Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

The application provides a communication method and a communication device. In the method, a first QoS configuration and at least one alternative QoS configuration are received from a session management function network element; a first QoS notification message is sent to the session management function network element, the first QoS notification message indicating that the first QoS configuration is not supported by an access network device, the first QoS notification message comprising a first index value and a second index value, the first index value and the second index value corresponding to a first alternative QoS configuration and a second alternative QoS configuration in the at least one alternative QoS configuration respectively, the first alternative QoS configuration containing uplink QoS parameters supported by the access network device, and the second alternative QoS configuration containing downlink QoS parameters supported by the access network device. Based on the above method, the AF can accurately identify the uplink and downlink network status of the current network.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communications, and more specifically, to a communication method and a communication apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] The standard introduces Quality of Service (QoS), QoS Notification Control (QNC), and Alternative QoS Profile (AQP). For guaranteed bit rate (GBR) QoS flows, core network elements can enable QNC when sending GBR QoS requests provided by application functions (AF) to the radio access network (RAN). Specifically, when the RAN determines that the QoS parameters in the current GBR QoS request cannot be met, the RAN sends a QoS notification to the core network. This QoS notification is set to "Guaranteed flow bit rate (GFBR) cannot be met." The core network can then send this QoS notification to the application side to ensure that the AF is aware that the RAN cannot meet the GBR QoS request submitted by the AF.

[0003] Furthermore, the core network can configure multiple AQPs to the RAN simultaneously. When the RAN does not support the uplink and downlink quality of service (QoS) parameters in the QoS configuration provided by the core network (the QoS parameters in the QoS configuration are the same as those in the GBR QoS request), the RAN can determine the AQP that the current network conditions can support based on the priority of at least one AQP provided by the core network, and return the information of the determined AQP to the AF through the core network element. For example, AQP#1 has a higher priority than AQP#2. The RAN supports the uplink QoS parameters in AQP#1, but not the downlink QoS parameters. Therefore, the RAN will continue to perform downlink matching for the lower-priority AQP#2. If the RAN supports the downlink QoS parameters in AQP#2, then the RAN can send the index of AQP#2, uplink direction information, and downlink direction information to the core network element. However, since the uplink QoS parameters in AQP#2 cannot reflect the actual uplink network conditions that the RAN can support, the AF cannot correctly perceive the current network conditions based on the feedback AQP index. Specifically, it cannot correctly perceive the current uplink or downlink network conditions. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and a communication device that enables AF to accurately identify the uplink and downlink network conditions of the current network.

[0005] Firstly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by an access network device. Unless otherwise specified, the term "access network device" in this application can refer to the access network device itself, or a component in the access network device (e.g., a processor, communication module, or circuit or chip responsible for communication functions in the access network 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, etc.), or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the access network device, or a device that can support the access network device in implementing corresponding functions.

[0006] The method includes: receiving a first Quality of Service (QoS) configuration and at least one alternative QoS configuration from a session management function (SMS) network element, wherein the first QoS configuration includes uplink QoS parameters and downlink QoS parameters, and the at least one alternative QoS configuration includes at least one set of uplink QoS parameters and at least one set of downlink QoS parameters; sending a first QoS notification message to the SMS network element, wherein the first QoS notification message indicates that the access network device does not support the first QoS configuration, the first QoS notification message includes a first index value and a second index value, wherein the first index value corresponds to a first alternative QoS configuration among the at least one alternative QoS configuration, and the second index value corresponds to a second alternative QoS configuration among the at least one alternative QoS configuration, wherein the first alternative QoS configuration includes uplink QoS parameters supported by the access network device, and the second alternative QoS configuration includes downlink QoS parameters supported by the access network device.

[0007] For example, uplink QoS parameters include uplink PDU Set QoS parameters, and downlink QoS parameters include downlink PDU Set QoS parameters.

[0008] For example, the first QoS notification message indicating that the access network device does not support the first QoS configuration can also be replaced with the first QoS notification indicating that the current first QoS configuration is not satisfied, or the first QoS notification indicating that the QoS parameters of the current first QoS configuration are not satisfied, or the first QoS notification indicating that the GFBR cannot satisfy.

[0009] For example, the index value mentioned above corresponding to the alternative QoS configuration can also be understood as the index value being the index value of the alternative QoS configuration.

[0010] In the above technical solution, when the access network device receives multiple alternative QoS configurations from the core network side, if the access network device cannot meet the QoS parameters, the access network device will send a QoS notification to the core network side. At the same time, it will provide the core network side with the index value corresponding to the alternative QoS configuration matching its uplink network condition and the index value corresponding to the alternative QoS configuration matching its downlink network condition. Then, based on the solution provided in this application, the core network side can send the corresponding QoS notification to the application side, so that the application side can correctly perceive the current network condition, specifically the current uplink and downlink network conditions.

[0011] In some implementations of the first aspect, at least one alternative QoS configuration includes both uplink and downlink QoS parameters. That is, it can be understood that at least one alternative QoS configuration includes both uplink and downlink QoS parameters.

[0012] In some implementations of the first aspect, the first QoS notification message also includes uplink direction information corresponding to the first index value and downlink direction information corresponding to the second index value.

[0013] It can be understood that the information for the uplink direction corresponding to the first index value is indication information used to indicate the uplink direction associated with the first index value. Similarly, the information for the downlink direction corresponding to the second index value is indication information used to indicate the downlink direction associated with the second index value.

[0014] In some implementations of the first aspect, the first QoS notification message also includes information identifying the QoS flow to which the QoS notification message corresponds. For example, the QoS flow information may be QoS Flow ID (QFI) used to identify the QoS flow.

[0015] In some implementations of the first aspect, the first alternative QoS configuration is a configuration obtained by matching uplink QoS parameters based on the priority of QoS configuration in at least one alternative QoS configuration, and the second alternative QoS configuration is a configuration obtained by matching downlink QoS parameters based on the priority of QoS configuration in at least one alternative QoS configuration.

[0016] Specifically, the first alternative QoS configuration is determined based on uplink QoS parameters and QoS configuration priority among at least one alternative QoS configuration; or, the first alternative QoS configuration is determined based on QoS configuration priority and uplink QoS parameters among the alternative QoS configurations to support the current network conditions. The second alternative QoS configuration is determined based on downlink QoS parameters and QoS configuration priority among at least one alternative QoS configuration; or, the second alternative QoS configuration is determined based on QoS configuration priority and downlink QoS parameters among the alternative QoS configurations to support the current network conditions. The alternative QoS configurations in the at least one alternative QoS configuration are arranged in priority order.

[0017] In some implementations of the first aspect, at least one alternative QoS configuration includes at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration and at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration. The uplink alternative QoS configuration includes a set of uplink QoS parameters, and the downlink alternative QoS configuration includes a set of downlink QoS parameters. The first alternative QoS configuration is the configuration matched in at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration, and the second alternative QoS configuration is the configuration matched in at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration.

[0018] In the above technical solution, the alternative QoS configurations among the multiple alternative QoS configurations received by the access network device may contain only uplink QoS parameters or only downlink QoS parameters. In this case, the access network device may not carry the direction information corresponding to the first index value and the second index value when returning the QoS notification, but clearly indicate the first index value and the second index value that match the current uplink direction and downlink direction, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0019] In some implementations of the first aspect, the first alternative QoS configuration is the highest priority configuration matched from high to low priority of QoS configuration among at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration, and the second alternative QoS configuration is the highest priority configuration matched from high to low priority of QoS configuration among at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration.

[0020] It is understandable that "highest priority" here refers to the highest priority configuration among the configurations supported by the access network device.

[0021] For example, in at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration, the alternative QoS configurations are arranged in priority order, and the first alternative QoS configuration is the highest priority configuration matched from the at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration according to the current uplink network conditions, in descending order of QoS configuration priority. Similarly, in at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration, the alternative QoS configurations are arranged in priority order, and the second alternative QoS configuration is the highest priority configuration matched from the at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration according to the current downlink network conditions, in descending order of QoS configuration priority.

[0022] Secondly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a policy control function network element. Unless otherwise specified, the "policy control function network element" in this application can refer to the policy control function network element itself, or a component in the policy control function network element (e.g., a processor in the policy control function network element, or a communication module, or a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions (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, etc.), or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the policy control function network element functions, or a device that can support the policy control function network element in implementing corresponding functions.

[0023] The method includes: receiving a second Quality of Service (QoS) notification message from a session management function network element, the second QoS notification message indicating that the access network device does not support a first QoS parameter set or that QoS parameters in the first QoS parameter set are no longer supported; the second QoS notification message includes a third index value and a fourth index value, the third index value corresponding to a first alternative QoS parameter set, the first alternative QoS parameter set including uplink QoS parameters supported by the access network device; the fourth index value corresponding to a second alternative QoS parameter set, the second alternative QoS parameter set including downlink QoS parameters supported by the access network device; the first QoS parameter set including uplink QoS parameters and downlink QoS parameters; and the first and second alternative QoS parameter sets including at least one set of uplink QoS parameters and at least one set of downlink QoS parameters. A set of downlink QoS parameters; sending a third QoS notification message to the application function network element, the third QoS notification message indicating that the access network device does not support the first QoS requirement, the first QoS requirement corresponds to the first QoS parameter set, the third QoS notification message includes a fifth index value and a sixth index value, the fifth index value and the sixth index value are respectively the indices of the first alternative service requirement and the second alternative service requirement, the first alternative service requirement corresponds to the first alternative QoS parameter set, the second alternative service requirement corresponds to the second alternative QoS parameter set, or, the third QoS notification message includes the second QoS parameter set, the second QoS parameter set includes the uplink QoS parameters supported by the access network device in the first alternative QoS parameter set and the downlink QoS parameters supported by the access network device in the second alternative QoS parameter set.

[0024] The first alternative service requirement can also be understood as the first alternative QoS requirement, and the first alternative QoS parameter set is determined by the policy control network element based on the first alternative service requirement; similarly, the second alternative service requirement can also be understood as the second alternative QoS requirement, and the second alternative QoS parameter set is determined by the policy control network element based on the second alternative service requirement.

[0025] For the beneficial effects of the second aspect, please refer to the description of the first aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0026] In some implementations of the second aspect, the QoS parameter sets in the first and second candidate QoS parameter sets include uplink QoS parameters and downlink QoS parameters. That is, both the first and second candidate QoS parameter sets simultaneously contain uplink QoS parameters and downlink QoS parameters.

[0027] In some implementations of the second aspect, the second QoS notification message further includes uplink information corresponding to the third index value and downlink information corresponding to the fourth index value, and the third QoS notification message further includes uplink information corresponding to the fifth index value and downlink information corresponding to the sixth index value.

[0028] In some implementations of the second aspect, the second QoS notification message further includes information identifying the PCC rule corresponding to the QoS notification message, such as a PCC rule identifier, which is used to indicate to the policy control network element that the second QoS notification message is for the corresponding service data flow in the PCC rule of the PCC rule identifier; and the third QoS notification message further includes information identifying the service data flow corresponding to the QoS notification message, such as the flow description information of the service data flow.

[0029] In some implementations of the second aspect, the first alternative QoS parameter set is an uplink alternative QoS parameter set, which includes a set of uplink QoS parameters, and the second alternative QoS parameter set is a downlink alternative QoS parameter set, which includes a set of downlink QoS parameters.

[0030] For example, the uplink QoS parameters include the UL PDU Set QoS parameters and the UL GFBR; similarly, the downlink QoS parameters include the DL PDU Set QoS parameters and the DL GFBR.

[0031] In some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: receiving a service request message from an application function network element, the service request message including description information of a service data stream and QoS requirements of the service data stream, the QoS requirements of the service data stream including alternative service requirements, the alternative service requirements indicating at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set and at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set, wherein the uplink alternative QoS parameter set includes uplink QoS parameters and the downlink alternative QoS parameter set includes downlink QoS parameters; generating a policy and charging control (PCC) rule based on the service request message, the PCC rule including at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set and at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set, the at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set including a first alternative QoS parameter set, and the at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set including a second alternative QoS parameter set; and sending the PCC rule to a session management function network element.

[0032] For example, the alternative service requirement indicates at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set and at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set. This can be that the alternative service requirement includes at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set and at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set, or it can be that the alternative service requirement includes at least one index value corresponding to the uplink alternative QoS parameter set and at least one index value corresponding to the downlink alternative QoS parameter set.

[0033] It is understood that a set of alternative QoS parameters in a PCC rule is generated based on a corresponding set of alternative QoS parameters within the alternative service requirements; these sets can be the same or different. Therefore, it should be noted that at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set in the PCC rule of this application is determined based on at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set in the alternative service requirements; they can be the same or different. Similarly, at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set in the PCC rule of this application is determined based on at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set in the alternative service requirements; they can be the same or different. This application is for ease of description only and does not limit whether the PCC rule and the alternative QoS parameter sets in the alternative service requirements are the same.

[0034] In the above technical solution, the QoS requirements of the service data stream sent by the application function network element include a set of alternative QoS parameters that are unidirectional. Therefore, the access network device can return the QoS notification without carrying the directional information corresponding to the first index value and the second index value, thereby reducing the signaling overhead.

[0035] In some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: receiving a service request message from an application function network element, the service request message including description information of a service data stream and QoS requirements of the service data stream, the QoS requirements including alternative service requirements, the alternative service requirements indicating at least one alternative QoS parameter set, wherein the alternative QoS parameter set in the at least one alternative QoS parameter set includes uplink QoS parameters and downlink QoS parameters; generating PCC rules based on the service request message, the PCC rules including at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set and at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set, the at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set and at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set being obtained based on the uplink alternative QoS parameter set and downlink alternative QoS parameter set in the at least one alternative QoS parameter set, respectively, the at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set including a first alternative QoS parameter set, the at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set including a second alternative QoS parameter set; and sending the PCC rules to a session management function network element.

[0036] For example, the alternative service requirement indicates at least one alternative QoS parameter set, which can be understood as the alternative service requirement including at least one alternative QoS parameter set, or it can also be understood as the alternative service requirement including the index value of at least one alternative QoS parameter set.

[0037] In the above technical solution, the QoS requirements of the service data stream sent by the application function network element to the policy control function network element include the alternative QoS parameter set, which includes the alternative QoS parameter sets for both uplink and downlink directions. The policy control function network element can split each alternative QoS parameter set into uplink and downlink directions. Then, the subsequent access network device can return the QoS notification without carrying the direction information corresponding to the first index value and the second index value, thereby reducing the signaling overhead.

[0038] In some implementations of the second aspect, the first alternative service requirement corresponds to a third alternative QoS parameter set in at least one alternative QoS parameter set, and the first alternative QoS parameter set is an uplink alternative QoS parameter set after splitting the third alternative QoS parameter set; the second alternative service requirement corresponds to a fourth alternative QoS parameter set in at least one alternative QoS parameter set, and the second alternative QoS parameter set is a downlink alternative QoS parameter set after splitting the fourth alternative QoS parameter set.

[0039] The first alternative service requirement corresponds to the third alternative QoS parameter set in at least one alternative QoS parameter set. This can be understood as follows: the first alternative service requirement is one of the alternative service requirements in the service request message. The first alternative service requirement may contain the third alternative QoS parameter set. That is, the service requirement indicated by the first alternative service requirement is reflected through the third alternative QoS parameter set. Similarly, the second alternative service requirement corresponds to the fourth alternative QoS parameter set in at least one alternative QoS parameter set as understood above.

[0040] Specifically, the policy control network element generates an uplink alternative QoS parameter set and a downlink alternative QoS parameter set based on the uplink alternative QoS parameters and downlink alternative QoS parameters in the third alternative QoS parameter set of the first alternative service requirement. The first alternative QoS parameter set is the uplink alternative QoS parameter set generated by the policy control network element. The policy control network element generates an uplink alternative QoS parameter set and a downlink alternative QoS parameter set based on the fourth alternative QoS parameter set of the second alternative service requirement. The second alternative QoS parameter set is the downlink alternative QoS parameter set generated by the policy control network element. For example, this can be understood as follows: the policy control network element splits the third alternative QoS parameter set in the first alternative service requirement into an uplink alternative QoS parameter set facing the uplink direction and a downlink alternative QoS parameter set facing the downlink direction. That is, the policy control network element indicates the uplink alternative QoS parameter set after splitting the third alternative QoS parameter set in the first alternative service requirement as the first alternative QoS parameter set; the policy control network element splits the fourth alternative QoS parameter set in the second alternative service requirement into an uplink alternative QoS parameter set facing the uplink direction and a downlink alternative QoS parameter set facing the downlink direction. That is, the policy control network element indicates the downlink alternative QoS parameter set after splitting the fourth alternative QoS parameter set in the second alternative service requirement as the second alternative QoS parameter set.

[0041] In the above technical solution, the alternative QoS parameter set carried in the service request message sent by the application function network element to the policy management function network element includes uplink QoS parameters and downlink QoS parameters. The policy management function network element splits the received alternative QoS parameter set into uplink and downlink parameters. Therefore, based on this solution, the fifth index value sent by the policy management function network element to the application function network element corresponding to the first alternative service requirement can be understood as the first alternative service requirement corresponding to the third alternative QoS parameter set in at least one alternative QoS parameter set in the service request message. The first alternative QoS parameter set is the uplink alternative QoS parameter set after splitting the third alternative QoS parameter set. Similarly, the sixth index value sent by the PCF to the AF corresponding to the second alternative service requirement can be understood as the second alternative service requirement corresponding to the fourth alternative QoS parameter set in at least one alternative QoS parameter set in the service request message. The second alternative QoS parameter set is the downlink alternative QoS parameter set after splitting the fourth alternative QoS parameter set.

[0042] In some implementations of the second aspect, the third QoS notification message also includes uplink information corresponding to the fifth index value and downlink information corresponding to the sixth index value.

[0043] Thirdly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a policy control function network element. Unless otherwise specified, the "policy control function network element" in this application can refer to the policy control function network element itself, or a component in the policy control function network element (e.g., a processor in the policy control function network element, or a communication module, or a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions (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, etc.), or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the policy control function network element functions, or a device that can support the policy control function network element in implementing corresponding functions.

[0044] The method includes: receiving a service request message from an application function network element, the service request message including description information of a service data stream and QoS requirements of the service data stream, the QoS requirements including a first QoS requirement and alternative service requirements, wherein the first QoS requirement indicates a first QoS parameter set, the first QoS parameter set including uplink QoS parameters and downlink QoS parameters, and the alternative service requirements indicate at least one alternative QoS parameter set, the alternative QoS parameter set including uplink QoS parameters and downlink QoS parameters; generating uplink policy and charging control (PCC) rules and downlink PCC rules based on the service request message, the uplink PCC rules including an uplink QoS parameter set and at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set; Select a QoS parameter set. The downlink PCC rule includes a downlink QoS parameter set and at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set. The uplink QoS parameter set includes uplink QoS parameters from the first QoS parameter set. The downlink QoS parameter set includes downlink QoS parameters from the first QoS parameter set. At least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set and at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set are obtained based on the uplink alternative QoS parameter set and downlink alternative QoS parameter set from the at least one alternative QoS parameter set, respectively. Send the uplink PCC rule and downlink PCC rule to the session management function network element. The uplink PCC rule corresponds to the first QoS flow, and the downlink PCC rule corresponds to the second QoS flow.

[0045] For example, the alternative service requirement indicates at least one alternative QoS parameter set, which can be understood as the alternative service requirement including at least one alternative QoS parameter set, or it can also be understood as the alternative service requirement including the index value of at least one alternative QoS parameter set.

