request further includes a reporting indication, which is used to indicate (or trigger, or cause) the reporting of the monitoring result through the interaction interface between the modulation layer and the application layer of the UE, that is, the modulation layer of the UE sends the monitoring result to the application layer of the UE.

[0451] Among them, the specific meaning of the PDU set delay is the same as that Figure 7 described in step 707 of the embodiment.

[0452] Step 802, the modulation layer of the UE determines the PDU set delay.

[0453] The modulation layer of the UE monitors the PDU set delay of the uplink PDU set according to the PDU set delay event and the monitoring trigger condition in the subscription request.

[0454] It should be noted that the modulation layer of the UE may determine the corresponding QFI according to the service flow description information in the subscription request, and then determine the PDU set delay of the QoS flow indicated by the QFI.

[0455] Step 803, the modulation layer of the UE sends the PDU set delay.

[0456] The specific operation of step 803 is as follows: The modulation layer of the UE sends the monitoring result to the application layer of the UE. The monitoring result is the PDU set delay, or the sum of the PDU set delay and the N3 segment CN-PDB, or the sum of the PDU set delay and the N3 segment QoS measurement delay. Among them, the N3 segment CN-PDB is the delay required for transmitting data packets or PDU sets between the base station and the UPF, and this N3 segment CN-PDB can be considered as a static delay. The N3 segment QoS measurement delay refers to the delay required for transmitting data packets or PDU sets between the base station and the UPF monitored by the SMF or PCF.

[0457] Optionally, after the application layer of the UE receives the monitoring result, the application layer of the UE can perform corresponding processing according to the monitoring result. For example, it can adjust the code rate or adjust the FEC redundancy.

[0458] In the above solution, the application layer of the UE requests to obtain the PDU set delay, the modulation layer of the UE monitors the PDU set delay of the uplink PDU set, and opens the monitoring result to the outside, that is, to the application layer of the UE. Therefore, the application layer of the UE can perform corresponding processing according to the monitoring result, which can avoid the blind control of the service layer and improve the service experience.

[0459] Figure 9 It is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment is for the monitoring and opening mechanism of the PDU set extended delay, and the PDU set extended delay is monitored by the UPF and opened to the outside. This Figure 9 embodiment is a specific example based on the above Figure 2 embodiment of implementation method three, and this UPF is Figure 2 a specific example of the first network element in the embodiment.

[0460] The method includes the following steps:

[0461] Step 901, the AF sends a subscription request to the PCF. Correspondingly, the PCF receives the subscription request.

[0462] The subscription request includes service flow description information, a PDU set spread delay event, a monitoring trigger condition, and / or a reporting trigger condition. The subscription request is used to request the PCF to subscribe to the PDU set extended delay.

[0463] The service flow description information is used to indicate the service flow to be monitored, and the service flow description information can be information such as the IP triple or quintuple of the service flow.

[0464] The monitoring trigger condition is used to indicate the condition for triggering the monitoring of the extended delay of the PDU set. Exemplarily, the monitoring trigger condition is used to indicate periodic trigger monitoring, or to indicate event trigger monitoring. When the monitoring trigger condition is used to indicate periodic trigger monitoring, the monitoring trigger condition may include the size of the monitoring period, or the size of the period is pre-configured or protocol-prescribed. Among them, event trigger monitoring may be, for example, that the maximum extended delay (or average extended delay) of the PDU set is greater than a preset threshold, or that the network congestion level exceeds a preset threshold, and so on.

[0465] The reporting trigger condition is used to indicate the condition for triggering the reporting of the extended delay of the PDU set. Exemplarily, the reporting trigger condition is used to indicate periodic trigger reporting, or to indicate event trigger reporting. When the reporting trigger condition is used to indicate periodic trigger reporting, the reporting trigger condition may include the size of the reporting period, or the size of the period is pre-configured or protocol-prescribed. Among them, event trigger monitoring may be, for example, that the maximum extended delay (or average extended delay) of the PDU set is greater than a preset threshold, or that the network congestion level exceeds a preset threshold.

[0466] It should be noted that the monitoring trigger condition and the reporting trigger condition may be the same or different. When they are the same, the monitoring trigger condition and the reporting trigger condition may be collectively referred to as the trigger condition.

[0467] Optionally, the subscription request further includes a monitoring window, which is used to indicate the length of the monitoring time, such as specifically 1 hour, 2 hours, and so on.

[0468] Optionally, the subscription request further includes a reporting indication, which is used to indicate (or trigger, or cause) the sending of the monitoring result to the SMF. Or, the reporting indication is used to indicate (or trigger, or cause) the sending of the monitoring result to the NEF.

