A communication method and apparatus

Abstract

This application relates to a communication method and apparatus. A terminal sends first information, which instructs the terminal to support a first function and / or requests the activation of the first function, wherein the first function is used to send or receive one or more accumulated data packets. The terminal receives second information, which instructs the terminal to enable the first function. In the embodiments of this application, the terminal can accumulate data packets and send them together after accumulating one or more data packets, thereby minimizing the fragmented data packet transmission process and concentrating the data packets for transmission, which helps save device power consumption.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In communication networks, data arrival is generally random, and the arrival time is uncertain. For example, 10MB of data might arrive in the 1st millisecond (ms), 30MB in the 3rd ms, and 20MB in the 10th ms. During transmission, data is typically sent immediately upon arrival; for example, the device might send 10MB, then 30MB a few milliseconds later, and then 20MB a few milliseconds after that. This fragmented data transmission process results in significant power consumption for the device. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a communication method and apparatus for reducing device power consumption.

[0004] Firstly, a first communication method is provided, which is applied to a terminal (which can be understood as a terminal device). That is, the method can be executed by the terminal device, or by other devices including terminal device functions, or by a chip system (or chip) or other functional module capable of implementing the functions of the terminal device, such as being disposed within the terminal device. In the following description, the method is taken as being executed by the terminal. The method includes: sending first information, the first information being used to indicate that the terminal supports a first function and / or to request the activation of the first function, wherein the first function is used to send or receive accumulated one or more data packets; and receiving second information, the second information being used to indicate that the terminal enables the first function.

[0005] The terminal in this application embodiment can accumulate data packets and send them together after accumulating one or more data packets, thereby minimizing the fragmented data packet transmission process and concentrating the data packets together for transmission, which helps to save the power consumption of the device.

[0006] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: sending or receiving M accumulated data packets according to the first function, wherein at least one of the M data packets has an accumulation time greater than 0, and M is a positive integer. If the terminal device enables the first function, it can send or receive the accumulated data packets according to the first function to save power consumption.

[0007] In one optional implementation, the M data packets correspond to the terminal; or, the M data packets correspond to a DRB or a logical channel of the terminal. If the first function can correspond to the terminal, then the M data packets can correspond to the terminal; or if the first function can correspond to a DRB or a logical channel of the terminal, then the M data packets can correspond to the DRB or the logical channel. That is, the coverage granularity of the first function in this embodiment is relatively flexible.

[0008] In an optional implementation, the first information is further used to indicate a first parameter related to the first function, the first parameter including a maximum accumulation duration and / or a maximum accumulation data volume. The maximum accumulation duration can be understood as the maximum duration for accumulating data packets, i.e., how long accumulation should continue before stopping. The maximum accumulation data volume can be understood as the maximum amount of data packets accumulated, i.e., how much data should be accumulated before stopping. The first information indicates the first parameter, enabling the network device to estimate the remaining duration corresponding to the data packets.

[0009] In an optional implementation, the method further includes sending third information, the third information indicating a first remaining duration, the first remaining duration being the remaining duration corresponding to the M data packets. Since the remaining duration corresponding to the data packets can be indicated by the terminal, the network device does not need to estimate it itself, reducing the burden on the network device. Furthermore, the first remaining duration is related to, for example, the time taken for the terminal to process the M data packets; the terminal is more aware of the processing time for the M data packets, therefore, having the terminal determine the first remaining duration can improve the accuracy of the first remaining duration.

[0010] In one optional implementation, the first remaining duration is determined based on the duration used to accumulate the M data packets and a first timer, wherein the timing duration of the first timer does not include the duration used to accumulate the M data packets. For example, the timing duration of the first timer can correspond to the duration during which the M data packets are waiting to be sent. Therefore, based on the duration used to accumulate the M data packets and the duration during which the M data packets are waiting to be sent, the processing time of the terminal for the M data packets can be determined, and based on the processing time of the terminal for the M data packets, the first remaining duration can be determined.

[0011] In one optional implementation, the first remaining duration is determined based on a first timer, the duration of which includes the time used to accumulate the M data packets. If the duration of the first timer already includes the time used to accumulate the M data packets, then the duration of the first timer is equivalent to including both the time used to accumulate the M data packets and the time the M data packets are waiting to be sent. Therefore, the processing time of the terminal for the M data packets can be determined based on the duration of the first timer, and the first remaining duration can be determined based on the processing time of the terminal for the M data packets.

[0012] In one optional implementation, the first remaining duration includes the remaining duration corresponding to at least one logical channel group, wherein the M data packets are carried on the logical channels included in the at least one logical channel group. The terminal reports the remaining duration corresponding to the data packets, either at the data packet level or at the logical channel group level; there is no limitation on this.

[0013] In one alternative implementation, sending the third information includes: sending the third information when the first function is enabled. For example, if the first function is not enabled, the terminal may not send the third information.

[0014] In one optional implementation, the third information is a DSR, or the third information is a first MAC CE, where the first MAC CE corresponds to a first logical identifier, and the first logical identifier is used to indicate the third information. The third information can be a DSR, or it can be a MAC CE as defined in the embodiments of this application, or it can be other signaling, and there are no limitations on this.

[0015] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: the terminal's modem sending fourth information to the terminal's OS, the fourth information being used to indicate a first parameter related to the first function, or to indicate a latency requirement for the first service. The accumulation of data packets can be performed by the terminal's OS; therefore, the modem can indicate parameters related to the first function to the OS, allowing the OS to accumulate data packets based on the first parameter or the latency requirement. Alternatively, the accumulation of data packets can also be performed by the modem; there is no limitation on this.

[0016] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: the OS sending fifth information to the modem, the fifth information indicating the duration used to accumulate the M data packets. If the data packets are accumulated by the OS, in addition to sending the accumulated data packets to the modem, the OS can also indicate the duration used to accumulate the data packets to the modem, so that the modem can determine the remaining duration corresponding to the data packets.

[0017] Secondly, a second communication method is provided, which is applied to the network device side. That is, the method can be executed by a network device, or by other devices including network device functions, or by a chip system (or chip) or other functional module capable of implementing the functions of the network device. This chip system or functional module is, for example, disposed within the network device. In the following description, the method being executed by a network device is taken as an example. This network device includes, for example, an access network device, such as a base station. The method includes: receiving first information, the first information being used to instruct a terminal to support a first function and / or to request the activation of the first function, wherein the first function is used to send or receive one or more accumulated data packets; and sending second information, the second information being used to instruct the terminal to enable the first function.

[0018] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: receiving or sending M accumulated data packets, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 2, wherein the accumulated time of at least one of the M data packets is greater than 0, and M is a positive integer.

[0019] In an alternative implementation, the first information is further used to indicate a first parameter related to the first function, wherein the first transmission includes a maximum cumulative duration and / or a maximum cumulative data volume.

[0020] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: determining a first remaining duration based on the first parameter, wherein the first remaining duration is the remaining duration corresponding to the M data packets; and scheduling the M data packets within the first remaining duration.

[0021] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: receiving third information, the third information indicating a first remaining duration, the first remaining duration being the remaining duration corresponding to the M data packets; and scheduling the M data packets within the first remaining duration.

[0022] In one optional implementation, the first remaining duration includes the remaining duration corresponding to at least one logical channel group, wherein the M data packets are carried on the logical channels included in the at least one logical channel group.

[0023] In one alternative implementation, receiving third information includes: receiving the third information when instructing the terminal to enable the first function.

[0024] In one optional implementation, the third information is a DSR or a first MAC CE, the first MAC CE corresponding to a first logical identifier, the first logical identifier being used to indicate the third information.

[0025] For the technical effects of the second aspect or various alternative implementation methods, please refer to the introduction of the technical effects of the first aspect or corresponding implementation methods.

[0026] Thirdly, a communication device is provided. The communication device can realize the functions of the terminal device described in the first aspect. The communication device possesses the functions of the terminal device. The communication device is, for example, a terminal equipment, or other equipment including the functions of a terminal equipment, or a chip system (or chip) or other functional module, which can realize the functions of the terminal device, and the chip system or functional module is, for example, disposed in the terminal equipment. In one optional implementation, the communication device includes a baseband device and a radio frequency device. In another optional implementation, the communication device includes a processing unit (sometimes also called a processing module) and a transceiver unit (sometimes also called a transceiver module). The transceiver unit can realize both transmitting and receiving functions. When the transceiver unit realizes the transmitting function, it can be called a transmitting unit (sometimes also called a transmitting module), and when the transceiver unit realizes the receiving function, it can be called a receiving unit (sometimes also called a receiving module). The transmitting unit and the receiving unit can be the same functional module, which is called the transceiver unit and can realize both transmitting and receiving functions; or, the transmitting unit and the receiving unit can be different functional modules, and the transceiver unit is a collective term for these functional modules.

[0027] In one optional implementation, the transceiver unit (or the sending unit) is configured to send first information, the first information being used to instruct the terminal to support a first function and / or to request the activation of the first function, wherein the first function is used to send or receive one or more accumulated data packets; the transceiver unit (or the receiving unit) is configured to receive second information, the second information being used to instruct the terminal to enable the first function.

[0028] In an alternative embodiment, the communication device further includes a storage unit (sometimes also called a storage module), and the processing unit is configured to couple with the storage unit and execute programs or instructions in the storage unit to enable the communication device to perform the functions of the terminal device described in the first aspect above.

