A communication method and apparatus thereof

Abstract

This application provides a communication method and apparatus. A core network element sends first data and second data to an access network device. The first data and second data belong to a first group. The first data includes first information, which indicates a first time. The first time is the reception or transmission time of the data in the first group (including but not limited to the first data and second data) in the core network element. Based on the first information, the access network device sends the first data and second data to a terminal device. By using the reception or transmission time of one (or a type of) data (i.e., the first data) in the core network, the reception or transmission time of all data in the group in the core network is represented. The access network device can rationally schedule resources to transmit the data in the first group based on the reception or transmission time of the data in the core network, thereby reducing the transmission latency of the data in the first group between the core network element and the terminal device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, with the continuous development of wireless communication systems, the continuous reduction of data transmission latency, and the increasing transmission capacity, some multimedia services with strong real-time requirements and large data capacity have gradually been incorporated into wireless communication systems, such as video transmission, cloud gaming, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR).

[0003] Cloud-based virtual reality (cloud VR) and augmented reality (cloud AR) introduce the concepts and technologies of cloud computing and cloud rendering into VR / AR business applications. Leveraging high-speed and stable networks, the video and audio outputs from the cloud are encoded and compressed before being transmitted to the user's terminal device, enabling VR / AR content and rendering to be uploaded to the cloud. VR / AR terminal devices can also meet the requirements of lightweight design and mobility. Data from the cloud travels through the core network to the access network, and then from the access network to the terminal device.

[0004] How to reduce the transmission latency of large amounts of business data is an issue that needs to be considered. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method and apparatus for reducing the transmission latency of large amounts of business data.

[0006] Firstly, this application provides a communication method that can be applied to the network side, such as an access network device, a module (e.g., circuit, chip, or chip system) within the access network device, or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the access network device. Taking the application of this method to an access network device as an example, in this method, the access network device receives first data and second data from a core network element. The first data and second data belong to a first group. The first data includes first information, which is used to indicate a first time. The first time is either the reception time of the first group of data in the core network element or the transmission time of the first group of data in the core network element. Based on the first information, the access network device transmits the first data and second data.

[0007] In the above method, the core network element sends a set of data to the access network device. This set of data includes at least two (or two types) of data (first data and second data). One (or one type of) data (i.e., the first data) includes information about the reception or transmission time of that data in the core network (i.e., first information), while the other (or another type of) data (i.e., the second data) does not include this information. The reception or transmission time of one (or one type of) data (i.e., the first data) in the core network is used to characterize the reception or transmission time of all data in the set (including but not limited to the first data and the second data) in the core network. The access network device then sends the first set of data based on the first information.

[0008] On the one hand, access network equipment can rationally allocate resources to transmit the first set of data based on the data reception time or transmission time in the core network, so as to reduce the transmission latency of the first set of data between the core network elements and the terminal equipment.

[0009] On the other hand, by using the reception time or transmission time of one (or a class of) data (i.e., the first data) in the core network to characterize the reception time or transmission time of all data in the set (including but not limited to the first data and the second data) in the core network, the accuracy of measuring the transmission delay of the first set of data between the core network elements and the terminal equipment can be improved.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the access network device sends first data and second data based on first information, including: the access network device sends first data and second data based on first time and duration information; the duration information is used to indicate the first duration and the second duration, the first duration being the latency budget of the first group of data between the core network element and the access network device, and the second duration being the latency budget of the first group of data between the access network device and the terminal; or, the duration information is used to indicate the third duration, the third duration being the latency budget of the first group of data between the core network element and the terminal.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the access network device sends first data and second data based on first time and duration information, including: the access network device sends first data and second data based on first time, second time and duration information; the second time is the time of receiving the first data or the time of receiving the second data.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the access network device transmits first data and second data based on first information, including: the access network device transmitting the first data and second data based on a fourth duration; the fourth duration is determined based on the first time and duration information; the fourth duration is the available latency budget for the first group of data between the access network device and the terminal; the duration information is used to indicate the first duration and the second duration, the first duration being the latency budget for the first group of data between the core network element and the access network device, and the second duration being the latency budget for the first group of data between the access network device and the terminal; or, the duration information is used to indicate the third duration, the third duration being the latency budget for the first group of data between the core network element and the terminal.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the fourth duration is determined based on the first time, duration information, and the second time, where the second time is the time when the first data is received, or the time when the second data is received.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the fourth duration satisfies: fourth duration = first duration + second duration - (second time - first time); or, fourth duration = third duration - (second time - first time); where the second time is the time of receiving the first data or the time of receiving the second data.

[0015] In the above implementations, the transmission delay from core network elements to terminal devices is streamlined, eliminating the need for two separate transmission delay guarantees. Even if jitter occurs between core network elements and access network devices, causing the transmission delay between them to exceed the CN PDB (first duration), the access network devices can adjust / update / determine the actual available transmission duration (fourth duration) based on the existing AN PDB (first duration) and the timeout duration (second time - first time), thereby ensuring the overall transmission delay from core network elements to terminals.

[0016] In one possible implementation, the access network device may also receive second information, which indicates the first duration and / or the second duration; or, the access network device may also receive third information, which indicates the third duration.

[0017] In the above implementation, the core network elements configure the access network equipment with a first duration and / or a second duration and a third duration, which can more flexibly adapt to different services, communication environments, etc.

[0018] In one possible implementation, the first data belongs to the first N1 data in the first group of N data, where N1 is less than N, N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and N1 is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the first data belongs to the first N1 data in at least one data set in the first data set. The first data set is the first M1 data set in the first group of M data sets, where M1 is less than or equal to M, N1 is less than N, N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and N1 is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0020] In one possible implementation, the access network device may also receive a fourth piece of information, which is used to indicate N1 and / or M1.

[0021] In the above implementation, the core network elements configure N1 and / or M1 to the access network equipment, which can more flexibly adapt to different services, communication environments, etc.

[0022] In addition, the core network elements send the data in the first group in sequence. The access network device may receive the second data first instead of the first data. If the first information is only included in the first data, the access network device will not know how to send the second data while ensuring the delay after receiving the second data. Based on this, the first information can be included in the first two or even the first three data, so N1 is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

[0023] Furthermore, the amount of data N1 to add the first information can be dynamically adjusted. When the jitter of CN is large, the value of N1 can be increased to ensure that RAN learns the first information as early as possible. When the jitter of CN is small, the value of N1 can be reduced to reduce the overhead of transmitting and parsing the first information.

[0024] In one possible implementation, after the access network device sends first data and second data based on the first information, the access network device can also receive third data from the core network element, the third data belonging to the first group; the access network device sends the third data to the terminal device based on the first information.

[0025] In one possible implementation, data belonging to the first group carries information from the same video frame.

[0026] Secondly, this application provides a communication method that can be applied to the core network side, such as user plane network elements, access management network elements, and session management network elements. Taking the application of this method to a core network element as an example, in this method, the core network element sends first data and second data to the access network device. The first data and second data belong to a first group. The first data includes first information, which is used to indicate a first time. The first time is either the time when the data of the first group is received by the user plane network element or the time when the data of the first group is transmitted by the user plane network element.