[0469] As an implementation method, the AF may be a third-party application server, or an application server within the 5G core network. If the AF is within the trusted domain, the AF can directly interact with the PCF, that is, by calling the service interface of the PCF, such as the Npcf_PolicyAuthorization service interface or the Npcf_EventExposure service interface, to send a subscription request to the PCF. If the AF is in the non-trusted domain, the AF needs to interact with the PCF through the NEF. The AF calls the service interface of the NEF, such as the Nnef_AFSessionWithQoS service interface or the Nnef_EventExposure service interface, to send a subscription request to the PCF. Subsequently, the NEF correspondingly calls the service interface of the PCF to send a subscription request to the PCF, so that the PCF receives the subscription request.

[0470] Among them, for the definition of the extended delay of the PDU set, reference can be made to the description of Implementation Method 3 in the foregoing Figure 2 embodiment, which will not be elaborated here.

[0471] Step 902, the PCF generates a PCC rule.

[0472] Exemplarily, the PCF generates a PCC rule according to a subscription request and / or a local policy. The PCC rule includes service flow description information, a PDU set extended delay event, a monitoring trigger condition, and / or a reporting trigger condition. Optionally, the PCC rule further includes at least one of a monitoring window, a reporting indication, or a QoS monitoring configuration.

[0473] Step 903, the PCF sends the PCC rule to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the PCC rule.

[0474] In one implementation method, if it is a PDU session establishment or modification process initiated by the UE, the SMF actively initiates a session management policy association establishment or modification process and obtains the PCC rule from the PCF.

[0475] In another implementation method, if it is a session management policy association modification process initiated by the PCF, the PCF actively sends the PCC rule to the SMF.

[0476] Step 904, the SMF generates monitoring parameters.

[0477] Exemplarily, the SMF generates monitoring parameters according to the PCC rule from the PCF and / or a local policy.

[0478] The monitoring parameters include a QFI, a PDU set extended delay event, a monitoring trigger condition, and / or a reporting trigger condition. Optionally, the monitoring parameters further include at least one of a monitoring window or a reporting indication.

[0479] Among them, the QFI is used to indicate the QoS flow corresponding to the service flow description information.

[0480] Step 905, the SMF sends the monitoring parameters to the UPF. Correspondingly, the UPF receives the monitoring parameters.

[0481] After Step 905, the remaining PDU session establishment or modification process will be completed. Specifically, reference can be made to Section 4.3.2.1 of TS23.502.

[0482] Step 906, the UPF determines the PDU set extended delay according to the monitoring parameters.

[0483] The UPF monitors the PDU set extended delay of the downlink PDU set according to the PDU set extended delay event and the monitoring trigger condition in the monitoring parameters.

[0484] Step 907, the UPF sends the PDU set extended delay.

[0485] Exemplarily, if the reporting indication is used to indicate (or trigger, or cause) sending the monitoring result to the SMF, then this step 907 is specifically: the UPF sends the PDU set extended delay to the SMF, the SMF sends the PDU set extended delay to the PCF, the PCF sends the PDU set extended delay to the AF, or the PCF sends the PDU set extended delay to the AF through the NEF.

[0486] Exemplarily, if the reporting indication is used to indicate (or trigger, or cause) sending the monitoring result to the NEF, then this step 907 is specifically: the UPF sends the PDU set extended delay to the NEF, and then the NEF sends the PDU set extended delay to the AF.

[0487] Optionally, after receiving the PDU set extended delay, the application layer of the AF can perform corresponding processing according to the PDU set extended delay. For example, the coding rate can be adjusted or the FEC redundancy can be adjusted.

[0488] In the above solution, the AF requests the core network to obtain the PDU set extended delay, the UPF monitors the PDU set extended delay of the downlink PDU set, and opens the PDU set extended delay to the outside, that is, opens it to the AF. The AF can obtain the PDU set extended delay, so that the AF can perform corresponding processing according to the PDU set extended delay, which can avoid blind control of the service layer and improve the service experience.

[0489] Figure 10 It is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. In this embodiment, the SMF opens the result of whether the PDU set processing is enabled to the AF to ensure that the AF can perceive the enabling situation of the PDU set processing in the 5G network. This Figure 10 embodiment is a specific example based on the above Figure 2 embodiment's implementation method four, and this SMF is Figure 2 a specific example of the first network element in the embodiment.

[0490] This method includes the following steps:

[0491] Step 1001, the AF sends a subscription request to the PCF. Correspondingly, the PCF receives the subscription request.

[0492] This subscription request includes service flow description information, the enabling state event of the PDU set QoS processing, and / or the reporting trigger condition. This subscription request is used to request the PCF to subscribe to the enabling state of the PDU set QoS processing.

[0493] The service flow description information is used to indicate the service flow to be monitored. The service flow description information may be information such as the IP triple or quintuple of the service flow.

[0494] The reporting trigger condition is used to indicate the condition for triggering the enabled state of reporting the PDU set QoS processing. Exemplarily, the reporting trigger condition is used to indicate periodic reporting trigger, or is used to indicate event-triggered reporting. When the reporting trigger condition is used to indicate periodic reporting trigger, the reporting trigger condition may include the period size of the reporting, or the period size is pre-configured or protocol-prescribed.