[0029] Fourthly, a communication device is provided. The communication device can implement the functions of the network device described in the second aspect above. The communication device possesses the functions of the aforementioned network device. The communication device is, for example, a network device, or other device including network device functions, or a system-on-a-chip (or chip) or other functional module capable of implementing the functions of the network device, and the system-on-a-chip or functional module is, for example, disposed within the network device. The network device includes, for example, access network equipment and / or core network equipment. In one optional implementation, the communication device includes a baseband device and a radio frequency device. In another optional implementation, the communication device includes a processing unit (sometimes also called a processing module) and a transceiver unit (sometimes also called a transceiver module). For details on the implementation of the transceiver unit, please refer to the description in the third aspect.

[0030] In one optional implementation, the transceiver unit (or the receiving unit) is configured to receive first information, the first information being used to instruct the terminal to support a first function and / or to request the activation of the first function, wherein the first function is used to send or receive one or more accumulated data packets; the transceiver unit (or the sending unit) is configured to send second information, the second information being used to instruct the terminal to enable the first function.

[0031] In an alternative embodiment, the communication device further includes a storage unit (sometimes also called a storage module), and the processing unit is configured to couple with the storage unit and execute programs or instructions in the storage unit to enable the communication device to perform the functions of the network device described in the second aspect above.

[0032] Fifthly, a communication device is provided, which can be a terminal device or a chip or chip system for use in a terminal device. The communication device includes a processor configured to perform the methods executed by the terminal device in the aforementioned aspects. Optionally, the processor is coupled to a memory, which, when reading the computer program or instructions, causes the communication device to perform the methods executed by the terminal device in the aforementioned aspects. The memory is used to store the computer program or instructions and can be included in the communication device or disposed externally. Optionally, the communication device further includes a communication interface from which the processor calls and runs the computer program or instructions.

[0033] Sixthly, a communication device is provided, which can be a network device or a chip or chip system for use in a network device. The communication device includes a processor configured to perform the methods executed by the network device as described in the preceding aspects. Optionally, the processor is coupled to a memory, which, when reading the computer program or instructions, causes the communication device to perform the methods executed by the network device as described in the preceding aspects. The memory is used to store the computer program or instructions and can be included in the communication device or disposed externally. Optionally, the communication device further includes a communication interface from which the processor calls and runs the computer program or instructions.

[0034] In a seventh aspect, another communication system is provided, comprising a terminal device and a network device. The terminal device is used to perform the method described in the first aspect, and the network device is used to perform the method described in the second aspect, also described in the second aspect. For example, the terminal device may be implemented using the communication device described in the third or fifth aspect, and the network device may be implemented using the communication device described in the fourth or sixth aspect. Optionally, the communication system may also include other devices, without limitation.

[0035] Eighthly, a computer-readable storage medium is provided for storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed, cause the methods performed by the terminal device and / or network device in the preceding aspects to be implemented.

[0036] Ninthly, a computer program product containing instructions is provided, which, when the computer program or instructions are run on a computer, causes the methods described in the above aspects to be implemented. Attached Figure Description

[0037] Figure 1 and Figure 2 These are schematic diagrams of two different structures of the access network equipment in the embodiments of this application;

[0038] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an application scenario according to an embodiment of this application;

[0039] Figures 4-6 Flowcharts of several communication methods provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0040] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of an apparatus provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0041] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of another device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0042] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the embodiments of this application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0043] In the embodiments of this application, the number of nouns, unless otherwise specified, refers to "singular nouns or plural nouns", that is, "one or more".

[0044] "At least one" means one or more, while "more than" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B means: A or B. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c means: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0045] The ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish multiple objects, and are not used to limit the size, content, order, timing, priority, or importance of the multiple objects. Furthermore, the numbering of steps in the various embodiments described in this application is only to distinguish different steps and is not used to limit the order in which the steps are performed.

[0046] The following explanations of some terms or concepts used in the embodiments of this application are provided to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0047] In this embodiment of the application, the terminal device is a device with wireless transceiver function, which may be a fixed device, a mobile device, a handheld device (e.g., a mobile phone), a wearable device, an in-vehicle device, or a wireless device (e.g., a communication module, a modem, or a chip system, etc.) built into the above devices. The terminal devices are used to connect people, objects, and machines, and can be widely used in various scenarios, including but not limited to the following: sensing scenarios, cellular communication, device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-to-machine / machine-type (M2M / MTC) communication, Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), industrial control, self-driving, remote medical care, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart city, drones, robots, and terminal devices in indoor commercial scenarios (such as mobile phone screen mirroring, file sharing, and mobile phone to VR glasses). When the terminal equipment is applied to V2X, it can also be called a V2X device, such as a smart car, digital car, unmanned car, driverless car, pilotless car, or automobile, self-driving car, or autonomous car, pure electric vehicle (EV), hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), range-extended electric vehicle (REEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), new energy vehicle, or roadside unit (RSU). The terminal equipment can also be a device used in D2D communication, such as an electricity meter or water meter.

[0048] Furthermore, in this embodiment of the application, the terminal device can also be a terminal device in an Internet of Things (IoT) system. IoT is an important component of the future development of information technology. Its main technical feature is to connect objects to the network through communication technology, thereby realizing an intelligent network of human-machine interconnection and object-to-object interconnection.

[0049] The various terminal devices described above, if located in a vehicle (e.g., placed inside or installed inside a vehicle), can all be considered in-vehicle terminal devices, also known as on-board units (OBUs). The terminal device of this application can also be an in-vehicle module, in-vehicle component, in-vehicle chip, or in-vehicle unit built into a vehicle as one or more components or units. The vehicle can implement the methods of this application through the built-in in-vehicle module, in-vehicle component, in-vehicle chip, or in-vehicle unit.

[0050] The terminal equipment may sometimes be referred to as UE, terminal, access station, UE station, remote station, wireless communication equipment, or user equipment, etc.

[0051] In this application embodiment, the device used to implement the terminal device function can be a terminal device, which can be a terminal device or a device capable of supporting the terminal device in implementing the function, such as a chip system. This device can be installed in the terminal device. When the device used to implement the terminal device function is a device capable of supporting the terminal device in implementing the function, receiving / transmitting can be understood as input / output, that is, the device communicates with other devices, modules, or components. In the technical solutions provided in this application embodiment, the example of a terminal device being used to implement the terminal device function is used to describe the technical solutions provided in this application embodiment.

[0052] The network devices in this application embodiment include, for example, access network devices (or access network elements) and / or core network devices (or core network elements). The access network devices are devices with wireless transceiver capabilities, used to communicate with the terminal devices. The access network devices include, but are not limited to, base stations (base transceiver stations (BTS), Node B, evolved Node B (eNodeB) / eNB, or the next generation Node B (gNodeB) / gNB), transmission reception points (TRPs), base stations evolved from the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP), access nodes in wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) systems, wireless relay nodes, wireless backhaul nodes, etc. The base stations can be: macro base stations, micro base stations, pico base stations, small cells, relay stations, etc. Multiple base stations can support networks using the same access technology or networks using different access technologies. A base station can contain one or more co-located or non-co-located transmission and reception points. The access network equipment can also be a radio controller, centralized unit (CU), and / or distributed unit (DU) in a cloud radioaccess network (CRAN) scenario. The access network equipment can also be a server, etc. For example, the network equipment in V2X technology can be a roadside unit (RSU). The following description uses a base station as an example to illustrate the access network equipment. A base station can communicate with a terminal device, or it can communicate with a terminal device through a relay station. A terminal device can communicate with multiple base stations in different access technologies. The core network equipment is used to implement functions such as mobility management, data processing, session management, policy and billing. The names of the equipment implementing core network functions may differ in systems using different access technologies; this application does not limit this.Taking the 5th generation (5G) mobile communication technology system as an example, the core network equipment includes, for example, access and mobility management function (AMF), session management function (SMF), policy control function (PCF), or user plane function (UPF), etc.

[0053] In a CU-DU architecture, or in an open RAN (ORAN) system, access network equipment may include one or more logical network elements such as a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU). CUs and DUs can be separate entities or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RUs may be included in radio equipment or radio units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs). One possible structure for access network equipment can be found in [reference needed]. Figure 1 Among them, core network equipment and access network equipment can communicate through backhaul links; within access network equipment, CU and DU can communicate through midhaul links, and DU and RU can communicate through fronthaul links.

[0054] Alternatively, another architecture for the access network equipment can be referenced. Figure 2 , Figure 2Taking access network equipment implemented through chips as an example, such as a RAN chip, the RAN chip may include a CU, DU, and RU. The CU can perform L2 and L3 functions, etc.; the DU can perform L1 functions and some L2 functions, etc.; and the RU can perform L1 computing and radio frequency (RF) digital functions, etc. The CU communicates with the core network equipment through a backhaul interface, which carries the traffic between the CU and the core network equipment. The CU may include a central processing unit (CPU) based on x86 or ARM architecture, as well as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), graphics processing units (GPUs), or other accelerators, etc. The CPU and the FPGA, GPU, or other accelerators can communicate through a peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) interface.

[0055] The CU and DU communicate via a midhaul interface, which carries the traffic between the CU and DU. The DU may include an x86 or ARM architecture CPU, as well as FPGAs, GPUs, or other accelerators, which can communicate with the FPGA, GPU, or other accelerators via a PCIe interface.

[0056] The DU and RU communicate via a fronthaul interface, which carries the traffic between the DU and RU. If the access network equipment uses an integrated DU, the integrated DU can include the functions of both the DU and RU, and the RAN may no longer need to include a separate RU. The RU may include a RAN fronthaul processing unit, a digital processing unit, and an RF processing unit. The RAN fronthaul processing unit is implemented, for example, using an FPGA or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The digital processing unit is implemented, for example, using an FPGA or an ASIC.