[0046] In the above technical solution, the application function network element provides alternative service requests to the policy control function network element, which includes one or more alternative QoS parameter sets. Each alternative QoS parameter set contains both uplink and downlink QoS parameters. After receiving the alternative QoS parameter sets provided by the application function network element, the policy control function network element segments them in the uplink and downlink directions, generates uplink PCC rules containing uplink QoS parameters and downlink PCC rules containing downlink QoS parameters, and sends them to the session management function network element. The session management function network element determines to bind the two PCC rules to two QoS flows, and then generates QoS configurations corresponding to each QoS flow and at least one alternative QoS configuration for each QoS flow. In different QoS flows, when the access network element sends a QoS notification message to the session management function network element, it carries the alternative QoS configuration matched based on the current network conditions, so that the application function network element can perceive the correct network conditions from the QoS notification information fed back by the session management function network element / policy control function network element.

[0047] In some implementations of the third aspect, the method further includes: receiving a first QoS notification message and a second QoS notification message from a session management function network element, wherein the first QoS notification message indicates that the access network device cannot support an uplink QoS parameter set, the first QoS notification message includes a first index value, the first index value corresponds to a first alternative QoS parameter set in at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set, wherein the first alternative QoS parameter set includes uplink QoS parameters supported by the access network device, the uplink QoS parameter set and the first alternative QoS parameter set correspond to a first QoS flow, and the second QoS notification message indicates that the access network device cannot support a downlink QoS parameter set, the second QoS notification message includes a second index value, the second index value corresponds to a second alternative QoS parameter in at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set. The first alternative QoS parameter set includes downlink QoS parameters supported by the access network device, and the downlink QoS parameter set and the second alternative QoS parameter set correspond to the second QoS flow. A third QoS notification message is sent to the application function network element, indicating that the access network device cannot support the uplink QoS parameter set and the downlink QoS parameter set. The third QoS notification message includes a third index value and a fourth index value, which correspond to the indices of the first alternative service requirement and the second alternative service requirement. The first alternative service requirement corresponds to the first alternative QoS parameter set, and the second alternative service requirement corresponds to the second alternative QoS parameter set. Alternatively, the third QoS notification message includes uplink QoS parameters from the first alternative QoS parameter set and downlink QoS parameters from the second alternative QoS parameter set.

[0048] Optionally, the first QoS notification message includes information identifying the first PCC rule corresponding to the QoS notification message, the first PCC rule being associated with the first QoS flow, and the second QoS notification message includes information identifying the second PCC rule corresponding to the QoS notification message, the second PCC rule being associated with the second QoS flow.

[0049] In some implementations of the third aspect, the first alternative service requirement corresponds to the third alternative QoS parameter set in the at least one alternative QoS parameter set mentioned above, and the first alternative QoS parameter set is the uplink alternative QoS parameter set after splitting the third alternative QoS parameter set. The second alternative service requirement corresponds to the fourth alternative QoS parameter set in the at least one alternative QoS parameter set mentioned above, and the second alternative QoS parameter set is the downlink alternative QoS parameter set after splitting the fourth alternative QoS parameter set.

[0050] The first alternative service requirement corresponding to the third alternative QoS parameter set in at least one alternative QoS parameter set can be understood as follows: the first alternative service requirement is one of the alternative service requirements in the service request message, and the first alternative service requirement may specifically include the third alternative QoS parameter set, that is, the service requirement indicated by the first alternative service requirement is indicated through the third alternative QoS parameter set; similarly, the second alternative service requirement corresponding to the fourth alternative QoS parameter set in at least one alternative QoS parameter set can be understood as above.

[0051] Specifically, the policy control network element generates an uplink alternative QoS parameter set and a downlink alternative QoS parameter set based on the third alternative QoS parameter set in the first alternative service requirement. The first alternative QoS parameter set is the uplink alternative QoS parameter set generated by the policy control network element. The policy control network element generates an uplink alternative QoS parameter set and a downlink alternative QoS parameter set based on the fourth alternative QoS parameter set in the second alternative service requirement. The second alternative QoS parameter set is the downlink alternative QoS parameter set generated by the policy control network element. For example, this can be understood as follows: the policy control network element splits the third alternative QoS parameter set in the first alternative service requirement into an uplink alternative QoS parameter set facing the uplink direction and a downlink alternative QoS parameter set facing the downlink direction. That is, the policy control network element indicates the uplink alternative QoS parameter set after splitting the third alternative QoS parameter set in the first alternative service requirement as the first alternative QoS parameter set; the policy control network element splits the fourth alternative QoS parameter set in the second alternative service requirement into an uplink alternative QoS parameter set facing the uplink direction and a downlink alternative QoS parameter set facing the downlink direction. That is, the policy control network element indicates the downlink alternative QoS parameter set after splitting the fourth alternative QoS parameter set in the second alternative service requirement as the second alternative QoS parameter set.

[0052] In the above technical solution, the alternative QoS parameter set carried in the service request message sent by the application function network element to the policy management function network element includes uplink QoS parameters and downlink QoS parameters. The policy management function network element splits the received alternative QoS parameter set into uplink and downlink parameters. Therefore, based on this solution, the fifth index value sent by the policy management function network element to the application function network element corresponding to the first alternative service requirement can be understood as the first alternative QoS requirement corresponding to the third alternative QoS parameter set in at least one alternative QoS parameter set in the service request message. The first alternative QoS parameter set is the uplink alternative QoS parameter set after splitting the third alternative QoS parameter set. Similarly, the sixth index value sent by the PCF to the AF corresponding to the second alternative QoS requirement can be understood as the second alternative service requirement corresponding to the fourth alternative QoS parameter set in at least one alternative QoS parameter set in the service request message. The second alternative QoS parameter set is the downlink alternative QoS parameter set after splitting the fourth alternative QoS parameter set.

[0053] In some implementations of the third aspect, the third QoS notification message also includes uplink information corresponding to the third index value and downlink information corresponding to the fourth index value.

[0054] Fourthly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by an application function network element. Unless otherwise specified, the "application function network element" in this application can refer to the application function network element itself, or a component in the application function network element (e.g., a processor in the application function network element, or a communication module, or a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions (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, etc.), or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the application function network element, or a device that can support the application function network element to implement the corresponding functions.

[0055] The method includes: sending a first service request message and a second service request message to a policy control function network element, wherein the first service request message includes description information of an uplink service flow in the service data stream and the Quality of Service (QoS) requirements of the uplink service data stream, the QoS requirements of the uplink service data stream include uplink QoS requirements and a first alternative service requirement, wherein the uplink QoS requirement indicates an uplink QoS parameter set, the uplink QoS parameter set includes uplink QoS parameters, the first alternative service requirement indicates at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set, the uplink alternative QoS parameter set includes uplink QoS parameters, and the uplink QoS parameter set and at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set correspond to a first QoS stream; the second service request message includes description information of a downlink service flow in the service data stream and the QoS requirements of the downlink service data stream, the QoS requirements of the downlink service data stream include downlink QoS requirements and a second alternative service requirement, wherein the downlink QoS requirement indicates a downlink QoS parameter set, the downlink QoS parameter set includes downlink QoS parameters, the second alternative service requirement indicates at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set, the downlink alternative QoS parameter set includes downlink QoS parameters, and the downlink QoS parameter set and at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set correspond to a second QoS stream.

[0056] In the above technical solution, the application function network element sends two service request messages to the policy control function network element. The QoS parameter sets in the two messages correspond to two QoS flows respectively. In different QoS flows, when the access network element cannot guarantee that the QoS parameters of the corresponding QoS flow are sent to the core network element, the access network element can feed back the indexes of the alternative QoS parameters in the two QoS notification messages to the core network element according to the status of the access network element. This allows the application function network element to perceive the correct network status based on the feedback QoS notifications.

[0057] In some implementations of the fourth aspect, the method further includes: receiving a third QoS notification message and a fourth QoS notification message from a policy control function network element, wherein the third QoS notification message indicates that the access network device cannot support uplink QoS requirements, and the fourth QoS notification message indicates that the access network device cannot support downlink QoS requirements, wherein the third QoS notification message includes a third index value, which corresponds to a first alternative QoS parameter set in at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set, and the fourth QoS notification message includes a fourth index value, which corresponds to a second alternative QoS parameter set in at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set; and determining the QoS parameters that the access network device can support based on the third QoS notification message and the fourth QoS notification message.

[0058] Optionally, the third QoS notification message includes information for identifying the service data stream corresponding to the QoS notification message, and the fourth QoS notification message includes information for identifying the service data stream corresponding to the QoS notification message.

[0059] Fifthly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a session management function network element. Unless otherwise specified, the "session management function network element" in this application can refer to the session management function network element itself, or a component in the session management function network element (e.g., a processor in the session management function network element, or a communication module, or a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions (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, etc.), or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the session management function network element, or a device that can support the session management function network element in implementing corresponding functions.

[0060] The method includes: receiving uplink policy and charging control (PCC) rules and downlink PCC rules from a policy control function network element. The uplink PCC rules contain an uplink quality of service (QoS) parameter set and at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set. The downlink PCC rules contain a downlink QoS parameter set and at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set. Both the uplink QoS parameter set and the uplink alternative QoS parameter set include corresponding uplink QoS parameters, and both the downlink QoS parameter set and the downlink alternative QoS parameter set include corresponding downlink QoS parameters. The uplink PCC rules correspond to a first QoS flow, and the downlink PCC rules correspond to a second QoS flow. The method also includes generating an uplink QoS configuration and at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration based on the uplink PCC rules, and mapping the uplink QoS configuration and the at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration. In the first QoS flow, the uplink QoS configuration includes QoS parameters from the uplink QoS parameter set, and the uplink alternative QoS configuration in at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration includes QoS parameters from at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set. Furthermore, a downlink QoS configuration and at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration are generated based on downlink PCC rules, and the downlink QoS configuration and at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration are mapped to the second QoS flow. The downlink QoS configuration includes QoS parameters from the downlink QoS parameter set, and the downlink alternative QoS configuration in at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration includes QoS parameters from at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set. The uplink QoS configuration and at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration, as well as the downlink QoS configuration and at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration, are sent to the access network device.

[0061] In the above technical solution, the session management function network element binds two PCC rules to two QoS flows, and then generates a QoS configuration corresponding to each QoS flow and at least one alternative QoS configuration for each QoS flow, and maps them to the corresponding QoS flows. In different QoS flows, when the access network element cannot guarantee that the corresponding QoS configuration sends a QoS notification message to the core network element, the access network element can, according to the status of the access network element, feed back the indexes of the alternative QoS configurations in both directions to the policy control function network element through the session management function network element in the two QoS notification messages, so that the application function network element can perceive the correct network status based on the feedback QoS notification.

[0062] Sixthly, a communication apparatus is provided for performing the method provided in any of the above aspects or their implementations. Specifically, the apparatus may include units and / or modules for performing the method provided in any of the above aspects or their implementations, such as processing units and / or transceiver units.

[0063] In one implementation, the device is a network element (e.g., access network equipment, session management function network element, policy control function network element, application function network element). When the device is a network element, the transceiver unit can be a transceiver, or an input / output interface, or a communication interface; the processing unit can be at least one processor. Optionally, the transceiver is a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface is an input / output circuit.

[0064] In another implementation, the device is a chip, chip system, or circuit used in equipment / network elements (e.g., access network equipment, session management function network elements, policy control function network elements, application function network elements). When the device is a chip, chip system, or circuit used in equipment / network elements, the transceiver unit can be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, or related circuit on the chip, chip system, or circuit; the processing unit can be at least one processor, processing circuit, or logic circuit.

[0065] In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a memory for storing a program; and at least one processor for executing the computer program or instructions stored in the memory to perform the method provided in any of the foregoing aspects or their implementations.

[0066] In one implementation, the device is a network element (e.g., access network equipment, session management function network element, policy control function network element, application function network element).

[0067] In another implementation, the device is a chip, chip system, or circuit used in a device / network element (e.g., access network device, session management function network element, policy control function network element, application function network element).

[0068] Eighthly, a communication apparatus is provided, comprising: at least one processor and a communication interface, the at least one processor being configured to obtain a computer program or instructions stored in a memory via the communication interface to execute the method provided in any of the foregoing aspects or their implementations. The communication interface may be implemented in hardware or software.

[0069] In one implementation, the device further includes the memory.

[0070] Ninthly, a processor is provided for executing the methods provided in the foregoing aspects.

[0071] Unless otherwise specified, or if it does not contradict its actual function or internal logic in the relevant description, the transmission and acquisition / reception operations involved in the processor can be understood as processor output and reception, input and other operations, or as transmission and reception operations performed by radio frequency circuits and antennas. This application does not limit them in this regard.

[0072] In a tenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided that stores program code for execution by a device, the program code including methods for performing any of the foregoing aspects or their implementations.

[0073] In an eleventh aspect, a computer program product containing instructions is provided, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method provided by any of the above aspects or their implementations.

[0074] In a twelfth aspect, a computer program is provided that, when run on a computer, causes the methods provided by any of the foregoing aspects or their implementations to be executed.

[0075] In a thirteenth aspect, a chip is provided, comprising a processor and a communication interface. The processor reads instructions stored in a memory through the communication interface and executes the methods provided in any of the above aspects or their implementations. The communication interface can be implemented in hardware or software.

[0076] Optionally, as one implementation, the chip also includes a memory that stores computer programs or instructions. The processor is used to execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory. When the computer programs or instructions are executed, the processor is used to perform the methods provided by any of the above aspects or their implementations.

[0077] When the method provided in this application is executed by a chip, this application does not limit the specific number of chips implementing the method. For example, it can be executed by one chip, or by two or more chips. Furthermore, when the number of chips implementing the method is two or more, the chip manufacturers are not limited; they can be from the same manufacturer or different manufacturers.

[0078] In a fourteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising at least one of the devices / network elements described above (e.g., access network devices, session management function network elements, policy control function network elements, and application function network elements). Attached Figure Description

[0079] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the network architecture applicable to embodiments of this application.

[0080] Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrating the processing flow for uplink and downlink PDU Set QoS processing in the RAN.

[0081] Figures 3 to 8 This is a schematic flowchart of the communication method provided in this application.

[0082] Figure 9 This is a schematic block diagram of the communication device 1000 provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0083] Figure 10 This is a schematic block diagram of the communication device 1100 provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0084] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of a chip system 1200 provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0085] The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0086] Before introducing the scheme of this application, the following points should be noted.

[0087] (1) In this application, "instruction" can include direct instruction, indirect instruction, explicit instruction, implicit instruction, etc. When describing an instruction information as indicating A, it can be understood that the instruction information carries A, carries the identifier of A, carries B which is associated with A, carries the identifier of B which is associated with A, etc. In other words, if the receiving side of an instruction information can determine A based on the instruction information, it can be described as the instruction information indicating A, and the specific method of determination is not limited. When it is understood that the instruction information carries A, "instruction" can be replaced with "includes". In this case, a statement such as "send / receive instruction information, the instruction information indicates A" can be replaced with "send / receive A".

[0088] In this application, the information indicated by the instruction information is called the information to be instructed. In specific implementations, there are many ways to indicate the information to be instructed, such as, but not limited to, directly indicating the information to be instructed, such as the information to be instructed itself or its index. It can also indirectly indicate the information to be instructed by indicating other information, where there is a relationship between the other information and the information to be instructed. It can also indicate only a part of the information to be instructed, while the other parts are known or pre-agreed upon. For example, the instruction of specific information can be achieved by using a pre-agreed (e.g., protocol-defined) arrangement of various pieces of information, thereby reducing instruction overhead to some extent. Furthermore, the information to be instructed can be sent as a whole or divided into multiple sub-information pieces, and the sending period and / or timing of these sub-information pieces can be the same or different.

[0089] (2) In this application, the expression " / " is used to indicate that the objects before and after are in an "or" relationship; for example, A / B can mean: A or B. The expression "and / or" is used to indicate that the objects before and after are in a relationship of either "and" or "or"; for example, A and / or B can mean the following: A exists alone, B exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, where A and B can be single or multiple. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions are used to indicate any combination of the listed items; for example, at least one of A, B and / or C can mean the following: A exists alone, B exists alone, C exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, B and C exist simultaneously, A and C exist simultaneously, A, B and C exist simultaneously, where A, B, and C can be single or multiple.

[0090] (3) In this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send information to XX" can be understood as the destination of the information being XX, which may include direct transmission via the air interface or indirect transmission by other units or modules via the air interface. "Receive information from YY" can be understood as the source of the information being YY, which may include direct reception from YY via the air interface or indirect reception from YY by other units or modules via the air interface. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface. In other words, sending and receiving can occur between devices, such as between network devices and terminal devices, or within a device, such as between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within the device via a bus, wiring, or interface.

[0091] (4) In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terms 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.

[0092] (5) In this application, "first," "second," and "#1," "#2," and "#A" are merely for descriptive convenience and are used to distinguish objects, and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. They are not used to describe the order or sequence of features. It should be understood that such described objects can be interchanged where appropriate in order to describe solutions other than those in the embodiments of this application.

[0093] (6) In this application, "predefined" can mean a standard protocol predefined, or it can mean a pre-agreed or pre-negotiated agreement between devices. Here, "protocol" can refer to a standard protocol in the field of communications, for example, it may include fourth-generation (4G) protocols. th Generation 4G network, fifth generation (5G) network th This application does not limit the scope to network protocols such as 5G (generation, 5G), New Radio (NR) protocols, 5.5G network protocols, and related protocols applied in future communication systems.

[0094] (7) In this application, the terms "exemplary," "for example," etc., are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of the term "exemplary" is intended to present a concept in a concrete manner. In the embodiments of this application, "of," "corresponding, relevant," and "corresponding" may sometimes be used interchangeably, and it should be noted that their intended meanings are consistent unless their distinction is emphasized.

[0095] First, let me introduce the communication system to which this application applies.

[0096] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as 5th generation (5G) or new radio (NR) systems, long term evolution (LTE) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, and LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to future communication systems. Furthermore, the technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), and Internet of Things (IoT) communication systems. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to non-terrestrial network (NTN) systems such as inter-satellite communication and satellite communication.

[0097] As an example, a satellite communication system includes a satellite base station and terminal equipment. The satellite base station provides communication services to the terminal equipment. Satellite base stations can also communicate with each other. A satellite can act as a base station or as a terminal device. Here, "satellite" can refer to drones, hot air balloons, low-Earth orbit satellites, medium-Earth orbit satellites, high-Earth orbit satellites, etc. "Satellite" can also refer to non-terrestrial base stations or non-terrestrial equipment.

[0098] As an example, V2X communication can include: vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication, vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) communication, and vehicle-to-network (V2N) communication.

[0099] In communication systems, the portion operated by the operator can be referred to as a public land mobile network (PLMN), or operator network, etc. A PLMN is a network established and operated by the government or its approved operators for the purpose of providing terrestrial mobile communication services to the public. It is primarily a public network where mobile network operators (MNOs) provide mobile broadband access services to users. The PLMN described in this application embodiment can specifically be a network conforming to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standards, or simply a 3GPP network. 3GPP networks typically include, but are not limited to, 5G networks, 4th-generation (4G) networks, and other future communication systems.

[0100] In a communication system, a device can send signals to or receive signals from another device. These signals can include information, signaling, or data. The device can also be replaced by an entity, network entity, communication equipment, communication module, node, communication node, etc. This application uses a device as an example for description.

[0101] The network architecture is described below.

[0102] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a network architecture applicable to embodiments of this application. For example... Figure 1 As shown, this network architecture uses the 5G system (5GS) as an example. As an example, this network architecture includes three parts: the terminal equipment part, the data network (DN) part, and the operator network PLMN part. The operator network PLMN part may include, but is not limited to, the radio access network (RAN) and the core network (CN) parts.