[0495] It should be noted that the monitoring trigger condition and the reporting trigger condition may be the same or different. When they are the same, the monitoring trigger condition and the reporting trigger condition may be collectively referred to as the trigger condition.

[0496] Optionally, the subscription request further includes a reporting indication, which is used to indicate (or trigger, or cause) sending the monitoring result to the PCF. Or, the reporting indication is used to indicate (or trigger, or cause) sending the monitoring result to the NEF.

[0497] As an implementation method, the AF may be a third-party application server or an application server within the 5G core network. If the AF is within the trusted domain, the AF can directly interact with the PCF, that is, by invoking the service interface of the PCF, such as the Npcf_PolicyAuthorization service interface or the Npcf_EventExposure service interface, to send a subscription request to the PCF. If the AF is in the non-trusted domain, the AF needs to interact with the PCF through the NEF. The AF invokes the service interface of the NEF, such as the Nnef_AFSessionWithQoS service interface or the Nnef_EventExposure service interface, to send a subscription request to the PCF. Subsequently, the NEF correspondingly invokes the service interface of the PCF to send a subscription request to the PCF, so that the PCF receives the subscription request.

[0498] Step 1002, the PCF generates a PCC rule.

[0499] The PCF generates a PCC rule according to the subscription request and / or local policy. The PCC rule includes service flow description information, the enabled state event of PDU set QoS processing, and / or the reporting trigger condition. Optionally, the PCC rule further includes a reporting indication.

[0500] Step 1003, the PCF sends the PCC rule to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the PCC rule.

[0501] In one implementation method, if it is a PDU session establishment or modification process initiated by the UE, the SMF proactively initiates a session management policy association establishment or modification process and obtains the PCC rule from the PCF.

[0502] In another implementation method, if it is a session management policy association modification process initiated by the PCF, the PCF proactively sends the PCC rule to the SMF.

[0503] Step 1004: The SMF monitors the enabled status of PDU set QoS processing according to the PCC rule.

[0504] As one implementation method, the SMF receives a capability indication from the base station, and this capability indication is used to indicate that the base station has the PDU set QoS processing capability. Then, the SMF monitors the enabled status of PDU set QoS processing for the QoS flow according to the capability indication. For example, the SMF sends the QoS parameters of the PDU set to the base station according to the capability indication. After sending the QoS parameters of the PDU set, it is determined that the PDU set QoS processing for the QoS flow has been enabled, that is, the enabled status of PDU set QoS processing for the QoS flow is on.

[0505] As another implementation method, the SMF sends the QoS parameters of the PDU set to the base station. After that, if the SMF receives a capability indication from the base station, and this capability indication is used to indicate that the base station has the PDU set QoS processing capability, the SMF determines that the PDU set QoS processing for the QoS flow has been enabled, that is, the enabled status of PDU set QoS processing for the QoS flow is on.

[0506] Step 1005: The SMF sends the enabled status of PDU set QoS processing.

[0507] In one implementation method, if the reporting indication is used to indicate (or trigger, or cause) sending the monitoring result to the PCF, then this step 1005 is specifically: The SMF sends the enabled status of PDU set QoS processing to the PCF, and then the PCF directly sends the enabled status of PDU set QoS processing to the AF, or sends the enabled status of PDU set QoS processing to the AF through the NEF.

[0508] In another implementation method, if the reporting indication is used to indicate (or trigger, or cause) sending the monitoring result to the NEF, then this step 1005 is specifically: The SMF sends the enabled status of PDU set QoS processing to the NEF, and then the NEF sends the enabled status of PDU set QoS processing to the AF.

[0509] Optionally, after the AF receives the enabled status of the QoS handling for the PDU set, the application layer of the AF may perform corresponding processing according to the enabled status of the QoS handling for the PDU set. For example, the coding rate may be adjusted or the FEC redundancy may be adjusted.

[0510] In the above solution, the AF requests the core network to obtain the enabled status of the QoS handling for the PDU set. The SMF determines the enabled status of the QoS handling for the PDU set and opens the enabled status of the QoS handling for the PDU set to the outside, that is, to the AF. The AF can obtain the enabled status of the QoS handling for the PDU set, so that the AF can perform corresponding processing according to the enabled status of the QoS handling for the PDU set, which can avoid blind control at the service layer and improve the service experience.

[0511] It can be understood that, in order to implement the functions in the above embodiments, the first network element or the application function network element includes the corresponding hardware structure and / or software module for executing each function. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, in combination with the units and method steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed in the present application, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is executed in the way of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application scenario and design constraint conditions of the technical solution.

[0512] Figure 11 and Figure 12 FIG. is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of the first network element or the application function network element in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects possessed by the above method embodiments. In the embodiments of the present application, the communication device may be the first network element or the application function network element, or may be a module (such as a chip) applied to the first network element or the application function network element.

