Service quality parameter notification method and device

Abstract

The invention provides a service quality parameter notification method and device, is used for determining the type of a service quality parameter used by access network equipment, and relates to the technical field of wireless communication. In the method, a first communication device receives first information from a second communication device, and a service quality set corresponding to the first information comprises a service quality parameter based on a QoS flow and a service quality parameter based on a protocol data unit set. The first communication device determines that a quality of service parameter used by the second communication device is a quality of service parameter based on a QoS flow or a quality of service parameter based on a set of protocol data units. Based on the above scheme, the first communication device can determine whether the service quality parameter used by the second communication device is based on the service quality parameter of the QoS flow or the service quality parameter of the protocol data unit set. And processing the data flow by referring to the service quality parameter used by the second communication device.

Description

[0001] This application claims the priority of a Chinese patent application with an application number of 202410053786.7 and an application title of "A Method and Device for Notifying Quality of Service Parameters" submitted to the National Intellectual Property Administration of the People's Republic of China on January 12, 2024, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of wireless communication technologies, and in particular, to a method and device for notifying quality of service parameters. Background Art

[0003] The development of the fifth-generation mobile communication system (5G) has driven the exponential growth of media services. Video services have become the mainstream media form, and emerging multimedia services such as 4K and 8K ultra-high-definition videos and extended reality (XR) have emerged. The emerging multimedia services pose a huge challenge to the network transmission bandwidth, and the network transmission efficiency needs to be improved to meet the network requirements of the rapid evolution of services.

[0004] During the transmission of data streams, the concept of a protocol data unit (PDU) set has been proposed, and based on this concept, the identification of the PDU set and the processing targeted at the PDU set have been completed. A PDU set can include one or more PDUs, and each PDU can carry the load of the service.

[0005] In the related art, a scheme for alternative quality of service (QoS) profiles has been proposed. When the base station cannot meet the QoS parameters included in the QoS profile, it will select an alternative QoS profile that can be satisfied and send the identifier of the currently selected alternative QoS profile to the core network.

[0006] However, since the base station also supports QoS processing based on PDU sets, the alternative QoS profile can include QoS parameters based on QoS flows and QoS parameters based on PDU sets. Therefore, based on the identifier of the alternative QoS profile sent by the base station, the core network cannot determine whether the QoS parameters used by the base station are QoS parameters based on PDU sets or QoS parameters based on QoS flows. One possible consequence is that third-party applications may not be able to determine the current status of the network and cannot make timely adjustments according to the network status. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present application provides a method and apparatus for notifying quality of service parameters, which are used for a core network device to determine the quality of service parameters and / or the types of quality of service parameters used by an access network device for a service flow (such as a Quality of service flow, QoS flow), so that a third-party application can be notified, enabling the third-party application to determine the current status of the network and make timely adjustments according to the network status. In a possible scenario, the core network device can also notify the terminal device of the quality of service parameters and / or the types of quality of service parameters used by the access network device for the service flow.

[0008] In a first aspect, a method for notifying quality of service parameters is provided. The method can be executed by a first communication device. Among them, the first communication device can be a core network device or a chip / chip system. In this method, the first communication device receives first information from a second communication device, and the quality of service set (QoS profile or Alternative QoS profile) corresponding to the first information includes quality of service parameters (QoS parameters) based on a quality of service (QoS) flow and / or quality of service parameters (PDU Set based QoS parameters) based on a set of protocol data units. The first communication device determines the quality of service parameters used or satisfied by the second communication device for the service flow or the type of quality of service parameters used. Hereinafter, the used case is taken as an example. The used quality of service parameters are quality of service parameters based on a QoS flow and / or quality of service parameters based on a set of protocol data units, and the type of used quality of service parameters is the type of quality of service parameters based on a QoS flow and / or the type of quality of service parameters based on a set of protocol data units.

[0009] Based on the above solution, the first communication device can determine that the quality of service parameters used by the second communication device are the quality of service parameters based on a QoS flow and / or the quality of service parameters based on a set of protocol data units included in the quality of service set corresponding to the first information, so that the data stream can be processed with reference to the quality of service parameters used by the second communication device during the transmission of the data stream.

[0010] In a possible implementation manner, the first information sent by the second communication device can correspond to at least one quality of service set. Based on the above solution, the first communication device can determine at least one quality of service set satisfied by the second communication device and / or the quality of service parameters included in at least one satisfied quality of service set. Any satisfied quality of service set includes quality of service parameters based on a service quality flow and / or quality of service parameters based on a set of protocol data units.

[0011] In a possible implementation, the second communication device sends at least one first piece of information, and one first piece of information may correspond to a quality of service set. Based on the above solution, the first communication device may determine at least one quality of service set satisfied by the second communication device and / or the quality of service parameters included in at least one satisfied quality of service set. Any satisfied quality of service set includes quality of service parameters based on a quality of service flow and / or quality of service parameters based on a protocol data unit set.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the first piece of information sent by the second communication device may also indicate the direction of the quality of service parameters used or satisfied by the second communication device for a traffic flow or the type of quality of service parameters used. For example, the first piece of information indicates the direction of the quality of service parameters used or satisfied by the second communication device for the uplink direction of the traffic flow or the type of quality of service parameters used, or the direction of the quality of service parameters used or satisfied by the second communication device for the downlink direction of the traffic flow or the type of quality of service parameters used.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the first communication device sends the used quality of service parameters to a third communication device. Based on the above solution, the first communication device may inform the third communication device of the quality of service parameters used by the second communication device, so that the third communication device can know the quality of service parameters used by the second communication device during the transmission of the data stream. The quality of service parameters used by the second communication device include quality of service parameters (QoS parameters) based on a quality of service (QoS) flow and / or quality of service parameters (PDU Set based QoS parameters) based on a protocol data unit set.

[0014] In a possible implementation, the first communication device receives first indication information from the second communication device, and the first indication information indicates that the second communication device supports quality of service handling based on a protocol data unit set. The first communication device determines that the quality of service parameters used by the second communication device include quality of service parameters based on a protocol data unit set according to the first indication information.

[0015] Based on the above solution, if the first indication information indicates that the second communication device supports quality of service handling (PDU Set based QoS handling) based on a protocol data unit set, then the first communication device may determine that the quality of service parameters used by the second communication device include quality of service parameters based on a protocol data unit, and the quality of service parameters based on a protocol data unit are the quality of service parameters based on a protocol data unit in the quality of service set corresponding to the first piece of information.

[0016] In a possible implementation, the first communication device does not receive the first indication information from the second communication device, and the first indication information indicates that the second communication device supports quality of service (QoS) handling based on a set of protocol data units. The first communication device determines that the QoS parameters used by the second communication device are QoS parameters based on QoS flows. Alternatively, the first communication device receives second indication information from the second communication device, and the second indication information indicates that the second communication device does not support QoS handling based on a set of protocol data units. The first communication device determines, based on the second indication information, that the QoS parameters used by the second communication device are QoS parameters based on QoS flows.

[0017] Based on the above solution, if the first communication device does not receive the first indication information or receives the second indication information, the first communication device may determine that the second communication device does not support QoS handling based on a set of protocol data units. Then, the first communication device may determine that the QoS parameters used by the second communication device are QoS parameters based on QoS flows in the QoS set corresponding to the first information.

[0018] In a possible implementation, the first information is used to indicate that the QoS parameters used are QoS parameters based on QoS flows, or the first information is used to indicate that the QoS parameters used are QoS parameters based on a set of protocol data units, or the first information is used to indicate that the QoS parameters used are QoS parameters based on QoS flows and QoS parameters based on a set of protocol data units.

[0019] Based on the above solution, while indicating the QoS set used by the second communication device, the first information may further indicate that the QoS parameters used by the second communication device are QoS parameters based on QoS flows and / or QoS parameters based on a set of protocol data units. Therefore, the first communication device may determine, based on the first information sent by the second communication device, that the QoS parameters used by the second communication device are QoS parameters based on QoS flows and / or QoS parameters based on a set of protocol data units.

[0020] In a possible implementation, the first communication device includes a session management function network element. Based on the above solution, the session management function network element may receive the first information from the second communication device and determine that the QoS parameters used by the second communication device are QoS parameters based on QoS flows and / or QoS parameters based on a set of protocol data units.

[0021] In a possible scenario, if the session management function network element receives the first information or the first indication information from the access network device, the SMF can determine the QoS parameters included in the quality of service set corresponding to the first information used by the access network device. For example, the QoS parameters included in the quality of service set corresponding to the first information are the QoS parameters based on QoS flows and the QoS parameters based on PDU sets. In a possible way, the access network device will replace the QoS parameters based on QoS flows (if there are corresponding replaceable QoS parameters based on QoS flows) in the corresponding quality of service set with the corresponding QoS parameters based on PDU sets. For example, if the corresponding quality of service set includes the packet delay budget (PDB) and the PDU Set delay budget (PSDB), then the access network device will replace the packet delay budget with the PDU Set delay budget. If the corresponding quality of service set includes the PDU Set packet error rate (PSER) and no packet error rate (PER), or if the corresponding quality of service set includes the packet error rate and no PDU Set packet error rate, then the access network device will use the included parameter as the quality of service parameter. In this case, the session management function network element can determine that the QoS parameters included in the quality of service set used by the access network device are the QoS parameters based on QoS flows and the QoS parameters based on PDU sets. For example, the access network device uses the PDU Set delay budget (PSDB) and the packet error rate (PER). (PDU Set) delay budget and (PDU Set) packet error rate are just examples, and the specific implementation can be any QoS parameters based on QoS flows and QoS parameters based on PDU sets. Another example is that the QoS parameters included in the quality of service set corresponding to the first information are the QoS parameters based on PDU sets. In this case, the session management function network element can determine that the QoS parameters included in the quality of service set satisfied by the access network device are the QoS parameters based on PDU sets. Another example is that the QoS parameters included in the quality of service set corresponding to the first information are the QoS parameters based on QoS flows. In this case, the session management function network element can determine that the QoS parameters included in the quality of service set satisfied by the access network device are the QoS parameters based on QoS flows.

[0022] In a possible way, if the session management function network element receives the first information or the first indication information from the access network device, then the SMF can determine the QoS parameters included in at least one quality of service set corresponding to the first information satisfied by the access network device. For example, the quality of service sets corresponding to the first information are QoS profile 1 and QoS profile 2. QoS profile 1 includes QoS parameters based on QoS flows, and QoS profile 2 includes QoS parameters based on PDU sets. In this case, the session management function network element can determine that the QoS parameters included in the quality of service set satisfied by the access network device are QoS parameters based on QoS flows and QoS parameters based on PDU sets.

[0023] In a possible implementation, the first communication device includes a session management function network element and a policy control function network element. The session management function network element receives the first information or the first indication information from the second communication device. The session management function network element sends one or more of the used quality of service parameters, the type of the used quality of service parameters, or the first information to the policy control function network element. Among them, the type of the used quality of service parameters includes the quality of service parameter type based on QoS flows and / or the quality of service parameter type based on protocol data unit sets.

