Information processing method, communication device, communication system, storage medium, and program product

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides an information processing method, communication equipment, a communication system, a storage medium and a program product. The method is executed by a network device, and comprises: sending a first MAC CE to a terminal, the first MAC CE comprising first information, the first information being used for indicating a first bit rate recommended by the network device, the first bit rate being a bit rate for at least one first QoS flow. According to the technical scheme provided by the embodiment of the invention, the first bit rate issued by the network equipment is refined to the QoS granularity, so that the rate adjustment of the QoS flow granularity can be realized, and the accuracy of the rate adjustment is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to an information processing method, a communication device, a communication system, a storage medium, and a program product. Background Art

[0002] In a communication network, network congestion is an important factor affecting network performance. Congestion control has always been an important means to ensure the quality of network services.

[0003] Currently, when network congestion occurs, a network device sends a Media Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) to a terminal as a congestion indication message, so that the terminal can adjust its rate to reduce the impact on network transmission performance. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an information processing method, a communication device, a communication system, a storage medium, and a program product.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, an information processing method is provided, which is executed by a network device and includes: sending a first MAC CE to a terminal, where the first MAC CE includes first information for indicating a first bit rate recommended by the network device, and the first bit rate is a bit rate for at least one first Quality of Service (QoS) flow.

[0006] According to a second aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, an information processing method is provided, which is executed by a terminal and includes: receiving a first MAC CE sent by a network device, where the first MAC CE includes first information for indicating a first bit rate recommended by the network device, and the first bit rate is a bit rate for at least one first Quality of Service QoS flow.

[0007] According to a third aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, an information processing method is provided, which is executed by a communication system and includes: a network device sending a first Media Access Control MAC Control Element CE to a terminal, where the first MAC CE includes first information for indicating a first bit rate recommended by the network device, and the first bit rate is a bit rate for at least one first Quality of Service QoS flow.

[0008] According to a fourth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided, where the communication device is configured to execute the information processing method provided in the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0009] According to a fifth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided. The communication system includes a terminal and a network device. The network device is configured to implement the information processing method provided in the first aspect, and the terminal is configured to implement the information processing method provided in the second aspect.

[0010] According to a sixth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided. The storage medium stores instructions that, when run on a communication device, cause the communication device to execute the information processing method provided in the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0011] According to a seventh aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a program product is provided. When the program product is executed by a communication device, it causes the communication device to execute the information processing method provided in the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0012] In the technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, the network device sends a first MAC CE to the terminal to indicate, through the first MAC CE, the first bit rate recommended by the network device to the terminal. The first bit rate may be the bit rate recommended by the network device for at least one first QoS flow, thereby refining the first bit rate sent by the network device to the QoS granularity. In this way, the rate adjustment at the QoS flow granularity can be achieved, and the accuracy of the rate adjustment can be improved.

[0013] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are only exemplary and explanatory, and cannot limit the embodiments of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The drawings herein are incorporated into the specification and form a part of the specification, showing embodiments consistent with the present invention and used together with the specification to explain the principles of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system shown according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0016] Figure 1B is an interaction schematic diagram of bit rate recommendation between a terminal and a network device shown according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0017] Figure 1C is a schematic diagram of the format of a MAC CE shown according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0018] Figure 2A is an interaction schematic diagram one of an information processing method shown according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0019] Figure 2B is an interaction schematic diagram two of an information processing method shown according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0020] Figure 3 is an interaction diagram of an information processing method shown according to an exemplary embodiment Figure 3 ;

[0021] Figure 4A is a schematic structural diagram of a network device shown according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0022] Figure 4B is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal shown according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0023] Figure 5A is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device shown according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0024] Figure 5B is a schematic structural diagram of a chip shown according to an exemplary embodiment. Detailed implementation manners

[0025] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an information processing method, a communication device, a communication system, a storage medium, and a program product.

[0026] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide an information processing method, which is executed by a network device and includes: sending a first MAC CE to a terminal, where the first MAC CE includes first information for indicating a first bit rate recommended by the network device, and the first bit rate is a bit rate for at least one first QoS flow.

[0027] In the above embodiment, the network device sends a first MAC CE to the terminal to indicate, through the first MAC CE, the first bit rate recommended by the network device. The first bit rate may be a bit rate recommended by the network device for at least one first QoS flow, so as to refine the first bit rate sent by the network device to the QoS granularity. In this way, rate adjustment at the QoS flow granularity can be achieved, and the accuracy of rate adjustment can be improved.

[0028] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first MAC CE is further used to indicate a first QoS flow, and the granularity of the first MAC CE is the QoS flow granularity.

[0029] In the above embodiment, the first MAC CE sent by the network device may be a MAC CE with the QoS flow granularity. Thus, the network device uses the first MAC CE to indicate the first bit rate with the QoS flow granularity and the first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate. In this way, rate adjustment at the QoS flow granularity can be achieved, and the accuracy of rate adjustment can be improved.

[0030] In some embodiments in combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further includes: determining that the granularity of the first MAC CE is the data radio bearer (DRB) granularity; sending a first radio resource control (RRC) message to a terminal, the first RRC message including second information for indicating at least one first QoS flow, and the at least one first QoS flow is carried in the same DRB.

[0031] In the above embodiments, when the first MAC CE sent by the network device is of DRB granularity, the network device can send a first RRC message to indicate the first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate indicated by the first MAC CE by using the first RRC message. Thus, the network device can, in the case where the MAC CE maintains the DRB granularity, refine the first bit rate sent by the network device to the QoS granularity by combining the MAC CE and the RRC message. In this way, the rate adjustment of the QoS flow granularity can be achieved, and the accuracy of the rate adjustment can be improved.

[0032] In some embodiments in combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the granularity of the first MAC CE is determined according to protocol conventions, or the granularity of the first MAC CE is determined by the network device.

[0033] In the above embodiments, the network device can determine the granularity of the first MAC CE in the above two ways, and thus determine the sending manner of the first bit rate indicated in the first MAC CE based on the granularity of the first MAC CE.

[0034] In some embodiments in combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: the RRC layer of the network device sending third information to the MAC layer of the network device, the third information being used to indicate at least one first QoS flow, and the granularity of the first MAC CE being the DRB granularity.

[0035] In the above embodiments, when the granularity of the first MAC CE is the DRB granularity, the RRC layer can send the third information to the MAC layer to indicate at least one first QoS flow by using the third information, so that the MAC layer can perform network congestion assessment on the at least one first QoS flow, and thus determine the first bit rate for the at least one first QoS flow.

[0036] In some embodiments in combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, before the RRC layer sends the third information to the MAC layer, the method further includes: the MAC layer sending fourth information to the RRC layer, the fourth information being used for the RRC layer to determine at least one first QoS flow.

[0037] In the above embodiments, the MAC layer may send fourth information to the RRC layer, which is beneficial for the RRC layer to determine, based on the fourth information, at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate indicated by the first MAC CE.

[0038] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the fourth information includes one of the following: first indication information for indicating at least one second QoS flow, where the first QoS flow is determined by the RRC layer from the at least one second QoS flow; second indication information for indicating at least one first QoS flow, where the at least one first QoS flow is determined by the MAC layer.

[0039] In the above embodiments, the RRC layer may select at least one first QoS flow from the at least one second QoS flow indicated by the first indication information based on the first indication information sent by the MAC layer, or the RRC layer may learn about the at least one first QoS flow determined by the MAC layer based on the second indication information sent by the MAC layer, so that the RRC layer can inform the terminal of at least the first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate through the RC message, thereby realizing the refinement of the first bit rate sent by the network device to the QoS granularity.

[0040] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the third information is transmitted based on the control plane F1-C interface of F1; and / or, the fourth information is transmitted based on the F1-C interface; where the network device includes the control plane (CU Control Plane, CU-CP) of the Central Unit (CU) and the Distributed Unit (DU), the RRC layer is configured in the CU-CP, and the MAC layer is configured in the DU.

[0041] In the above embodiments, in the case where the network device adopts a CU-DU separation architecture, the RRC layer may be configured in the CU-CP, and the MAC layer may be configured in the DU-UP. In this case, the communication interaction between the RRC layer and the MAC layer can be realized through the communication interface F1-C interface between the CU-CP and the DU-UP to determine the way of sending the first bit rate, and the refinement of the first bit rate sent by the network device to the QoS flow granularity can be realized.

[0042] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first MAC CE may further include one of the following: first identification information for identifying the first DRB; second identification information for identifying the first QoS flow, where the first QoS flow is carried in the first DRB; the first DRB is associated with the MAC layer of the network device that sends the first MAC CE.

[0043] In the above embodiments, the first MAC CE may include first identification information and second identification information. The first identification information may identify a first DRB, and the second identification information may be used to identify a first QoS flow. In this way, by using the first identification information or the second identification information in the first MAC CE, on the one hand, it is beneficial for the terminal to determine the first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate indicated by the first MAC CE or the first DRB where the first QoS flow is located. On the other hand, the distribution of the first MAC CE for different first QoS flows or different first DRBs can be performed by the network device where the MAC layer associated with the first DRB is allocated, thus facilitating the management by the network device.

[0044] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first DRB includes one of the following: a master cell group (MCG) bearer; a secondary cell group (SCG) bearer.

[0045] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first DRB includes an MCG bearer, and the first MAC CE is sent by a master node (MN); or, the first DRB includes an SCG bearer, and the first MAC CE is sent by a secondary node (SN).

[0046] In the above embodiments, in the scenario of dual connectivity, if the bearer type of the first DRB to which at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate belongs is an MCG bearer, the MN sends the first MAC CE to the terminal. If the bearer type of the first DRB to which at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate belongs is an SCG bearer, the SN sends the first MAC CE to the terminal. In this way, the usage scenario of the solution is extended to the dual connectivity scenario, so that the distribution granularity of the first bit rate distributed by the network device in the dual connectivity scenario can also be refined to the QoS flow granularity.

[0047] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving fifth information sent by the terminal, where the fifth information includes one of the following: third indication information, used to indicate at least one third QoS flow, and the fifth information is used to indicate that the terminal expects the network device to determine the bit rate for at least one third QoS flow; fourth indication information, used to indicate at least one second DRB, and the fifth information is used to indicate that the terminal expects the network device to determine the bit rate for at least one second DRB.

[0048] In the above embodiments, the network device may receive the fifth information sent by the terminal, and based on the different information contents of the fifth information, learn the QoS flow or DRB for which the terminal expects the first bit rate of the first MAC CE, so that the network device can consider the terminal's requirements when determining the first bit rate.

[0049] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: sending sixth information to the terminal, where the sixth information is used to configure a first timer, and the first timer is used to prohibit the terminal from sending the fifth information during the running period of the first timer.

[0050] In the above embodiments, the network device may send the sixth information to the terminal to configure the first timer for the terminal through the sixth information, so that the terminal stops sending the fifth information to the network device during the running period of the first timer, reducing the situation where the terminal frequently sends the fifth information and reducing the waste of communication resources.

[0051] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first timer includes one of the following: a timer configured for each QoS flow; a timer configured for each DRB.

[0052] In the above embodiments, the first timer configured by the network device may be of DRB granularity or QoS flow granularity, so that by configuring the first timer with different granularities for the terminal, different restrictions can be imposed on the sending frequency of the fifth information with different granularities.

[0053] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the fifth information is sent through a signaling radio bearer (SRB).

[0054] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, receiving the fifth information sent by the terminal includes one of the following: receiving the fifth information sent by the terminal through SRB3, where the network device is the SN and the SN is configured with SRB3; receiving the fifth information sent by the MN, where the fifth information is sent by the terminal to the MN through SRB1, and the network device is the SN and the SN is not configured with SRB3.

[0055] In the above embodiments, whether the SN is configured with SRB3 or not, the SN can receive the fifth information sent by the terminal, so that the SN can determine at least one third QoS flow or second DRB expected by the terminal based on the fifth information, so as to facilitate the SN to recommend the bit rate for at least one third QoS flow or second DRB, thereby enabling the SN to share the load of the MN and being beneficial to achieving load balancing between the SN and the MN.

[0056] In some embodiments in combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving a second MAC CE sent by a terminal, where the second MAC CE includes seventh information, and the seventh information is used to indicate a first bit rate requested by the terminal.

[0057] In the above embodiments, the network device may receive the second MAC CE sent by the terminal to obtain the first bit rate requested by the terminal according to the second MAC CE. The first bit rate may be the bit rate for at least one first QoS flow, so as to refine the first bit rate requested by the terminal to the QoS granularity.

[0058] In some embodiments in combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, the second MAC CE is further used to indicate a first QoS flow, and the granularity of the second MAC CE is the QoS flow granularity.

[0059] In the above embodiments, the second MAC CE received by the network device from the terminal may be a MAC CE with the QoS flow granularity. Thus, the network device may obtain the first bit rate with the QoS flow granularity requested by the terminal and the first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate according to the second MAC CE, so as to implement the rate adjustment with the QoS flow granularity.

[0060] In some embodiments in combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving a second RRC message sent by the terminal, where the second RRC message includes eighth information, and the eighth information is used to indicate at least one first QoS flow, and the at least one first QoS flow is carried in the same DRB.