[0057] The RU can be connected to an antenna to communicate with the UE via the antenna.

[0058] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called an open CU (O-CU), DU can also be called an open DU (O-DU), CU-CP can also be called an open CU-CP (O-CU-CP), CU-UP can also be called an open CU-UP (O-CU-CP), and RU can also be called an open RU (O-RU). For ease of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples in its embodiments. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in the embodiments of this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software modules and hardware modules.

[0059] The CU and DU can be configured according to the protocol layer functions of the wireless network they implement. For example, the CU can be configured to implement the functions of the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer and above (such as the Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer and / or the Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer); the DU can be configured to implement the functions of protocol layers below the PDCP layer (such as one or more of the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, Media Access Control (MAC) layer, or Physical (PHY) layer). Alternatively, the CU can be configured to implement the functions of protocol layers above the PDCP layer (such as the RRC and / or SDAP layers), and the DU can be configured to implement the functions of protocol layers below the PDCP layer (such as one or more of the RLC, MAC, or PHY layers).

[0060] The above CU and DU configurations are merely examples; the functions of the CU and DU can be configured as needed. For instance, the CU or DU can be configured to have more protocol layer functions, or only some protocol layer processing functions. For example, some RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions above the RLC layer can be placed in the CU, while the remaining RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions below the RLC layer can be placed in the DU. Furthermore, the functions of the CU or DU can be divided according to service type or other system requirements, such as by latency. Functions that require low latency can be placed in the DU, while functions that do not require low latency can be placed in the CU.

[0061] DU and RU can cooperate to implement the functions of the PHY layer. A DU can be connected to one or more RUs. The functions of DU and RU can be configured in various ways depending on the design. For example, a DU can be configured to implement baseband functions, and an RU can be configured to implement mid-RF functions. Another example is that a DU can be configured to implement higher-level functions in the PHY layer, and an RU can be configured to implement lower-level functions in the PHY layer, or to implement both lower-level and RF functions. Higher-level functions in the physical layer can include a portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the MAC layer, while lower-level functions in the physical layer can include another portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the mid-RF side.

[0062] In this application embodiment, the apparatus for implementing the functions of a network device can be referred to as a network apparatus. This network apparatus can be a network element, a network device, or an apparatus capable of supporting the network device or network element in implementing the function, such as a chip system. This apparatus can be installed within the network device. In the technical solutions provided in this application embodiment, the apparatus for implementing the functions of a network device is described as a network apparatus (for example, an apparatus for implementing the functions of an access network apparatus is an access network apparatus, and an apparatus for implementing the functions of a core network apparatus is a core network apparatus).

[0063] In short, the embodiments of this application can accumulate data packets and send them together after accumulating one or more data packets, thereby minimizing the fragmented data packet transmission process and concentrating the data packets together for transmission, which helps to save the power consumption of the device.

[0064] The communication method provided in this application can be applied to fourth-generation (4G) communication systems, such as long-term evolution (LTE) communication systems, as well as 5G communication systems, such as 5G new radio (NR) communication systems, or various communication systems evolving after 5G, such as future communication systems. The method provided in this application can also be applied to Bluetooth systems, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) systems, long-range radio (LoRa) systems, device-to-device (D2D) or vehicle-to-everything (V2X) systems. The method provided in this application can be applied to terrestrial networks (TN) or non-terrestrial networks (NTN), such as satellite communication systems, for example, transparent satellite architectures, backhaul satellite architectures, or regenerative satellite architectures, etc., without limitation.

[0065] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a communication network applicable to embodiments of this application. The communication network includes network devices and UEs. The UE can send first information to the network device, and the network device can send or receive transmission units according to the first information. The network device includes, for example, access network devices and / or core network devices.

[0066] The network architecture and communication process described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0067] The method provided in the embodiments of this application is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In various embodiments of this application, the "first function" may also have other names, such as "data packet accumulation function," "data packet accumulation function," "packet gathering function," "data packet accumulation function," etc., and there is no limitation on the name of this function. In the accompanying drawings corresponding to the various embodiments of this application, all steps indicated by dashed lines are optional steps.

[0068] The various embodiments of this application can be applied to Figure 3 The network architecture shown. For example, the UE described in the various embodiments of this application can be... Figure 3The UE shown; the network device described in the various embodiments of this application can be Figure 3 The network device shown.

[0069] This application provides a communication method, please refer to the embodiments therein. Figure 4 Here is a flowchart of the method.

[0070] S401, the UE sends the first message. Correspondingly, the network device receives the first message.

[0071] The first information may indicate that the UE supports or has a first function (hereinafter, the first information indicating that the UE supports the first function is taken as an example), and / or the first information may request to enable or use the first function (hereinafter, the first information requesting to enable the first function is taken as an example).

[0072] The first function can be used to send or receive one or more accumulated (or, accumulated; or, stacked) data packets. Optionally, the first function can be used to send or receive one or more accumulated (or, accumulated; or, stacked) data packets during a single transmission process. A single transmission process can be understood as a transmission process corresponding to a single resource scheduling. Taking the UE's transmission process as an example, for instance, data packet 1 may arrive at 1ms, data packet 2 may arrive at 3ms, and data packet 3 may arrive at 10ms. The UE does not immediately send data packet 1 when it arrives, but waits; when data packet 2 arrives, the UE may also temporarily not send it, but continue to wait; when data packet 3 arrives, the UE sends data packets 1 to 3 together, which is equivalent to the UE sending the accumulated data packets 1 to 3 together, instead of sending these three data packets separately, thereby saving the UE's power consumption. For another example, when data packet 1 arrives at 1ms, the UE does not immediately send data packet 1, but continues to wait; when the UE waits until 10ms, and no further data packets arrive, the UE can send data packet 1. At this time, although the UE only sends one data packet, this data packet 1 is also an accumulated data packet. That is, the number of accumulated data packets can be one or more. As long as the sending end of the data packets (e.g., UE or network device) has an "accumulation" behavior, it can be regarded as an "accumulated data packet". Optionally, sending or receiving one or more accumulated (or, gathering; or, accumulating) data packets can also be understood as the data packets waiting (e.g., waiting for a period of time) before being sent, or being delayed (e.g., delaying for a period of time) before being sent.

[0073] The UE supports a first function, such as supporting uplink and / or supporting downlink. The first information indicates that the UE supports the first function. For both uplink and downlink, the indication can be unified. In this case, the first information indicating that the UE supports the first function means that the UE supports both the uplink and downlink first functions.

[0074] Alternatively, the first information may indicate that the UE supports a first function, and this can be done separately for uplink and downlink. For example, the first information may include information indicating whether the UE supports the uplink first function, and / or information indicating whether the UE supports the downlink first function. In this case, the first information indicating that the UE supports the first function could indicate that the UE supports both the uplink and / or the downlink first function.

[0075] The UE requests to enable a first function, which may include requesting to enable an uplink first function and / or requesting to enable a downlink first function. The first information indicates that the UE requests to enable a first function. For uplink and downlink, the indication can be unified. In this case, the first information requesting to enable a first function means that it requests to enable both the uplink and downlink first functions.

[0076] Alternatively, the first information may indicate that the UE requests to enable a first function, and this can be done separately for uplink and downlink. For example, the first information may include information for requesting to enable the first uplink function, and / or information for requesting to enable the first downlink function. In this case, the first information requesting to enable the first function may indicate a request to enable the first uplink function and / or a request to enable the first downlink function.

[0077] If the first information indicates that the UE supports a first function, and the first information requests the activation of the first function, optionally, the first information may include two pieces of information. For example, the first information may include a sixth piece of information and a seventh piece of information. The sixth piece of information may indicate that the UE supports the first function, and the seventh piece of information may request the activation of the first function. The sixth and seventh pieces of information may be included in the same message, or they may be two independent pieces of information. If the sixth and seventh pieces of information are two independent pieces of information, these two pieces of information may be sent simultaneously or sent in a time-division manner. For example, the UE may send the sixth piece of information first and then send the seventh piece of information. Optionally, the sixth piece of information may be, for example, the UE's capability information, and may be included in the UE capability information. Optionally, the seventh piece of information may be, for example, auxiliary information, such as UE assistance information (UAI).

[0078] In the case where the sixth and seventh messages are sent in a time-sharing manner, optionally, after the UE sends the sixth message, the network device may also send an eighth message, and the UE may receive the eighth message accordingly. The eighth message may instruct (or enable, allow, configure, or activate) the UE to report information related to the first function. Information related to the first function may include, for example, information requesting the activation of the first function, such as UE assistance information, and may also include other information related to the first function. After receiving the eighth message, the UE may send the seventh message to request the activation of the first function when it needs to use the first function or determines to activate the first function. Optionally, the UE may determine whether to use or activate the first function based on one or more factors, such as the UE's remaining battery power, energy-saving requirements, or the application being executed. Optionally, the eighth message may be included in a radio resource control (RRC) message, or the eighth message may be an RRC message, such as an RRC connection reconfiguration message, or other RRC messages. For example, a first indication field can be added to the RRC message. The first indication field can indicate (or enable, allow, configure, or activate) the UE to report information related to the first function.

