Communication method, communication device, readable storage medium and chip system

Abstract

The invention provides a communication method, a communication device, a readable storage medium and a chip system. The method can be applied to the technical field of communication. In the method, an access network device allocates an end-to-end quality of service (QoS) parameter configured for a protocol data unit session established for a remote user equipment (UE) to each hop of path in a multi-hop path, and after the QoS parameter of each hop of path is obtained, configuration information and first indication information are sent to a first user equipment in a connected state. The configuration information is used for configuring QoS parameters of a path (such as a first path) between the first user equipment and other relay UE connected with the first user equipment, and the first indication information is used for indicating the first user equipment to send the QoS parameters of the first path to relay UE (such as second user equipment) in an inactive state. Therefore, the terminal equipment in the inactive state can also receive the QoS parameter configured by the access network equipment, and the end-to-end service quality can be improved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of communication, in particular to a communication method, a communication device, a readable storage medium and a chip system. BACKGROUND

[0002] Sidelink is a kind of direct connection communication technology based on the fifth-generation mobile communication technology (5th-generation mobile communication technology, 5G), which supports device-to-device (device-to-device, D2D) direct communication between devices, without the need for base station to transfer, and is widely used in vehicle to everything (vehicle to everything, V2X), public safety and other multi-hop relay scenarios.

[0003] With the development of 5G V2X vehicle networking and multi-hop relay technology, user equipment can access the network through one or more relay terminal devices to form a multi-hop path. When data flows through multiple PC5 hops and the final air interface (Uu) hop, the quality of service (quality of service, QoS) parameter is crucial to the communication quality of the multi-hop path. In related technologies, in order to ensure the transmission quality of the multi-hop path, the QoS parameter of each path needs to be configured to each relay user equipment. SUMMARY

[0004] The present application provides a communication method, a communication device, a readable storage medium and a chip system, which realizes the configuration of QoS parameters to user equipment in RRC inactive state, thereby improving the end-to-end service quality.

[0005] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a first user equipment, or can be executed by a component (such as a circuit, a chip or a chip system, etc.) configured in the first user equipment, and can also be realized by a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the first user equipment. The present application does not make any limitation in this regard. Hereinafter, the first user equipment is taken as an example for description.

[0006] The method comprises: after the first user equipment receives the configuration information and the first indication information from the access network device, the first user equipment sends a first message carrying the QoS parameter of the first path to the second user equipment based on the first indication information. The configuration information is used to configure the QoS parameter of the first path. The first path is the path between the second user equipment in the radio resource control (radio resource control, RRC) inactive state and the first user equipment. The first indication information is used to indicate the first user equipment to send the QoS parameter of the first path to the second user equipment.

[0007] In the method, after the access network device determines the QoS parameter of each hop path, the access network device sends the QoS parameter of the path to all user devices in the RRC connected state, and the first user device in the RRC connected state forwards the QoS parameter of the first path to the second user device, so that the second user device in the RRC inactive state can also obtain the QoS parameter of the path, which is beneficial to improve the reliability of data transmission in the multi-hop path and improve the end-to-end service quality. In addition, the first user device only needs to perform the operation of forwarding the QoS parameter of the first path to the second user device based on the first indication information, without participating in the determination process of the QoS parameter of each hop path, which greatly reduces the computing burden of the first user device and is beneficial to improve the efficiency of the QoS parameter configuration of each hop path.

[0008] In a possible implementation, the first message is carried in PC5 RRC signaling, and the PC5 RRC signaling includes a first field, and the first field is used to indicate the identification information of the second user device and the QoS parameter of the first path.

[0009] In this way, the first user device adds a first field in the PC5 RRC signaling to indicate the identification information of the second user device and the QoS parameter of the first path through the added first field, realizing the scalability and compatibility of the PC5 RRC signaling.

[0010] In a possible implementation, the first field is also used to indicate priority information of the first path and / or a valid time length of the QoS parameter of the first path.

[0011] In this way, the first user device indicates the priority information of the first path and / or the valid time length of the QoS parameter of the first path through the added first field in the PC5 RRC signaling, without creating new signaling, which not only improves the compatibility with the existing network architecture, but also reduces the workload of redeveloping new signaling and interaction processes.

[0012] In addition, the first user device indicates the valid time length of the QoS parameter of the first path through the first field to indicate that the QoS parameter of the first path is only valid within the valid time length, avoiding the problem that the second user device uses the QoS parameter of the first path for data transmission outside the valid time length, affecting the reliability of data transmission.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the configuration information is also used to configure priority information of the first path. In this way, the first user device can send the priority information of the first path to the second user device, so that the second user device considers the priority information of the first path when performing data transmission in the RRC connected state, which is beneficial to improve the reliability of data transmission and service experience.

[0014] In a possible implementation, the configuration information is carried in an RRC connection reconfiguration message. It should be understood that after the access network device determines the QoS parameter of the first path, the configuration information can be carried in the RRC connection reconfiguration message and sent to the first user equipment. In this way, after the first user equipment receives the RRC connection reconfiguration message, the first user equipment can directly configure the QoS parameter of the first path based on the configuration information, and send the first message carrying the QoS parameter of the first path to the second user equipment, so that when the second user equipment is in the RRC connected state, the second user equipment can perform data transmission based on the QoS parameter of the first path, thereby improving the end-to-end service quality.

[0015] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by the second user equipment or a component (such as a circuit, a chip or a chip system, etc.) configured in the second user equipment, and can also be implemented by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the second user equipment. The present application does not limit this. Hereinafter, the second user equipment is taken as an example for description.

[0016] The method comprises: receiving, when the second user equipment is in an RRC inactive state, a first message carrying a QoS parameter of a first path from a first user equipment. The first path is a path between the second user equipment and the first user equipment. When the second user equipment is in an RRC connected state, performing data transmission based on the QoS parameter of the first path.

[0017] In this way, the second user equipment in the RRC inactive state can obtain the QoS parameter of the first path forwarded by the first user equipment by receiving the first message of the first user equipment, which is beneficial to improve the reliability of data transmission in the multi-hop path.

[0018] In a possible implementation, the first message is carried in PC5 RRC signaling, and the PC5 RRC signaling comprises a first field. The first field is used to indicate the identification information of the second user equipment and the QoS parameter of the first path.

[0019] In this implementation, the first field is added in the PC5 RRC signaling received by the second user equipment to indicate the identification information of the second user equipment and the QoS parameter of the first path, which realizes the scalability and compatibility of the PC5 RRC signaling.

[0020] In a possible implementation, in this implementation, the first field added in the PC5 RRC signaling received by the second user equipment is also used to indicate the priority information of the first path and / or the validity duration of the QoS parameter of the first path. In this way, without creating new signaling, the compatibility with the existing network architecture is improved, and the workload of redeveloping new signaling and interaction processes is reduced.

[0021] In a possible implementation, in a case where the second user equipment is in an RRC connected state, the data transmission based on the QoS parameter of the first path comprises: The second user equipment starts a first timer in response to receiving the first message. During running of the first timer, the second user equipment performs data transmission based on the QoS parameter of the first path in a case where the second user equipment is in an RRC connected state. The running time length of the first timer is the valid time length of the QoS parameter of the first path.

[0022] In this way, the second user equipment sets the first timer, and only performs data transmission based on the QoS parameter of the first path in a case where the second user equipment is in an RRC connected state during running of the first timer, thereby avoiding the problem that the second user equipment performs data transmission based on the QoS parameter of the first path beyond the valid time length, and affecting the reliability of data transmission.

[0023] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be executed by an access network device, or can be executed by a component (such as a circuit, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) configured in the access network device, and can also be executed by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the access network device. The present application does not make any limitation in this regard. Hereinafter, the access network device is taken as an example for description.

[0024] The method comprises the following steps: after receiving, by an access network device, end-to-end QoS parameters configured by a core network device for a protocol data unit (PDU) session of a remote user equipment (UE), the access network device allocates the end-to-end QoS parameters to each hop path in a multi-hop path to obtain the QoS parameters of each hop path. The multi-hop path comprises a first path, and the first path is a path between a second user equipment in an RRC inactive state and a first user equipment, and the first user equipment is a device in an RRC connected state connected to the second user equipment. The access network device sends configuration information and first indication information to the first user equipment. The configuration information is used to configure the QoS parameters of the first path, and the first indication information is used to instruct the first user equipment to send the QoS parameters of the first path to the second user equipment.

[0025] In the implementation, the access network device allocates the end-to-end QoS parameter to each hop in the multi-hop path, and the access network device configures the QoS parameter to the user equipment in the multi-hop path by considering the RRC connection state of the user equipment, thereby avoiding the problem that the user equipment in the active state cannot receive the QoS parameter configured by the access network device, resulting in that the user equipment cannot perform data transmission based on the dynamically configured QoS parameter, and affecting the end-to-end service quality.

[0026] In a possible implementation, the end-to-end QoS parameter includes an end-to-end packet delay budget (PDB), and the end-to-end QoS parameter is allocated to each hop in the multi-hop path to obtain the QoS parameter of each hop, including: allocating the end-to-end QoS parameter based on the multi-hop path context information to obtain the QoS parameter of each hop. Since the multi-hop path context information of the remote UE contains all the key information on the multi-hop path, the access network device allocates the end-to-end QoS parameter based on the multi-hop path context information, so that the obtained QoS parameter of each hop is more accurate, thereby improving the end-to-end service quality.

[0027] In a possible implementation, the multi-hop path includes a Uu link and at least one PC5 link, and when the access network device allocates the end-to-end PDB based on the multi-hop path context information, the access network device first configures the PDB of the Uu link to obtain a remaining PDB budget. Then, the access network device allocates the remaining PDB budget to the at least one PC5 link to obtain the PDB of the at least one PC5 link.

[0028] In a possible implementation, after the access network device configures the PDB of the Uu link to obtain the remaining PDB budget, the access network device evenly allocates the remaining PDB budget to the at least one PC5 link to obtain the PDB of the at least one PC5 link. In this way, the access network device configures the same PDB for each PC5 link in the plurality of PC5 links by means of evenly dividing the remaining PDB budget, and the reliability of the plurality of PC5 links is determined by the strongest PC5 link, thereby improving the end-to-end service quality and reliability. In addition, the access network device does not need to perform complex QoS allocation calculation for each PC5 link, thereby reducing the processing load of the access network device and saving resource consumption.

[0029] In a possible implementation, the access network device configures the PDB of the Uu link, obtains the remaining PDB budget, and then allocates the remaining PDB budget based on the channel quality of at least one PC5 link and / or the capability information of each relay user equipment, to obtain the PDB of the at least one PC5 link. In this way, the access network device differentiates the PDB of each PC5 link by differentiated configuration, which is conducive to improving resource utilization.

