Communication method, apparatus, and readable storage medium

Abstract

The application provides a communication method, device and readable storage medium, which are applied to the technical field of communication, can reduce the storage burden of the RAN node while realizing user-level guarantee. The communication method provided by the application comprises the following steps: a first communication device receives first information, the first information requests to provide a communication service quality guarantee for a terminal device in a first area, and the first information comprises information of the first area. The first communication device sends second information according to the first information, and the second information is used for instructing an access network device in the first area to use a first service quality configuration.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to communication methods, apparatus and readable storage media. Background Technology

[0002] In communication networks, the core network can configure corresponding Quality of Service (QoS) parameters for communication sessions and configure the mapping relationship between QoS flows and QoS parameters, so that service data can be transmitted through the corresponding QoS flows and obtain the corresponding transmission guarantees. In 5G networks, QoS parameters include 5G QoS Identifiers (5QIs). Radio Access Network (RAN) nodes can determine the data radio bearer (DRB) used to transmit service data between themselves and terminal devices, and store the mapping relationship between 5QIs and DRBs (including the mapping relationship between QoS flow IDs and DRBs, and the mapping relationship between QoS flow IDs and 5QIs), thereby providing terminal device-level guarantees for services.

[0003] In communication networks, to ensure a good communication experience, users may purchase data plans from operators that guarantee specific data usage within a particular geographical area (such as uplink and downlink speeds). These plans typically offer user-level guarantees. One approach to achieving this is for the core network to reconstruct the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session of the terminal device and configure new QoS settings after the device's location changes. In this approach, all RAN nodes within a network need to maintain the mapping relationships between all 5QIs and DRBs within that network. However, this places a significant burden on the RAN nodes' storage resources. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method, apparatus, and readable storage medium, which can reduce the storage burden on RAN nodes while achieving user-level protection.

[0005] The embodiments of this application adopt the following technical solutions:

[0006] Firstly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a first communication device or by a module (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system) applied to the first communication device. Taking the execution of the method by the first communication device as an example, the method includes: the first communication device receiving first information, the first information requesting that communication quality of service (QoS) be provided for a terminal device within a first area, the first information including information about the first area; and the first communication device sending second information based on the first information, the second information being used to instruct access network devices within the first area to use a first QoS configuration.

[0007] Based on the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application, after determining that the service needs to obtain communication service quality assurance in a specific area, the first communication device can send information to the access network device in the specific area to enable the access network device in the specific area to use a specific QoS configuration to provide communication service quality assurance for the terminal device. Access network devices not in the specific area do not need to use the specific QoS configuration, and therefore do not need to store the mapping relationship between DRB and QoS parameters / QoS flow identification information in the QoS configuration. Thus, while saving the storage resource overhead of the access network device, user-level communication service quality assurance can be provided.

[0008] In one possible design, the first information also includes information from the first moment, and the first information request provides communication service quality assurance to the terminal device in the first area and in the first moment.

[0009] If the first information also includes information from the first time, the access network devices in the first area can be instructed to use the first quality of service configuration from the first time through either design 1 or design 2:

[0010] Design 1: The second information includes information from the first time, and the second information is used to instruct access network devices in the first area to use the first quality of service configuration within the first time.

[0011] Design 2: The first communication device sends a second message to the access network devices in the first area at the start time of the first time. The first communication device also sends a third message, which is used to instruct the access network devices in the first area to stop using the first quality of service configuration. The time point at which the third message is sent is the end time point of the first time.

[0012] Based on this scheme, the first communication device can instruct the access network device to use the first quality of service configuration for a certain period of time, thereby providing communication service quality assurance for the terminal device for a certain period of time.

[0013] In one possible design, the first information further requests that the terminal device be provided with a quality of service guarantee in the second area, and the first information also includes information about the second area. The method further includes: the first communication device sending a fourth information, which instructs access network devices in the second area to use a second quality of service configuration.

[0014] Based on this scheme, the first communication device can send information to multiple access network devices in different areas, instructing the access network devices to use the corresponding quality of service configuration, thereby enabling more refined user-level protection.