[0103] The following is a brief introduction to the network elements of each part.

[0104] 1. Terminal equipment, including user equipment (UE). UE: Also known as a terminal or terminal device, it can be a device or module that accesses the aforementioned communication system and has corresponding communication functions. UE can include various devices with wireless communication capabilities, which can be used to connect people, objects, machines, etc. Terminal devices can be widely used in various scenarios, such as: cellular communication, D2D, V2X, peer-to-peer (P2P), M2M, MTC, IoT, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, drones, robots, remote sensing, passive sensing, positioning, navigation and tracking, autonomous delivery, etc. Terminal devices can be terminals in any of the above scenarios, such as MTC terminals, IoT terminals, etc. Terminal equipment can be UEs (User Equipment), terminals, fixed equipment, mobile station equipment or mobile devices, subscriber units, handheld devices, vehicle-mounted equipment, wearable devices, cellular phones, smartphones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless data cards, personal digital assistants (PDAs), computers, tablets, laptops, wireless modems, handsets, laptop computers, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, smart books, vehicles, satellites, global positioning system (GPS) devices, target tracking devices, aircraft (e.g., drones, helicopters, multi-helicopters, four-helicopters, or airplanes), ships, remote control devices, smart home devices, industrial equipment, transportation vehicles with wireless communication capabilities, communication modules, and roadside units with terminal functions, all conforming to the 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) standard. The device may be a wireless communication unit (RSU), or a device built into the aforementioned device (e.g., a communication module, modem, or chip in the aforementioned device), or other processing devices connected to the wireless modem.

[0105] In addition, the UE can store a long-term key K and related functions. During two-way authentication, the UE can use K and related functions to verify the authenticity of the network.

[0106] It should be understood that in certain scenarios, a UE can also be used as a base station. For example, a UE can act as a scheduling entity, providing sidelink signaling between UEs in scenarios such as V2X, D2D, or P2P.

[0107] In this embodiment, the device for implementing the functions of a terminal device, i.e., the terminal device, can be the terminal device itself, or it can be any device capable of supporting the terminal device in implementing the functions, such as a chip system, chip, circuit, or communication module (i.e., a communication module that performs communication functions). This device can be installed in the terminal device. In this embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips, or it can include chips and other discrete devices. Furthermore, the device can also be configured with program instructions for performing corresponding communication functions.

[0108] 2. The data network portion can include a Data Network (DN), which provides the network for transmitting data. Examples include carrier service networks (such as IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS)), the Internet, and third-party service networks. A DN can also be called a Packet Data Network (PDN), and is typically a network located outside the carrier network, such as a third-party network.

[0109] 3. The (R)AN portion may include one or more access network elements or access network devices. The access network provides network access functionality to authorized users in a specific area and includes radio access network (RAN) devices and AN devices. RAN devices are primarily radio network devices within the 3GPP network, while AN devices may be access network devices not defined by 3GPP.

[0110] Access networks can be those employing different access technologies. Currently, there are two types of wireless access technologies: 3GPP access technologies (such as those used in 3G, 4G, or 5G systems) and non-3GPP access technologies.

[0111] Among them, 3GPP access technology refers to access technology that conforms to 3GPP standards and specifications. For example, the access network equipment in a 5G system is called a next-generation NodeB (gNB) or RAN.

[0112] Non-3GPP access technologies refer to access technologies that do not conform to 3GPP standards and specifications. Examples include air interface technologies such as access points (APs) in Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) networks. Access network equipment (AN equipment) allows terminal equipment and the 3GPP core network to interconnect using non-3GPP technologies.

[0113] The access network device in this application embodiment can be a device or module with corresponding communication functions. The access network device can be a device used to communicate with terminal devices; it can also be called a network device or a wireless access network device, such as a base station. In this application embodiment, the access network device can refer to a RAN node (or device) that connects terminal devices to a wireless network. A base station can broadly encompass, or be replaced by, various names including: NodeB, evolved NodeB (eNB), gNB, relay station, access point, transmitting and receiving point (TRP), transmitter, master station, auxiliary station, motorslide retainer (MSR) node, home base station, network controller, access node, wireless node, access point (AP), transmission node, transceiver node, baseband unit (BBU), remote radio unit (RRU), active antenna unit (AAU), remote radiohead (RRH), central unit (CU), distributed unit (DU), positioning node, etc. A base station can be a macro base station, micro base station, relay node, donor node, or similar entities, or combinations thereof. A base station can also refer to a communication module, modem, or chip installed within the aforementioned equipment or apparatus. A base station can also be a mobile switching center, a device that performs base station functions in D2D, V2X, and M2M communications, or a device that performs base station functions in future communication systems. A base station can support networks using the same or different access technologies. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technologies or device forms used in the network equipment.

[0114] Base stations can be fixed or mobile. For example, a helicopter or drone can be configured to act as a mobile base station, and one or more cells can move depending on the location of the mobile base station. In other examples, a helicopter or drone can be configured as a device to communicate with another base station.

[0115] In some deployments, the access network equipment mentioned in the embodiments of this application may be a device including a CU, or a DU, or a device including both a CU and a DU, or a device with a control plane CU node (central unit-control plane (CU-CP)) and a user plane CU node (central unit-user plane (CU-UP)) and a DU node.

[0116] In some deployments, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist terminal devices in achieving wireless access, with different RAN nodes each implementing some of the base station's functions. For example, RAN nodes can be CUs, DUs, CU-CPs, CU-UPs, or radio units (RUs). CUs and DUs can be configured separately or included in the same network element, such as a BBU. RUs can be included in radio equipment or radio units, such as RRUs, AAUs, or RRHs.

[0117] 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, a radio access network can also be an open radio access network (O-RAN) architecture. In an O-RAN system, CU can also be called an open CU (open CU, O-CU), DU can also be called an open DU (open DU, O-DU), CU-CP can also be called an open CU-CP (O-CU-CP), CU-UP can also be called an open CU-UP (O-CU-UP), and RU can also be called an open RU (open RU, O-RU). 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 modules and hardware modules.

[0118] In this embodiment, the device for implementing the functions of the access network device can be the access network device itself, or it can be any device capable of supporting the access network device in implementing these functions, such as a chip system, chip, circuit, or communication module (i.e., a communication module that performs communication functions). This device can be installed within the access network device. In this embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips, or it can include chips and other discrete devices. Furthermore, the device can be configured with program instructions for performing corresponding communication functions. This embodiment only uses the access network device as an example to illustrate the device for implementing the functions of the access network device, and does not limit the solution of this embodiment.

[0119] Access network equipment and terminal equipment can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can also be deployed in the air on airplanes, balloons, and satellites. This application embodiment does not limit the scenario in which the access network equipment and terminal equipment are located.

[0120] 4. The CN component may include, but is not limited to, the following network functions (NFs): network slice selection function (NSSF), network slice specific authentication and authorization function (NSSAAF), authentication server function (AUSF), unified data management (UDM), network exposure function (NEF), network repository function (NRF), policy control function (PCF), application function (AF), access and mobility management function (AMF), session management function (SMF), user plane function (UPF), and signaling control point (SCP). A brief introduction to each network element follows.

[0121] 1) UPF network element: Used for packet routing and forwarding, as well as Quality of Service (QoS) processing of user plane data. User data can access the DN through this network element. In the embodiments of this application, it can be used to implement user plane functions.

[0122] 2) AMF network element: mainly used for mobility management and access management, and can be used to implement other functions in the mobility management entity (MME) besides session management, such as access authorization / authentication.

[0123] AMF network elements may include Security Anchor Function (SEAF) network elements. SEAF network elements are primarily used to initiate authentication requests to AFS and complete network-side authentication of the UE during the Evolved Packet System Authentication and Key Agreement (EPS-AKA) authentication process. It can be understood that SEAF network elements can also function as independent network elements, i.e., network elements independent of AMF network elements; this is not limited.

[0124] 3) SMF network elements: mainly used for session management, Internet Protocol (IP) address allocation and management for terminal devices, selection and management of user plane functions, policy control and billing function interface endpoints, and downlink data notification, etc.

[0125] 4) PCF network element: A unified policy framework used to guide network behavior, providing policy rule information to network elements (such as AMF, SMF, etc.) or terminal devices.

[0126] In addition, PCF internally stores QoS rules. Furthermore, PCF can generate corresponding QoS rules as required to ensure that the services provided by the network meet the requirements of third parties.

[0127] 5) NRF network element: Used to store network function entities and their description information, as well as support functions such as service discovery and network element entity discovery.

[0128] 6) NEF network element: used to enable third parties to use the services provided by the network, support the network to open its capabilities, events and data analysis, provide security configuration information to the PLMN from external applications, and convert information exchanged between the PLMN and external networks.

[0129] 7) UDM network element: used for unified data management, 5G user data management, processing user identification, access authentication, registration, or mobility management, etc.

[0130] 8) UDR network element: Used to provide UDM with the function of saving and retrieving subscription data, PCF with the function of saving and retrieving policy data, and saving and retrieving user NF group ID information, etc.

[0131] 9) AF element: Used to provide corresponding services by interacting with other NFs in the PLMN, such as providing network selection information for roaming UE visits, routing data flows, and accessing NEFs.

[0132] 10) AUSF network element: used for Level 1 authentication, i.e. authentication between UE (subscribed user) and operator network.

[0133] In addition, the architecture may include other network elements, such as the authentication repository and processing function (ARPF) network element, which is mainly used to store the long-term key K; receive authentication vector requests from AUSF; calculate the authentication vector using K; and send the authentication vector to AUSF.

[0134] Figure 1 Nnssf, Nnef, Nnrf, Npcf, Nudm, Nudr, Naf, Nausf, Namf, Nsmf, Neasdf, Nnssaaf, Nnsacf, N1, N2, N3, N4, and N6 are interface sequence numbers. For example, the meaning of the above interface sequence numbers can be found in the definitions in the 3GPP standard protocols; this application does not limit the meaning of the above interface sequence numbers. It should be noted that... Figure 1 The interface names between the various network functions in this document are merely examples. In specific implementations, the interface names of this system architecture may be other names, and this application does not limit them. Furthermore, the names of the messages (or signaling) transmitted between the aforementioned network elements are also merely examples and do not constitute any limitation on the function of the messages themselves.

[0135] It should be noted that, in Figure 1 In the architecture shown, the interface between (R)AN and CN can also be called the NG interface (not shown in the figure). (R)AN and CN are connected through the NG interface. The NG interface can include the NG-C interface and the NG-U interface. The NG-C interface is the control plane interface, connecting (R)AN and AMF, and is used to transmit control plane data. The NG-U interface is the user plane interface, connecting (R)AN and UPF, and is used to transmit user plane data.

[0136] Figure 1The network elements shown, such as AMF, SMF, UPF, NEF, AUSF, NRF, PCF, and UDM, can be understood as network elements in the core network used to implement different functions, such as network slices that can be combined as needed. These core network elements can be independent devices or integrated into the same device to implement different functions. This application does not limit the specific form of the above network elements. In addition, the above network elements or functions can be physical entities in hardware devices, software instances running on dedicated hardware, or virtualized functions instantiated on a shared platform (e.g., a cloud platform). Simply put, an NF can be implemented by hardware or by software.

[0137] Furthermore, the aforementioned naming is defined solely for the purpose of distinguishing different functions and should not constitute any limitation on this application. This application does not preclude the possibility of using other naming conventions in 5G networks and other future networks. For example, in future communication networks, some or all of the aforementioned network elements may retain the terminology used in 5G, or they may adopt other names, etc.

[0138] To make it easier to understand, let's first introduce a few concepts.

[0139] 1. QoS Flow: In 5GS, when a UE has service communication needs, a PDU session is established. The specific service flow carried in the PDU session is the corresponding QoS flow. Specifically, the UE obtains an IP address through the PDU session establishment to interact with external service servers and realize service communication. 5GS maps the corresponding service to different QoS flows based on service flow description information, such as SDF templates, and performs corresponding QoS processing.

[0140] 2. QoS Configuration (QoS Profile): Also known as a QoS file or QoS configuration file. The QoS Profile is generated by the SMF to map QoS flows and contains QoS parameters. The QoS Profile is sent to the RAN, which identifies the QoS flows based on the QoS Profile and performs corresponding QoS processing and control.

[0141] 3. Alternative QoS Profile (AQP): Also known as an alternative QoS file or alternative QoS configuration file, it represents the combination of QoS parameters that the application service flow can adapt to. If the corresponding policy and charging control (PCC) rules contain relevant information, the SMF should provide the RAN with a priority list of alternative QoS profiles in addition to providing the QoS configuration.

[0142] 4. Guaranteed bit rate (GBR) QoS stream: QoS streams that require a guaranteed bit rate.

[0143] Currently, QoS mechanisms can guarantee services at the packet level. Service data will be mapped to the same QoS stream for transmission, and the same QoS stream has the same QoS parameters. Data packets corresponding to the same QoS stream will be processed and transmitted one by one according to the same QoS parameters. For example, the QoS parameters at the packet level (which may also be referred to as PDU level in this application) include the packet error rate (PER) and the packet delay budget (PDB), and the uplink and downlink QoS parameters are the same. In other words, all data packets within the same QoS stream will be processed equally and without discrimination during transmission.

[0144] However, for real-time media services, such as the emerging virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and cloud gaming technologies, end-to-end latency requirements are extremely stringent. Furthermore, the data processing granularity during encoding and transmission in upper-layer media services is no longer at the data packet level. For example, encoding at the media layer is often processed at the granularity of media frames and fragments, meaning that media frames and fragments can be encoded independently. Simultaneously, the receiving side also performs decoding and display processing at the same granularity of media frames and fragments. Basic data units such as media frames and fragments often contain multiple IP data packets. To represent the basic data units (or data processing granularity) of the aforementioned media service layer, the standard refers to them as a protocol data unit set (PDU Set), which is the basic unit that the upper-layer service layer can process independently.

[0145] Meanwhile, regarding QoS enhancement, PDU Set QoS parameters are introduced. These differ from existing PDU-level (i.e., packet-level) QoS parameters. PDU Set QoS parameters include PSDB, PSER, and PSIHI. Enabling PDU Set-based processing requires sending at least one of the following information to the RAN: 1) PDU Set integrated handling information (PSIHI) and / or 2) PDU Set delay budget (PSDB) and (PDU Set error rate, PSER). For a given QoS flow, the values ​​of PSDB, PSER, and PSIHI for uplink and downlink can differ. The QoS Profile provided by SMF carries both PDU Set QoS parameters and PDU-level QoS parameters. When the RAN performs PDU Set QoS processing, the PDU Set QoS parameters replace the PDU-level QoS parameters.

[0146] Starting with Release 16, QoS Notification Control (QNC) and AQP were introduced. For GBR QoS Flows, when the PCF / SMF provides the QoS parameters of the GBR QoS Flow to the RAN (e.g., PER, PDB, and guaranteed flow bit rate (GFBR), QNC can be enabled. When the RAN determines that the QoS parameters of the current GBR QoS Flow cannot be met, the RAN sends a QoS notification to the SMF, informing it that the QoS requirements of the current GBR QoS Flow cannot (or can no longer) be met. The QoS notification is set to "GFBR cannot be met." Correspondingly, the SMF further notifies the PCF, which can then open this QoS notification to the application-side AF, ensuring that the application is aware that the current network cannot (or can no longer) meet the required GBR QoS request. Furthermore, the PCF / SMF can configure multiple AQPs for the RAN simultaneously. Each AQP contains PDU Set QoS parameters and PDU-level QoS parameters. When the RAN determines that the current GBR QoS... When the QoS parameters of the flow cannot be met, the RAN further determines the AQP that the current network can satisfy from multiple AQPs according to the priority order of AQPs. The RAN reports the QoS notification and the index associated with the AQPs that the current network conditions can support to the SMF. Optionally, after receiving the QoS notification and additional information reported by the SMF, the PCF can make the QoS notification and the index associated with the AQP or the matched alternative QoS parameter set available to the AF to ensure that the AF can be aware of the network conditions and capabilities.

[0147] The Release 19 standard further introduces the discussion of incorporating PDU Set QoS parameters into the AQP (Advanced Quality Plane). Specifically, the AF (Active Front-End) can provide the 5G core network (5GC) with Alternative Service Requirements (AS / RS) containing PDU Set QoS parameters for uplink (UL) and / or downlink (DL). For example, the PDU Set QoS parameters for UL include UL PSDB and UL PSER, and the PDU Set QoS parameters for DL ​​include DL PSDB and DLPSER. Based on the AS / RS from the AF, the PCF (Process Control Fund) generates PCC (Process Control Center) rules with one or more AS / RS parameter sets in priority order. These AS / RS parameter sets may include UL and / or DL ​​PDU Set QoS parameters and a corresponding index for each AS / RS parameter set. Based on the PCC rules, the SMF (Service Control Center) provides the RAN (RAN) with one or more AQPs containing UL and / or DL ​​PDU Set QoS parameters. When the QoS parameters of the GBR QoS Flow cannot be satisfied, for example, if the QoS notification is determined to be "GFBR cannot be guaranteed", the RAN determines the AQP that can be used as the current QoS reference according to the priority order of AQPs. If PDU Set QoS processing is applied in the corresponding data transmission direction (uplink and / or downlink), the RAN uses the PSDB, PSER, and GFBR in the corresponding direction to determine the AQP that can be satisfied as the current QoS reference. The RAN reports the QoS notification and the index of AQPs that can be supported by the current network conditions to the SMF. Optionally, the PCF can expose this notification and the index of supported AQPs or the alternative QoS parameter set requested by the AF to the AF side to ensure that the AF side can be aware of the network conditions and capabilities.

[0148] Based on the above description, when the alternative service request message provided by the AF to the 5GC contains both uplink and downlink PDU Set QoS parameters, and each of the multiple AQPs configured by the PCF / SMF for the RAN contains both UL and DL PDU Set QoS parameters, meaning that the GBR QoS Flow supports both UL and DL PDU Set processing, if the RAN cannot guarantee the uplink and downlink QoS requirements of the PDU Set, i.e., neither the uplink nor downlink PDU Set QoS parameters in the QoS Profile can be guaranteed, the RAN will set the QoS notification to "GFBR cannot be guaranteed" and only carry an index value associated with an AQP that the current network condition can support, along with two directions. This may cause the AF to be unable to determine the current UL and / or DL ​​network condition based on the index value associated with the AQP. The following section will discuss this further. Figure 2Please provide an explanation.

[0149] Figure 2 This diagram illustrates the processing flow for uplink and downlink PDU Set QoS processing within the RAN. Figure 2 As shown in the leftmost part, the RAN can guarantee the uplink and downlink PDU Set QoS parameters in this QoS configuration, so there is no need to match AQP; as Figure 2 As shown in the middle section, the RAN can guarantee the uplink PDU Set QoS parameters in this QoS configuration, but cannot guarantee the downlink PDU Set QoS parameters. Therefore, the RAN can match an AQP that the current network downlink conditions can support from one or more AQPs based on the AQP priority, i.e., AQP#1. Then, the RAN will set the QoS notification to "GFBR cannot be guaranteed" and only carry the index value associated with AQP#1 and the downlink direction information. Since there is only one AQP index and one direction information, the AF can determine the network conditions in the corresponding direction in the current network based on the QoS parameters in the AQP corresponding to the index associated with the AQP; for example... Figure 3 As shown in the rightmost part, the RAN may not guarantee the uplink and downlink PDU Set QoS parameters in this QoS configuration. Therefore, the RAN can match an AQP that the current network condition can support from one or more AQPs based on the AQP priority. AQP#1 has a higher priority than AQP#2. For example, the RAN supports the uplink QoS parameters in AQP#1, but does not support the downlink QoS parameters in AQP#1. Therefore, the RAN will continue to match downlink to AQP#2, which has a lower priority. If the RAN supports the downlink QoS parameters in AQP#2, the RAN will set the QoS notification to "GFBR cannot be guaranteed" and carry the index of AQP#2, uplink direction information and downlink direction information. However, since the uplink QoS parameters in AQP#2 cannot reflect the actual uplink network condition that the RAN can support, the AF will not be able to determine the current network condition of UL and / or DL ​​based on the QoS parameters in the AQP corresponding to the AQP index.