[0027] In one possible implementation, the first data belongs to the first N1 data in at least one data set in the first data set. The first data set is the first M1 data set in the first group of M data sets, where M1 is less than or equal to M, N1 is less than N, N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and N1 is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0028] In one possible implementation, the access network device may also receive a fourth piece of information, which is used to indicate N1 and / or M1.

[0029] In one possible implementation, the core network element sends third data to the access network device, and the third data belongs to the first group.

[0030] In one possible implementation, data belonging to the first group carries information from the same video frame.

[0031] Thirdly, a communication device is provided. This communication device can be an access network device as described in the first aspect, possessing the functions of the access network device. For example, the communication device can be a functional module within the access network device, such as a baseband device or a chip system. Alternatively, the communication device can be a core network element as described in the second aspect, possessing the functions of the core network element. For example, the communication device can be a functional module within the core network element, such as a baseband device or a chip system.

[0032] In one optional implementation, the communication device includes a baseband device and a radio frequency device. In another optional implementation, the communication device includes a processing unit (sometimes also called a processing module) and a transceiver unit (sometimes also called a transceiver module). The transceiver unit is capable of both transmitting and receiving functions. When the transceiver unit performs the transmitting function, it can be called a transmitting unit (sometimes also called a transmitting module), and when it performs the receiving function, it can be called a receiving unit (sometimes also called a receiving module). The transmitting unit and the receiving unit can be the same functional module, which is called the transceiver unit and can perform both transmitting and receiving functions; or, the transmitting unit and the receiving unit can be different functional modules, and the transceiver unit is a collective term for these functional modules.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the communication device further includes a storage unit (sometimes also called a storage module), and a processing unit is used to couple with the storage unit and execute programs or instructions in the storage unit to enable the communication device to perform the functions of the access network device of the first aspect above, or to perform the functions of the core network element of the second aspect above.

[0034] Taking the application of this communication device in the access network equipment of the first aspect as an example:

[0035] The transceiver unit is used to receive first data and second data from the core network element. The first data and second data belong to a first group. The first data includes first information, which is used to indicate a first time. The first time is the time when the data of the first group is received by the core network element or the time when the data of the first group is sent by the core network element.

[0036] The transceiver unit is also used to send first data and second data based on the first information.

[0037] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is specifically used to send first data and second data based on first time and duration information; the duration information is used to indicate the first duration and the second duration, the first duration being the latency budget of the first group of data between the core network element and the access network device, and the second duration being the latency budget of the first group of data between the access network device and the terminal; or, the duration information is used to indicate the third duration, the third duration being the latency budget of the first group of data between the core network element and the terminal.

[0038] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is specifically used to transmit first data and second data based on a fourth duration; the fourth duration is determined based on the first time and duration information; the fourth duration is the available latency budget for the first group of data between the access network device and the terminal; the duration information is used to indicate the first duration and the second duration, the first duration being the latency budget for the first group of data between the core network element and the access network device, and the second duration being the latency budget for the first group of data between the access network device and the terminal; or, the duration information is used to indicate the third duration, the third duration being the latency budget for the first group of data between the core network element and the terminal.

[0039] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive second information, which indicates a first duration and / or a second duration; or, to receive third information, which indicates a third duration.

[0040] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is also used to receive fourth information, which is used to indicate N1 and / or M1.

[0041] Fourthly, a communication device is provided, including an interface circuit and one or more processors, optionally including a memory, with the one or more processors coupled to the memory. The memory stores a computer program, and the processors are coupled to the memory and the interface circuit. When the processor reads the computer program or instructions, it causes the communication device to execute the method performed by the access network device in the first aspect, or the method performed by the core network element in the second aspect. For example, the interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device. The processor, through logic circuits or executable code instructions, implements the method performed by the access network device in the first aspect, or the method performed by the core network element in the second aspect.

[0042] In one possible implementation, the communication device is a chip or chip system.

[0043] Fifthly, a communication device is provided, including a processor, and optionally, a memory; the processor and the memory are coupled; the memory is used to store computer programs or instructions; the processor is used to execute part or all of the computer programs or instructions in the memory, and when part or all of the computer programs or instructions are executed, it is used to implement the functions of the access network device in the first aspect above, or to implement the functions of the core network element in the second aspect above.

[0044] In one possible implementation, the apparatus may further include a transceiver for transmitting signals processed by the processor or receiving signals input to the processor. The transceiver may perform the transmitting or receiving actions performed by the access network device in the first aspect, or the transceiver may perform the transmitting or receiving actions performed by the core network element in the second aspect.

[0045] In one possible implementation, the processing unit in the third aspect can be implemented by a processor, the storage unit in the third aspect can be implemented by a memory, and the transceiver unit in the third aspect can be implemented by a transceiver.

[0046] In one possible implementation, the communication device is a chip or chip system.

[0047] Sixthly, a communication system is provided, including the access network equipment of the first aspect and the core network element of the second aspect. For example, the core network element and the access network equipment can be implemented by the communication devices of the fourth and fifth aspects.

[0048] In a seventh aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising at least two of the following: an access network device as described in the first aspect, a core network element as described in the second aspect, and a terminal device, wherein the terminal device receives data from the access network device. For example, the access network device and the core network element can be implemented using the communication devices of the fourth and fifth aspects.

[0049] In one possible implementation, a core network element is used to send first data and second data to an access network device. The first data and second data belong to a first group. The first data includes first information, which is used to indicate a first time. The first time is the time when the data of the first group is received by the core network element or the time when the data of the first group is sent by the core network element.

[0050] Access network equipment is used to receive first data and second data from core network elements, and to send first data and second data to terminal equipment based on first information;

[0051] Terminal equipment is used to receive first data and second data from access network equipment.

[0052] Eighthly, a computer-readable storage medium is provided for storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed, cause the methods of the first or second aspect described above to be implemented.

[0053] Ninthly, a computer program product containing instructions is provided that, when run on a computer, enables the methods described in the first or second aspect to be implemented. Attached Figure Description

[0054] Figure 1a A schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in this application;

[0055] Figure 1b This application provides a schematic diagram of the architecture of an ORAN communication system.

[0056] Figure 1c A schematic diagram of a time-delay segmentation control architecture provided for existing technologies;

[0057] Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a communication method provided in this application;

[0058] Figure 3 This application provides a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between a PDU and a video frame.

[0059] Figure 6 and Figure 7 A structural diagram of the communication device provided in this application. Detailed Implementation

[0060] The technical solution of this application can be applied to various wireless communication systems, including but not limited to fourth-generation (4G) mobile communication technology systems (also known as long term evolution (LTE) systems), fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication technology systems (also known as new radio (NR) systems), or future mobile communication systems, etc., without any specific limitations.

[0061] Furthermore, the technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to device-to-device (D2D) scenarios, such as NR-D2D scenarios, or to vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication scenarios, such as NR-V2X scenarios. For example, they can be used in fields such as intelligent driving, assisted driving, or intelligent connected vehicles. As another example, the technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to factory manufacturing scenarios.

[0062] Furthermore, the technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to scenarios including but not limited to: terrestrial cellular communication, non-terrestrial network (NTN), satellite communication, high altitude platform station (HAPS) communication, integrated access and backhaul (IAB) communication, and reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) communication.