[0030] In a possible implementation, the QoS parameter of each hop path is obtained by inputting the multi-hop path context information into a QoS allocation model. Since the QoS allocation model is pre-trained, it can more accurately and efficiently allocate QoS parameters to each hop path, thereby improving the rationality and efficiency of QoS parameter allocation and enabling each hop path to efficiently and reliably transmit data based on the configured QoS parameters.

[0031] In a possible implementation, before the end-to-end QoS parameter is allocated based on the multi-hop path context information and the QoS parameter of each hop path is obtained, the method further includes: After the access network device receives the first request message sent by the remote UE for requesting to access the network through the multi-hop relay, the access network device sends a second request message to the core network device and receives the core network context information from the core network device. The core network context information includes the end-to-end QoS parameter, the end-to-end QoS configuration file, and the device information of the remote UE. The access network device establishes the multi-hop path context information of the remote UE based on the core network context information.

[0032] The multi-hop path context information is used to indicate the information required for establishing each hop path in the multi-hop path between the remote UE and the access network device. The multi-hop path context information includes the core network context information, the path topology information, the channel quality of each hop path in the multi-hop path, and the capability information of each user equipment in the multi-hop path. The path topology information includes the number of hops in the multi-hop path, the device information of each relay user equipment arranged in the order of the number of hops, and the radio resource control (RRC) connection state of each relay user equipment.

[0033] It can be seen that the access network device establishes the multi-hop path context information of the remote UE including all key information of the multi-hop path, so that the QoS parameter of each hop path obtained based on the subsequent allocation of the end-to-end QoS parameter based on the multi-hop path context information is more accurate.

[0034] In a possible implementation, the access network device comprises a control plane unit and a distributed unit, and the method further comprises: the control plane unit sending a context setup request message to the distributed unit. The context setup request message carries a context information element field. The context information element field is used to carry path topology information and per-hop QoS parameters of a path.

[0035] In this way, without changing the existing protocol standard, the control plane unit adds a context information element field in the context setup request message, and carries the per-hop QoS parameters of the path in the added context information element field, so as to realize dynamic configuration of the per-hop QoS parameters of the path.

[0036] In a possible implementation, the context information element field is further used to carry channel quality of each hop in the multi-hop path. In this way, after the access network device receives the channel quality of each hop in the multi-hop path, the channel quality of each hop can be considered when allocating the per-hop QoS parameters, so that the user equipment in the multi-hop path can efficiently and reliably perform data transmission based on the allocated QoS parameters.

[0037] In a possible implementation, the configuration information is further used to configure priority information of the first path.

[0038] In a possible implementation, the configuration information is carried in an RRC connection reconfiguration message.

[0039] In this implementation, the access network device carries the configuration information in the RRC connection reconfiguration message, without separately sending the configuration information to the first user equipment, thereby improving transmission efficiency and resource utilization.

[0040] In a fourth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which comprises a transceiver module. The transceiver module is configured to receive configuration information and first indication information from an access network device, and send a first message to a second user equipment based on the first indication information, wherein the first message carries QoS parameters of a first path.

[0041] The configuration information is used to configure service quality (QoS) parameters of the first path. The first path is a path between the second user equipment in a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state and the first user equipment. The first indication information is used to indicate the first user equipment to send the QoS parameters of the first path to the second user equipment.

[0042] In a fifth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which comprises a transceiver. The transceiver is configured to receive a first message from a first user equipment (UE) when the second UE is in a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state, wherein the first message carries a quality of service (QoS) parameter of a first path between the second UE and the first UE; and perform data transmission based on the QoS parameter of the first path when the second UE is in an RRC connected state.

[0043] In a sixth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which comprises a processing module and a transceiver. The transceiver is configured to receive an end-to-end QoS parameter of a PDU session configuration for a remote UE from a core network device. The processing module is configured to assign the end-to-end QoS parameter to each hop path in a multi-hop path to obtain a QoS parameter of each hop path, wherein the multi-hop path comprises a first path between a second UE in an RRC inactive state and a first UE, and the first UE is a device in an RRC connected state connected to the second UE. The transceiver is configured to send configuration information and first indication information to the first UE, wherein the configuration information is used to configure the QoS parameter of the first path, and the first indication information is used to instruct the first UE to send the QoS parameter of the first path to the second UE.

[0044] The fourth, fifth and sixth aspects are corresponding apparatuses of the first, second and third aspects. The explanations, supplements and beneficial effects of the first, second and third aspects also apply to the fourth, fifth and sixth aspects, and will not be repeated.

[0045] In a seventh aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which comprises a processor. The processor is coupled with a memory and is configured to execute instructions or data in the memory to implement the method in any possible implementation of the first aspect. Optionally, the communication apparatus further comprises the memory. Optionally, the communication apparatus further comprises a communication interface, and the processor is coupled with the communication interface.

[0046] In an implementation, the communication interface can be a transceiver, or an input / output interface.

[0047] In an eighth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which comprises a processor. The processor is coupled with a memory and is configured to execute instructions or data in the memory to implement the method in any possible implementation of the second aspect. Optionally, the communication apparatus further comprises the memory. Optionally, the communication apparatus further comprises a communication interface, and the processor is coupled with the communication interface.

[0048] In an implementation form, the communication interface can be a transceiver, or an input / output interface.

[0049] In a ninth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which comprises a processor. The processor is coupled with a memory and is configured to execute instructions or data stored in the memory to implement the method in any possible implementation of the third aspect. Optionally, the communication apparatus further comprises the memory. Optionally, the communication apparatus further comprises a communication interface, and the processor is coupled with the communication interface.

[0050] In a tenth aspect, a processor is provided, which comprises an input circuit, an output circuit and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive a signal through the input circuit and transmit a signal through the output circuit, so that the processor executes the method in any possible implementation of any aspect.

[0051] In a specific implementation process, the processor can be one or more chips, the input circuit can be an input pin, the output circuit can be an output pin, and the processing circuit can be a transistor, a gate circuit, a flip-flop and various logic circuits, etc. The input signal received by the input circuit can be received and input by, for example but not limited to, a receiver, the output signal output by the output circuit can be output to and transmitted by, for example but not limited to, a transmitter, and the input circuit and the output circuit can be the same circuit which is used as the input circuit and the output circuit at different times. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific implementation of the processor and various circuits.

[0052] In an eleventh aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which comprises a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to read instructions stored in the memory, and can receive a signal through a receiver and transmit a signal through a transmitter to execute the method in any possible implementation of any aspect.

[0053] Optionally, the processor is one or more, and the memory is one or more.

[0054] In a twelfth aspect, a computer program product is provided, which comprises a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions), which, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to execute the method in any possible implementation of any aspect.

[0055] In a thirteenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions), which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to execute the method in any possible implementation of any aspect.

[0056] In a fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip system, which comprises one or more processors configured to invoke and run instructions stored in a memory, so that the method in any one of the aspects or possible implementation manners of the aspects is executed. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or can comprise a chip and other discrete devices.

[0057] The chip system can comprise an input circuit or interface for sending information or data, and an output circuit or interface for receiving information or data.

[0058] In a fifteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, which comprises the first user equipment, the second user equipment, the access network equipment and the core network equipment as described above. Optionally, the communication system can further comprise other devices in communication with the user equipment and / or the access network equipment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0059] Figure 1 a schematic diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application; Figure 2 a flowchart of a QoS parameter configuration method provided by an embodiment of the present application; Figure 3 a flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application; Figure 4 a flowchart of another communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application; Figure 5 a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application; Figure 6 a schematic block diagram of another communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0061] The technical solutions provided in the present application can be applied to various communication systems, for example: a global system for mobile communications (GSM) system, a general packet radio service (GPRS), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a long term evolution (LTE) system, an LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, an LTE time division duplex (TDD), a sidelink communication system, a universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, a non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication system, a 5th generation (5G) mobile communication system or a new radio access technology (NR). The 5G mobile communication system can include a non-standalone (NSA) and / or standalone (SA). The technical solutions provided in the present application can also be applied to future communication systems. The present application is not limited in this regard.

[0062] Exemplary, Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application is provided. The communication system 100 is applied to a sidelink relay scenario, and the communication system 100 can include an access network device 110, a first relay user equipment (UE) 120, a second relay UE 130, and a remote UE 140.

[0063] The remote UE 140 forwards data between the access network device 110 by the sidelink link between the remote UE 140 and the second relay UE 130, and by the second relay UE 130 and the first relay UE 120. In this system, when data transmission is performed between the remote UE 140 and the access network device 110, the first relay UE 120 and the second relay UE 130 play a role of data relay. The remote UE 140 transmits data to the second relay UE 130 through a PC5 interface, the second relay UE 130 forwards the data to the first relay UE 120 through the PC5 interface, and then the first relay UE 120 transmits the data to the access network device 110 through a Uu interface.

[0064] Figure 1 The number of relay UEs shown in the figure is only an example, and the number of access network devices and / or relay UEs included in the communication system 100 is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. Alternatively, the communication system 100 can also include multiple relay UEs.

[0065] The network device in the present application can be a device of a network side such as an access network, a core network device, and the like. The access network device is also sometimes referred to as an access node. The access network device has a wireless transceiving function and is used to communicate with a terminal. The access network device includes, but is not limited to, a base station in the above-mentioned communication system, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next generation NodeB (gNB) in a 5G mobile communication system, an access network device or a module of an access network device in an open RAN (ORAN) system, a satellite in an NTN communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system, and the like. The access network device can also be a module or unit capable of realizing part of the function of a base station. The access network device can be a macro base station, a micro base station or an indoor station, a relay node or a donor node, or a wireless controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. Optionally, the access network device can also be a server, a wearable device, or a vehicle-mounted device, and the like. For example, the access network device in vehicle to everything (V2X) technology can be a road side unit (RSU). Multiple access network devices in a communication system can be the same type of base station or different types of base stations. The base station can communicate with the terminal directly or through a relay station. The terminal can communicate with multiple base stations in different access technologies. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form of the access network device. In the present application, the access network device is referred to as a network device.

[0066] In the present application, the device for realizing the function of the network device can be a network device or a device capable of supporting the network device to realize the function, such as a processor, a circuit, a chip, or a chip system, and the like, which can be installed in the network device or used in connection with the network device. In the technical solutions provided in the present application, the device for realizing the function of the network device is taken as an example to describe the technical solutions provided in the present application.