[0061] In the above embodiments, when the second MAC CE received by the network device from the terminal is of the DRB granularity, the network device may further receive the second RRC message sent by the terminal and determine the first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate indicated by the second MAC CE according to the second RRC message. Thus, the terminal may, by combining the MAC CE and the RRC message, refine the first bit rate requested by the terminal to the QoS granularity while keeping the MAC CE at the DRB granularity.

[0062] In a second aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide an information processing method, which is executed by a network device and includes: receiving a first MAC CE sent by the network device, where the first MAC CE includes first information, and the first information is used to indicate a first bit rate recommended by the network device, and the first bit rate is the bit rate for at least one first Quality of Service (QoS) flow.

[0063] In the above embodiments, the terminal may receive a first MAC CE sent by a network device, and obtain, based on the first MAC CE, a first bitrate recommended by the network. The first bitrate may be a bitrate recommended by the network device for at least one first QoS flow, so as to refine the first bitrate sent by the network device to the QoS granularity. In this way, rate adjustment at the QoS flow granularity can be achieved, improving the accuracy of rate adjustment.

[0064] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first MAC CE is further used to indicate a first QoS flow, and the granularity of the first MAC CE is the QoS flow granularity.

[0065] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving a first RRC message sent by a network device, where the first RRC message includes second information, and the second information is used to indicate at least one first QoS flow, and the at least one first QoS flow is carried on the same DRB; the granularity of the first MAC CE is the data radio bearer DRB granularity.

[0066] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the granularity of the first MAC CE is determined according to protocol conventions, or the granularity of the first MAC CE is determined by the network device.

[0067] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first MAC CE further includes one of the following: first identification information for identifying a first DRB; second identification information for identifying a first QoS flow carried on the first DRB; the first DRB is associated with the MAC layer of the network device that sends the first MAC CE.

[0068] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first DRB includes one of the following: a master cell group MCG bearer; a secondary cell group SCG bearer.

[0069] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first DRB includes an MCG bearer, and the first MAC CE is sent by a master node MN; or the first DRB includes an SCG bearer, and the first MAC CE is sent by a secondary node SN.

[0070] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: sending fifth information to the network device, where the fifth information includes one of the following: third indication information for indicating at least one third QoS flow, and the fifth information is used to indicate that the terminal expects the network device to determine the bitrate for at least one third QoS flow; fourth indication information for indicating at least one second DRB, and the fifth information is used to indicate that the terminal expects the network device to determine the bitrate for at least one second DRB.

[0071] In some embodiments in combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, the method further includes: receiving sixth information sent by a network device, where the sixth information is used to configure a first timer, and the first timer is used to prohibit the terminal from sending fifth information during the running of the first timer.

[0072] In some embodiments in combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, the first timer includes one of the following: a timer configured for each QoS flow; a timer configured for each DRB.

[0073] In some embodiments in combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, the fifth information is sent through a signaling radio bearer SRB.

[0074] In some embodiments in combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, the fifth information is sent by the terminal to the SN through SRB3, the network device is the SN, and the SN is configured with SRB3; or, the fifth information is sent by the terminal to the MN through SRB1 and forwarded by the MN to the SN, the network device is the SN, and the SN is not configured with SRB3.

[0075] In some embodiments in combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, the method further includes: sending a second MAC CE to the network device, where the second MAC CE includes seventh information, and the seventh information is used to indicate the first bit rate requested by the terminal.

[0076] In some embodiments in combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, the second MAC CE is further used to indicate a first QoS flow, and the granularity of the second MAC CE is the QoS flow granularity.

[0077] In some embodiments in combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, the method further includes: determining that the granularity of the second MAC CE is the DRB granularity; sending a second RRC message to the network device, where the second RRC message includes eighth information, and the eighth information is used to indicate at least one first QoS flow, and at least one first QoS flow is carried in the same DRB.

[0078] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an information processing method, which is executed by a communication system, and the method includes: a network device sending a first media access control MAC control element CE to a terminal, where the first MAC CE includes first information, and the first information is used to indicate a first bit rate recommended by the network device, and the first bit rate is the bit rate for at least one first quality of service QoS flow.

[0079] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device, where the communication device is used to execute the information processing method provided in the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0080] Fifth aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication system. The communication system includes a terminal and a network device. The network device is configured to implement the information processing method provided in the first aspect, and the terminal is configured to implement the information processing method provided in the second aspect.

[0081] Sixth aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a storage medium. The storage medium stores instructions that, when run on a communication device, cause the communication device to execute the information processing method provided in the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0082] Seventh aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a program product. When the program product is executed by a communication device, it causes the communication device to execute the information processing method provided in the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0083] Eighth aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a computer program. When it runs on a computer, it causes the computer to execute the information processing method described in the optional implementation manners provided in the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0084] It can be understood that the above communication device, communication system, storage medium, program product, etc. are all used to execute the method proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can refer to the beneficial effects in the corresponding method, which will not be elaborated here.

[0085] Embodiments of the present disclosure propose an information processing method, a communication device, a communication system, a storage medium, and a program product. In some embodiments, terms such as information processing method, communication method, and information indication method can be used interchangeably.

[0086] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive, but only schematic of some embodiments, and do not constitute a specific limitation on the protection scope of the present disclosure. Without contradiction, each step in an embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be combined arbitrarily. For example, the solution after removing some steps in an embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in an embodiment can be arbitrarily exchanged. In addition, the optional implementation manners in an embodiment can be combined arbitrarily; furthermore, the embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. For example, some or all of the steps of different embodiments can be combined arbitrarily, and an embodiment can be combined arbitrarily with the optional implementation manners of other embodiments. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, if there is no special description and logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced to each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

[0087] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, and are not intended as a limitation on the present disclosure.

[0088] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, elements expressed in the singular form, such as "a", "an", "the", "above", "said", "aforementioned", "this", etc., may mean "one and only one", or may also mean "one or more", "at least one", etc. For example, in the case of using articles such as "a", "an", "the" in English translation, the noun after the article can be understood as a singular expression form or a plural expression form.

[0089] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0090] In some embodiments, terms such as "at least one of A or B, at least one of A and B", "one or more", "a plurality of", "multiple", etc. may be used interchangeably.

[0091] In some embodiments, notations such as "at least one of A and B", "A and / or B", "A in one case, B in another case", "in response to a case A, in response to another case B", etc. may include the following technical solutions according to the situation: In some embodiments, A (executing A regardless of whether there is a B branch); In some embodiments, B (executing B regardless of whether there is an A branch); In some embodiments, select to execute from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); In some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are executed). The same is true when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0092] In some embodiments, notations such as "A or B" may include the following technical solutions according to the situation: In some embodiments, A (executing A regardless of whether there is a B branch); In some embodiments, B (executing B regardless of whether there is an A branch); In some embodiments, select to execute from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The same is true when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0093] The prefix words such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only used to distinguish different described objects, and do not impose restrictions on the position, order, priority, quantity, content, etc. of the described objects. For the description of the described objects, refer to the description in the claims or the context of the embodiments. There should be no redundant restrictions due to the use of prefix words. For example, if the described object is "field", the ordinal numbers before "field" in "first field" and "second field" do not limit the position or order between the "fields", and "first" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they limit the order of "first field" and "second field". Another example, if the described object is "level", the ordinal numbers before "level" in "first level" and "second level" do not limit the priority between the "levels". Another example, the quantity of the described object is not restricted by the ordinal number and can be one or more. Taking "first device" as an example, the quantity of "device" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefix words can be the same or different. For example, if the described object is "device", "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different; another example, if the described object is "information", "first information" and "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their content can be the same or different.

[0094] In some embodiments, "including A", "containing A", "used to indicate A", "carrying A" can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0095] In some embodiments, terms such as "time / frequency" and "time-frequency domain" refer to the time domain and / or the frequency domain.

[0096] In some embodiments, terms such as "in response to...", "in response to determining...", "in the case of...", "when...", "while...", "if...", "if...", etc. can be replaced with each other. These descriptions all refer to the situation where the device will perform corresponding processing under certain objective circumstances, not necessarily limited to time, and do not require the device to have a judgment action when implemented, nor does it mean that there must be other limitations.

[0097] In some embodiments, terms such as "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than", "more than or equal to", "not less than", "higher than", "higher than or equal to", "not lower than", "above", etc. can be replaced with each other, and terms such as "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "less than", "less than or equal to", "not more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", "below", etc. can be replaced with each other.

[0098] In some embodiments, a device, etc. can be interpreted as either physical or virtual, and its name is not limited to the names described in the embodiments. Terms such as "device", "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "network function", "network device", "function", "node", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", "subject", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0099] In some embodiments, a "network" can be interpreted as the devices included in the network (e.g., access network devices, core network devices, etc.).

[0100] In some embodiments, terms such as "access network device (AN device)", "radio access network device (RAN device)", "base station (BS)", "radio base station", "fixed station", "node", "access point", "transmission point (TP)", "reception point (RP)", "transmission / reception point (TRP)", "panel", "antenna panel", "antenna array", "cell", "macro cell", "small cell", "femto cell", "pico cell", "sector", "cell group", "serving cell", "carrier", "component carrier", "bandwidth part (BWP)", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0101] In some embodiments, terms such as "terminal", "terminal device", "user equipment (UE)", "user terminal", "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, etc. may be used interchangeably.

[0102] In some embodiments, an access network device, a core network device, or a network device may be replaced by a terminal. For example, for a structure in which communication between an access network device, a core network device, or a network device and a terminal is replaced with communication between multiple terminals (e.g., device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), etc.), the embodiments of the present disclosure may also be applied. In this case, it may also be configured that the terminal has all or part of the functions of the access network device. In addition, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" may also be replaced with terms corresponding to communication between terminals (e.g., "side"). For example, an uplink channel, a downlink channel, etc. may be replaced with a side channel, and an uplink, a downlink, etc. may be replaced with a side link.

[0103] In some embodiments, a terminal may be replaced by an access network device, a core network device, or a network device. In this case, it may also be configured that the access network device, the core network device, or the network device has all or part of the functions of the terminal.

[0104] In some embodiments, obtaining data, information, etc. may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where it is located.

[0105] In some embodiments, data, information, etc. may be obtained after obtaining the consent of the user.

[0106] In addition, each element, each row, or each column in the table of the embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and any combination of any element, any row, or any column may also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0107] Figure 1A It is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system shown according to an exemplary embodiment. As Figure 1A shown, the communication system 100 includes a terminal 101 and a network device 102. In some embodiments, the network device 102 may include at least one of an access network device and a core network device.

[0108] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 includes, for example, at least one of a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things device, an automobile with communication function, a smart automobile, a tablet computer (Pad), a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, and a wireless terminal device in a smart home, but is not limited thereto.

[0109] In some embodiments, an access network device is, for example, a node or device that connects a terminal to a wireless network. The access network device may include an evolved NodeB (eNB) in a 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), a next generation eNB (ng-eNB), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a NodeB (NB), a home NodeB (HNB), a home evolved NodeB (HeNB), a wireless backhaul device, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a base band unit (BBU), a mobile switching center, a base station in a 6th generation mobile communication system (6G), an open radio access network (open RAN), a cloud radio access network (cloud RAN), a base station in other communication systems, or at least one access node in a Wi-Fi system, but is not limited thereto.

[0110] In some embodiments, the technical solution of the present disclosure is applicable to an open RAN architecture. At this time, the interfaces between or within the access network devices involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may become the internal interfaces of the open RAN, and the processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented through software or programs.

[0111] In some embodiments, an access network device may be composed of a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). Among them, the CU may also be referred to as a control unit. The CU-DU structure can split the protocol layer of the access network device. The functions of some protocol layers are centrally controlled by the CU, and the functions of the remaining part or all protocol layers are distributed in the DU. The DU is centrally controlled by the CU, but is not limited thereto.

[0112] In some embodiments, the CU may include a control plane (CP) and a user plane (UP).

[0113] In some embodiments, the CP of the CU (CU-CP) and the UP of the CU (CU-UP) can be on different physical devices. Alternatively, the CU-CP and the CU-UP can be on the same physical device.

[0114] In some embodiments, a CU can include one CU-CP and one or more CU-UPS. The CU-CP and the CU-UP are connected through an E1 interface; the CU-CP and the DU are connected through an F1-C interface; the CU-UP and the DU are connected through an F1-U interface.

[0115] In some embodiments, the core network device can be a single device including one or more network functions, etc., or multiple devices or a group of devices, each including all or part of one or more network functions, etc. The network functions can be virtual or physical. The core network includes, for example, at least one of an evolved packet core (EPC), a 5G core network (5GCN), a 6G core network (6GCN), and a next generation core (NGC).

[0116] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiments of the present disclosure is for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure. Those of ordinary skill in the art know that with the evolution of the system architecture and the emergence of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure are equally applicable to similar technical problems.

[0117] The following embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to Figure 1A the communication system 100 shown, or a part of the main body, but not limited thereto. Figure 1A Each main body shown is an illustration. The communication system can include Figure 1A all or part of the main bodies, or can also include Figure 1A other main bodies outside. The number and form of each main body are arbitrary. The connection relationship between each main body is an illustration. Each main body can be not connected or connected, and its connection can be in any way, either directly connected or indirectly connected, either wired or wirelessly connected.

[0118] Embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5G, 5G New Radio (NR), 6G, Future Radio Access (FRA), New Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR), New Radio Access (NX), Future Generation Radio Access (FX), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Bluetooth (Bluetooth (registered trademark)), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) network, Device-to-Device (D2D) system, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) system, Internet of Things (IoT) system, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), systems using other information processing methods, next-generation systems extended based on them, etc. In addition, multiple systems can be combined (for example, a combination of LTE or LTE-A and 5G, etc.) and applied.