[0015] In one possible design, the second QoS configuration and the first QoS configuration are configured by a third communication device. The first QoS configuration configured by the third communication device is mapped to the first identification information, and the second QoS configuration configured by the third communication device is mapped to the second identification information. The second information includes the first identification information, which is used by access network devices within the first area to determine which QoS configuration to use based on the mapping relationship between the first QoS configuration and the first identification information. The fourth information includes the second identification information, which is used by access network devices within the first area to determine which QoS configuration to use based on the mapping relationship between the second QoS configuration and the second identification information.

[0016] This solution provides a way to enable access network devices in different areas to determine and use the corresponding quality of service (QoS) configuration: by sending identification information to the access network devices, the access network devices can determine the QoS configuration associated with the identification information from all the acquired QoS configurations.

[0017] In one possible design, the first information includes a first quality of service configuration, and the fourth information includes a second quality of service configuration.

[0018] This solution provides a way to enable access network devices in different areas to determine and use corresponding quality of service (QoS) configurations: directly sending the corresponding QoS configurations to the access network devices.

[0019] In one possible design, the first quality of service configuration is configured by a third communication device, which is different from the first communication device; or, the second information includes the first quality of service configuration.

[0020] This solution provides multiple options for configuring the Quality of Service (QoS) for access network devices: configuration by a third communication device that is different from the first communication device, or configuration directly by the first communication device.

[0021] In one possible design, the first information includes the first quality of service configuration.

[0022] Based on this scheme, the first communication device can directly determine the first quality of service configuration according to the first information.

[0023] Secondly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a third communication device or by a module (e.g., processor, chip, or chip system) applied to the third communication device. Taking the execution of the method by a third communication device as an example, the method includes: when it is determined that a terminal device in a first area has moved to a third area, the third communication device sends fifth information to a second access network device in the third area. The fifth information requests the establishment of a communication session for the terminal device. The fifth information includes a first quality of service configuration. The second access network device is the access network device that the terminal device connects to after moving to the third area. The subscription information of the terminal device indicates that the corresponding protection area of ​​the terminal device includes the first area but does not include the third area. The third communication device receives a sixth information from the second access network device, which indicates that the second access network device does not support the use of the first quality of service configuration.

[0024] Based on this scheme, the third communication device can trigger the reconstruction of the terminal device's communication session based on the terminal device's location movement. If the terminal device moves to a non-guaranteed area, the access network device in the non-guaranteed area can send a sixth message to the third communication device, indicating that the access network device does not support the use of the first quality of service configuration. The third communication device can then determine that the terminal device has moved to a non-guaranteed area based on this sixth message, thereby configuring a basic quality of service configuration for the reconstructed session and achieving user-level protection in a specific area.

[0025] In one possible design, before the third communication device sends the fifth information, the method further includes: the third communication device sending a first quality of service configuration to the access network device and the third access network device in the first area.

[0026] Based on this scheme, the third communication device can send a first quality of service configuration to the access network device, so that when the terminal device is located in the protection area, the access network device in the protection area can configure the first quality of service configuration for the terminal device's session, thereby providing communication service quality assurance for the terminal device.

[0027] Thirdly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a first access network device or by a module (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system) applied to the first access network device. Taking the execution of the method by the first access network device as an example, the method includes: the first access network device obtaining a first quality of service configuration; the first access network device receiving second information, the second information being used to instruct the access network device to use the first quality of service configuration; and the first access network device using the first quality of service configuration according to the second information.

[0028] In one possible design, the first access network device is located within the guaranteed area where the terminal device has signed a contract to provide communication service quality assurance for the terminal device.

[0029] Based on this scheme, the first access network device can use the first quality of service configuration under the instruction of the second information, instead of using it directly after receiving the first quality of service configuration. It can be realized that the second information enables the first access network device that meets specific conditions (such as the access network device located in the protection area) to use the first quality of service configuration. Access network devices that do not meet specific conditions cannot use the first quality of service configuration even if they receive the first quality of service configuration, but do not receive the second information.

