Data scheduling transmission method and communication device

Abstract

The application provides a data scheduling transmission method and a communication device. The method comprises the following steps: an access network device receives a first data packet from a user plane network function through a first general packet radio service tunneling protocol-user plane (GTP-U) tunnel, wherein the first data packet comprises scheduling indication information, and the scheduling indication information has a corresponding relationship with a service type of the first data packet; further, the access network device sends a second data packet to a terminal device according to the scheduling indication information, wherein the second data packet comprises data of the first data packet. Through the data scheduling transmission method, the access network device can perform air interface transmission on the data packet of the service according to the scheduling indication information which has a corresponding relationship with the service type, so as to realize differentiated air interface scheduling of data according to the service type, and facilitate to meet the transmission requirements of different services in a communication system.

Description

Data scheduling transmission method and communication device Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a data scheduling transmission method and a communication device. Background Art

[0002] In a communication system, different services may have different transmission requirements (such as latency requirements or bandwidth requirements, etc.). For example, immersive interactive services represented by extended reality (XR) services have high bandwidth and low latency transmission requirements.

[0003] In the process of air interface data transmission, how to meet the transmission requirements of different services in the communication system needs further research.

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present application provides a data scheduling and transmission method and a communication device, which can realize differentiated air interface scheduling of data according to service type, which is conducive to improving the flexibility of data transmission and thus helping to meet the transmission requirements of different services in the communication system.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present application provides a data scheduling and transmission method, which includes: an access network device receives a first data packet from a user plane network function through a first General Packet Radio Service Tunneling Protocol-User Plane GTP-U tunnel, the first data packet including scheduling indication information, and the scheduling indication information has a corresponding relationship with the service type of the first data packet; further, the access network device sends a second data packet to the terminal device according to the scheduling indication information, the second data packet including data of the first data packet.

[0007] Based on the method described in the first aspect, the service type of the service has a corresponding relationship with the scheduling indication information of the service data, that is, the service data of different service types can correspond to different scheduling indication information, so that during the air interface transmission of downlink data, the access network device can perform differentiated air interface scheduling on the downlink data packets of different services according to the scheduling indication information of different services, which is conducive to improving the flexibility of air interface transmission data, thereby helping to meet the transmission requirements of different services in the communication system.

[0008] In one possible implementation, an access network device receives first indication information from a session management network function, where the first indication information instructs the access network device to schedule transmission of data packets transmitted through a first GTP-U tunnel according to scheduling indication information. By implementing this possible implementation, the session management network function instructs the access network device to schedule transmission of data packets transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel according to the scheduling indication information, which helps improve the access network device's recognition of the scheduling indication information, thereby improving the accuracy of scheduling transmission according to the scheduling indication information.

[0009] In one possible implementation, an access network device receives an N2 session request message from a session management network function, where the N2 session request message includes first indication information. By implementing this possible implementation, when the session management network function establishes a first GTP-U tunnel between the access network device and the user plane network function using the N2 session request message, the session management network function also indicates the first indication information through the N2 session request message, thereby improving the efficiency of indicating the first indication information.

[0010] In one possible implementation, an access network device receives second indication information from a session management network function, which instructs the user plane network function or terminal device to send congestion indication information to the user plane network function or terminal device when network congestion occurs. By implementing this possible implementation, when network congestion occurs, the access network device can notify the terminal device or user plane network function of the occurrence of network congestion, thereby improving the terminal device or user plane network function's awareness of current network congestion.

[0011] In one possible implementation, an access network device receives an N2 session request message from a session management network function, where the N2 session request message includes the second indication information. By implementing this possible implementation, the access network device can receive the second indication information via the N2 session request message during the establishment of the first GTP-U tunnel, thereby improving the efficiency of receiving the second indication information.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the congestion indication information is included in the service data adaptation SDAP layer or GTP-U layer. By implementing this possible implementation, the current communication protocol is slightly modified, which is more convenient for implementation.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the GTP-U layer of the first data packet includes scheduling indication information. By implementing this possible implementation, the change to the current communication protocol is relatively small, which is more conducive to implementation.

[0014] In a possible implementation, the scheduling indication information includes scheduling priority information and / or service type information.

[0015] In one possible implementation, the service type information is related to the scheduling configuration. By implementing this possible implementation, the scheduling configuration is performed according to the service type information, which is conducive to improving the adaptability of the scheduling configuration to the service type.

[0016] In a second aspect, the present application provides a data scheduling and transmission method, which includes: a user-plane network function generates a first data packet, the first data packet includes scheduling indication information, and the scheduling indication information has a corresponding relationship with the service type of the first data packet; further, the user-plane network function sends the first data packet to an access network device through a first General Packet Radio Service Tunnel Protocol-User Plane GTP-U tunnel.

[0017] Based on the method provided in the second aspect, before transmitting a data packet through the first GTP-U tunnel, the user-plane network function will encapsulate scheduling indication information corresponding to the service type in the data packet to indicate the subsequent air interface transmission of the data packet of the service, and service data of different service types can correspond to different scheduling indication information, which is conducive to improving the flexibility of air interface transmission data, thereby helping to meet the transmission requirements of different services in the communication system.

[0018] In one possible implementation, the user plane network function receives third indication information from the session management network function, where the third indication information instructs the user plane network function to add scheduling indication information to the data packet transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel. By implementing this possible implementation, the user plane network function adds scheduling indication information to the data packet transmitted through a specific tunnel (e.g., the first GTP-U tunnel mentioned in this application) based on the indication of the session management network function, which helps to improve the flexibility of the user plane network function in adding scheduling indication information.

[0019] In one possible implementation, a user plane network function receives an N4 session establishment request message from a session management network function, where the N4 session establishment request message includes third indication information. By implementing this possible implementation, the session management network function, when establishing a first GTP-U tunnel between an access network device and the user plane network function via the N4 session establishment request message, also indicates the third indication information via the N4 session establishment request message, thereby improving the efficiency of indicating the third indication information.

[0020] In one possible implementation, the user plane network function sends the data packet transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel to the data analysis function NWDAF network element. By implementing this possible implementation, the flexibility of the service type of obtaining the data packet is improved.

[0021] In one possible implementation, the user plane network function sends a data packet transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel to the data analysis function (NWDAF) network element when a trigger condition is met; the trigger condition includes: the user plane network function detecting network congestion; or the user plane network function detecting that the network is in a first time period. By implementing this possible implementation, the user plane network function only sends a data packet transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel to the NWDAF network element when the condition is met, which helps save communication resources and computing resources of the NWDAF network element.

[0022] In one possible implementation, the user plane network function sends the data packet transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel to the data analysis function (NWDAF) network element via the session management network function. This possible implementation method helps improve the flexibility of the method for sending data packets from the user plane network function to the NWDAF network element.

[0023] In a possible implementation, the GTP-U layer of the first data packet includes scheduling indication information. By implementing this possible implementation, the current communication protocol is slightly modified, which is convenient for implementation.

[0024] In a possible implementation, the scheduling indication information includes scheduling priority information and / or service type information. By implementing this possible implementation, the current communication protocol is slightly modified, which is convenient for implementation.

[0025] In one possible implementation, the service type information is related to the scheduling configuration. By implementing this possible implementation, the scheduling configuration is performed according to the service type information, which is conducive to improving the adaptability of the scheduling configuration to the service type.

[0026] In a third aspect, the present application provides a method for determining data scheduling transmission, the method comprising: a session management network function obtains a service type corresponding to a first General Packet Radio Service Tunnel Protocol-User Plane GTP-U tunnel; further, the session management network function sends a third indication information to the user plane network function based on the service type, and the third indication information indicates adding scheduling indication information to the data packet transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel.

[0027] Based on the method described in the third aspect, the session management network function instructs the user plane network function to add scheduling indication information to the data packets transmitted through a specific tunnel (for example, the first GTP-U tunnel mentioned in this application) according to the service type. The scheduling indication information has a corresponding relationship with the service type. Service data of different service types can correspond to different scheduling indication information. The scheduling indication information is used to indicate the subsequent air interface transmission of the data packets of the corresponding service, which is conducive to improving the flexibility of air interface transmission data, thereby helping to meet the transmission requirements of different services in the communication system.