[0119] In some embodiments, the terminal sends a request for the base station to recommend a bit rate to the base station. In one example, as Figure 1B shown, Figure 1BIt is an interaction schematic diagram of bit rate recommendation between a terminal and a network device shown according to an exemplary embodiment. The terminal sends a MAC CE to the base station, and the MAC CE includes a recommended bit rate query message. The terminal will receive a MAC CE carrying the recommended bit rate from the base station, so as to facilitate the terminal to adjust the coding rate of the codec when the network is congested.

[0120] In some embodiments, as Figure 1C shown, Figure 1C It is a format schematic diagram of a MAC CE shown according to an exemplary embodiment. The above MAC CE may include: an LCID field, an uplink (UL) / downlink (DL) field, a bit rate field, an X field, and an R field.

[0121] In some embodiments, the LCID field is used to indicate the identifier of the logical channel applicable to the recommended bit rate information or the recommended bit rate inquiry information; the length of the LCID field is 6 bits.

[0122] In some embodiments, the UL / DL field is used to indicate whether the recommended bit rate information or the recommended bit rate query information is applicable to the uplink or the downlink. The length of the UL / DL field is 1 bit. A bit value of 0 in the UL / DL field may indicate that the recommended bit rate information or the recommended bit rate query information is applicable to the downlink, and a bit value of 1 in the UL / DL field may indicate that the recommended bit rate information or the recommended bit rate query information is applicable to the uplink.

[0123] In some embodiments, the bit rate field may indicate the recommended bit rate information or the recommended bit rate query information. The length of the bit rate field is 6 bits. In one embodiment, when the MAC CE contains the recommended bit rate information, the bit rate field is used to indicate the recommended bit rate value. In one embodiment, when the MAC CE contains the recommended bit rate query information, the bit rate field is used to indicate the recommended bit rate value requested by the terminal. In one embodiment, the recommended bit rate value may come from a set of bit rate values associated with the MAC CE (such as the second set), as shown in Table 1 below, where the set of bit rate values includes 56 bit rate values. In one embodiment, each bit rate value in the set of bit rate values is associated with an index. Based on this, the recommended bit rate value can be indicated by the index included in the bit rate field.

[0124]

[0125] Table 1

[0126] In some embodiments, for the X field, i.e., the Bit Rate multiplier field, for a terminal that supports the recommended bit rate multiplier parameter, when the logical channel configuration indicated by the LCID field indicates the bit rate multiplier parameter, the bit value of the X field is 1, which is used to indicate that the actual value of the recommended bit rate is the recommended bit rate value corresponding to the index indicated by the bit rate field multiplied by the bit rate multiplier parameter; the bit value of the X field is 0, which is used to indicate that the actual value of the recommended bit rate is the recommended bit rate value corresponding to the index indicated by the bit rate field.

[0127] In some embodiments, for the R field, i.e., the reserved field, the bit value of the R field is set to 0.

[0128] In one embodiment, the MAC CE in the above format can also be used by the terminal to request the recommended bit rate for the uplink or downlink from the network device.

[0129] In some embodiments, the evaluation granularity of the network device when evaluating network congestion can be the data radio bearer (DRB) per DRB granularity or the quality of service (QoS) flow per QoS flow granularity, but the granularity of the network device for distributing the recommended bit rate has not been defined yet.

[0130] In some embodiments, the recommended bit rate distributed by the network device can be at the DRB granularity.

[0131] In some embodiments, the recommended bit rate distributed by the network device can be at the QoS flow granularity.

[0132] In some embodiments, for the recommended bit rate at the QoS flow granularity, the network device can use the first method or the second method to indicate the recommended bit rate.

[0133] In some embodiments, the first method can be that the network device uses the MAC CE at the QoS flow granularity to indicate the recommended bit rate. In one embodiment, the network device can send a MAC CE to the terminal, and the granularity of the MAC CE can be at the QoS flow granularity, and the MAC CE can be used to indicate the recommended bit rate for a certain QoS flow.

[0134] In some embodiments, the second method may be that the network device uses MAC CE and RRC messages with DRB granularity to indicate the recommended bit rate. In one embodiment, the network device may send a MAC CE to the terminal. The granularity of the MAC CE may be at the DRB granularity. The MAC CE may be used to indicate the recommended bit rate. The network device may also send an RRC message to the terminal, and use this RRC message to indicate that the recommended bit rate indicated by the MAC CE is the recommended bit rate for a certain QoS flow.

[0135] Regarding the above indication method for the network device to indicate the recommended bit rate to the terminal, no solution has been found on how the RRC layer should indicate it. Moreover, for the CU-DU separation architecture, no solution has been found on how to implement the above indication method.

[0136] Therefore, embodiments of the present disclosure propose an information processing method, a communication device, a communication system, a storage medium, and a program product, which realize refining the granularity of the recommended bit rate to the QoS flow granularity, so that the rate adjustment at the QoS flow granularity can be achieved.

[0137] Figure 2A It is a first interaction schematic diagram of an information processing method shown according to an exemplary embodiment. As Figure 2A shown, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an information processing method for a communication system 100. The method includes steps S2101 to S2105.

[0138] In step S2101, the terminal sends fifth information to the network device.

[0139] In some embodiments, the terminal may send the fifth information to other entities, and the other entities forward the fifth information to the network device. In one example, when the network device may be an SN, the terminal may send the fifth information to the MN, and the MN forwards the fifth information to the SN. In one example, when the network device may be an MN, the terminal may send the fifth information to the SN, and the SN forwards the fifth information to the MN.

[0140] In some embodiments, the network device receives the fifth information sent by the terminal, but is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the network device may receive the fifth information from the terminal forwarded by other entities. In one example, when the network device may be an SN, the SN may receive the fifth information from the terminal forwarded by the MN. In one example, when the network device may be an MN, the MN may receive the fifth information from the terminal forwarded by the SN.

[0141] In some embodiments, the fifth information may be sent through the SRB.

[0142] In one embodiment, when the network device is an MN, the terminal may send the fifth information to the MN via SRB1.

[0143] In one embodiment, when the network device is an SN and the SN is configured with SRB3, the terminal may send the fifth information to the SN via SRB3.

[0144] In one embodiment, when the network device is an SN and the SN is not configured with SRB3, the terminal may send the fifth information to the MN via SRB1, and the MN forwards the fifth information to the SN.

[0145] In some embodiments, the fifth information may include one of the third indication information and the fourth indication information.

[0146] In some embodiments, when the fifth information includes the third indication information, the fifth information may be used to indicate that the terminal expects the network device to determine the bit rate for at least one third QoS flow.

[0147] In some embodiments, the third indication information may be used to indicate at least one third QoS flow. In one embodiment, the third indication information may indicate a first set, and the first set may include the identifiers of at least one third QoS flow. In one embodiment, the presentation form of the first set is not specifically limited. For example, the first set may be in the form of a table.

[0148] In some embodiments, when the fifth information includes the fourth indication information, the fifth information may be used to indicate that the terminal expects the network device to determine the bit rate for at least one second DRB.

[0149] In some embodiments, the fourth indication information may be used to indicate at least one second DRB. In one embodiment, the fourth information may indicate a second set, and the second set may include the identifiers of at least one second DRB. In one embodiment, the presentation form of the second set is not specifically limited. For example, the second set may be in the form of a table.

[0150] In one embodiment, the name of the fifth information may not be limited. For example, it may be auxiliary information, UE assistance information, etc.

[0151] In some embodiments, the network device may send the sixth information to the terminal, and the sixth information is used to configure the first timer.

[0152] In some embodiments, the first timer may be used to prohibit the terminal from sending the fifth information during the running of the first timer. In one embodiment, in order to limit the terminal from frequently sending the fifth information, the terminal may be configured with the first timer, so as to prohibit the terminal from sending the fifth information to the network device during the running of the first timer. After the first timer expires, the terminal may resend the fifth information to the network device. In one embodiment, the first timer may be a prohibition timer.

[0153] In some embodiments, the first timer may be configured by the terminal according to protocol agreements. In this case, the network device does not need to send the sixth information to the terminal.

[0154] In some embodiments, the first timer may include one of the following: the second timer and the third timer.

[0155] In one embodiment, the second timer is a timer configured for each QoS flow. In one embodiment, after the terminal sends the fifth information including the third indication information to the network device, the terminal may start the second timer, and stop sending the fifth information including the third indication information during the running of the second timer.

[0156] In one embodiment, the third timer is a timer configured for each DRB. In one embodiment, after the terminal sends the fifth information including the fourth indication information to the network device, the terminal may start the third timer, and stop sending the fifth information including the fourth indication information during the running of the third timer.

[0157] In some embodiments, the terminal may also send a second MAC CE to the network device. In some embodiments, the second MAC CE may include the seventh information, and the seventh information is used to indicate the first bit rate requested by the terminal.

[0158] In some embodiments, the granularity of the second MAC CE may include one of the following: QoS flow granularity, DRB granularity.

[0159] In some embodiments, the second MAC CE may be a MAC CE with QoS flow granularity. In one embodiment, the second MAC CE with QoS flow granularity may be used to indicate the bit rate of the QoS flow granularity requested by the terminal.

[0160] In some embodiments, the second MAC CE may be a MAC CE with DRB granularity. In one embodiment, the second MAC CE with DRB granularity may be used to indicate the bit rate of the DRB granularity requested by the terminal. In one embodiment, the second MAC CE with DRB granularity may also be used to indicate the bit rate of the QoS flow granularity requested by the terminal.

[0161] In some embodiments, the terminal may determine the granularity of the second MAC CE based on protocol agreements. In one embodiment, the MAC layer of the terminal may determine the granularity of the second MAC CE according to protocol agreements. In one embodiment, the MAC layer determines that the granularity of the second MAC CE based on protocol agreements is the QoS flow granularity, so that the MAC layer can determine the requested recommended bit rate for each QoS flow. In one embodiment, the MAC layer determines that the granularity of the second MAC CE based on protocol agreements is the DRB granularity, so that the MAC layer can determine the requested recommended bit rate for each DRB.

[0162] In some embodiments, the terminal may determine the granularity of the second MAC CE by itself. In one embodiment, the MAC layer of the terminal may determine the granularity of the second MAC CE according to an indication from the RRC layer of the terminal. In one embodiment, the RRC layer may indicate to the MAC layer that the granularity of the second MAC CE is the QoS flow granularity, so that the MAC layer can determine the requested recommended bit rate for each QoS flow. In one embodiment, the RRC layer may indicate to the MAC layer that the granularity of the second MAC CE is the DRB granularity, so that the MAC layer can determine the requested recommended bit rate for each DRB.

[0163] In some embodiments, when the second MAC CE is a MAC CE with QoS flow granularity, the second MAC CE may also be used to indicate at least one first QoS flow. In one embodiment, when the granularity of the second MAC CE is the QoS flow granularity, the terminal may indicate the first bit rate requested by the terminal and at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate by separately sending a first MAC CE, that is, the terminal may indicate the first bit rate requested by the terminal and at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate by the above first method.

[0164] In some embodiments, when the second MAC CE is a MAC CE with DRB flow granularity, the terminal may also send a second RRC message to the network device. In one embodiment, when the granularity of the second MAC CE is the DRB granularity, the terminal may indicate the first bit rate requested by the terminal and at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate by sending the second MAC CE and the second RRC message, that is, the terminal may indicate the first bit rate requested by the terminal and at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate by the above second method.

[0165] In some embodiments, the step of the terminal sending the second MAC CE to the network device is not necessary. For example, the network device may actively send a first MAC CE to the terminal without the terminal first sending the second MAC CE.

[0166] In some embodiments, the terminal may send capability information to the network device, and the capability information may be used to indicate the bit rate of the QoS flow granularity indicated by the first MAC CE. In one embodiment, the terminal may send the capability information to the network device so that the network device may determine whether to send the first MAC CE to the terminal according to the capability information.

[0167] In step S2102, the network device determines the granularity of the first MAC CE.

[0168] In some embodiments, the granularity of the first MAC CE may include one of the following: QoS flow granularity, DRB granularity.

[0169] In some embodiments, the first MAC CE may be a MAC CE of QoS flow granularity. In one embodiment, the first MAC CE of QoS flow granularity may be used to indicate the bit rate of the QoS flow granularity recommended by the network device.

[0170] In some embodiments, the first MAC CE may be a MAC CE of DRB granularity. In one embodiment, the first MAC CE of DRB granularity may be used to indicate the bit rate of the DRB granularity recommended by the network device. In one embodiment, the first MAC CE of DRB granularity may also be used to indicate the bit rate of the QoS flow granularity recommended by the network device.

[0171] In some embodiments, the network device may determine the granularity of the first MAC CE based on protocol conventions. In one embodiment, the MAC layer of the network device may determine the granularity of the first MAC CE according to protocol conventions. In one embodiment, the MAC layer determines that the granularity of the first MAC CE based on protocol conventions is QoS flow granularity, so that the MAC layer may determine the recommended bit rate for each QoS flow to implement the rate adjustment of QoS flow granularity. In one embodiment, the MAC layer determines that the granularity of the first MAC CE based on protocol conventions is DRB granularity, so that the MAC layer may determine the recommended bit rate for each DRB to implement the rate adjustment of DRB granularity.