[0513] Figure 11 The shown communication device 1100 includes a processing unit 1110 and a transceiver unit 1120. The communication device 1100 is used to implement the functions of the first network element or the application function network element in the above method embodiments.

[0514] When the communication device 1100 is used to implement the function of the first network element in the above method embodiment, the transceiver unit 1120 is used to receive first information, where the first information is used to monitor the PDU set carried by the QoS flow and report the monitoring result of the PDU set; the processing unit 1110 is used to monitor the PDU set carried by the QoS flow according to the first information; the transceiver unit 1120 is further used to send the monitoring result of the PDU set to a second network element.

[0515] In a possible implementation method, the first information includes a PDU set loss rate event, and the PDU set loss rate event indicates that the monitoring object is the PDU set loss rate; the processing unit 1110 is configured to monitor the PDU set carried by the QoS flow according to the first information, specifically including: being configured to monitor the PDU set loss rate of the QoS flow according to the first information.

[0516] In a possible implementation method, the first network element is an access network device, and the PDU set loss rate includes one or more of the following:

[0517] The proportion of the PDU set that the access network device fails to successfully send to the terminal device;

[0518] The proportion of the PDU set discarded due to packet loss;

[0519] The proportion of the PDU set discarded due to transmission failure;

[0520] The proportion of packets with transmission failure;

[0521] The total number of packets with transmission failure; or

[0522] The proportion of the PDU set discarded due to packet loss based on the importance of the PDU set.

[0523] In a possible implementation method, the first network element is a terminal device, and the PDU set loss rate includes one or more of the following:

[0524] The proportion of the PDU set that the terminal device fails to successfully send to the access network device;

[0525] The proportion of the PDU set discarded due to transmission failure;

[0526] The proportion of packets with transmission failure;

[0527] The total number of packets with transmission failure; or

[0528] The proportion of the PDU set discarded due to packet loss based on the importance of the PDU set.

[0529] In a possible implementation method, the first information includes a PDU set delay event, and the PDU set delay event indicates that the monitoring object is the PDU set delay; the processing unit 1110 is configured to monitor the PDU set carried by the QoS flow according to the first information, specifically including: being configured to monitor the PDU set delay of the QoS flow according to the first information.

[0530] In a possible implementation method, the first network element is an access network device, and the PDU set delay includes one or more of the following:

[0531] The time taken for the access network device to successfully transmit the PDU set to the terminal device;

[0532] The time taken for the access network device to successfully transmit the PDU set to the terminal device within the PDU set delay budget time; or

[0533] The time taken for the access network device to successfully transmit the PDU set to the terminal device beyond the PDU set delay budget time.

[0534] In a possible implementation method, the first network element is a terminal device, and the PDU set delay includes one or more of the following:

[0535] The time taken for the terminal device to successfully transmit the PDU set to the access network device;

[0536] The time taken for the terminal device to successfully transmit the PDU set to the access network device within the PDU set delay budget time; or

[0537] The time taken for the terminal device to successfully transmit the PDU set to the access network device beyond the PDU set delay budget time.

[0538] In a possible implementation method, the monitoring result includes the PDU set delay, or includes the sum of the PDU set delay and the N3 segment CN PDB.

[0539] In a possible implementation method, the first information includes a PDU set extended delay event, and the PDU set extended delay event indicates that the monitoring object is the PDU set extended delay; the first network element is a user plane network element; the processing unit 1110 is configured to monitor the PDU set carried by the QoS flow according to the first information, specifically including: being configured to monitor the PDU set extended delay of the QoS flow according to the first information.

[0540] In a possible implementation method, the PDU set extended delay includes one or more of the following:

[0541] The time interval between the arrival of the first packet of the PDU set at the user plane network element and the arrival of the last packet at the user plane network element;

[0542] The time interval between the arrival of the first packet of the PDU set at the user plane network element and the departure of the last packet from the user plane network element;

[0543] The time interval between the departure of the first packet of the PDU set from the user plane network element and the departure of the last packet from the user plane network element; or

[0544] The proportion of the target PDU set, where the time interval between the arrival of the first packet of the target PDU set at the user plane network element and the arrival of the last packet at the user plane network element does not exceed a preset threshold.

[0545] In a possible implementation method, the first information includes an enabling status event of PDU set QoS processing, and the enabling status event of PDU set QoS processing indicates that the monitoring object is the enabling status of PDU set QoS processing; the first network element is a session management network element; the processing unit 1110 is configured to monitor the PDU set carried by the QoS flow according to the first information, specifically including: being configured to monitor the enabling status of PDU set QoS processing of the PDU set of the QoS flow according to the first information.

[0546] In a possible implementation method, the processing unit 1110 is configured to monitor the enabling status of PDU set QoS processing of the PDU set of the QoS flow, specifically including: being configured to receive, through the transceiver unit 1120, a capability indication from an access network device, where the capability indication is used to indicate that the access network device has the PDU set QoS processing capability; and monitoring the enabling status of PDU set QoS processing of the PDU set of the QoS flow according to the capability indication.