[0030] In one possible design, the second information includes information from the first time, which is used to instruct the access network device to use the first quality of service configuration within the first time period.

[0031] Based on this solution, the first access network device can use the first quality of service configuration in the first time according to the information at the first time.

[0032] In one possible design, the method further includes: a first access network device receiving third information, the third information being used to instruct the access network device to stop using a first quality of service configuration.

[0033] Based on this scheme, the first access network device can stop using the first quality of service configuration according to the third information, thereby controlling the first access network device to use the quality of service configuration for a certain period of time through the third information.

[0034] In one possible design, the first access network device obtaining the first quality of service configuration includes: receiving the first quality of service configuration and first identification information, and associating the first quality of service configuration and the first identification information. In this design, the second information includes the first identification information, and the first access network device using the first quality of service configuration based on the second information includes: determining and using the first quality of service configuration based on the first identification information.

[0035] This solution provides a method for access network devices to determine and use the corresponding Quality of Service (QoS) configuration from all the QoS configurations obtained.

[0036] Fourthly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a second access network device or by a module (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system) applied to the second access network device. Taking the execution of the method by the second access network device as an example, the method includes: the second access network device receiving fifth information, the fifth information including a first quality of service configuration, the fifth information being used to request the establishment of a communication session; and the second access network device sending sixth information, the sixth information being used to indicate that the access network device does not support the use of the first quality of service configuration.

[0037] In one possible design, the second access network device is located outside the area where the terminal device has signed a contract to provide quality of service assurance for the terminal device.

[0038] Based on this scheme, when establishing a communication session, the second access network device can report that it does not support a specific quality of service (QoS) configuration, thereby helping the network configure an appropriate QoS configuration for the session. For example, if the second access network device is located in a non-guaranteed area, it can report that it does not support a specific QoS configuration when establishing a communication session, thus helping the network determine that the second access network device is located in a non-guaranteed area and should be configured with a basic QoS configuration for the session.

[0039] Fifthly, a communication device is provided for implementing the method in the first aspect described above.

[0040] The communication device includes modules, units, or means that implement the above methods. These modules, units, or means can be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions.

[0041] The communication device can be a first communication device (or a component, such as a chip, in any possible design of the first aspect) as described above.

[0042] In one possible design, the communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module: the transceiver module is used to receive first information, which requests that communication quality of service (QoS) be guaranteed for a terminal device within a first area, and the first information includes information about the first area. The processing module is used to determine the access network devices within the first area. The transceiver module is also used to send second information, which instructs the access network devices within the first area to use a first QoS configuration.

[0043] In one possible design, the first information also includes information from the first moment, and the first information request provides communication service quality assurance to the terminal device in the first area and in the first moment.

[0044] If the first information also includes information from the first time, the access network devices in the first area can be instructed to use the first quality of service configuration from the first time through either design 1 or design 2:

[0045] Design 1: The second information includes information from the first time, and the second information is used to instruct access network devices in the first area to use the first quality of service configuration within the first time.

[0046] Design 2: The transceiver module sends a second message to the access network devices in the first area at the start time of the first time. The first communication device also sends a third message, which is used to instruct the access network devices in the first area to stop using the first quality of service configuration. The time point of sending the third message is the end time point of the first time.

[0047] In one possible design, the first information also requests that the terminal device be provided with a quality of service guarantee in the second area, and the first information also includes information about the second area. The transceiver module is further configured to send a fourth information, which instructs access network devices in the second area to use a second quality of service configuration.

[0048] In one possible design, the second QoS configuration and the first QoS configuration are configured by a third communication device. The first QoS configuration configured by the third communication device is mapped to the first identification information, and the second QoS configuration configured by the third communication device is mapped to the second identification information. The second information includes the first identification information, which is used by access network devices within the first area to determine which QoS configuration to use based on the mapping relationship between the first QoS configuration and the first identification information. The fourth information includes the second identification information, which is used by access network devices within the first area to determine which QoS configuration to use based on the mapping relationship between the second QoS configuration and the second identification information.