[0172] In some embodiments, the network device may determine the granularity of the first MAC CE by itself. In one embodiment, the MAC layer of the network device may determine the granularity of the first MAC CE according to the indication of the RRC layer of the network device. In one embodiment, the RRC layer may indicate to the MAC layer that the granularity of the first MAC CE is the QoS flow granularity, so that the MAC layer may determine the recommended bit rate for each QoS flow to achieve rate adjustment at the QoS flow granularity. In one embodiment, the RRC layer may indicate to the MAC layer that the granularity of the first MAC CE is the DRB granularity, so that the MAC layer may determine the recommended bit rate for each DRB to achieve rate adjustment at the DRB granularity.

[0173] In some embodiments, when the granularity of the first MAC CE is the DRB granularity and the first MAC CE is used to indicate the bit rate of the QoS flow granularity, the RRC layer may send the third information to the MAC layer. In one embodiment, the third information may be used to indicate at least one first QoS flow. In one embodiment, in order to use the first MAC CE with the DRB granularity to achieve a finer-grained rate adjustment (e.g., to achieve rate adjustment at the QoS flow granularity), the RRC layer may send the third information to the MAC layer to inform the MAC layer of at least one first QoS flow using the third information, so that the MAC layer may determine the first bit rate indicated by the first MAC CE based on the at least one first QoS flow indicated by the third information. In one embodiment, the first bit rate may be the bit rate for at least one first QoS flow.

[0174] In some embodiments, when the granularity of the first MAC CE is the DRB granularity, the at least one first QoS flow targeted by the first bit rate indicated by the first MAC CE may be determined by the RRC layer or the MAC layer. In one embodiment, when the first MAC CE sent by the MAC layer indicates the recommended bit rate command in per DRB granularity, it may be determined by the MAC layer or the RRC layer which target Qos flow list the recommended bit rate command indicated by the MAC CE in per DRB granularity is for.

[0175] In some embodiments, before the RRC layer sends the third information to the MAC layer, the RRC layer may determine at least one first QoS flow. In one embodiment, the RRC layer decides which target Qos flow list the recommended bit rate command indicated by the MAC CE in per DRB granularity is for.

[0176] In some embodiments, the RRC layer may determine at least one first QoS flow based on the fifth information sent by the terminal.

[0177] In one embodiment, for the description of the fifth information, reference may be made to the description of the fifth information in step S2101, which will not be elaborated here.

[0178] In one embodiment, when the RRC layer receives the fifth information sent by the terminal and the fifth information includes the third indication information, the RRC layer may select at least one first QoS flow from at least one third QoS flow indicated by the third indication information. In one embodiment, when the RRC layer receives the fifth information sent by the terminal and the fifth information includes the fourth indication information, the RRC layer may select a first DRB from at least one second DRB indicated by the fourth indication information, and select at least one first QoS flow from multiple QoS flows carried by the first DRB.

[0179] In some embodiments, the RRC layer may determine at least one first QoS flow based on the fourth information sent by the MAC layer.

[0180] In some embodiments, the fourth information may be used by the RRC layer to determine at least one first QoS flow.

[0181] In some embodiments, the fourth information may include one of the first indication information and the second indication information.

[0182] In some embodiments, when the fourth information includes the first indication information, the RRC layer may select at least one first QoS flow from at least one second QoS flow determined by the MAC layer.

[0183] In some embodiments, the first indication information may be used to indicate at least one second QoS flow, and at least one second QoS flow may be carried in the same DRB. In one embodiment, the second QoS flow may be a candidate QoS flow provided by the MAC layer. In one embodiment, the MAC layer may use the first indication information to notify the RRC layer of at least one candidate QoS flow (i.e., the second QoS flow), so that the RRC layer can select the first QoS flow from at least one candidate QoS flow. In this case, at least one first QoS flow is finally determined by the RRC layer, and the MAC layer only provides the candidate QoS flows to the RRC layer to assist the RRC layer in making the final decision. In one embodiment, the MAC layer may provide the first indication information to the RRC layer to enable the RRC layer to determine the policy for issuing the recommended bit rate command indicated in the MAC CE, that is, the MAC layer may provide the first indication information to the RRC layer to assist the RRC layer in deciding which target Qos flow list the recommended bit rate command indicated in the MAC CE for this per DRB granularity is for.

[0184] In some embodiments, when the fourth information includes the second indication information, the RRC layer may obtain at least one first QoS flow determined by the MAC layer.

[0185] In some embodiments, the second indication information may be used to indicate at least one first QoS flow, and the at least one first QoS flow may be carried in the same DRB. In one embodiment, the first QoS flow may be determined by the MAC layer. In one embodiment, after determining the at least one first QoS flow, the MAC layer may use the second indication information to notify the RRC layer of the at least one first QoS flow determined by itself, so that the RRC layer can notify the terminal subsequently. In this case, the at least one first QoS flow is determined by the final decision of the MAC layer, and the MAC layer only notifies the RRC layer of the at least one first QoS flow determined by itself. In one embodiment, the MAC layer decides which target QoS flow list the recommended bit rate command indicated by the MAC CE for this per DRB granularity is for. Therefore, the MAC layer can use the second indication information to notify the RRC layer of the target QoS flow list, so that the RRC layer can issue this information.

[0186] In one embodiment, the step of the RRC layer sending the third information to the MAC layer is not necessary. For example, in the case where the fourth information received by the RRC layer includes the second indication information, since the at least one first QoS flow is determined by the MAC layer, the RRC layer may no longer send the third information to the MAC layer to inform the at least one first QoS flow.

[0187] In step S2103, the network device sends a first MAC CE to the terminal.

[0188] In some embodiments, the terminal receives the first MAC CE sent by the network device.

[0189] In some embodiments, the first MAC CE may include first information, and the first information is used to indicate the first bit rate recommended by the network device.

[0190] In some embodiments, the first bit rate may be the bit rate for at least one first QoS flow. In one embodiment, the first bit rate indicated by the first MAC CE may be the bit rate at the QoS flow granularity.

[0191] In one embodiment, when the granularity of the first MAC CE is at the QoS flow granularity, the network device may indicate the first bit rate and the at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate by separately sending the first MAC CE, that is, the network device may indicate the first bit rate and the at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate by the above first method. At this time, the network device does not need to send the first RRC message to the terminal, and step S2104 may be omitted.

[0192] In one embodiment, when the granularity of the first MAC CE is the DRB granularity, the network device may indicate the first bit rate and at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate by sending the first MAC CE and the first RRC message, that is, the network device may indicate the first bit rate and at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate by the above-mentioned second method.

[0193] In some embodiments, the first MAC CE may further include one of the first identification information and the second identification information.

[0194] In some embodiments, the first identification information is used to identify the first DRB. In one embodiment, the first identification information may be a DRB identification. In one embodiment, when the first MAC CE is a MAC CE with DRB granularity, the first MAC CE may include a DRB identification.

[0195] In some embodiments, the second identification information may be used to identify the first QoS flow. In one example, the second identification information may be a QoS flow identity (QFI). In one embodiment, when the first MAC CE is a MAC CE with QoS flow granularity, the first MAC CE may include a QFI.

[0196] In some embodiments, the first DRB may be a DRB to which at least one first QoS flow belongs.

[0197] In some embodiments, the first DRB may include one of an MCG bearer and an SCG bearer. In one embodiment, the MCG bearer may be a data bearer between the terminal and the MN. In one embodiment, the SGC bearer may be a data bearer between the terminal and the SN.

[0198] In some embodiments, when the first DRB is an MCG bearer, the first MAC CE may be sent by the MN. In some embodiments, when the first DRB is an SCG bearer, the first MAC CE may be sent by the SN.

[0199] In some embodiments, the first DRB is associated with the MAC layer of the network device that sends the first MAC CE. In one embodiment, the first DRB is a DRB configured with rate control and associated with a specific RLC entity. In one embodiment, the specific RLC entity is associated with the MAC entity that sends the MAC CE.

[0200] In one embodiment, when the first DRB is an MCG bearer, the first DRB is associated with the MAC layer of the MN. In one embodiment, the first DRB may be sent by the MAC layer of the MN. In one embodiment, when the first DRB is an SCG bearer, the first DRB is associated with the MAC layer of the SN. In one embodiment, the first DRB may be sent by the MAC layer of the SN.

[0201] In step S2104, the network device sends a first RRC message to the terminal.

[0202] In some embodiments, the terminal may receive the first RRC message sent by the network device.

[0203] In some embodiments, when the granularity of the first MAC CE is the DRB granularity, the network device may send a first RRC message to the terminal. In some embodiments, the first RRC message may include second information for indicating at least one first QoS flow. In one embodiment, the RRC layer of the network device may send the first RRC message to the terminal to inform the terminal of at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate indicated by the first MAC CE by using the second information in the first RRC message, so that the terminal can adjust the rate of at least one first QoS flow based on the first bit rate indicated by the first MAC CE, thereby achieving rate adjustment at the QoS flow granularity.

[0204] In one embodiment, the second information may include a third set, and the third set may include the identifiers of at least one first QoS flow. In one embodiment, the presentation form of the third set is not specifically limited. For example, the third set may be in the form of a table.

[0205] In step S2105, the terminal determines a first bit rate and at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate.

[0206] In some embodiments, when the terminal receives the first MAC CE sent by the network device, the terminal may determine the first bit rate and at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate according to the first MAC CE. In one embodiment, when the terminal only receives the first MAC CE sent by the network device, the terminal may determine that the first MAC CE is a MAC CE at the QoS flow granularity. On this basis, the terminal may determine the first bit rate and at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate based on the first MAC CE, so that the terminal can adjust the rate of at least one first QoS flow based on the first bit rate.

[0207] In some embodiments, when the terminal receives the first MAC CE and the first RRC message sent by the network device, the terminal may determine a first bit rate and at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate according to the first MAC CE and the first RRC message. In one embodiment, when the terminal receives the first MAC CE and the first RRC message sent by the network device, the terminal may determine that the first MAC CE is a DRB-granularity MAC CE. On this basis, the terminal may determine the first bit rate based on the first MAC CE, and determine at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate according to the first RRC message, so that the terminal adjusts the rate of at least one first QoS flow based on the first bit rate.

[0208] In some embodiments, terms such as "allocate", "set", "configure", "determine", "generate", etc. may be used interchangeably.

[0209] In some embodiments, the term "information" may be used interchangeably with terms such as "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "field", "data", etc.

[0210] In some embodiments, the term "send" may be used interchangeably with terms such as "transmit", "report", "transfer", etc.

[0211] The information processing method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S2101 to S2105. For example, steps S2102 to S2103 combined with step S2105 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S2102 to S2105 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and steps S2101 to S2103 combined with step S2105 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but are not limited thereto.

[0212] In some embodiments, step S2104 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0213] In some embodiments, step S2101 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0214] In some embodiments, reference may be made to the steps and their optional implementation manners in other embodiments described before or after the specification corresponding to this embodiment, as well as other related parts in the specification, which will not be elaborated herein.

[0215] Figure 2B It is the second interaction schematic diagram of an information processing method shown according to an exemplary embodiment. As Figure 2B shown, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an information processing method for a communication system 100. The method includes steps S2201 to S2207.

[0216] In some embodiments, the network device may adopt a CU-DU separation architecture, that is, the network device may be composed of a CU and a DU. In one embodiment, the CU may include a CP and a UP. In one embodiment, the CP (CU-CP) of the CU and the UP (CU-UP) of the CU may be on different physical devices. Alternatively, the CU-CP and the CU-UP may be on the same physical device.

[0217] In one embodiment, in the case where the CU-CP and the CU-UP are deployed on different physical devices, communication and interaction may be carried out between the CU-CP and the CU-UP through an E1 interface. In one embodiment, communication and interaction may be carried out between the CU-CP and the DU through an F1-C interface; communication and interaction may be carried out between the CU-UP and the DU through an F1-U interface.

[0218] In step S2201, the terminal sends fifth information to the first network device or the second network device.

[0219] In some embodiments, the terminal may send the fifth information to the first network device. In one embodiment, the terminal may send the fifth information to other entities, and the other entities send the fifth information to the first network device. In one example, the terminal may send the fifth information to the second network device, and the second network device sends the fifth information to the first network device.

[0220] In one embodiment, the terminal may send the fifth information to the second network device. In one embodiment, the terminal may send the fifth information to other entities, and the other entities send the fifth information to the second network device. In one example, the terminal may send the fifth information to the first network device, and the first network device sends the fifth information to the second network device.

[0221] In some embodiments, the first network device may receive the fifth information sent by the terminal, but is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the first network device may receive the fifth information from the terminal forwarded by the second network device.

[0222] In some embodiments, the second network device may receive the fifth information sent by the terminal, but is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the second network device may receive the fifth information from the terminal forwarded by the first network device.

[0223] In some embodiments, the first network device may be a CU-CP. In one example, the first network device may be a gNB-CU-CP. In one embodiment, the CU-CP may be deployed with an RRC layer and a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer.

[0224] In some embodiments, the second network device may be a DU. In one embodiment, the second network device may be a gNB-DU. In one embodiment, the DU may be deployed with a MAC layer, a Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, and a Physical Layer (PHY).

[0225] In some embodiments, the fifth information may be sent through an SRB.