[0547] In a possible implementation method, the processing unit 1110 is configured to monitor the enabling status of PDU set QoS processing of the PDU set of the QoS flow according to the capability indication, specifically including: being configured to send, according to the capability indication, QoS parameters of the PDU set to the access network device through the transceiver unit 1120, and then determining that the PDU set QoS processing of the QoS flow has been enabled.

[0548] In a possible implementation method, the processing unit 1110 is configured to monitor the enabling status of PDU set QoS processing of the PDU set of the QoS flow, specifically including: being configured to send QoS parameters of the PDU set to an access network device through the transceiver unit 1120; and receiving a capability indication from the access network device, and then determining that the PDU set QoS processing of the QoS flow has been enabled, where the capability indication is used to indicate that the access network device has the PDU set QoS processing capability.

[0549] In a possible implementation method, the first information includes a reporting indication, and the reporting indication is used to indicate reporting the monitoring result of the PDU set to the second network element; the transceiver unit 1120 is configured to send the monitoring result of the PDU set to the second network element, specifically including: being configured to send the monitoring result to the second network element according to the reporting indication.

[0550] When the communication device 1100 is used to implement the functions of the application function network element in the above method embodiments, the processing unit 1110 is configured to control the transceiver unit 1120 to send a subscription request for subscribing to the monitoring results of the PDU set of the service flow; and receive the monitoring results of the PDU set of the service flow.

[0551] In a possible implementation method, the subscription request includes a PDU set loss rate event, and the PDU set loss rate event indicates that the monitoring object is the PDU set loss rate; the processing unit 1110 is configured to control the transceiver unit 1120 to receive the monitoring results of the PDU set of the service flow, specifically including: being configured to control the transceiver unit 1120 to receive the PDU set loss rate of the service flow. In a possible implementation method, the PDU set loss rate comes from an access network device, and the PDU set loss rate includes one or more of the following:

[0552] The proportion of the PDU set that the access network device fails to successfully send to the terminal device;

[0553] The proportion of the PDU set discarded due to packet loss;

[0554] The proportion of the PDU set discarded due to transmission failure;

[0555] The proportion of packets with transmission failure;

[0556] The total number of packets with transmission failure; or

[0557] The proportion of the PDU set discarded due to packet loss based on the importance of the PDU set.

[0558] In a possible implementation method, the PDU set loss rate comes from the terminal device, and the PDU set loss rate includes one or more of the following:

[0559] The proportion of the PDU set that the terminal device fails to successfully send to the access network device;

[0560] The proportion of the PDU set discarded due to transmission failure;

[0561] The proportion of packets with transmission failure;

[0562] The total number of packets with transmission failure; or

[0563] The proportion of the PDU set discarded due to packet loss based on the importance of the PDU set.

[0564] In a possible implementation method, the subscription request includes a PDU set delay event, and the PDU set delay event indicates that the monitoring object is the PDU set delay; the processing unit 1110 is configured to control the transceiver unit 1120 to receive the monitoring result of the PDU set of the service flow, specifically including: being configured to control the transceiver unit 1120 to receive the PDU set delay of the service flow, or the sum of the PDU set delay and the N3 segment CN PDB.

[0565] In a possible implementation method, the monitoring result comes from an access network device, and the PDU set delay includes one or more of the following:

[0566] The time taken for the access network device to successfully transmit the PDU set to the terminal device;

[0567] The time taken for the access network device to successfully transmit the PDU set to the terminal device within the PDU set delay budget time; or

[0568] The time taken for the access network device to successfully transmit the PDU set to the terminal device beyond the PDU set delay budget time.

[0569] In a possible implementation method, the monitoring result comes from a terminal device, and the PDU set delay includes one or more of the following:

[0570] The time taken for the terminal device to successfully transmit the PDU set to the access network device;

[0571] The time taken for the terminal device to successfully transmit the PDU set to the access network device within the PDU set delay budget time; or

[0572] The time taken for the terminal device to successfully transmit the PDU set to the access network device beyond the PDU set delay budget time.

[0573] In a possible implementation method, the subscription request includes a PDU set extended delay event, and the PDU set extended delay event indicates that the monitoring object is the PDU set extended delay; the processing unit 1110 is configured to control the transceiver unit 1120 to receive the monitoring result of the PDU set of the service flow, specifically including: being configured to control the transceiver unit 1120 to receive the PDU set extended delay of the service flow.

[0574] In a possible implementation method, the monitoring result comes from a user plane network element, and the PDU set extended delay includes one or more of the following:

[0575] The time interval between the arrival of the first packet of the PDU set at the user plane network element and the arrival of the last packet at the user plane network element;

[0576] The time interval between the arrival of the first packet of the PDU set at the user plane network element and the departure of the last packet from the user plane network element;

[0577] The time interval between the departure of the first packet of the PDU set from the user plane network element and the departure of the last packet from the user plane network element; or

[0578] The proportion of the target PDU set, where the time interval between the arrival of the first packet of the target PDU set at the user plane network element and the arrival of the last packet at the user plane network element does not exceed a preset threshold.