[0024] Based on the above solution, the session management function network element can indicate to the policy control function network element that the quality of service parameters used by the second communication device are the quality of service parameters based on QoS flows and / or the quality of service parameters based on protocol data unit sets, so that the policy control function network element knows the quality of service parameters used by the second communication device for processing QoS flows during the data stream transmission process.

[0025] In an example, if the first information corresponds to a quality of service set, then the session management function network element sends the first information and the type of the quality of service parameters used by the second communication device to the policy control function network element, or the session management function network element sends the quality of service parameters used by the second communication device to the policy control function network element.

[0026] In another example, if the first information indicates that the quality of service parameters used by the second communication device are the quality of service parameters based on QoS flows and / or the quality of service parameters based on protocol data unit sets, then the session management function network element sends the first information to the policy control function network element.

[0027] In another example, if the first indication information indicates that the second communication device supports quality of service (QoS) handling based on a set of protocol data units, then the session management function network element may indicate to the policy control function network element that the second communication device supports QoS handling based on a set of protocol data units or send the first indication information to the policy control function network element. The policy control function network element may determine that the QoS parameters included in the QoS set corresponding to the first information used by the access network device are QoS parameters based on QoS flows and / or QoS parameters based on a set of protocol data units. The specific determination method is the same as that of the session management function network element.

[0028] In a possible implementation, the first communication device further includes an application function network element, and the policy control function network element sends one or more of the QoS parameters, the type of QoS parameters, or the first information to the application function network element.

[0029] Based on the above solution, the policy control function network element sends one or more of the QoS parameters, the type of QoS parameters, or the first information to the application function network element, so that the application function network element can understand the QoS parameters used by the second communication device for scheduling data streams during the transmission of data streams.

[0030] In an example, if the first information corresponds to a QoS set, then the policy control function network element sends the first information and the type of QoS parameters used by the second communication device to the application function network element, or the policy control function network element sends the QoS parameters used by the second communication device to the application function network element.

[0031] In another example, if the first information indicates that the QoS parameters used by the second communication device are QoS parameters based on QoS flows and / or QoS parameters based on a set of protocol data units, then the policy control function network element sends the first information to the application function network element.

[0032] In a possible implementation, the first information directly sent by the policy control function network element to the application function network element or the first information sent by the policy control function network element to the application function network element through the network exposure function network element.

[0033] In a possible implementation, the first information received by the application function network element may be the first information sent by the session management network element or the first information mapped by the first information through the network exposure function network element.

[0034] In a possible implementation, the first communication device includes an application function network element and a policy control function network element. The application function network element sends second information to the policy control function network element. The second information includes one or more quality of service requirements based on a protocol data unit set and / or quality of service requirements based on a QoS flow. The policy control function network element determines one or more quality of service sets based on the one or more quality of service requirements based on the protocol data unit set and / or the quality of service requirements based on the QoS flow.

[0035] Based on the above solution, the application function network element can send one or more quality of service requirements based on a protocol data unit set and / or quality of service requirements based on a QoS flow to the policy control function network element. Therefore, the policy control function network element can determine one or more quality of service sets, enabling the second communication device to select a quality of service set from them for data flow processing.

[0036] In a possible implementation, the first communication device further includes a network capability open function network element. The application function network element sends the second information to the policy control function network element through the network development capability network element.

[0037] In a possible implementation, the first communication device further includes a session management function network element. The policy control function network element sends one or more quality of service sets, and first information corresponding to the one or more quality of service sets, to the session management function network element. The session management function sends one or more quality of service sets, and first information corresponding to the corresponding one or more quality of service sets, to the second communication device.

[0038] Based on the above solution, the policy control function network element sends the determined one or more quality of service sets, and the corresponding first information, to the session management function network element, enabling the second communication device to select a quality of service set from them for data flow processing.

[0039] In a possible implementation, the quality of service parameters based on a protocol data unit set include one or more of the following: protocol data unit set delay budget (PSDB), protocol data unit set error rate (PSER), protocol data unit set integrated handling information (PSIHI).

[0040] Second aspect, a method for notifying service quality parameters is provided. This method can be executed by a second communication device. The second communication device can be an access network device or a chip / chip system. In this method, the second communication device receives one or more service quality sets from a first communication device. One service quality set corresponds to one first piece of information. One service quality set includes one or more service quality parameters. The one or more service quality parameters include service quality parameters based on a quality of service (QoS) flow and / or service quality parameters based on a set of protocol data units. The second communication device sends the first piece of information to the first communication device.

[0041] In a possible implementation, the one or more service quality sets sent by the first communication device are one or more service quality sets for service flows processed by the second communication device. Optionally, the one or more service quality sets are one or more service quality sets for uplink service flows or one or more service quality sets for downlink service flows processed by the second communication device.

[0042] In a possible implementation, the first piece of information corresponds to one or more service quality sets.

[0043] In a possible implementation, the second communication device sends one or more first pieces of information to the first communication device.

[0044] In a possible implementation, the second communication device sends first indication information to the first communication device, and the first indication information indicates that the second communication device supports service quality processing based on a set of protocol data units.

[0045] In a possible implementation, the second communication device sends second indication information to the first communication device, and the second indication information indicates that the second communication device does not support service quality processing based on a set of protocol data units.

[0046] In a possible implementation, the first piece of information indicates that the service quality parameters used by the second communication device are service quality parameters based on a QoS flow in the service quality set corresponding to the first piece of information. Or, the first piece of information indicates that the service quality parameters used by the second communication device are service quality parameters based on a set of protocol data units in the service quality set corresponding to the first piece of information. Or, the first piece of information indicates that the service quality parameters used by the second communication device are service quality parameters based on a set of protocol data units and service quality parameters based on a QoS flow in the service quality set corresponding to the first piece of information. In a possible implementation, the service quality parameters based on a set of protocol data units include one or more of the following: protocol data unit set delay budget (PDSB), protocol data unit set bit error rate (PSER), and integrated processing information of the protocol data unit set (PSIHI).

[0047] In a third aspect, a method for notifying service quality parameters is provided. This method can be executed by a policy control function network element or a chip / chip system. In this method, the policy control function network element receives third indication information from the session management function network element, and the third indication information indicates whether the second communication device supports quality of service (QoS) handling based on a protocol data unit (PDU) set. The policy control function network element sends one or more QoS sets to the second communication device. Among them, one QoS set corresponds to one first piece of information, one QoS set includes one or more QoS parameters, and the one or more QoS parameters include QoS parameters based on a QoS flow and / or QoS parameters based on a PDU set.

[0048] Based on the above solution, the policy control function network element can determine one or more QoS sets based on the third indication information of the session management function network element, enabling the second communication device to select a QoS set and QoS parameters therefrom for data flow processing.

[0049] In a possible implementation, the third indication information indicates that the second communication device does not support QoS handling based on a PDU set, and the one or more QoS sets include QoS parameters based on a QoS flow. Alternatively, the third indication information indicates that the second communication device supports QoS handling based on a PDU set, and the one or more QoS sets include QoS parameters based on a PDU set, or the one or more QoS sets include QoS parameters based on a PDU set and QoS parameters based on a QoS flow.

[0050] In a possible implementation, the policy control function network element receives one or more of the QoS parameters used by the second communication device, the type of the QoS parameters used by the second communication device, or the first piece of information from the session management function network element. Among them, the type of the used QoS parameters includes the type of QoS parameters based on a QoS flow and / or the type of QoS parameters based on a PDU set.

[0051] Based on the above solution, the policy control function network element can receive one or more of the QoS parameters used by the second communication device, the type of the QoS parameters used by the second communication device, or the first piece of information from the session management function network element, so as to know the QoS parameters used by the second communication device.

[0052] In a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided, including a processing unit and a transceiver unit.

[0053] A transceiver unit, configured to receive first information from a second communication device, where a quality of service (QoS) profile or alternative QoS profile corresponding to the first information includes QoS parameters based on QoS flows and / or PDU Set based QoS parameters. A processing unit, configured to determine the QoS parameters used by or satisfied by the second communication device, or the type of QoS parameters used, hereinafter taking the used ones as an example, the used QoS parameters are QoS parameters based on QoS flows and / or PDU Set based QoS parameters, and the type of used QoS parameters is the type of QoS parameters based on QoS flows and / or the type of PDU Set based QoS parameters.

[0054] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to send the used QoS parameters to a third communication device. The QoS parameters used by the second communication device include QoS parameters based on QoS flows and / or PDU Set based QoS parameters.

[0055] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive first indication information from the second communication device, where the first indication information indicates that the second communication device supports PDU Set based QoS processing. The processing unit is specifically configured to determine, according to the first indication information, that the QoS parameters used by the second communication device include PDU Set based QoS parameters.

[0056] In a possible implementation, the first indication information indicating that the second communication device supports PDU Set based QoS processing is not received from the second communication device. The processing unit is specifically configured to determine that the QoS parameters used by the second communication device are QoS parameters based on QoS flows. Alternatively, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive second indication information from the second communication device, where the second indication information indicates that the second communication device does not support PDU Set based QoS processing. The processing unit is specifically configured to determine, according to the second indication information, that the QoS parameters used by the second communication device are QoS parameters based on QoS flows.

[0057] In a possible implementation, the first information is used to indicate that the quality of service parameter used is a quality of service parameter based on a QoS flow, or the first information is used to indicate that the quality of service parameter used is a quality of service parameter based on a set of protocol data units, or the first information is used to indicate that the quality of service parameter used is a quality of service parameter based on a QoS flow and a quality of service parameter based on a set of protocol data units.

[0058] In a possible implementation, the first communication device includes a session management function network element.

[0059] In a possible implementation, the first communication device includes a session management function network element and a policy control function network element. The session management function network element receives the first information from the second communication device. The session management function network element sends one or more of the quality of service parameters used, the type of the quality of service parameters used, or the first information to the policy control function network element. Among them, the type of the quality of service parameters used includes a quality of service parameter type based on a QoS flow and / or a quality of service parameter type based on a set of protocol data units.

[0060] In an example, if the first information corresponds to a quality of service set, then the session management function network element sends the first information and the type of the quality of service parameters used by the second communication device to the policy control function network element, or the session management function network element sends the quality of service parameters used by the second communication device to the policy control function network element.

[0061] In another example, if the first information indicates that the quality of service parameters used by the second communication device are quality of service parameters based on a QoS flow and / or quality of service parameters based on a set of protocol data units, then the session management function network element sends the first information to the policy control function network element.

[0062] In a possible implementation, the first communication device further includes an application function network element. The policy control function network element sends one or more of the quality of service parameters, the type of the quality of service parameters, or the first information to the application function network element.

[0063] In an example, if the first information corresponds to a quality of service set, then the policy control function network element sends the first information and the type of the quality of service parameters used by the second communication device to the application function network element, or the policy control function network element sends the quality of service parameters used by the second communication device and the type of the quality of service parameters used by the second communication device to the application function network element.

[0064] In another example, if the first information indicates that the quality of service parameter used by the second communication device is a quality of service parameter based on a QoS flow or a quality of service parameter based on a set of protocol data units, then the policy control function network element sends the first information to the application function network element.