[0063] Figure 1a This is a schematic diagram of a communication system architecture applicable to this application. The communication architecture includes: terminal equipment, (wireless) access network (RAN) equipment, and core network elements. Optionally, it also includes a data network (DN). The terminal equipment accesses the core network through the RAN equipment, and the core network communicates with the DN.

[0064] A terminal device, also known as user equipment (UE), is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities. It can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; on water (such as on ships); and in the air (such as on airplanes, balloons, and satellites). Terminal devices can include mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, virtual reality (VR) terminals, augmented reality (AR) terminals, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving vehicles, wireless terminals in remote medical care, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, and wireless terminals in smart homes, etc.

[0065] The (R)AN equipment in this application is a device that provides wireless communication functions for terminal devices. The (R)AN equipment is also called an access network device. The RAN equipment in this application includes, but is not limited to: next-generation base stations (g nodeB, gNB), evolved node B (eNB), radio network controllers (RNC), node Bs (NB), base station controllers (BSC), base transceiver stations (BTS), home base stations (e.g., home evolved nodeB, or home node B, HNB), baseband units (BBU), transmitting and receiving points (TRP), transmitting points (TP), mobile switching centers, etc. In systems employing different wireless access technologies, the name of the equipment with base station functions may differ. For example, in 5th generation (5G) systems, it is called RAN or gNB (5G NodeB); in LTE systems, it is called evolved node B (eNB or eNodeB), etc.

[0066] In one possible scenario, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist a terminal in achieving wireless access, with each RAN node implementing a portion of the access network equipment's functions. For example, a RAN node 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. CUs and DUs can be separate entities or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RUs can be included in radio equipment or radio units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs).

[0067] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called O-CU (open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. For ease of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules.

[0068] Figure 1b This paper illustrates a communication system architecture for an open radio access network (open RAN, O-RAN, or ORAN). An access network device includes a centralized unit (CU) and at least one distributed unit (DU). The distributed unit (DU) handles functions requiring high real-time performance; the centralized unit (CU) handles non-real-time functions. The CU and DU communicate via the F1 interface. Here, NG is the interface between the access network device and the core network; Xn-C are the control plane interfaces between access network devices; and F1 is the interface between the CU and DU.

[0069] A Data Network (DN) can deploy various services, providing data and / or voice services to terminal devices. For example, a DN might be the private network of a smart factory. Sensors installed in the workshop can act as terminal devices. The DN deploys both sensors and a control server, with the control server providing services to the sensors. Sensors can communicate with the control server, receive instructions, and transmit collected sensor data accordingly. Another example is a DN serving as an internal office network for a company. Employees' mobile phones or computers can act as terminal devices, accessing information and data resources within the company's internal network.

[0070] Core network elements may include one or more of the following network elements:

[0071] The access management network element (also known as the mobility management network element) is a control plane network element provided by the operator's network. It is responsible for access control and mobility management of terminal devices accessing the operator's network, including functions such as mobility state management, allocation of temporary user identities, authentication, and user management. In 5G communication systems, this access management network element can be an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element. In future communication systems, the access management network element can still be an AMF network element, or it can have other names; this application does not limit its scope.

[0072] The session management network element is primarily responsible for session management in mobile networks, such as session establishment, modification, and release. Specific functions include assigning IP addresses to users and selecting user plane network elements that provide packet forwarding capabilities. In 5G communication systems, this session management network element can be a session management function (SMF) network element. In future communication systems, the session management network element may still be an SMF network element, or it may have other names; this application does not impose any limitations on this.

[0073] User plane network elements are responsible for forwarding and receiving user data in terminal devices. They can receive user data from the data network and transmit it to the terminal device through the access network equipment; user plane network elements can also receive user data from the terminal device through the access network equipment and forward it to the data network. The transmission resources and scheduling functions that provide services to the terminal device in the user plane network element are managed and controlled by the SMF network element. In 5G communication systems, this user plane network element can be a user plane function (UPF) network element. In future communication systems, the user plane network element can still be a UPF network element, or it can have other names; this application does not limit this.

[0074] It is understood that the aforementioned network element or function can be a network component in a hardware device, a software function running on dedicated hardware, or a virtualized function instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). One possible implementation is that the aforementioned network element or function can be implemented by a single device, multiple devices working together, or a functional module within a single device; this application does not specifically limit this.

[0075] It is understood that the aforementioned network element or function can be a network component in a hardware device, a software function running on dedicated hardware, or a virtualized function instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). One possible implementation is that the aforementioned network element or function can be implemented by a single device, multiple devices working together, or a functional module within a single device; this application does not specifically limit this.

[0076] In the aforementioned communication system, the transmission delay from the core network to the terminal equipment is guaranteed through a packet delay budget (PDB). The PDB defines the upper limit of the possible delay of a data packet between the N6 endpoints at the UE and UPF. For example... Figure 1c As shown, the transmission delay from the core network to the terminal equipment is controlled in segments. The PDB is divided into the access network PDB (ANPDB) and the core network PDB (CN PDB). The CN PDB guarantees the transmission delay between the core network and the access network. The core network and the access network are usually connected by optical fibers and routers. The transmission delay between the core network and the access network is related to the communication protocol (e.g., Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and Internet Protocol (IP)). The AN PDB guarantees the transmission delay between the access network and the terminal. The transmission delay between the access network and the terminal is usually affected by the quality of the wireless channel and the resource scheduling of the access network equipment.

[0077] For example, to ensure a good user experience, the transmission latency from the core network to the terminal device must be controlled within 15ms. Based on this, the CN PDB is set to 5ms and the AN PDB to 10ms. If jitter occurs during data transmission from the core network to the access network device, and the jitter value is large (e.g., exceeding +3ms or more), and the access network device still refers to the AN PDB at 10ms when transmitting data to the terminal device, the transmission latency from the core network to the terminal device may exceed 15ms, affecting the user experience.

[0078] Furthermore, for large-volume service data, such as VR / AR service data, the information of a single frame is carried in multiple data packets, and a single data packet cannot transmit the entire information of a frame to the terminal device. Therefore, measuring the transmission latency of the service data based on the transmission latency of a single data packet is inaccurate.

[0079] Based on this, this application provides a communication method in which a core network element sends first data and second data to an access network device. Correspondingly, the access network device receives the first data and second data from the core network element. The first data and second data belong to a first group. The first data includes first information indicating a first time, which is the time when the data of the first group (including but not limited to the first data and second data) is received or transmitted by the core network element. Based on the first information, the access network device sends the first data and second data to a terminal device.

[0080] In this method, a core network element sends a set of data to an access network device. This set of data includes at least two (or two types) of data (first data and second data). One (or one type of) data (i.e., the first data) includes information about the reception or transmission time of that data in the core network (i.e., first information), while the other (or another type of) data (i.e., the second data) does not include this information. The reception or transmission time of all data in the set (including but not limited to the first data and the second data) in the core network is represented by the reception or transmission time of one (or one type of) data (i.e., the first data) in the core network. The access network device then sends the first set of data based on the first information. On the one hand, access network devices can rationally allocate resources to transmit the first set of data based on the data reception or transmission time in the core network, thereby reducing the transmission latency of the first set of data between core network elements and terminal devices. On the other hand, by using the reception or transmission time of one (or a type of) data (i.e., the first data) in the core network, the reception or transmission time of all data in the set (including but not limited to the first data and the second data) in the core network can be used to characterize the reception or transmission time of all data in the set (including but not limited to the first data and the second data), which can improve the accuracy of measuring the transmission latency of the first set of data between core network elements and terminal devices.