[0150] In view of this, this application proposes a communication method that can effectively solve the above-mentioned technical problems. The embodiments of the method proposed in this application are described below.

[0151] Figure 3 This is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 300 provided in this application. The method includes the following steps.

[0152] It is understood that the methods provided in this application can be executed by various network elements / devices (e.g., access network equipment, session management function network elements, policy control function network elements, application function network elements). Unless otherwise specified, "device / network element" in this application can refer to the device / network element itself, or a component in the device / network element (e.g., a processor in the device / network element, or a communication module, or a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions (e.g., 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, etc.), or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the device / network element functions, or a device that can support the network element / device to implement the corresponding functions. This application does not limit this.

[0153] It is also understood that the naming of the above network elements / devices is defined only for the convenience of distinguishing different functions and should not constitute any limitation on this application. This application does not exclude the possibility of using other naming in other networks in the future. For ease of description, all subsequent embodiments of this application will be described using RAN as the access network device, SMF as the session management function network element, PCF as the policy control function network element, and AF as the application function network element.

[0154] S310, the SMF sends a first QoS configuration and at least one alternative QoS configuration to the RAN. Correspondingly, the RAN receives the first QoS configuration and at least one alternative QoS configuration from the SMF.

[0155] The first QoS configuration includes uplink QoS parameters and downlink QoS parameters (or, it can also be described as the first QoS configuration including a set of uplink QoS parameters and a set of downlink QoS parameters), and at least one alternative QoS configuration includes at least one set of uplink QoS parameters and at least one set of downlink QoS parameters.

[0156] For example, a set of uplink QoS parameters may include UL PDU Set QoS parameters and UL GFBR; similarly, a set of downlink QoS parameters may include DL PDU Set QoS parameters and DL GFBR.

[0157] In one possible implementation, the QoS configuration in at least one alternative QoS configuration includes a set of uplink QoS parameters and a set of downlink QoS parameters.

[0158] Optionally, based on this implementation, prior to S310, the method further includes the following steps:

[0159] S310-1: The AF sends a service request message to the PCF. Correspondingly, the PCF receives the service request message from the AF.

[0160] The service request message includes a description of the service data stream and the QoS requirements of the service data stream. The QoS requirements include alternative service requirements, which indicate at least one alternative QoS parameter set. An alternative QoS parameter set includes a set of uplink QoS parameters and a set of downlink QoS parameters.

[0161] For example, alternative service requirements may include an index (reference) to at least one alternative QoS parameter set, or they may include at least one alternative QoS parameter set itself, without limitation. The same description will not be repeated hereafter.

[0162] It is understood that the business data flow here includes one or more sub-business flows, and these one or more sub-business flows can have the same QoS requirements as the business data flow.

[0163] For example, the service flow description information can be IP triples, quintuples, application IDs, etc.

[0164] S310-2: PCF generates PCC rules based on service request messages. The PCC rules include at least one set of alternative QoS parameters.

[0165] It is understood that a set of alternative QoS parameters in a PCC rule is generated based on a corresponding set of alternative QoS parameters within the alternative service requirements; these sets can be the same or different. Therefore, it should be noted that at least one set of alternative QoS parameters in the PCC rule of this application is determined based on at least one set of alternative QoS parameters in the alternative service requirements; these sets can be the same or different. This application does not limit whether the QoS parameter sets in the PCC rule and the alternative service requirements are the same. The same issue will not be elaborated further below.

[0166] S310-3: The PCF sends the PCC rule to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the PCC rule from the PCF.

[0167] S310-4: The SMF binds the PCC rule to a QoS flow and generates a first QoS configuration and at least one alternative QoS configuration based on the PCC rule. The at least one alternative QoS configuration is generated based on at least one alternative QoS parameter set in the PCC rule. Then, S310 is executed. How the first QoS configuration is generated will be described later and will not be elaborated here.

[0168] Based on the above description, it can be understood that the alternative QoS parameters in the alternative QoS parameter set configured by the AF need to be communicated to the RAN side through the core network. Specifically, when the AF transmits alternative QoS parameters to the PCF, it does so on the basis of alternative service requirements. That is, the alternative service requirements contain at least one alternative QoS parameter set or an index of an alternative QoS parameter set. The alternative QoS parameter set includes its corresponding alternative QoS parameters, and the index of the alternative QoS parameter set indicates its corresponding alternative QoS parameters. When the PCF transmits alternative QoS parameters to the SMF, it does so on the basis of PCC rules. Specifically, the PCC rules contain at least one alternative QoS parameter set, and the alternative QoS parameter set includes its corresponding alternative QoS parameters. When the SMF transmits alternative QoS parameters to the RAN, it does so on the basis of alternative QoS configurations. That is, the alternative QoS configurations include their corresponding alternative QoS parameters. Alternatively, it can be understood that the AF and PCF transmit alternative service requirements containing alternative QoS parameter sets or indexes of alternative QoS parameter sets; the PCF and SMF transmit PCC rules containing alternative QoS parameter sets; and the SMF and RAN transmit alternative QoS configurations. The same descriptions will not be repeated below.

[0169] In another possible implementation, the QoS configuration in at least one alternative QoS configuration includes at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration and at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration, wherein the uplink alternative QoS configuration includes a set of uplink QoS parameters and the downlink alternative QoS configuration includes a set of downlink QoS parameters.

[0170] Optionally, based on this implementation, prior to S310, the method further includes the following steps:

[0171] S310-1′: AF sends a service request message to PCF. Correspondingly, PCF receives the service request message from AF.

[0172] The service request message includes a description of the service data stream and the QoS requirements of the service data stream. The QoS requirements include alternative service requirements, which indicate at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set and at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set. An uplink alternative QoS parameter set contains a set of uplink QoS parameters, and a downlink alternative QoS parameter set contains a set of downlink QoS parameters.

[0173] For example, the alternative service requirement indicates at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set and at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set. This can be that the alternative service requirement includes at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set and at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set themselves, or it can be that the alternative service requirement includes at least one index value corresponding to the uplink alternative QoS parameter set and at least one index value corresponding to the downlink alternative QoS parameter set.

[0174] S310-2′: PCF generates PCC rules based on service request messages. The PCC rules include at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set and at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set.

[0175] It is understood that a set of alternative QoS parameters in a PCC rule is generated based on a corresponding set of alternative QoS parameters within the alternative service requirements; these sets can be the same or different. Therefore, it should be noted that at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set in the PCC rule of this application is determined based on at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set in the alternative service requirements; these sets can be the same or different. Similarly, at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set in the PCC rule of this application is determined based on at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set in the alternative service requirements; these sets can be the same or different. This application does not limit whether the PCC rule and the QoS parameter sets in the alternative service requirements are the same. The same issue will not be elaborated further below. S310-3′: The PCF sends the PCC rule to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the PCC rule from the PCF.

[0176] S310-4′: The SMF binds the PCC rule to a QoS flow and generates a first QoS configuration and at least one alternative QoS configuration based on the PCC rule. The at least one alternative QoS configuration includes at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration and at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration. The at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration is generated based on at least one set of uplink alternative QoS parameters in the PCC rule, and the at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration is generated based on at least one set of downlink alternative QoS parameters in the PCC rule. Then, S310 is executed.

[0177] Option 2: Based on this implementation, prior to S310, the method further includes the following steps:

[0178] S310-1″: AF sends a service request message to PCF. Correspondingly, PCF receives the service request message from AF.

[0179] The service request message includes a description of the service data stream and the QoS requirements of the service data stream. The QoS requirements include alternative service requirements, and the alternative service requirements include at least one alternative QoS parameter set. Each QoS parameter set includes a set of uplink QoS parameters and a set of downlink QoS parameters.

[0180] S310-2″: PCF generates PCC rules based on service request messages. The PCC rules include at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set and at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set.

[0181] Among them, at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set and at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set are generated by PCF based on the alternative QoS parameter set in the alternative service requirements. That is, at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set in the PCC rule is determined based on the uplink QoS parameters in at least one alternative QoS parameter set in the service request message, and one downlink alternative QoS parameter set in the PCC rule is determined based on the downlink QoS parameters in at least one alternative QoS parameter set in the service request message.

[0182] S310-3″: The PCF sends the PCC rule to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the PCC rule from the PCF.

[0183] S310-4″: The SMF binds the PCC rule to a QoS flow and generates a first QoS configuration and at least one alternative QoS configuration based on the PCC rule. The at least one alternative QoS configuration includes at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration and at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration. The at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration is generated based on at least one set of uplink alternative QoS parameters in the PCC rule, and the at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration is generated based on at least one set of downlink alternative QoS parameters in the PCC rule. Then, S310 is executed.

[0184] It is understandable that the first QoS configuration is the configuration that is expected to be satisfied. When the RAN cannot support the first QoS configuration, the RAN needs to continue matching in at least one alternative QoS configuration to determine the appropriate QoS configuration to return to the AF.

[0185] S320, the RAN sends the first QoS notification message to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the first QoS notification message from the RAN.

[0186] The first QoS notification message indicates that the RAN does not support the first QoS configuration. The first QoS notification message includes a first index value and a second index value. The first index value corresponds to the first alternative QoS configuration in at least one alternative QoS configuration, and the second index value corresponds to the second alternative QoS configuration in at least one alternative QoS configuration. The first alternative QoS configuration contains uplink QoS parameters supported by the RAN, and the second alternative QoS configuration contains downlink QoS parameters supported by the RAN.

[0187] For example, the first QoS notification message indicating that the RAN does not support the first QoS configuration can also be described as follows: the first QoS notification indicates that the current first QoS configuration is not satisfied; or, the first QoS notification indicates that the QoS parameters of the current first QoS configuration are not satisfied; or, the first QoS notification message indicates that "GFBR cannot be satisfied" or "GFBR cannot be guaranteed" (i.e., "GFBR cannot be guaranteed"). Other QoS notification messages mentioned later (such as the second / third QoS notification messages mentioned later) can also be described similarly, and will not be elaborated further where applicable.

[0188] For example, generally speaking, "RAN does not support the first QoS configuration" means that the RAN cannot satisfy at least one parameter in the first QoS configuration. For example, at least one parameter can be at least one of GFBR, PDB, PER, UL PSDB, UL PSER, DL PSDB, and DL PSER. For example, in this application, "RAN does not support the first QoS configuration" can be understood as the RAN not supporting UL PSDB and DL PSDB in the first QoS configuration, or the RAN not supporting UL PSER and DL PSER in the first QoS configuration, or the RAN not supporting UL PSER and DL PSDB in the first QoS configuration, and so on. Further examples are not provided.

[0189] For example, the first QoS notification message may also include information identifying the QoS flow to which the QoS notification message corresponds. For example, the QoS flow information may be QoS Flow ID (QFI) used to identify the QoS flow.

[0190] For example, the first index value corresponds to the first alternative QoS configuration, which can be understood as the index of the first alternative QoS configuration. Similarly, the second index value corresponds to the second alternative QoS configuration, which can be understood as the index of the second alternative QoS configuration. Similar descriptions will not be repeated hereafter.

[0191] Based on the two implementation methods of at least one alternative QoS configuration mentioned above, the first QoS notification message and the first / second alternative QoS configuration will be further described.

[0192] 1) If at least one of the alternative QoS configurations includes a set of uplink QoS parameters and a set of downlink QoS parameters, then the first alternative QoS configuration includes its corresponding set of uplink QoS parameters and a set of downlink QoS parameters, and the second alternative QoS configuration also includes its corresponding set of uplink QoS parameters and a set of downlink QoS parameters. The RAN supports the uplink QoS parameters in the first alternative QoS configuration and the RAN supports the downlink QoS parameters in the second alternative QoS configuration.

[0193] For example, since both the first and second alternative QoS configurations include uplink and downlink QoS parameters, without other constraints, it is impossible to determine whether the uplink or downlink QoS parameters in the alternative QoS configurations are supported based on a single index value. Therefore, the first QoS notification message may also include uplink direction information corresponding to the first index value and downlink direction information corresponding to the second index value. The uplink direction information corresponding to the first index value can be understood as indication information indicating the uplink direction associated with the first index value.

[0194] For example, it can be assumed that the first index in the first QoS notification message corresponds to the uplink direction and the second index corresponds to the downlink direction, so the index values ​​in the first QoS notification message are in the order of {first index value, second index value}. Alternatively, the reverse can be true, in which case the index values ​​in the first QoS notification message are in the order of {second index value, first index value}.

[0195] For example, if at least one alternative QoS configuration has a priority order, then the first alternative QoS configuration and the second alternative QoS configuration are the configurations matched based on the priority of the QoS configuration among the at least one alternative QoS configuration. It can be understood that the at least one alternative QoS configuration corresponds to at least one uplink QoS parameter and at least one downlink QoS parameter. The first alternative QoS configuration is the highest priority alternative QoS configuration corresponding to the uplink QoS parameter matched by the RAN among the corresponding at least one uplink QoS parameter in descending order of priority among the at least one alternative QoS configuration. Similarly, the second alternative QoS configuration is the highest priority alternative QoS configuration corresponding to the downlink QoS parameter matched by the RAN among the corresponding at least one downlink QoS parameter in descending order of priority among the at least one alternative QoS configuration. The alternative QoS configurations in the at least one alternative QoS configuration are arranged in priority order.

[0196] For example, the RAN can iterate through at least one uplink QoS parameter corresponding to at least one alternative QoS configuration and determine a suitable alternative QoS configuration corresponding to an uplink QoS parameter as the first alternative QoS configuration. Similarly, the RAN can iterate through at least one downlink QoS parameter corresponding to at least one alternative QoS configuration and determine a suitable alternative QoS configuration corresponding to a downlink QoS parameter as the second alternative QoS configuration.

[0197] 2) If the QoS configuration in at least one alternative QoS configuration includes at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration and at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration, then the first alternative QoS configuration is an uplink alternative QoS configuration matched in at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration, and the second alternative QoS configuration is a downlink alternative QoS configuration matched in at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration, wherein the RAN supports the uplink QoS parameters in the first alternative QoS configuration and the RAN supports the downlink QoS parameters in the second alternative QoS configuration.

[0198] It is understandable that an alternative QoS configuration only contains QoS parameters for one direction. Therefore, the first QoS notification message does not need to add information to indicate the direction corresponding to the first index value and the second index value. It can clearly indicate the first index value and the second index value that match the current uplink direction and downlink direction, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0199] For example, if at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration and at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration have a priority order, then the first alternative QoS configuration is the highest priority configuration matched from high to low priority among the at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration, and the second alternative QoS configuration is the highest priority configuration matched from high to low priority among the at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration.

[0200] For example, in at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration, the alternative QoS configurations are arranged in priority order; in at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration, the alternative QoS configurations are arranged in priority order. The first alternative QoS configuration is the highest priority configuration matched from the at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration according to the current uplink network conditions, in descending order of QoS configuration priority. Similarly, the second alternative QoS configuration is also arranged in priority order.

[0201] For example, the RAN can iterate through at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration and determine a suitable uplink alternative QoS configuration as the first alternative QoS configuration. Similarly, the RAN can iterate through at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration and determine a suitable downlink alternative QoS configuration as the second alternative QoS configuration. It can be understood that the highest priority here refers to the configuration with the highest priority among the configurations supported by the access network device.

[0202] S330, the SMF sends a second QoS notification message to the PCF. Correspondingly, the PCF receives the second QoS notification message from the SMF.

[0203] The second QoS notification message indicates that the RAN does not support the first QoS parameter set or that the QoS parameters in the first QoS parameter set are no longer supported. The first QoS parameter set corresponds to the first QoS configuration (which can also be understood as including the uplink and downlink QoS parameters in the first QoS configuration). The second QoS notification message includes a third index value and a fourth index value, which correspond to the first alternative QoS parameter set and the second alternative QoS parameter set, respectively. The first alternative QoS parameter set and the second alternative QoS parameter set correspond to the first alternative QoS configuration and the second alternative QoS configuration, respectively. The first alternative QoS parameter set and the second alternative QoS parameter set include at least one set of uplink QoS parameters and at least one set of downlink QoS parameters.

[0204] For example, the uplink QoS parameters include the UL PDU Set QoS parameters and the UL GFBR; similarly, the downlink QoS parameters include the DL PDU Set QoS parameters and the DL GFBR.

[0205] It can be understood that the alternative QoS parameter set #1 corresponds to the alternative QoS configuration #1, indicating that the alternative QoS configuration #1 is a candidate QoS configuration generated based on the QoS parameters contained in the alternative QoS parameter set #1. Therefore, it can also be understood that the first alternative QoS parameter set contains the uplink QoS parameters supported by the RAN, and the second alternative QoS parameter set contains the downlink QoS parameters supported by the RAN.

[0206] For example, the third index value corresponds to the first alternative QoS parameter set, which can be understood as the index of the first alternative QoS parameter set. Similarly, the fourth index value corresponds to the second alternative QoS parameter set, which can be understood as the index of the second alternative QoS parameter set. Similar descriptions will not be repeated hereafter.

[0207] Optionally, the first alternative QoS parameter set and the second alternative QoS parameter set can contain QoS parameters corresponding to a single direction or both directions, as illustrated below.

[0208] 1) A QoS configuration includes a set of uplink QoS parameters and a set of downlink QoS parameters. A set of alternative QoS parameters transmitted between the SMF and PCF includes its corresponding set of uplink QoS parameters and set of downlink QoS parameters. That is, the first set of alternative QoS parameters includes a set of uplink QoS parameters and a set of downlink QoS parameters, and the second set of alternative QoS parameters also includes a set of uplink QoS parameters and a set of downlink QoS parameters.

[0209] For example, the second QoS notification message also includes uplink information corresponding to the third index value and downlink information corresponding to the fourth index value.

[0210] For example, the second QoS notification message also includes information for identifying the PCC rule corresponding to the QoS notification message, such as a PCC rule identifier, which is used to indicate to the policy control network element that the second QoS notification message is for the corresponding service data flow in the PCC rule of the PCC rule identifier.

[0211] For example, it can be assumed that the first index of the two indices carried in the second and third QoS notification messages corresponds to the uplink direction and the second index corresponds to the downlink direction, or vice versa. This will not be elaborated further.

[0212] 2) Corresponding to a QoS configuration as either an uplink alternative QoS configuration or a downlink alternative QoS configuration, a set of alternative QoS parameters transmitted between the SMF and PCF is either an uplink alternative QoS parameter set or a downlink alternative QoS parameter set. The uplink alternative QoS parameter set includes a set of uplink QoS parameters, and the downlink alternative QoS parameter set includes a set of downlink QoS parameters. Specifically, the first alternative QoS parameter set is an uplink alternative QoS parameter set, and the second alternative QoS parameter set is a downlink alternative QoS parameter set.

[0213] It is understandable that a set of alternative QoS parameters contains only the QoS parameters corresponding to one direction. Therefore, the second QoS notification message does not need to add information to indicate the directions corresponding to the third and fourth index values, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0214] S340, the PCF sends a third QoS notification message to the AF. Correspondingly, the AF receives the third QoS notification message from the PCF.