[0028] In one possible implementation, the session management network function sends an N4 session establishment request message to the user plane network function based on the service type, where the N4 session establishment request message includes the third indication information. By implementing this possible implementation, when the session management network function establishes the first GTP-U tunnel between the access network device and the user plane network function via the N4 session establishment request message, it also indicates the third indication information via the N4 session establishment request message, thereby improving the efficiency of indicating the third indication information.

[0029] In a possible implementation, the session management network function sends first indication information to the access network device based on the service type, where the first indication information indicates that the data packet transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel is scheduled for transmission according to the scheduling indication information.

[0030] In one possible implementation, the session management network function sends an N2 session request message to the access network device based on the service type, where the N2 session request message includes first indication information. By implementing this possible implementation, when the session management network function establishes the first GTP-U tunnel between the access network device and the user plane network function via the N2 session request message, it also indicates the first indication information via the N2 session request message, thereby improving the efficiency of indicating the first indication information.

[0031] In one possible implementation, the session management network function sends second indication information to the access network device based on the service type. This second indication information instructs the user plane network function or terminal device to send congestion indication information when network congestion occurs. This possible implementation helps improve the user plane network function or terminal device's awareness of network congestion.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the session management network function sends an N2 session request message to the access network device based on the service type. The N2 session request message includes the second indication information. By implementing this possible implementation, the session management network function also indicates the second indication information through the N2 session request message when establishing the first GTP-U tunnel between the access network device and the user plane network function through the N2 session request message, thereby improving the efficiency of indicating the second indication information.

[0033] In one possible implementation, a session management network function receives a session establishment request message from a terminal device, the session establishment request message including service type indication information for a first service. Furthermore, the session management network function establishes a first GTP-U tunnel between a user plane network function corresponding to the first service and an access network device based on the session establishment request message. By implementing this possible implementation, the session management network function can obtain the service type corresponding to the first GTP-U tunnel through the session establishment request message during the session establishment process, thereby increasing the flexibility of the session management network function in obtaining the service type corresponding to the first GTP-U tunnel.

[0034] In one possible implementation, the service type indication information includes one or more of the following: network slice information of the first service, identification information of the first service, or information of the data network corresponding to the first service.

[0035] In one possible implementation, the session management network function receives fifth indication information from the data analysis function (NWDAF) network element, where the fifth indication information indicates the service type of the data packet transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel. By implementing this possible implementation, the session management network function can obtain the service type corresponding to the first GTP-U tunnel through the NWDAF network element after the session is established, which helps improve the flexibility of the session management network function in obtaining the service type corresponding to the first GTP-U tunnel.

[0036] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be an access network device, or a device in an access network device, or a device that can be used in conjunction with an access network device; wherein, the communication device may also be a chip system, and the communication device may execute the method performed by the access network device in the first to third aspects. The functions of the communication device may be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software implementations. The hardware or software includes one or more units corresponding to the above functions. The unit may be software and / or hardware. The operations and beneficial effects performed by the communication device can refer to the methods and beneficial effects described in the first to third aspects above, and the repeated parts will not be repeated.

[0037] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be a user plane network function, or a device in the user plane network function, or a device that can be used in conjunction with the user plane network function; wherein, the communication device may also be a chip system, and the communication device may execute the method executed by the user plane network function in the first aspect to the third aspect, or the communication device may execute the method executed by the user plane network function in the first aspect to the third aspect. The functions of the communication device may be implemented by hardware, or the corresponding software may be implemented by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more units corresponding to the above functions. The unit may be software and / or hardware. The operations and beneficial effects performed by the communication device may refer to the methods and beneficial effects described in the first aspect to the third aspect above, and the repeated parts will not be repeated.

[0038] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be a session management network function, a device within the session management network function, or a device capable of being used in conjunction with the session management network function; wherein the communication device may also be a chip system, and the communication device may execute the methods executed by the session management network function in aspects 1 to 3, or the communication device may execute the methods executed by the session management network function in aspects 1 to 3. The functions of the communication device may be implemented in hardware, or may be implemented in hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units corresponding to the above-mentioned functions. The units may be software and / or hardware. The operations and beneficial effects performed by the communication device may refer to the methods and beneficial effects described in aspects 1 to 3 above, and any repetitions will not be repeated.

[0039] In the seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which includes a processor. When the processor calls a computer program in the memory, the method executed by the access network device, user plane network function or session management network function in the methods described in the first aspect to the third aspect is executed.

[0040] In one possible design, the communication device further includes the memory. Optionally, the processor and the memory are integrated together.

[0041] In one possible design, the communication device also includes a transceiver for receiving signals or sending signals.

[0042] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, comprising a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being used to input and / or output signals; the processor being used to execute instructions through a logic circuit or running a computer to execute the method executed by the access network device, user plane network function, or session management network function in the methods described in the first to third aspects.

[0043] In a possible implementation, the interface circuit is configured to receive a signal from another communication device other than the communication device and transmit the signal to the processor, or to send a signal from the processor to another communication device other than the communication device.

[0044] In the ninth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which is used to store computer execution instructions. When the computer execution instructions are executed, the access network device, user plane network function or session management network function in the methods described in the first to third aspects are executed.

[0045] In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which includes a function or unit for executing the method described in any one of the first to third aspects.

[0046] In the eleventh aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising a computer program, which, when executed, enables the method of executing the access network device, user plane network function or session management network function in the methods described in the first to third aspects to be implemented.

[0047] In the twelfth aspect, the present application provides a communication system, which includes a user plane network function and a session management network function; wherein the user plane network function is used to indicate the method of the above-mentioned second aspect, and the session management network function is used to execute the method of the above-mentioned third aspect.

[0048] In a possible implementation, the communication device further includes an access network device for executing the method described in the first aspect above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a network system architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a CN 200 provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of downlink data transmission between protocol layers according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of an interactive process of a data scheduling and transmission method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0053] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of an interaction flow of another data scheduling and transmission method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0054] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of an interaction in which a session management network function obtains a service type corresponding to a first GTP-U tunnel, provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0055] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of an interaction between another session management network function to obtain a service type corresponding to a first GTP-U tunnel provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0056] FIG8 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0057] FIG9 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of this application clearer, this application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0059] The terms "first" and "second" and the like in the specification, claims, and drawings of this application are used to distinguish between different objects, not to describe a particular order. Furthermore, the terms "including" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus comprising a series of operations or units is not limited to the listed operations or units, but may optionally include operations or units not listed, or may optionally include other operations or units inherent to the process, method, product, or apparatus.

[0060] References herein to "embodiments" mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments may be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The appearance of this phrase in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor does it constitute an independent or alternative embodiment that is mutually exclusive of other embodiments. It is understood, both explicitly and implicitly, by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.

[0061] In the present application, "at least one (item)" refers to one or more, "more than one" refers to two or more, "at least two (items)" refers to two or three and more than three, and "and / or" is used to describe the corresponding relationship between corresponding objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, "A and / or B" can mean: only A exists, only B exists, and A and B exist at the same time, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the corresponding objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following items" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b or c can mean: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c", where a, b, c can be single or multiple.

[0062] To better understand the embodiments of the present application, the following first introduces the system architecture involved in the embodiments of the present application:

[0063] The embodiments of the present application can be applied to communication systems evolved after 5G, such as long-term evolution (LTE) systems, fifth-generation mobile communication (5G) systems, and sixth-generation mobile communication (6G) systems, as well as satellite communications and short-range wireless communication systems. The wireless communication systems mentioned in the embodiments of the present application include, but are not limited to, the three major application scenarios of 5G / 6G mobile communication systems: enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLLC), and massive machine type communication (mMTC), long-range Internet of Things (LoRa) systems, or Internet of Vehicles systems.

[0064] The following is an example explanation using the system architecture shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 1, communication system 1000 includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network (CN) 200. RAN 100 includes at least one access network device (e.g., 110a and 110b in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 110) and at least one terminal device (e.g., 120a-120j in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 120). RAN 100 may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay equipment and / or wireless backhaul equipment (not shown in Figure 1). Terminal device 120 is wirelessly connected to access network device 110. Access network device 110 is wirelessly or wiredly connected to CN 200. The core network device (or network function) in CN 200 and the access network device 110 in RAN 100 can be separate physical devices, or they can be a single physical device that integrates core network logical functions and radio access network logical functions. Optionally, the communication system 1000 may further include a data network (DN) 300. Application servers corresponding to various services may be deployed in the DN 300 to provide various possible services for the terminal device.