[0579] In a possible implementation method, the subscription request includes an enabled status event for PDU set QoS processing, and the enabled status event for PDU set QoS processing indicates that the monitoring object is the enabled status of PDU set QoS processing; the processing unit 1110 is configured to control the transceiver unit 1120 to receive the monitoring result of the PDU set of the service flow, specifically including: being configured to control the transceiver unit 1120 to receive the enabled status of PDU set QoS processing of the service flow.

[0580] In a possible implementation method, the subscription request includes a reporting indication, and the reporting indication is used to indicate reporting the monitoring result of the PDU set to a second network element; the processing unit 1110 is configured to control the transceiver unit 1120 to receive the monitoring result of the PDU set of the service flow, specifically including: being configured to control the transceiver unit 1120 to receive the monitoring result from the second network element.

[0581] More detailed descriptions of the above processing unit 1110 and transceiver unit 1120 can be directly obtained from the relevant descriptions in the above method embodiments and will not be elaborated here.

[0582] Figure 12 The shown communication device 1200 includes a processor 1210 and an interface circuit 1220. The processor 1210 and the interface circuit 1220 are coupled to each other. It can be understood that the interface circuit 1220 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication device 1200 may further include a memory 1230, which is used to store instructions executed by the processor 1210 or store input data required for the processor 1210 to run instructions or store data generated after the processor 1210 runs instructions.

[0583] When the communication device 1200 is used to implement the above method embodiments, the processor 1210 is used to implement the functions of the above processing unit 1110, and the interface circuit 1220 is used to implement the functions of the above transceiver unit 1120.

[0584] It can be understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application may be a central processing unit (CPU), or may also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0585] Those of ordinary skill in the art can understand that the various digital numbers such as first and second involved in the present application are only for the convenience of description and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application, nor do they represent the order of precedence. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects and indicates that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. The character " / " generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after. "At least one" means one or more. At least two means two or more. "At least one" or its similar expression refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items (pieces) or plural items (pieces). For example, at least one (piece, type) of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c, a - b, a - c, b - c, or a - b - c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple. "Multiple" means two or more, and other quantifiers are similar.

[0586] It should be understood that in various embodiments of the present application, the magnitudes of the sequence numbers of the above processes do not mean the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation to the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0587] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments and will not be elaborated herein.

[0588] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable devices. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (such as coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (such as infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible by a computer or a data storage device such as a server, data center, etc. that includes one or more available media integrated. The available media can be magnetic media (such as floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (such as DVDs), or semiconductor media (such as solid state disks (SSDs)), etc.

[0589] In the embodiments of the present application, the various illustrative logical units and circuits described can be implemented or operate the described functions through a design of a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination of the above. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor. Optionally, the general-purpose processor can also be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor can also be implemented through a combination of computing devices, such as a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors combined with a digital signal processor core, or any other similar configuration.

[0590] The steps of the methods or algorithms described in the embodiments of the present application may be directly embedded in hardware, software units executed by a processor, or a combination of the two. The software units may be stored in a random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium in the art. Exemplarily, the storage medium may be connected to the processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium may also be integrated into the processor. The processor and the storage medium may be provided in an ASIC.

[0591] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device, so that a series of operation steps are executed on the computer or other programmable device to generate a computer-implemented process, and thus the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable device provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one process or multiple processes of the flowchart and / or one block or multiple blocks of the block diagram.

[0592] In one or more exemplary designs, the above-described functions of the present application can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination of the three. If implemented in software, these functions can be stored on a computer-readable medium or transmitted on a computer-readable medium in the form of one or more instructions or codes. The computer-readable medium includes computer storage media and communication media that facilitate the transfer of a computer program from one place to another. The storage medium can be any available medium accessible by a general or special computer. For example, such a computer-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM, or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store program code in the form of instructions or data structures and other forms readable by a general or special computer, or a general or special processor. In addition, any connection can be appropriately defined as a computer-readable medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote resource via a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wirelessly, such as infrared, wireless, and microwave, it is also included in the defined computer-readable medium. The discs (disk) and disks (disc) include compact discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital versatile discs (DVDs), floppy disks, and Blu-ray discs. Disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs usually reproduce data optically by laser. The above combinations may also be included in the computer-readable medium.