[0226] In one embodiment, when the first network device is the CU-CP of the MN and the second network device is the DU of the MN, the terminal may send the fifth information to the CU-CP or DU of the MN through SRB1.

[0227] In one embodiment, when the first network device is the CU-CP of the SN, the second network device is the DU of the SN, and the SN is configured with SRB3, the terminal may send the fifth information to the CU-CP or DU of the SN through SRB3.

[0228] In one embodiment, when the first network device is the CU-CP of the SN, the second network device is the DU of the SN, and the SN is not configured with SRB3, the terminal may send the fifth information to the CU-CP or DU of the MN through SRB1, and the CU-CP or DU of the MN forwards the fifth information to the CU-CP or DU of the SN.

[0229] In some embodiments, the fifth information may include one of the third indication information and the fourth indication information.

[0230] In some embodiments, when the fifth information includes the third indication information, the fifth information may be used to indicate that the terminal expects the network device to determine the bit rate for at least one third QoS flow.

[0231] In some embodiments, the third indication information may be used to indicate at least one third QoS flow. In one embodiment, the third indication information may indicate a first set, and the first set may include the identifiers of at least one third QoS flow. In one embodiment, the presentation form of the first set is not specifically limited. For example, the first set may be in the form of a table.

[0232] In some embodiments, when the fifth information includes the fourth indication information, the fifth information may be used to indicate that the terminal expects the network device to determine the bit rate for at least one second DRB.

[0233] In some embodiments, the fourth indication information may be used to indicate at least one second DRB. In one embodiment, the fourth information may indicate a second set, and the second set may include the identifiers of at least one second DRB. In one embodiment, the presentation form of the second set is not specifically limited. For example, the second set may be in the form of a table.

[0234] In one embodiment, the name of the fifth information may not be limited. For example, it may be auxiliary information, UE assistance information, etc.

[0235] In some embodiments, the first network device or the second network device may send sixth information to the terminal, and the sixth information is used to configure a first timer.

[0236] In some embodiments, the first timer may be used to prohibit the terminal from sending the fifth information during the running of the first timer. In one embodiment, in order to limit the terminal from frequently sending the fifth information, the terminal may be configured with a first timer, so as to prohibit the terminal from sending the fifth information to the first network device or the second network device during the running of the first timer. After the first timer expires, the terminal may re-send the fifth information to the first network device or the second network device. In one embodiment, the first timer may be a prohibition timer.

[0237] In some embodiments, the first timer may be configured by the terminal according to protocol agreements. In this case, the first network device or the second network device does not need to send the sixth information to the terminal.

[0238] In some embodiments, the first timer may include one of the following: a second timer and a third timer.

[0239] In one embodiment, the second timer is a timer configured for each QoS flow. In one embodiment, after the terminal sends the fifth information including the third indication information to the first network device or the second network device, the terminal may start the second timer and stop sending the fifth information including the third indication information during the running of the second timer.

[0240] In one embodiment, the third timer is a timer configured for each DRB. In one embodiment, after the terminal sends the fifth information including the fourth indication information to the first network device or the second network device, the terminal may start the third timer and stop sending the fifth information including the fourth indication information during the running of the third timer.

[0241] In some embodiments, the terminal may also send a second MAC CE to the second network device. In some embodiments, the second MAC CE may include seventh information for indicating the first bit rate requested by the terminal.

[0242] In some embodiments, the granularity of the second MAC CE may include one of the following: QoS flow granularity, DRB granularity.

[0243] In some embodiments, the second MAC CE may be a MAC CE with QoS flow granularity. In one embodiment, the second MAC CE with QoS flow granularity may be used to indicate the bit rate of the QoS flow granularity requested by the terminal.

[0244] In some embodiments, the second MAC CE may be a MAC CE with DRB granularity. In one embodiment, the second MAC CE with DRB granularity may be used to indicate the bit rate of the DRB granularity requested by the terminal. In one embodiment, the second MAC CE with DRB granularity may also be used to indicate the bit rate of the QoS flow granularity requested by the terminal.

[0245] In some embodiments, the terminal may determine the granularity of the second MAC CE based on protocol agreements. In one embodiment, the MAC layer of the terminal may determine the granularity of the second MAC CE according to protocol agreements. In one embodiment, the MAC layer determines that the granularity of the second MAC CE is QoS flow granularity based on protocol agreements, so that the MAC layer can determine the recommended bit rate requested for each QoS flow. In one embodiment, the MAC layer determines that the granularity of the second MAC CE is DRB granularity based on protocol agreements, so that the MAC layer can determine the recommended bit rate requested for each DRB.

[0246] In some embodiments, the terminal may determine the granularity of the second MAC CE by itself. In one embodiment, the MAC layer of the terminal may determine the granularity of the second MAC CE according to the indication of the RRC layer of the terminal. In one embodiment, the RRC layer may indicate to the MAC layer that the granularity of the second MAC CE is the QoS flow granularity, so that the MAC layer may determine the requested recommended bit rate for each QoS flow. In one embodiment, the RRC layer may indicate to the MAC layer that the granularity of the second MAC CE is the DRB granularity, so that the MAC layer may determine the requested recommended bit rate for each DRB.

[0247] In some embodiments, when the second MAC CE is a MAC CE with QoS flow granularity, the second MAC CE may also be used to indicate at least one first QoS flow. In one embodiment, when the granularity of the second MAC CE is the QoS flow granularity, the terminal may indicate the first bit rate requested by the terminal and at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate by separately sending the first MAC CE, that is, the terminal may indicate the first bit rate requested by the terminal and at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate by the above first method.

[0248] In some embodiments, when the second MAC CE is a MAC CE with DRB flow granularity, the terminal may also send a second RRC message to the first network device. In one embodiment, when the granularity of the second MAC CE is the DRB granularity, the terminal may indicate the first bit rate requested by the terminal and at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate by sending the second MAC CE and the second RRC message, that is, the terminal may indicate the first bit rate requested by the terminal and at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate by the above second method.

[0249] In some embodiments, the step of the terminal sending the second MAC CE to the second network device is not necessary. For example, the second network device may actively send the first MAC CE to the terminal without the terminal first sending the second MAC CE.

[0250] In some embodiments, the terminal may send capability information to the first network device or the second network device, and the capability information may be used to indicate that the terminal supports the bit rate of the QoS flow granularity indicated by the first MAC CE. In one embodiment, the terminal may send the capability information to the first network device or the second network device, so that the first network device or the second network device may determine whether to send the first MAC CE to the terminal according to the capability information.

[0251] In step S2202, the second network device determines the granularity of the first MAC CE.

[0252] In some embodiments, the granularity of the first MAC CE may include one of the following: QoS flow granularity, DRB granularity.

[0253] In some embodiments, the first MAC CE may be a MAC CE with QoS flow granularity. In one embodiment, the MAC CE with QoS flow granularity may be used to indicate the bit rate of the QoS flow granularity recommended by the network device.

[0254] In some embodiments, the second network device may determine the granularity of the first MAC CE based on protocol agreements. In one embodiment, the second network device determines that the granularity of the first MAC CE is QoS flow granularity based on protocol agreements, so that the second network device can determine the recommended bit rate for each QoS flow to achieve rate adjustment of QoS flow granularity. In one embodiment, the second network device determines that the granularity of the first MAC CE is DRB granularity based on protocol agreements, so that the second network device can determine the recommended bit rate for each DRB to achieve rate adjustment of DRB granularity.

[0255] In some embodiments, the second network device may determine the granularity of the first MAC CE based on the indication of the first network device. In one embodiment, the first network device may indicate to the second network device that the granularity of the first MAC CE is QoS flow granularity, so that the second network device can determine the recommended bit rate for each QoS flow to achieve rate adjustment of QoS flow granularity. In one embodiment, the first network device may indicate to the second network device that the granularity of the first MAC CE is DRB granularity, so that the second network device can determine the recommended bit rate for each DRB to achieve rate adjustment of DRB granularity.

[0256] In some embodiments, the second network device may send the ninth information to the first network device. In one embodiment, the second network device may send the ninth information to the first network device through, for example, the F1-C interface. In one embodiment, the ninth information may be used to indicate the granularity of the first MAC CE.

[0257] In step S2203, the second network device sends the fourth information to the first network device.

[0258] In some embodiments, the second network device may send the fourth information to the first network device through, for example, the F1-C interface.

[0259] In some embodiments, the first network device receives the fourth information sent by the second network device, but is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the first network device may receive the fourth information sent by the second network device through, for example, the F1-C interface.

[0260] In one example, in the case where the RRC layer is in the CU-CP entity and the MAC layer is in the DU entity, the fourth information notified by the MAC layer to the RRC layer needs to pass through the F1-C interface, and the fourth information needs to be sent from the DU entity to the CU-CP entity.

[0261] In some embodiments, the fourth information may be used by the first network device to determine at least one first QoS flow. In one embodiment, the first QoS flow is the QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate indicated by the first MAC CE. In one embodiment, the first bit rate indicated by the first MAC CE may be the bit rate for at least one first QoS flow.

[0262] In some embodiments, when the granularity of the first MAC CE is the DRB granularity and the first MAC CE is used to indicate the bit rate of the QoS flow granularity, the second network device may send the fourth information to the first network device to assist the first network device in determining at least one first QoS flow using the fourth information.

[0263] In some embodiments, the fourth information may include one of the first indication information and the second indication information.

[0264] In some embodiments, when the fourth information includes the first indication information, the first network device may select the first QoS flow from at least one second QoS flow determined by the second network device.

[0265] In some embodiments, the first indication information may be used to indicate at least one second QoS flow, and the at least one second QoS flow may be carried in the same DRB. In one embodiment, the second QoS flow may be a candidate QoS flow provided by the second network device. In one embodiment, the second network device may use the first indication information to notify the first network device of at least one candidate QoS flow (i.e., the second QoS flow), so that the first network device can select the first QoS flow from at least one candidate QoS flow. In this case, the at least one first QoS flow is finally determined by the first network device, and the second network device only provides the candidate QoS flow to the first network device to assist the first network device in making the final decision. In one embodiment, the MAC layer may provide the first indication information to the RRC layer so that the RRC layer can determine the policy for issuing the recommended bit rate command indicated in the MAC CE, that is, the MAC layer may provide the first indication information to the RRC layer to assist the RRC layer in deciding which target Qos flow list the recommended bit rate command indicated by the MAC CE at the per DRB granularity is for.

[0266] In some embodiments, when the fourth information includes the second indication information, the first network device may learn about at least one first QoS flow determined by the second network device.

[0267] In some embodiments, the second indication information may be used to indicate at least one first QoS flow, and the at least one first QoS flow may be carried in the same DRB. In one embodiment, the first QoS flow may be determined by the second network device. In one embodiment, after determining the at least one first QoS flow, the second network device may use the second indication information to notify the first network device of the at least one first QoS flow determined by itself, so that the first network device can subsequently notify the terminal. In this case, the at least one first QoS flow is determined by the second network device through a final decision, and the second network device only notifies the first network device of the at least one first QoS flow determined by itself.

[0268] In some embodiments, the step of the second network device sending the fourth information to the first network device is not necessary. For example, when the first network device determines the at least one first QoS flow based on the fifth information sent by the terminal, the second network device does not need to send the fourth information to the first network device, and step S2204 may be omitted.

[0269] In step S2204, the first network device sends the third information to the second network device.

[0270] In some embodiments, the first network device may send the third information to the second network device through, for example, the F1-C interface.

[0271] In some embodiments, the second network device may receive the third information sent by the first network device, but is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the second network device may receive the third information sent by the first network device through, for example, the F1-C interface.

[0272] In one example, when the RRC layer is in the CU-CP entity and the MAC layer is in the DU entity, the third information notified by the RRC layer to the MAC layer needs to pass through the F1-C interface, and the third information needs to be sent from the CU-CP entity to the DU entity.

[0273] In some embodiments, when the granularity of the first MAC CE is the DRB granularity and the first MAC CE is used to indicate the bit rate of the QoS flow granularity, the first network device may send third information to the second network device. In one embodiment, the third information may be used to indicate at least one first QoS flow. In one embodiment, in order to use the first MAC CE with the DRB granularity to achieve a finer-grained rate adjustment (e.g., achieve the rate adjustment of the QoS flow granularity), the first network device may send third information to the second network device to inform the second network device of at least one first QoS flow by using the third information, so that the second network device can determine the first bit rate indicated by the first MAC CE based on the at least one first QoS flow indicated by the third information. In one embodiment, the first bit rate may be the bit rate for at least one first QoS flow.

[0274] In some embodiments, when the granularity of the first MAC CE is the DRB granularity, at least one first QoS flow targeted by the first bit rate indicated by the first MAC CE may be determined by the RRC layer or the MAC layer. In one embodiment, when the first MAC CE sent by the MAC layer indicates a recommended bit rate command in per DRB granularity, it may be determined by the MAC layer or the RRC layer which target QoS flow list the recommended bit rate command indicated by the per DRB granularity MAC CE is for.

[0275] In some embodiments, before the first network device sends the third information to the second network device, the first network device may determine at least one first QoS flow. In one embodiment, the RRC layer makes a decision on which target QoS flow list the recommended bit rate command indicated by the per DRB granularity MAC CE is for.

[0276] In some embodiments, the first network device may determine at least one first QoS flow based on the fifth information sent by the terminal.