[0065] The following is a detailed description of the terminal device, RAN and CN involved in the system architecture.

[0066] 1. Terminal Device

[0067] A terminal device is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities that can be used to provide voice or data connectivity to users and can send signals to or receive signals from base stations. A terminal device may also be referred to as a terminal device, user equipment (UE), mobile station, or mobile terminal. Terminal devices can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), the Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, and smart cities. The terminal device can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a smart point of sale (POS) machine, customer-premises equipment (CPE), a wearable device (such as a smart watch, a smart bracelet, a pedometer, a smart glasses, etc.), a vehicle, an aircraft device (such as an intelligent robot, a hot air balloon, a drone, an airplane), a ship (such as a ship), a robot, a robotic arm, a smart home device (such as a refrigerator, a television, an air conditioner, an electric meter, etc.), etc. The terminal device can also be a vehicle device, such as a complete vehicle device, an on-board module, an on-board chip, an on-board unit (OBU) or a telematics box (T-BOX), etc. The terminal device can also be a road side unit (RSU), or a chip, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the terminal device.

[0068] 2. RAN

[0069] The RAN 100 may be an evolved universal terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA) system, a new radio (NR) system, and a radio access system evolved after NR, as defined in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The RAN 100 may also include two or more of the above different radio access systems. The RAN 100 may also be an open RAN (O-RAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), etc. The RAN 100 may also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems.

[0070] The RAN may include one or more RAN nodes, also known as access network devices, RAN entities, or access nodes. The multiple access network devices 110 in the communication system 1000 may be nodes of the same type or different types. In some scenarios, the roles of the access network device 110 and the terminal device 120 are relative. For example, the network element 120i in Figure 1 may be a helicopter or a drone, which can be configured as a mobile access network device. For terminal devices 120j that access the RAN 100 through network element 120i, network element 120i is an access network device; however, for access network device 110a, network element 120i is a terminal device. Access network devices 110 and terminal devices 120 are sometimes referred to as communication devices. For example, network elements 110a and 110b in Figure 1 can be understood as communication devices with access network device functions, and network elements 120a-120j can be understood as communication devices with terminal functions.

[0071] In one possible scenario, an access network device can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmitting and receiving point (TRP), a transmitting point (TP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB), a next-generation base station in mobile communication systems evolving beyond 5G (e.g., 6G), a base station in future mobile communication systems, a satellite, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, a mobile switching center, or an access network device in a non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication system, i.e., it can be deployed on a high-altitude platform or satellite. The access network device can be a macro base station (e.g., 110a in Figure 1 ), a micro base station or an indoor station (e.g., 110b in Figure 1 ), a relay node or a donor node, or a wireless controller in a CRAN scenario. The access network device can also be a device that functions as a base station in device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-vehicle communication, drone communication, or machine communication. Optionally, the access network device may also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle or an onboard device, etc. For example, the access network device in vehicle to everything (V2X) technology may be a road side unit (RSU).

[0072] In another possible scenario, multiple access network devices collaborate to assist the terminal in achieving wireless access, and different access network devices respectively implement part of the functions of the base station. For example, the access network device can be a centralized unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU). The CU and DU can be set separately, or can also be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH). It can be understood that the access network device can be a CU node, a DU node, or a device including a CU node and a DU node. In addition, the CU can be divided into an access network device in the access network RAN, or the CU can be divided into an access network device in the core network CN, without limitation here.

[0073] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in the ORAN system, CU may also be called O-CU (Open CU), DU may also be called O-DU, CU-CP may also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP may also be called O-CU-UP, and RU may also be called O-RU. For the convenience of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU and RU as examples for description. Any unit of CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in this application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0074] In the embodiments of the present application, the form of the access network device is not limited. The device used to implement the functions of the access network device can be the access network device; it can also be a device that can support the access network device to implement the functions, such as a chip system. The device can be installed in the access network device or used in conjunction with the access network device.

[0075] 3. CN

[0076] The CN 200 may include one or more CN devices, which may also be referred to as network element devices, network elements, or network functions (NFs). Hereinafter, CN devices will be collectively referred to as network functions (e.g., user plane network functions and session management network functions).

[0077] Please refer to Figure 2, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of a CN 200 provided in this application. The CN 200 shown in Figure 2 includes multiple network functions: access and mobility management function (AMF), session management function (SMF), user plane function (UPF), and network data analysis function (NWDAF). It can be understood that the CN 200 in Figure 2 can also include other network functions (not shown in Figure 2), such as policy control function (PCF) or unified data management (UDM). Among them:

[0078] The AMF is primarily responsible for mobility and access management, and is responsible for delivering user policies between user devices and the policy control function (PCF). For example, it includes mobility state management, allocating temporary user identities, and authenticating and authorizing users.

[0079] SMF is a control plane function responsible for managing the protocol data unit (PDU) sessions of terminal devices. A PDU session is a channel used to transmit PDUs, through which terminal devices exchange PDUs with the DN. The SMF is responsible for establishing, maintaining, and deleting PDU sessions. The SMF includes session management (such as session establishment, modification, and release, including tunnel maintenance between the UPF and RAN), UPF selection and control, service and session continuity (SSC) mode selection, roaming, and other session-related functions.

[0080] UPF is mainly used for user plane related functions such as data packet routing and transmission, packet detection, quality of service (QoS) processing, uplink packet detection, downlink data packet storage, etc.

[0081] NWDAF can be used to collect data from network elements, network functions, application function (AF) servers, and operation and maintenance management systems (OAM). It analyzes the data through machine learning, artificial intelligence, and other solutions, and feeds back to network elements, network functions, AF servers, etc. to optimize network or service configuration, thereby providing better network quality and service experience.

[0082] PCF is mainly used to manage user subscription data, policy control, charging policy control, QoS control, etc. It is mainly used to provide PDU session policies to SMF network elements. Among them, the policies can include charging-related policies, QoS-related policies, and authorization-related policies.

[0083] The UDM is primarily used to manage user subscription and authentication data, as well as perform authentication credit processing, user identity processing, access authorization, registration / mobility management, subscription management, and short message management. In some embodiments, the UDM may also include a unified data repository (UDR). The UDR is used to provide storage and retrieval for PCF policies, storage and retrieval of open structured data, and storage of user information requested by application functions.

[0084] It should be noted that the network functions mentioned in this application may be the names of the network functions shown in Figure 2 in a 5G communication system. In a communication system that evolves after 5G (such as a 6G communication system), the network functions may still be the names of the network functions shown in Figure 2, or may have other names. For example, in a 5G communication system, the user plane network function may be a UPF. In a communication system that evolves after 5G (such as a 6G communication system), the user plane network function may still be a UPF, or may have other names, which is not limited by this application.

[0085] It should also be noted that in the 5G communication system, the functions implemented by each network function can be independent as shown in Figure 2. In the communication system evolved after 5G (such as the 6G communication system), each network function can still be in an independent state as shown in Figure 2, or the functions of multiple network functions in Figure 2 can be implemented by an integrated network function. For example, in the 5G communication system, the user plane related functions are implemented by the UPF, and the access and mobility management related functions are implemented by the AMF. In the communication system evolved after 5G (such as the 6G communication system), the user plane related functions can still be implemented by the UPF, and the access and mobility management related functions can still be implemented by the AMF, or the user plane related functions and the access and mobility management related functions can be implemented by an integrated network function at the same time, which is not limited in this application.

[0086] In FIG2 , N2, N3, N4, and N6 are interface serial numbers. The meanings of these interface serial numbers can be found in the definitions of relevant standard protocols and are not limited here.

[0087] To better understand the solution provided by this application, the following describes the protocol layer structure:

[0088] Communication between terminal devices and access network devices follows a specific protocol layer structure, and communication between access network devices and core network functions (such as UPF) must also follow a specific protocol layer structure. For example, the user plane protocol layer structure between the access network device and the terminal device (which can be understood as the user plane protocol layer structure for air interface transmission) includes: the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, the radio link control (RLC) layer, the media access control (MAC) layer, and the first physical layer (PHY) layer. The user plane protocol layer structure between the access network device and the core network function (which can be understood as the user plane protocol structure for wired transmission) includes: the general packet radio service tunneling protocol for the user plane (GTP-U), the user datagram protocol (UDP), the internet protocol (IP), the data link layer (hereinafter collectively referred to as L2), and the second physical layer (hereinafter collectively referred to as L1).