[0079] If the first function includes an uplink first function, the first function can correspond to the UE, or it can correspond to the UE's data radio bearer (DRB), or it can correspond to the UE's logical channel. For example, if the first function corresponds to the UE, then the UE supporting the first function means that all DRBs and logical channels of the UE support the first function; if the UE enables the first function, it indicates that any DRB and / or logical channel of the UE can use the first function. As another example, if the first function corresponds to a DRB, then the UE supporting the first function means that the corresponding DRB of the UE supports the first function; the UE can enable the first function for each DRB separately. If the first function corresponds to a DRB and / or a logical channel, the implementation granularity of the first function is finer; for example, the UE can decide whether to enable the first function for different DRBs (or logical channels). If the first function corresponds to a DRB and / or a logical channel, optionally, the first information can also indicate at least one DRB and / or at least one logical channel, where the at least one DRB is a DRB that supports the first function and / or a DRB that requests to enable the first function, and the at least one logical channel is a logical channel that supports the first function and / or a logical channel that requests to enable the first function.

[0080] Optionally, the first information may also indicate a first parameter, which is related to the first function. Optionally, the first parameter can also be understood as a strategy related to the first function. The first parameter may include the maximum accumulation duration and / or the maximum accumulation data volume. The maximum accumulation duration can be understood as the maximum duration for accumulating data packets, i.e., how long accumulation should continue before stopping. For example, if the maximum accumulation duration is 10ms, when the UE waits until 10ms, regardless of whether data packets have been accumulated or how many data packets have been accumulated, the current accumulation process must stop. Optionally, after an accumulation process stops, the accumulated data packets can be sent. Optionally, the maximum accumulation duration can also be understood as the maximum waiting time for data packets, i.e., how long data packets should wait before being transmitted; or, the maximum accumulation duration can also be understood as the maximum delay time for data packets, i.e., how long data packets should be delayed before being transmitted.

[0081] The maximum accumulated data size can be understood as the maximum amount of data that can be accumulated before accumulation stops. For example, if the maximum accumulated data size is 30MB, then during an accumulation process, when the accumulated data size reaches 30MB, the accumulation process must stop regardless of how many data packets have been accumulated. Optionally, after an accumulation process stops, the accumulated data packets can be sent. For instance, during an accumulation process, if a data packet 'a' is included in the accumulated data packets, the total amount of accumulated data packets will be greater than 30MB; however, if data packet 'a' is not included in the accumulated data packets, the total amount of accumulated data packets will be less than or equal to 30MB, at which point accumulation can be completed without including data packet 'a' in the accumulated data packets. Optionally, the maximum accumulated data size can also be understood as the maximum amount of data packets to wait for, i.e., how much data packets can wait before being transmitted; or, the maximum accumulated data size can also be understood as the maximum amount of data packets to delay, i.e., how much data packets can be delayed before being transmitted.

[0082] The first parameter can be determined by the UE. For example, the UE can determine the first parameter based on one or more factors such as the UE's remaining battery power, the UE's energy-saving needs, or the services the UE is performing. For example, if the UE has low remaining battery power, the first parameter can include a longer maximum cumulative duration and / or a larger maximum cumulative data volume to ensure that data packets are sent less frequently, thereby saving power consumption; or if the UE has high remaining battery power, the first parameter can include a shorter maximum cumulative duration and / or a smaller maximum cumulative data volume to reduce data packet latency.

[0083] For example, if the UE has a high energy-saving requirement, the first parameter can include a longer maximum accumulation time and / or a larger maximum accumulation data volume to accumulate more data packets and save power as much as possible.

[0084] For example, if the service performed by the UE has high latency requirements, the maximum accumulated duration included in the first parameter can be shorter and / or the maximum accumulated data volume can be smaller, so as to send data packets as timely as possible and reduce transmission latency; or, if the service performed by the UE has low latency requirements, the maximum accumulated duration included in the first parameter can be longer and / or the maximum accumulated data volume can be larger, so as to accumulate more data packets and save power consumption as much as possible.

[0085] If the sixth and seventh information are two independent pieces of information, then the first parameter can be indicated by either the sixth or the seventh information.

[0086] Alternatively, the first parameter can be predefined by the protocol or pre-configured in the UE and network device, in which case the first information does not necessarily need to indicate the first parameter. Alternatively, the first parameter can be left unset or uncertain, in which case the first information does not necessarily need to indicate the first parameter.

[0087] S402, The network device sends the second information. Correspondingly, the UE receives the second information.

[0088] The second information can instruct the UE to enable, activate, use, or enable the first function, or the second information can configure the first function for the UE. The following example uses the second information instructing the UE to enable the first function. Optionally, the second information can be included in an RRC message, or the second information can be an RRC message, such as an RRC connection reconfiguration message, or other RRC messages. For example, the RRC message can include a second indication field, which can instruct the UE to enable, activate, use, or enable the first function, or the second indication field can configure the first function for the UE. If the RRC message is an RRC connection reconfiguration message, optionally, after receiving the second information, the UE can also send an RRC connection reconfiguration complete message to the network device.

[0089] Optionally, the second information may also indicate a second parameter, which is related to the first function. Optionally, the second parameter can also be understood as a strategy related to the first function. The second parameter may include the maximum accumulated duration and / or the maximum accumulated data volume. For an explanation of the maximum accumulated duration and maximum accumulated data volume, please refer to the preceding text. The second parameter may be the same as or different from the first parameter. For example, the maximum accumulated duration indicated by the second parameter may be equal to or unequal to the maximum accumulated duration indicated by the first parameter; similarly, the maximum accumulated data volume indicated by the second parameter may be equal to or unequal to the maximum accumulated data volume indicated by the first parameter. Optionally, the network device may determine the second parameter based on the first parameter; alternatively, the network device may determine the first parameter based on other information besides the first parameter (e.g., historical communication data).

[0090] Alternatively, the first parameter can be predefined by the protocol or preconfigured in the UE and network device. In this case, the first information does not necessarily need to indicate the first parameter, and the second information does not necessarily need to indicate the second parameter. Alternatively, the first parameter can be left unset or uncertain, and the second parameter can also be left unset or uncertain. In this case, the first information does not necessarily need to indicate the first parameter, and the second information does not necessarily need to indicate the second parameter.

[0091] Optionally, the method may also include S403.

[0092] S403: The UE sends M accumulated data packets according to the first function; correspondingly, the network device receives the M data packets. Alternatively, S403 may include: the network device sends M accumulated data packets according to the first function; correspondingly, the UE receives the M data packets. Where M is a positive integer.

[0093] For example, at least one of the M data packets has a cumulative time greater than 0. That is, the at least one data packet is not sent when it arrives at the sender (UE or network device), but waits for a period of time. This period of time belongs to the time when the sender accumulates data packets. Therefore, the M data packets are accumulated data packets.

[0094] If the network device receives the M data packets, it can further process them, for example, by scheduling them. One scheduling method includes sending the M data packets to other network devices. These network devices could be access network devices or core network devices. Taking an uplink service as an example, for any data packet corresponding to that uplink service, the time between the accumulation of the data packet at the UE and its dispatch by the network device must meet the latency requirement of the uplink service. This latency requirement can also be understood as the end-to-end latency requirement between the UE and the network device. For example, if the M data packets correspond to a first service, then for any one of these M data packets, the time between its accumulation at the UE and its dispatch by the network device must meet the latency requirement of the first service. Therefore, the network device needs to process the M data packets within the latency requirement of the first service. The network device needs to obtain the remaining duration corresponding to the M data packets so that it can process them within that remaining duration. The remaining time corresponding to the M data packets is called the first remaining time. If the network device processes the M data packets within the first remaining time, the processing of the M data packets can meet the latency requirements of the first service.

[0095] Optionally, the network device can determine the first remaining duration based on either the first parameter or the second parameter. For example, the first or second parameter might specify a maximum accumulated duration. The network device can determine the first remaining duration based on the latency requirement of the first service and this maximum accumulated duration. For instance, the first remaining duration could be the difference between the latency requirement of the first service and the maximum accumulated duration. By determining the first remaining duration based on the first or second parameter, the network device eliminates the need for the UE to report more information, thus saving signaling overhead.

[0096] Alternatively, the network device can determine the first remaining duration based on the third information. For example, the UE can send third information indicating the first remaining duration. Upon receiving the third information, the network device can determine the first remaining duration. Optionally, when the network device instructs the UE to enable the first function, the UE can send the third information, and the network device can also receive the third information. Optionally, the third information can be sent together with the M data packets, or the M data packets can be sent first and then the third information, or vice versa. The following describes how the UE determines the first remaining duration.

[0097] Optionally, the UE can determine the first remaining duration based on the first duration and the duration during which the M data packets are waiting to be sent, or it can determine the first remaining duration based on the duration during which the M data packets are waiting to be sent. The first duration can be the cumulative duration used for the M data packets, which can be understood as representing the cumulative duration of the M data packets in general. The first duration can be determined based on the cumulative duration of all or some of the M data packets individually.

[0098] The first duration is determined based on the accumulated duration of all or some of the M data packets. One optional implementation includes K durations, where K is a positive integer less than or equal to M, and one or more data packets in the M data packets correspond to one of these K durations. That is, for the one or more data packets, the accumulated duration is the specified duration. This implementation can be understood as the accumulated durations corresponding to different data packets in the M data packets may be the same or different, and the first duration may include the accumulated duration corresponding to each of the M data packets. For example, if accumulation starts from 1 ms, data packet 1 arrives at 1 ms, data packet 2 arrives at 2 ms, and accumulation stops and transmission begins at 3 ms, and data packets 1 and 2 are the M data packets, then the first duration may include the accumulated duration of 2 ms corresponding to data packet 1, and also include the accumulated duration of 1 ms corresponding to data packet 1.