[0215] The third QoS notification message indicates that the RAN does not support the first QoS requirement, which corresponds to the first QoS parameter set (or can be understood as the first QoS requirement containing the uplink QoS parameters and downlink QoS parameters in the first QoS parameter set).

[0216] It is understandable that the third QoS notification message also needs to indicate the uplink and downlink QoS parameters indicated in the second QoS notification message. Afterwards, the AF can determine the uplink and downlink QoS parameters currently supported by the RAN based on the indicated information. Two possible implementation methods are given below.

[0217] In one implementation, the third QoS notification message includes a fifth index value and a sixth index value. The fifth index value and the sixth index value correspond to the first alternative service requirement and the second alternative service requirement, respectively. The first alternative service requirement and the second alternative service requirement correspond to the first alternative QoS parameter set and the second alternative QoS parameter set, respectively. Specifically, the first alternative service requirement can also be understood as the first alternative QoS requirement, and the first alternative QoS parameter set is determined by the policy control network element based on the first alternative service requirement. Similarly, the second alternative service requirement can also be understood as the second alternative QoS requirement, and the second alternative QoS parameter set is determined by the policy control network element based on the second alternative service requirement.

[0218] It is understandable that, taking the first alternative service requirement as an example, the first alternative service requirement corresponds to the first alternative QoS parameter set, meaning that the first alternative service requirement includes the QoS parameters in the first alternative QoS parameter set.

[0219] For example, the fifth index value corresponds to the first alternative business requirement, which can be understood as the index of the first alternative business requirement. Similarly, the sixth index value corresponds to the second alternative business requirement, which can be understood as the index of the second alternative business requirement. Similar descriptions will not be repeated hereafter.

[0220] It can also be understood that an AF (Automatic Service Request) carries a set of QoS parameters in its service request message, which corresponds to a QoS requirement. Therefore, taking the first alternative service requirement as an example, the first alternative service requirement can be understood as the alternative service requirement corresponding to the first alternative QoS parameter set carried by the AF in its service request message, where one QoS parameter set can correspond to one service requirement.

[0221] It should be noted that the QoS requirements of the service data streams in S310-1, S310-1′ and S310-1″ mentioned above include the first QoS requirement, the first alternative service requirement and the second alternative service requirement.

[0222] For example, the third QoS notification message also includes uplink information corresponding to the third index value and downlink information corresponding to the fourth index value.

[0223] For example, the third QoS notification message also includes information for identifying the service data stream corresponding to the QoS notification, such as the flow description information of the service data stream.

[0224] For example, it can be assumed that the first index of the two indices carried in the third QoS notification message corresponds to the uplink direction and the second index corresponds to the downlink direction, or vice versa. This will not be elaborated further.

[0225] It is understandable that, based on the schemes corresponding to S310-1″ to S310-4″, the service request message sent by the AF to the PCF carries a set of alternative QoS parameters, including a set of uplink QoS parameters and a set of downlink QoS parameters. The PCF generates uplink and downlink QoS parameter sets based on the received alternative QoS parameter sets. Therefore, based on this scheme, the fifth index value sent by the PCF to the AF in S330 is the index of the QoS requirement of the parameter set corresponding to the first alternative QoS parameter set in at least one alternative QoS parameter set in S310-1″, and the sixth index value is the index of the QoS requirement of the parameter set corresponding to the second alternative QoS parameter set in at least one alternative QoS parameter set in S310-1″. For example, the third QoS notification message may also carry the direction information corresponding to the fifth and sixth index values, or it may omit the direction information corresponding to the fifth and sixth index values ​​based on the default order.

[0226] In another implementation, the third QoS notification message includes a second QoS parameter set, which includes uplink QoS parameters supported by the RAN in the first alternative QoS parameter set and downlink QoS parameters supported by the RAN in the second alternative QoS parameter set.

[0227] It is understandable that, in the two implementation methods mentioned above, the first method transmits the index value associated with the QoS parameter, and AF can determine the specific uplink and downlink QoS parameters based on the corresponding index value, while the second method can directly transmit the specific uplink and downlink QoS parameters.

[0228] The following is combined with Figures 4 to 6 Three possible implementation flows based on method 300 are given as examples. For ease of description, Figures 4 to 6 The following description uses RAN equipment as RAN, session management network element as SMF, policy control network element as PCF, and application network element as AF as an example.

[0229] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a communication method 400 proposed in this application. The method includes the following steps.

[0230] S410, AF sends a service request message to PCF. Correspondingly, PCF receives the service request message from AF.

[0231] The service request message includes a description of the service data stream and the QoS requirements of the service data stream. The QoS requirements of the service data stream include a first QoS requirement and alternative service requirements. The first QoS requirement indicates a first QoS parameter set, and the alternative service requirements indicate at least one alternative QoS parameter set. The first QoS parameter set includes a set of uplink QoS parameters and a set of downlink QoS parameters, and the alternative QoS parameter set also includes a set of uplink QoS parameters and a set of downlink QoS parameters.

[0232] In this application, it can also be understood that each QoS parameter set in the first QoS parameter set and at least one alternative QoS parameter set corresponds to a QoS requirement, that is, the QoS requirements of the service data stream include multiple QoS requirements corresponding to QoS parameter sets. The same description will not be repeated hereafter.

[0233] S420, the PCF generates a PCC rule based on the service request message and sends the PCC rule to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the PCC rule from the PCF. The PCC rule includes a first QoS parameter set and at least one alternative QoS parameter set. For example, in this step, the PCF or SMF may trigger a PDU session modification procedure.

[0234] In step S430, the SMF binds the PCC rule to a QoS flow, generates a first QoS configuration and at least one alternative QoS configuration based on the PCC rule, and sends the first QoS configuration and at least one alternative QoS configuration to the RAN. Correspondingly, the RAN receives the first QoS configuration and at least one alternative QoS configuration from the SMF.

[0235] The first QoS configuration is determined based on the first QoS parameter set in the PCC rule, and the first QoS configuration includes the uplink QoS parameters and downlink QoS parameters in the first QoS parameter set; at least one alternative QoS configuration is determined based on at least one alternative QoS parameter set in the PCC rule, and an alternative QoS configuration includes the uplink QoS parameters and downlink QoS parameters in the corresponding alternative QoS parameter set.

[0236] For example, if a session modification process is triggered in S420, the SMF can complete the remaining PDU session modification process in that step.

[0237] S440, the RAN determines that the uplink QoS parameters and downlink QoS parameters in the first QoS configuration cannot be satisfied, and determines a first alternative QoS configuration and a second alternative QoS configuration from at least one alternative QoS configuration, wherein the RAN supports the uplink QoS parameters in the first alternative QoS configuration and the downlink QoS parameters in the second alternative QoS configuration.

[0238] It is understandable that the first QoS configuration is the configuration that the AF expects the RAN to satisfy. When the RAN cannot support the first QoS configuration, the RAN needs to continue matching in at least one alternative QoS configuration to determine the appropriate QoS configuration to return to the AF.

[0239] For example, if at least one alternative QoS configuration has a priority order, then the first alternative QoS configuration and the second alternative QoS configuration are the configurations matched based on the priority of the QoS configuration among the at least one alternative QoS configuration.

[0240] For example, the RAN can iterate through at least one uplink QoS parameter corresponding to at least one alternative QoS configuration and determine a suitable alternative QoS configuration corresponding to an uplink QoS parameter as the first alternative QoS configuration. Similarly, the RAN can iterate through at least one downlink QoS parameter corresponding to at least one alternative QoS configuration and determine a suitable alternative QoS configuration corresponding to a downlink QoS parameter as the second alternative QoS configuration.

[0241] S450, the RAN sends the first QoS notification message to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the first QoS notification message from the RAN.

[0242] The first QoS notification message indicates that the RAN does not support the first QoS configuration. The first QoS notification message includes a first index value and a second index value. The first index value corresponds to the first alternative QoS configuration, and the second index value corresponds to the second alternative QoS configuration.

[0243] For example, the first QoS notification message may also carry direction information corresponding to the first index value and the second index value, or it may omit the direction information corresponding to the first index value and the second index value based on the default order.

[0244] S460, the SMF sends a second QoS notification message to the PCF. Correspondingly, the PCF receives the second QoS notification message from the SMF.

[0245] The second QoS notification message indicates that the RAN does not support the first QoS parameter set, which corresponds to the first QoS configuration. The second QoS notification message includes a third index value and a fourth index value, which are respectively indices of the first alternative QoS parameter set and the second alternative QoS parameter set, corresponding to the first alternative QoS configuration and the second alternative QoS configuration, respectively.

[0246] It is understandable that the third and fourth index values ​​are indices to the first and second alternative QoS parameter sets stored between the PCF and SMF.

[0247] For example, the second QoS notification message may also carry direction information corresponding to the third and fourth index values, or it may omit the direction information corresponding to the third and fourth index values ​​based on the default order.

[0248] S470, the PCF sends a third QoS notification message to the AF. Correspondingly, the AF receives the third QoS notification message from the PCF.

[0249] The third QoS notification message indicates that the RAN does not support the first QoS requirement, which corresponds to the first QoS parameter set. Additionally, the PCF will also carry QoS parameter-related information fed back by the SMF in the third QoS notification message. An example of the information carried in the third QoS notification message is given below.

[0250] In one implementation, the third QoS notification message includes a fifth index value and a sixth index value, which correspond to a first alternative service requirement and a second alternative service requirement, respectively. The first alternative service requirement and the second alternative service requirement correspond to a first alternative QoS parameter set and a second alternative QoS parameter set, respectively.

[0251] For example, the third QoS notification message can also carry the direction information corresponding to the fifth and sixth index values, or it can omit the direction information corresponding to the fifth and sixth index values ​​based on the default order.

[0252] In another implementation, the third QoS notification message includes a second QoS parameter set, which includes uplink QoS parameters supported by the RAN in the first alternative QoS parameter set and downlink QoS parameters supported by the RAN in the second alternative QoS parameter set.

[0253] In S480, the AF determines the QoS parameters that the RAN can currently support based on the third QoS notification message. Afterward, the AF can decide whether to initiate a QoS modification request.

[0254] In the above technical solution, when the RAN receives multiple sets of alternative QoS configurations from the core network side, and each set of alternative QoS configurations contains both uplink and downlink QoS parameters, if the RAN cannot meet the QoS parameters in both directions, the RAN will send a QoS notification to the SMF and match the alternative QoS configurations that can be met in each direction according to the priority order of the alternative QoS configurations. Then, the RAN will provide the SMF with the index value corresponding to the alternative QoS configuration that matches its uplink network conditions and the index value corresponding to the alternative QoS configuration that matches its downlink network conditions. Based on the indexes related to the two alternative QoS configurations fed back by the SMF and the corresponding direction information, the PCF determines the QoS parameters that can be met in the uplink and downlink directions. The PCF will open the determined QoS parameters to the AF or directly open the index of the alternative QoS configuration, so that the AF can correctly perceive the uplink and downlink conditions in the network.

[0255] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a communication method 500 proposed in this application. The method includes the following steps.

[0256] S510, AF sends a service request message to PCF. Correspondingly, PCF receives the service request message from AF.

[0257] The service request message includes a description of the service data stream and the QoS requirements of the service data stream. The QoS requirements of the service data stream include a first QoS requirement and alternative service requirements. The first QoS requirement indicates a first QoS parameter set, and the alternative service requirements indicate at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set and at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set. The first QoS parameter set includes a set of uplink QoS parameters and a set of downlink QoS parameters. The uplink alternative QoS parameter set includes a set of uplink QoS parameters, and the downlink alternative QoS parameter set includes a set of downlink QoS parameters.

[0258] In step S520, the PCF generates a PCC rule based on the service request message and sends the PCC rule to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the PCC rule from the PCF. The PCC rule includes a first QoS parameter set, at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set, and at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set. For example, in this step, the PCF or SMF may trigger a PDU session modification procedure.

[0259] In S530, the SMF binds the PCC rule to a QoS flow and generates a first QoS configuration, at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration, and at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration based on the PCC rule. It then sends these configurations to the RAN. Correspondingly, the RAN receives the first QoS configuration, at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration, and at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration from the SMF.

[0260] The first QoS configuration is determined based on the first QoS parameter set in the PCC rule, and the first QoS configuration includes uplink QoS parameters and downlink QoS parameters in the first QoS parameter set; at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration is determined based on at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set in the PCC rule, and at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration is determined based on at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set in the PCC rule, and an uplink alternative QoS configuration includes uplink QoS parameters in the corresponding uplink alternative QoS parameter set, and a downlink alternative QoS configuration includes downlink QoS parameters in the corresponding downlink alternative QoS parameter set.

[0261] For example, if a session modification process is triggered in S520, the SMF can complete the remaining PDU session modification process in that step.

[0262] S540, the RAN determines that the uplink QoS parameters and downlink QoS parameters in the first QoS configuration cannot be satisfied, and determines a first alternative QoS configuration in at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration, and determines a second alternative QoS configuration in at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration, wherein the RAN supports the uplink QoS parameters in the first alternative QoS configuration and the downlink QoS parameters in the second alternative QoS configuration.

[0263] For example, if at least one alternative QoS configuration has a priority order, then the first alternative QoS configuration is the configuration matched based on the priority of the QoS configuration among at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration, and the second alternative QoS configuration is the configuration matched based on the priority of the QoS configuration among at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration.

[0264] For example, the RAN can iterate through at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration and determine a suitable uplink alternative QoS configuration as the first alternative QoS configuration. Similarly, the RAN can iterate through at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration and determine a suitable downlink alternative QoS configuration as the second alternative QoS configuration.

[0265] In S550, the RAN sends a first QoS notification message to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the first QoS notification message from the RAN.

[0266] The first QoS notification message indicates that the RAN does not support the first QoS configuration. The first QoS notification message includes a first index value and a second index value. The first index value corresponds to the first alternative QoS configuration, and the second index value corresponds to the second alternative QoS configuration.

[0267] It is understandable that, since the AF method splits the uplink and downlink alternative QoS parameter sets, the first QoS notification message does not need to carry the direction information corresponding to the index value. The SMF can determine the direction information corresponding to the index value based on the index value.

[0268] In S560, the SMF sends a second QoS notification message to the PCF. Correspondingly, the PCF receives the second QoS notification message from the SMF.

[0269] The second QoS notification message indicates that the RAN does not support the first QoS parameter set, which corresponds to the first QoS configuration. The second QoS notification message includes a third index value and a fourth index value, which are respectively indices of the first alternative QoS parameter set and the second alternative QoS parameter set, corresponding to the first alternative QoS configuration and the second alternative QoS configuration, respectively.

[0270] It is understandable that the third and fourth index values ​​are indices to the first and second alternative QoS parameter sets stored between the PCF and SMF.

[0271] It is understandable that, since the AF method splits the uplink and downlink alternative QoS parameter sets, the second QoS notification message does not need to carry the direction information corresponding to the third and fourth index values. The PCF can determine the direction information corresponding to the index value based on the index value.

[0272] In S570, the PCF sends a third QoS notification message to the AF. Correspondingly, the AF receives the third QoS notification message from the PCF.

[0273] The third QoS notification message indicates that the RAN does not support the first QoS requirement, which corresponds to the first QoS parameter set. Additionally, the PCF will also carry QoS parameter-related information fed back by the SMF in the third QoS notification message. An example of the information carried in the third QoS notification message is given below.

[0274] In one implementation, the third QoS notification message includes a fifth index value and a sixth index value, which correspond to a first alternative service requirement and a second alternative service requirement, respectively. The first alternative service requirement and the second alternative service requirement correspond to a first alternative QoS parameter set and a second alternative QoS parameter set, respectively.

[0275] It is understandable that since the AF method splits the uplink and downlink alternative QoS parameter sets, it does not need to carry the direction information corresponding to the fifth and sixth index values. The AF can determine the direction information corresponding to the corresponding index value based on the index value.

[0276] In another implementation, the third QoS notification message includes a second QoS parameter set, which includes uplink QoS parameters supported by the RAN in the first alternative QoS parameter set and downlink QoS parameters supported by the RAN in the second alternative QoS parameter set.

[0277] In S580, the AF determines the QoS parameters that the RAN can currently support based on the third QoS notification message. Afterward, the AF can decide whether to initiate a QoS modification request.

[0278] In the above technical solution, the AF provides alternative service requests for the service data flow (SDF). Within these requests, the AF splits the alternative QoS parameter set into uplink and downlink alternative QoS parameter sets. Based on this, the SMF configures the uplink and downlink alternative QoS settings for the RAN, each containing QoS parameters for different directions. When the RAN cannot meet the QoS parameters in either direction, it sends a QoS notification message to the SMF. Simultaneously, the RAN can include the currently supported uplink and downlink alternative QoS settings when sending the QoS notification, based on the uplink and downlink network conditions. This allows the AF to perceive the correct network conditions from the QoS notification information fed back by the SMF / PCF.

[0279] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a communication method 600 proposed in this application. The method includes the following steps.

[0280] S610, AF sends a service request message to PCF. Correspondingly, PCF receives the service request message from AF.

[0281] The service request message includes a description of the service data stream and the QoS requirements of the service data stream. The QoS requirements of the service data stream include a first QoS requirement and alternative service requirements. The first QoS requirement indicates a first QoS parameter set, and the alternative service requirements indicate at least one alternative QoS parameter set. The first QoS parameter set includes a set of uplink QoS parameters and a set of downlink QoS parameters, and the alternative QoS parameter set also includes a set of uplink QoS parameters and a set of downlink QoS parameters.

[0282] S620, the PCF generates a PCC rule based on the service request message and sends the PCC rule to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the PCC rule from the PCF. The PCC rule includes a first QoS parameter set, at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set, and at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set. The at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set in the PCC rule is determined based on the uplink alternative QoS parameter set in the at least one alternative QoS parameter set indicating alternative service requirements, and the at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set in the PCC rule is determined based on the downlink alternative QoS parameter set in the at least one alternative QoS parameter set indicating alternative service requirements.

[0283] For example, in this step, the PCF or SMF will trigger the PDU session modification process.

[0284] In step S630, the SMF binds the PCC rule to a QoS flow and generates a first QoS configuration, at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration, and at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration based on the PCC rule. The SMF then sends these configurations to the RAN. Correspondingly, the RAN receives the first QoS configuration, at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration, and at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration from the SMF.

[0285] The first QoS configuration is determined based on the first QoS parameter set in the PCC rule, and the first QoS configuration includes uplink QoS parameters and downlink QoS parameters in the first QoS parameter set; at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration is determined based on at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set in the PCC rule, and at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration is determined based on at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set in the PCC rule, and an uplink alternative QoS configuration includes uplink QoS parameters in the corresponding uplink alternative QoS parameter set, and a downlink alternative QoS configuration includes downlink QoS parameters in the corresponding downlink alternative QoS parameter set.

[0286] For example, if a session modification process is triggered in S620, the SMF can complete the remaining PDU session modification process in that step.

[0287] S640, the RAN determines that the uplink QoS parameters and downlink QoS parameters in the first QoS configuration cannot be satisfied, and determines a first alternative QoS configuration in at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration, and determines a second alternative QoS configuration in at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration, wherein the RAN supports the uplink QoS parameters in the first alternative QoS configuration and the downlink QoS parameters in the second alternative QoS configuration.

[0288] For example, if at least one alternative QoS configuration has a priority order, then the first alternative QoS configuration is the configuration matched based on the priority of the QoS configuration among at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration, and the second alternative QoS configuration is the configuration matched based on the priority of the QoS configuration among at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration.