[0089] Taking downlink data transmission as an example, Figure 3 illustrates the transmission of downlink data between protocol layers. Downward arrows in Figure 3 indicate data transmission, and upward arrows indicate data reception. In Figure 3, data on the UPF side undergoes GTP-U processing, UDP processing, IP processing, Layer 2 processing, and Layer 1 processing in sequence. The UPF then transmits this data to the access network device. On the access network device side, the data is first processed using the wired transmission protocol, sequentially undergoing Layer 1 processing, Layer 2 processing, IP processing, UDP processing, and GTP-U processing. The access network device then processes the data using the air interface transmission protocol, sequentially undergoing processing at the SDAP layer, PDCP layer, RLC layer, MAC layer, and PHY layer. Furthermore, the access network device transmits this data to the terminal device via air interface transmission. On the terminal device side, the data is processed using the air interface transmission protocol, sequentially undergoing processing at the PHY layer, MAC layer, RLC layer, PDCP layer, and SDAP layer. The uplink data transmission process is in the opposite direction to the arrows in Figure 3 and will not be described in detail here.

[0090] The following uses the protocol layer in 5G as an example to introduce the functions of some protocol layers involved in this application:

[0091] (1)SDAP

[0092] The SDAP layer sits above the PDCP layer and directly carries user-plane IP packets. Its functions include, but are not limited to, mapping QoS flows to data radio bearers (DRBs) and adding QoS flow indicators (QFIs) to packets.

[0093] (2)GTP-U

[0094] General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) is a wireless packet switching technology based on the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), providing end-to-end, wide-area wireless IP connectivity. The GPRS tunneling protocol (GTP) is a set of IP-based communication protocols used to carry packet radio services in GSM, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), LTE, and NR networks. It includes the control plane protocol (also known as GTP-C) and the user plane protocol (GTP-U). GTP-U is used to carry user data within the core network and between the core network and access network. The payload in GTP-U refers to the user's original data packet, such as an IP packet or Ethernet packet.

[0095] In a communication system, services of different service types may have different transmission requirements. How to meet the transmission requirements of different service types during air interface transmission is an urgent problem to be solved. The present application provides a data scheduling transmission method, which is conducive to realizing differentiated transmission (or scheduling) of data according to service type during air interface transmission, thereby facilitating meeting the transmission requirements of different services in the communication system. The data scheduling transmission method and communication device provided by the present application are further introduced below with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0096] Please refer to Figure 4, which is a schematic diagram of the interactive process of a data scheduling and transmission method provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 4, the data scheduling and transmission method includes the following S401 to S403. The execution subject of the method shown in Figure 4 can be an access network device, a user plane network function, and a session management network function. It can be understood that the execution subject of the method shown in Figure 4 is only exemplary and should not be regarded as a specific limitation of the present application. For example, the execution subject of the method shown in Figure 4 can also be a chip or module of an access network device, a chip or module of a user plane network function, and a chip or module of a session management network function. Among them:

[0097] S401: A user plane network function generates a first data packet, wherein the first data packet includes scheduling indication information, and the scheduling indication information corresponds to a service type of the first data packet.

[0098] It should be noted that the user plane network function mentioned in this application may be the aforementioned UPF network element, or a device used to implement user plane network functions in other communication systems, wherein user plane network functions include but are not limited to data processing and forwarding functions; the session management network function mentioned in this application may be the aforementioned SMF network element, or a device used to implement session management network functions in other communication systems. This application does not specifically limit this.

[0099] The first GTP-U tunnel mentioned in this application is a tunnel for transmitting data packets of the first service. The two tunnel end point identifiers (TEIDs) of the first GTP-U tunnel respectively indicate the user plane network function and the access network device mentioned in this application. Among them, the user plane network function is the device indicated by the uplink TEID of the first GTP-U tunnel; the access network device sends the uplink data of the first service to the user plane network function based on the uplink TEID. The access network device is the device indicated by the downlink TEID of the first GTP-U tunnel; the user plane network function sends the downlink data of the first service to the access network device based on the downlink TEID. It can be understood that the same access network device can establish multiple GTP-U tunnels with the same user plane network function (or different user plane network functions), and the same user plane network function can also establish multiple GTP-U tunnels with the same access network device (or different access network devices). In this case, the tunnel information used to indicate the GTP-U tunnel can include, in addition to the TEID, the IP address of the tunnel endpoint indicated by the TEID. That is, the access network device sends the uplink data of the first service to the user plane network function based on the uplink TEID of the first GTP-U tunnel and the IP address of the user plane network function corresponding to the first GTP-U tunnel; the user plane network function sends the downlink data of the first service to the access network device based on the downlink TEID and the IP address of the access network device corresponding to the first GTP-U tunnel.

[0100] That is, during the execution of the first service by the terminal device, the user-plane network function receives a data packet of the first service from a DN or an application (APP), and the data packet is to be transmitted to the access network device serving the terminal device via the first GTP-U tunnel. In this case, the user-plane network function adds scheduling indication information corresponding to the service type of the first service to the data packet to generate the first data packet.

[0101] In one possible implementation, the GTP-U layer of the first data packet includes the scheduling indication information. That is, after receiving the data packet of the first service, the user plane network function processes the data packet through the GTP-U layer and encapsulates the scheduling indication information in the GTP-U layer header of the data packet.

[0102] In a possible implementation, the scheduling indication information includes scheduling priority information and / or service type information.

[0103] Scheduling priority information can be understood as indicating transmission priority. For example, the transmission priority of service type 1 is higher than that of service type 2. If a data packet of service type 1 and a data packet of service type 2 are received at the same time, the data packet of service type 1 (whose service type is service type 1) will be transmitted first, and the data packet of service type 2 (whose service type is service type 2) will be transmitted later. For example, in the case of network congestion, only data packets of service type 1 may be transmitted, while data packets of service type 2 may be discarded.

[0104] Alternatively, the scheduling priority information can be understood as indicating the resource allocation priority; for example, the resource allocation priority of service type 1 is higher than the resource allocation priority of service type 2. Resources are allocated first for processing data packets of service 1 (whose service type is service type 1), and then resources are allocated for processing data packets of service 2 (whose service type is service type 2). In the case of limited resources, resources may be allocated only for processing service 1. In one possible implementation, the scheduling priority information can be represented by a value indicated by multiple bits; for example, the scheduling priority information is represented by 4 bits, where 0001 indicates a priority level of 1, 0010 indicates a priority level of 2, ..., 1111 indicates a priority level of 15. The protocol can predefine (or configure) that the smaller the value of the priority, the higher the priority (i.e., level 1 is the highest priority and level 15 is the lowest priority), or it can predefine (or configure) that the larger the value of the priority, the higher the priority (i.e., level 1 is the lowest priority and level 15 is the highest priority). This application does not limit this.

[0105] Service type information is related to scheduling priority information and / or scheduling configuration, where the scheduling configuration includes resource allocation configuration or transmission resource configuration, among others. For example, different service types correspond to different resource allocation configuration information (including information indicating resource allocation priority). After an access network device receives a data packet, the resource allocation configuration information for the data packet can be determined based on the service type of the data packet and the correspondence between the service type and the resource allocation configuration information. For another example, different service types correspond to different transmission resource configuration information (including information indicating transmission priority). After an access network device receives a data packet, the transmission resource configuration information for the data packet can be determined based on the service type of the data packet and the correspondence between the service type and the transmission resource configuration information. In one possible implementation, the service type information can be represented by a value indicated by multiple bits or multiple enumerated values; for example, the service type information is represented by four bits, where 0001 represents XR-class service, 0010 represents voice service, 0011 represents SMS service, and so on. In this case, the protocol can predefine (or configure) that among the values ​​(or enumerated values) indicated by the multiple bits, the smaller the value (or the smaller the enumerated value) of the bit indication corresponding to a certain service type, the higher the priority of the service type; that is, the scheduling priority corresponding to the XR service is the highest, followed by the voice service, and so on. The protocol can also predefine (or configure) that among the values ​​(or enumerated values) indicated by the multiple bits, the larger the value (or the larger the enumerated value) of the bit indication corresponding to a certain service type, the higher the priority of the service type, and this application does not limit this.