[0099] Alternatively, another optional implementation includes a first duration comprising a duration for which the M data packets are treated as a whole, or for which any one of the M data packets is treated, or for which the duration is the cumulative duration of any one data packet. For example, if the cumulative durations of different data packets among the M data packets are all equal, this is also the first duration; or if there are data packets among the M data packets with different cumulative durations, then the cumulative duration corresponding to a specific data packet can be used as the first duration, for example, the cumulative duration of the data packet with the longest cumulative duration can be used as the first duration. For instance, if accumulation starts from 1ms, data packet 1 arrives at 1ms, data packet 2 arrives at 2ms, and accumulation stops and transmission begins at 3ms, and data packets 1 and 2 are the M data packets, then the first duration could be the cumulative duration of data packets 1 and 2, which is 2ms. As another example, if accumulation starts from 1ms, and data packets 1 and 2 arrive at 2ms, and data packets 1 and 2 are the M data packets, then the first duration could be 2ms.

[0100] The UE can determine the first duration based on a first parameter (or a second parameter), or based on the latency requirements of a first service. The first parameter (or second parameter) or the latency requirements of the first service can be determined by the UE's modem, the UE's operating system (OS), or a predefined or pre-configured protocol. Furthermore, the data packet accumulation can be performed by the modem or the OS. If the first parameter (or second parameter) or the latency requirements of the first service are determined by the UE's modem, and data packet accumulation is performed by the OS, then the modem can send a fourth message to the OS. This fourth message can indicate the first parameter or the second parameter, or indicate the latency requirements of the first service. Upon receiving the fourth message, the OS can accumulate data packets based on it. For example, if the fourth message indicates the first parameter or the second parameter, and the first parameter or the second parameter includes a maximum accumulation time, then the time taken by the OS to perform one accumulation process can be less than or equal to that maximum accumulation time. For example, if the fourth information indicates the first or second parameter, which includes the maximum accumulation time and the maximum accumulation data volume, then the time consumed by the OS to execute one accumulation process can be less than or equal to the maximum accumulation time, and the total amount of data accumulated in one accumulation process can be less than or equal to the maximum accumulation data volume. Alternatively, if the fourth information indicates the latency requirement of the first service, then the time consumed by the OS to execute one accumulation process can meet the latency requirement of the first service. Regardless of the factors the OS uses to accumulate data packets, the time consumed by different accumulation processes can be the same or different, as long as the latency requirement of the first service or the first parameter (or the second parameter) is met, making the method quite flexible.

[0101] Alternatively, if the latency requirement of the first parameter (or the second parameter) or the first service is determined by the UE's modem, and the accumulation of data packets is also performed by the modem, then the modem can accumulate data packets based on the fourth information. Refer to the above text for details on the accumulation process.

[0102] Alternatively, if the latency requirement of the first parameter (or the second parameter) or the first service is determined by the UE's OS, and the accumulation of data packets is also performed by the OS, then the OS can accumulate data packets based on the fourth information. Refer to the above text for details on the accumulation process.

[0103] Alternatively, if the first parameter (or second parameter) or the latency requirement of the first service is determined by the UE's OS, and the accumulation of data packets is performed by the modem, then the OS can send a fourth message to the modem. This fourth message can indicate the first or second parameter, or indicate the latency requirement of the first service. Upon receiving the fourth message, the modem can accumulate data packets based on it. Refer to the above text for details on the accumulation process.

[0104] In this context, "determining the second parameter" can be understood as receiving the second parameter from the network device and determining its content.

[0105] Alternatively, if the first parameter (or the second parameter) is predefined or preconfigured in the protocol in the UE and network device, then the OS and modem do not need to pass the first parameter (or the second parameter). If packet accumulation is performed by the modem, the modem can accumulate packets based on either the first or the second parameter; if packet accumulation is performed by the OS, the OS can accumulate packets based on either the first or the second parameter.

[0106] If the OS accumulates data packets, it can send the accumulated packets to the modem after each accumulation, and the modem can then transmit the received packets. For example, if the OS accumulates M data packets at once, it can send these M packets to the modem, which can then transmit them. Optionally, the OS can also send a fifth piece of information to the modem, indicating the accumulation time corresponding to the M data packets, such as a first duration.

[0107] Alternatively, if the modem accumulates the data packets, the OS can send the packets to the modem immediately upon receiving them, without needing to perform the accumulation process itself. The modem can accumulate data packets and then send the accumulated packets.

[0108] The waiting time for the M data packets can be determined based on the first timer corresponding to the M data packets. That is, the UE can determine the first remaining time based on the first duration and the first timer.

[0109] For a modem, regardless of whether data packets are accumulated by the OS or the modem itself, when the modem receives a data packet (e.g., receives a data packet from the OS), it can start a first timer corresponding to that data packet. This first timer can be used to discard the data packet. For example, the modem can send the data packet before the first timer for a data packet expires. The elapsed duration of the first timer until the data packet is sent can be the waiting time for the data packet to be sent. If the modem still hasn't sent the data packet when the first timer expires, the modem can discard the data packet. For example, when the modem receives M data packets from the OS, it can start a corresponding first timer for each of the M data packets. For each data packet, the modem needs to send it before the first timer for that data packet expires. If the modem doesn't send the data packet corresponding to a first timer before it expires, the modem can discard that data packet. The first timer is maintained, for example, by a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP), such as a PDCP discard timer. Optionally, the duration of the first timer (i.e., the total duration of the first timer) can be configured by the network device or predefined by the protocol. The first timer is considered to have timed out when it has run for the duration specified in the first timer.

[0110] For example, when the UE's PDCP entity receives a data packet, the PDCP entity can start a first timer for that data packet. Thus, each data packet can correspond to a first timer. Optionally, the duration of the first timer corresponding to different data packets can be the same or different. For example, the network device can configure a first timer A for important data packets, which can also be understood as a regular packet loss timer, such as `discardTimer`; and can configure a first timer B for unimportant data packets, such as `discardTimerForLowImportance`. Correspondingly, the UE performs the discarding of important data based on first timer A and the discarding of unimportant data based on first timer B. For example, the network device can pre-configure first timer A and also pre-configure first timer B. When a network device requires a UE to perform packet loss based on importance, the network device can activate "importance-based packet loss" for the UE. For example, the network device can send a PSI-based discard activation MAC CE to the UE to activate importance-based packet loss. For instance, when congestion occurs, the network device can send a media access control (MAC) control element (CE) to activate importance-based packet loss; when congestion subsides, the network device can send a PSI-based discard deactivation MAC CE to deactivate importance-based packet loss. The network device can activate and deactivate importance-based packet loss at the DRB (Device Buffer) granularity. Optionally, the duration of the first timer A corresponding to important data can be longer than the duration of the first timer B corresponding to unimportant data. The first timer described in this application embodiment can be either first timer A or first timer B.

[0111] In this embodiment, the timing duration of the first timer corresponding to any one of the M data packets may include a first duration (which can be understood as the timing duration taking into account the first duration) or may not include the first duration (which can be understood as the timing duration not taking into account the first duration). If the timing duration of the first timer includes the first duration, the UE does not need to perform additional processing on the first timer when determining the first remaining duration; for example, when calculating the remaining duration corresponding to any one data packet, the UE can consider the remaining runtime of the first timer (the timing duration of the first timer minus the already run duration of the first timer) to be the remaining duration corresponding to the M data packets. In this case, the first remaining duration can be considered to be determined based on the waiting time for the M data packets to be sent, or based on the first timer. In this case, the maintenance of the first timer requires additional processing based on the first duration. When the UE starts the first timer, it considers the timing duration of the first timer to have changed to: the original timing duration of the first timer minus the first duration. Therefore, if the first timer runs for the "changed timing duration of the first timer", it can be considered that the first timer has timed out. Alternatively, if the UE starts the first timer and considers it to have already run for the "first duration", then if the first timer runs for the "first duration of the first timer", it can be considered that the first timer has timed out. Optionally, the timing duration of the first timer includes the first duration, specifically: 1) The timing duration of the first timer corresponding to any one of the M data packets may include the accumulated duration of that data packet (in this case, the accumulated durations of different data packets may be the same or different), or 2) The timing duration of the first timer corresponding to any one of the M data packets includes the first duration. In this case, although the accumulated durations of the M data packets may be different, the accumulated duration of the data packet with the longest accumulated duration can be used as the first duration (in this case, the accumulated duration of different data packets among the M data packets is considered to be the accumulated duration of the data packet with the longest accumulated duration).

[0112] For example, the timing duration of the first timer corresponding to data packet 1 and the first timer corresponding to data packet 2 is 20ms (this timing duration can be a value configured by the network device or a value predefined by the protocol). In the above method 1), data packet 1 has accumulated 5ms, data packet 2 has accumulated 2ms, and data packets 1 and 2 have been waiting to be sent for another 3ms. Then the remaining duration of data packet 1 can be 20ms-5ms-3ms=12ms, and the remaining duration of data packet 2 can be 20ms-2ms-3ms=15ms. The UE can assume that the timing duration of the first timer corresponding to data packet 1 has changed to 15ms (20ms-5ms), and the timing duration of the first timer corresponding to data packet 2 has changed to 18ms (20ms-2ms). These two first timers have run for 3ms. Therefore, the remaining runtime of the first timers corresponding to these two data packets is the "changed timing duration of the first timer" minus the 3ms already run. Alternatively, the timing duration of these two first timers may remain at 20ms. When the UE starts these two first timers, it assumes that the first timer corresponding to data packet 1 has run for 5ms, and the first timer corresponding to data packet 2 has run for 2ms. In addition, these two first timers have run for another 3ms. Therefore, the remaining runtime of the first timers corresponding to these two data packets is the timing duration of the corresponding first timer (20ms) minus the total running time.