[0067] The user equipment in the present application can be a wireless terminal device capable of receiving network device scheduling and indication information. The wireless terminal device can be a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user, or a handheld device with wireless connection function, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem. For example, the terminal device can communicate with one or more core networks or the Internet through a radio access network (RAN). The terminal device can also be referred to as a terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. The terminal device can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), V2X communication, machine-type communication (MTC), internet of things (IOT), ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, remote medical treatment, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wear, smart transportation, smart city, or satellite communication, etc. The terminal can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver function, wearable device, vehicle, aircraft (such as unmanned aerial vehicle, helicopter, airplane), hot air balloon, ship, robot, mechanical arm, or smart home device, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the form of the terminal device.

[0068] In the present application, the device for realizing the function of the terminal device can be a terminal device, or a device capable of supporting the terminal device to realize the function, such as a processor, circuit, chip, chip system, etc., which can be installed in the terminal device or connected with the terminal device for use. In the technical solutions provided in the present application, the device for realizing the function of the terminal device is taken as an example to describe the technical solutions provided in the present application.

[0069] Taking the network device as the access network device and the terminal device as an example, the access network device and / or the terminal can be fixed or mobile. The access network device and / or the terminal can be deployed on land, including indoor or outdoor, handheld or vehicle-mounted; can also be deployed on the water surface; can also be deployed on aircraft, balloons and artificial satellites in the air. The application embodiments do not limit the application scenarios of the access network device and the terminal. The access network device and the terminal device can be deployed in the same scenario or different scenarios, for example, the access network device and the terminal device are deployed on land at the same time; or the access network device is deployed on land and the terminal device is deployed on the water surface, etc., which will not be exemplified one by one.

[0070] In practical applications, a terminal can be assisted by multiple access network devices to implement wireless access, and different access network devices respectively implement part of the functions of a base station. For example, an access network device can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU), etc. The CU and the DU can be separately arranged or can 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 a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0071] In different systems, the CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU can also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in an ORAN system, the CU can also be referred to as an O-CU (open CU), the DU can also be referred to as an O-DU, the CU-CP can also be referred to as an O-CU-CP, the CU-UP can also be referred to as an O-CU-UP, and the RU can also be referred to as an O-RU. Any 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. The CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, and RU can implement different protocol layer functions.

[0072] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, first, the terms involved in the present application are briefly explained. Optionally, the explanation of some terms can also refer to the explanation in the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) standard protocol.

[0073] 1. A protocol data unit (PDU) set refers to a logical set of protocol data units with the same or related characteristics. A PDU set can include one or more PDUs. A PDU set carries the payload of an information unit generated at the application layer (such as a frame or a video segment for an extended reality service, etc.). All PDUs within a PDU set are transmitted within the same quality of service (QoS) flow.

[0074] 2、Quality of service (QoS) flow is the minimum granularity to distinguish the quality of service in a protocol data unit (PDU) session in a 5G system. A PDU session can contain multiple QoS flows, each of which has corresponding QoS parameters to ensure the quality of service of different services. Different QoS flows correspond to different quality of service flow identifiers (QFIs), i.e., QFI is used to uniquely identify a QoS flow.

[0075] The data packet processing requirements, such as QoS requirements, transmitted between the user equipment and the next node (such as a relay user equipment or a network device) can be collectively referred to as QoS characteristics. Specifically, the QoS characteristics of a QoS flow include the following: (a) Resource type (RT), used to define the allocation method of transmission resources required by the QoS flow.

[0076] Among them, the QoS flow can be divided into the following three types according to the RT: Non-guaranteed bit rate (Non-GBR) QoS flow: suitable for services with variable bandwidth requirements. For example, web browsing, streaming media, etc. This type of QoS flow does not require permanent allocation of dedicated resources, but uses dynamic allocation of resources to meet demand.

[0077] Guaranteed bit rate (GBR) QoS flow: suitable for services that require fixed bandwidth. For example, real-time video calls, online games, etc. The network device dynamically allocates dedicated resources for GBR QoS flow to ensure the stability and continuity of data transmission.

[0078] Delay-critical guaranteed bit rate (DCGBR) QoS flow: This is a new resource type added by 5G, used for scenarios with extremely high latency requirements, such as Internet of Vehicles, industrial automation, etc. This type of QoS flow not only requires guaranteed bandwidth, but also requires low latency and low jitter.

[0079] (b) Priority, used to indicate the importance of the QoS flow.

[0080] Among them, the priority of the QoS flow can be represented by a numerical value. For example, the lower the numerical value, the higher the priority of the QoS flow, and the more important the QoS flow. Priority is used to determine the scheduling order of QoS flows when resources are limited, and high-priority QoS flows are preferentially transmitted when the network is congested.

[0081] (c) Packet Delay Budget (PDB), which refers to the maximum allowed delay time of a data packet from a user equipment to the next node.

[0082] (d) Packet Error Rate (PER), which refers to the allowed packet loss rate of a QoS flow.

[0083] (e) Averaging Window (AW), which is used to calculate and adjust the traffic statistics of a QoS flow, and is only applicable to QoS flows of GBR and Delay-critical GBR resource types.

[0084] (f) Maximum Data Burst Volume (MDBV), which is used to limit the maximum burst volume of a data packet within a PDB period, and is only applicable to QoS flows of Delay-critical GBR resource type, which functions to control the burst data volume and prevent network congestion.

[0085] 3. Radio Resource Control (RRC), which is a key protocol in a mobile communication system for managing the allocation and release of wireless resources between a terminal device and a network device, as well as communication control. The RRC state and the configuration of QoS parameters in different RRC states of a terminal device are as follows: (1) RRC Connected State (RRC_CONNECTED), in which an RRC connection is established between a terminal device and a network device. The radio access network (RAN) and the terminal device both maintain the complete context information of the terminal device, and the network device can real-time issue or adjust QoS parameters to the terminal device. The terminal device can also report the real-time measured signal quality on demand, so that the network device can perform fine-grained segmentation and reconfiguration of QoS parameters based on the reported signal quality.

[0086] (2) RRC Inactive State (RRC_INACTIVE), in which there is no RRC connection between a terminal device and a network device, but the radio access network and the terminal device retain part of the context information, such as security information, capability information of the terminal device, and QoS configuration, etc. The terminal device and the network device do not maintain real-time interaction, but can quickly restore the RRC connection. Since the terminal device and the network device do not maintain real-time interaction, the network device cannot real-time issue or adjust QoS parameters to the terminal device, resulting in limitations in the real-time and flexibility of QoS parameter configuration.

[0087] (3) RRC idle state (RRC_IDLE), in the idle state, there is no RRC connection between the terminal device and the network device, the terminal device does not reserve context information, the network device cannot configure the QoS parameter of the terminal device, and the terminal device can only communicate based on the preconfigured QoS parameter or the default QoS parameter.

[0088] 4, 5G quality of service identifier (5G QoS identifier, 5QI), which is a pre-defined index, each index value corresponds to a set of pre-configured QoS characteristics, and each value of 5QI and the corresponding QoS characteristics are pre-defined by 3GPP standard. Different values of 5QI correspond to different QoS characteristics. For example, typical values of 5QI and QoS characteristics corresponding to different values are shown in Table 1 as follows.

[0089] Table 1

[0090] 5, PC5 quality of service identifier (PC5 QoS identifier, PQI), similar to 5QI, PQI is also a pre-defined index, each index value corresponds to a set of pre-configured QoS characteristics. For example, typical values of PQI and QoS characteristics corresponding to different values are shown in Table 2 as follows.

[0091] Table 2

[0092] It should be noted that the values of 5QI and the QoS characteristics corresponding to different 5QI values shown in Table 1 above, and the values of PQI and the QoS characteristics corresponding to different PQI values shown in Table 2 are only examples, and the present application is not limited thereto.

[0093] It should be understood that the technical terms in the present application are only examples and are not limited. For example, as technology evolves, technical terms may also change, and other technical terms should also apply to the present application in the case of the same technical meaning.

[0094] In a multi-hop communication link, when the remote UE performs data transmission with the network device, since the data needs to be transmitted to the remote UE or the network device through the relay UE, the configuration of the QoS parameter of each hop communication link (or path) is crucial to the communication quality. In the related art, the network device can split and allocate the end-to-end QoS parameter to each hop. However, the network device can only directly configure the QoS parameter of the communication link of the relay UE in the RRC connected state, and cannot manage the QoS parameter of the communication link of the user equipment in the RRC inactive state or the RRC idle state.

[0095] Exemplarily, Figure 2 A flowchart of a QoS parameter configuration method provided by an embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the configuration method comprises the following steps. Figure 2 S201. The remote UE sends a relay access request message to the access network device, and the access network device receives the relay access request message.

[0096] The relay access request message is used to request to access the network in a relay manner. The relay access request message comprises identification information of the remote UE, initial service requirement information, etc. The identification information of the remote UE can identify the remote UE, and the initial service requirement information can comprise service requirement, service type, PDU session type, etc. Optionally, the initial service requirement information can further comprise expected QoS parameters, such as 5QI value.

[0097] Optionally, when the remote UE establishes a PDU session, the remote UE can directly send the relay access request message to the access network device, or the remote UE sends the relay access request message to the relay UE through the PC5 interface, and the relay UE sends the relay access request message to the access network device after receiving the relay access request message. The manner in which the remote UE sends the relay access request message to the access network device is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0098] Optionally, the relay access request message can be encapsulated in a specific RRC message, such as RRCSetupRequest or RRCReconfiguration.

[0099] S202. The access network device and the core network device interact with each other to establish a PDU session for the remote UE.

[0100] Specifically, the process of establishing the PDU session can refer to the prior art, which is not described herein.

[0101] S203. The core network device allocates end-to-end QoS parameters for the PDU session based on the service requirement information of the remote UE, network policy and subscription information.

[0102] ​In the embodiment of the present application, the access network device forwards the relay access request message to an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element in the core network. After the AMF network element performs identity authentication on the remote UE, a session management function (SMF) in the core network configures end-to-end QoS parameters for the PDU session of the remote UE according to the service requirement information of the remote UE, network policy and subscription information. The description of the network policy and subscription information, and the specific implementation of the core network device allocating 5QI and end-to-end QoS parameters for the PDU session based on the service requirement information of the remote UE, network policy and subscription information can refer to the prior art, and will not be described here.

[0103] In the present application, the end-to-end QoS parameters may, for example, include 5QI, resource type, priority, packet delay budget, packet error rate, etc.

[0104] The core network device sends the end-to-end QoS parameters to the access network device, and correspondingly, the access network device receives the end-to-end QoS parameters.