[0106] S402: The user plane network function sends a first data packet to the access network device through the first GTP-U tunnel. Correspondingly, the access network device receives the first data packet from the user plane network function through the first GTP-U tunnel.

[0107] In one possible implementation, after the user plane network function generates the first data packet, it sends the first data packet to the access network device corresponding to the first GTP-U tunnel based on the downlink TEID and the IP address of the access network device.

[0108] S403: The access network device sends a second data packet to the terminal device according to the scheduling indication information, where the second data packet includes the data in the first data packet.

[0109] It should be understood that the second data packet includes the data in the first data packet, that is, the payload of the second data packet is the same as the payload of the first data packet.

[0110] That is, the access network device receives the first data packet, parses it to obtain the scheduling indication information of the first data packet, and then generates a second data packet based on the payload of the first data packet and the protocol between the terminal device and the access network device, and sends the second data packet to the terminal device.

[0111] For example, terminal device 1 is executing service 1, terminal device 2 is executing service 2, and access network device *1 provides services to both terminal device 1 and terminal device 2. Service 1 corresponds to service type 1, and service 2 corresponds to service type 2. When access network device *1 receives downlink data packet A1 for service 1 through GTP-U tunnel #1 and downlink data packet B2 for service 2 through GTP-U tunnel #2, if the scheduling priority in downlink data packet A1 is higher than the scheduling priority in downlink data packet B2, access network device *1 first allocates transmission resources to downlink data packet A1 and then allocates transmission resources to downlink data packet B2; alternatively, access network device *1 transmits downlink data packet A1 first and then downlink data packet B2.

[0112] In one possible implementation, in the event of network congestion, the access network device may further send congestion indication information to the user-plane network function corresponding to the first GTP-U tunnel, so that the user-plane network function sends the congestion indication information to the server (or APP) providing the first service, and / or the access network device may further send the congestion indication information to the terminal device. Through such an implementation, after the terminal device and / or the server providing the first service becomes aware of the network congestion, it may adjust the data transmission strategy of the first service (e.g., suspend transmission, etc.).

[0113] In Example 1, the access network device generates an uplink data packet with an empty payload and adds congestion indication information to the GTP-U layer header of the uplink data packet. Alternatively, upon receiving an uplink data packet to be transmitted through a first GTP-U tunnel, the access network device adds congestion indication information to the GTP-U layer header of the uplink data packet. Furthermore, the access network device sends the uplink data packet carrying the congestion indication to the user plane network function.

[0114] In Example 2, the access network device generates a downlink data packet with an empty payload and adds congestion indication information to the SDAP layer header of the downlink data packet. Alternatively, the access network device adds congestion indication information to the SDAP layer header of the downlink data packet after transmitting the downlink data packet through the first GTP-U tunnel. Furthermore, the access network device sends the downlink data packet carrying the congestion indication to the terminal device.

[0115] To sum up, in the data scheduling and transmission process described in Figure 4, the access network device can transmit the downlink data packet of the service according to the scheduling indication information that corresponds to the service type, thereby realizing differentiated air interface scheduling of data according to the service type, which is conducive to improving the flexibility of data transmission, thereby helping to meet the transmission requirements of different services in the communication system.

[0116] Based on the flowchart shown in FIG4 , the present application also provides an embodiment shown in FIG5 . That is, based on the flowchart shown in FIG4 , the embodiment further includes S501 to S504 . In the embodiment combining FIG4 and FIG5 , the execution order of S502 is before S401 . Among them:

[0117] S501. The session management network function obtains a service type corresponding to a first GTP-U tunnel.

[0118] The first GTP-U tunnel is a tunnel used to transmit data packets of the first service. The session management network function can obtain the service type corresponding to the first GTP-U tunnel (i.e., the service type of the first service) before the establishment of the first GTP-U tunnel is completed, which is conducive to improving the efficiency of the session management network function in obtaining the service type of the first service, so that all data packets of the first service can be scheduled based on the scheduling indication information of the first service, which is conducive to meeting the transmission requirements of the first service. Alternatively, after the establishment of the first GTP-U tunnel is completed, the session management network function can obtain the service type corresponding to the first GTP-U tunnel according to the current network transmission situation (for example, when network congestion occurs), which is conducive to saving signaling overhead. The following two cases are divided into the following detailed descriptions:

[0119] Case 1: The session management network function obtains the service type corresponding to the first GTP-U tunnel before the first GTP-U tunnel is established. Specifically, see Figure 6, where:

[0120] S601: A session management network function receives a request message from a terminal device, where the request message includes service type indication information of a first service.

[0121] The request message is used to establish a session; or the request message is used to establish a transmission channel between the terminal device and the DN, the transmission channel including a DRB between the terminal device and the access network device, and a GTP-U tunnel between the access network device and the user plane network function. In one implementation, the request message is a session establishment request message.

[0122] When a terminal device has a need to execute a first service, the terminal device sends a request message to a session management network function through an access network device, where the request message includes service type indication information of the first service. The service type indication information of the first service includes one or more of the following: network slice information of the first service, identification information of the first service, or information of a data network corresponding to the first service (e.g., identification information of the data network corresponding to the first service).

[0123] S602: The session management network function establishes a first GTP-U tunnel between the user plane network function corresponding to the first service and the access network device based on the request message.

[0124] The session management network function selects a user plane network function that provides services to the terminal device based on the request message. After selecting the user plane network function, the session management network function establishes a first GTP-U tunnel between the user plane network function and the access network device. The first GTP-U tunnel is used to transmit data of the first service. The process of establishing the first GTP-U tunnel includes:

[0125] The session management network function or user plane network function generates (or is understood to allocate) an uplink TEID (used to indicate the user plane network function corresponding to the first GTP-U tunnel); the session management network function sends an N2 session request message to the access network device, where the N2 session request message includes the uplink TEID of the first GTP-U tunnel and the IP address of the user plane network function. The access network device generates (or is understood to allocate) a downlink TEID (used to indicate the access network device corresponding to the first GTP-U tunnel) and sends the downlink TEID of the first GTP-U tunnel and the IP address of the access network device to the session management network function; the session management network function receives the downlink TEID of the first GTP-U tunnel and the IP address of the access network device from the access network device; the session management network function sends an N4 session establishment request message to the user plane network function, where the N4 session establishment request message includes the downlink TEID and the IP address of the access network device.

[0126] In one possible implementation, the session management network function may obtain configuration information (e.g., subscription information of the terminal device) from the PCF or UDM and generate packet detection rules (PDRs) and forwarding action rules (FARs) based on the configuration information. The PDRs and / or FARs contain the downlink TEID and the IP address information of the access network device.

[0127] The session management network function sends the PDR and FAR to the user plane network function to instruct the user plane network function to process and forward the data packet of the first service according to the PDR and FAR.

[0128] Case 2: After the first GTP-U tunnel is established, the session management network function obtains the service type corresponding to the first GTP-U tunnel. Specifically, see Figure 7, where:

[0129] S701: The session management network function receives a request message from a terminal device.

[0130] When a terminal device needs to perform a first service, the terminal device sends a request message to a session management network function through an access network device. The request message does not include service type indication information for the first service. The request message is used to establish a session; or, alternatively, the request message is used to establish a transmission channel between the terminal device and the DN, the transmission channel including a DRB between the terminal device and the access network device, and a GTP-U tunnel between the access network device and the user plane network function. In one implementation, the request message is a session establishment request message.

[0131] S702: The session management network function establishes a first GTP-U tunnel between the user plane network function corresponding to the first service and the access network device based on the request message.

[0132] The specific implementation of S702 can be found in the description of the specific implementation of S602 above, and will not be repeated here. It can be understood that the difference between S702 and S602 is that: before S602 is executed, the user plane network function already knows the service type corresponding to the first GTP-U, while when S702 is executed, the user plane network function still does not know the service type corresponding to the first GTP-U.

[0133] S703: The session management network function receives fifth indication information from the NWDAF network element, where the fifth indication information indicates a service type of the data packet transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel.

[0134] The NWDAF network element obtains a downlink data packet to be transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel, analyzes the downlink data packet, and obtains a service type of the downlink data packet transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel. Furthermore, the NWDAF network element sends fifth indication information to the session management network function to indicate the service type corresponding to the first GTP-U tunnel. In one possible implementation, when the NWDAF network element sends the fifth indication information to the session management network function, it also sends tunnel information (e.g., uplink TEID or downlink TEID) of the first GTP-U.