[0113] Alternatively, for method 2) above, data packets 1 and 2 are accumulated over 5ms, and the remaining duration of both data packets 1 and 2 is 20ms - 5ms - 3ms = 12ms. The UE can assume that the timing duration of the first timer corresponding to data packets 1 and 2 has changed to 15ms (20ms - 5ms), and these two first timers have run for another 3ms. Therefore, the remaining runtime of these two first timers is "the changed timing duration of the first timer 15ms" minus the already run 3ms. Or, the timing duration of these two first timers remains 20ms. When the UE starts these two first timers, it assumes that the corresponding first timer for data packets 1 and 2 has run for 5ms, and these two first timers have run for another 3ms. Therefore, the remaining runtime of the first timer corresponding to these two data packets is the corresponding timing duration of the first timer 20ms minus the corresponding total running time of 5ms.

[0114] Alternatively, if the timing duration of the first timer corresponding to any of the M data packets does not include the first duration, then when the UE calculates the remaining duration corresponding to that data packet, it can consider the difference between the remaining runtime of the first timer (the timing duration of the first timer minus the already run duration of the first timer) and the first duration as the remaining duration corresponding to that data packet. In this case, the first remaining duration can be considered to be determined based on the first duration and the waiting time for the M data packets to be sent, or based on the first duration and the first timer.

[0115] Optionally, when calculating the remaining duration corresponding to any one data packet, it can be specifically: 1) the difference between the remaining runtime of the first timer corresponding to any one data packet (the timing duration of the first timer minus the running duration of the first timer) and the duration used to accumulate the data packet is considered to be the remaining duration corresponding to the data packet; or, 2) the difference between the remaining runtime of the first timer corresponding to any one data packet (the timing duration of the first timer minus the running duration of the first timer) and the first duration is considered to be the remaining duration corresponding to the M data packets. In this case, although the accumulated time of each of the M data packets may be different, the accumulated duration of the data packet with the longest accumulated time can be used as the first duration.

[0116] The UE sends third information to the network device to indicate the first remaining duration, which can be performed by the UE's modem, thus the first remaining duration can be determined by the modem. Optionally, if the UE's OS performs packet accumulation, the modem can determine the first remaining duration based on a first parameter or a second parameter; alternatively, in addition to sending the M packets to the modem, the OS can also send fifth information to the modem, indicating the accumulated duration of the M packets (e.g., the first duration), which the modem can then use to determine the first remaining duration.

[0117] In this embodiment, the first remaining duration may include the remaining duration corresponding to at least one logical channel group (LCG). For example, the first remaining duration may include one or more remaining durations, each corresponding to one or more LCGs, wherein each LCG may correspond to at least one of the one or more remaining durations. The M data packets may be carried on the logical channel included in the at least one LCG. Any one of the at least one LCG may carry some or all of the M data packets; optionally, the LCG may also carry other data packets besides the M data packets. The remaining durations corresponding to different data packets carried by an LCG may be the same or different, and the remaining durations corresponding to the data packets carried by the LCG can all be considered as the remaining duration corresponding to that LCG. For any one of the at least one LCGs, the number of remaining durations corresponding to that LCG included in the first remaining duration may be one or more; for example, some or all of the remaining durations corresponding to that LCG may be included in the first remaining duration.

[0118] The number of remaining durations of any one of the at least one LCGs included within the first remaining duration can be 1 (or, as understood, the number of remaining durations corresponding to any one LCG included within the first remaining duration is 1). For example, the remaining duration can be the minimum remaining duration corresponding to that LCG, that is, the minimum duration among all the remaining durations corresponding to all data packets carried by that LCG. Alternatively, the number of remaining durations of any one of the at least one LCGs included within the first remaining duration can be greater than 1 (or, as understood, the number of remaining durations corresponding to any one LCG included within the first remaining duration is greater than 1). The remaining duration includes, for example, the minimum remaining duration corresponding to that LCG, and may also include non-minimum durations corresponding to that LCG.

[0119] Taking the first LCG among the at least one LCGs as an example, the remaining time included in the first remaining time is explained. The first LCG can be any LCG among the at least one LCGs. For example, if the first threshold is greater than or equal to the maximum value among multiple reporting thresholds, the first remaining time may include the minimum remaining time corresponding to the first LCG, but not the other remaining times corresponding to the first LCG. As another example, if the first threshold is less than or equal to the maximum value among multiple reporting thresholds, and the first threshold is greater than or equal to the minimum value among multiple reporting thresholds, the first remaining time may include the minimum remaining time corresponding to the first LCG, and may also include the non-minimum remaining time corresponding to the first LCG. This non-minimum remaining time may include, for example, the remaining time corresponding to the first LCG that is greater than or equal to the first threshold. Again, as another example, if the first threshold is less than or equal to the minimum value among multiple reporting thresholds, the first remaining time may include the minimum remaining time corresponding to the first LCG, and may also include the non-minimum remaining time corresponding to the first LCG. This non-minimum remaining time may include, for example, the remaining time corresponding to the first LCG that is greater than or equal to the first threshold.

[0120] Here, the first threshold and the plurality of reporting thresholds all correspond to the first LCG. The first threshold, for example, is a trigger threshold, which determines whether to report the remaining duration corresponding to the first LCG. For example, if the minimum remaining duration among the remaining durations of the data packets carried by the logical channels included in the first LCG is less than the first threshold, and the first LCG currently has no pending or unprocessed delay status reporting (DSR), then the UE can send third information to indicate the remaining duration corresponding to the first LCG. For example, the first remaining duration may include the remaining duration corresponding to the first LCG. However, if the minimum remaining duration among the remaining durations of the data packets carried by the logical channels included in the first LCG is greater than or equal to the first threshold, and / or the first LCG currently has pending or unprocessed DSR, then the UE does not need to report the remaining duration corresponding to the first LCG. For example, the first remaining duration may not include the remaining duration corresponding to the first LCG. Optionally, if the UE has the first function enabled, and the minimum remaining duration of the data packets carried by the logical channels included in the first LCG is less than the first threshold, and the first LCG currently has no pending or unprocessed DSRs, then the UE may send third information to indicate the remaining duration of the first LCG; however, if one or more of the following conditions are met: the UE has not had the first function enabled, the minimum remaining duration of the data packets carried by the logical channels included in the first LCG is greater than or equal to the first threshold, or the first LCG currently has pending or unprocessed DSRs, then the UE may not need to report the remaining duration of the first LCG.

[0121] Taking the remaining duration reported by the UE for the first LCG as an example. For instance, multiple data packets in the first LCG correspond to three remaining durations: 5ms, 10ms, and 13ms. For example, if the first threshold for the first LCG is 8, and there are two reporting thresholds specifically for the first LCG (threshold 1 is 3, threshold 2 is 5), then if the first threshold is greater than or equal to the maximum of these two reporting thresholds, the first remaining duration can include the 5ms corresponding to the first LCG, but not the 10ms and 13ms corresponding to the first LCG.

[0122] For example, if the first threshold corresponding to the first LCG is 11, and among the multiple reporting thresholds mentioned above, threshold 1 is 3 and threshold 2 is 12, then if the first threshold is less than the maximum value of these two thresholds and greater than the minimum value of these two thresholds, then the first remaining duration can include the 5ms corresponding to the first LCG, and can also include the remaining duration of the remaining duration corresponding to the first LCG that is greater than the first threshold, that is, it also includes the 10ms corresponding to the first LCG, but does not include the 13ms corresponding to the first LCG.

[0123] Optionally, the third information may indicate one or more of the following: a first remaining duration, the amount of data corresponding to at least one LCG, or a table of the amount of data corresponding to at least one LCG. For example, the third information may include a remaining time field that indicates the first remaining duration. For example, the remaining time field may include at least one field A, which corresponds one-to-one with at least one LCG, wherein each field A may indicate the remaining duration of the corresponding LCG. Optionally, each field A in the at least one field A may occupy 6 bits.

[0124] The third piece of information may include a buffer size field, which indicates the amount of data corresponding to the at least one LCG. For example, the buffer size field may include at least one field B, each corresponding to one or more LCGs, where each field B indicates the amount of data for the corresponding LCG. The amount of data corresponding to an LCG may be, for example, the total amount of delay-critical data carried by that LCG. For example, the total amount of data corresponding to an LCG may include the amount of data calculated separately by the radio link control (RLC) entity and the PDCP entity. For example, the amount of data calculated by the RLC entity may include one or more of the following: "delay-critical RLC service data units (SDUs) or delay-critical RLC SDU segments that are not constructed as RLCdata protocol data units," "RLC Data PDUs to be initially transmitted containing delay-critical RLC SDUs or delay-critical RLC SDU segments," "RLC data PDUs that need to be retransmitted (to be retransmitted)," or, "RLC status reports." For example, the data volume calculated by the PDCP entity includes one or more of the following: "delay-critical PDCP SDU not constructed as a PDCP data PDU", "PDCP data PDU containing a delay-critical PDCP SDU but not yet submitted to the lower layer", "PDCP control PDU", "PDCP SDU requiring retransmission (pending retransmission)", or "PDCP data PDU requiring retransmission (pending retransmission)". Optionally, if the number of remaining durations included in the first remaining duration of any LCG in at least one LCG is greater than 1 (or understood as the number of remaining durations corresponding to that LCG included in the first remaining duration being greater than 1), then one of the remaining durations corresponding to that LCG can correspond to a buffer size value, which can represent the data volume of the data packet corresponding to that remaining duration.