[0593] Those skilled in the art should be able to realize that in one or more of the above examples, the functions described in this application can be implemented by hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, these functions can be stored in a computer-readable medium or transmitted as one or more instructions or codes on a computer-readable medium. A computer-readable medium includes computer storage media and communication media, where the communication media includes any medium that facilitates the transmission of a computer program from one place to another. The storage media can be any available medium accessible by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[0594] The specific embodiments described above further elaborate on the purpose, technical solutions, and beneficial effects of this application. It should be understood that the above description is only the specific embodiments of this application and is not used to limit the protection scope of this application. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made on the basis of the technical solutions of this application should be included in the protection scope of this application. The above description of this application's specification enables those skilled in the art to utilize or implement the content of this application. Any modifications based on the disclosed content should be considered obvious to those skilled in the art. The basic principles described in this application can be applied to other variations without departing from the essence and scope of the invention of this application. Therefore, the content disclosed in this application is not limited to the described embodiments and designs, but can also be extended to the maximum scope consistent with the principles of this application and the newly disclosed features.

[0595] Although this application has been described in conjunction with specific features and their embodiments, it is obvious that various modifications and combinations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Accordingly, this specification and the drawings are merely exemplary illustrations of this application as defined by the appended claims and are considered to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations, or equivalents within the scope of this application. Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to this application without departing from the scope of this application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of this application fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalent technologies, this application is also intended to include these changes and modifications.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, applied to a first network element or a chip of the first network element, the method comprising: receiving first information for monitoring a protocol data unit (PDU) set carried by a quality of service (QoS) flow and reporting a monitoring result of the PDU set; monitoring the PDU set carried by the QoS flow according to the first information; sending the monitoring result of the PDU set to a second network element.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, the first information includes a PDU set loss rate event, and the PDU set loss rate event indicates that the monitoring object is the PDU set loss rate; the monitoring the PDU set carried by the QoS flow according to the first information includes: monitoring the PDU set loss rate of the QoS flow according to the first information.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, the first network element is an access network device, and the PDU set loss rate includes one or more of the following: the proportion of the PDU set that the access network device fails to successfully send to the terminal device; the proportion of the PDU set discarded due to packet loss; the proportion of the PDU set discarded due to transmission failure; the proportion of the packets with transmission failure; the total number of the packets with transmission failure; or the proportion of the PDU set discarded due to packet loss based on the importance of the PDU set.

4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, the first network element is a terminal device, and the PDU set loss rate includes one or more of the following: the proportion of the PDU set that the terminal device fails to successfully send to the access network device; the proportion of the PDU set discarded due to transmission failure; the proportion of the packets with transmission failure; the total number of the packets with transmission failure; or the proportion of the PDU set discarded due to packet loss based on the importance of the PDU set.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, the first information includes a PDU set delay event, and the PDU set delay event indicates that the monitoring object is the PDU set delay; the monitoring the PDU set carried by the QoS flow according to the first information includes: monitoring the PDU set delay of the QoS flow according to the first information.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, the first network element is an access network device, and the PDU set delay includes one or more of the following: the time taken by the access network device to successfully transmit the PDU set to the terminal device; the time taken by the access network device to successfully transmit the PDU set to the terminal device within the PDU set delay budget time; or the time taken by the access network device to successfully transmit the PDU set to the terminal device beyond the PDU set delay budget time.

7. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, the first network element is a terminal device, and the PDU set delay includes one or more of the following: the time taken by the terminal device to successfully transmit the PDU set to the access network device; The time used by the terminal device to successfully transmit the PDU set to the access network device within the PDU set delay budget time; or The time used by the terminal device to successfully transmit the PDU set to the access network device beyond the PDU set delay budget time.

8. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein, The monitoring result includes the PDU set delay, or includes the sum of the PDU set delay and the core network packet data packet delay budget CN PDB of the N3 segment.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The first network element is a user plane network element; the first information includes a PDU set extended delay event, and the PDU set extended delay event indicates that the monitoring object is the PDU set extended delay; The monitoring of the PDU set carried by the QoS flow according to the first information includes: Monitoring the PDU set extended delay of the QoS flow according to the first information.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The PDU set extended delay includes one or more of the following: The time interval between the arrival of the first packet of the PDU set at the user plane network element and the arrival of the last packet at the user plane network element; The time interval between the arrival of the first packet of the PDU set at the user plane network element and the departure of the last packet from the user plane network element; The time interval between the departure of the first packet of the PDU set from the user plane network element and the departure of the last packet from the user plane network element; or The proportion of the target PDU set, wherein the time interval between the arrival of the first packet of the target PDU set at the user plane network element and the arrival of the last packet at the user plane network element does not exceed a preset threshold.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The first network element is a session management network element; the first information includes an enabled state event of PDU set QoS processing, and the enabled state event of PDU set QoS processing indicates that the monitoring object is the enabled state of PDU set QoS processing; The monitoring of the PDU set carried by the QoS flow according to the first information includes: Monitoring the enabled state of PDU set QoS processing of the QoS flow according to the first information.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein, The first information includes a reporting indication, and the reporting indication is used to indicate reporting the monitoring result of the PDU set to the second network element; Sending the monitoring result of the PDU set to the second network element includes: Sending the monitoring result to the second network element according to the reporting indication.