[0049] In one possible design, the first information includes a first quality of service configuration, and the fourth information includes a second quality of service configuration.

[0050] In one possible design, the first quality of service configuration is configured by the third communication device, or the second information includes the first quality of service configuration.

[0051] In one possible design, the first information includes the first quality of service configuration.

[0052] Sixthly, a communication device is provided for implementing the method in the second aspect above.

[0053] The communication device includes modules, units, or means that implement the above methods. These modules, units, or means can be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions.

[0054] The communication device can be a third communication device (or a component, such as a chip, in any of the possible designs of the second aspect described above) in the second aspect above.

[0055] In one possible design, the communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module: the processing module is used to determine that the terminal device has moved from a first area to a second area. The transceiver module is used to send fifth information to a second access network device in a third area, the fifth information requesting the establishment of a communication session for the terminal device. The fifth information includes a first quality of service configuration. The second access network device is the access network device that the terminal device connects to after moving to the third area. The subscription information of the terminal device indicates that the corresponding protection area of ​​the terminal device includes the first area but does not include the third area. The transceiver module is also used to receive a sixth message from the second access network device, the sixth message indicating that the second access network device does not support the use of the first quality of service configuration.

[0056] In one possible design, the transceiver module is also used to send the first quality of service configuration to access network devices and third access network devices in the first area.

[0057] In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided for implementing the method in the third aspect described above.

[0058] The communication device includes modules, units, or means that implement the above methods. These modules, units, or means can be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions.

[0059] The communication device can be a first access network device (or a component, such as a chip, in any of the possible designs of the third aspect described above) in the third aspect.

[0060] In one possible design, the communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module: the processing module is used to acquire a first Quality of Service (QoS) configuration; the transceiver module is used to receive second information, which instructs the access network device to use the first QoS configuration; and the processing module is used to use the first QoS configuration based on the second information.

[0061] In one possible design, the communication device is located within the guaranteed area that the terminal device has signed a contract with, providing quality of service assurance for the terminal device.

[0062] In one possible design, the second information includes information from the first time, which is used to indicate the use of the first quality of service configuration within the first time.

[0063] In one possible design, the transceiver module is also used to receive third information, which is used to indicate the cessation of the use of the first quality of service configuration.

[0064] In one possible design, the transceiver module obtains the first quality of service configuration by: receiving the first quality of service configuration and first identification information, and associating the first quality of service configuration and the first identification information. The processing module uses the first quality of service configuration based on second information by: determining and using the first quality of service configuration based on the first identification information included in the second information.

[0065] Eighthly, a communication device is provided for implementing the method in the fourth aspect above.

[0066] The communication device includes modules, units, or means that implement the above methods. These modules, units, or means can be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions.

[0067] The communication device can be a second access network device (or a component, such as a chip, in any of the possible designs of the fourth aspect described above) in the fourth aspect.

[0068] In one possible design, the communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module: the transceiver module is used to receive fifth information, which includes a first quality of service configuration and is used to request the establishment of a communication session. The processing module is used to determine that the communication device does not support the use of the first quality of service configuration. The transceiver module is also used to send sixth information, which indicates that the use of the first quality of service configuration is not supported.

[0069] In one possible design, the communication device is located outside the area covered by the contracted area that provides quality of service assurance for the terminal device.

[0070] A ninth aspect provides a communication device, comprising: a processor configured to execute instructions stored in a memory, wherein when the processor executes the instructions, the communication device performs the method described in any of the preceding aspects. The communication device may be a first communication device in any possible design of the first aspect, or a third communication device in any possible design of the second aspect, or a first access network device in any possible design of the third aspect, or a second access network device in any possible design of the fourth aspect.

[0071] In one possible design, the communication device also includes a memory for storing computer instructions. Optionally, the processor and memory are integrated together, or they are separate.