[0065] In a possible implementation, the first information directly sent by the policy control function network element to the application function network element or the first information sent to the application function network element through the network exposure function network element.

[0066] In a possible implementation, the first information received by the application function network element may be the first information sent by the session management network element, or the first information mapped by the first information through the network exposure function network element.

[0067] In a possible implementation, the first communication device includes an application function network element and a policy control function network element. The application function network element sends second information to the policy control function network element. The second information includes one or more quality of service requirements based on a set of protocol data units and / or quality of service requirements based on a QoS flow. The policy control function network element determines one or more quality of service sets based on one or more quality of service requirements based on a set of protocol data units and quality of service requirements based on a QoS flow.

[0068] In a possible implementation, the first communication device further includes a network capability exposure function network element. The application function network element sends the second information to the policy control function network element through the network exposure capability network element.

[0069] In a possible implementation, the first communication device further includes a session management function network element. The policy control function network element sends one or more quality of service sets, and the first information corresponding to one or more quality of service sets to the session management function network element. The session management function sends one or more quality of service sets, and the first information corresponding to the corresponding one or more quality of service sets to the second communication device.

[0070] In a possible implementation, the quality of service parameter based on a set of protocol data units includes one or more of the following: protocol data unit set delay budget, protocol data unit set bit error rate, integrated processing information of the protocol data unit set.

[0071] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided, including a processing unit and a transceiver unit.

[0072] A transceiver unit, configured to receive one or more quality of service (QoS) sets from a first communication device. One QoS set corresponds to one first piece of information. One QoS set includes one or more QoS parameters, and the one or more QoS parameters include QoS parameters based on a QoS flow and QoS parameters based on a set of protocol data units. A processing unit, configured to determine the first piece of information. The transceiver unit is further configured to send the first piece of information to the first communication device.

[0073] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to send first indication information to the first communication device, where the first indication information indicates that the communication device supports QoS processing based on a set of protocol data units.

[0074] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to send second indication information to the first communication device, where the second indication information indicates that the communication device does not support QoS processing based on a set of protocol data units.

[0075] In a possible implementation, the first piece of information indicates that the QoS parameters used by the communication device are QoS parameters based on a QoS flow among the one or more QoS parameters included in the QoS set corresponding to the first piece of information. Alternatively, the first piece of information indicates that the QoS parameters used by the communication device are QoS parameters based on a set of protocol data units among the one or more QoS parameters included in the QoS set corresponding to the first piece of information.

[0076] In a possible implementation, the QoS parameters based on a set of protocol data units include one or more of the following: a delay budget of the set of protocol data units, a bit error rate of the set of protocol data units, and integrated processing information of the set of protocol data units.

[0077] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, including a processing unit and a transceiver unit.

[0078] A transceiver unit, configured to receive third indication information from a session management function network element, where the third indication information indicates whether a second communication device supports QoS processing based on a set of protocol data units. A processing unit, configured to determine one or more QoS sets. The transceiver unit is further configured to send the one or more QoS sets to the second communication device. One QoS set corresponds to one first piece of information. One QoS set includes one or more QoS parameters, and the one or more QoS parameters include QoS parameters based on a QoS flow and / or QoS parameters based on a set of protocol data units.

[0079] In a possible implementation, the third indication information indicates that the second communication device does not support quality of service (QoS) handling based on a set of protocol data units, and one or more QoS sets include QoS parameters based on QoS flows. Alternatively, the third indication information indicates that the second communication device supports QoS handling based on a set of protocol data units, and one or more QoS sets include QoS parameters based on a set of protocol data units, or one or more QoS sets include QoS parameters based on a set of protocol data units and QoS parameters based on QoS flows.

[0080] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive one or more of the QoS parameters used by the second communication device, the type of the QoS parameters used by the second communication device, or the first information from a session management function network element. Wherein, the type of the used QoS parameters includes a QoS parameter type based on QoS flows or a QoS parameter type based on a set of protocol data units.

[0081] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication system, which may include a first communication device that executes the method described in the first aspect above and a second communication device that executes the method described in the second aspect above. Alternatively, the communication system may include a policy control function network element and a session management function network element that execute the methods described in the third aspect above.

[0082] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which computer-readable instructions are stored. When a computer reads and executes the computer-readable instructions, the computer is caused to execute the method in any possible implementation manner of any one of the first aspect to the third aspect above.

[0083] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product. When a computer reads and executes the computer program product, the computer is caused to execute the method in any possible implementation manner of any one of the first aspect to the third aspect above.

[0084] In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a chip, which is used to read a computer program stored in a memory to execute the method in any possible implementation manner of any one of the first aspect to the third aspect above.

[0085] The technical effects that can be achieved by any one of the fourth aspect to the tenth aspect above can be described with reference to the technical effects that can be achieved by any possible implementation manner of any one of the first aspect to the third aspect above. Repetitive parts will not be elaborated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0086] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0087] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of a processing procedure for a set of PDUs provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0088] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of a notification method for a replaceable QoS file provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0089] Figure 4 Exemplary flowchart of a notification method for service quality parameters provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0090] Figure 5 Exemplary flowchart of another notification method for service quality parameters provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0091] Figure 6 Exemplary flowchart of another notification method for service quality parameters provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0092] Figure 7 Exemplary flowchart of another notification method for service quality parameters provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0093] Figure 8 Exemplary flowchart of another notification method for service quality parameters provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0094] Figure 9 Schematic diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0095] Figure 10 Schematic diagram of another communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0096] Figure 11 Schematic diagram of another communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0097] Figure 12 Schematic diagram of another communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0098] The architecture of the communication system to which the method provided by the present application is applied will be introduced below.

[0099] The technical solution of the embodiment of the present application can be applied to a New Radio (NR) system, a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, an LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) system, an LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD), a Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) communication system, a next-generation wireless communication system, such as 6G, etc., which is not limited herein.

[0100] Figure 1 FIG. shows an architecture diagram of a communication system applicable to the embodiment of the present application, in which a 5th generation (5G) network architecture based on a service-based architecture is shown. As Figure 1 shown, the communication system can include three parts, namely a terminal part, an operator network part, and a data network (DN). The functions of some network elements are described below.

[0101] The terminal, also referred to as a terminal device or a user equipment (UE), is a device with wireless transceiver functions, which can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; it can also be deployed on the water surface (such as a ship, etc.); it can also be deployed in the air (such as an airplane, a balloon, a satellite, etc.). The terminal can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer (pad), a computer with wireless transceiver functions, a virtual reality (VR) terminal, an augmented reality (AR) terminal, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home, etc.

[0102] The above-mentioned terminal can establish a connection with the operator network through an interface provided by the operator network (such as N1, etc.), and use services such as data and / or voice provided by the operator network. The terminal can also access the DN through the operator network, use the operator services deployed on the DN, and / or services provided by a third party. Among them, the above-mentioned third party can be a service provider other than the operator network and the terminal, and can provide services such as data and / or voice for the terminal. Among them, the specific manifestation form of the above-mentioned third party can be specifically determined according to the actual application scenario and is not limited here.

[0103] The operator network can be a network deployed by the operator and can include access network devices and core network devices. In a possible implementation method, the operator network also includes an AF network element. Alternatively, the AF network element may not belong to the operator network but to a third party.

[0104] An access network device is a device in a wireless network. An access network device can be a device that provides wireless communication functions for terminal devices in a radio access network (RAN), and is called a RAN device. For example, the access network device can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next generation NodeB (gNB) in the 5th generation (5G) mobile communication system, a next generation NodeB in the 6th generation (6G) mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system, etc.; it can also be a module or unit that completes some functions of the base station. For example, it can be a central unit (CU) or a distributed unit (DU). Here, the CU completes the functions of the radio resource control protocol and the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) of the base station, and can also complete the function of the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP); the DU completes the functions of the radio link control layer and the medium access control (MAC) layer of the base station, and can also complete some or all of the functions of the physical layer. For specific descriptions of the above protocol layers, reference can be made to the relevant technical specifications of the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP). The access network device can be a macro base station, a micro base station or an indoor station, and can also be a relay node or a donor node, etc. The specific technologies and specific device forms adopted by the access network device in the embodiments of the present application are not limited.

[0105] In another possible scenario, multiple RAN nodes cooperate to assist a terminal in achieving wireless access, and different RAN nodes respectively implement some functions of a base station. For example, the RAN node can be a CU, a DU, a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU), etc. The CU and the DU can be set separately, or can also be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, such as included in a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0106] In different systems, the CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in an open radio access network (ORAN) system, the CU can also be called an O-CU (open CU), the DU can also be called an O-DU, the CU-CP can also be called an O-CU-CP, the CU-UP can also be called an O-CU-UP, and the RU can also be called an O-RU. For the convenience of description, in this application, the CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU are taken as examples for description. Any one of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0107] The core network device may include at least one of the following network elements: a mobility management network element, a session management network element, a user plane network element (for example, a user plane function (UPF) network element), a data management network element (for example, a unified data management (UDM) network element), a unified data repository (UDR) network element, a network exposure network element (for example, a network exposure function (NEF) network element), a policy control network element (for example, a policy control function (PCF) network element), or an authentication function network element (for example, an authentication server function (AUSF) network element), etc. Some of the network elements are described below respectively.

[0108] In this application, the access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, or can be called the access and mobility management function device, is a control plane network element provided by the operator network, responsible for the access control and mobility management of the terminal accessing the operator network, and can be used to implement other functions of the mobility management entity (MME) function except session management. For example, lawful interception, or access authorization (or authentication), registration of user equipment, mobility management, tracking area update process, reachability detection, selection of session management network element, mobile state transition management and other functions. In 5G, the mobility management network element can be the access and mobility management function network element. In future communications such as 6G, the mobility management network element can still be the AMF, or have other names, which are not limited in this application. In the following, the AMF is taken as an example for illustration.

[0109] In this application, the session management function (SMF) network element, or can be called the session management function device, is a control plane network element provided by the operator network, responsible for managing the protocol data unit (PDU) session of the terminal. The PDU session is a channel for transmitting PDUs, and the terminal needs to transmit PDUs with the DN through the PDU session. The establishment, maintenance, deletion, etc. of the PDU session are responsible for by the SMF network element. The functions of the session management network element include: session management (such as session establishment, modification and release, including the tunnel maintenance between the user plane network element and the access network device), selection and control of the user plane network element, service and session continuity (SSC) mode selection, roaming, etc. In 5G, the session management network element can be the session management function network element. In future communications such as 6G, the session management network element can still be the SMF, or have other names but network elements with all or part of the functions of the session management network element, which are not limited in this application. In the following, the SMF is taken as an example for illustration.

[0110] In this application, the user plane function network element, or can be called the user plane function device, is a user plane network element provided by the operator, responsible for packet routing and forwarding, policy implementation, traffic reporting, quality of service (QoS) processing. In 5G, the user plane function network element can be the user plane function network element. In future communications such as 6G, the user plane function network element can still be the UPF, or have other names but network elements with all or part of the functions of the session management network element, which are not limited in this application. In the following, the UPF is taken as an example for illustration.

[0111] In this application, a network exposure function network element can securely expose services and capabilities provided by a 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) network function, such as those for third parties, edge computing, or AF.