[0081] The relevant terms used in the embodiments of this application will be explained below. It should be noted that these explanations are for the purpose of making the embodiments of this application easier to understand, and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope of protection claimed by this application.

[0082] (1) In this application, “sending information / data” can be understood as one device sending information / data to another device, or it can also be understood as one logical module within a device sending information / data to another logical module. For example, “access network device sending information / data” can be understood as access network device sending information / data to another device (such as a terminal), or it can be understood as logical module 1 in access network device sending information / data to logical module 2 in access network device.

[0083] In this application, "receiving information / data" can be understood as one device receiving information / data from another device, or it can also be understood as a logical module within a device receiving information / data from another logical module. For example, "access network device receiving information / data" can be understood as the access network device receiving information / data from another device (such as a terminal), or it can be understood as logical module 1 in the access network device receiving information / data from logical module 2 in the access network device.

[0084] In this application, "sending information / data to... (e.g., a terminal)" or the relevant illustrations in the accompanying drawings can be understood as the destination of the information / data being a terminal, and may include sending information / data directly or indirectly to a terminal. Similarly, "receiving information / data from... (e.g., a terminal)," "receiving information / data from... (e.g., a terminal)," or "receiving information / data sent by (e.g., a terminal)," or the relevant illustrations in the accompanying drawings, can be understood as the source of the information / data being a terminal, and may include receiving information / data directly or indirectly from a terminal.

[0085] Information / data may undergo necessary processing, such as format changes, between the source and destination, but the destination can understand the valid information / data from the source. Similar statements in this application can be understood in a similar way, and will not be repeated here.

[0086] (2) Packet Delay Budget (PDB) defines the upper limit of the time that a packet may be delayed between the N6 endpoint of the UE and the UPF.

[0087] The Protocol Data Unit (PDU) Set Delay Budget (PSDB) defines the upper limit of the delay that the PDU set may experience during transmission between the UE and the UPF at the N6 termination point. It is the duration between the reception time of the first PDU (for DL ​​at the N6 termination point, or for UL at the UE) and the time when all PDUs in the PDU set have been successfully received (for UL at the UE or N6 termination point).

[0088] (3) The first group includes N data, or a data set includes N data, and the index / number / sequence number of the N data is 0 to N-1 or 1 to N;

[0089] The first data in the first group / data set refers to the data in the first group / data set whose index / number / sequence number is 0 or 1;

[0090] The last data in the first group / data set refers to the data in the first group / data set with an index / number / sequence number of N or N-1;

[0091] The first N1 data in the first group / data set refers to the data in the first group / data set whose index / number / sequence number is 0 to N1-1 or 1 to N1.

[0092] It should be noted that the first, last, or first N1 data are not the first, last, or first N1 data in the first set / data collection sent by the core network element, nor are they the first, last, or first N1 data in the first set / data collection received by the access network device.

[0093] Similarly, the index / number / sequence number of the M data sets is 0 to M-1 or 1 to M. The first M1 data sets in the M data sets refer to the data sets with indices 0 to M1-1 or 1 to M. They are not the first M1 data sets sent by the core network elements, nor are they the first M1 data sets received by the access network devices.

[0094] To better illustrate the embodiments of this application, the methods provided by the embodiments of this application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise specified below, the steps indicated by dashed lines in the accompanying drawings corresponding to the various embodiments of this application are optional steps. It should be noted that the technical details of the multiple embodiments provided in this application can be referenced to each other, each embodiment described below can exist independently, and multiple embodiments can also be combined with each other as an embodiment in the absence of logical errors.

[0095] The accompanying drawings in this application illustrate the method using core network elements, access network devices, and terminal devices as examples of the execution subjects in the interactive illustration. However, this application does not limit the execution subjects in the interactive illustration. For example, the method executed by the access network device in this application can also be implemented by modules (e.g., circuits, chips, or chip systems) in the access network device, or by logical nodes, logical modules, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the access network device; the method executed by the core network element in this application can also be implemented by modules (e.g., circuits, chips, or chip systems) in the core network element, or by logical nodes, logical modules, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the core network element; the method executed by the terminal device in this application can also be implemented by the communication module in the terminal device, or by the circuit or chip responsible for communication functions in the terminal device (such as a modem chip (also known as a baseband chip), or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core, or a system-in-package (SIP) chip).

[0096] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0097] Step 201: The core network element sends first data and second data to the access network device, and correspondingly, the access network device receives the first data and second data from the core network element.

[0098] The first data and the second data belong to the same group. For ease of description, the group to which the first data and the second data belong is called the first group. The data in the first group includes, but is not limited to, the first data and the second data. Optionally, it also includes the third data, etc.

[0099] Optionally, all data in the first group belongs to the same business type, such as VR, AR, XR, multimedia, cloud gaming, or extended reality (XR) services, etc. Optionally, all data in the first group carries information from the same video frame / screen frame.

[0100] The first data includes first information, which is used to indicate the first time T1. The first time is described below:

[0101] One implementation is that the first time is the reception time of the first group of data at the core network element; in other words, the first time is the time when the core network element receives the first group of data; or the first time is the reception time of the first group of data at the N6 termination point of the UPF, i.e., the core network element is the UPF. The core network element can receive the first group of data from the data network, server, or cloud device. Specifically, the first time can be: the reception time of the first data in the first group, or the last data, or a data in the middle, or a data with a designated number (or index, or sequence number) at the core network element.

[0102] Another implementation is that the first time is the time when the first group of data is sent by the core network element; in other words, the first time is the time when the core network element sends the first group of data to the access network device. Specifically, the first time can be the time when the first data in the first group, or the last data, or a data in the middle, or a data with a set number (or index, or sequence number) is sent by the core network element.

[0103] The core network element in step 201 can be a user plane core network element, such as the user plane element UPF, and the first set of data can be service data, such as video frame information; of course, it is also possible that the core network element in step 201 is a control plane core network element, such as the access management element AMF or the session management element SMF, and the first set of data can be control signaling or configuration parameters.

[0104] Step 202: Based on the first information, the access network device sends the first data and the second data to the terminal device, and the terminal device receives the first data and the second data accordingly.

[0105] For example, the access network device sends first data and second data to the terminal device based on a first time indicated by the first information. Alternatively, the access network device may schedule transmission resources for the first and second data based on the first time, and then send the first and second data on the scheduled transmission resources.

[0106] In this method, a core network element sends a set of data to an access network device. This set of data includes at least two (or two types) of data. One (or one type of) data (i.e., the first data) includes information about the reception or transmission time of that data at the core network element (i.e., first information), while the other (or another type of) data (i.e., the second data) does not include this information. The reception or transmission time of all data in the set (including but not limited to the first and second data) at the core network element is represented by the reception or transmission time of one (or one type of) data (i.e., the first data) within the set. The access network device then sends the first set of data based on this first information. On the one hand, access network devices can rationally allocate resources to transmit the first set of data based on the reception or transmission time of the first set of data in the core network, thereby reducing the transmission latency of the first set of data between core network elements and terminal devices. On the other hand, by using the reception or transmission time of one (or a type of) data in a set of data in the core network element to characterize the reception or transmission time of all data in the set in the core network element, the accuracy of measuring the transmission latency of the first set of data between core network elements and terminal devices can be improved.