[0135] In a possible implementation manner, the NWDAF network element obtains the downlink data packet to be transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel, including: the NWDAF receives the data packet transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel sent by the user plane network function.

[0136] In one possible implementation, the user plane network function directly sends a data packet transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel to the NWDAF network element. Furthermore, the NWDAF network element analyzes the data packet to obtain the service type corresponding to the first GTP-U tunnel (i.e., the service type of the data packet). The NWDAF network element obtains the correspondence between the user plane network function and the session management network function, and sends fifth indication information to the session management network function (which can also be understood as the session management network function that establishes the first GTP-U tunnel).

[0137] In another possible implementation, the user plane network function may send the data packet transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel to the NWDAF network element through other network functions (such as a session management network function or other user plane network functions). That is, the user plane network function sends the data packet transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel to the other network function, and the other network function then sends the data packet transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel to the NWDAF network element. Furthermore, the NWDAF network element analyzes the data packet to obtain the service type corresponding to the first GTP-U tunnel and sends fifth indication information to the session management network function.

[0138] In conjunction with this possible implementation, several transmission opportunities for the user plane network function to send a data packet transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel to the NWDAF network element are described below:

[0139] First, if the user plane network function obtains a data packet to be transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel, it sends the data packet to the NWDAF network element.

[0140] Optionally, after the NWDAF network element obtains the service type corresponding to the first GTP-U tunnel, the NWDAF network element can also send a sixth indication information to the user plane network function, where the sixth indication information is used to instruct the user plane network function to stop sending data packets transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel to the NWDAF network element.

[0141] Second, when the trigger condition is met, the user plane network function sends a data packet transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel to the NWDAF network element.

[0142] In one example, the trigger condition may be that the user plane network function detects network congestion. That is, if the user plane network function senses network congestion (for example, the user plane network function senses network congestion through an indication from an access network device, etc.), the user plane network function sends the data packet to the NWDAF network element.

[0143] In another example, the trigger condition is that the user plane network function detects that it is in a first time period, and the first time period can be a preconfigured time period, and the preconfigured time period is a time period in which the user plane network function sends a data packet transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel to the NWDAF network element. For example, 18:00-21:00 is usually a time period when network congestion is more likely to occur. In this case, the first time period can be set to 18:00-21:00. That is, during the time period corresponding to 18:00-21:00, the user plane network function sends the data packet to the NWDAF network element, and in other time periods outside the first time period, the user plane network function does not send the data packet to the NWDAF network element.

[0144] S502: The session management network function sends third indication information to the user plane network function based on the service type. The third indication information indicates that scheduling indication information is added to the data packet transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel.

[0145] In the embodiment shown in combination with FIG4 and FIG5 , S502 is executed before S401. That is, after the session management network function obtains the service type corresponding to the first GTP-U tunnel, it sends third indication information to the user plane network function based on the service type. Subsequently, the user plane network function generates a first data packet based on the instruction of the third indication information.

[0146] In one possible implementation, the session management network function may obtain configuration information (e.g., subscription information of the terminal device) from the PCF or UDM, and determine, based on the configuration information, whether to add scheduling indication information to the data transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel corresponding to the service type. This can be understood as determining, based on the configuration information, whether to generate the third indication information. If it is determined that the scheduling indication information is to be added to the data transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel corresponding to the service type, the session management network function sends the third indication information to the user plane network function. If it is determined that the scheduling indication information is not to be added to the data transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel corresponding to the service type, the session management network function does not send the third indication information to the user plane network function.

[0147] For example, the service type corresponding to GTP-U tunnel #3 is XR service, which has high bandwidth and latency requirements (i.e., high bandwidth and low latency transmission requirements), while the service type corresponding to GTP-U tunnel #4 is ordinary service (such as ordinary text data transmission service), which has low bandwidth requirements. In this case, the session management network function can send third indication information to the user plane network function corresponding to GTP-U tunnel #3, instructing it to add scheduling indication information corresponding to the XR service to the data packet before subsequently transmitting the data packet through GTP-U tunnel #3. The session management network function will not send the third indication information to the user plane network function corresponding to GTP-U tunnel #4.

[0148] In one possible implementation of the session management network function sending the third indication information, after the first GTP-U tunnel is established, that is, after the session management network function sends the downlink TEID of the first GTP-U tunnel and the IP address of the access network device to the user plane network function via an N4 session establishment request message, the session management network function sends a processing and forwarding rule update message (e.g., an N4 session update request message) to the user plane network function, and the processing and forwarding rule update message includes the third indication information. Alternatively, in another possible implementation of the session management network function sending the third indication information, during the first GTP-U tunnel establishment process, when the session management network function sends the downlink TEID of the first GTP-U tunnel and the IP address of the access network device to the user plane network function via an N4 session establishment request message, the N4 session establishment request message also includes the third indication information.

[0149] It should be noted that, in the present application, the indication field corresponding to the third indication information (hereinafter referred to as the first field for ease of description) may be different from the indication field corresponding to PDR and FAR (hereinafter referred to as the second field for ease of description); the first field may also be the same field as the second field, and this application does not specifically limit this. When the first field is different from the second field, in addition to indicating the third indication information, the first field may also indicate the protocol layer location where the scheduling indication information is added (for example, indicating that the scheduling indication information is encapsulated in the layer header of the GTP-U layer). When the first field and the second field are the same field, it can be understood that on the basis of the second field being used to indicate PDR and FAR, the second field can also indicate the third indication information.

[0150] Optionally, as shown in S503 of Figure 5, in one possible implementation, the session management network function may further send first indication information to the access network device based on the service type, where the first indication information is used to instruct the access network device to schedule transmission of data packets transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel according to the scheduling indication information. That is, when the session management network function determines, based on the service type, to add scheduling indication information to data transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel corresponding to the service type (i.e., sending third indication information to the user plane network function), the session management network function may further instruct the access network device to schedule transmission of data packets transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel according to the scheduling indication information (i.e., sending the first indication information).

[0151] It should be noted that the scheduling transmission of data packets according to the scheduling indication information mentioned in this application can be understood as scheduling transmission of the load part in the data packet according to the scheduling indication information.

[0152] In one possible implementation of the session management network function sending the first indication information, the session management network function sends the first indication information to the access network device after the first GTP-U tunnel is established, that is, after the session management network function sends the uplink TEID of the first GTP-U tunnel and the IP address of the user plane network function to the access network device via an N2 session request message. Implementing this possible implementation facilitates increased flexibility in the timing of sending the first indication information. Alternatively, in another possible implementation of the session management network function sending the first indication information, during the first GTP-U tunnel establishment process, when the session management network function sends the uplink TEID of the first GTP-U tunnel and the IP address of the user plane network function to the access network device via an N2 session request message, the N2 session request message also includes the first indication information. Implementing this possible implementation facilitates increased efficiency in sending the first indication information by the session management network function.

[0153] Optionally, as shown in S504 in Figure 5, in a possible implementation, the session management network function may also send a second indication message to the access network device based on the service type, and the second indication message indicates that in the event of network congestion, congestion indication information is sent to the user plane network function or the terminal device.

[0154] For example, when the session management network function determines, based on the service type, to add scheduling indication information to data transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel corresponding to the service type (i.e., sending third indication information to the user plane network function), the session management network function may further instruct the access network device to send congestion indication information to the user plane network function or the terminal device (i.e., send second indication information) when network congestion occurs. When the session management network function determines, based on the service type, not to send the third indication information to the user plane network function, the access network device does not need to send congestion indication information to the user plane network function or the terminal device.

[0155] In one possible implementation of the session management network function sending the second indication information, the session management network function sends the second indication information to the access network device after the first GTP-U tunnel is established, that is, after the session management network function sends the uplink TEID of the first GTP-U tunnel and the IP address of the user plane network function to the access network device via an N2 session request message. Alternatively, in another possible implementation of the session management network function sending the second indication information, during the first GTP-U tunnel establishment process, when the session management network function sends the uplink TEID of the first GTP-U tunnel and the IP address of the user plane network function to the access network device via an N2 session request message, the N2 session request message also includes the second indication information.