[0105] The core network device sends the end-to-end QoS parameters to the gNB-CU. In the context establishment stage of the remote UE, the gNB-CU generates a context establishment request message. The context establishment request message is used to request to establish the context information of the remote UE. The gNB-CU sends the context establishment request message carrying the end-to-end QoS parameters to the gNB-DU. After the gNB-DU receives the context establishment request message, it stores the end-to-end QoS parameters and the bearer configuration carried in the context establishment request message, and uses the end-to-end QoS parameters for uplink traffic policing of non-GBR bearers. For example, the end-to-end QoS parameters may also include an uplink PDU session aggregate maximum bit rate (AMBR). The uplink PDU session aggregate maximum bit rate defines the upper limit of the total uplink rate of all non-GBR QoS flows in a certain PDU session of the remote UE. The bearer configuration refers to the parameters configured by the gNB-DU for data radio bearers (DRBs) to meet the end-to-end QoS requirements. For example, the bearer configuration may include DRB identification, QoS flow to DRB mapping rules, etc.

[0106] For example, the gNB-CU sends a UE Context Setup Request signaling to the gNB-DU, wherein the UE Context Setup Request signaling carries the end-to-end QoS parameters.

[0107] S205, the access network device allocates and maps the end-to-end QoS parameter to obtain the QoS parameter of the Uu link and the QoS parameter of each PC5 link.

[0108] wherein the Uu link refers to the last hop in the multi-hop path, and the PC5 link refers to the link between the remote UE and the relay UE in the multi-hop path, or the link between two relay UEs. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the Uu link refers to the link between the first relay UE 120 and the access network device 110, and the PC5 link refers to the link between the remote UE 140 and the second relay UE 130, or the link between the second relay UE 130 and the first relay UE 120. Figure 1

[0109] The QoS parameter of the Uu link is used for the Uu link between the relay UE and the access network device. For example, the QoS parameter of the Uu link includes the DRB configuration. The QoS parameter of the PC5 link is used for the PC5 link between the relay UE and the remote UE. For example, the QoS parameter of the PC5 link includes the PQI.

[0110] S206, the access network device sends the QoS parameter of the link where the relay UE in the RRC connected state is located to the relay UE in the RRC connected state, and correspondingly, the relay UE in the RRC connected state receives the QoS parameter of the link where the relay UE is located.

[0111] Optionally, the access network device can send the QoS parameter of the Uu link to the relay UE in the RRC connected state through RRC signaling. For example, the access network device carries the QoS parameter of the Uu link in the RRC reconfiguration (RRCReconfiguration) message sent to the relay UE in the RRC connected state.

[0112] Optionally, the relay UE in the RRC connected state can receive the QoS parameter of the PC5 link from the access network device. Alternatively, the relay UE automatically derives the corresponding uplink QoS characteristics according to the QoS characteristics of the downlink data packet. Optionally, the relay UE receives the downlink data packet from the access network device through the Uu interface and destined for the remote UE, and the downlink data packet carries the 5QI. The reflective QoS function of the relay UE is triggered, and the relay UE maps the 5QI carried by the downlink data packet to the corresponding PQI through local mapping to obtain the QoS parameter of the PC5 link.

[0113] S207, the access network device sends the QoS parameter of the PC5 link to the remote UE in the RRC connected state.

[0114] Optionally, the access network device sends the QoS parameter of the PC5 link to the remote UE. After the remote UE receives the QoS parameter of the PC5 link, the local QoS flow is configured.​

[0115] For example, still taking the case of Figure 1 For example, still taking the case of

[0116] As described above Figure 2 It can be known that the access network device can configure the QoS parameters of the Uu link and the PC5 link for the relay UE in the connected state. However, the access network device can only configure the QoS parameters for the relay UE in the RRC connected state. When the relay UE is in the RRC inactive state or the RRC idle state, the access network device cannot configure the QoS parameters for the relay UE in the RRC inactive state or the RRC idle state, resulting in a failure of end-to-end QoS parameter segmentation. The relay UE or the remote UE in the RRC inactive state or the RRC idle state can only rely on a preconfigured static QoS policy for data transmission, and it is difficult to adapt to a dynamically changing network topology or load.

[0117] In addition, in the sidelink relay scenario, the resource allocation mode of the terminal device includes mode 1 and mode 2. Mode 1 is a network side scheduling mode, that is, a network side device (such as a base station) controls and allocates resources for each terminal device. Mode 2 is a terminal device autonomous mode, that is, each terminal device autonomously selects resources. For example, in the case where the relay UE autonomously selects resources, the network device configures the QoS parameters for the relay UE. When the relay UE needs to process the services of the Uu interface and the PC5 interface at the same time, and there is a transmission conflict, the relay UE needs to make a choice according to the preconfigured priority threshold and a local decision. It can be seen that the network device cannot control the service transmission situation of the Uu interface and the PC5 interface, and there may be a problem that the priority determined by the relay UE according to the preconfigured priority threshold deviates greatly from the priority included in the QoS parameters configured by the network device.

[0118] For example, if the relay UE determines that the priority of the service of the Uu link is higher than the priority threshold, the relay UE prioritizes processing the service transmission of the Uu link; otherwise, the relay UE prioritizes processing the service transmission of the PC5 link. However, when the network device allocates a higher priority to the service of the latency-sensitive PC5 link, if the relay UE determines that the priority of the service of the Uu link is higher than the priority threshold, the relay UE prioritizes processing the service transmission of the Uu link, thereby failing to meet the latency requirement of the service of the latency-sensitive PC5 link.

[0119] In order to solve the problem that the terminal device in the RRC inactive state cannot receive the QoS parameter configured by the network device, the present application provides a communication method. After the network device determines the QoS parameter of each hop in the multi-hop path, the network device sends configuration information and first indication information to a first user device in an RRC connected state. After the first user device receives the configuration information and the first indication information, the first user device sends a first message carrying the QoS parameter of the first path to a second user device. The configuration information is used to configure the QoS parameter of the first path. The first path is a path between the second user device in a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state and the first user device. The first indication information is used to instruct the first user device to send the QoS parameter of the first path to the second user device. Thus, the second user device in the RRC inactive state can also obtain the QoS parameter of the path, which is beneficial to improving the reliability of data transmission in the multi-hop path and improving the end-to-end service quality.

[0120] The schemes provided by the present application will be described in detail below in combination with corresponding flowcharts. It can be understood that the devices (such as terminal devices and network devices) in the schematic flowcharts provided by the present application are taken as examples of the execution subjects of the interaction schemes, but the present application does not limit the execution subjects of the interaction schemes. For example, the devices (such as terminal devices and network devices) in the schematic flowcharts can also be chips, chip systems, or processors supporting the devices to implement the methods, and can also be logical modules or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the devices.

[0121] Here, it is uniformly stated that the messages or signaling interactions involved in the interaction processes of the embodiments of the present application can adopt messages or signaling in standards or newly introduced messages or signaling, and the embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations thereon.

[0122] Figure 3 A flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG. 1. It can be understood that the first user device in FIG. 1 can be a terminal device or a network device. Figure 3 Figure 1 ​The second relay UE 130 in the second relay UE 130 can also refer to an apparatus (for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) in the second relay UE 130. The second user equipment can be Figure 1 The remote UE 140 in the remote UE 140 can also refer to an apparatus (for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) in the remote UE 140. The access network device can be Figure 1 Any access network device in the access network device can also refer to an apparatus (for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) in the access network device. As Figure 3 Indicated, the communication method includes the following S310 and S320.

[0123] S310, the access network device sends configuration information and first indication information to the first user equipment, and correspondingly, the first user equipment receives the configuration information and the first indication information.

[0124] The first user equipment is a device in an RRC connected state connected with the second user equipment. The configuration information is used to configure the QoS parameter of the first path. Optionally, the QoS parameter of the first path can be PQI. In this way, the access network device only needs to send PQI to the first user equipment, and the first user equipment can determine the QoS parameter corresponding to the received PQI based on the received PQI and the mapping relationship between the PQI and the QoS characteristic.

[0125] For example, assuming that the value of the PQI received by the first user equipment is 6, the first user equipment can determine the QoS parameter of the first path based on the mapping relationship between the value of the PQI and the QoS characteristic in the above table 2. That is, the resource type is GBR, the priority is 18, the data packet delay budget is 80 ms, and the data packet error rate is 10 -2 .

[0126] The first path is a path between the second user equipment in an RRC inactive state and the first user equipment. For example, still as Figure 1 Indicated, assuming that the first relay UE 120 and the second relay UE 130 are both in an RRC connected state, and the remote UE 140 is in an RRC inactive state, the first user equipment is the second relay UE 130, the second user equipment is the remote UE 140, and the first path is a path between the remote UE 140 and the second relay UE 130.

[0127] The first indication information is used to instruct the first user equipment to send the QoS parameter of the first path to the second user equipment.

[0128] In some embodiments, after receiving the end-to-end QoS parameter of the PDU session configuration established by the core network device for the remote UE, the access network device allocates the end-to-end QoS parameter to each hop of the multi-hop path to obtain the QoS parameter of each hop. The access network device can send the QoS parameter of the path corresponding to the terminal device in the RRC connected state to all terminal devices in the multi-hop path. When there is a terminal device in the RRC inactive state (for example, the second user equipment) in the multi-hop path, the access network device can send the QoS parameter of the first path to the first user equipment in the RRC connected state connected with the second user equipment, and instruct the first user equipment to send the QoS parameter of the first path to the second user equipment, so that the second user equipment in the RRC inactive state can receive the QoS parameter of the first path. In this way, when the second user equipment is in the RRC connected state, the second user equipment can perform data transmission based on the QoS parameter of the first path.

[0129] It should be noted that the specific implementation of the access network device allocating the end-to-end QoS parameter to each hop of the multi-hop path to obtain the QoS parameter of each hop can be referred to the description in subsequent embodiments, which will not be described in detail here.

[0130] In the embodiments of the present application, the access network device can send one configuration information to the first user equipment to configure the QoS parameter of the first path and the QoS parameter of the path between the first user equipment and the previous hop terminal device of the first user equipment (hereinafter referred to as the second path). Alternatively, the access network device can also send two configuration information to the first user equipment, one configuration information is used to configure the QoS parameter of the first path, and the other configuration information is used to configure the QoS parameter of the second path. The number of configuration information sent by the access network device to the first user equipment to configure the QoS parameter of the first path and the QoS parameter of the second path is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0131] For example, still as Figure 1As shown, the access network device 110 determines a QoS parameter A of a path between the first relay UE 120 and the access network device 110, a QoS parameter B of a path between the second relay UE 130 and the first relay UE 120, and a QoS parameter C of a path between the remote UE 140 and the second relay UE 130. Assuming that the first relay UE 120 and the second relay UE 130 are in an RRC connected state, and the remote UE 140 is in an RRC inactive state, the access network device 110 sends configuration information A to the first relay UE 120, where the configuration information A is used to configure the QoS parameter A, and the access network device 110 sends configuration information B to the second relay UE 130, where the configuration information B is used to configure the QoS parameter B. Since the remote UE 140 is in the RRC inactive state, the access network device 110 cannot directly send data to the remote UE 140, and therefore, the access network device 110 can send the QoS parameter C and indication information A to the second relay UE 130. The indication information A is used to instruct the second relay UE 130 to send the QoS parameter C to the remote UE 140. That is, the configuration information B is used to not only configure the QoS parameter B, but also configure the QoS parameter C.