[0277] In one embodiment, for the description of the fifth information, reference may be made to the description of the fifth information in step S2201, which will not be elaborated here.

[0278] In one embodiment, when the first network device receives the fifth information sent by the terminal and the fifth information includes the third indication information, the first network device may select at least one first QoS flow from at least one third QoS flow indicated by the third indication information. In one embodiment, when the first network device receives the fifth information sent by the terminal and the fifth information includes the fourth indication information, the first network device may select a first DRB from at least one second DRB indicated by the fourth indication information and select at least one first QoS flow from multiple QoS flows carried by the first DRB.

[0279] In some embodiments, the first network device may determine at least one first QoS flow based on the fourth information sent by the second network device.

[0280] For the description of the fourth information in one embodiment, reference may be made to the description of the fourth information in step S2203, which will not be elaborated here.

[0281] In some embodiments, when the first network device receives the fourth information sent by the second network device and the fourth information includes the first indication information, the first network device may select at least one first QoS flow from at least one second QoS flow determined by the second network device. In one embodiment, the MAC layer may provide the first indication information to the RRC layer so that the RRC layer can determine the policy for issuing the recommended bit rate command indicated in the MAC CE, that is, the MAC layer may provide the first indication information to the RRC layer to assist the RRC layer in making a decision on which target QoS flow list the recommended bit rate command indicated in the MAC CE for this per DRB granularity is directed to.

[0282] In one embodiment, when the first network device receives the fourth information sent by the second network device and the fourth information includes the second indication information, the first network device may obtain at least one first QoS flow determined by the second network device. In one embodiment, the MAC layer makes a decision on which target QoS flow list the recommended bit rate command indicated in the MAC CE for this per DRB granularity is directed to. Therefore, the MAC layer may use the second indication information to notify the RRC layer of the target QoS flow list so that the RRC layer can issue this information.

[0283] In one embodiment, the step of the first network device sending the third information to the second network device is not necessary. For example, when the fourth information received by the first network device includes the second indication information, since at least one first QoS flow is determined by the second network device, the first network device may no longer send the third information to the second network device to inform the at least one first QoS flow. In this case, step S2204 may be omitted.

[0284] In step S2205, the second network device sends a first MAC CE to the terminal.

[0285] In some embodiments, the terminal receives the first MAC CE sent by the second network device.

[0286] In some embodiments, the first MAC CE may include first information, and the first information is used to indicate a first bit rate recommended by the second network device.

[0287] In some embodiments, the first bit rate may be a bit rate for at least one first QoS flow. In one embodiment, the first bit rate indicated by the first MAC CE may be a bit rate at the QoS flow granularity.

[0288] In one embodiment, when the granularity of the first MAC CE is at the QoS flow granularity, the first bit rate may be indicated by separately sending the first MAC CE, that is, the first bit rate may be indicated by the above first method. At this time, the first network device does not need to send a first RRC message to the terminal, and step S2205 may be omitted.

[0289] In one embodiment, when the granularity of the first MAC CE is at the DRB granularity, the bit rate for at least one first QoS flow may be indicated by sending the first MAC CE and the first RRC message, that is, the first bit rate may be indicated by the above second method.

[0290] In some embodiments, the first MAC CE may further include first identification information, and the first identification information is used to indicate a first DRB. In one embodiment, the first DRB may be a DRB to which at least one first QoS flow belongs.

[0291] In some embodiments, the first identification information may be used to uniquely identify the first DRB. In one embodiment, the first DRB may be the DRB identified by the first identification information. In one embodiment, the first identification information may be a DRB identifier. In one embodiment, when the first MAC CE is a MAC CE at the DRB granularity, the first MAC CE may include a DRB identifier.

[0292] In some embodiments, the first identification information may be used to uniquely identify the first QoS flow. In one embodiment, the first DRB may be a DRB to which the first QoS flow identified by the first identification information belongs. In one example, the second identification information may be a QoS flow identity (QFI). In one embodiment, when the first MAC CE is a MAC CE at the QoS flow granularity, the first MAC CE may include a QFI.

[0293] In some embodiments, the first DRB may include one of an MCG bearer and an SCG bearer. In one embodiment, the MCG bearer may be a data bearer between the terminal and the MN. In one embodiment, the SGC bearer may be a data bearer between the terminal and the SN. In some embodiments, when the first DRB is an MCG bearer, the first MAC CE may be sent by the DU of the MN, and in this case, the second network device may be the DU of the MN. In some embodiments, when the first DRB is an SCG bearer, the first MAC CE may be sent by the DU of the SN, and in this case, the second network device may be the DU of the SN.

[0294] In step S2206, the first network device sends a first RRC message to the terminal.

[0295] In some embodiments, the terminal may receive the first RRC message sent by the first network device.

[0296] In some embodiments, when the granularity of the first MAC CE is the DRB granularity, the first network device may send a first RRC message to the terminal. In some embodiments, the first RRC message may include second information for indicating at least one first QoS flow. In one embodiment, the RRC layer of the first network device may send the first RRC message to the terminal to inform the terminal of at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate indicated by the first MAC CE by using the second information in the first RRC message, so that the terminal can adjust the rate of at least one first QoS flow based on the first bit rate indicated by the first MAC CE, thereby achieving rate adjustment at the QoS flow granularity.

[0297] In one embodiment, the second information may include a third set, and the third set may include identifiers of at least one first QoS flow. In one embodiment, the presentation form of the third set is not specifically limited. For example, the third set may be in the form of a table.

[0298] In step S2207, the terminal determines a first bit rate and at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate.

[0299] In some embodiments, other alternative implementation manners of step S2206 may refer to Figure 2A the alternative implementation manners of step S2105 of Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiments involved, which will not be elaborated here.

[0300] In some embodiments, the term "information" may be interchangeable with terms such as "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "field", "data", etc.

[0301] In some embodiments, the term "send" may be interchangeable with terms such as "transmit", "report", "transfer", etc.

[0302] The information processing method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S2201 to S2207. For example, step S2202, step S2203 combined with steps S2205 to S2207 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2202 combined with steps S2204 to S2207 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2202 combined with steps S2205 and S2207 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S2202 to S2207 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but not limited thereto.

[0303] In some embodiments, step S2201 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0304] In some embodiments, step S2203 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0305] In some embodiments, step S2204 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0306] In some embodiments, step S2206 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0307] In some embodiments, reference may be made to the steps and their optional implementation manners in other embodiments described before or after the specification corresponding to this embodiment, and other related parts in the specification, which will not be elaborated here.

[0308] Figure 3 is an interaction diagram of an information processing method shown according to an exemplary embodiment Figure 3 . Such as Figure 3As shown, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an information processing method, and the method includes step S3101.

[0309] Step S3101: The network device sends a first MAC CE to the terminal.

[0310] In some embodiments, the first MAC CE includes first information, and the first information is used to indicate a first bit rate recommended by the network device.

[0311] In some embodiments, the first bit rate is the bit rate for at least one first QoS flow.

[0312] In some embodiments, when the granularity of the first MAC CE is the QoS flow granularity, the first MAC CE can also be used to indicate at least one first QoS flow.

[0313] In some embodiments, when the granularity of the first MAC CE is the DRB granularity, the network device sends a first RRC message to the terminal, and the first RRC message may include second information, and the second information is used to indicate at least one first QoS flow.

[0314] In some embodiments, at least one first QoS flow may be carried in the same DRB.

[0315] In one embodiment, the granularity of the first MAC CE is determined according to protocol conventions. In one embodiment, the granularity of the first MAC CE is determined by the network device. In one embodiment, the RRC layer may indicate the granularity of the first MAC CE to the MAC layer.

[0316] In some embodiments, when the granularity of the first MAC CE is the DRB granularity, the RRC layer may send third information to the MAC layer, and the third information may be used to indicate at least one first QoS flow.

[0317] In some embodiments, the MAC layer may send fourth information to the RRC layer, and the fourth information is used for the RRC layer to determine at least one first QoS flow.

[0318] In some embodiments, the fourth information may include one of first indication information and second indication information.

[0319] In some embodiments, the first indication information may be used to indicate at least one second QoS flow.

[0320] In some embodiments, the second indication information may be used to indicate at least one first QoS flow, and at least one first QoS flow is determined by the MAC layer.

[0321] In some embodiments, when the fourth information includes the first indication information, the RRC layer may determine a first QoS flow from at least one second QoS flow indicated by the first indication information.

[0322] In some embodiments, when the fourth information includes the second indication information, RRC may obtain at least one first QoS flow determined by the MAC layer.

[0323] In some embodiments, a network device may include a CU-CP, a CU-UP, and a DU. The RRC layer is configured in the CU-CP, and the MAC layer is configured in the DU. In one embodiment, the CU-CP may send third information to the DU through the F1-C interface. In one embodiment, the DU may send fourth information to the CU-CP through the F1-C interface.

[0324] In some embodiments, the network device may receive fifth information sent by a terminal, and the fifth information includes one of the third indication information and the fourth indication information.

[0325] In some embodiments, the third indication information may be used to indicate at least one third QoS flow. In some embodiments, when the fifth information includes the third indication information, the fifth information may be used to indicate that the terminal expects the network device to determine the bit rate for at least one third QoS flow.

[0326] In some embodiments, the fourth indication information may be used to indicate at least one second DRB. In some embodiments, when the fifth information includes the fourth indication information, the fifth information may be used to indicate that the terminal expects the network device to determine the bit rate for at least one second DRB.

[0327] In some embodiments, the network device may receive a second MAC CE sent by the terminal, and the second MAC CE includes seventh information, which is used to indicate the first bit rate requested by the terminal.

[0328] In some embodiments, when the granularity of the second MAC CE is the QoS flow granularity, the second MAC CE is further used to indicate at least one first QoS flow.

[0329] In some embodiments, when the granularity of the second MAC CE is the DRB granularity, the terminal may further send a second RRC message to the network device, and the second RRC message includes eighth information, which is used to indicate at least one first QoS flow.

[0330] To better understand the embodiments of the present disclosure, the present disclosure is further described below through some exemplary embodiments.

[0331] Example 1 introduces a method for generating a recommended bitrate command.

[0332] In some embodiments, the recommended bitrate command can be used by the base station to notify the terminal of the recommended bitrate it can provide.

[0333] In some embodiments, the recommended bitrate command can be used by the terminal to notify the base station of the recommended bitrate it requests.

[0334] In some embodiments, the recommended bitrate command can be used for uplink services or downlink services.

[0335] Example 2: The policy for sending the recommended bitrate command indicated in the MAC CE can be determined by protocol agreement or at the RRC layer.

[0336] As an example, it can be agreed by protocol that the MAC CE sent by the MAC layer can indicate the recommended bitrate command in terms of per DRB granularity or per QoS flow.

[0337] In some embodiments, when the recommended bitrate command sent by the base station is in per DRB granularity, the RRC layer can indicate to the MAC layer that the MAC CE it sends can indicate the recommended bitrate command in per DRB granularity.

[0338] In some embodiments, when the recommended bitrate command sent by the base station is in per QoS flow granularity, the RRC layer can indicate to the MAC layer that the MAC CE it sends can indicate the recommended bitrate command in per QoS flow granularity.

[0339] In some embodiments, when the recommended bitrate command sent by the base station is in per DRB flow granularity, the RRC layer can indicate to the MAC layer that the MAC CE it sends can indicate the recommended bitrate command in per DRB granularity, and the RRC layer can also additionally indicate which target QoS flows the recommended bitrate command in the MAC CE is for, that is, the RRC layer can additionally indicate a QoS flow list to the MAC layer.

[0340] In some embodiments, if it is agreed by protocol that the MAC CE sent by the MAC layer indicates the recommended bitrate command in per DRB granularity, the RRC layer can indicate to the MAC layer which target QoS flows the recommended bitrate command in the MAC CE is for, that is, the RRC layer can indicate a QoS flow list to the MAC layer.

[0341] Embodiment 3. If the MAC CE sent by the MAC layer indicates the recommended bitrate command in terms of per DRB granularity, the RRC or the MAC determines which target QoS flow lists the per DRB granularity indication of the recommended bitrate command is for.

[0342] In one embodiment, the RRC layer decides which target QoS flow lists the per DRB granularity indication of the recommended bitrate command is for.

[0343] In one embodiment, the MAC layer can provide auxiliary information to the RRC layer so that the RRC layer can determine the sending policy of the recommended bitrate command indicated in the MAC CE.

[0344] In some embodiments, the MAC layer can notify the RRC layer of the candidate QoS flow list on a certain DRB. The candidate QoS flow list is used for the RRC layer to select the target QoS flow list from it, and the target QoS flow list is used to indicate which target QoS flows the recommended bitrate command in the MAC CE is for. It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the RRC layer makes a final decision based on the auxiliary information notified by the MAC layer to determine the target QoS flow list.

[0345] In one embodiment, the MAC layer decides which target QoS flow lists the per DRB granularity indication of the recommended bitrate command is for. Therefore, the MAC layer needs to notify the RRC layer to send this information.

[0346] In some embodiments, the MAC layer can notify the RRC layer of the target QoS flow list that needs to be notified to the terminal on a certain DRB. The target QoS flow list is used for the RRC layer to notify the terminal which target QoS flows the recommended bitrate command received in the MAC CE is for. It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present disclosure, after the MAC layer makes a final decision, it notifies the RRC layer.