[0112] In the embodiments of this application, the communication device for implementing the functions of an access network device, a terminal, or a core network device may be the access network device, the terminal, or the core network device itself, or may be a device capable of supporting the access network device, the terminal, or the core network device in implementing this function, such as a chip system. This device may be installed in the access network device, the terminal, or the core network device. In the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application, the device for implementing the functions of an access network device is the access network device, the device for implementing the functions of a terminal is the terminal, and the device for implementing the functions of a core network device is the core network device, for example, to describe the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0113] A DN is a network outside the operator's network. The operator's network can access multiple DNs. Multiple services can be deployed on a DN, which can provide services such as data and / or voice for terminals. For example, a DN is a private network of a smart factory. The sensors installed in the workshop of the smart factory can be terminals. A control server for the sensors is deployed in the DN, and the control server can provide services for the sensors. The sensors can communicate with the control server, obtain instructions from the control server, and transmit the collected sensor data to the control server according to the instructions. Another example is that a DN is the internal office network of a company. The mobile phones or computers of the company's employees can be terminals, and the mobile phones or computers of the employees can access information, data resources, etc. on the company's internal office network.

[0114] Figure 1 Among them, N1, N2, N3, and N4, etc. are interface sequence numbers. The meanings of these interface sequence numbers can be referred to the meanings defined in the 3GPP standard protocol and are not limited here.

[0115] The development of 5G has driven the exponential growth of media services. Video services have become the mainstream media form, and emerging multimedia services such as 4K and 8K ultra-high-definition videos and extended reality (XR) have emerged. Emerging multimedia services pose a huge challenge to network transmission bandwidth, and network transmission efficiency needs to be improved to meet the network requirements for the rapid evolution of services.

[0116] In the current processing of QoS flows, the AF can provide the PCF with flow feature information related to the QoS flow, such as protocol description, QoS requirements of the QoS flow, or QoS parameters. The PCF generates a policy and charging control rule (PCC rule) for the QoS flow based on the information provided by the AF and sends the generated PCC rule to the SMF. The SMF generates a QoS profile for the QoS flow according to the PCC rule and sends it to the access network device. The QoS profile of the QoS flow can include one or more QoS parameters of the QoS flow. The access network device performs QoS processing of the QoS flow based on the received QoS profile of the QoS flow.

[0117] During the transmission of the data stream, the identification based on the set of protocol data units (PDUs) and the processing targeted at the PDU set are completed. The PDU set can include one or more PDUs, and each PDU is a protocol data unit.

[0118] Refer to Figure 2 , the AF can provide the PCF with flow feature information related to the PDU set, such as protocol description and QoS requirements or QoS parameters. The QoS requirements / QoS parameters here are based on the PDU set. The PCF generates a policy and charging control rule (PCC rule) according to the information provided by the AF and sends the generated PCC rule to the SMF. The SMF generates a QoS profile for the PDU set according to the PCC rule and sends it to the access network device. The access network device performs QoS handling of the PDU set (PDU set-based handling) based on the received QoS profile of the PDU set. The SMF can also generate a detection rule for the PDU set according to the PCC rule and send the detection rule of the PDU set to the UPF. After receiving the data packet, the UPF can identify the data packets belonging to the same PDU set, carry the PDU set information in the general packet radio service tunneling protocol (GTP-U), and transfer the relevant information of the PDU set to the access network device.

[0119] In the embodiments of the present application, the QoS file of the PDU set may include one or more QoS requirements / QoS parameters of the PDU set, such as one or more of the following: PDU set delay budget (PSDB), PDU set error rate (PSER), or PDU set integrated handling information (PSIHI).

[0120] Referring to Figure 3 , the SMF may generate a QoS file and a replaceable QoS file according to the PCC rule provided by the PCF. The QoS file may contain multiple QoS parameters based on QoS flows, and the replaceable QoS file may also contain multiple QoS parameters based on QoS flows. The SMF may send the QoS file and the replaceable QoS file to the access network device. When the access network device cannot meet the QoS parameters included in the QoS file during data transmission, it will select a replaceable QoS file that can be satisfied according to the priority and send a notification to the SMF. The content of the notification is the identifier (reference) corresponding to the currently selected replaceable QoS file. After receiving the notification from the access network device, the SMF will send notifications to the PCF and the terminal device. Among them, the notification sent to the PCF is the identifier of the replaceable QoS file, and the notification sent to the terminal device is the QoS parameters based on QoS flows used by the access network device.

[0121] However, as can be seen from the foregoing, for the processing of the PDU set, the SMF will generate the QoS parameters of the PDU set. The replaceable QoS file contains QoS parameters based on QoS flows and QoS parameters based on the PDU set. Based on the identifier of the replaceable QoS file sent by the access network device, such as reference, the SMF cannot determine whether the QoS parameters used by the access network device are QoS parameters based on QoS flows or QoS parameters based on the PDU set.

[0122] In view of this, the embodiments of the present application provide a method for notifying service quality parameters to determine whether the QoS parameters used by the access network device are service quality parameters based on QoS flows and / or service quality parameters based on the PDU set. Hereinafter, in conjunction with Figure 4 it is introduced.

[0123] Referring to Figure 4 , it is an exemplary flowchart of a method for notifying service quality parameters provided by the embodiments of the present application, which may include the following operations. Figure 4 The embodiments shown may be executed by a first communication device and a second communication device.Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the first communication device is taken as the core network device and the second communication device is taken as the access network device for illustration.

[0124] S401: The access network device sends the first information to the core network device.

[0125] Correspondingly, the core network device receives the first information from the access network device.

[0126] Among them, the first information may correspond to a service quality set. It can be understood that the service quality set here can be understood as an alternative QoS file. The service quality set corresponding to the first information includes QoS parameters based on QoS flows and / or QoS parameters based on PDU sets. For example, the service quality set corresponding to the first information includes QoS parameters based on QoS flows. For another example, the service quality set corresponding to the first information includes QoS parameters based on PDU sets. For another example, the service quality set corresponding to the first information includes QoS parameters based on QoS flows and QoS parameters based on PDU sets. The first information involved in the embodiments of the present application can be understood as an index or identifier of the service quality set, such as the aforementioned reference.

[0127] Optionally, as Figure 3 shown, when the access network device does not meet the QoS parameters included in the QoS profile, an alternative QoS profile that can be satisfied currently is selected, and the first information corresponding to the selected alternative QoS profile is sent to the core network device.

[0128] S402: The core network device determines that the QoS parameters used by the access network device are QoS parameters based on QoS flows and / or QoS parameters based on PDU sets.

[0129] For example, the core network device can determine that the QoS parameters used by the access network device are QoS parameters based on QoS flows. For another example, the core network device can determine that the QoS parameters used by the access network device are QoS parameters based on PDU sets. For another example, the core network device can determine that the QoS parameters used by the access network device are QoS parameters based on QoS flows and QoS parameters based on PDU sets.

[0130] In a possible scenario, when the quality of service (QoS) parameter set corresponding to the first information includes QoS parameters based on QoS flows, the core network device can determine that the QoS parameters used by the access network device are QoS parameters based on QoS flows. In another possible scenario, when the QoS parameter set corresponding to the first information includes QoS parameters based on PDU sets, the core network device can determine that the QoS parameters used by the access network device are QoS parameters based on PDU sets. In still another possible scenario, when the QoS parameter set corresponding to the first information includes QoS parameters based on QoS flows and QoS parameters based on PDU sets, the core network device can, based on the capability information of the access network device and the first information, or the core network device can, based on the first information, determine that the QoS parameters used by the access network device are QoS parameters based on QoS flows, or determine that the QoS parameters used by the access network device are QoS parameters based on PDU sets, or determine that the QoS parameters used by the access network device are QoS parameters based on QoS flows and QoS parameters based on PDU sets.

[0131] It can be understood that since the QoS parameter set corresponding to the first information is sent by the core network device to the access network device, the core network device can identify that the QoS parameter set corresponding to the first information includes QoS parameters based on QoS flows, or includes QoS parameters based on PDU sets, or includes QoS parameters based on QoS flows and QoS parameters based on PDU sets, which will be explained and described in subsequent scenarios.

[0132] Based on the above solution, the core network device can determine whether the QoS parameters used by the access network device are QoS parameters based on QoS flows, or QoS parameters based on PDU sets, or QoS parameters based on QoS flows and QoS parameters based on PDU sets, so as to know the QoS parameters used by the access network device during the transmission of data streams.

[0133] Next, when the QoS parameter set corresponding to the first information in S402 includes QoS parameters based on QoS flows and QoS parameters based on PDU sets, the method for the core network device to determine that the QoS parameters used by the access network device are QoS parameters based on QoS flows, or determine that the QoS parameters used by the access network device are QoS parameters based on PDU sets, or determine that the QoS parameters used by the access network device are QoS parameters based on QoS flows and QoS parameters based on PDU sets may include Scenarios 1 to 3.

[0134] Scenario 1: Based on the capability information of the access network device and the first information, the core network device determines whether the QoS parameters used by the access network device are QoS parameters based on QoS flows, QoS parameters based on PDU sets, or both QoS parameters based on QoS flows and QoS parameters based on PDU sets.

[0135] In a possible implementation, the access network device may send information to the core network device indicating whether it supports PDU set based QoS handling. In one possible scenario, if the access network device supports PDU set based QoS handling, the access network device may send the first indication information to the core network device indicating that it supports PDU set based QoS handling. If the access network device does not support PDU set based QoS handling, the access network device does not send the first indication information to the core network device. Then, the core network device can determine whether the access network device supports PDU set based QoS handling based on whether it receives the first indication information from the access network device. For example, if the core network device does not receive the first indication information from the access network device, it can be determined that the access network device does not support PDU set based QoS handling. Another example, if the core network device receives the first indication information from the access network device, it can be determined that the access network device supports PDU set based QoS handling.

[0136] In another possible scenario, if the access network device supports PDU set based QoS handling, the access network device may send the first indication information to the core network device indicating that it supports PDU set based QoS handling. If the access network device does not support PDU set based QoS handling, the access network device may send the second indication information to the core network device indicating that it does not support PDU set based QoS handling. That is, if the core network device receives the first indication information from the access network device, it can be determined that the access network device supports PDU set based QoS handling, and if the core network device receives the second indication information from the access network device, it can be determined that the access network device does not support PDU set based QoS handling.

[0137] In another possible scenario, the access network device may indicate whether it supports QoS processing based on PDU sets through the fourth indication information. For example, when the value of the fourth indication information is the first value, it may indicate that the access network device supports QoS processing based on PDU sets. For another example, when the value of the fourth indication information is the second value, it may indicate that the access network device does not support QoS processing based on PDU sets. It can be understood that the first value is different from the second value. For example, the fourth indication information may be 1-bit indication information. When the value of the fourth indication information is 1, it may indicate that the access network device supports QoS processing based on PDU sets. When the value of the fourth indication information is 0, it may indicate that the access network device does not support QoS processing based on PDU sets. Vice versa, when the value of the fourth indication information is 0, it may indicate that the access network device supports QoS processing based on PDU sets. When the value of the fourth indication information is 1, it may indicate that the access network device does not support QoS processing based on PDU sets.