[0289] For example, the RAN can iterate through at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration and determine a suitable uplink alternative QoS configuration as the first alternative QoS configuration. Similarly, the RAN can iterate through at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration and determine a suitable downlink alternative QoS configuration as the second alternative QoS configuration.

[0290] In S650, the RAN sends a first QoS notification message to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the first QoS notification message from the RAN.

[0291] The first QoS notification message indicates that the RAN does not support the first QoS configuration. The first QoS notification message includes a first index value and a second index value. The first index value corresponds to the first alternative QoS configuration, and the second index value corresponds to the second alternative QoS configuration.

[0292] It is understandable that since the PCF generates a set of uplink and downlink alternative QoS parameters in the method, the first QoS notification message does not need to carry the direction information corresponding to the first index value and the second index value. The SMF can determine the direction information corresponding to the index value based on the index value.

[0293] In S660, the SMF sends a second QoS notification message to the PCF. Correspondingly, the PCF receives the second QoS notification message from the SMF.

[0294] The second QoS notification message indicates that the RAN does not support the first QoS parameter set, which corresponds to the first QoS configuration. The second QoS notification message includes a third index value and a fourth index value, which are respectively indices of the first alternative QoS parameter set and the second alternative QoS parameter set, corresponding to the first alternative QoS configuration and the second alternative QoS configuration, respectively.

[0295] It is understandable that the third and fourth index values ​​are indices to the first and second alternative QoS parameter sets stored between the PCF and SMF.

[0296] It is understandable that since the PCF generates a set of uplink and downlink alternative QoS parameters in the method, the second QoS notification message does not need to carry the direction information corresponding to the third and fourth index values. The PCF can determine the direction information corresponding to the index value based on the index value.

[0297] In S670, the PCF sends a third QoS notification message to the AF. Correspondingly, the AF receives the third QoS notification message from the PCF.

[0298] The third QoS notification message indicates that the RAN does not support the first QoS requirement, which corresponds to the first QoS parameter set. Additionally, the PCF will also carry QoS parameter-related information fed back by the SMF in the third QoS notification message. An example of the information carried in the third QoS notification message is given below.

[0299] In one implementation, the third QoS notification message includes a fifth index value and a sixth index value, which are respectively indices of the first alternative service requirement and the second alternative service requirement. The first alternative service requirement and the second alternative service requirement correspond to the first alternative QoS parameter set and the second alternative QoS parameter set, respectively.

[0300] It can be understood that the alternative QoS parameter set carried in the service request message sent by the AF to the PCF in this method includes uplink QoS parameters and downlink QoS parameters. The PCF generates uplink and downlink alternative QoS parameter sets based on the received alternative QoS parameter set. Therefore, based on this scheme, the fifth index value sent by the PCF to the AF corresponding to the first alternative service requirement can be understood as the first alternative service requirement corresponding to the third alternative QoS parameter set in at least one alternative QoS parameter set in S610. The first alternative QoS parameter set is an uplink alternative QoS parameter set generated based on the uplink alternative QoS parameters in the third alternative QoS parameter set. Similarly, the sixth index value sent by the PCF to the AF corresponding to the second alternative service requirement can be understood as the second alternative service requirement corresponding to the fourth alternative QoS parameter set in at least one alternative QoS parameter set in S610. The second alternative QoS parameter set is a downlink alternative QoS parameter set generated based on the downlink alternative QoS parameters in the fourth alternative QoS parameter set.

[0301] For example, the third QoS notification message can also carry the direction information corresponding to the fifth and sixth index values, or it can omit the direction information corresponding to the fifth and sixth index values ​​based on the default order.

[0302] In another implementation, the third QoS notification message includes a second QoS parameter set, which includes uplink QoS parameters supported by the RAN in the first alternative QoS parameter set and downlink QoS parameters supported by the RAN in the second alternative QoS parameter set.

[0303] In S680, the AF determines the QoS parameters that the RAN can currently support based on the third QoS notification message. Afterward, the AF can decide whether to initiate a QoS modification request.

[0304] In the above technical solution, the AF provides alternative service requests to the PCF, which includes one or more alternative QoS parameter sets. Each alternative QoS parameter set contains both uplink and downlink QoS parameters. The PCF generates PCC rules containing the uplink and downlink alternative QoS parameter sets based on the uplink and downlink alternative QoS parameters provided by the AF and sends them to the SMF. The SMF binds the PCC rules to a QoS flow and generates uplink and downlink alternative QoS configurations based on the PCC rules. When the RAN cannot guarantee that the first QoS configuration sends a QoS notification message to the SMF, the RAN can simultaneously feed back the corresponding uplink and downlink alternative QoS configuration indices to the SMF based on the uplink and downlink network conditions, thus enabling the AF to perceive the correct network conditions from the QoS notification information fed back by the SMF / PCF.

[0305] The specific procedures of method 300 have been described in detail above. This application proposes another communication method that can also effectively solve the technical problems of this application.

[0306] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the communication method 700 proposed in this application. The method includes the following steps.

[0307] It is understood that the methods provided in this application can be executed by various network elements / devices (e.g., access network equipment, session management function network elements, policy control function network elements, and application function network elements). Unless otherwise specified, "device / network element" in this application can refer to the device / network element itself, or a component within the device / network element (e.g., a processor, communication module, circuit responsible for communication functions, or chip (e.g., a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a SoC chip containing a modem core, or a SIP chip, etc.), or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the device / network element functions, or a device that can support the network element / device to implement the corresponding functions. This application does not limit this. For ease of description, this embodiment uses the access network equipment as RAN, the session management function network element as SMF, the policy control function network element as PCF, and the application function network element as AF as an example for description.

[0308] S710, the AF sends a first service request message and a second service request message to the PCF. Correspondingly, the PCF receives the first service request message and the second service request message from the AF.

[0309] The first service request message includes description information of the uplink service flow in the service data stream and the QoS requirements of the uplink service data stream. The QoS requirements of the uplink service data stream include uplink QoS requirements and a first alternative service requirement. The uplink QoS requirement indicates an uplink QoS parameter set, which includes a set of uplink QoS parameters. The first alternative service requirement indicates at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set, which includes a set of uplink QoS parameters.

[0310] The second service request message includes description information of the downlink service flow in the service data flow and QoS requirements of the downlink service data flow. The QoS requirements of the downlink service data flow include downlink QoS requirements and a second alternative service requirement. The downlink QoS requirement indicates a downlink QoS parameter set, which includes a set of downlink QoS parameters. The second alternative service requirement indicates at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set, which includes a set of downlink QoS parameters.

[0311] For example, a set of uplink QoS parameters includes uplink PDU Set QoS parameters, and a set of downlink QoS parameters includes downlink PDU Set QoS parameters. Further, for example, a set of uplink QoS parameters may also include uplink PDU-level QoS parameters, and a set of downlink QoS parameters may include downlink PDU-level QoS parameters.

[0312] For example, alternative service requirements may include an index to at least one alternative QoS parameter set, or they may include at least one alternative QoS parameter set itself, without limitation. The same description will not be repeated hereafter.

[0313] It is understood that the uplink or downlink service data flow here includes one or more sub-service flows, and the sub-service flows in the uplink or downlink service data flow can have the same QoS requirements as the service data flow.

[0314] In step S720, the PCF generates uplink PCC rules based on the first service request message and downlink PCC rules based on the second service request message, and sends these uplink and downlink PCC rules to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the uplink and downlink PCC rules from the PCF.

[0315] The uplink PCC rule contains an uplink QoS parameter set and at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set, while the downlink PCC rule contains a downlink QoS parameter set and at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set.

[0316] For example, in this step, the PCF or SMF will trigger the PDU session modification process.

[0317] In S730, the SMF binds uplink PCC rules to a first QoS flow and generates an uplink QoS configuration and at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration based on the uplink PCC rules. Similarly, it binds downlink PCC rules to a second QoS flow and generates a downlink QoS configuration and at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration based on the downlink PCC rules. The SMF then sends the uplink QoS configuration and at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration, as well as the downlink QoS configuration and at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration, to the RAN. Correspondingly, the RAN receives the uplink QoS configuration and at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration, as well as the downlink QoS configuration and at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration, from the SMF.

[0318] Specifically, the uplink QoS configuration is determined based on the uplink QoS parameter set in the uplink PCC rules, and therefore the uplink QoS configuration includes the uplink QoS parameters in the uplink QoS parameter set. At least one uplink alternative QoS configuration is determined based on at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set in the uplink PCC rules, and therefore an uplink alternative QoS configuration includes the uplink QoS parameters in the corresponding uplink alternative QoS parameter set. Similarly, the downlink QoS configuration is determined based on the downlink QoS parameter set in the downlink PCC rules, and therefore the downlink QoS configuration includes the downlink QoS parameters in the downlink QoS parameter set. At least one downlink alternative QoS configuration is determined based on at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set in the downlink PCC rules, and therefore an downlink alternative QoS configuration includes the downlink QoS parameters in the corresponding downlink alternative QoS parameter set.

[0319] For example, if a session modification process is triggered in S720, the SMF also needs to complete the remaining PDU session modification process in this step.

[0320] It is understandable that in this implementation, the two PCC rules are bound to different QoS flows, so subsequent operations are implemented in different QoS flows.

[0321] Optionally, the method 700 also includes S740 to S770.

[0322] S740: The RAN sends a first QoS notification message and a second QoS notification message to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the first QoS notification message and the second QoS notification message from the RAN.

[0323] The first QoS notification message indicates that the RAN cannot support the uplink QoS configuration. The first QoS notification message includes a first index value, which corresponds to a first alternative QoS configuration in at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration. The first alternative QoS configuration includes uplink QoS parameters supported by the RAN.

[0324] The second QoS notification message indicates that the RAN cannot support the downlink QoS configuration. The second QoS notification message includes a second index value, which corresponds to a second alternative QoS configuration in at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration. The second alternative QoS configuration includes downlink QoS parameters supported by the RAN.

[0325] Optionally, the first QoS notification message may also include information for identifying the QoS flow corresponding to the QoS notification message, and the second QoS notification message may also include information for identifying the QoS flow corresponding to the QoS notification message.

[0326] Optionally, before the RAN sends the first QoS notification message, the RAN determines that the uplink QoS configuration cannot be satisfied and determines the first alternative QoS configuration from at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration.

[0327] For example, if at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration has a priority order, then the first alternative QoS configuration is the highest priority configuration matched among the at least one uplink alternative QoS configurations based on the priority of the QoS configuration in descending order. It can be understood that the highest priority here refers to the configuration with the highest priority among the configurations supported by the access network device.

[0328] For example, the RAN can iterate through at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration and determine a suitable uplink alternative QoS configuration as the first alternative QoS configuration.

[0329] Optionally, before the RAN sends the second QoS notification message, the RAN determines that the downlink QoS configuration cannot be satisfied and determines a second alternative QoS configuration from at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration.

[0330] For example, if at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration has a priority order, then the second alternative QoS configuration is the highest priority configuration matched among the at least one downlink alternative QoS configurations based on the priority of the QoS configuration in descending order. It can be understood that the highest priority here refers to the configuration with the highest priority among the configurations supported by the access network device.

[0331] For example, the RAN can iterate through at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration and determine a suitable downlink alternative QoS configuration as the second alternative QoS configuration.

[0332] In the S750, the SMF sends a third QoS notification message and a fourth QoS notification message to the PCF. Correspondingly, the PCF receives the third QoS notification message and the fourth QoS notification message from the SMF.

[0333] The third QoS notification message indicates that the RAN cannot support the uplink QoS parameter set. The third QoS notification message includes a third index value, which corresponds to a first alternative QoS parameter set in at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set. The first alternative QoS parameter set corresponds to a first alternative QoS configuration.

[0334] The fourth QoS notification message indicates that the RAN cannot support the downlink QoS parameter set. The fourth QoS notification message includes a fourth index value, which corresponds to a second alternative QoS parameter set in at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set. The second alternative QoS parameter set corresponds to a second alternative QoS configuration.

[0335] Optionally, the third QoS notification message also includes information for identifying the PCC rule corresponding to the QoS notification message.

[0336] It is understandable that the third and fourth index values ​​are indices to the first and second alternative QoS parameter sets stored between the PCF and SMF.

[0337] In S760, the PCF sends a fifth QoS notification message and a sixth QoS notification message to the AF. Correspondingly, the AF receives the fifth and sixth QoS notification messages from the PCF.

[0338] The fifth QoS notification message indicates that the RAN does not support uplink QoS requirements, which correspond to the uplink QoS parameter set. Additionally, the PCF also carries QoS parameter-related information fed back by the SMF in the fifth QoS notification message. The following example illustrates the information carried in the fifth QoS notification message.

[0339] For example, the fifth QoS notification message includes a fifth index value, which corresponds to a first alternative service requirement, and the first alternative service requirement corresponds to a first alternative QoS parameter set.

[0340] For example, the fifth QoS notification message includes QoS parameters from the first set of alternative QoS parameters.

[0341] The sixth QoS notification message indicates that the RAN does not support downlink QoS requirements, which correspond to a downlink QoS parameter set. Additionally, the PCF will also carry QoS parameter-related information fed back by the SMF in the sixth QoS notification message. The following example illustrates the information carried in the sixth QoS notification message.

[0342] For example, the sixth QoS notification message includes a sixth index value, which corresponds to the second alternative service requirement and the first alternative service requirement, which in turn corresponds to the second alternative QoS parameter set.

[0343] For example, the sixth QoS notification message includes QoS parameters from the second set of alternative QoS parameters.

[0344] Optionally, the fifth QoS notification message may also include information for identifying the service data stream corresponding to the QoS notification message, and the sixth QoS notification message may also include information for identifying the service data stream corresponding to the QoS notification message.

[0345] In S770, the AF determines the QoS parameters that the RAN can currently support based on the fifth and sixth QoS notification messages. Afterward, the AF can decide whether to initiate a QoS modification request.

[0346] In the above technical solution, for uplink and downlink service data streams, the AF provides uplink alternative service requests and downlink alternative service requests respectively. Based on this, the PCF generates two PCC rules. Then, the SMF binds the two PCC rules to two QoS streams, and then generates a QoS configuration corresponding to each QoS stream and at least one alternative QoS configuration for each QoS stream and maps it to the corresponding QoS stream. In different QoS streams, when the RAN cannot guarantee that the corresponding QoS configuration sends a QoS notification message to the SMF, the RAN can feed back the index of the alternative QoS configuration in both directions to the SMF in the two QoS notification messages according to the RAN's status, so that the AF can perceive the correct network status from the QoS notification fed back by the SMF / PCF.

[0347] The specific procedures of method 700 have been described in detail above. In addition, this application proposes another communication method 800, which can also effectively solve the technical problems of this application.

[0348] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the communication method 800 proposed in this application. The method includes the following steps.

[0349] It is understood that the methods provided in this application can be executed by various network elements / devices (e.g., access network equipment, session management function network elements, policy control function network elements, and application function network elements). Unless otherwise specified, "device / network element" in this application can refer to the device / network element itself, or a component within the device / network element (e.g., a processor, communication module, circuit responsible for communication functions, or chip (e.g., a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a SoC chip containing a modem core, or a SIP chip, etc.), or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the device / network element functions, or a device that can support the network element / device to implement the corresponding functions. This application does not limit this. For ease of description, this embodiment uses the access network equipment as RAN, the session management function network element as SMF, the policy control function network element as PCF, and the application function network element as AF as an example for description.

[0350] S810, AF sends a service request message to PCF. The service request message includes a description of the service data stream and the QoS requirements of the service data stream. The QoS requirements of the service data stream include a first QoS requirement and alternative service requirements.

[0351] The first QoS requirement indicates the first QoS parameter set, which includes a set of uplink QoS parameters and a set of downlink QoS parameters.

[0352] The alternative service requirement indicates at least one alternative QoS parameter set, which includes a set of uplink QoS parameters and a set of downlink QoS parameters.

[0353] For example, a set of uplink QoS parameters includes uplink PDU Set QoS parameters, and a set of downlink QoS parameters includes downlink PDU Set QoS parameters. Further, for example, a set of uplink QoS parameters may also include uplink PDU-level QoS parameters, and a set of downlink QoS parameters may include downlink PDU-level QoS parameters.

[0354] It is understood that the business data flow here includes one or more sub-business flows, and one or more sub-business flows can have the same QoS requirements as the business data flow.

[0355] In step S820, the PCF generates uplink PCC rules and downlink PCC rules based on the service request message, and sends these rules to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the uplink and downlink PCC rules from the PCF.

[0356] The uplink PCC rule includes an uplink QoS parameter set and at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set, while the downlink PCC rule includes a downlink QoS parameter set and at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set. The uplink QoS parameter set includes uplink QoS parameters from a first QoS parameter set, and the downlink QoS parameter set includes downlink QoS parameters from the first QoS parameter set. The at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set in the uplink PCC rule is obtained by the PCF generating one uplink alternative QoS parameter set and one uplink alternative QoS parameter set from the downlink alternative QoS parameter set based on each alternative QoS parameter set in the at least one alternative QoS parameter set in the service request message. Similarly, the at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set in the downlink PCC rule is obtained by the PCF generating one uplink alternative QoS parameter set and one downlink alternative QoS parameter set from each alternative QoS parameter set in the at least one alternative QoS parameter set in the service request message. One uplink alternative QoS parameter set in the PCC rule includes the uplink QoS parameters from the corresponding alternative QoS parameter set in the service request message, and one downlink alternative QoS parameter set includes the downlink QoS parameters from the corresponding alternative QoS parameter set in the service request message.

[0357] For example, in this step, the PCF or SMF will trigger the PDU session modification process.

[0358] In step S830, the SMF binds uplink PCC rules to a first QoS flow, generates an uplink QoS configuration and at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration based on the uplink PCC rules, and maps the uplink QoS configuration and at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration to the first QoS flow. Similarly, the SMF binds downlink PCC rules to a second QoS flow, generates a downlink QoS configuration and at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration based on the downlink PCC rules, maps the downlink QoS configuration and at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration to the second QoS flow, and sends the uplink QoS configuration and at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration, as well as the downlink QoS configuration and at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration, to the RAN. Correspondingly, the RAN receives the uplink QoS configuration and at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration, as well as the downlink QoS configuration and at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration, from the SMF.

[0359] Specifically, the uplink QoS configuration is determined based on the uplink QoS parameter set in the uplink PCC rules, and therefore the uplink QoS configuration includes the uplink QoS parameters in the uplink QoS parameter set. At least one uplink alternative QoS configuration is determined based on at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set in the uplink PCC rules, and therefore an uplink alternative QoS configuration includes the uplink QoS parameters in the corresponding uplink alternative QoS parameter set. Similarly, the downlink QoS configuration is determined based on the downlink QoS parameter set in the downlink PCC rules, and therefore the downlink QoS configuration includes the downlink QoS parameters in the downlink QoS parameter set. At least one downlink alternative QoS configuration is determined based on at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set in the downlink PCC rules, and therefore an downlink alternative QoS configuration includes the downlink QoS parameters in the corresponding downlink alternative QoS parameter set.

[0360] For example, if a session modification process is triggered in S820, the SMF also needs to complete the remaining PDU session modification process in this step.

[0361] It is understandable that in this implementation, the two PCC rules are bound to different QoS flows, so subsequent operations are implemented in different QoS flows.

[0362] Optionally, the method 800 also includes S840 to S870.

[0363] S840, the RAN sends QoS notification message #1 and QoS notification message #2 to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives QoS notification message #1 and QoS notification message #2 from the RAN.