[0107] One possible implementation of step 202 is as follows: The access network device sends first data and second data to the terminal device based on the first time and duration information. The duration information is described below:

[0108] Example 1: The duration information is used to indicate the first duration and the second duration: The first duration is the latency budget of the first group of data between the core network element and the access network device, or the first duration is the latency budget of the first group of data from the core network element to the access network device; the first duration can be CN PDB or CN PSDB. The second duration is the latency budget of the first group of data between the access network device and the terminal, or the second duration is the latency budget of the first group of data from the access network device to the terminal; the second duration can be AN PDB or AN PSDB.

[0109] In other words, the access network device sends first data and second data to the terminal device based on a first time, a first duration, and a second duration. For example, the access network device determines a fourth duration based on the first time, the first duration, and the second duration; and then sends the first data and second data to the terminal device based on the fourth duration.

[0110] The fourth duration is the available latency budget for the data of the first group between the access network device and the terminal, or the available latency budget for the data of the first group from the access network device to the terminal; the available latency budget can be replaced by: latency budget, effective latency budget, adjusted latency budget, updated latency budget, actual latency budget, available PDB; or the fourth duration is called available PDB, or available AN PDB.

[0111] Based on this, a possible variation of step 202 is as follows: the access network device sends the first data and the second data to the access network device based on the fourth duration; the fourth duration is determined based on the first time and duration information, and the duration information is used to indicate the first duration and the second duration.

[0112] Example 2: The duration information is used to indicate the third duration, which is the latency budget of the first group of data between the core network element and the terminal, or the latency budget of the first group of data from the core network element to the terminal.

[0113] In other words, the access network device sends first data and second data to the terminal device based on the first time and the third duration. For example, the access network device determines a fourth duration based on the first time and the third duration; and then sends the first data and second data to the terminal device based on the fourth duration.

[0114] Based on this, a possible variation of step 202 is as follows: the access network device sends the first data and the second data to the access network device based on the fourth duration; the fourth duration is determined based on the first time and duration information, and the duration information is used to indicate the third duration.

[0115] Optionally, the access network device can also determine the time of receiving the first data (from the core network element), the time of receiving the second data (from the core network element), or the time of receiving the first data belonging to the first group. The first data belonging to the first group may or may not be the first data in the first group. The time of receiving the first data belonging to the first group can be understood as the time of receiving a new set of data, or the time when the group identifier carried in the data is detected as the first occurrence of a group identifier.

[0116] For example, if a set of data is a PDU set, the time when the access network device receives the first data belonging to the first set can be: the time when the access network device detects the new PDU set sequence number (PSSN).

[0117] For example, a set of data constitutes a data burst. Each data item (e.g., a PDU) within the data burst carries indication information indicating whether it is the last data item in the burst. For instance, this indication information occupies 1 bit; a value of 1 indicates that the data is the last data item in the burst, while a value of 0 indicates that the data is not the last data item. The access network device can determine whether any data item is the last data item in the burst based on this indication information. Therefore, the time when the access network device receives the first data item belonging to the first data burst can be defined as the time when the access network device first receives data after detecting the last data item in the burst.

[0118] For ease of description, the time of receiving the first or second data, or the time of receiving the first data belonging to the first group, is referred to as the second time, which can also be called CurrentTime. The access network device can send the first and second data to the terminal based on the second time.

[0119] For example, the access network device sends first data and second data to the terminal device based on the first time, duration information, and second time.

[0120] For example, referring to Example 1 above, the access network device determines a fourth duration based on the first time, the first duration, the second duration, and the second time; based on the fourth duration, the access network device sends the first data and the second data to the terminal device. For example, the fourth duration satisfies: Fourth duration = First duration + Second duration - (Second time - First time).

[0121] For example, referring to Example 2 above, the access network device determines a fourth duration based on the first time, the third duration, and the second time; based on the fourth duration, the access network device sends the first data and the second data to the terminal device. For example, the fourth duration satisfies: Fourth duration = Third duration - (Second time - First time).

[0122] The following describes different scenarios for the fourth duration:

[0123] For example, the access network device determines the adjustment difference between the new AN PDB and the previous AN PDB based on the first time, the second time, and the first duration (CN PDB). For example, the adjustment value satisfies: adjustment value = first duration - (second time - first time). Based on the adjustment value, the original AN PDB (first duration) is adjusted (updated), and the adjusted (updated) AN PDB is the fourth duration. Based on the adjusted (updated) AN PDB, the access network device schedules the transmission resources for the first data and the second data, and sends the first data and the second data on the corresponding resources.

[0124] For example, the access network device can determine a fourth duration based on the first time, second time, and duration information (first duration and second duration, or third duration). The fourth duration can be understood as a new AN PDB. The access network device schedules the transmission resources for the first and second data based on the new AN PDB, and sends the first and second data on the corresponding resources. The access network device does not need to adjust (update) the existing second duration (AN PDB).

[0125] In the above method, the transmission delay from the core network element to the terminal device is eliminated, and the transmission delay is no longer guaranteed in two segments. Even if jitter occurs between the core network element and the access network device, causing the transmission delay between the core network element and the access network device to exceed the CN PDB (first duration), the access network device can adjust / update / determine the actual available transmission duration (fourth duration) based on the existing AN PDB (first duration) and the timeout duration (second time - first time), thereby guaranteeing the overall transmission delay from the core network element to the terminal.

[0126] The following describes how access network devices obtain the first duration, second duration, and third duration:

[0127] Method 1: As stipulated in the agreement.

[0128] The first and / or second, or third durations can be specified by the protocol. For example, the first and / or second, or third durations can be specified for different service types (other classification methods can also be considered; this application only uses service types as an example for illustration); or, the first and / or second, or third durations can be specified without distinguishing between service types. The first and / or second, or third durations can be pre-configured in the access network equipment; or the association between different service types and the first and / or second, or third durations can be configured, without requiring the core network to configure them for the access network equipment.

[0129] Method 2: Core network configuration.

[0130] The first and / or second, or third durations can also be configured by the core network elements for the access network devices. For example, the access network device receives second information from a core network element (e.g., a core network element in the control plane, such as SMF or AMF), which indicates the first and / or second durations, or indicates the association between different service types and the first and / or second durations; or, the access network device receives third information from a core network element (e.g., a core network element in the control plane, such as SMF or AMF), which indicates the third duration, or indicates the association between different service types and the third duration.

[0131] Optionally, the access network device may determine the corresponding first duration and / or second duration or third duration based on the service type of the first group of data and the association between different service types and the first duration and / or second duration or third duration.

[0132] The core network elements can configure the access network equipment with a first duration and / or a second duration and a third duration, which can more flexibly adapt to different services and communication environments.

[0133] In addition, the first duration and / or the second duration, or the third duration, can be determined by the Session Management Element (SMF).