[0347] Embodiment 4. For the CU-DU split architecture, if the RRC layer is in the CU-CP entity and the MAC layer is in the DU entity, in the above embodiments, the messages between the RRC layer and the MAC layer need to pass through the F1-C interface. Among them, the interaction information notified by the RRC layer to the MAC layer needs to be sent from the CU-CP entity to the DU entity, and the interaction information notified by the MAC layer to the RRC layer needs to be sent from the DU entity to the CU-UP entity; the following are some embodiments:

[0348] The CU-CP entity sends to the DU entity the sending policy of the recommended bitrate command determined by the RRC layer in the MAC CE;

[0349] The DU entity sends to the CU-UP entity the auxiliary information provided by the MAC layer to the RRC layer.

[0350] In some embodiments, the interaction between the RRC layer and the MAC layer will be through the F1-C interface.

[0351] Embodiment 5, in the case where the MAC CE is used to indicate the recommended bit rate, the MAC CE may include a DRB ID, and the DRB indicated by the DRB ID is a DRB configured with a rate control feature and associated with the MAC entity that sends the MAC CE.

[0352] In some embodiments, if the DRB indicated by the DRB ID in the MAC CE is an MCG bearer, then the MAC CE may be sent by the MN.

[0353] In some embodiments, if the DRB indicated by the DRB ID in the MAC CE is an SCG bearer, then the MAC CE may be sent by the SN.

[0354] In one embodiment, the DRB ID in the MAC CE may be used to indicate a DRB that is configured with rate control and associated with a specific RLC entity, and the specific RLC entity is associated with the MAC entity that sends the MAC CE (DRB ID: This field indicates DRB, where the DRB is among the DRBs configured with rate control and with RLC entity(ies) associated with this MAC entity).

[0355] Embodiment 6, the terminal may report auxiliary information to the base station, and the auxiliary information is used for the RRC layer to determine the sending policy of the recommended bit rate command indicated in the MAC CE, or for the MAC layer to determine the sending of the recommended bit rate command indicated in the MAC CE.

[0356] In some embodiments, the auxiliary information reported by the terminal to the base station may carry a list of expected QoS flows, and the list of expected QoS flows is used for the base station to know which QoS flows the terminal hopes to provide the recommended bit rate command for.

[0357] In some embodiments, the auxiliary information reported by the terminal to the base station may carry a list of expected DRBs, and the list of expected DRBs is used for the base station to know which DRBs the terminal hopes to provide the recommended bit rate command for.

[0358] In some embodiments, the auxiliary information reported by the terminal may be reported as UE assistance information.

[0359] In some embodiments, to limit the terminal from frequently sending auxiliary information, a prohibited timer may be configured for the terminal, and the prohibited timer may be started per DRB or per QoS flow.

[0360] Embodiment 7: The auxiliary information reported by the terminal may be reported to the base station via the SRB.

[0361] In some embodiments, if SRB3 exists, the terminal may report the auxiliary information to the SN, and the auxiliary information may carry a list of desired QoS flows or a list of desired DRBs. If SRB3 does not exist, the terminal may send the auxiliary information to the MN, and the MN forwards the auxiliary information to the SN.

[0362] Embodiment 8: It is determined by the network or protocol convention whether the recommended bitrate command indicated in the MAC CE is at the per DRB granularity or the per QoS flow granularity.

[0363] Embodiment 9: A new terminal capability is introduced to support the enhanced recommended bitrate command and the above processes.

[0364] Embodiments of the present disclosure also propose an apparatus (which may also be referred to as a communication device, etc.) for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is proposed, and the above apparatus includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the terminal in any of the above methods. Another apparatus is also proposed, including units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the network device (such as an access network device, a core network function node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0365] It should be understood that the division of each unit or module in the above device is only a division of logical functions. In actual implementation, it can be fully or partially integrated into a physical entity, or physically separated. In addition, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of a processor invoking software. For example, the device includes a processor, the processor is connected to a memory, and instructions are stored in the memory. The processor invokes the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or the functions of each unit or module of the above device. The processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory inside or outside the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of a hardware circuit, and the functions of some or all of the units or modules can be implemented through the design of the hardware circuit. The above hardware circuit can be understood as one or more processors. For example, in one implementation, the above hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and the functions of some or all of the above units or modules are implemented through the design of the logical relationship between the components in the circuit. Another example is that in another implementation, the above hardware circuit can be implemented by a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured through a configuration file to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. All units or modules of the above device can be all implemented in the form of a processor invoking software, or all implemented in the form of a hardware circuit, or some implemented in the form of a processor invoking software, and the remaining part implemented in the form of a hardware circuit.

[0366] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, a processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading and running capabilities, such as a CPU, a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP), etc.; in another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationship of hardware circuits, and the logical relationship of the above hardware circuits is fixed or can be reconfigured. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented by an ASIC or a PLD, such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document to implement the configuration of the hardware circuit can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. In addition, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), etc.

[0367] Figure 4A It is a schematic structural diagram of a network device shown according to an exemplary embodiment. The network device 4100 is used to execute any of the above methods. In some embodiments, as Figure 4A shown, the network device 4100 may include: a transceiver module 4101, and the transceiver module 4101 is configured to send a first MAC CE to a terminal. The first MAC CE includes first information, and the first information is used to indicate a first bit rate recommended by the network device. The first bit rate is the bit rate for at least one first QoS flow. Optionally, the above transceiver module is used to execute at least one of the communication steps (such as step S2101, step S2103, step S2104, step S2201, step S2203, step S2204, step S2205, step S2206, step S3101, but not limited thereto) performed by the network device in any of the above methods, which will not be elaborated here. Optionally, the network device 4100 may further include a processing module, and the processing module is used to execute at least one of the other steps (such as step S2102, step S2202, but not limited thereto) performed by the network device in any of the above methods, which will not be elaborated here.

[0368] In some embodiments, the first MAC CE is further used to indicate the first QoS flow, and the granularity of the first MAC CE is the QoS flow granularity.

[0369] In some embodiments, the method further includes: determining that the granularity of the first MAC CE is the DRB granularity; sending a first RRC message to the terminal, where the first RRC message includes second information for indicating at least one first QoS flow, and the at least one first QoS flow is carried in the same DRB.

[0370] In some embodiments, the granularity of the first MAC CE is determined according to protocol conventions, or the granularity of the first MAC CE is determined by a network device.

[0371] In some embodiments, the method further includes: the RRC layer of the network device sending third information to the MAC layer of the network device, where the third information is used to indicate at least one first QoS flow, and the granularity of the first MAC CE is the DRB granularity.

[0372] In some embodiments, before the RRC layer sends the third information to the MAC layer, the method further includes: the MAC layer sending fourth information to the RRC layer, where the fourth information is used for the RRC layer to determine at least one first QoS flow.

[0373] In some embodiments, the fourth information includes one of the following: first indication information for indicating at least one second QoS flow, where the first QoS flow is determined by the RRC layer from the at least one second QoS flow; second indication information for indicating at least one first QoS flow, where the at least one first QoS flow is determined by the MAC layer.

[0374] In some embodiments, the third information is transmitted based on the control plane F1-C interface of F1; and / or, the fourth information is transmitted based on the F1-C interface; where the network device includes a CU-CP and a DU, the RRC layer is configured in the CU-CP, and the MAC layer is configured in the DU.

[0375] In some embodiments, the first MAC CE may further include one of the following: first identification information for identifying a first DRB; second identification information for identifying a first QoS flow, where the first QoS flow is carried in the first DRB; the first DRB is associated with the MAC layer of the network device that sends the first MAC CE.

[0376] In some embodiments, the first DRB includes one of the following: an MCG bearer; an SCG bearer.

[0377] In some embodiments, the first DRB includes an MCG bearer, and the first MAC CE is sent by the MN; or, the first DRB includes an SCG bearer, and the first MAC CE is sent by the SN.

[0378] In some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving fifth information sent by a terminal, where the fifth information includes one of the following: third indication information for indicating at least one third QoS flow, and the fifth information is used to indicate that the terminal expects the network device to determine the bit rate for at least one third QoS flow; fourth indication information for indicating at least one second DRB, and the fifth information is used to indicate that the terminal expects the network device to determine the bit rate for at least one second DRB.

[0379] In some embodiments, the method further includes: sending sixth information to the terminal, where the sixth information is used to configure a first timer, and the first timer is used to prohibit the terminal from sending the fifth information during the running period of the first timer.

[0380] In some embodiments, the first timer includes one of the following: a timer configured for each QoS flow; a timer configured for each DRB.

[0381] In some embodiments, the fifth information is sent through an SRB.

[0382] In some embodiments, receiving the fifth information sent by the terminal includes one of the following: receiving the fifth information sent by the terminal through SRB3, where the network device is an SN and the SN is configured with SRB3; receiving the fifth information sent by an MN, where the fifth information is sent by the terminal to the MN through SRB1, the network device is an SN, and the SN is not configured with SRB3.

[0383] In some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving a second MAC CE sent by the terminal, where the second MAC CE includes seventh information, and the seventh information is used to indicate the first bit rate requested by the terminal.

[0384] In some embodiments, the second MAC CE is further used to indicate a first QoS flow, and the granularity of the second MAC CE is the QoS flow granularity.

[0385] In some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving a second RRC message sent by the terminal, where the second RRC message includes eighth information, and the eighth information is used to indicate at least one first QoS flow, and at least one first QoS flow is carried in the same DRB.

[0386] Figure 4B is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal shown according to an exemplary embodiment. The terminal 4200 is used to execute any of the above methods. In some embodiments, as Figure 4BAs shown in the figure, the terminal 4200 may include: a transceiver module 4201, which is configured to receive a first MAC CE sent by a network device, where the first MAC CE includes first information, and the first information is used to indicate a first bit rate recommended by the network device, and the first bit rate is the bit rate for at least one first Quality of Service (QoS) flow. Optionally, the above transceiver module is used to perform at least one of the sending and / or receiving and other communication steps (such as step S2101, step S2103, step S2104, step S2201, step S2205, step S2206, step S3101, but not limited thereto) performed by the terminal in any of the above methods, which will not be elaborated here. Optionally, the terminal 4200 may further include a processing module, which is used to perform at least one of the other steps (such as step S2105, step S2207, but not limited thereto) performed by the terminal in any of the above methods, which will not be elaborated here.

[0387] In some embodiments, the first MAC CE is further used to indicate a first QoS flow, and the granularity of the first MAC CE is the QoS flow granularity.

[0388] In some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving a first RRC message sent by a network device, where the first RRC message includes second information, and the second information is used to indicate at least one first QoS flow, and at least one first QoS flow is carried on the same data radio bearer (DRB); the granularity of the first MAC CE is the DRB granularity.

[0389] In some embodiments, the granularity of the first MAC CE is determined according to protocol agreements, or the granularity of the first MAC CE is determined by the network device.

[0390] In some embodiments, the first MAC CE further includes one of the following: first identification information for identifying a first DRB; second identification information for identifying a first QoS flow, where the first QoS flow is carried on the first DRB; the first DRB is associated with the MAC layer of the network device that sends the first MAC CE.

[0391] In some embodiments, the first DRB includes one of the following: a master cell group (MCG) bearer; a secondary cell group (SCG) bearer.

[0392] In some embodiments, the first DRB includes an MCG bearer, and the first MAC CE is sent by a master node (MN); or, the first DRB includes an SCG bearer, and the first MAC CE is sent by a secondary node (SN).

[0393] In some embodiments, the method further includes: sending fifth information to a network device, where the fifth information includes one of the following: third indication information for indicating at least one third QoS flow, and the fifth information is used to indicate that the terminal expects the network device to determine the bit rate for at least one third QoS flow; fourth indication information for indicating at least one second DRB, and the fifth information is used to indicate that the terminal expects the network device to determine the bit rate for at least one second DRB.

[0394] In some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving sixth information sent by the network device, where the sixth information is used to configure a first timer, and the first timer is used to prohibit the terminal from sending the fifth information during the running period of the first timer.

[0395] In some embodiments, the first timer includes one of the following: a timer configured for each QoS flow; a timer configured for each DRB.

[0396] In some embodiments, the fifth information is sent via a signaling radio bearer (SRB).

[0397] In some embodiments, the fifth information is sent by the terminal to the serving network (SN) via SRB3, the network device is the SN, and the SN is configured with SRB3; or, the fifth information is sent by the terminal to the mobility management entity (MN) via SRB1 and then forwarded by the MN to the SN, the network device is the SN, and the SN is not configured with SRB3.

[0398] In some embodiments, the method further includes: sending a second MAC control element (CE) to the network device, where the second MAC CE includes seventh information, and the seventh information is used to indicate the first bit rate requested by the terminal.

[0399] In some embodiments, the second MAC CE is further used to indicate a first QoS flow, and the granularity of the second MAC CE is the QoS flow granularity.

[0400] In some embodiments, the method further includes: determining that the granularity of the second MAC CE is the DRB granularity; sending a second Radio Resource Control (RRC) message to the network device, where the second RRC message includes eighth information, and the eighth information is used to indicate at least one first QoS flow, and at least one first QoS flow is carried in the same DRB.

[0401] In some embodiments, the transceiver module may include a sending module and / or a receiving module. The sending module and the receiving module may be separate or integrated together. Optionally, the transceiver module may be interchanged with a transceiver.

[0402] In some embodiments, the processing module may be a single module or may include multiple sub-modules. Optionally, the above-mentioned multiple sub-modules respectively execute all or part of the steps required to be executed by the processing module.