[0125] The third information may include a buffer size table field, which indicates the data volume table corresponding to the at least one LCG. For example, the buffer size table field may include at least one field C, which corresponds one-to-one with at least one LCG, and each field C can indicate the data volume table of the corresponding LCG. For example, for an LCG, field C will only exist if the LCG is configured with the third parameter and the buffer size indicated by field B is not 0; otherwise, field C is reserved and set to 0. The third parameter indicates whether the UE is allowed to use refined buffer size levels for the LCG; for example, a value of "1" indicates that the UE is allowed to use refined buffer size levels for the LCG.

[0126] Optionally, the third information may be included in the DSR (e.g., referred to as the first DSR), or in the MAC CE (e.g., referred to as the first MAC CE), or the third information may be either the first DSR or the first MAC CE. Optionally, the first MAC CE may be a MAC CE as defined in the embodiments of this application. For example, the first MAC CE may correspond to the first logical channel identifier (LCID), and the first LCID may indicate the third information or indicate the remaining duration corresponding to the LCG. That is, if the network device receives a MAC CE corresponding to the first LCID, it can determine that the MAC CE is used to indicate the remaining duration corresponding to the LCG.

[0127] Optionally, the UE may send third information when requesting to send a data packet. For example, one way the UE requests to send a data packet is by sending a buffer status report (BSR). In this method, the UE may send the third information along with the BSR. The third information may be included in the BSR or not. If the third information is not included in the BSR, it can be implemented using the method described in the previous paragraph.

[0128] Once the network device learns the first remaining time, it can schedule the M data packets within the first remaining time so that the M data packets meet the latency requirements of the first service.

[0129] In summary, the embodiments of this application can accumulate data packets and send them together after accumulating one or more data packets, thereby minimizing the fragmented data packet transmission process and concentrating the data packets together for transmission, which helps to save the power consumption of the device.

[0130] Two more embodiments are described below. Optionally, these two embodiments can be understood as... Figure 4 Two examples of the embodiments shown are provided. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 5 This is one embodiment.

[0131] S501, the UE establishes an RRC connection with the network device.

[0132] S502, the UE sends the sixth information to the network device. Correspondingly, the network device receives the sixth information.

[0133] The sixth piece of information can indicate that the UE supports the first function. S502 uses the example of the sixth piece of information being UE capability information. For more information on the sixth piece of information, please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figure 4 The example shown.

[0134] S503, the network device sends the eighth message to the UE. Correspondingly, the UE receives the eighth message.

[0135] The eighth message can instruct (or enable, allow, configure, or enable) the UE to report information related to the first function. S503 uses the RRC connection reconfiguration message as an example of the eighth message. For more information on the eighth message, please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 4 The example shown.

[0136] S504, UE confirms that the first function is enabled.

[0137] Optionally, the UE may determine whether to use or enable the first function based on one or more factors, such as the UE's remaining battery power, energy-saving requirements, or the application being executed.

[0138] S505: The UE sends the seventh information to the network device, and the network device receives the seventh information accordingly.

[0139] The seventh message can request the activation of the first function. Optionally, the sixth and / or seventh messages can indicate the first parameter. S505 uses the seventh message as an example where the seventh message is UE auxiliary information. For more information on the seventh message, the first parameter, etc., please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 4 The example shown.

[0140] S503 and S505 are optional steps.

[0141] S506, The network device sends the second information. Correspondingly, the UE receives the second information.

[0142] The second information can instruct the UE to enable, activate, use, or turn on the first function, or it can configure the first function for the UE. Optionally, the second information can also indicate a second parameter, which is related to the first function. S506 uses an RRC connection reconfiguration message as an example. For more information on the second information, second parameters, etc., please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 4 The example shown.

[0143] Optionally, if the second information is an RRC connection reconfiguration message, the UE may also send an RRC connection reconfiguration complete message to the network device after receiving the second information.

[0144] S507, the UE's modem indicates the first parameter or the second parameter to the UE's OS. After accumulating data packets, the OS can deliver the accumulated data packets to the modem.

[0145] This application embodiment uses an example of an OS accumulating data packets, with the modem indicating a first parameter or a second parameter to the OS. For instance, the OS can determine the maximum accumulation time based on the first or second parameter, and accumulate data packets for a maximum of this maximum accumulation time. When the maximum accumulation time is reached, the OS can deliver all accumulated data packets to the modem. Further details can be found in [reference needed]. Figure 4 The example shown.

[0146] S508, the UE sends M data packets to the network device. Correspondingly, the network device receives these M data packets.

[0147] For example, if these M data packets are accumulated data packets, the UE can send these M data packets after the accumulation is complete. For more information, please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figure 4 The example shown.

[0148] S509, the network device calculates the first remaining time.

[0149] In this embodiment, for example, a network device can determine a first remaining duration based on a first parameter or a second parameter, and then further process the M data packets based on the first remaining duration. Further details can be found in [reference needed]. Figure 4 The example shown.

[0150] This application embodiment can accumulate data packets and send them together after accumulating one or more data packets, thereby minimizing the fragmented data packet transmission process and concentrating data packets for transmission, which helps save device power consumption. Moreover, the network device can determine the first remaining duration itself without the UE calculating and indicating it, which simplifies the UE implementation and makes this application embodiment applicable to more types of UEs.

[0151] Please refer to this again. Figure 6 This is another embodiment.

[0152] S601, the UE establishes an RRC connection with the network device.

[0153] S602, the UE sends the sixth information to the network device. Correspondingly, the network device receives the sixth information.

[0154] The sixth piece of information can indicate that the UE supports the first function. S602 uses the example of the sixth piece of information being UE capability information. For more information on the sixth piece of information, please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figure 4 The example shown.

[0155] S603, The network device sends the eighth message to the UE. Correspondingly, the UE receives the eighth message.

[0156] The eighth message can instruct (or enable, allow, configure, or enable) the UE to report information related to the first function. S603 uses the RRC connection reconfiguration message as an example of the eighth message. For more information on the eighth message, please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 4 The example shown.

[0157] S604, UE confirms that the first function is enabled.

[0158] Optionally, the UE may determine whether to use or enable the first function based on one or more factors, such as the UE's remaining battery power, energy-saving requirements, or the application being executed.

[0159] S605, the UE sends the seventh information to the network device, and the network device receives the seventh information accordingly.

[0160] The seventh message can request the activation of the first function. S605 uses the example of the seventh message being UE auxiliary information. For more information on the seventh message and other related content, please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figure 4 The example shown.

[0161] S603 and S605 are optional steps.

[0162] S606, The network device sends the second information. Correspondingly, the UE receives the second information.

[0163] The second information can instruct the UE to enable, activate, use, or turn on the first function, or it can configure the first function for the UE. S606 uses an RRC connection reconfiguration message as an example where the second information is an RRC connection reconfiguration message. For more information on the second information and other related topics, please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 4 The example shown.

[0164] Optionally, if the second information is an RRC connection reconfiguration message, the UE may also send an RRC connection reconfiguration complete message to the network device after receiving the second information.

[0165] S607, the UE's modem indicates the latency requirement of the first service to the UE's OS. After accumulating data packets, the OS can deliver the accumulated data packets to the modem.

[0166] This embodiment of the application uses an OS accumulating data packets and a modem indicating the latency requirements of a first service to the OS as an example. The OS can accumulate data packets according to the latency requirements of the first service, and the accumulation time must meet the latency requirements of the first service. After one or more accumulations are completed, the OS can deliver all accumulated data packets to the modem. Optionally, in addition to delivering the accumulated data packets (e.g., M data packets) to the modem, the OS can also send fifth information to the modem. The fifth information can indicate the accumulation time corresponding to the M data packets, such as a first duration. Further details can be found in [reference needed]. Figure 4 The example shown.

[0167] S608, the UE sends M data packets and third information to the network device. Correspondingly, the network device receives the M data packets and the third information.

[0168] For example, if the M data packets are accumulated data packets, the UE can send these M data packets after the accumulation is complete. The third piece of information can indicate the first remaining time, which the network device can use to further process the M data packets. For more information, please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 4 The example shown.

[0169] This application embodiment can accumulate data packets and send them together after accumulating one or more data packets, thereby minimizing the fragmented data packet transmission process and concentrating data packets for transmission, which helps save device power consumption. Moreover, in this application embodiment, the UE can indicate the first remaining time to the network device, so the network device does not need to determine the first remaining time itself, which can reduce the burden on the network device.

[0170] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of this application is provided. The communication device 700 may be... Figures 4-6 The UE or its circuitry, as shown in any of the accompanying drawings, is used to implement the method corresponding to the UE in the above method embodiments. Alternatively, the communication device 700 may be... Figures 4-6 The network device or circuit system of any of the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings is used to implement the method corresponding to the network device in the above method embodiments. For example, one type of circuit system is a chip system.

[0171] The communication device 700 includes at least one processor 701. The processor 701 can be used for internal processing within the device to implement certain control processing functions. Optionally, the processor 701 includes instructions. Optionally, the processor 701 can store data. Optionally, different processors can be independent devices, located in different physical locations, or located on different integrated circuits. Optionally, different processors can be integrated into one or more processors, for example, integrated on one or more integrated circuits.

[0172] Optionally, the communication device 700 includes one or more memories 703 for storing instructions. Optionally, the memories 703 may also store data. The processor and the memories may be separate or integrated together.

[0173] Optionally, the communication device 700 includes a communication line 702 and at least one communication interface 704. Since the memory 703, communication line 702, and communication interface 704 are all optional, therefore... Figure 7 All are represented by dashed lines.