[0364] The QoS notification message #1 indicates that the RAN cannot support the uplink QoS configuration. The QoS notification message #1 includes an index value #1, which is the index value associated with the first alternative QoS configuration in at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration. The index value #1 indicates that the RAN supports the first alternative QoS configuration.

[0365] The QoS notification message #2 indicates that the RAN cannot support the downlink QoS configuration. The QoS notification message #2 includes an index value #2, which is an index value associated with the second alternative QoS configuration in at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration. The index value #2 indicates that the RAN supports the second alternative QoS configuration.

[0366] It is understandable that the order in which QoS notification messages #1 and #2 are sent is not limited; they can be sent simultaneously or at different times.

[0367] Optionally, QoS notification message #1 may also include information for identifying the QoS flow corresponding to the QoS notification message, and QoS notification message #2 may also include information for identifying the QoS flow corresponding to the QoS notification message.

[0368] Optionally, before the RAN sends QoS notification message #1, the RAN determines that the uplink QoS configuration cannot be satisfied and determines a first alternative QoS configuration from at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration.

[0369] For example, if at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration has a priority order, then the first alternative QoS configuration is the configuration matched based on the priority of the QoS configuration among the at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration.

[0370] For example, the RAN can iterate through at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration and determine a suitable uplink alternative QoS configuration as the first alternative QoS configuration.

[0371] Optionally, before the RAN sends QoS notification message #2, the RAN determines that the downlink QoS configuration cannot be satisfied and determines a second alternative QoS configuration from at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration.

[0372] For example, if at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration has a priority order, then the second alternative QoS configuration is the configuration matched based on the priority of the QoS configuration among the at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration.

[0373] For example, the RAN can iterate through at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration and determine a suitable downlink alternative QoS configuration as the second alternative QoS configuration.

[0374] In S850, the SMF sends QoS notification messages #3 and #4 to the PCF. Correspondingly, the PCF receives QoS notification messages #3 and #4 from the SMF.

[0375] Among them, QoS notification message #3 indicates that the RAN cannot support the uplink QoS parameter set. QoS notification message #3 includes index value #3, which corresponds to the first alternative QoS parameter set in at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set. The first alternative QoS parameter set corresponds to the first alternative QoS configuration.

[0376] Among them, QoS notification message #4 indicates that the RAN cannot support the downlink QoS parameter set. QoS notification message #4 includes index value #4, which corresponds to the second alternative QoS parameter set in at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set. The second alternative QoS parameter set corresponds to the second alternative QoS configuration.

[0377] It can be understood that index values ​​#3 and #4 are indices of the first and second alternative QoS parameter sets stored between the PCF and SMF.

[0378] Optionally, QoS notification message #3 may also include information for identifying the PCC rule corresponding to the QoS notification message, and QoS notification message #4 may also include information for identifying the PCC rule corresponding to the QoS notification message.

[0379] S860, PCF sends QoS notification message #5 to AF. Correspondingly, AF receives QoS notification message #5 from PCF.

[0380] QoS notification message #5 indicates that the RAN does not support the first QoS requirement. Additionally, the PCF will also carry QoS parameter-related information fed back by the SMF in QoS notification message #5. The following example illustrates the information carried in QoS notification message #5.

[0381] In one implementation, the QoS notification message #5 includes index value #5 and index value #6, wherein index value #5 corresponds to a first alternative service requirement, the first QoS requirement corresponds to a first alternative QoS parameter set, and index value #6 corresponds to a second alternative service requirement, the second alternative service requirement corresponds to a second alternative QoS parameter set.

[0382] For example, QoS notification message #5 can also carry the direction information corresponding to index values ​​#5 and #6, or it can omit the direction information corresponding to index values ​​#5 and #6 based on the default order.

[0383] For example, QoS notification message #5 can also carry information to identify the service data stream corresponding to the QoS notification message.

[0384] Specifically, index value #5 corresponding to the first alternative service requirement can be understood as the first alternative service requirement corresponding to the third alternative QoS parameter set in at least one alternative QoS parameter set in S810. The first alternative QoS parameter set is an uplink alternative QoS parameter set generated based on the uplink alternative QoS parameters in the third alternative QoS parameter set. Similarly, index value #6 corresponding to the second alternative QoS requirement can be understood as the second alternative QoS requirement corresponding to the fourth alternative QoS parameter set in at least one alternative QoS parameter set in S810. The second alternative QoS parameter set is a downlink alternative QoS parameter set generated based on the downlink alternative QoS parameters in the fourth alternative QoS parameter set.

[0385] In another implementation, QoS notification message #5 includes QoS parameters from a first set of alternative QoS parameters and a second set of alternative QoS parameters.

[0386] In S870, the AF determines the QoS parameters that the RAN can currently support based on QoS notification message #5. Afterward, the AF can decide whether to initiate a QoS modification request.

[0387] In the above technical solution, the AF provides the PCF with alternative service requests, which include one or more alternative QoS parameter sets. Each alternative QoS parameter set contains both uplink and downlink QoS parameters. After receiving the alternative QoS parameter sets provided by the AF, the PCF segments them in the uplink and downlink directions, generates uplink PCC rules containing uplink QoS parameters and downlink PCC rules containing downlink QoS parameters, and sends them to the SMF. The SMF determines to bind the two PCC rules to two QoS flows, and then generates QoS configurations corresponding to each QoS flow and at least one alternative QoS configuration for each QoS flow. In different QoS flows, when the RAN sends a QoS notification message to the SMF, it can carry the alternative QoS configuration matched according to the RAN status, so that the AF can perceive the correct network status from the QoS notification information fed back by the SMF / PCF.

[0388] It is understood that the steps in the above figures are merely illustrative and are not intended to be strictly limited. Furthermore, the sequence numbers of the processes described above do not imply a specific order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0389] It is also understood that some optional features in the various embodiments of this application may not depend on other features in some scenarios, or may be combined with other features in some scenarios, without limitation.

[0390] It is also understood that in the above method embodiments, the methods and operations implemented by devices / network elements (such as access network devices, session management function network elements, policy control function network elements, and application function network elements) can also be implemented by components of the devices (such as chips, circuits, or chip systems), without limitation.

[0391] The above text combined Figures 1 to 8 The present application provides a detailed description of the method embodiments, which will be discussed below in conjunction with... Figure 9 and Figure 10 This describes an embodiment of the apparatus described in this application. It is understood that, in order to achieve the functions described in the above embodiments, Figure 9 and Figure 10 The apparatus includes hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to perform various functions. Those skilled in the art will 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. It is understood that the technical features described in the above method embodiments are also applicable to the following apparatus embodiments.

[0392] Figure 9 and Figure 10 The diagram illustrates the possible apparatus structures provided for embodiments of this application. These apparatuses can be used to implement the functions of the devices / network elements (e.g., access network devices, session management function network elements, policy control function network elements, and application function network elements) in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments.

[0393] Figure 9 This is a schematic block diagram of the communication device 1000 provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 9 As shown, the device 1000 may include a communication unit 1010 and a processing unit 1020. The communication unit 1010 can communicate with external devices, and the processing unit 1020 can be used for processing, such as determining QoS notification messages. The communication unit 1010 may also be referred to as a communication interface or a communication unit.

[0394] Optionally, the device 1000 may further include a storage unit, which can be used to store instructions and / or data, and the processing unit 1020 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage unit to enable the device to implement the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0395] In a first possible design, the device 1000 could be a wireless access network device as described in the preceding embodiments, such as... Figures 3 to 6The RAN in the illustrated embodiment. The device 1000 can implement the steps or processes performed by the radio access network device corresponding to the method embodiment. Specifically, the communication unit 1010 can be used to perform transmit / receive related operations of the radio access network device in the above method embodiment (such as sending and / or receiving data or messages), and the processing unit 1020 can be used to perform processing related operations of the radio access network device in the above method embodiment, or operations other than transmit / receive (such as operations other than sending and / or receiving data or messages).

[0396] In one possible implementation, the communication unit 1010 is configured to receive a first Quality of Service (QoS) configuration and at least one alternative QoS configuration from a session management function network element. The first QoS configuration includes uplink QoS parameters and downlink QoS parameters, and the at least one alternative QoS configuration includes at least one set of uplink QoS parameters and at least one set of downlink QoS parameters. The communication unit 1010 is further configured to send a first QoS notification message to the session management function network element. The first QoS notification message indicates that the access network device does not support the first QoS configuration. The first QoS notification message includes a first index value and a second index value. The first index value corresponds to the first alternative QoS configuration among the at least one alternative QoS configuration, and the second index value corresponds to the second alternative QoS configuration among the at least one alternative QoS configuration. The first alternative QoS configuration includes uplink QoS parameters supported by the access network device, and the second alternative QoS configuration includes downlink QoS parameters supported by the access network device.

[0397] Optionally, at least one alternative QoS configuration includes uplink QoS parameters and downlink QoS parameters.

[0398] Optionally, the first QoS notification message may also include uplink information corresponding to the first index value and downlink information corresponding to the second index value.

[0399] Optionally, the first alternative QoS configuration and the second alternative QoS configuration are configurations matched based on the priority of QoS configuration among at least one alternative QoS configuration.

[0400] Optionally, at least one alternative QoS configuration includes at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration and at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration. The uplink alternative QoS configuration includes a set of uplink QoS parameters, and the downlink alternative QoS configuration includes a set of downlink QoS parameters. The first alternative QoS configuration is the configuration matched in at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration, and the second alternative QoS configuration is the configuration matched in at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration.

[0401] Optionally, the first alternative QoS configuration is a configuration matched based on the priority of QoS configuration among at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration, and the second alternative QoS configuration is a configuration matched based on the priority of QoS configuration among at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration.

[0402] In a second possible design, the device 1000 could be the policy control function network element in the aforementioned embodiments, such as... Figures 3 to 6 The PCF in the illustrated embodiment is, for example... Figure 8 The PCF in the illustrated embodiment. The device 1000 can implement the steps or processes corresponding to the policy control function network element executed in the above method embodiment. Specifically, the communication unit 1010 can be used to execute operations related to the transmission and reception of the policy control function network element in the above method embodiment (such as sending and / or receiving data or messages), and the processing unit 1020 can be used to execute processing-related operations of the policy control function network element in the above method embodiment, or operations other than transmission and reception (such as operations other than sending and / or receiving data or messages).

[0403] In one possible design, communication unit 1010 receives a second Quality of Service (QoS) notification message from a session management function network element. The second QoS notification message indicates that the access network device does not support a first QoS parameter set. The second QoS notification message includes a third index value and a fourth index value. The third index value corresponds to a first alternative QoS parameter set, which includes uplink QoS parameters supported by the access network device. The fourth index value corresponds to a second alternative QoS parameter set, which includes downlink QoS parameters supported by the access network device. The first QoS parameter set includes both uplink and downlink QoS parameters. The first and second alternative QoS parameter sets each include at least one set of uplink QoS parameters and at least one set of downlink QoS parameters. Unit 1010 is further configured to send a third QoS notification message to the application function network element. The third QoS notification message indicates that the access network device does not support the first QoS requirement. The first QoS requirement corresponds to the first QoS parameter set. The third QoS notification message includes a fifth index value and a sixth index value. The fifth index value and the sixth index value are respectively the indices of the first alternative QoS requirement and the second alternative QoS requirement. The first alternative QoS requirement corresponds to the first alternative QoS parameter set, and the second alternative QoS requirement corresponds to the second alternative QoS parameter set. Alternatively, the third QoS notification message includes the second QoS parameter set, which includes uplink QoS parameters supported by the access network device in the first alternative QoS parameter set and downlink QoS parameters supported by the access network device in the second alternative QoS parameter set.

[0404] Optionally, the QoS parameter sets in the first and second alternative QoS parameter sets include uplink QoS parameters and downlink QoS parameters.

[0405] Optionally, the second QoS notification message also includes uplink information corresponding to the third index value and downlink information corresponding to the fourth index value, and the third QoS notification message also includes uplink information corresponding to the fifth index value and downlink information corresponding to the sixth index value.

[0406] Optionally, the first alternative QoS parameter set is an uplink alternative QoS parameter set, which includes a set of uplink QoS parameters, and the second alternative QoS parameter set is a downlink alternative QoS parameter set, which includes a set of downlink QoS parameters.

[0407] Optionally, the communication unit 1010 is further configured to receive a service request message from an application function network element. The service request message includes description information of the service data stream and QoS requirements of the service data stream. The QoS requirements include alternative service requirements, which indicate at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set and at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set. The uplink alternative QoS parameter set includes uplink QoS parameters, and the downlink alternative QoS parameter set includes downlink QoS parameters. The processing unit 1020 is configured to generate PCC rules based on the service request message. The PCC rules include at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set and at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set. The at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set includes a first alternative QoS parameter set, and the at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set includes a second alternative QoS parameter set. The communication unit 1010 is further configured to send the PCC rules to the session management function network element.

[0408] Optionally, the communication unit 1010 is further configured to receive a service request message from an application function network element. The service request message includes a description of the service data stream and the QoS requirements of the service data stream. The QoS requirements include alternative service requirements, and the alternative service requirements indicate at least one alternative QoS parameter set. The alternative QoS parameter set includes uplink QoS parameters and downlink QoS parameters. The processing unit 1020 is configured to generate PCC rules based on the service request message. The PCC rules include at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set and at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set. The at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set is obtained based on the uplink alternative QoS parameter set in the at least one alternative QoS parameter set. The at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set is obtained based on the downlink alternative QoS parameter set in the at least one alternative QoS parameter set. The at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set includes a first alternative QoS parameter set, and the at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set includes a second alternative QoS parameter set. The communication unit 1010 is further configured to send the PCC rules to the session management function network element.

[0409] Optionally, the fifth index value corresponds to the third alternative QoS parameter set in the at least one alternative QoS parameter set mentioned above, the third alternative QoS parameter set corresponds to the first alternative QoS parameter set, and the sixth index value corresponds to the fourth alternative QoS parameter set in the at least one alternative QoS parameter set mentioned above, the fourth alternative QoS parameter set corresponds to the second alternative QoS parameter set.

[0410] Optionally, the third QoS notification message may also include uplink information corresponding to the fifth index value and downlink information corresponding to the sixth index value.

[0411] In another possible design, the communication unit 1010 is configured to receive a service request message from an application function network element. The service request message includes a description of the service data stream and the Quality of Service (QoS) requirements for the service data stream. The QoS requirements include a first QoS requirement and alternative service requirements. The first QoS requirement indicates a first QoS parameter set, which includes uplink QoS parameters and downlink QoS parameters. The alternative service requirements indicate at least one alternative QoS parameter set, which includes uplink QoS parameters and downlink QoS parameters. The processing unit 1020 is configured to generate uplink PCC rules and downlink PCC rules based on the service request message. The uplink PCC rules include the uplink QoS parameter set and at least one alternative QoS parameter set. The uplink alternative QoS parameter set and the downlink PCC rule include the downlink QoS parameter set and at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set. The uplink QoS parameter set includes the uplink QoS parameters in the first QoS parameter set, and the downlink QoS parameter set includes the downlink QoS parameters in the first QoS parameter set. The at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set and the at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set are obtained based on the uplink alternative QoS parameter set and the downlink alternative QoS parameter set in the at least one alternative QoS parameter set, respectively. The communication unit 1010 is also used to send the uplink PCC rule and the downlink PCC rule to the session management function network element, wherein the uplink PCC rule is used for binding the first QoS flow and the downlink PCC rule is used for binding with the second QoS flow.

[0412] Optionally, the communication unit 1010 is further configured to receive a first QoS notification message and a second QoS notification message from a session management function network element. The first QoS notification message indicates that the access network device cannot support an uplink QoS parameter set. The first QoS notification message includes a first index value, which corresponds to a first alternative QoS parameter set in at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set. The first alternative QoS parameter set includes uplink QoS parameters supported by the access network device. The uplink QoS parameter set and the first alternative QoS parameter set correspond to a first QoS flow. The second QoS notification message indicates that the access network device cannot support a downlink QoS parameter set. The second QoS notification message includes a second index value, which corresponds to a second alternative QoS parameter set in at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set. The QoS parameter set includes downlink QoS parameters supported by the access network device. The downlink QoS parameter set and the second QoS alternative parameter set correspond to the second QoS flow. The communication unit 1010 is also used to send a third QoS notification message to the application function network element. The third QoS notification message indicates that the access network device cannot support the uplink QoS parameter set and the downlink QoS parameter set. The third QoS notification message includes a third index value and a fourth index value, which correspond to the indices of the first alternative QoS requirement and the second alternative QoS requirement. The first alternative QoS requirement corresponds to the first alternative QoS parameter set, and the second alternative QoS requirement corresponds to the second alternative QoS parameter set. Alternatively, the third QoS notification message includes uplink QoS parameters from the first alternative QoS parameter set and downlink QoS parameters from the second alternative QoS parameter set.

[0413] Optionally, the third index value is the index of the parameter set corresponding to the first candidate QoS parameter set in at least one candidate QoS parameter set, and the fourth index value is the index of the parameter set corresponding to the second candidate QoS parameter set in at least one candidate QoS parameter set.

[0414] Optionally, the third QoS notification message may also include uplink information corresponding to the third index value and downlink information corresponding to the fourth index value.

[0415] In a third possible design, the device 1000 could be an application function network element as described in the aforementioned embodiments, such as... Figure 7 The AF in the illustrated embodiment. The device 1000 can implement the steps or processes executed by the application function network element corresponding to the method embodiment above. Specifically, the communication unit 1010 can be used to execute operations related to the transmission and reception of the application function network element in the method embodiment above (such as sending and / or receiving data or messages), and the processing unit 1020 can be used to execute processing-related operations of the application function network element in the method embodiment above, or operations other than transmission and reception (such as operations other than sending and / or receiving data or messages).

[0416] In one possible design, the communication unit 1010 is used to send a first service request message and a second service request message to the policy control function network element. The first service request message includes description information of the uplink service flow in the service data stream and the Quality of Service (QoS) requirements of the uplink service data stream. The QoS requirements of the uplink service data stream include uplink QoS requirements and a first alternative service requirement. The uplink QoS requirement indicates an uplink QoS parameter set, which includes uplink QoS parameters. The first alternative service requirement indicates at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set, which includes uplink QoS parameters. The S-parameter set and at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set correspond to the first QoS stream. The second service request message includes the description information of the downlink service stream in the service data stream and the QoS requirements of the downlink service data stream. The QoS requirements of the downlink service data stream include the downlink QoS requirements and the second alternative service requirements. The downlink QoS requirements indicate the downlink QoS parameter set, which includes downlink QoS parameters. The second alternative service requirements indicate at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set, which includes downlink QoS parameters. The downlink QoS parameter set and at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set correspond to the second QoS stream.

[0417] Optionally, the communication unit 1010 is further configured to receive a third QoS notification message and a fourth QoS notification message from the policy control function network element. The third QoS notification message indicates that the access network device cannot support uplink QoS requirements, and the fourth QoS notification message indicates that the access network device cannot support downlink QoS requirements. The third QoS notification message includes a third index value, which corresponds to a first alternative QoS parameter set in at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set. The fourth QoS notification message includes a fourth index value, which corresponds to a second alternative QoS parameter set in at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set. The processing unit 1020 is configured to determine the QoS parameters that the access network device can support based on the third QoS notification message and the fourth QoS notification message.

[0418] A fourth possible design is that the device 1000 can be the session management function network element in the aforementioned embodiments, such as... Figure 7The illustrated embodiment shows the SMF. The device 1000 can implement the steps or processes corresponding to the session management function network element executed in the above method embodiment. Specifically, the communication unit 1010 can be used to execute operations related to sending and receiving (such as sending and / or receiving data or messages) of the session management function network element in the above method embodiment, and the processing unit 1020 can be used to execute processing-related operations of the session management function network element in the above method embodiment, or operations other than sending and receiving (such as operations other than sending and / or receiving data or messages).