[0138] Based on the above solution, the core network device can determine whether the access network device supports QoS processing based on PDU sets. Therefore, the core network device can determine whether the QoS parameters used by the access network device are QoS parameters based on QoS flows or QoS parameters based on PDU sets or QoS parameters based on QoS flows and QoS parameters based on PDU sets according to the first information. For example, if the access network device supports QoS processing based on PDU sets, then the core network device can determine that the QoS parameters used by the access network device include the QoS parameters based on PDU sets in the service quality set corresponding to the first information. For another example, if the access network device does not support QoS processing based on PDU sets, then the core network device can determine that the QoS parameters used by the access network device are the QoS parameters based on QoS flows in the service quality set corresponding to the first information.

[0139] In the embodiments of this application, the core network device may include SMF, PCF, AF, and NEF, etc. Hereinafter, Figure 5 introduce the technical solution of the above situation 1.

[0140] Refer to Figure 5 , which is an exemplary flowchart of a method for notifying service quality parameters provided by the embodiments of this application, and may include the following operations.

[0141] S501: AF sends the second information to PCF.

[0142] Correspondingly, PCF receives the second information from AF.

[0143] In a possible scenario, the AF may send the second information to the NEF, and the NEF may send the second information to the PCF. For example, the AF may send a QoS creation request (Nnef_AF session with QoS create request) to the NEF. The NEF may send a policy authorization creation request (Npcf_policy authorization create request) to the PCF. Optionally, the NEF may authenticate the AF to verify whether the AF is authorized.

[0144] In a possible implementation, optionally, the second information may include the quality of service requirements based on the QoS flow and / or the flow characteristic information of the QoS flow. The second information includes the quality of service requirements based on the PDU set. This second information may be used to generate one or more quality of service sets.

[0145] Optionally, Figure 5 The illustrated embodiment may further include the following operation S502.

[0146] S502: The PCF sends response information to the AF.

[0147] Correspondingly, the AF receives the response information from the PCF.

[0148] Among them, the response information may indicate that the PCF has generated one or more quality of service sets or may indicate that the PCF has received the second information. The present application does not make specific limitations. In a possible scenario, the PCF may send the response information to the NEF, and the NEF may send the response information to the AF. For example, the PCF may send a policy authorization response (Npcf_policyauthorization create response) to the NEF, and the NEF may send a QoS creation response (Nnef_AF sessionwith QoS create response) to the AF.

[0149] S503: The PCF sends one or more quality of service sets to the access network device.

[0150] Correspondingly, the access network device receives one or more quality of service sets from the PCF.

[0151] In a possible scenario, the PCF may generate a PCC rule based on the second information. The PCC rule may include one or more quality of service (QoS) sets, and each QoS set may include one or more QoS parameters based on a PDU set and / or one or more QoS parameters based on a QoS flow. The PCF may send the PCC rule to the SMF. The SMF may determine one or more QoS sets based on the PCC rule. In the one or more QoS sets, one QoS set may include one or more QoS parameters. The one or more QoS parameters may include QoS parameters based on a PDU set and / or QoS parameters based on a QoS flow. For example, the one or more QoS sets may include a first QoS set, which may include one or more QoS parameters based on a QoS flow, or the first QoS set may include one or more QoS parameters based on a PDU set, or the first QoS set may include one or more QoS parameters based on a QoS flow and one or more QoS parameters based on a PDU set. The SMF may send one or more QoS sets and the first information corresponding to each QoS set, such as a reference, to the access network device.

[0152] S504: The access network device sends information to the SMF indicating whether the access network device supports QoS processing based on a PDU set.

[0153] Correspondingly, the SMF receives from the access network device information indicating whether the access network device supports QoS processing based on a PDU set.

[0154] S504 may be implemented with reference to the foregoing first indication information, second indication information, or fourth indication information, and the present application does not make specific limitations.

[0155] It can be understood that the present application embodiments do not limit the execution timing of S504. For example, S504 may be executed before S501, S502, or S503, or may also be executed after S501, S502, or S503, or may be executed during the execution of S501, S502, or S503. The present application does not make specific limitations.

[0156] Exemplarily, in the case where the quality of service set received by the access network device includes QoS parameters based on a PDU set, if the access network device supports QoS processing based on the PDU set, then the access network device may send information indicating that the access network device supports QoS processing based on the PDU set to the SMF. In this way, the SMF may trigger the UPF to identify the PDU set and add PDU set information based on the information sent by the access network device. If the access network device does not support QoS processing based on the PDU set, then the access network device does not send any information, or the access network device sends second indication self-information or fourth indication information with a value of a second value. In this way, the SMF also does not enable the UPF to start identifying the PDU set and adding PDU set information.

[0157] S505: The access network device sends first information to the SMF.

[0158] Correspondingly, the SMF receives the first information from the access network device.

[0159] In S505, based on the first information received from the access network device, the SMF may determine the quality of service set used by the access network device. For example, the access network device may select a quality of service set from one or more quality of service sets and send first information corresponding to the selected quality of service set by the access network device to the SMF.

[0160] Optionally, when the access network device does not meet the QoS parameters included in the QoS profile, an alternative QoS profile that can be currently met is selected, and first information corresponding to the selected alternative QoS profile is sent to the core network device.

[0161] In a possible scenario, if the quality of service (QoS) set selected by the access network device includes QoS parameters based on QoS flows and QoS parameters based on PDU sets, the access network device can choose to use the QoS parameters based on QoS flows, or choose to use the QoS parameters based on PDU sets, or choose to use both the QoS parameters based on QoS flows and the QoS parameters based on PDU sets (for example, some parameters use the QoS parameters based on QoS flows, such as the packet delay budget (PDB), and some parameters use the QoS parameters based on PDU sets, such as the PDU Set error rate). For example, if the access network device supports QoS processing based on PDU sets, then the access network device can choose to use the QoS parameters based on PDU sets, or choose to use both the QoS parameters based on QoS flows and the QoS parameters based on PDU sets. Another example is that if the access network device does not support QoS processing based on PDU sets, then the access network device can choose to use the QoS parameters based on QoS flows.

[0162] In a possible implementation, the SMF can determine the QoS set used by the access network device based on S505, and based on S504, can determine that the QoS parameters in the QoS set used by the access network device are QoS parameters based on QoS flows, or determine that the QoS parameters used by the access network device are QoS parameters based on PDU sets, or determine that the QoS parameters used by the access network device are both QoS parameters based on QoS flows and QoS parameters based on PDU sets.

[0163] For example, in S504, if the access network device sends to the SMF that it supports QoS processing based on PDU sets, then the SMF can determine, based on S504 and S505, that the QoS parameters used by the access network device are the QoS parameters based on PDU sets in the QoS set corresponding to the first information. Specifically, the QoS parameters used by the access network device may be the QoS parameters based on PDU sets, or may be both the QoS parameters based on PDU sets and the QoS parameters based on QoS flows. Another example is that in S504, if the access network device sends to the SMF that it does not support QoS processing based on PDU sets, then the SMF can determine, based on S504 and S505, that the QoS parameters used by the access network device are the QoS parameters based on QoS flows in the QoS set corresponding to the first information.

[0164] Optionally, Figure 5 The illustrated embodiment may further include the following operation S506.

[0165] S506: The SMF sends the QoS parameters used by the access network device to the terminal device.

[0166] Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the QoS parameters used by the access network device from the SMF.

[0167] For example, if in S505 the access network device sends to the SMF that the access network device supports QoS processing based on PDU session, then the SMF can determine, according to the QoS parameters included in the QoS set corresponding to the first information in S504, that the QoS parameters used by the access network device are QoS parameters based on PDU session, or determine that the QoS parameters used by the access network device are QoS parameters based on QoS flow and QoS parameters based on PDU session, and send to the terminal device the QoS parameters based on PDU session used by the access network device, or the QoS parameters based on QoS flow and QoS parameters based on PDU session used by the access network device. Another example is that if in S505 the access network device sends to the SMF that the access network device does not support QoS processing based on PDU session, then the SMF can determine, according to the QoS parameters included in the QoS set corresponding to the first information in S504, that the QoS parameters used by the access network device are QoS parameters based on QoS flow, and send to the terminal device the QoS parameters based on QoS flow used by the access network device.

[0168] In a possible manner, if the SMF receives indication information that the access network device supports QoS processing based on a PDU set, the SMF may determine the QoS parameters used by the access network device according to the QoS parameters included in the QoS set corresponding to the first information in S504. For example, if the QoS parameters included in the QoS set corresponding to the first information are QoS parameters based on QoS flows and QoS parameters based on PDU sets, the access network device will replace the QoS parameters based on QoS flows (if there are corresponding QoS parameters based on QoS flows) in the corresponding QoS set with the corresponding QoS parameters based on PDU sets and schedule the service flow. For another example, if the QoS parameters included in the QoS set corresponding to the first information are QoS parameters based on QoS flows and QoS parameters based on PDU sets, the access network device may use the QoS parameters based on PDU sets to process the PDU set. For example, if the corresponding QoS set includes the packet delay budget (PDB) and the PDUSet delay budget (PSDB), the access network device will replace the packet delay budget with the PDU Set delay budget, or the access network device will process the PDU set with the PDU set delay budget. If the corresponding QoS set includes the PDUSet packet error rate (PSER) and no packet error rate (PER packet error rate), or if the corresponding QoS set includes the packet error rate and no PDU Set packet error rate, the access network device will use the included parameters as QoS parameters. In this case, the SMF may determine that the QoS parameters included in the QoS set corresponding to the first information in S504 used by the access network device are QoS parameters based on QoS flows and QoS parameters based on PDU sets. For example, the access network device uses the PDU Set delay budget (PSDB) and the packet error rate (PER packet error rate). After that, the SMF sends the specific QoS parameters used by the access network device to the terminal device.

[0169] Based on S506, the terminal device may determine the QoS parameters used by the access network device.

[0170] Optionally, Figure 5 The illustrated embodiment may further include the following operation S507.

[0171] S507: The SMF sends the first information and the type information of the QoS parameters to the PCF.

[0172] Correspondingly, the PCF receives the first information and the type information of the QoS parameters from the SMF.

[0173] For example, the SMF may send first information to the PCF to indicate the set of quality of service used by the access network device, and indicate through the type information of the QoS parameter that the QoS parameter used by the access network device is a QoS parameter based on a PDU set or a QoS parameter based on a QoS flow or a QoS parameter based on a QoS flow and a QoS parameter based on a PDU set.

[0174] In a possible case, after the SMF determines the type of QoS parameter used by the access network device, S507 may be executed.

[0175] Based on S507, the PCF may determine whether the QoS parameter used by the access network device is a QoS parameter based on a QoS flow or a QoS parameter based on a PDU set or a QoS parameter based on a QoS flow and a QoS parameter based on a PDU set.

[0176] Optionally, Figure 5 The illustrated embodiment may further include the following operation S508.

[0177] S508: The PCF sends the first information or the QoS parameter used by the access network device to the AF.