[0132] Assuming that the first relay UE 120 is in the RRC connected state, and the second relay UE 130 is in the RRC inactive state, the access network device 110 sends configuration information D and indication information B to the first relay UE 120, where the configuration information D is used to configure the QoS parameter A and the QoS parameter B, and the indication information B is used to instruct the first relay UE 120 to send the QoS parameter B to the second relay UE 130, so that the second relay UE 130 in the RRC inactive state acquires the QoS parameter B. In the case that the second relay UE 130 is in the RRC connected state, data transmission can be performed based on the QoS parameter B. Since the second relay UE 130 is in the RRC inactive state, there is no RRC connection between the remote UE 140 and the second relay UE 130, and therefore, the remote UE 140 cannot acquire the QoS parameter C.

[0133] Alternatively, the access network device 110 sends configuration information E, configuration information F, and indication information B to the first relay UE 120, where the configuration information E is used to configure the QoS parameter A, and the configuration information F is used to configure the QoS parameter B.

[0134] In the embodiments of the present application, the access network device not only configures a corresponding QoS parameter for each hop path in the multi-hop path, but also configures a corresponding priority information for each hop path. For example, the access network device can configure a higher priority for a path that transmits high-priority services, so that high-priority services in the multi-hop path are transmitted in priority, which is beneficial to reduce service transmission delay and improve service transmission reliability.

[0135] Optionally, the configuration information received by the first user equipment is used to configure not only the QoS parameter of the first path, but also priority information of the first path. Thus, when the second user equipment is in the RRC connected state, the second user equipment considers the QoS parameter and the priority information of the first path when performing data transmission, which is beneficial to improve the reliability of data transmission.

[0136] It should be noted that when the access network device configures the priority information for each hop path in the multi-hop path, the access network device can configure a higher priority for the Uu hop path to avoid the case that the transmission performance of the entire transmission path is affected due to insufficient resources of the last hop.

[0137] In the embodiment of the present application, after the access network device determines the QoS parameter of each hop path in the multi-hop path, the access network device can send the configuration information of the path where the corresponding terminal device is located to all terminal devices in the RRC connected state through the RRC connection reconfiguration message (such as RRCConnectionReconfiguration). For example, the access network device sends the configuration information to the first user equipment through RRCConnectionReconfiguration, that is, the configuration information is carried in the RRC connection reconfiguration message. Thus, the access network device carries the configuration information in the RRC connection reconfiguration message, without the need to send the configuration information to the first user equipment separately, which improves the transmission efficiency and resource utilization.

[0138] S320, the first user equipment sends a first message to the second user equipment based on the first indication information, and the corresponding second user equipment receives the first message.

[0139] The first message carries the QoS parameter of the first path.

[0140] In the embodiment of the present application, since the first user equipment and the second user equipment transmit data through the PC5 interface, the first user equipment can send the first message to the second user equipment through the PC5 RRC signaling. That is, the first message is carried in the PC5 RRC signaling. In the case that the first user equipment sends the first message to the second user equipment through the PC5 RRC signaling, the second user equipment receives the PC5 RRC signaling, and thus the QoS parameter of the first path can be obtained. When the second user equipment is in the RRC connected state, data transmission can be performed based on the QoS parameter of the first path carried in the first message.

[0141] It can be understood that the first user equipment carries the identity information of the second user equipment and the QoS parameter of the first path based on the information carried by the field in the PC5 RRC signaling. In this way, the first user equipment can determine the terminal device to receive the QoS parameter based on the identity information of the second user equipment, and then send the first message to the second user equipment through the PC5 RRC signaling.

[0142] The identity information of the second user equipment refers to a unique identifier for identifying the second user equipment. For example, the identity information of the second user equipment can be a layer 2 identity (L2 ID), a globally unique temporary identifier (GUTI), a subscription permanent identifier (SUPI), a permanent equipment identifier (PEI), etc. The identity information of the second user equipment is not limited in the embodiments of the present application, and any identifier that can identify the second user equipment is applicable to the present application.

[0143] The layer 2 identity is a link layer identifier of the PC5 interface or the Uu interface, which can be used to identify each hop path or the terminal device of each hop path. The GUTI is a temporary identifier allocated by the core network device. The SUPI is a unique permanent identifier of each user in the network. The PEI is a globally unique device identifier, which is used to identify the hardware of the terminal device.

[0144] In some embodiments, the PC5 RRC signaling includes a first field. The first field is used to indicate the identity information of the second user equipment and the QoS parameter of the first path. In this way, by adding the first field in the PC5 RRC signaling, the identity information of the second user equipment and the QoS parameter of the first path are indicated through the added first field, realizing the scalability and compatibility of new functions of the PC5 RRC signaling.

[0145] For example, the access network device adds a field in the Relay QoS Configuration message to configure the QoS parameter of the first path to the first user equipment through the added field. After receiving the configuration information and the first indication information, the first user equipment can add a first field in the direct request (for example, Direct Communication Request) message to indicate the identity information of the second user equipment and the QoS parameter of the first path through the added first field. For example, the first field can include the layer 2 identity of the second user equipment and the preconfigured PQI.

[0146] In some embodiments, the first field is further used to indicate the priority information of the first path and / or the valid duration of the QoS parameter of the first path. The valid duration of the QoS parameter of the first path refers to the time duration during which the second user equipment can use the QoS parameter of the first path after receiving the QoS parameter of the first path. The valid duration can be an absolute time, a relative time, etc., which is not limited herein.

[0147] That is, the first field is used to indicate the identity information of the second user equipment and the QoS parameter of the first path, and is also used to indicate the priority information of the first path and / or the valid duration of the QoS parameter of the first path. The first user equipment indicates the priority information of the first path and / or the valid duration of the QoS parameter of the first path through the newly added first field in the PC5 RRC signaling, without the need to create a new signaling. This not only improves the compatibility with the existing network architecture, but also reduces the workload of redeveloping a new signaling and interaction process.

[0148] In the embodiments of the present application, the second user equipment is provided with a first timer, and the running duration of the first timer is the valid duration of the QoS parameter of the first path. After the second user equipment receives the first message, the second user equipment starts the first timer in response to receiving the first message. During the running of the first timer, when the second user equipment is in the RRC connected state, the second user equipment performs data transmission based on the QoS parameter of the first path. When the first timer runs out of time, the second user equipment cannot perform data transmission based on the QoS parameter of the first path even if the second user equipment is in the RRC connected state. In this way, the second user equipment sets the first timer, and only performs data transmission based on the QoS parameter of the first path during the running of the first timer and when the second user equipment is in the RRC connected state, thereby avoiding the problem that the second user equipment uses the QoS parameter of the first path to perform data transmission outside the valid duration, which affects the reliability of data transmission.

[0149] For example, assuming that the valid duration of the QoS parameter of the first path is 10 seconds (s), after the second user equipment receives the first message, the second user equipment starts the first timer in response to receiving the first message, and the running duration of the first timer is 10 s. The second user equipment can perform data transmission based on the QoS parameter of the first path when the second user equipment is in the RRC connected state within 10 s.

[0150] In the embodiment of the present application, in the case that the first field is not used to indicate the valid time length of the QoS parameter of the first path, the QoS parameter of the first path received by the second user equipment can be valid until the next time the network-configured QoS parameter of the first path is received. Thus, compared with the pre-configured QoS parameter, the second user equipment uses the latest configured QoS parameter for data transmission, which is beneficial to improve the reliability and stability of data transmission.

[0151] To sum up, in the embodiment of the present application, after the first user equipment in the RRC connected state receives the configuration information and the first indication information sent by the access network equipment, the first user equipment sends the first message carrying the QoS parameter of the first path to the second user equipment. After the second user equipment receives the QoS parameter of the first path, in the case that the second user equipment is in the RRC connected state, the second user equipment can perform data transmission based on the QoS parameter of the first path. Thus, the second user equipment in the RRC inactive state can also obtain the QoS parameter of the path, which is beneficial to improve the reliability of data transmission in the multi-hop path. In addition, the first user equipment only needs to perform the operation of forwarding the QoS parameter of the first path to the second user equipment based on the first indication information, without participating in the determination process of the QoS parameter of each hop path, which greatly reduces the computing burden of the first user equipment and is beneficial to improve the efficiency of the QoS parameter configuration of each hop path.

[0152] In the embodiment of the present application, the access network equipment can allocate the end-to-end QoS parameter based on the multi-hop path context information of the remote UE, and obtain the QoS parameter of each hop path in the multi-hop path. The specific implementation of establishing the multi-hop path context information of the remote UE and allocating the end-to-end QoS parameter based on the multi-hop path context information to obtain the QoS parameter of each hop path in the multi-hop path is described in detail below. Figure 4 The specific implementation of establishing the multi-hop path context information of the remote UE and allocating the end-to-end QoS parameter based on the multi-hop path context information to obtain the QoS parameter of each hop path in the multi-hop path is described in detail below. Figure 4 Another flowchart of a communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG. 8, which can include the following S410-S470. Figure 4

[0153] S410, the remote UE sends a first request message to the access network equipment, and correspondingly, the access network equipment receives the first request message.

[0154] The first request message is used to request to access the network through the multi-hop relay. The first request message can be replaced by the relay access request message described in the above S201. For detailed description of the first request message, reference can be made to the description of the relay access request message in the above S201, which will not be repeated here.

[0155] ​In the embodiment of the present application, the specific implementation of the remote UE sending the first request message to the access network device can also refer to the description of the remote UE sending the relay access network request message to the access network device in S201, which will not be repeated here.

[0156] S420, the access network device sends a second request message to the core network device, and correspondingly, the core network device receives the second request message.

[0157] In the embodiment of the present application, after the access network device receives the first request message, the access network device interacts with the core network device to establish a PDU session for the remote UE. After the core network device receives the first request message, the core network device encapsulates the initial service requirement information carried in the first request message in a second request message (such as a non-access stratum (NAS) message) and sends the second request message to the core network device. The second request message is used to request to establish a PDU session of the remote UE. After the core network device receives the second request message and interacts with the access network device to establish the PDU session of the remote UE, the core network device configures an end-to-end QoS parameter for the PDU session of the remote UE.