[0156] In summary, in the data scheduling and transmission process described in Figure 5, the session management network function instructs the user plane network function to add scheduling indication information to the data packet transmitted through a specific tunnel (for example, the first GTP-U tunnel mentioned in this application) according to the service type. The scheduling indication information has a corresponding relationship with the service type. The scheduling indication information is used to indicate the subsequent air interface transmission of the data packet of the service, which is conducive to improving the flexibility of air interface transmission data, thereby helping to meet the transmission requirements of different services in the communication system.

[0157] Please refer to Figure 8, which shows a structural diagram of a communication device 800 of an embodiment of the present application. The communication device shown in Figure 8 can be an access network device, or a device in the access network device, or a device that can be used in combination with the access network device; or the communication device shown in Figure 8 can be a user plane network function, or a device in the user plane network function, or a device that can be used in combination with the user plane network function; the communication device shown in Figure 8 can be a session management network function, or a device in the session management network function, or a device that can be used in combination with the session management network function. The communication device shown in Figure 8 may include a communication unit 801 and a processing unit 802. Specifically, the processing unit 802 is used to process data, and the data may be data received by the communication unit 801, and the processed data may also be sent by the communication unit 801;

[0158] In one embodiment, the communication device 800 is an access network device, or a device in the access network device, or a device that can be used in conjunction with the access network device, wherein:

[0159] A communication unit 801 is configured to receive a first data packet from a user plane network function through a first General Packet Radio Service Tunneling Protocol-User Plane GTP-U tunnel, where the first data packet includes scheduling indication information, and the scheduling indication information corresponds to a service type of the first data packet; and a processing unit 802 is configured to call the communication unit 801 to send a second data packet to a terminal device based on the scheduling indication information, where the second data packet includes data in the first data packet.

[0160] In a possible implementation, the communication unit 801 is further configured to receive first indication information from a session management network function, where the first indication information indicates that data packets transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel are scheduled for transmission according to scheduling indication information.

[0161] In a possible implementation, the communication unit 801 is further configured to receive an N2 session request message from a session management network function, where the N2 session request message includes the first indication information.

[0162] In a possible implementation, the communication unit 801 is further configured to receive second indication information from the session management network function, where the second indication information indicates that congestion indication information should be sent to the user plane network function or the terminal device when network congestion occurs.

[0163] In a possible implementation, the communication unit 801 is further configured to receive an N2 session request message from a session management network function, where the N2 session request message includes the second indication information.

[0164] In a possible implementation, the congestion indication information is included in the service data adaptation SDAP layer or GTP-U layer.

[0165] In a possible implementation, the GTP-U layer of the first data packet includes scheduling indication information.

[0166] In a possible implementation, the scheduling indication information includes scheduling priority information and / or service type information.

[0167] In a possible implementation, the service type information is related to the scheduling configuration.

[0168] In one embodiment, the communication device 800 shown in FIG8 is a user plane network function, or a device in a user plane network function, or a device that can be used in conjunction with a user plane network function, wherein:

[0169] The processing unit 802 is configured to generate a first data packet by a user plane network function, where the first data packet includes scheduling indication information, and the scheduling indication information corresponds to a service type of the first data packet; the communication unit 801 is configured to send the first data packet to the access network device through a first General Packet Radio Service Tunneling Protocol-User Plane GTP-U tunnel.

[0170] In a possible implementation, the communication unit 801 is further configured to receive third indication information from the session management network function, where the third indication information indicates adding scheduling indication information to the data packet transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel.

[0171] In a possible implementation, the communication unit 801 is further configured to receive an N4 session establishment request message from a session management network function, where the N4 session establishment request message includes third indication information.

[0172] In a possible implementation, the communication unit 801 is further configured to send a data packet transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel to the data analysis function NWDAF network element.

[0173] In one possible implementation, when the trigger condition is met, the communication unit 801 is also used for the user plane network function to send a data packet transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel to the data analysis function NWDAF network element; wherein the trigger condition includes: the user plane network function detects network congestion; or the user plane network function detects that it is in the first time period.

[0174] In a possible implementation, the communication unit 801 is further configured to send the data packet transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel to the data analysis function NWDAF network element through the session management network function.

[0175] In a possible implementation, the GTP-U layer of the first data packet includes scheduling indication information.

[0176] In a possible implementation, the scheduling indication information includes scheduling priority information and / or service type information.

[0177] In a possible implementation, the service type information is related to the scheduling configuration.

[0178] In one embodiment, the communication device 800 shown in FIG8 is a session management network function, or a device in a session management network function, or a device capable of being used in conjunction with a session management network function, wherein:

[0179] The communication unit 801 is used to obtain the service type corresponding to the first General Packet Radio Service Tunneling Protocol-User Plane GTP-U tunnel; the processing unit 802 is used to call the communication unit 801 based on the service type and send third indication information to the user plane network function, where the third indication information indicates to add scheduling indication information to the data packet transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel.

[0180] In a possible implementation, the processing unit 802 is further configured to call the communication unit 801 based on the service type, and send an N4 session establishment request message to the user plane network function, where the N4 session establishment request message includes the third indication information.

[0181] In one possible implementation, the processing unit 802 is further used to call the communication unit 801 based on the service type, and send first indication information to the access network device, where the first indication information indicates that the data packets transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel are scheduled for transmission according to the scheduling indication information.

[0182] In a possible implementation, the processing unit 802 is further configured to call the communication unit 801 based on the service type, and send an N2 session request message to the access network device, where the N2 session request message includes the first indication information.

[0183] In one possible implementation, the processing unit 802 is further used to call the communication unit 801 based on the service type to send second indication information to the access network device, where the second indication information indicates that congestion indication information is sent to the user plane network function or terminal device in the event of network congestion.

[0184] In a possible implementation, the processing unit 802 is further configured to call the communication unit 801 based on the service type, and send an N2 session request message to the access network device, where the N2 session request message includes the second indication information.

[0185] In one possible implementation, the communication unit 801 is also used to receive a session establishment request message from a terminal device, where the session establishment request message includes service type indication information of the first service; the processing unit 802 is also used to establish a first GTP-U tunnel between the user plane network function corresponding to the first service and the access network device based on the session establishment request message.

[0186] In one possible implementation, the service type indication information includes one or more of the following: network slice information of the first service, identification information of the first service, or information of the data network corresponding to the first service.

[0187] In a possible implementation, the communication unit 801 is further configured to receive fifth indication information from a data analysis function NWDAF network element, where the fifth indication information indicates a service type of a data packet transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel.

[0188] For a detailed description of how the communication unit 801 and the processing unit 802 implement the data scheduling and transmission method provided in this application, please refer to the relevant descriptions of the aforementioned Figures 4-7.

[0189] As shown in Figure 9, a communication device 900 provided in an embodiment of the present application is used to implement the functions of the above-mentioned access network device, user plane network function or session management network function. The device can be an access network device or a device used in an access network device; or the device can be a user plane network function or a device used in a user plane network function; or the device can be a session management network function or a device used in a session management network function. The device used in a device (such as an access network device, a user plane network function or a session management network function) can be a chip system or a chip in the device. Among them, the chip system can be composed of a chip, or it can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0190] The communication device 900 includes at least one processor 920 for implementing the data transmission function of the device (such as access network device, user plane network function or session management network function) in the method provided in the embodiment of the present application. The communication device 900 may also include a communication interface 910 for implementing the transceiver operation of the device (such as access network device, user plane network function or session management network function) in the method provided in the embodiment of the present application. In the embodiment of the present application, the communication interface can be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module or other type of communication interface for communicating with other devices through a transmission medium. For example, the communication interface 910 is used for the device in the communication device 900 to communicate with other devices. The processor 920 uses the communication interface 910 to send and receive data and is used to implement the method described in the above method embodiment.

[0191] In one possible implementation, the communication device 900 may further include at least one memory 930 for storing program instructions and / or data. The memory 930 is coupled to the processor 920. The coupling in the embodiments of the present application is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, which may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, and is used for information exchange between devices, units, or modules. The processor 920 may operate in conjunction with the memory 930. The processor 920 may execute program instructions stored in the memory 930. At least one of the at least one memory may be included in the processor.