[0174] Optionally, the communication device 700 may further include a transceiver and / or an antenna. The transceiver can be used to send information to or receive information from other devices. The transceiver may be referred to as a transceiver unit, transceiver circuit, input / output interface, etc., and is used to realize the transmission and reception functions of the communication device 700 via the antenna. Optionally, the transceiver includes a transmitter and a receiver. For example, the transmitter can be used to generate a radio frequency (RF) signal from a baseband signal, and the receiver can be used to convert the RF signal back into a baseband signal.

[0175] The processor 701 may include a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of programs according to the present application.

[0176] Communication line 702 may include a path for transmitting information between the aforementioned components.

[0177] The communication interface 704 uses any transceiver-like device for communicating with other devices or communication networks, such as Ethernet, radio access network (RAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), wired access network, etc.

[0178] The memory 703 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device capable of storing static information and instructions, random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device capable of storing information and instructions, or it may be an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital versatile optical discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and accessible by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory 703 may exist independently and be connected to the processor 701 via communication line 702. Alternatively, the memory 703 may be integrated with the processor 701.

[0179] The memory 703 stores computer execution instructions for implementing the scheme of this application, and its execution is controlled by the processor 701. The processor 701 executes the computer execution instructions stored in the memory 703, thereby realizing... Figures 4-6 The steps performed by the UE in any of the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, and / or, Figures 4-6 The steps performed by the network device in any of the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0180] Optionally, the computer execution instructions in the embodiments of this application may also be referred to as application code, and the embodiments of this application do not specifically limit this.

[0181] In a specific implementation, as one example, the processor 701 may include one or more CPUs, for example... Figure 7 CPU0 and CPU1 in the CPU.

[0182] In a specific implementation, as one example, the communication device 700 may include multiple processors, such as... Figure 7 Processors 701 and 705 are described in the text. Each of these processors can be a single-core (single-CPU) processor or a multi-core (multi-CPU) processor. Here, "processor" can refer to one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores used to process data (e.g., computer program instructions).

[0183] when Figure 7When the illustrated device is a chip, such as a UE chip or a network device chip, the chip includes a processor 701 (and may also include a processor 705), a communication line 702, and a communication interface 704. Optionally, it may include a memory 703. Specifically, the communication interface 704 may be an input interface, pins, or circuits, etc. The memory 703 may be a register, cache, etc. The processor 701 and processor 705 may be a general-purpose CPU, microprocessor, ASIC, or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of a program that controls the communication method of any of the above embodiments.

[0184] This application embodiment can divide the device into functional modules according to the above method example. For example, each function can be divided into its own functional modules, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated modules can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules. It should be noted that the module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, when dividing the device into functional modules according to each function, Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of an apparatus. The apparatus 800 may be a UE or network device involved in the above-described method embodiments, or a chip in a UE or a chip in a network device. The apparatus 800 includes a processing unit 802 and a transceiver unit 801.

[0185] It should be understood that the device 800 can be used to implement the steps performed by the UE and / or network device in the communication method of the embodiments of this application, and the relevant features can be referred to above. Figures 4-6 The embodiments shown in any of the accompanying drawings will not be described in detail here.

[0186] Optional, Figure 8 The functions / implementation process of the transceiver unit 801 and the processing unit 802 can be obtained through Figure 7 The processor 701 in the memory calls computer execution instructions stored in memory 703 to implement the function. Alternatively, Figure 8 The function / implementation process of the processing unit 802 in the middle can be achieved through Figure 7 The processor 701 in the memory calls computer execution instructions stored in the memory 703 to implement this. Figure 8 The function / implementation process of the transceiver unit 801 in the middle can be obtained through Figure 7 It is implemented using the 704 communication interface.

[0187] Optionally, when the device 800 is a chip or circuit, the function / implementation process of the transceiver unit 801 can also be implemented through pins or circuits. Optionally, the transceiver unit 801 may include a transmitting unit and / or a receiving unit, whereby the transmitting unit implements the transmitting function and the receiving unit implements the receiving function; or, the transceiver unit 801 may be an integral module capable of implementing both transmitting and / or receiving functions. Optionally, the transceiver unit 801 can be implemented using a transceiver.

[0188] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed, implement the methods performed by the UE and / or network device in the aforementioned method embodiments. Thus, the functions described in the above embodiments can be implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to it, or a part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, ROM, RAM, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0189] This application also provides a computer program product comprising: computer program code, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method executed by the UE and / or network device in any of the foregoing method embodiments.

[0190] This application also provides a processing apparatus, including a processor and an interface; the processor is used to execute the methods performed by the UE and / or network device involved in any of the above method embodiments.

[0191] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., solid-state disk (SSD)).

[0192] The various illustrative logic units and circuits described in the embodiments of this application can be implemented or operate the described functions using a general-purpose processor, digital signal processor (DSP), ASIC, field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor; alternatively, it can be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor can also be implemented using a combination of computing devices, such as a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors combined with a digital signal processor core, or any other similar configuration.

[0193] The steps of the methods or algorithms described in the embodiments of this application can be directly embedded in hardware, software units executed by a processor, or a combination of both. The software units can be stored in RAM, flash memory, ROM, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), EEPROM, registers, hard disks, removable disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of storage medium in the art. Exemplarily, the storage medium can be connected to the processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium can also be integrated into the processor. The processor and storage medium can be disposed in an ASIC, which can be disposed in the terminal device. Optionally, the processor and storage medium can also be disposed in different components of the terminal device.

[0194] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing equipment to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable equipment to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable equipment for implementing the process. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The steps of the function specified in one or more boxes.

[0195] The contents of the various embodiments of this application can be referenced to each other. Unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced to each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0196] It is understood that in the embodiments of this application, the UE and / or network device may perform some or all of the steps in the embodiments of this application. These steps or operations are merely examples. In the embodiments of this application, other operations or variations of various operations may also be performed. Furthermore, the steps may be performed in different orders as presented in the embodiments of this application, and it is not necessary to perform all the operations in the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: sending first information, the first information being used for indicating that a terminal supports a first function and / or for requesting to start the first function, wherein the first function is used for sending or receiving accumulated one or more data packets; receiving second information, the second information being used for indicating that the terminal enables the first function.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The method further comprises: sending or receiving M accumulated data packets according to the first function, wherein at least one data packet in the M data packets has a cumulative time greater than 0, and M is a positive integer.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein: the M data packets correspond to the terminal; or the M data packets correspond to one DRB or one logical channel of the terminal.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The first information is further used for indicating a first parameter related to the first function, and the first parameter comprises a maximum cumulative time length and / or a maximum cumulative data amount.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The method further comprises: sending third information, the third information being used for indicating a first remaining time length, and the first remaining time length being a remaining time length corresponding to the M data packets.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein, The first remaining time length is determined according to a time length for accumulating the M data packets and a first timer, and a timing time length of the first timer does not include the time length for accumulating the M data packets.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein, The first remaining time length is determined according to a first timer, and a timing time length of the first timer includes the time length for accumulating the M data packets.

8. The method of any one of claims 5-7, wherein: the first remaining time length comprises a remaining time length corresponding to at least one logical channel group, wherein the M data packets are carried on logical channels included in the at least one logical channel group.

9. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that, sending third information, comprising: sending the third information when the first function is enabled.

10. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that, The third information is DSR, or the third information is a first MAC CE, the first MAC CE corresponds to a first logical identifier, and the first logical identifier is used for indicating the third information.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The method further comprises: a modem of the terminal sends fourth information to an OS of the terminal, the fourth information being used for indicating a first parameter related to the first function or for indicating a latency requirement of the first service.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein, The method further comprises: the OS sends fifth information to the modem, the fifth information being used for indicating a time length for accumulating the M data packets.

13. A method of communication, comprising: The method comprises: receiving first information, the first information being used for indicating that a terminal supports a first function and / or for requesting to start the first function, wherein the first function is used for sending or receiving accumulated one or more data packets; sending second information, the second information being used for indicating that the terminal enables the first function.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving or sending M accumulated data packets, M being an integer greater than or equal to 2, wherein at least one data packet in the M data packets has a cumulative time greater than 0, and M is a positive integer.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, The first information is further used for indicating a first parameter related to the first function, and the first parameter comprises a maximum cumulative time length and / or a maximum cumulative data amount.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein, The method further comprises: determine a first remaining duration according to the first parameter, the first remaining duration being a remaining duration corresponding to the M data packets; schedule the M data packets within the first remaining duration.

17. The method of claim 13 or 14, wherein, The method further includes: receiving third information, the third information being used to indicate a first remaining duration, the first remaining duration being a remaining duration corresponding to the M data packets; schedule the M data packets within the first remaining duration.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first remaining duration includes a remaining duration corresponding to at least one logical channel group, wherein the M data packets are carried on logical channels included in the at least one logical channel group.

19. The method of claim 17 or 18, wherein, receiving third information includes: when it is indicated that the terminal enables the first function, receiving the third information.

20. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that, the third information is a DSR, or is a first MAC CE, the first MAC CE corresponding to a first logical identifier, the first logical identifier being used to indicate the third information.

21. A communications device, characterized by The communication apparatus includes a processing unit and a transceiver unit, the processing unit being coupled with the transceiver unit to perform the method of any one of claims 1-12, or to perform the method of any one of claims 13-20.

22. A communications device, characterized by The communication apparatus includes a processor configured to cause the communication apparatus to perform the method of any one of claims 1-12, or to perform the method of any one of claims 13-20.

23. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer readable storage medium is used to store a computer program, when the computer program runs on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1-12, or causes the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 13-20.

24. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program product includes a computer program, when the computer program runs on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1-12, or causes the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 13-20.

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