[0158] The specific implementation of the core network device configuring the end-to-end QoS parameter for the PDU session of the remote UE can refer to the description of S203, which will not be repeated here.

[0159] S430, the core network device establishes core network context information. The core network context information includes the end-to-end QoS parameter.

[0160] The core network context information is the context information of the remote UE generated by the core network device. The specific implementation of the core network device establishing the core network context information can refer to the prior art, which will not be repeated here.

[0161] In the embodiment of the present application, after the core network device receives the context establishment request message sent by the access network device, the core network device establishes the core network context information. The core network context information not only includes the PDU session information and the end-to-end QoS parameter, but also includes an end-to-end QoS configuration file and device information of the remote UE.

[0162] The end-to-end QoS configuration file is a set of standardized QoS characteristics defined by the 3GPP standard, which is used for unified QoS description of service flow. The end-to-end QoS configuration file includes 5QI and QoS characteristics corresponding to each 5QI. For example, the end-to-end QoS configuration file can include the values of the multiple 5QIs in Table 1 and the QoS characteristics corresponding to each 5QI.

[0163] The device information of the remote UE includes identification information, capability information and state information of the remote UE. The capability information includes hardware capability (such as supported frequency band and bandwidth), processing capability (such as performance of a processing unit), power and relay access capability. The state information refers to RRC connection state, PDU session state, battery state and the like of the remote UE. Optionally, the device information of the remote UE is carried in the first request message sent by the remote UE to the access network device, the access network device sends the second request message to the core network device, and the core network device receives the second request message, thereby obtaining the device information of the remote UE.

[0164] In S440, the core network device sends core network context information to the access network device, and correspondingly, the access network device receives the core network context information.

[0165] In S450, the access network device establishes multi-hop path context information of the remote UE based on the core network context information.

[0166] The multi-hop path context information is initial context information of the remote UE established by the access network device.

[0167] In the embodiments of the present application, after the access network device receives the core network context information, the access network device establishes multi-hop path context information of the remote UE based on the core network context information. The multi-hop path context information includes part of the information (such as end-to-end QoS parameter) in the core network context information, path topology information, channel quality of each hop in the multi-hop path and capability information of each terminal device in the multi-hop path. At this time, the multi-hop path context information is a preliminary and incomplete context information.

[0168] The path topology information includes the number of hops in the multi-hop path, device information of each relay UE arranged in order of hop number and RRC connection state of each relay UE. For example, as shown in Figure 1 the number of hops in the multi-hop path is 3, the two relay UEs arranged in order of hop number are the second relay UE 130 and the first relay UE 120, the RRC connection state of the second relay UE 130 is connected, and the RRC connection state of the first relay UE 120 is connected, then Figure 1 the path topology information of the multi-hop path in the above table includes the number of hops being 3, device information of the second relay UE 130 and the first relay UE 120 arranged in order of hop number, and the RRC connection state of the second relay UE 130 and the first relay UE 120 being connected.

[0169] The channel quality of each hop of the multi-hop path is determined by the access network device according to the measurement report reported by each relay UE. The channel quality of each hop can be measured by at least one of the following parameters: reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), or signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR).

[0170] For example, as shown in Figure 1 The channel quality of the path between the remote UE 140 and the second relay UE 130 can be measured by the second relay UE 130, and then the second relay UE 130 reports a measurement report to the access network device 110, where the measurement report includes the channel quality of the path between the remote UE 140 and the second relay UE 130. Optionally, the remote UE 140 sends a measurement reference signal to the second relay UE 130, and the second relay UE 130 measures the measurement reference signal in real time or periodically on the PC5 interface. After obtaining the measurement result, the second relay UE 130 feeds back the measurement result to the access network device 110 in the measurement report.

[0171] S460, the access network device allocates and maps the end-to-end QoS parameter based on the multi-hop path context information to obtain the QoS parameter of each hop.

[0172] In the embodiments of the present application, the control plane unit of the access network device allocates and maps the end-to-end QoS parameter based on the multi-hop path context information to obtain the QoS parameter of each hop.

[0173] In some embodiments, since the multi-hop path includes a Uu link and at least one PC5 link, when the access network device configures the PDU in the QoS parameter for the multi-hop path, the access network device can configure the PDB of the Uu link, obtain the remaining PDB budget, and then configure the PDB of the at least one PC5 link according to the remaining PDB budget. The remaining PDB budget is the PDB remaining after the end-to-end PDB is allocated to the Uu link.

[0174] In the case where the multi-hop path includes one PC5 link, the remaining PDB budget is the PDB of the one PC5 link.

[0175] In the case where the multi-hop path includes multiple PC5 links, the access network device allocates the remaining PDB budget to obtain the PDB of each PC5 link in the multiple PC5 links.

[0176] In the embodiments of the present application, the access network device allocates the remaining PDB budget to obtain the specific implementation of the PDB of the multiple PC5 links, at least including the following two implementation manners.

[0177] In the first implementation manner, the access network device can allocate the remaining PDB budget to the multiple PC5 links equally to obtain the PDB of each PC5 link in the multiple PC5 links. That is, the access network device configures the same PDB for the multiple PC5 links. In this way, the access network device configures the same PDB for each PC5 link in the multiple PC5 links by equally dividing the remaining PDB budget, and the reliability of the multiple PC5 links is determined by the strongest PC5 link, thereby improving the end-to-end service quality and reliability. In addition, the access network device does not need to perform complex PDB allocation calculation for each PC5 link, thereby reducing the processing load of the access network device and saving resource consumption.

[0178] For example, still taking the multi-hop path in Figure 1 as an example, Figure 1 The multi-hop path in includes the PC5 link between the remote UE 140 and the second relay UE 130, the PC5 link between the second relay UE 130 and the first relay UE 120, and the Uu link between the first relay UE 120 and the access network device 110. It is assumed that the end-to-end PDB included in the end-to-end QoS parameter configured by the access network device 110 for the PDU session established by the remote UE 140 is 100 ms. The access network device 110 allocates a PDB of 20 ms for the Uu link between the first relay UE 120 and the access network device 110, and the remaining PDB included in the remaining PDB budget is 80 ms. Since the multi-hop path includes two PC5 hop paths, the access network device 110 can allocate the remaining PDB equally to the two PC5 links, that is, the PDB allocated for the PC5 link between the remote UE 140 and the second relay UE 130 is 40 ms, and the PDB allocated for the PC5 link between the second relay UE 130 and the first relay UE 120 is also 40 ms.

[0179] Optionally, the access network device 110 can also allocate a PDB of 35 ms for the PC5 link between the remote UE 140 and the second relay UE 130, and a PDB of 35 ms for the PC5 link between the second relay UE 130 and the first relay UE 120, and then the access network device 110 takes the remaining 10 ms of PDB as processing and switching redundancy to ensure the reliability and stability of data transmission.

[0180] In the second implementation, the access network device can allocate the remaining PDB budget based on the channel quality of multiple PC5 links and / or the capability information of each relay UE, thus obtaining the PDB for each PC5 link. It is evident that by configuring the PDB of each PC5 link differently, the access network device can improve resource utilization.

[0181] For example, still using Figure 1 Taking a multi-hop path as an example, assuming that the end-to-end QoS parameters configured by access network device 110 for the PDU session established for remote UE 140 still include an end-to-end PDB of 100ms. Access network device 110 allocates a PDB of 20ms for the Uu link between the first relay UE 120 and access network device 110, and the remaining PDB budget includes a remaining PDB of 80ms. Assuming that the channel quality of the PC5 link between remote UE 140 and the second relay UE 130 is higher than that of the PC5 link between the second relay UE 130 and the first relay UE 120, then access network device 110 can allocate a PDB of 20ms for the PC5 link between remote UE 140 and the second relay UE 130, and a PDB of 50ms for the PC5 link between the second relay UE 130 and the first relay UE 120. Access network device 110 uses the remaining 10ms of PDB as redundancy for processing and handover.

[0182] Optionally, the access network device can allocate the remaining PDB budget based on the capability information of each relay UE in multiple PC5 links, and configure different PDBs for PC5 links where relay UEs with different capabilities reside.

[0183] For example, still using Figure 1 Taking a multi-hop path as an example, assuming that the remaining PDB budget includes 80ms of remaining PDB, and the relay access capability of the remote UE140 is higher than that of the second relay UE130, then the access network device 110 can allocate 20ms of PDB for the PC5 link between the remote UE140 and the second relay UE130, and allocate 50ms of PDB for the PC5 link between the second relay UE130 and the first relay UE120. The access network device 110 uses the remaining 10ms of PDB as redundancy for processing and handover.

[0184] Optionally, the access network device can simultaneously allocate the remaining PDB budget based on the channel quality of multiple PC5 links and the capability information of each relay UE, thereby obtaining the PDB of each PC5 link among the multiple PC5 links.

[0185] For example, assuming that the remaining PDB included in the remaining PDB budget is 80 ms, the power of the remote UE 140 is lower than that of the second relay UE 130, but the channel quality of the PC5 link between the remote UE 140 and the second relay UE 130 is higher than that of the PC5 link between the second relay UE 130 and the first relay UE 120, the access network device 110 can allocate a PDB of 40 ms for the PC5 link between the remote UE 140 and the second relay UE 130, and a PDB of 30 ms for the PC5 link between the second relay UE 130 and the first relay UE 120, and the access network device 110 takes the remaining 10 ms of PDB as redundancy for processing and switching. Thus, the remote UE 140 with lower power can achieve data transmission within the limited power.

[0186] In another implementation, the access network device can input the multi-hop path context information into a QoS allocation model, and the QoS allocation model outputs the QoS parameters of each hop path.

[0187] Since the QoS allocation model is pre-trained, it can more accurately and efficiently allocate QoS parameters for each hop path, thereby improving the rationality and efficiency of QoS parameter allocation and enabling each hop path to efficiently and reliably perform data transmission based on the configured QoS parameters.

[0188] In the embodiments of the present application, the control plane unit of the access network device determines the QoS parameters of each hop path, and generates a context setup request message. The context setup request message carries the QoS parameters allocated for the distributed unit jurisdiction path. The context setup request message is used to request the distributed unit to allocate and manage wireless resources for data transmission for the remote UE. The context setup request message is newly added with a context information element field, which is used to carry the path topology information and the QoS parameters of each hop path. For example, the context setup request message carries a Multi-hop Path Context field, which is used to carry the path topology information and the QoS parameters of each hop path.