[0403] In some embodiments, the processing module can be replaced with a processor, and the transceiver module can be replaced with a transceiver.

[0404] Figure 5A It is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device shown according to an exemplary embodiment. The communication device 5100 can be a network device (such as an access network device, a core network device, etc.), or a terminal (such as a user equipment, etc.), or a chip, a chip system, or a processor, etc. that supports the network device to implement any of the above methods, and can also be a chip, a chip system, or a processor, etc. that supports the terminal to implement any of the above methods. The communication device 5100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments, and for details, reference can be made to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0405] As Figure 5A shown, the communication device 5100 is used to execute any of the above methods. In some embodiments, the communication device 5100 includes one or more processors 5101. The processor 5101 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, etc. For example, it can be a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control a communication device (such as a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal device, a terminal device chip, a DU or a CU, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. Optionally, the communication device 5100 is used to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, one or more processors 5101 are used to call instructions to cause the communication device 5100 to execute any of the above methods.

[0406] In some embodiments, the communication device 5100 further includes one or more transceivers 5103. When the communication device 5100 includes one or more transceivers 5103, the transceiver 5103 executes at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above methods (such as step S2101, step S2103, step S2104, step S2202, step S2203, step S2204, step S2205, step S2206, step S3101, but not limited thereto), and the processor 5101 executes at least one of the other steps (such as step S2102, step S2105, step S2202, step S2207, but not limited thereto). In an alternative embodiment, the transceiver can include a receiver and / or a transmitter, and the receiver and the transmitter can be separate or integrated together. Optionally, terms such as transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver machine, transceiver circuit, interface circuit, interface, etc. can be replaced with each other; terms such as transmitter, transmitter unit, transmitter machine, transmitter circuit, etc. can be replaced with each other; terms such as receiver, receiver unit, receiver machine, receiver circuit, etc. can be replaced with each other.

[0407] In some embodiments, the communication device 5100 further includes one or more memories 5102 for storing data and / or instructions. Optionally, one or more processors 5101 are configured to call the instructions stored in the memory 5102 to cause the communication device 5100 to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, all or part of the memory 5102 may also be outside the communication device 5100. In an alternative embodiment, the communication device 5100 may include one or more interface circuits 5104. Optionally, the interface circuit 5104 is connected to the memory 5102, and the interface circuit 5104 can be used to receive data and / or instructions from the memory 5102 or other devices, and can be used to send data and / or instructions to the memory 5102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 5104 can read the data and / or instructions stored in the memory 5102 and send the data and / or instructions to the processor 5101.

[0408] The communication device 5100 described in the above embodiments may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 5100 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 5100 may not be affected by Figure 5A restrictions. The communication device may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: 1) an independent integrated circuit (IC), or chip, or chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the above IC collection may also include a storage component for storing data, programs, and / or instructions; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, a terminal device, a smart terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handheld device, a mobile unit, a vehicle-mounted device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0409] Figure 5B is a schematic structural diagram of a chip shown according to an exemplary embodiment. For the case where the communication device 6100 may be a chip or a chip system, reference may be made to Figure 5B the schematic structural diagram of the chip 5200 shown, but not limited thereto.

[0410] The chip 5200 includes one or more processors 5201. The chip 5200 is configured to execute any of the above methods.

[0411] In some embodiments, the chip 5200 further includes one or more interface circuits 5202. Optionally, terms such as interface circuit, interface, and transceiver pin can be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, the chip 5200 further includes one or more memories 5203 for storing data and / or instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memory 5203 may be outside the chip 5200. Optionally, the interface circuit 5202 is connected to the memory 5203. The interface circuit 5202 can be used to receive data and / or instructions from the memory 5203 or other devices, and the interface circuit 5202 can be used to send data and / or instructions to the memory 5203 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 5202 can read the data and / or instructions stored in the memory 5203 and send the data and / or instructions to the processor 5201.

[0412] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 5202 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (such as step S2101, step S2103, step S2104, step S2202, step S2203, step S2204, step S2205, step S2206, step S3101, but not limited thereto). The interface circuit 5202 performing the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method means, for example, that the interface circuit 5202 performs data and / or instruction interaction between the processor 5201, the chip 5200, the memory 5203, or the transceiver device. In some embodiments, the processor 5201 performs at least one of the other steps (such as step S2102, step S2105, step S2202, step S2207, but not limited thereto).

[0413] The various modules and / or devices described in the embodiments of the virtual device, physical device, chip, etc. can be arbitrarily combined or separated according to the situation. Optionally, some or all of the steps can also be executed by multiple modules and / or devices in cooperation, which is not limited herein.

[0414] The present disclosure also provides a storage medium. Instructions are stored on the above storage medium. When the above instructions run on a communication device, the communication device is caused to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, the above storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the above storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but not limited thereto, and it can also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the above storage medium can be a non-transitory storage medium, but not limited thereto, and it can also be a transitory storage medium.

[0415] The present disclosure also provides a program product, including a program and / or instructions. When the program and / or instructions are executed by a communication device, the communication device is caused to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product. Optionally, the program product is stored on the above storage medium.

[0416] The present disclosure also provides a computer program which, when running on a computer, causes the computer to execute any of the above methods.

[0417] Those skilled in the art will readily conceive of other embodiments of the present invention after considering the specification and practicing the invention disclosed herein. The present disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the present invention, which follow the general principles of the present invention and include known common knowledge or conventional technical means in the technical field not disclosed by the present disclosure. The specification and examples are only to be considered as exemplary, and the true scope and spirit of the present invention are pointed out by the following claims.

[0418] It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the exact structures described above and shown in the drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of the present invention is only limited by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An information processing method, wherein: Executed by a network device, the method includes: A first media access control MAC control element CE is sent to the terminal, where the first MAC CE includes first information, where the first information is used to indicate a first bit rate recommended by the network device, where the first bit rate is a bit rate for at least one first quality of service QoS flow.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The first MAC CE is also used to indicate the first QoS flow, and the granularity of the first MAC CE is the QoS flow granularity.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The method further comprises: Determining that the granularity of the first MAC CE is a data radio bearer DRB granularity; A first radio resource control RRC message is sent to the terminal, where the first RRC message includes second information, where the second information is used to indicate the at least one first QoS flow, and the at least one first QoS flow is carried in the same DRB.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The granularity of the first MAC CE is determined according to a protocol agreement, or the granularity of the first MAC CE is determined by the network device.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein: The method further comprises: The RRC layer of the network device sends third information to the MAC layer of the network device, where the third information is used to indicate the at least one first QoS flow, and the granularity of the first MAC CE is the DRB granularity.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein: Before the RRC layer sends the third information to the MAC layer, the method further includes: The MAC layer sends fourth information to the RRC layer, where the fourth information is used by the RRC layer to determine the at least one first QoS flow.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein: The fourth information includes one of the following: first indication information, used to indicate at least one second QoS flow, where the first QoS flow is determined by the RRC layer from the at least one second QoS flow; The second indication information is used to indicate the at least one first QoS flow, where the at least one first QoS flow is determined by the MAC layer.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein: The third information is transmitted based on the control plane F1-C interface of F1; and / or, the fourth information is transmitted based on the F1-C interface; The network device includes a control plane CU-CP of a centralized unit CU and a distributed unit DU, the RRC layer is configured in the CU-CP, and the MAC layer is configured in the DU.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The first MAC CE further includes one of the following: First identification information, used to identify the first DRB; Second identification information, used to identify a first QoS flow, where the first QoS flow is carried in the first DRB; The first DRB is associated with the MAC layer of the network device that sends the first MAC CE.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein: The first DRB includes one of the following: a main cell group MCG bearer; a secondary cell group SCG bearer.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein: The first DRB includes the MCG bearer, and the first MAC CE is sent by the master node MN; or, the first DRB includes the SCG bearer, and the first MAC CE is sent by the secondary node SN.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein: The method further comprises: receiving fifth information sent by the terminal, where the fifth information includes one of the following: The third indication information is used to indicate at least one third QoS flow, and the fifth information is used to indicate that the terminal expects the network device to determine a bit rate for the at least one third QoS flow; The fourth indication information is used to indicate at least one second DRB, and the fifth information is used to indicate that the terminal expects the network device to determine the bit rate for the at least one second DRB.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The method further comprises: Sending sixth information to the terminal, where the sixth information is used to configure a first timer, and the first timer is used to prohibit the terminal from sending the fifth information during the running of the first timer.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein: The first timer includes one of the following: Timers configured for each QoS flow; A timer configured for each DRB.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein: The fifth information is sent via a signaling radio bearer SRB.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein: The receiving fifth information sent by the terminal includes one of the following: receiving fifth information sent by the terminal through SRB3, the network device is SN, and the SN is configured with SRB3; The fifth information sent by the MN is received, where the fifth information is sent by the terminal to the MN through SRB1, the network device is a SN, and the SN is not configured with SRB3.

17. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein: The method further comprises: A second MAC CE sent by the terminal is received, where the second MAC CE includes seventh information, and the seventh information is used to indicate the first bit rate requested by the terminal.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein: The second MAC CE is also used to indicate the first QoS flow, and the granularity of the second MAC CE is the QoS flow granularity.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein: The method further comprises: A second RRC message sent by the terminal is received, where the second RRC message includes eighth information, where the eighth information is used to indicate the at least one first QoS flow, and the at least one first QoS flow is carried in the same DRB.

20. An information processing method, wherein: Executed by a terminal, the method includes: A first MAC CE sent by a network device is received, where the first MAC CE includes first information, where the first information is used to indicate a first bit rate recommended by the network device, where the first bit rate is a bit rate for at least one first quality of service QoS flow.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein: The first MAC CE is also used to indicate the first QoS flow, and the granularity of the first MAC CE is the QoS flow granularity.

22. The method according to claim 20, wherein: The method further comprises: Receive a first RRC message sent by the network device, the first RRC message includes second information, the second information is used to indicate the at least one first QoS flow, the at least one first QoS flow is carried in the same DRB; the granularity of the first MAC CE is the data radio bearer DRB granularity.

23. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein: The granularity of the first MAC CE is determined according to a protocol agreement, or the granularity of the first MAC CE is determined by the network device.

24. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein: The first MAC CE further includes one of the following: First identification information, used to identify the first DRB; Second identification information, used to identify a first QoS flow, where the first QoS flow is carried in the first DRB; The first DRB is associated with the MAC layer of the network device that sends the first MAC CE.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein: The first DRB includes one of the following: a main cell group MCG bearer; a secondary cell group SCG bearer.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein: The first DRB includes the MCG bearer, and the first MAC CE is sent by the master node MN; or, the first DRB includes the SCG bearer, and the first MAC CE is sent by the secondary node SN.

27. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 26, wherein: The method further comprises: Sending fifth information to the network device, where the fifth information includes one of the following: The third indication information is used to indicate at least one third QoS flow, and the fifth information is used to indicate that the terminal expects the network device to determine a bit rate for the at least one third QoS flow; The fourth indication information is used to indicate at least one second DRB, and the fifth information is used to indicate that the terminal expects the network device to determine the bit rate for the at least one second DRB.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein: The method further comprises: The sixth information sent by the network device is received, where the sixth information is used to configure a first timer, and the first timer is used to prohibit the terminal from sending the fifth information during the operation of the first timer.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein: The first timer includes one of the following: Timers configured for each QoS flow; A timer configured for each DRB.

30. The method according to any one of claims 27 to 29, wherein: The fifth information is sent via a signaling radio bearer SRB.

31. The method according to claim 30, wherein: The fifth information is sent by the terminal to the SN via SRB3, the network device is the SN, and the SN is configured with SRB3; or, The fifth information is sent by the terminal to the MN through SRB1 and forwarded by the MN to the SN. The network device is the SN, and the SN is not configured with SRB3.

32. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 31, wherein: The method further comprises: A second MAC CE is sent to the network device, where the second MAC CE includes seventh information, and the seventh information is used to indicate the first bit rate requested by the terminal.

33. The method according to claim 32, wherein: The second MAC CE is also used to indicate the first QoS flow, and the granularity of the second MAC CE is the QoS flow granularity.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein: The method further comprises: Determining that the granularity of the second MAC CE is a DRB granularity; A second RRC message is sent to the network device, where the second RRC message includes eighth information, where the eighth information is used to indicate the at least one first QoS flow, and the at least one first QoS flow is carried in the same DRB.

35. An information processing method, wherein: Executed by a communication system, the method comprises: The network device sends a first media access control MAC control element CE to the terminal, where the first MAC CE includes first information, where the first information is used to indicate a first bit rate recommended by the network device, where the first bit rate is a bit rate for at least one first quality of service QoS flow.

36. A communication device, wherein: The communication device is used to execute the information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 19 and 20 to 34.

37. A communication system, characterized in that: It comprises a terminal and a network device, wherein the network device is configured to implement the information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 19, and the terminal is configured to implement the information processing method according to any one of claims 20 to 34.

38. A storage medium storing instructions, characterized in that: When the instruction is executed on the communication device, the communication device is caused to execute the information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 19 and 20 to 34.

39. A program product, comprising at least one of a program and an instruction, characterized in that: When at least one of the program and the instruction is executed by the communication device, the steps of the information processing method described in any one of claims 1 to 19 and 20 to 34 are implemented.

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