[0178] Correspondingly, the AF receives the first information or the QoS parameter used by the access network device from the PCF.

[0179] For example, the PCF may indicate the set of quality of service used by the access network device based on the first information. For another example, the PCF may indicate the QoS parameter used by the access network device to the AF. It can be understood that at this time, the AF cannot determine whether the QoS parameter used by the access network device is a QoS parameter based on a PDU set or a QoS parameter based on a QoS flow. Optionally, the PCF may send the type information of the QoS parameter to the AF. In this way, the AF may determine, based on the type information of the QoS parameter, that the QoS parameter used by the access network device is a QoS parameter based on a PDU set, or determine that the QoS parameter used by the access network device is a QoS parameter based on a QoS flow, or determine that the QoS parameter used by the access network device is a QoS parameter based on a QoS flow and a QoS parameter based on a PDU set.

[0180] Based on S508, the AF may determine the QoS parameter used by the access network device, and thus know the QoS parameter used by the access network device during the data stream transmission process.

[0181] In Figure 5In the illustrated embodiment, in one or more quality of service (QoS) sets sent by the PCF to the access network device, a QoS set may include QoS parameters based on QoS flows and / or QoS parameters based on PDU sets. In a possible implementation, the PCF may update one or more QoS sets based on the information sent by the access network device indicating whether it supports QoS handling based on PDU sets. The updated one or more QoS sets may include QoS parameters based on PDU sets and / or QoS parameters based on QoS flows. Hereinafter, with reference to Figure 6 this is described.

[0182] Referring to Figure 6 , an exemplary flowchart of a method for notifying QoS parameters provided by an embodiment of this application may include the following operations.

[0183] S601 to S603 may be implemented with reference to S501 to S503.

[0184] S604: The access network device sends information to the SMF indicating whether it supports QoS handling based on PDU sets.

[0185] Correspondingly, the SMF receives from the access network device information indicating whether the access network device supports QoS handling based on PDU sets.

[0186] S604 may be implemented with reference to S505.

[0187] S605: The SMF sends to the PCF information indicating whether the access network device supports QoS handling based on PDU sets.

[0188] Correspondingly, the PCF receives from the SMF information indicating whether the access network device supports QoS handling based on PDU sets.

[0189] For example, if in S604 the access network device sends to the SMF information indicating that it supports QoS handling based on PDU sets, then in S605 the SMF may send to the PCF information indicating that the access network device supports QoS handling based on PDU sets. Another example is that if in S604 the access network device sends to the SMF information indicating that it does not indicate QoS handling based on PDU sets, then in S605 the SMF sends to the PCF information indicating that the access network device does not support QoS handling based on PDU sets.

[0190] It can be understood that the information indicating whether the access network device supports QoS handling based on PDU sets may be implemented with reference to the foregoing first indication information, second indication information, or fourth indication information, which will not be elaborated here.

[0191] S606: The PCF sends one or more updated quality of service (QoS) sets to the access network device.

[0192] Correspondingly, the access network device receives one or more updated QoS sets from the PCF.

[0193] For example, the PCF may generate a PCC rule based on the second information received from the AF. The PCC rule may include one or more QoS sets, and each QoS set may include one or more QoS parameters based on a PDU set and / or one or more QoS parameters based on a QoS flow. For example, if the access network device supports QoS handling based on a PDU set in S605, then the PCC rule may include one or more QoS parameters based on a PDU set. Another example is that if the access network device does not support QoS handling based on a PDU set in S605, then the PCC rule may include one or more QoS parameters based on a QoS flow.

[0194] The SMF may determine one or more QoS sets based on the PCC rule. In the one or more QoS sets, one QoS set may include one or more QoS parameters. Among them, the one or more QoS parameters may include QoS parameters based on a PDU set or QoS parameters based on a QoS flow or QoS parameters based on a PDU set and QoS parameters based on a QoS flow. For example, if the access network device supports QoS handling based on a PDU set in S605, then the one or more QoS parameters may include one or more QoS parameters based on a PDU set. Another example is that if the access network device does not support QoS handling based on a PDU set in S605, then the one or more QoS parameters may include one or more QoS parameters based on a QoS flow. The SMF may send one or more QoS sets to the access network device, as well as the first information corresponding to each QoS set, such as a reference.

[0195] Based on the above solution, the PCF can update one or more quality of service (QoS) sets based on the indication of the SMF, without the SMF determining whether the QoS parameters used by the access network device are based on the QoS parameters of the PDU set, or based on the QoS parameters of the QoS flow, or based on the QoS parameters of the PDU set and the QoS parameters of the QoS flow. The access network device can select a QoS set from the updated one or more QoS sets and send the first information corresponding to the selected QoS set to the SMF. In this way, the SMF can determine the QoS set used by the access network device based on the first information, and thus can inform the terminal device that the QoS parameters used by the access network device are the QoS parameters included in the QoS set corresponding to the first information. The SMF can also send the first information to the PCF to inform the PCF of the QoS set used by the access network device.

[0196] In a possible implementation, if the access network device undergoes a handover, such as from the first access network device to the second access network device, the SMF may or may not send a notification, such as a QoS file notification, to the terminal device, which is not specifically limited in this application. This notification can be used to indicate the QoS parameters used by the second access network device to the terminal device. However, at this time, the SMF does not know whether the second access network device supports QoS handling based on the PDU set. The SMF may determine that QoS handling based on the PDU set is required based on the PDU set in the previous data stream. Therefore, the SMF can send a confirmation of the ability to perform QoS handling based on the PDU set (PDU set capability) to the second access network device. For example, the SMF can send the third information to the second access network device, and this third information is used to confirm whether the second access network device supports QoS handling based on the PDU set. The second access network device can send the fourth information to the SMF, and this fourth information is used to indicate whether the second access network device supports QoS handling based on the PDU set. Among them, the fourth information can be implemented with reference to the aforementioned first indication information, second indication information, or fourth indication information, which will not be elaborated here.

[0197] Similarly, the SMF executes S605, enabling the PCF to execute S606 to update one or more QoS sets.

[0198] Case 2: The core network device determines, based on the first information, that the QoS parameters used by the access network device are based on the QoS parameters of the QoS flow, or determines that the QoS parameters used by the access network device are based on the QoS parameters of the PDU set, or determines that the QoS parameters used by the access network device are based on the QoS parameters of the PDU set and the QoS parameters of the QoS flow.

[0199] In a possible implementation, the first information in the related art may indicate an alternative QoS profile. In the embodiments of the present application, the first information can be enhanced so that while indicating the QoS profile, it can also indicate the type of QoS parameters included in the QoS profile. For example, in Case 2, the first information may indicate QoS profile 1, which may include QoS parameters based on QoS flows and QoS parameters based on PDU sets. The first information in Case 2 may also indicate QoS parameters based on QoS flows or QoS parameters based on PDU sets or QoS parameters based on PDU sets and QoS parameters based on QoS flows.

[0200] Exemplarily, assume that 1 bit is added to the second information, and this 1 bit can indicate the type of QoS parameter. For example, when the value of the added 1 bit is 0, it can indicate QoS parameters based on QoS flows; when the value of the added 1 bit is 1, it can indicate QoS parameters based on PDU sets or QoS parameters based on PDU sets and QoS parameters based on QoS flows. Vice versa, when the value of the added 1 bit is 1, it can indicate QoS parameters based on QoS flows; when the value of the added 1 bit is 0, it can indicate QoS parameters based on PDU sets or QoS parameters based on PDU sets and QoS parameters based on QoS flows. Specifically, assume that the value of the second information is 11. Then the first 1 can indicate QoS profile 1, and the second 1 can indicate QoS parameters based on QoS flows in QoS profile 1.

[0201] Based on Case 2, the core network device can determine that the QoS parameters used by the access network device are QoS parameters based on QoS flows, or determine that the QoS parameters used by the access network device are QoS parameters based on PDU sets, or determine that the QoS parameters used by the access network device are QoS parameters based on PDU sets and QoS parameters based on QoS flows. During the data stream transmission process, the core network device can perform corresponding processing based on the QoS parameters used by the access network device.

[0202] In the embodiments of the present application, the core network device may include SMF, PCF, AF, NEF, etc. Hereinafter, in combination with Figure 7 the technical solutions of the above Case 2 will be introduced.

[0203] Refer to Figure 7 , which is an exemplary flowchart of a method for notifying QoS parameters provided by the embodiments of the present application, and may include the following operations.

[0204] S701 to S702 can be implemented with reference to S501 to S502.

[0205] S703: The PCF sends one or more service quality sets to the access network device.

[0206] Correspondingly, the access network device receives one or more service quality sets from the PCF.

[0207] In a possible scenario, the PCF may generate a PCC rule according to the second information. Among them, the PCC rule may include one or more service quality sets, and each service quality set may include one or more QoS parameters based on PDU sets, and / or one or more QoS parameters based on QoS flows. The PCF may send the PCC rule to the SMF. The SMF may determine one or more service quality sets based on the PCC rule. Among the one or more service quality sets, one service quality set may include one or more QoS parameters. Among them, the one or more QoS parameters may include QoS parameters based on PDU sets and / or QoS parameters based on QoS flows. For example, the one or more service quality sets may include a first service quality set, and the first service quality set may include one or more QoS parameters based on QoS flows, or the first service quality set may include one or more QoS parameters based on PDU sets, or the first service quality set may include one or more QoS parameters based on QoS flows and one or more QoS parameters based on PDU sets.

[0208] The SMF may send one or more service quality sets to the access network device, and the first information corresponding to each service quality set, such as a reference. In a possible scenario, if the service quality set includes QoS parameters based on QoS flows and QoS parameters based on PDU sets, then the service quality set may correspond to three first information, where one first information may correspond to the QoS parameters based on QoS flows in the service quality set, one first information may correspond to the QoS parameters based on PDU sets in the service quality set, and another first information may correspond to the QoS parameters based on PDU sets and QoS parameters based on QoS flows in the service quality set.

[0209] S704: The access network device sends the first information to the SMF.

[0210] Correspondingly, the SMF receives the first information from the access network device.

[0211] Optionally, when the access network device does not meet the QoS parameters included in the QoS profile, an alternative QoS profile that can be currently satisfied is selected, and a first message corresponding to the selected alternative QoS profile is sent to the core network device.

[0212] In S704, based on the first information received from the access network device, the SMF can determine the type of QoS parameters in the set of quality of service used by the access network device.

[0213] For example, the access network device can select a set of quality of service from one or more sets of quality of service. In a possible scenario, if the set of quality of service selected by the access network device includes QoS parameters based on QoS flows and QoS parameters based on PDU sets, the access network device can choose to use QoS parameters based on QoS flows or choose to use QoS parameters based on PDU sets. For example, if the access network device supports QoS handling based on PDU sets, then the access network device can choose to use QoS parameters based on PDU sets. Again, for example, if the access network device does not support QoS handling based on PDU sets, then the access network device can choose to use QoS parameters based on QoS flows. The access network device can send the corresponding first information to the SMF based on the type of selected QoS parameters.

[0214] Optionally, Figure 7 The illustrated embodiment may further include the following operation S705.

[0215] S705: The SMF sends the QoS parameters used by the access network device to the terminal device.