[0134] In one possible implementation, the first set of data may also include third data, which may or may not include the first information. The access network device receives the third data later than the first data and does not send it to the terminal device along with the first data. The access network device may receive the third data before or after sending the first and second data to the terminal device. After sending the first and second data to the terminal device based on the first information, the access network device may also send the third data to the terminal device based on the first information.

[0135] The specific process of the access network device sending the third data to the terminal device based on the first information can be referred to the specific process of the access network device sending the first data and the second data to the terminal device based on the first information, which will not be elaborated here. It should be noted that the second time mentioned above can be the time when the access network device receives the first data or the second data, or the time when it receives the first data belonging to the first group. In this implementation, the second time can be the time when the access network device receives the first data, the second data, or the third data, or the time when it receives the first data belonging to the first group.

[0136] The following section introduces the data from the first group. The examples below are numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, etc., merely for ease of description and do not imply any priority or importance of the examples.

[0137] Example 1: The first group consists of N data points, and the first N1 data points all contain the first information. N1 is less than N, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and N1 is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0138] In this example 1, the first data belongs to the first N1 data in the first group of N data; for example, the first data is the first N1 data or a portion of the first N1 data.

[0139] Example 2: The first group consists of N data points, and the first N1 data points are allowed to contain the first information. In specific implementation, the first information may be included in all or part of the data in the first N1 data points. The part of the data may be data with consecutive numbers / indices / sequence numbers or data with non-consecutive numbers / indices / sequence numbers.

[0140] For example, N=5, N1=3, the first 3 data all include the first information; or, the first and third data include the first information, but the second data does not include the first information; or, the first and second data include the first information, but the third data does not include the first information.

[0141] In Example 2, the first data belongs to the first N1 data in the first group of N data; for example, the first data is all or part of the data that includes the first information in the first N1 data. For example, the first information is included in the first data in the first and second data, or the first data is the first data.

[0142] In Examples 1 and 2, the data in the first group can be a PDU set, where one piece of data in the first group is a PDU. That is, a PDU set includes N PDUs, and the first N1 of the N PDUs contain, or are allowed to contain, the first information. The access network device can assume that all PDUs in the PDU set are sent from or arrive at the core network element in step 201 at the first moment.

[0143] Optionally, a set of data (i.e., one PDU set) corresponds to one video frame, such as... Figure 3 As shown in (a), the PDU set with PSSN=K corresponds to video frame K, and the PDU set with PSSN=K+1 corresponds to video frame K+1.

[0144] Example 3: The first group consists of M data sets, each containing N data points. The first M1 data sets are called the first data set. The first N1 data points in each of the N data points in the first data set contain the first information. M1 is less than or equal to M, N1 is less than N, N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and N1 is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0145] For example, M=4, M1=2, N=5, N1=3, the first three of the five data in the first data set include the first information, the first three of the five data in the second data set include the first information, the first five data in the third data set do not include the first information, and the first five data in the fourth data set do not include the first information.

[0146] Example 4: The first group consists of M data sets, each containing N data items. The first M1 data sets are called the first data set. Within each data set in the first data set, the first N1 data items out of the N data items are allowed to contain the first information. Specifically, the first information may be included in all or part of the first N1 data items within the first M1 data sets. The part of the first information may be data with consecutive numbers / indices / sequences or data with non-consecutive numbers / indices / sequences.

[0147] For example, if M = 4, M1 = 2, N = 5, N1 = 3, and the first information is included in all the data in the first N1 data sets of the first M1 data sets, then refer to the example in Example 3. The following are several examples of partial data in the first N1 data sets of the first M1 data sets including the first information:

[0148] Example 1: Although it's allowed that the first two data sets could include the first information, in practice, only the first data set includes the first information, and the second data set does not. That is, the first three data points out of the five data points in the first data set include the first information, or some of the first three data points (these parts can be consecutively numbered / indexed / sequenced data or non-consecutively numbered / indexed / sequenced data) include the first information. For example, the first three data points out of the five data points in the first data set include the first information, but none of the five data points in the second, third, and fourth data sets do not include the first information. Another example: the first and second data points out of the five data points in the first data set include the first information, but none of the five data points in the second, third, and fourth data sets do not include the first information.

[0149] Example 2: Although the first N1 data items are allowed to include the first information, only a portion of the first N1 data items (this portion can be data with consecutive numbers / indices / sequences or non-consecutive numbers / indices / sequences) include the first information. Furthermore, the numbers / indices / sequences of the data items including the first information in different data sets may be the same or different. For example, the first and second data items out of 5 data items in the first data set include the first information; the first and second data items out of 5 data items in the second data set include the first information; none of the 5 data items in the third data set include the first information; and none of the 5 data items in the fourth data set include the first information. As another example: the first and second data items out of 5 data items in the first data set include the first information; the first and third data items out of 5 data items in the second data set include the first information; none of the 5 data items in the third data set include the first information; and none of the 5 data items in the fourth data set include the first information.

[0150] Example 3: Although the first two data sets are allowed to include the first information, only the first data set includes the first information, and the second data set does not. Similarly, although the first N1 data sets are allowed to include the first information, only a portion of the first N1 data sets contain the first information. For example, the first and second data sets out of the five data sets in the first data set may contain the first information; none of the five data sets in the second data set may contain the first information; none of the five data sets in the third data set may contain the first information; and none of the five data sets in the fourth data set may contain the first information.

[0151] In Examples 3 and 4, the first data belongs to the first N1 data in at least one data set in the first data set, and the first data set is the first M1 data set in the first group of M data sets.

[0152] The number of data points included in the M data sets can be the same or different, that is, the value of N corresponding to the M data sets can be the same or different.

[0153] In Examples 3 and 4, the first set of data can be a data burst set, and a data set is a PDU set. One piece of data in the data set is a PDU. That is, a data burst includes M PDU sets, and a PDU set includes N PDUs. The first M1 PDU sets contain, or are allowed to contain, the first N1 PDUs within the N PDUs of the M PDU sets. The access network device can consider all PDU sets preceding the PSSN number of the last PDU (end of data burst) in the received data burst as originating from or arriving at the core network element in step 201 at the first moment.

[0154] Optionally, a set of data (i.e., a burst of data) corresponds to a video frame, such as... Figure 3 As shown in (b), the PDU set from PSSN=K to PSSN=K+M corresponds to video frame K.

[0155] The following describes how N1 is determined.

[0156] Method 1: As stipulated in the agreement.

[0157] N1 can be specified by the protocol. For example, it can be specified for different service types (other classification methods can also be considered, such as the load of the core network / access network; this application only uses service type as an example for illustration), or N1 can be specified without distinguishing between service types.

[0158] In step 201, the core network element can pre-configure N1, or configure the association relationship between different service types and N1. Optionally, the core network element in step 201 can determine the corresponding N1 based on the service type of the data in the first group and the association relationship between different service types and N1.

[0159] Access network devices can pre-configure N1, or configure the association between different service types and N1. Optionally, access network devices can determine the corresponding N1 based on the service type of the first set of data and the association between different service types and N1.

[0160] Method 2: The core network determines N1 based on the service type and the load conditions of the core network / access network.

[0161] For example, the core network element in step 201 determines N1, or other core network elements (such as SMF) besides those in step 201 determine N1 and send it to the core network element in step 201.