[0189] Optionally, after the control plane unit of the access network device determines the QoS parameters of each hop path, the control plane unit fills the QoS parameters of each hop path and the path topology information into the corresponding positions of the context information element field and sends them to the distributed unit. Thus, without changing the existing protocol standard, the control plane unit newly adds the context information element field in the context setup request message, and carries the QoS parameters of each hop path in the newly added context information element field, thereby achieving dynamic configuration of the QoS parameters of each hop path.

[0190] Optionally, the context information element field is also used to carry the channel quality of each hop of the multi-hop path. In this way, after the access network device receives the channel quality of each hop of the multi-hop path, the access network device can consider the channel quality of each hop when allocating the end-to-end QoS parameter, so that the terminal device in the multi-hop path can efficiently and reliably perform data transmission based on the allocated QoS parameter.

[0191] After the control plane unit generates the context setup request message, the control plane unit sends the context setup request message to the distributed unit. After the distributed unit receives the context setup request, the distributed unit obtains the QoS parameter allocated for the path under the jurisdiction of the distributed unit.

[0192] Optionally, in the case where the access network device includes multiple distributed units, after the control plane unit allocates and maps the end-to-end QoS parameter based on the multi-hop path context information to obtain the QoS parameter of each hop, the control plane unit can send the QoS parameter of the path under the jurisdiction of each distributed unit to the distributed unit through the F1 interface. The control plane unit does not need to send the QoS parameter of each hop to all distributed units, thereby avoiding information redundancy in the parameter transmission process and facilitating the saving of transmission resources.

[0193] For example, assuming that the access network device includes three distributed units, namely distributed unit A, distributed unit B, and distributed unit C, in the case where the control plane unit sends the QoS parameter of the path under the jurisdiction of the distributed unit A to the distributed unit A, the distributed unit B and the distributed unit C do not receive the QoS parameter sent to the distributed unit A. After the access network device allocates the end-to-end PDU to the Uu link and each PC5 link, the access network device can directly map the 5QI to the data radio bearer of the Uu link and the PC5 link. The access network device configures the logical channel mode and the logical channel priority of the DRB according to the characteristics corresponding to the 5QI. The access network device maps the 5QI to the PQI corresponding to each PC5 link according to the standardized mapping table or the local configuration between the 5QI and the PQI. The relay UE corresponding to the PC5 link can determine the QoS characteristics corresponding to the PC5 link based on the mapping relationship between the PQI and the QoS characteristics in the above table 2.

[0194] For example, assuming that the end-to-end QoS parameter configured by the access network device includes 5QI of 1, resource type of GRB, end-to-end PDB of 100 ms, and data packet error rate of 10 -2 The access network device can allocate the end-to-end PDB to the Uu link and each PC5 link. The specific allocation manner can refer to any one of the above allocation manners.

[0195] The access network device can directly configure the DRB using the QoS characteristics corresponding to the 5QI of 1. Then, assuming that the access network device maps the 5QI of 1 to the PQI of 3 according to the standardized mapping table between the 5QI and the PQI, the access network device configures the QoS characteristics corresponding to the PQI of 3 as the PC5 link.

[0196] In the embodiments of the present application, the specific implementation of mapping the end-to-end QoS parameter to the QoS parameter of each PC5 link can refer to the prior art, which is not described here.

[0197] In the embodiments of the present application, the access network device allocates the end-to-end QoS parameter, obtains the QoS parameter of each hop path, and then sends corresponding configuration information to the terminal device in the RRC connected state to configure the QoS parameter of the path where the terminal device in the RRC connected state is located.

[0198] In the embodiments of the present application, the access network device allocates the end-to-end QoS parameter, obtains the QoS parameter of each hop path, and then sends corresponding configuration information to the terminal device in the RRC connected state to configure the QoS parameter of the path where the terminal device in the RRC connected state is located.

[0199] Optionally, in the case that the second UE in the RRC inactive state exists in the multi-hop path, the access network device can send the configuration information and the first indication information to the first UE in the last hop of the multi-hop path in the RRC connected state, and the first UE sends the first message carrying the QoS parameter of the first path to the second UE after receiving the configuration information and the first indication information. The specific implementation of the first UE sending the first message to the second UE is described above in the introduction of S420, which is not described here.

[0200] In summary, after the access network device establishes the multi-hop path context information of the remote UE, the access network device allocates the end-to-end QoS parameter based on the multi-hop path context information to obtain the QoS parameter of each hop path. As can be seen, the access network device dynamically allocates the QoS parameter for the Uu link and each PC5 link according to the channel quality of each hop path, the capability information of the relay UE, and the overall service requirement, thereby improving the end-to-end service quality and avoiding the problem that local optimization leads to overall performance degradation. When the access network device configures the QoS parameter to the terminal device in the multi-hop path, the RRC connection state of the terminal device is considered, and the QoS parameter of the terminal device in the active state is forwarded by the terminal device in the last hop of the multi-hop path in the RRC connected state, thereby avoiding the problem that the terminal device in the active state cannot receive the QoS parameter configured by the access network device, leading to the problem that data transmission cannot be performed based on the dynamically configured QoS parameter, and affecting the end-to-end service quality.

[0201] It should be understood that Figures 1 to 4 The flowchart or scenario diagram shown is only for understanding and is not intended to limit the embodiments of the present application to the examples shown in the figure. In fact, those skilled in the art can make modifications to the embodiments of the present application based on the description of the embodiments of the present application. Figures 1 to 4The examples in the foregoing detailed description do not exhaust the implementation manners of the present application. Those skilled in the art can make equivalent changes or modifications to the examples without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application.

[0202] The communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application is described in detail above. Figures 1 to 4 The communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application is described in detail above. Figures 5 to 6 The device embodiments of the present application are described in detail below. It should be understood that the communication device of the embodiments of the present application can perform the various communication methods of the foregoing embodiments of the present application, i.e., the specific working processes of the following various products can refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments. In the foregoing embodiments, the terminal device can perform part or all of the steps in the embodiments; the network device can perform part or all of the steps in the embodiments. These steps or operations are merely examples, and the embodiments of the present application can also perform other operations or variations of the various operations. In addition, the various steps can be performed in different orders according to the various embodiments, and it is possible that not all operations in the embodiments of the present application are performed. Moreover, the magnitude of the serial number of each step does not mean the order of execution, and the execution order of each process should be determined according to its function and inherent logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0203] Figure 5 A schematic block diagram of a communication device provided by the embodiments of the present application is shown in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5, the communication device can include a communication module 520. The communication module 520 can implement a corresponding communication function, which can be an internal communication function of the communication device, or a communication function of the communication device and other devices. Alternatively, the communication module 520 can also be referred to as a communication interface or a transceiver module. Alternatively, the communication device further includes a processing module 510. The processing module 510 can implement a corresponding processing function. Figure 5

[0204] Alternatively, the communication device further includes a storage module, which can be used to store instructions and / or data; the processing module 510 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage module, so that the communication device implements the foregoing method embodiments.

[0205] In a possible design, the communication device can correspond to the first user equipment in the foregoing method embodiments, or be a component (such as a circuit, a chip or a chip system, etc.) configured in the first user equipment. The communication device can be used to perform the steps or processes performed by the first user equipment in any of the foregoing method embodiments.

[0206] ​For example, the communication module 520 is configured to receive configuration information and first indication information from the access network device; the configuration information is used to configure a QoS parameter of a first path; the first path is a path between the second user equipment in an RRC inactive state and the first user equipment; and the first indication information is used to indicate the first user equipment to send the QoS parameter of the first path to the second user equipment.

[0207] The communication module 520 is further configured to send a first message to the second user equipment based on the first indication information, where the first message carries the QoS parameter of the first path.

[0208] The above is only an example, and detailed steps or processes can refer to the descriptions of the foregoing embodiments.

[0209] In a possible design, the communication apparatus can correspond to the second user equipment in the foregoing method embodiments, or be a component (such as a circuit, a chip, or a chip system) configured in the second user equipment. The communication apparatus can be used to perform steps or processes performed by the second user equipment in any of the foregoing method embodiments.

[0210] The communication module 520 is configured to receive a first message from the first user equipment when the second user equipment is in an RRC inactive state; the first message carries a QoS parameter of a first path between the second user equipment and the first user equipment; and perform data transmission based on the QoS parameter of the first path when the second user equipment is in an RRC connected state.

[0211] In a possible design, the communication apparatus can correspond to the access network device in the foregoing method embodiments, or be a component (such as a circuit, a chip, or a chip system) configured in the access network device. The communication apparatus can be used to perform steps or processes performed by the access network device in any of the foregoing method embodiments.

[0212] For example, the communication module 520 is configured to receive an end-to-end QoS parameter of a PDU session configuration established for a remote UE from the core network device.

[0213] The processing module 510 is configured to allocate the end-to-end QoS parameter to each hop path in a multi-hop path to obtain a QoS parameter of each hop path; the multi-hop path includes a first path, the first path is a path between the second user equipment in an inactive state and the first user equipment, and the first user equipment is a last-hop terminal device in a connected state in the multi-hop path.

[0214] The communication module 520 is further configured to send configuration information and first indication information to the first user equipment; the configuration information is used to configure a QoS parameter of the first path, and the first indication information is used to instruct the first user equipment to send the QoS parameter of the first path to the second user equipment.

[0215] The above is only an example, and detailed steps or processes can refer to the description of the foregoing embodiments.

[0216] Figure 6 Another schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus provided by the embodiments of the present application is shown. The communication apparatus can be a chip, a chip system, or a processor, etc. of a terminal device or a network device implementing the above method. The communication apparatus can be used to implement the method described in the above method embodiments, and specific implementation can refer to the description in the above method embodiments.

[0217] As shown in Figure 6 The communication apparatus can include one or more processors 610, which can also be referred to as processing units or processing modules, and can implement certain control functions. The processor 610 can be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor, etc. For example, it can be a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control the communication apparatus (such as a base station, a baseband chip, a user, and a user chip), execute software programs, and process data of software programs.

[0218] In an optional design, the processor 610 can also store instructions and / or data, which can be run by the processor 610, so that the communication apparatus executes the method described in the above method embodiments.

[0219] In another optional design, the communication apparatus can include a communication interface 620 for implementing receiving and sending functions. For example, the communication interface 620 can be a transceiver circuit, an interface, an interface circuit, or a transceiver, etc. The transceiver circuit, the interface, the interface circuit, or the transceiver for implementing receiving and sending functions can be separate or integrated together. The above transceiver circuit, interface, interface circuit, or transceiver can be used for reading and writing of codes / data, or the above transceiver circuit, interface, interface circuit, or transceiver can be used for transmission or transfer of signals.