[0216] Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the QoS parameters used by the access network device from the SMF.

[0217] For example, the SMF can determine the type of QoS parameters in the set of quality of service used by the access network device based on the first information in S704. For example, if the first information in S704 indicates QoS parameters based on QoS flows in the corresponding set of quality of service, then in S705, the SMF can send the QoS parameters based on QoS flows used by the access network device to the terminal device. If the first information in S704 indicates QoS parameters based on PDU sets in the corresponding set of quality of service, then in S705, the SMF can send the QoS parameters based on PDU sets used by the access network device or the QoS parameters based on PDU sets and the QoS parameters based on QoS flows to the terminal device.

[0218] Optionally, Figure 7The illustrated embodiment may further include the following operation S706.

[0219] S706: The SMF sends the first information to the PCF.

[0220] Correspondingly, the PCF receives the first information from the SMF.

[0221] For example, the SMF may send the first information to the PCF to indicate the type of QoS parameter in the QoS parameter set used by the access network device. For example, the SMF may send the first information to the PCF to indicate that the QoS parameter used by the access network device is the QoS parameter based on the QoS flow in the QoS parameter set corresponding to the first information. For another example, the SMF may send the first information to the PCF to indicate that the QoS parameter used by the access network device is the QoS parameter based on the PDU set in the QoS parameter set corresponding to the first information, or to indicate that the QoS parameter used by the access network device is the QoS parameter based on the PDU set and the QoS parameter based on the QoS flow in the QoS parameter set corresponding to the first information.

[0222] Optionally, Figure 7 The illustrated embodiment may further include the following operation S707.

[0223] S707: The PCF sends the first information to the AF.

[0224] Correspondingly, the AF receives the first information from the PCF.

[0225] For example, the PCF may send the first information to the AF to indicate the type of QoS parameter in the QoS parameter set used by the access network device. For example, the PCF may send the first information to the AF to indicate that the QoS parameter used by the access network device is the QoS parameter based on the QoS flow in the QoS parameter set corresponding to the first information. For another example, the PCF may send the first information to the AF to indicate that the QoS parameter used by the access network device is the QoS parameter based on the PDU set or the QoS parameter based on the PDU set and the QoS parameter based on the QoS flow in the QoS parameter set corresponding to the first information.

[0226] Case 3: The core network device determines, based on the first information sent by the access network device and the type information of the QoS parameter, that the QoS parameter used by the access network device is the QoS parameter based on the QoS flow or the QoS parameter based on the PDU set.

[0227] In Scenario 3, the access network device may send the first information to the core network device to indicate the quality of service set or quality of service parameters used by the access network device. The access network device may send the type information of the QoS parameters used by the access network device to the core network device to indicate whether the QoS parameters used by the access network device are QoS parameters based on QoS flows, QoS parameters based on PDU sets, or QoS parameters based on PDU sets and QoS parameters based on QoS flows. In the embodiments of the present application, the core network device may include an SMF, a PCF, an AF, an NEF, etc. Hereinafter, in combination with Figure 8 , the technical solution of Scenario 3 will be introduced.

[0228] Refer to Figure 8 , which is an exemplary flowchart of a method for notifying quality of service parameters provided by the embodiments of the present application, and may include the following operations.

[0229] S801 to S804 may be implemented with reference to S501 to S504.

[0230] S805: The access network device sends the type information of the QoS parameters used by the access network device to the SMF.

[0231] Correspondingly, the SMF receives the type information of the QoS parameters used by the access network device from the access network device.

[0232] For example, if the access network device uses the QoS parameters based on PDU sets in the quality of service set corresponding to the first information, then the access network device may send the type information of the QoS parameters used by the access network device as QoS parameters based on PDU sets, or the type information of the QoS parameters used by the access network device is QoS parameters based on PDU sets and QoS parameters based on QoS flows. For another example, if the access network device uses the QoS parameters based on QoS flows in the quality of service set corresponding to the first information, then the access network device may send the type information of the QoS parameters used by the access network device as QoS parameters based on QoS flows.

[0233] Optionally, if the access network device supports QoS handling based on PDU sets, then the access network device may use the QoS parameters based on PDU sets in the quality of service set corresponding to the first information. If the access network device does not support QoS handling based on PDU sets, then the access network device may use the QoS parameters based on QoS flows in the quality of service set corresponding to the first information.

[0234] It can be understood that the type information of the QoS parameters may be sent in one message with the first information, or may also be sent in different messages, and the present application does not make specific limitations.

[0235] Optionally, Figure 8 The illustrated embodiment may further include the following operation S806.

[0236] S806: The SMF sends the QoS parameters used by the access network device to the terminal device.

[0237] Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the QoS parameters used by the access network device from the SMF.

[0238] For example, if the type information of the QoS parameters sent by the access network device to the SMF in S805 is the QoS parameters based on PDU sets, then in S806, the SMF sends the QoS parameters based on PDU sets or the QoS parameters based on PDU sets and the QoS parameters based on QoS flows in the service quality set corresponding to the first information to the terminal device. For another example, if the type information of the QoS parameters sent by the access network device to the SMF in S805 is the QoS parameters based on QoS flows, then in S806, the SMF sends the QoS parameters based on QoS flows in the service quality set corresponding to the first information to the terminal device.

[0239] S807 and S808 may be implemented with reference to S507 and S508.

[0240] Based on the above Figure 8 The illustrated technical solution enables the access network device to indicate the type of the QoS parameters used by the access network device to the core network device, providing another technical solution for the core network device to determine the type of the QoS parameters used by the access network device according to the indication of the access network device.

[0241] Based on the concept of the above embodiment, referring to Figure 9 , an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device 900, which includes a processing unit 901 and a transceiver unit 902. The device 900 may be a communication device or an apparatus applied to a communication device and capable of supporting the communication device to execute the method for notifying service quality parameters.

[0242] Wherein, the transceiver unit may also be referred to as a transceiver module, a transceiver, a transceiver, a transceiver device, etc. The processing unit may also be referred to as a processor, a processing board, a processing unit, a processing device, etc. Optionally, the device for implementing the receiving function in the transceiver unit may be regarded as a receiving unit. It should be understood that the transceiver unit is used to execute the sending operation and the receiving operation of the communication device in the above method embodiment. The device for implementing the sending function in the transceiver unit is regarded as a sending unit, that is, the transceiver unit includes a receiving unit and a sending unit.

[0243] In addition, it should be noted that if the device is implemented by a chip / chip circuit, the transceiver unit may be an input / output circuit and / or a communication interface, which performs input operations (corresponding to the aforementioned receiving operations) and output operations (corresponding to the aforementioned sending operations); the processing unit is an integrated processor, a microprocessor, or an integrated circuit.

[0244] The following will describe in detail the embodiments in which the device 900 is applied to the first communication device and the second communication device.

[0245] Exemplarily, when the device 900 is applied to the first communication device, the operations performed by each unit thereof will be described in detail.

[0246] In an alternative embodiment, the communication device 1100 can be applied to the first communication device and execute the method performed by the first communication device, specifically, for example, the method performed by the terminal device in the aforementioned Figures 4 to 8 illustrated embodiment. It can be understood that the communication device 1100 can also be applied to each network element in the first communication device, such as SMF, PCF, NEF, and AF, etc.

[0247] For example, the transceiver unit 902 is configured to receive first information from the second communication device, and the quality of service (QoS) profile corresponding to the first information includes QoS parameters based on QoS flows and QoS parameters based on a set of protocol data units. The processing unit 901 is configured to determine the QoS parameters used by the second communication device, and the used QoS parameters are QoS parameters based on QoS flows or QoS parameters based on a set of protocol data units.

[0248] Exemplarily, when the device 900 is applied to the second communication device, the operations performed by each unit thereof will be described in detail.

[0249] In an alternative embodiment, the communication device 1100 can be applied to the second communication device and execute the method performed by the second communication device, specifically, for example, the method performed by the second communication device in the aforementioned Figures 4 to 8 illustrated embodiment. It can be understood that the communication device 1100 can also be applied to each network element in the second communication device, such as SMF, PCF, NEF, and AF, etc.

[0250] For example, a transceiver unit 902 is configured to receive one or more quality of service (QoS) sets from a first communication device. Herein, one QoS set corresponds to one first piece of information, one QoS set includes one or more QoS parameters, and the one or more QoS parameters include QoS parameters based on a QoS flow and QoS parameters based on a set of protocol data units. A processing unit 901 is configured to determine the first piece of information. The transceiver unit 902 is further configured to send the first piece of information to the first communication device.

[0251] Based on the concept of the embodiment, as Figure 10 shown, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device 1000. The communication device 1000 includes a processor 1090. Optionally, the communication device 1000 may further include a memory 1020, configured to store instructions executed by the processor 1090, or input data required for the processor 1090 to run the instructions, or data generated after the processor 1090 runs the instructions. The processor 1090 may implement the method shown in the above method embodiment through the instructions stored in the memory 1020.

[0252] Based on the concept of the embodiment, as Figure 11 shown, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device 1100, which may be a chip or a chip system. Optionally, in the embodiment of the present application, the chip system may be composed of chips, or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0253] The communication device 1100 may include at least one processor 1110, and the processor 1110 is coupled to a memory. Optionally, the memory may be located inside the device or outside the device. For example, the communication device 1100 may further include at least one memory 1120. The memory 1120 stores necessary computer programs, configuration information, computer programs or instructions, and / or data in any of the above embodiments; the processor 1110 may execute the computer programs stored in the memory 1120 to complete the method in any of the above embodiments. Optionally, the memory may also be integrated with the processor.

[0254] The coupling in the embodiment of the present application is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units or modules, which may be electrical, mechanical or other forms, and is used for information interaction between devices, units or modules. The processor 1110 may cooperate with the memory 1120. In the embodiment of the present application, the specific connection medium between the transceiver 1130, the processor 1110 and the memory 1120 is not limited.

[0255] The communication device 1100 may further include a transceiver 1130. The communication device 1100 may interact with other devices through the transceiver 1130. The transceiver 1130 may be a circuit, a bus, a transceiver, or any other device that can be used for information interaction, or is referred to as a signal transceiver unit. As Figure 11 shown, the transceiver 1130 includes a transmitter 1131, a receiver 1132, and an antenna 1133. In addition, when the communication device 1100 is a chip-like device or a circuit, the transceiver in the communication device 1100 may also be an input / output circuit and / or a communication interface, which can input data (or, receive data) and output data (or, transmit data). The processor is an integrated processor, a microprocessor, or an integrated circuit. The processor may determine the output data according to the input data.

[0256] In a possible implementation manner, the communication device 1100 may be applied to a communication device. Specifically, the communication device 1100 may be a communication device, or a device that can support a communication device and implement the functions of the first communication device or the second communication device in any of the above-mentioned embodiments. The memory 1120 stores the necessary computer programs, computer programs or instructions, and / or data for implementing the functions of the first communication device or the second communication device in any of the above-mentioned embodiments. The processor 1110 may execute the computer programs stored in the memory 1120 to complete the methods executed by the first communication device or the second communication device in any of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0257] In the embodiments of the present application, the processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field-programmable gate array, or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, and may implement or execute the various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the methods disclosed in combination with the embodiments of the present application may be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor.