[0192] The specific connection medium between the communication interface 910, processor 920, and memory 930 is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. In Figure 9, the embodiment of the present application shows that the memory 930, processor 920, and communication interface 910 are connected via a bus 940. The bus is represented by a bold line in Figure 9. The connection method between other components is only for schematic illustration and is not limiting. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, only one bold line is used in Figure 9, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0193] When the communication device 900 is specifically a device for a device (such as an access network device, a user plane network function, or a session management network function), for example, when the communication device 900 is specifically a chip or a chip system, the communication interface 910 may output or receive a baseband signal. When the communication device 900 is specifically a device (such as an access network device, a user plane network function, or a session management network function), the communication interface 910 may output or receive a radio frequency signal. In the embodiment of the present application, the processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array, or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component, and may implement or execute the various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiment of the present application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the method disclosed in conjunction with the embodiment of the present application may be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware processor, or may be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor.

[0194] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores computer-executable instructions. When the computer-executable instructions are executed, the method for executing the access network device, user plane network function or session management network function in the above method embodiment is implemented.

[0195] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program. When the computer program is executed, the method of executing the access network device, user plane network function or session management network function in the above method embodiment is implemented.

[0196] The present application also provides a communication system comprising an access network device, a user plane network function, and a session management network function. The access network device is configured to execute the method executed by the access network device in the aforementioned method embodiment; the user plane network function is configured to execute the method executed by the user plane network function in the aforementioned method embodiment; and the session management network function is configured to execute the method executed by the session management network function in the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0197] It should be noted that for the aforementioned method embodiments, for the sake of simplicity, they are all expressed as a series of action combinations, but those skilled in the art should be aware that this application is not limited by the order of the actions described, because according to this application, certain steps can be performed in other orders or simultaneously. Secondly, those skilled in the art should also be aware that the embodiments described in the specification are all preferred embodiments, and the actions and modules involved are not necessarily required by this application.

[0198] The descriptions of the various embodiments provided in this application can refer to each other. The descriptions of each embodiment have their own focus. For parts not described in detail in a particular embodiment, please refer to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments. For the convenience and brevity of description, for example, the functions and execution steps of the various devices and equipment provided in the embodiments of this application can refer to the relevant descriptions of the method embodiments of this application. The various method embodiments and the various device embodiments can also refer to, be combined with, or quote each other.

[0199] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit them. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some or all of the technical features therein. These modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A data scheduling transmission method, characterized in that: The method comprises: The access network device receives a first data packet from a user plane network function through a first general packet radio service tunneling protocol-user plane GTP-U tunnel, where the first data packet includes scheduling indication information, and the scheduling indication information has a corresponding relationship with a service type of the first data packet; The access network device sends a second data packet to the terminal device according to the scheduling indication information, where the second data packet includes the data in the first data packet.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The access network device receives first indication information from a session management network function, where the first indication information indicates that data packets transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel are scheduled for transmission according to the scheduling indication information.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that: The access network device receives first indication information from a session management network function, including: The access network device receives an N2 session request message from the session management network function, where the N2 session request message includes the first indication information.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The access network device receives second indication information from the session management network function, and the second indication information indicates that congestion indication information is sent to the user plane network function or the terminal device when network congestion occurs.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that: The access network device receives second indication information from a session management network function, including: The access network device receives an N2 session request message from the session management network function, where the N2 session request message includes the second indication information.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that: The congestion indication information is included in the service data adaptation SDAP layer or GTP-U layer.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The GTP-U layer of the first data packet includes the scheduling indication information.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The scheduling indication information includes scheduling priority information and / or service type information.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that: The information of the service type is related to the scheduling configuration.

10. A data scheduling transmission method, characterized in that: The method comprises: The user plane network function generates a first data packet, where the first data packet includes scheduling indication information, and the scheduling indication information has a corresponding relationship with a service type of the first data packet; The user plane network function sends the first data packet to the access network device through a first general packet radio service tunneling protocol-user plane GTP-U tunnel.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The user plane network function receives third indication information from the session management network function, where the third indication information indicates adding the scheduling indication information to the data packet transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that: The user plane network function receives third indication information from the session management network function, including: The user plane network function receives an N4 session establishment request message from the session management network function, where the N4 session establishment request message includes the third indication information.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that: Before the user plane network function receives the third indication information from the session management network function, the method further includes: The user plane network function sends the data packet transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel to the data analysis function NWDAF network element.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that: The user plane network function sends a data packet transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel to the data analysis function NWDAF network element, including: When a trigger condition is met, the user plane network function sends a data packet transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel to the data analysis function NWDAF network element; The trigger condition includes: the user plane network function detects network congestion; or the user plane network function detects that it is in a first time period.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that: The user plane network function sends a data packet transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel to the data analysis function NWDAF network element, including: The user plane network function sends the data packet transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel to the data analysis function NWDAF network element through the session management network function.

16. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 15, characterized in that: The GTP-U layer of the first data packet includes the scheduling indication information.

17. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 16, characterized in that: The scheduling indication information includes scheduling priority information and / or service type information.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that: The information of the service type is related to the scheduling configuration.

19. A data scheduling transmission method, characterized in that: The method comprises: The session management network function obtains a service type corresponding to the first general packet radio service tunnel protocol-user plane GTP-U tunnel; The session management network function sends third indication information to the user plane network function based on the service type, where the third indication information indicates adding scheduling indication information to the data packet transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that: The session management network function sends third indication information to the user plane network function based on the service type, including: The session management network function sends an N4 session establishment request message to the user plane network function based on the service type, and the N4 session establishment request message includes the third indication information.

21. The method according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The session management network function sends the first indication information to the access network device based on the service type, and the first indication information indicates that the data packet transmitted through the first GTP-U tunnel is scheduled for transmission according to the scheduling indication information.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that: The session management network function sends the first indication information to the access network device based on the service type, including: The session management network function sends an N2 session request message to the access network device based on the service type, where the N2 session request message includes the first indication information.

23. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 22, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The session management network function sends second indication information to the access network device based on the service type, wherein the second indication information indicates In the event of network congestion, congestion indication information is sent to the user plane network function or terminal device.

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that: The session management network function sends second indication information to the access network device based on the service type, including: The session management network function sends an N2 session request message to the access network device based on the service type, where the N2 session request message includes the second indication information.

25. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 24, characterized in that: The session management network function obtains the service type corresponding to the first general packet radio service tunnel protocol-user plane GTP-U tunnel, including: The session management network function receives a session establishment request message from a terminal device, wherein the session establishment request message includes service type indication information of a first service; The method further comprises: The session management network function establishes the first GTP-U tunnel between the user plane network function corresponding to the first service and the access network device based on the session establishment request message.

26. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that: The service type indication information includes one or more of the following: network slice information of the first service, identification information of the first service, or information of a data network corresponding to the first service.

27. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 24, characterized in that: The session management network function obtains the service type corresponding to the first general packet radio service tunnel protocol-user plane GTP-U tunnel, including: The session management network function receives fifth indication information from the data analysis function NWDAF network element, and the fifth indication information indicates the service type of the data packet transmitted by the first GTP-U tunnel.

28. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a function or a unit for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, or executing the method according to any one of claims 10 to 18, or executing the method according to any one of claims 19 to 27.

29. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a processor, wherein the processor is used to call a computer program stored in a memory so that the communication device implements the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, or the processor is used to implement the method as described in any one of claims 10 to 18, or the processor is used to implement the method as described in any one of claims 19 to 27.

30. The communication device according to claim 29, characterized in that Also included is the memory.

31. A communication device, characterized in that: It comprises a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to input and / or output signals, and the processor is used to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, or implement the method as described in any one of claims 10 to 18, or implement the method as described in any one of claims 19 to 27 through a logic circuit and / or executing code instructions.

32. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The storage medium stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed by the communication device, the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9 is implemented, or the method as described in any one of claims 10 to 18 is implemented, or the method as described in any one of claims 19 to 27 is implemented.

33. A computer program product, characterized in that When a computer reads and executes the computer program product, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is implemented, or the method according to any one of claims 10 to 18 is implemented, or the method according to any one of claims 19 to 27 is implemented.

34. A communication system, characterized in that: It comprises a user plane network function and a session management network function; wherein the user plane network function is used to execute the method described in any one of claims 10-18, and the session management network function is used to execute the method described in any one of claims 19-27.

35. The communication system according to claim 34, characterized in that Also includes: An access network device, wherein the access network device is used to execute the method described in any one of claims 1-9.

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