[0220] Optionally, the communication apparatus can include one or more memories 630, which can store instructions that can be run on the processor 610, so that the communication apparatus executes the method described in the above method embodiments. Optionally, the memory 630 can also store data. Optionally, the processor 610 can also store instructions and / or data. The processor 610 and the memory 630 can be separately arranged or integrated together.

[0221] It should be understood that, in a possible design, each step in the method embodiments provided in the present application can be completed by integrated logic circuits of hardware in a processor or instructions in the form of software. The steps of the method disclosed in combination with the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as execution completed by a hardware processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor. The software modules can be located in a storage medium mature in the art, such as a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, an electrically erasable programmable memory, a register, or the like. The storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads information in the memory and combines the hardware to complete the steps of the above method. To avoid repetition, no longer detailed description is made here.

[0222] In an implementation, the communication apparatus can correspond to the first user equipment or the second user equipment in the above method embodiments, and can be used to execute each step and / or procedure executed by the first user equipment or the second user equipment in the above method embodiments. The processor 610 can be used to execute instructions stored in the memory 630, and when the processor 610 executes the instructions stored in the memory, the processor 610 is used to execute each step and / or procedure of the above method embodiments corresponding to the first user equipment or the second user equipment.

[0223] In another implementation, the communication apparatus can correspond to the access network device in the above method embodiments, and can be used to execute each step and / or procedure executed by the access network device in the above method embodiments. The processor 610 can be used to execute instructions stored in the memory 630, and when the processor 610 executes the instructions stored in the memory, the processor 610 is used to execute each step and / or procedure of the above method embodiments corresponding to the access network device.

[0224] It should be understood that the above-mentioned processing device can be one or more chips. For example, the processing device can be a field programmable gate array (FPGA), can be an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), can also be a system on chip (SoC), can also be a central processor unit (CPU), can also be a network processor (NP), can also be a digital signal processor (DSP), can also be a micro controller unit (MCU), can also be a programmable logic device (PLD) or other integrated chip.

[0225] It can be understood that the memory in the embodiments of the present application can be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or can include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory can be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically EPROM (EEPROM) or a flash memory. The volatile memory can be a random access memory (RAM) used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM) and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory of the system and method described herein is intended to include, but not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0226] According to the method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the present application further provides a chip system, which comprises one or more processors, and is configured to call and run instructions stored in a memory, so that the method provided in the embodiments of the present application is executed. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or can comprise a chip and other discrete devices.

[0227] The chip system can comprise an input circuit or interface for sending information or data, and an output circuit or interface for receiving information or data.

[0228] According to the method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the present application further provides a communication system, which comprises the access network device, the first user equipment, the second user equipment and the core network device.

[0229] According to the method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the present application further provides a computer program product, which comprises computer program codes, and when the computer program codes are executed on a computer, the computer is caused to execute each step or flow of the core network device, the first user equipment and the second user equipment in any of the preceding method embodiments.

[0230] According to the method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the present application further provides a computer readable storage medium, which stores program codes, and when the program codes are executed on a computer, the computer is caused to execute each step or flow of the core network device, the first user equipment and the second user equipment in any of the preceding method embodiments.

[0231] The computer readable storage medium can be the volatile memory or the non-volatile memory, or can comprise the volatile memory and the non-volatile memory.

[0232] In the embodiments of the present application, each term and English abbreviation is an exemplary example given for convenience of description, and should not constitute any limitation on the present application. The present application does not exclude the possibility of defining other terms capable of achieving the same or similar functions in the existing or future protocols.

[0233] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments can be realized by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When realized by software, all or part of the embodiments can be realized in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product comprises one or more computer instructions. When the computer instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are generated.

[0234] In several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, device and method can be implemented in other manners. For example, the division of the above-described device embodiment is only a logical function division, and there can be another division manner for actual implementation, for example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the displayed or discussed mutual couplings or direct couplings or communication connections between different units, or the among different units, can be indirect couplings or communication connections through some interfaces, devices or units, and can be in electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0235] It should be understood that, in various embodiments of the present application, the sequence of the processes does not mean the execution sequence, and the execution sequence of the processes should be determined according to the functions and the inherent logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0236] In summary, the above description is only the preferred embodiment of the technical scheme of the present application, and is not used to limit the protection scope of the present application. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present application should be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method applied to a first user equipment comprises: receiving configuration information and first indication information from an access network device; wherein the configuration information is used to configure a quality of service (QoS) parameter of a first path; the first path is a path between a second user equipment in a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state and the first user equipment; and the first indication information is used to instruct the first user equipment to send the QoS parameter of the first path to the second user equipment; based on the first indication information, sending a first message to the second user equipment, wherein the first message carries the QoS parameter of the first path.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein: the first message is carried in PC5 RRC signaling, and the PC5 RRC signaling comprises a first field used to indicate identification information of the second user equipment and the QoS parameter of the first path.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein: the first field is further used to indicate priority information of the first path and / or a validity duration of the QoS parameter of the first path.

4. The method of any one of claims 1-3, wherein: the configuration information is further used to configure priority information of the first path.

5. The method of any one of claims 1-3, wherein: the configuration information is carried in an RRC connection reconfiguration message.

6. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method applied to a second user equipment comprises: receiving a first message from a first user equipment when the second user equipment is in a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state; wherein the first message carries a quality of service (QoS) parameter of a first path between the second user equipment and the first user equipment; when the second user equipment is in an RRC connected state, performing data transmission based on the QoS parameter of the first path.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein: the first message is carried in PC5 RRC signaling, and the PC5 RRC signaling comprises a first field used to indicate identification information of the second user equipment and the QoS parameter of the first path.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein: the first field is further used to indicate priority information of the first path and / or a validity duration of the QoS parameter of the first path.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein, when the second user equipment is in an RRC connected state, the performing data transmission based on the QoS parameter of the first path comprises: starting a first timer in response to receiving the first message, wherein a running duration of the first timer is the validity duration of the QoS parameter of the first path; when the second user equipment is in an RRC connected state during a running period of the first timer, performing data transmission based on the QoS parameter of the first path.

10. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method applied to an access network device comprises: receiving, from a core network device, an end-to-end QoS parameter of a protocol data unit (PDU) session configuration established for a remote user equipment (UE); allocating the end-to-end QoS parameter to each hop of a multi-hop path to obtain a QoS parameter of each hop, wherein the multi-hop path comprises a first path between a second UE in a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state and a first UE in an RRC connected state connected to the second UE; sending configuration information and first indication information to the first UE, wherein the configuration information is used to configure the QoS parameter of the first path, and the first indication information is used to instruct the first UE to send the QoS parameter of the first path to the second UE.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, The end-to-end QoS parameter comprises an end-to-end packet delay budget (PDB), and the allocating the end-to-end QoS parameter to each hop of a multi-hop path to obtain a QoS parameter of each hop comprises: allocating the end-to-end QoS parameter based on multi-hop path context information to obtain the QoS parameter of each hop.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein, The multi-hop path comprises a Uu link and at least one PC5 link, and the allocating the end-to-end QoS parameter based on multi-hop path context information to obtain the QoS parameter of each hop comprises: configuring a PDB of the Uu link to obtain a remaining PDB budget; allocating the remaining PDB budget to the at least one PC5 link to obtain a PDB of the at least one PC5 link.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, The allocating the remaining PDB budget to the at least one PC5 link to obtain a PDB of the at least one PC5 link comprises: allocating the remaining PDB budget to the at least one PC5 link equally to obtain a PDB of the at least one PC5 link; or allocating the remaining PDB budget based on channel quality of the at least one PC5 link and / or capability information of each relay UE to obtain a PDB of the at least one PC5 link.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein: the QoS parameter of each hop is obtained by inputting the multi-hop path context information into a QoS allocation model.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11-14, characterized in that, Before the allocating the end-to-end QoS parameter based on multi-hop path context information to obtain the QoS parameter of each hop, the method further comprises: receiving a first request message sent by a remote UE, wherein the first request message is used to request to access a network through a multi-hop relay; sending a second request message to a core network device, wherein the second request message is used to request to establish a PDU session of the remote UE; receiving core network context information from the core network device, wherein the core network context information comprises the end-to-end QoS parameter, an end-to-end QoS profile, and device information of the remote UE; establish a multi-hop path context information of the remote user equipment based on the core network context information; wherein, the multi-hop path context information is used to indicate information required for establishing each hop path in the multi-hop path between the remote user equipment and the access network device, and the multi-hop path context information comprises the core network context information, path topology information, channel quality of each hop path in the multi-hop path, and capability information of each user equipment in the multi-hop path; the path topology information comprises the number of hops in the multi-hop path, device information of each relay user equipment arranged in order of hop number, and radio resource control (RRC) connection state of each relay user equipment.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein, The access network device comprises a control plane unit and a distributed unit, and the method further comprises: The control plane unit sends a context establishment request message to the distributed unit; wherein, the context establishment request message carries a context information element field, and the context information element field is used to carry the path topology information and the QoS parameter of each hop path.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein, The context information element field is further used to carry the channel quality of each hop path in the multi-hop path.

18. The method of any one of claims 10-14, wherein, The configuration information is further used to configure priority information of the first path.

19. The method of any one of claims 10-14, wherein, The configuration information is carried in an RRC connection reconfiguration message.

20. A communications device comprising one or more processors, memory, and a computer program stored on the memory, wherein the computer program is configured to instruct the one or more processors to perform the method of any one of claims 1-19. The processor executes the computer program to implement the method of any one of claims 1-5; and / or, implement the method of any one of claims 6-9; and / or, implement the method of any one of claims 10-19.

21. A computer readable storage medium having stored thereon computer programs / instructions, characterized in that, The computer program / instruction is executed by the processor to implement the method of any one of claims 1-5; and / or, implement the method of any one of claims 6-9; and / or, implement the method of any one of claims 10-19.

22. A chip system comprising a memory and a processor, characterized in that The program / instruction stored in the memory is executed by the processor to implement the method of any one of claims 1-5; and / or, implement the method of any one of claims 6-9; and / or, implement the method of any one of claims 10-19.

23. A communication system, characterized by The computer program product comprises: a computer program or instruction, when the computer program or instruction runs on a computer, so that the computer executes the method of any one of claims 1-5; and / or, implement the method of any one of claims 6-9; and / or, implement the method of any one of claims 10-19.

24. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program product comprises: a computer program or instruction, when the computer program or instruction runs on a computer, so that the computer executes the method of any one of claims 1-5; and / or, implement the method of any one of claims 6-9; and / or, implement the method of any one of claims 10-19.

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