[0419] In one possible design, the communication unit 1010 is configured to receive uplink PCC rules and downlink PCC rules from the policy control function network element. The uplink PCC rules include an uplink QoS parameter set and at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set, and the downlink PCC rules include a downlink QoS parameter set and at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set. Both the uplink QoS parameter set and the uplink alternative QoS parameter set include a set of uplink QoS parameters, and both the downlink QoS parameter set and the downlink alternative QoS parameter set include corresponding downlink QoS parameters. The uplink PCC rules are used to bind to a first QoS flow, and the downlink PCC rules are used to bind to a second QoS flow. The processing unit 1020 is configured to generate an uplink QoS configuration and at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set based on the uplink PCC rules. An uplink alternative QoS configuration, the uplink QoS configuration including QoS parameters in an uplink QoS parameter set, each of the at least one uplink alternative QoS configurations including at least one QoS parameter in an uplink alternative QoS parameter set, and generating a downlink QoS configuration and at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration based on downlink PCC rules, the downlink QoS configuration including QoS parameters in a downlink QoS parameter set, each of the at least one downlink alternative QoS configurations including at least one QoS parameter in a downlink alternative QoS parameter set; the communication unit 1010 is further configured to send the uplink QoS configuration and at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration, as well as the downlink QoS configuration and at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration, to the access network device.

[0420] Optionally, the communication unit 1010 is further configured to receive a first QoS notification message and a second QoS notification message from the access network device, wherein the first QoS notification message indicates that the access network device cannot support uplink QoS configuration, the first QoS notification message includes a first index value, the first index value corresponds to a first alternative QoS configuration in at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration, the first alternative QoS configuration includes uplink QoS parameters supported by the access network device, and the second QoS notification message indicates that the access network device cannot support downlink QoS configuration, the second QoS notification message includes a second index value, the second index value corresponds to a second alternative QoS configuration in at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration, the second alternative QoS configuration includes downlink QoS parameters supported by the access network device. The communication unit 1010 is further configured to send a third QoS notification message and a fourth QoS notification message to the policy control function network element. The third QoS notification message indicates that the access network device cannot support the uplink QoS parameter set, and the fourth QoS notification message indicates that the access network device cannot support the downlink QoS parameter set. The third QoS notification message includes a third index value, which corresponds to a first alternative QoS parameter set in at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set, and the first alternative QoS parameter set corresponds to a first alternative QoS configuration. The fourth QoS notification message includes a fourth index value, which corresponds to a second alternative QoS parameter set in at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set, and the second alternative QoS parameter set corresponds to a second alternative QoS configuration.

[0421] It should be understood that the specific process of each unit performing the above-mentioned corresponding steps has been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0422] It is understood that the device 1000 here is embodied in the form of a functional unit. The term "unit" here can refer to an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), electronic circuitry, a processor (e.g., a shared processor, a proprietary processor, or a group processor, etc.) and memory for executing one or more software or firmware programs, combined logic circuitry, and / or other suitable components supporting the described functions. In an alternative example, those skilled in the art will understand that the device 1000 can specifically be a device / network element in the above embodiments, and can be used to execute the various processes and / or steps corresponding to the device / network element (e.g., access network device, session management function network element, policy control function network element, application function network element) in the above method embodiments. To avoid repetition, these will not be described again here.

[0423] The apparatus 1000 of each of the above schemes has the function of implementing the corresponding steps performed by the devices / network elements (e.g., access network devices, session management function network elements, policy control function network elements, application function network elements) in the above methods. The functions can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions; for example, a communication unit can be replaced by a transceiver (e.g., the sending unit in the communication unit can be replaced by a transmitter, and the receiving unit in the communication unit can be replaced by a receiver), and other units, such as processing units, can be replaced by processors, respectively executing the transmission and reception operations and related processing operations in each method embodiment.

[0424] Furthermore, the aforementioned communication unit can also be a transceiver circuit (e.g., it may include a receiving circuit and a transmitting circuit), and the processing unit can be a processing circuit. In embodiments of this application, Figure 9 The device mentioned can be the equipment / network element in the foregoing embodiments (e.g., access network equipment, session management function network element, policy control function network element, application function network element), or it can be a chip or chip system, such as a system on chip (SoC). The communication unit can be an input / output circuit or a communication interface; the processing unit is a processor, microprocessor, or integrated circuit integrated on the chip. No limitations are imposed here.

[0425] Figure 10 This is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 1100 provided in an embodiment of this application. The device 1100 includes a processor 1110 and a transceiver 1120. The processor 1110 and the transceiver 1120 communicate with each other through an internal connection path. The processor 1110 is used to execute instructions to control the transceiver 1120 to transmit and / or receive signals.

[0426] Optionally, the device 1100 may further include a memory 1130, which communicates with the processor 1110 and the transceiver 1120 via an internal connection path. The memory 1130 stores instructions, and the processor 1110 can execute the instructions stored in the memory 1130. In one possible implementation, the device 1100 is used to implement the various processes and steps corresponding to the devices / network elements (e.g., access network devices, session management function network elements, policy control function network elements, and application function network elements) in the above method embodiments.

[0427] Optionally, the memory 1130 may be integrated into the processor 1110.

[0428] In one possible scenario, device 1100 includes at least one processor with integrated memory, and other memory besides the memory integrated on the processor.

[0429] It is understood that the device 1100 can specifically be a device / network element (e.g., access network device, session management function network element, policy control function network element, application function network element) in the above embodiments, or it can be a chip or chip system. Correspondingly, the transceiver 1120 can be the transceiver circuit of the chip, which is not limited here. Specifically, the device 1100 can be used to execute the various steps and / or processes corresponding to the device / network element in the above method embodiments.

[0430] Optionally, the memory 1130 may include read-only memory and random access memory, and provide instructions and data to the processor. The memory may include non-volatile random access memory. For example, the memory may also store device type information. The processor 1110 may be used to execute instructions stored in the memory, and when the processor 1110 executes instructions stored in the memory, the processor 1110 is used to perform the various steps and / or processes of the method embodiments corresponding to the device / network element described above.

[0431] Optionally, the memory (e.g., 1130) in this embodiment may be integrated into the processor (e.g., 1110).

[0432] In implementation, each step of the above method can be completed by integrated logic circuits in the processor's hardware or by instructions in software. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly implemented by a hardware processor, or by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor. The software modules can reside in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. This storage medium is located in memory, and the processor reads information from the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above method. To avoid repetition, detailed descriptions are omitted here.

[0433] It should be noted that the processor in the embodiments of this application can be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. During implementation, each step of the above method embodiments can be completed by the integrated logic circuitry in the processor's hardware or by instructions in software form. The processor can be a general-purpose processor, digital signal processing (DSP), ASIC, field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. The processor in the embodiments of this application can implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware decoding processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software modules can be located in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. This storage medium is located in memory; the processor reads information from the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above methods.

[0434] It is understood that the memory in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory used in the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0435] It should be noted that when the processor is a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, or discrete hardware component, the memory (storage module) can be integrated into the processor.

[0436] It should also be noted that the memory described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0437] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of a chip system 1200 provided in an embodiment of this application. The chip system 1200 (or may also be referred to as a processing system) includes logic circuitry 1210 and an input / output interface 1220.

[0438] The logic circuit 1210 can be a processing circuit in the chip system 1200. The logic circuit 1210 can be coupled to a memory unit, calling instructions from the memory unit, enabling the chip system 1200 to implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application. The input / output interface 1220 can be an input / output circuit in the chip system 1200, outputting processed information from the chip system 1200, or inputting data or signaling information to be processed into the chip system 1200 for processing.

[0439] As one approach, the chip system 1200 is used to implement the operations performed by devices / network elements (e.g., access network devices, session management function network elements, policy control function network elements, application function network elements) in the various method embodiments described above.

[0440] For example, logic circuit 1210 is used to implement processing-related operations performed by devices / network elements (e.g., access network devices, session management function network elements, policy control function network elements, application function network elements) in the above method embodiments; input / output interface 1220 is used to implement sending and / or receiving-related operations performed by devices / network elements (e.g., access network devices, session management function network elements, policy control function network elements, application function network elements) in the above method embodiments.

[0441] In addition, this application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions, which, when executed on a computer, cause the operations and / or processes performed by devices / network elements (e.g., access network devices, session management function network elements, policy control function network elements, application function network elements) in the various method embodiments of this application to be executed.

[0442] This application also provides a computer program product, which includes computer program code or instructions. When the computer program code or instructions are run on a computer, the operations and / or processes performed by devices / network elements (e.g., access network devices, session management function network elements, policy control function network elements, application function network elements) in the various method embodiments of this application are executed.

[0443] Furthermore, this application also provides a chip including a processor. A memory for storing a computer program is provided independently of the chip, and the processor is used to execute the computer program stored in the memory so that operations and / or processes performed by a device / network element (e.g., access network device, session management function network element, policy control function network element, application function network element) in any method embodiment are executed.

[0444] Furthermore, the chip may also include a communication interface. The communication interface may be an input / output interface or an interface circuit, etc. Furthermore, the chip may also include a memory.

[0445] In addition, this application also provides a communication system, which includes at least one of the following in the above embodiments: access network equipment, session management function network element, policy control function network element, and application function network element. Optionally, the communication system may also include other equipment or network elements, such as other core network elements.

[0446] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented 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 each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application. Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here. In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for example, the division of units is merely a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the displayed or discussed mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms. The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs. Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0447] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, ROM, RAM, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0448] It is understood that the term "embodiment" used throughout the specification means that a specific feature, structure, or characteristic related to an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of this application. Therefore, various embodiments throughout the specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, these specific features, structures, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0449] It can also be understood that in this application, "when," "if," and "if" all refer to the network element making corresponding processing under certain objective circumstances, and are not time-limited, nor do they require the network element to make a judgment when it is implemented, nor do they mean that there are other limitations.

[0450] It can also be understood that in the various embodiments of this application, "B corresponding to A" means that B is associated with A, and B can be determined based on A. However, it can also be understood that determining B based on A does not mean that B is determined solely based on A; B can also be determined based on A and / or other information.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to the access network side and includes: The system receives a first Quality of Service (QoS) configuration and at least one alternative QoS configuration from a session management function network element. The first QoS configuration includes uplink QoS parameters and downlink QoS parameters, and the at least one alternative QoS configuration includes at least one set of uplink QoS parameters and at least one set of downlink QoS parameters. A first QoS notification message is sent to the session management function network element. The first QoS notification message indicates that the access network device does not support the first QoS configuration. The first QoS notification message includes a first index value and a second index value. The first index value corresponds to a first alternative QoS configuration among the at least one alternative QoS configurations. The second index value corresponds to a second alternative QoS configuration among the at least one alternative QoS configurations. The first alternative QoS configuration includes uplink QoS parameters supported by the access network device. The second alternative QoS configuration includes downlink QoS parameters supported by the access network device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The at least one alternative QoS configuration includes uplink QoS parameters and downlink QoS parameters.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first QoS notification message also includes uplink information corresponding to the first index value and downlink information corresponding to the second index value.

4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first alternative QoS configuration and the second alternative QoS configuration are configurations matched based on the priority of the QoS configuration among the at least one alternative QoS configuration.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The at least one alternative QoS configuration includes at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration and at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration. The uplink alternative QoS configuration includes a set of uplink QoS parameters. The downlink alternative QoS configuration includes a set of downlink QoS parameters, wherein the first alternative QoS configuration is the configuration matched in the at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration, and the second alternative QoS configuration is the configuration matched in the at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first alternative QoS configuration is the configuration matched based on the priority of QoS configuration among the at least one uplink alternative QoS configuration, and the second alternative QoS configuration is the configuration matched based on the priority of QoS configuration among the at least one downlink alternative QoS configuration.

7. A communication method, characterized in that, include: The access network device receives a second Quality of Service (QoS) notification message from a session management function network element. The second QoS notification message indicates that the access network device does not support a first QoS parameter set. The second QoS notification message includes a third index value and a fourth index value. The third index value corresponds to a first alternative QoS parameter set, which includes uplink QoS parameters supported by the access network device. The fourth index value corresponds to a second alternative QoS parameter set, which includes downlink QoS parameters supported by the access network device. The first QoS parameter set includes uplink QoS parameters and downlink QoS parameters. The first alternative QoS parameter set and the second alternative QoS parameter set include at least one set of uplink QoS parameters and at least one set of downlink QoS parameters. A third QoS notification message is sent to the application function network element, the third QoS notification message indicating that the access network device does not support the first QoS requirement, the first QoS requirement corresponding to the first QoS parameter set. The third QoS notification message includes a fifth index value and a sixth index value, which are respectively a first alternative service requirement and a second alternative service requirement. The first alternative service requirement corresponds to the first alternative QoS parameter set, and the second alternative service requirement corresponds to the second alternative QoS parameter set. or, The third QoS notification message includes a second QoS parameter set, which includes uplink QoS parameters supported by the access network device in the first candidate QoS parameter set and downlink QoS parameters supported by the access network device in the second candidate QoS parameter set.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first and second candidate QoS parameter sets include uplink QoS parameters and downlink QoS parameters.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The second QoS notification message also includes uplink direction information corresponding to the third index value and downlink direction information corresponding to the fourth index value. as well as, The third QoS notification message also includes uplink information corresponding to the fifth index value and downlink information corresponding to the sixth index value.

10. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first alternative QoS parameter set is an uplink alternative QoS parameter set, which includes a set of uplink QoS parameters. The second alternative QoS parameter set is a downlink alternative QoS parameter set, which includes a set of downlink QoS parameters.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive a service request message from an application function network element. The service request message includes a description of the service data stream and the QoS requirements of the service data stream. The QoS requirements include alternative service requirements. The alternative service requirements indicate at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set and at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set, wherein the uplink alternative QoS parameter set includes uplink QoS parameters and the downlink alternative QoS parameter set includes downlink QoS parameters. Based on the Service Request Message Generation Strategy and Charging Control (PCC) rules, the PCC rules include at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set and at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set. The at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set includes the first alternative QoS parameter set, and the at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set includes the second alternative QoS parameter set. The PCC rule is sent to the session management function network element.

12. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive a service request message from an application function network element. The service request message includes a description of the service data stream and the QoS requirements of the service data stream. The QoS requirements include alternative service requirements. The alternative service requirements indicate at least one alternative QoS parameter set, wherein each alternative QoS parameter set includes uplink QoS parameters and downlink QoS parameters. PCC rules are generated based on the service request message. The PCC rules include at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set and at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set. The at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set and the at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set are obtained based on the uplink alternative QoS parameter set and the downlink alternative QoS parameter set in the at least one alternative QoS parameter set, respectively. The at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set includes the first alternative QoS parameter set, and the at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set includes the second alternative QoS parameter set. The PCC rule is sent to the session management function network element.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The first alternative service requirement corresponds to the third alternative QoS parameter set in the at least one alternative QoS parameter set, where the first alternative QoS parameter set is the uplink alternative QoS parameter set obtained by splitting the third alternative QoS parameter set. The second alternative service requirement corresponds to the fourth alternative QoS parameter set in the at least one alternative QoS parameter set, and the second alternative QoS parameter set is the downlink alternative QoS parameter set after the fourth alternative QoS parameter set is split.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The third QoS notification message also includes uplink information corresponding to the fifth index value and downlink information corresponding to the sixth index value.

15. A communication method, characterized in that, include: The system receives a service request message from an application function network element. The service request message includes a description of the service data stream and the Quality of Service (QoS) requirements of the service data stream. The QoS requirements include a first QoS requirement and alternative service requirements. The first QoS requirement indicates a first QoS parameter set, which includes uplink QoS parameters and downlink QoS parameters. The alternative service requirements indicate at least one alternative QoS parameter set, which includes uplink QoS parameters and downlink QoS parameters. Based on the service request message, uplink policy and charging control (PCC) rules and downlink PCC rules are generated. The uplink PCC rules include an uplink QoS parameter set and at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set. The downlink PCC rules include a downlink QoS parameter set and at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set. The uplink QoS parameter set includes the uplink QoS parameters in the first QoS parameter set, and the downlink QoS parameter set includes the downlink QoS parameters in the first QoS parameter set. The at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set and the at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set are obtained based on the uplink alternative QoS parameter set and the downlink alternative QoS parameter set in the at least one alternative QoS parameter set, respectively. The uplink PCC rule and the downlink PCC rule are sent to the session management function network element, wherein the uplink PCC rule is used for binding a first QoS flow and the downlink PCC rule is used for binding a second QoS flow.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive a first QoS notification message and a second QoS notification message from the session management function network element, wherein, The first QoS notification message indicates that the access network device cannot support the uplink QoS parameter set. The first QoS notification message includes a first index value, which corresponds to a first alternative QoS parameter set within the at least one uplink alternative QoS parameter set. The first alternative QoS parameter set includes uplink QoS parameters supported by the access network device. The uplink QoS parameter set and the first alternative QoS parameter set correspond to the first QoS flow. The second QoS notification message indicates that the access network device cannot support the downlink QoS parameter set. The second QoS notification message includes a second index value, which corresponds to a second alternative QoS parameter set in the at least one downlink alternative QoS parameter set. The second alternative QoS parameter set includes downlink QoS parameters supported by the access network device. The downlink QoS parameter set and the second alternative QoS parameter set correspond to the second QoS flow. A third QoS notification message is sent to the application function network element, indicating that the access network device cannot support the uplink QoS parameter set and the downlink QoS parameter set. The third QoS notification message includes a third index value and a fourth index value, which correspond to a first alternative service requirement and a second alternative service requirement. The first alternative service requirement corresponds to a first alternative QoS parameter set, and the second alternative service requirement corresponds to a second alternative QoS parameter set. or, The third QoS notification message includes uplink QoS parameters from the first set of candidate QoS parameters and downlink QoS parameters from the second set of candidate QoS parameters.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The first alternative service requirement corresponds to the third alternative QoS parameter set in the at least one alternative QoS parameter set, where the first alternative QoS parameter set is the uplink alternative QoS parameter set obtained by splitting the third alternative QoS parameter set. The second alternative service requirement corresponds to the fourth alternative QoS parameter set in the at least one alternative QoS parameter set, and the second alternative QoS parameter set is the downlink alternative QoS parameter set after the fourth alternative QoS parameter set is split.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that, The third QoS notification message also includes uplink information corresponding to the third index value and downlink information corresponding to the fourth index value.

19. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes modules or units for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, or modules or units for performing the method as described in any one of claims 7 to 14, or modules or units for performing the method as described in any one of claims 15 to 18.

20. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes at least one processor for executing a computer program stored in a memory to make the method of any one of claims 1 to 6 implemented, or to make the method of any one of claims 7 to 14 implemented, or to make the method of any one of claims 15 to 18 implemented.

21. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed, cause the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6 to be implemented, or cause the method as described in any one of claims 7 to 14 to be implemented, or cause the method as described in any one of claims 15 to 18 to be implemented.

22. A computer program product, characterized in that, Includes a computer program that, when run, causes the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6 to be implemented, or causes the method as described in any one of claims 7 to 14 to be implemented, or causes the method as described in any one of claims 15 to 18 to be implemented.

23. A communication system, characterized in that, Includes at least one of the following: access network equipment, policy control function network element; The access network device is used to execute the method of any one of claims 1 to 6, and the policy control function network element is used to execute the method of any one of claims 7 to 14; or, The policy control function network element is used to execute the method of any one of claims 15 to 18.

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