[0258] In the embodiments of the present application, the memory may be a non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), etc., or may also be a volatile memory, such as a random-access memory (RAM). The memory may also be any other medium that can be used to carry or store the desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory in the embodiments of the present application may also be a circuit or any other device capable of implementing a storage function, for storing computer programs, computer programs or instructions and / or data.

[0259] Based on the above embodiments, refer to Figure 12 , the embodiments of the present application further provide another communication device 1200, including: an input / output interface 1210 and a logic circuit 1220; the input / output interface 1210 is used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the logic circuit 1220; the logic circuit 1220 is used to run the code instructions to execute the method performed by the first communication device or the second communication device in any of the above embodiments.

[0260] Hereinafter, the operations performed by the device 1200 when applied to the first communication device or the second communication device will be described in detail.

[0261] In an alternative embodiment, the communication device 2000 can be applied to the first communication device to execute the method performed by the first communication device, specifically, for example, the method performed by the first communication device in the embodiments shown in Figures 4 to 8 . It can be understood that the communication device 2000 can also be applied to each network element in the first communication device, such as AMF, SMF, and UPF, etc.

[0262] For example, the input / output interface 1210 is used to input the first information from the second communication device, and the quality of service set (QoS profile) corresponding to the first information includes quality of service parameters based on quality of service (QoS) flows and quality of service parameters based on a set of protocol data units. The logic circuit 1220 is used to determine the quality of service parameters used by the second communication device, and the quality of service parameters used are quality of service parameters based on QoS flows or quality of service parameters based on a set of protocol data units.

[0263] Since the communication device 1200 provided in this embodiment can be applied to the first communication device to execute the method performed by the first communication device. Therefore, the technical effects that can be obtained can refer to the above method embodiments and will not be elaborated here.

[0264] In an alternative embodiment, the communication device 2000 can be applied to a second communication device to execute the method performed by the second communication device. Specifically, for example, the method performed by the second communication device in the foregoing Figures 4 to 8 embodiment shown. It can be understood that the communication device 1200 can also be applied to each network element in the second communication device, such as AMF, SMF, UPF, etc.

[0265] For example, the input / output interface 1210 is used to input one or more quality of service (QoS) sets from a first communication device. Among them, one QoS set corresponds to one first piece of information, one QoS set includes one or more QoS parameters, and one or more QoS parameters include QoS parameters based on QoS flows and QoS parameters based on a set of protocol data units. The logic circuit 1220 is used to determine the first piece of information. The input / output interface 1210 is further used to output the first piece of information.

[0266] Since the communication device 1200 provided in this embodiment can be applied to a second communication device to execute the method performed by the second communication device. Therefore, the technical effects that can be obtained can refer to the above method embodiment and will not be elaborated here.

[0267] Based on the above embodiments, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system, which includes at least one first core network and at least one second core network. Optionally, the communication system further includes at least one terminal device. The technical effects that can be obtained can refer to the above method embodiment and will not be elaborated here.

[0268] Based on the above embodiments, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a computer program or instruction. When the instruction is executed, the method performed by the communication device in any of the above embodiments is implemented. The computer-readable storage medium may include: various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory, a random access memory, a magnetic disk, or an optical disc.

[0269] To implement the functions of the above Figures 9 to 12 communication device, an embodiment of the present application further provides a chip, which includes a processor for supporting the communication device to implement the functions involved in the first communication device or the second communication device in the above method embodiment. In a possible design, the chip is connected to a memory or the chip includes a memory, and the memory is used to store necessary computer programs or instructions and data for the terminal device or the network device.

[0270] Those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments of the present application can be provided as a method, a system, or a computer program product. Therefore, the present application can take the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Moreover, the present application can take the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to disk memory, CD-ROM, optical memory, etc.) that contain computer-usable program code.

[0271] The present application is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatuses (systems), and computer program products according to the embodiments of the present application. It should be understood that each flow and / or block in the flowchart and / or block diagram, and the combination of flows and / or blocks in the flowchart and / or block diagram, can be implemented by computer programs or instructions. These computer programs or instructions can be provided to the processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or other programmable data processing devices to generate a machine, such that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing devices generate means for implementing the functions specified in Figure 1 one or more of the flows Figure 1 or blocks or combinations thereof.

[0272] These computer programs or instructions can also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to work in a specific manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory generate a manufactured article including instruction means that implement the functions specified in Figure 1 one or more of the flows Figure 1 or blocks or combinations thereof.

[0273] These computer programs or instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device, such that a series of operation steps are executed on the computer or other programmable device to generate a computer-implemented process, and thus the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable device provide steps for implementing the functions specified in Figure 1 one or more of the flows Figure 1 or blocks or combinations thereof.

[0274] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the embodiments of the present application without departing from the scope of the embodiments of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the embodiments of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalent technologies, the present application also intends to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A method for notifying quality of service parameters, characterized in that, Applied to a first communication device, including: Receiving first information from a second communication device, where the quality of service set (QoS profile) corresponding to the first information includes quality of service parameters based on a QoS flow and quality of service parameters based on a set of protocol data units; Determining the quality of service parameters used by the second communication device, where the used quality of service parameters are the quality of service parameters based on the QoS flow or the quality of service parameters based on the set of protocol data units.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, It further includes: Receiving first indication information from the second communication device, where the first indication information indicates that the second communication device supports quality of service processing based on a set of protocol data units; The determining the quality of service parameters used by the second communication device includes: Determining, according to the first indication information, that the quality of service parameters used by the second communication device are the quality of service parameters based on the set of protocol data units.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein It further includes: Not receiving the first indication information from the second communication device, where the first indication information indicates that the second communication device supports quality of service processing based on a set of protocol data units; The determining the quality of service parameters used by the second communication device includes: Determining that the quality of service parameters used by the second communication device are the quality of service parameters based on the QoS flow; Or, receiving second indication information from the second communication device, where the second indication information indicates that the second communication device does not support quality of service processing based on a set of protocol data units; The determining the quality of service parameters used by the second communication device includes: Determining, according to the second indication information, that the quality of service parameters used by the second communication device are the quality of service parameters based on the QoS flow.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first information is used to indicate that the used quality of service parameters are the quality of service parameters based on the QoS flow or the first information is used to indicate that the used quality of service parameters are the quality of service parameters based on the set of protocol data units.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The first communication device includes a session management function network element.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The first communication device includes a session management function network element and a policy control function network element. The receiving the first information from the second communication device includes: The session management function network element receives the first information from the second communication device; The method further includes: The session management function network element sends one or more of the used quality of service parameters, the type of the used quality of service parameters, or the first information to the policy control function network element; where the type of the used quality of service parameters includes the type of quality of service parameters based on the QoS flow or the type of quality of service parameters based on the set of protocol data units.

7. According to the method described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The first communication device includes an application function network element and a policy control function network element. The method further includes: The application function network element sends second information to the policy control function network element, where the second information includes quality of service (QoS) requirements based on a set of protocol data units or QoS requirements based on a set of protocol data units and QoS requirements based on QoS flows. The second information is used to generate one or more QoS sets, and one QoS set includes one or more QoS parameters. The one or more QoS parameters include the QoS parameters based on the set of protocol data units and the QoS parameters based on QoS flows. The policy control function network element determines the one or more QoS sets based on the QoS requirements based on the set of protocol data units and the QoS requirements based on QoS flows.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein The first communication device further includes a session management function network element, and the method further includes: The policy control function network element sends the one or more QoS sets and first information corresponding to the one or more QoS sets to the session management function network element. The session management function sends the one or more QoS sets and the first information (which may be an index, including index and granularity / type information) corresponding to the one or more QoS sets to the second communication device.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The QoS parameters based on the set of protocol data units include one or more of the following: Set delay budget of protocol data units, bit error rate of the set of protocol data units, integrated processing information of the set of protocol data units.

10. A method for notifying a quality of service parameter, characterized in that, Applied to the second communication device, it includes: Receiving one or more QoS sets from the first communication device; wherein, one QoS set corresponds to one piece of first information, the one QoS set includes one or more QoS parameters, and the one or more QoS parameters include QoS parameters based on QoS flows and QoS parameters based on the set of protocol data units. Sending the first information to the first communication device.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that It further includes: Sending first indication information to the first communication device, where the first indication information indicates that the second communication device supports QoS processing based on the set of protocol data units.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein It further includes: Sending second indication information to the first communication device, where the second indication information indicates that the second communication device does not support QoS processing based on the set of protocol data units.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein The first information indicates that the QoS parameters used by the second communication device are the QoS parameters based on QoS flows among the one or more QoS parameters included in the QoS set corresponding to the first information; or, the first information indicates that the QoS parameters used by the second communication device are the QoS parameters based on the set of protocol data units among the one or more QoS parameters included in the QoS set corresponding to the first information.

14. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that, The QoS parameters based on the set of protocol data units include one or more of the following: Set delay budget of protocol data units, bit error rate of the set of protocol data units, integrated processing information of the set of protocol data units.

15. A method for notifying quality of service parameters, characterized in that, Applied to the policy control function network element, it includes: Receive third indication information from a session management function network element, where the third indication information indicates whether the second communication device supports quality of service (QoS) handling based on a protocol data unit (PDU) set; Send one or more QoS sets to the second communication device; where one QoS set corresponds to one first piece of information, the one QoS set includes one or more QoS parameters, and the one or more QoS parameters include QoS parameters based on a QoS flow and / or QoS parameters based on a PDU set.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein The third indication information indicates that the second communication device does not support the QoS handling based on the PDU set, and the one or more QoS sets include QoS parameters based on a QoS flow; Or The third indication information indicates that the second communication device supports the QoS handling based on the PDU set, the one or more QoS sets include QoS parameters based on the PDU set, or the one or more QoS sets include QoS parameters based on the PDU set and QoS parameters based on a QoS flow.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein It further includes: Receive one or more of the QoS parameters used by the second communication device, the type of the QoS parameters used by the second communication device, or the first piece of information from the session management function network element; where the type of the used QoS parameters includes the type of QoS parameters based on a QoS flow or the type of QoS parameters based on a PDU set.

18. A communication device, characterized in that, Include a unit for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, or include a unit for executing the method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, or include a unit for executing the method according to any one of claims 15 to 17.

19. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores computer-executable instructions, which, when called by an electronic device, cause the electronic device to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, or cause the electronic device to execute the method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, or cause the electronic device to execute the method according to any one of claims 15 to 17.

20. A communication system, characterized in that, Include a device for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and a device for executing the method according to any one of claims 10 to 14.

21. A chip system, characterized in that, The chip system includes: A communication interface; A processor, configured to call and run the instructions through the communication interface, so that a device installed with the chip system executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, or so that a device installed with the chip system executes the method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, or so that a device installed with the chip system executes the method according to any one of claims 15 to 17.

22. A computer program product, characterized in that, Comprising computer-executable instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, or cause the electronic device to perform the method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, or cause the electronic device to perform the method according to any one of claims 15 to 17.

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