[0162] For access network equipment, N1 is configured by core network elements, for example, through the control plane protocol (GTP-C protocol) of the General Packet Radio Access Network (GPRS tunneling protocol-ctrl / control plane). For instance, the access network equipment receives indication information from core network elements (e.g., core network elements in the control plane, such as SMF, AMF). This indication information is used to indicate N1, or it indicates the association between different service types and N1. Optionally, the access network equipment can determine the corresponding N1 based on the service type of the first set of data and the association between different service types and N1.

[0163] After learning about N1, the core network element in step 201 can carry the first information in the corresponding data based on the value of N1.

[0164] After learning of N1, the access network device can detect the first information only in data whose index / serial number / number / PDU serial number is less than N1 or N1-1, which can reduce the overhead of detecting the first information.

[0165] Similar to N1, M1 is determined as follows:

[0166] Method 1: As stipulated in the agreement.

[0167] M1 can be defined by the protocol. For example, it can be defined for different service types (other classification methods can also be considered, such as the load of the core network / access network; this application only uses service type as an example for illustration), or M1 can be defined without distinguishing between service types.

[0168] In step 201, the core network element can pre-configure M1, or configure the association relationship between different service types and M1. Optionally, the core network element in step 201 can determine the corresponding M1 based on the service type of the data in the first group and the association relationship between different service types and M1.

[0169] Access network devices can pre-configure M1, or configure the association between different service types and M1. Optionally, access network devices can determine the corresponding M1 based on the service type of the first set of data and the association between different service types and M1.

[0170] Method 2: The core network determines M1 based on the service type and the load conditions of the core network / access network.

[0171] For example, the core network element in step 201 determines M1, or other core network elements (such as SMF) besides those in step 201 determine M1 and send it to the core network element in step 201.

[0172] For access network devices, M1 is configured by core network elements, for example, via the GTP-C protocol. For instance, the access network device receives indication information from core network elements (e.g., control plane core network elements such as SMF and AMF). This indication information is used to indicate M1, or it indicates the association between different service types and M1. Optionally, the access network device can determine the corresponding M1 based on the service type of the first set of data and the association between different service types and M1.

[0173] After learning about N1 and M1, the core network element in step 201 can carry the first information in the corresponding data based on the values ​​of N1 and M1.

[0174] After learning about N1 and M1, the access network device can detect the first information only in the data whose index / sequence number / number / PDU sequence number is less than N1 or N1-1 in the first M1 data sets, which can reduce the overhead of detecting the first information.

[0175] The core network elements configure N1 and / or M1 to the access network equipment, which can more flexibly adapt to different services and communication environments. N1 and M1 can be carried in a single instruction message or in different instruction messages.

[0176] In one possible scenario, the core network element sends the data in the first group in sequence. The access network device may receive the second data first instead of the first data. If the first information is only included in the first data, the access network device will not know how to send the second data while ensuring the delay after receiving the second data. Based on this, the first information can be included in the first two or even the first three data, so N1 is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

[0177] Furthermore, the amount of data N1 to add the first information can be dynamically adjusted. When the jitter of CN is large, the value of N1 can be increased to ensure that RAN learns the first information as early as possible. When the jitter of CN is small, the value of N1 can be reduced to reduce the overhead of transmitting and parsing the first information.

[0178] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The access network device includes a CU and a DU. The CU interacts with core network elements, and the DU interacts with terminal devices.

[0179] Optionally, in step 400a: the core network element sends indication information to the CU to indicate at least one of the following: N1, M1, duration information; wherein the duration information includes a first duration and / or a second duration, or the duration information includes a third duration.

[0180] Optional, step 400b: CU and DU send duration information.

[0181] Step 401: The core network element sends first data and second data to the CU, and the CU receives the first data and second data accordingly. The first data includes first information, which is used to indicate a first time.

[0182] Step 402: CU parses the first information in the first data.

[0183] CU parses the first information based on the values ​​of N1 and M1.

[0184] Step 403: The CU sends the first information, the first data, and the second data to the DU.

[0185] Step 404: Based on the first information, DU sends the first data and the second data to the terminal device.

[0186] In this example, DU implements the function of the access network device mentioned above sending first data and second data to the terminal device based on the first information.

[0187] For example, DU determines the second time, and based on the first time, the second time, and the duration information, determines the fourth duration, and sends the first data and the second data to the terminal device based on the fourth duration.

[0188] More details about this example can be found in the previous introduction, and will not be repeated here.

[0189] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The access network device includes a CU and a DU. The CU interacts with core network elements, and the DU interacts with terminal devices.

[0190] Optionally, in step 500: the core network element sends indication information to the CU to indicate at least one of the following: N1, M1, duration information; wherein the duration information includes a first duration and / or a second duration, or the duration information includes a third duration.

[0191] Step 501: The core network element sends first data and second data to the CU. Correspondingly, the access network device receives the first data and second data from the core network element. The first data includes first information, which is used to indicate a first time.

[0192] Step 502: The CU parses the first information in the first data to determine the second time; and based on the first time, the second time, and the duration information, determines the fourth duration.

[0193] CU parses the first information based on the values ​​of N1 and M1.

[0194] Step 503: The CU sends the fourth duration information, the first data, and the second data to the DU.

[0195] Step 504: Based on the information of the fourth duration, DU sends the first data and the second data to the terminal device.

[0196] More details about this example can be found in the previous introduction, and will not be repeated here.

[0197] It is understood that, in order to implement the functions in the above embodiments, the user plane network elements and access network devices include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, based on the units and method steps described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed in this application, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed by hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0198] Figure 6 and Figure 7 The diagram illustrates the possible communication devices provided in the embodiments of this application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of user plane network elements and access network equipment in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments.

[0199] like Figure 6 As shown, the communication device 600 may include modules or units for implementing the methods described in the embodiments above. In one possible design, the communication device 600 includes a processing unit 610 and a transceiver unit 620. Optionally, the communication device 600 may further include a storage unit 630 for storing device program code and / or data.

[0200] The communication device 600 can be a network-side device in the above embodiments, such as an access network device, or a communication module in the access network device, or a circuit, chip, or chip system in the access network device responsible for communication functions.

[0201] The transceiver unit 620 can perform the receiving and transmitting actions performed by the access network device in the above method embodiments. The processing unit 610 can perform other actions besides the transmitting and receiving actions performed by the access network device in the above method embodiments.

[0202] For example, the transceiver unit 620 is used to: receive first data and second data from core network elements, and send the first data and second data to the terminal device.

[0203] For example, the processing unit 610 is used to: determine a fourth duration.

[0204] The communication device 600 can be the core network side in the above embodiments, such as a core network element, a user plane network element, a session management network element, or an access management network element.

[0205] The transceiver unit 620 can perform the receiving and transmitting actions performed by the core network element in the above method embodiment. The processing unit 610 can perform other actions performed by the core network element in the above method embodiment besides the transmitting and receiving actions.

[0206] For example, the transceiver unit 620 is used to send first data and second data to the access network device.

[0207] For example, the processing unit 610 is used to add first information to a portion of the data in the first group.

[0208] For a more detailed description of the processing unit 610 and the transceiver unit 620, please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figure 2 , Figure 4 The relevant descriptions in the method embodiments shown in the figure are directly obtained and will not be repeated here.