13. A communication method, wherein, includes: Sending a subscription request, where the subscription request is used to subscribe to the monitoring result of the PDU set of the service flow; Receiving the monitoring result of the PDU set of the service flow.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The subscription request includes a PDU set loss rate event, and the PDU set loss rate event indicates that the monitoring object is the PDU set loss rate; Receiving the monitoring result of the PDU set of the service flow includes: Receive the packet loss rate of the PDU set of the service flow.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein, the packet loss rate of the PDU set comes from the access network device, and the packet loss rate of the PDU set includes one or more of the following: the proportion of the PDU set that the access network device fails to successfully send to the terminal device; the proportion of the PDU set discarded due to packet loss; the proportion of the PDU set discarded due to transmission failure; the proportion of packets with transmission failure; the total number of packets with transmission failure; or the proportion of the PDU set discarded due to packet loss based on the importance of the PDU set.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein, the packet loss rate of the PDU set comes from the terminal device, and the packet loss rate of the PDU set includes one or more of the following: the proportion of the PDU set that the terminal device fails to successfully send to the access network device; the proportion of the PDU set discarded due to transmission failure; the proportion of packets with transmission failure; the total number of packets with transmission failure; or the proportion of the PDU set discarded due to packet loss based on the importance of the PDU set.

17. The method according to claim 13, wherein, the subscription request includes a PDU set delay event, and the PDU set delay event indicates that the monitoring object is the PDU set delay; the monitoring result of receiving the PDU set of the service flow includes: receiving the PDU set delay of the service flow, or the sum of the PDU set delay and the core network packet delay budget CN PDB of the N3 segment.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein, the monitoring result comes from the access network device, and the PDU set delay includes one or more of the following: the time taken by the access network device to successfully transmit the PDU set to the terminal device; the time taken by the access network device to successfully transmit the PDU set to the terminal device within the PDU set delay budget time; or the time taken by the access network device to successfully transmit the PDU set to the terminal device beyond the PDU set delay budget time.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein, the monitoring result comes from the terminal device, and the PDU set delay includes one or more of the following: the time taken by the terminal device to successfully transmit the PDU set to the access network device; the time taken by the terminal device to successfully transmit the PDU set to the access network device within the PDU set delay budget time; or the time taken by the terminal device to successfully transmit the PDU set to the access network device beyond the PDU set delay budget time.

20. The method according to claim 13, wherein, the subscription request includes a PDU set extended delay event, and the PDU set extended delay event indicates that the monitoring object is the PDU set extended delay; the monitoring result of receiving the PDU set of the service flow includes: receiving the PDU set extended delay of the service flow.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein, The monitoring result comes from a user plane network element, and the PDU set extended delay includes one or more of the following: The time interval between the arrival of the first packet of the PDU set at the user plane network element and the arrival of the last packet at the user plane network element; The time interval between the arrival of the first packet of the PDU set at the user plane network element and the departure of the last packet from the user plane network element; The time interval between the departure of the first packet of the PDU set from the user plane network element and the departure of the last packet from the user plane network element; Or The proportion of the target PDU set, where the time interval between the arrival of the first packet of the target PDU set at the user plane network element and the arrival of the last packet at the user plane network element does not exceed a preset threshold.

22. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The subscription request includes an enabled status event for PDU set QoS processing, and the enabled status event for PDU set QoS processing indicates that the monitoring object is the enabled status of PDU set QoS processing; The receiving the monitoring result of the PDU set of the service flow includes: Receiving the enabled status of PDU set QoS processing of the service flow.

23. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 22, wherein, The subscription request includes a reporting indication, and the reporting indication is used to indicate reporting the monitoring result of the PDU set to a second network element; The receiving the monitoring result of the PDU set of the service flow includes: Receiving the monitoring result from the second network element.

24. A communication device, wherein, It includes a module for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, or for executing the method according to any one of claims 13 to 23.

25. A communication device, wherein, It includes a processor and an interface circuit, and the processor is used to communicate with other devices through the interface circuit and execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, or execute the method according to any one of claims 13 to 23.

26. A computer program product, wherein, The computer program product includes instructions, and when the instructions run on a communication device, the communication device is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, or execute the method according to any one of claims 13 to 23.

27. A computer-readable storage medium, wherein, The storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, and when the computer program or instructions are executed by a communication device, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12 is implemented, or the method according to any one of claims 13 to 23 is implemented.

28. A communication system, wherein, It includes: A first network element for receiving first information, where the first information is used to monitor the protocol data unit PDU set of a first quality of service QoS flow and report the monitoring result of the PDU set; Monitoring the PDU set carried by the QoS flow according to the first information; Sending the monitoring result of the PDU set to a second network element; The second network element for receiving the monitoring result.

29. A communication system, wherein, It includes: An application function network element, configured to send a subscription request to a policy control network element, where the subscription request is used to subscribe to the monitoring result of a PDU set of a service flow; and receive the monitoring result of the PDU set of the service flow from the policy control network element; The policy control network element is configured to receive the subscription request; and send the monitoring result to the application function network element.

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