[0209] It is understood that the division of units in the above-described device is merely a logical functional division. One function can correspond to one functional unit, or two or more functions can be integrated into one functional unit. In actual implementation, all or some units can be integrated onto a single physical entity, or distributed across different physical entities. Furthermore, the aforementioned functional units can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both. Whether a function is executed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for specific applications, but such implementations should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0210] In one example, the functional unit in any of the above devices may be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above methods, such as: one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or one or more central processing units (CPUs), one or more microcontroller units (MCUs), one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), or one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms.

[0211] In one example, storage unit 630 may include random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, and / or registers, etc. Processing unit 610 can be implemented by a processor, and transceiver unit 620 can be implemented by a transceiver.

[0212] like Figure 7 As shown, the communication device 700 includes a processor 710 and an interface circuit 720. The processor 710 and the interface circuit 720 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the interface circuit 720 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication device 700 may also include a memory 730 for storing instructions executed by the processor 710, or storing input data required for the processor 710 to execute instructions, or storing data generated after the processor 710 executes instructions. Sometimes, the interface circuit 720 can also be understood as part of the processor 710, in which case the communication device 700 includes the processor 710.

[0213] When the communication device 700 is used to implement the above-mentioned network side and core network side methods, the processor 710 is used to implement the functions of the above-mentioned processing unit 610, the interface circuit 720 is used to implement the functions of the above-mentioned transceiver unit 620, and the memory 730 is used to implement the functions of the above-mentioned storage unit 630.

[0214] When the aforementioned communication device is a chip applied to a terminal device, the terminal device chip implements the functions of the terminal device in the above method embodiments. The terminal device chip receives information from a network device, which can be understood as the information being first received by other modules (such as an RF module or antenna) in the terminal device, and then sent to the terminal device chip by these modules. The terminal device chip sends information to a network device, which can be understood as the information being first sent to other modules (such as an RF module or antenna) in the terminal device, and then sent to the network device by these modules.

[0215] When the aforementioned communication device is a chip applied to a network device, the network device chip implements the functions of the network device in the above method embodiments. The network device chip receives information from the terminal device, which can be understood as the information being first received by other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the network device, and then sent to the network device chip by these modules. The network device chip sends information to the terminal device, which can be understood as the information being sent down to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the network device, and then sent to the terminal device by these modules. Here, the network device module can be the baseband chip of the network device, or a DU (Digital Unit) or other modules. The DU here can be a DU under the Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) architecture.

[0216] In this application, entity A sends information to entity B, either directly or indirectly through other entities. Similarly, entity B receives information from entity A, either directly or indirectly through other entities. Entities A and B can be network devices or terminal devices, or modules within network devices or terminal devices. The sending and receiving of information can be between network devices and terminal devices, between two network devices (e.g., CU and DU), or between different modules within a single device (e.g., a terminal device chip and other modules within the terminal device, or a network device chip and other modules within the network device).

[0217] It is understood that the processor in the embodiments of this application may be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0218] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program that, when executed by a computer, enables the computer to perform the aforementioned communication method. Alternatively, the computer program includes instructions for implementing the aforementioned communication.

[0219] This application also provides a computer program product, including: computer program code, which, when run on a computer, enables the computer to execute the communication method provided above.

[0220] This application also provides a communication system, which includes at least two of the following: a core network element that performs the above-described communication method, an access network device, and a terminal device.

[0221] The method steps in the embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions can consist of corresponding software modules, which can be stored in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, registers, hard disks, portable hard disks, compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to a processor, enabling the processor to read information from and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can also be a component of the processor. The processor and storage medium can reside in an ASIC. Alternatively, the ASIC can reside in a base station or terminal. Of course, the processor and storage medium can also exist as discrete components in the base station or terminal.

[0222] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are performed entirely or partially. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a first control plane network element, a user equipment, or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program or instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired or wireless means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape; it can also be an optical medium, such as a digital video optical disc; or it can be a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state drive. The computer-readable storage medium may be a volatile or non-volatile storage medium, or may include both types of storage media.

[0223] In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0224] In this application embodiment, the number of nouns, unless otherwise specified, refers to "singular nouns or plural nouns," that is, "one or more." "At least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone, where A or B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B means: A or B. Expressions such as "at least one of the following" or "one or more of them" refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c, or one or more of a, b, or c, means: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c. Each of a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0225] The ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish multiple objects, and are not used to limit the size, content, order, timing, priority, or importance of the multiple objects. Furthermore, such names do not indicate differences in the content, sending / receiving end, sending order, size, application scenario, priority, or importance of the two pieces of information. Additionally, the numbering of steps in the various embodiments described in this application is only to distinguish different steps and is not used to limit the order of steps.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Receive first data and second data from a core network element. The first data and the second data belong to a first group. The first data includes first information, which is used to indicate a first time. The first time is the time when the data of the first group is received by the core network element or the time when the data of the first group is sent by the core network element. Based on the first information, send the first data and the second data.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The step of sending the first data and the second data based on the first information includes: Based on the first time and duration information, the first data and the second data are sent; the duration information is used to indicate a first duration and a second duration, the first duration being the latency budget of the first group of data between the core network element and the access network device, and the second duration being the latency budget of the first group of data between the access network device and the terminal; or, the duration information is used to indicate a third duration, the third duration being the latency budget of the first group of data between the core network element and the terminal.

3. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The step of sending the first data and the second data based on the first information includes: Based on a fourth duration, the first data and the second data are sent; the fourth duration is determined based on the first time and duration information. The fourth duration is the available latency budget for the data of the first group between the access network device and the terminal; The duration information is used to indicate a first duration and a second duration, wherein the first duration is the latency budget of the data of the first group between the core network element and the access network device, and the second duration is the latency budget of the data of the first group between the access network device and the terminal; or, the duration information is used to indicate a third duration, wherein the third duration is the latency budget of the data of the first group between the core network element and the terminal.

4. The method as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The fourth duration satisfies: Fourth duration = First duration + Second duration - (Second time - First time); or, Fourth duration = Third duration - (Second time - First time); The second time is either the time when the first data is received or the time when the second data is received.

5. The method according to any one of claims 2-4, characterized in that, Also includes: Receive second information, the second information being used to indicate the first duration and / or the second duration; or, Receive third information, which is used to indicate the third duration.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The first data belongs to the first N1 data points out of the N data points in the first group, where N1 is less than N, N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and N1 is an integer greater than or equal to 1; or, The first data belongs to the first N1 data in at least one data set in the first data set. The first data set is the first M1 data set in the first group of M data sets, where M1 is less than or equal to M, N1 is less than N, N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and N1 is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

7. The method as described in claim 6, characterized in that, Also includes: Receive fourth information, which is used to indicate N1 and / or M1.

8. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-7.

9. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a processor, which is coupled to a memory; The memory is used to store computer programs or instructions; The processor is configured to execute some or all of the computer programs or instructions in the memory, and when the some or all of the computer programs or instructions are executed, to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-7.

10. A communication system, characterized in that, The communication system includes: an access network device that performs the method as described in any one of claims 1-7, a core network element that sends data to the access network device, and a terminal device that receives data from the access network device.

11. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-7.

12. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes: computer instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the method as described in any one of claims 1-7 to be implemented.

Images