[0072] In one possible design, the memory is coupled to the processor and is located outside the communication device.

[0073] A tenth aspect provides a communication device, comprising: a processor and an interface circuit for communicating with a module outside the communication device; the processor for executing the method described in any of the preceding aspects via logic circuitry or by running a computer program or instructions. The communication device may be a first communication device in any possible design of the first aspect, or a third communication device in any possible design of the second aspect, or a first access network device in any possible design of the third aspect, or a second access network device (or a component, such as a chip) in any possible design of the fourth aspect.

[0074] Alternatively, the interface circuit can be a code / data read / write interface circuit, which receives computer execution instructions (which are stored in memory and may be read directly from memory or may be transmitted through other devices) and transmits them to the processor so that the processor runs the computer execution instructions to perform the methods described in any of the above aspects.

[0075] In one possible design, the communication device also includes a memory for storing computer programs or instructions. Optionally, the processor and memory are integrated together, or they are separate.

[0076] In one possible design, the memory is coupled to the processor and is located outside the communication device.

[0077] In some possible designs, the communication device can be a chip or a chip system.

[0078] In one aspect, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to perform the methods described in the first to fourth aspects, or any possible design of the first to fourth aspects.

[0079] In a twelfth aspect, this application provides a computer program product containing instructions that, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to perform the methods described in the first to fourth aspects above, or any possible design of the first to fourth aspects.

[0080] In a thirteenth aspect, a communication device (e.g., a chip or a chip system) is provided, comprising a processor for implementing the functions described in the first to fourth aspects, or any possible design of the first to fourth aspects. In one possible design, the communication device further comprises a memory for storing necessary program instructions and data. When the communication device is a chip system, it may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0081] In a fourteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising a first communication device and at least one of the following devices: a second communication device, a third communication device, a first access network device, and a second access network device. The first communication device is used to implement the first aspect and any possible design thereof. The second communication device is used to send first information to the first communication device. The third communication device is used to implement the second aspect or any possible design thereof. The first access network device is used to implement the third aspect or any possible design thereof. The second access network device is used to implement the fourth aspect or any possible design thereof.

[0082] The technical effects of any of the design methods in aspects five through thirteen can be found in the technical effects of the different design methods in aspects five through thirteen mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0083] It should be noted that any of the possible implementations of any of the above aspects can be combined, provided that the solutions do not contradict each other. Attached Figure Description

[0084] Figure 1 A flowchart illustrating the process of establishing a PDU session;

[0085] Figure 2 This application provides a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0086] Figure 3 A flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0087] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of an exemplary process provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0088] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of another exemplary process provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0089] Figure 6 A schematic diagram illustrating yet another exemplary process provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0090] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0091] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0092] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, a brief introduction to the relevant technologies of this application is given below.

[0093] 1. Protocol Data Unit (PDU) Session:

[0094] In 5G mobile communication networks, the core network (CN) can configure the QoS of the session tunnel during PDU session establishment to achieve differentiated QoS guarantees for different services. The CN can be divided into control plane (CP) network elements and user plane (UP) network elements.

[0095] like Figure 1 As shown, the current PDU session establishment and QoS configuration process includes the following steps:

[0096] Step 1: The user equipment (UE) initiates the PFU session establishment process by sending a PDU session establishment request message to the access and mobility management function (AMF) network element.

[0097] Step 2: The AMF network element sends a PDU session context creation request (Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext Request) message to the session management function (SMF) network element.

[0098] Step 3: The SMF network element obtains user policies and authentication information from the policy control function (PCF) network element and the unified data management (UDM) network element.

[0099] Step 4: The SMF network element selects the user plane function (UPF) and sends an N4 session establishment request message to the UPF network element. The UPF network element returns an N4 session establishment response message.

[0100] Step 5: The SMF network element determines the QoS configuration corresponding to the PDU session and sends an N2 message to the radio access network (RAN) node through the AMF network element. The N2 message includes the QoS configuration.

[0101] Step 6: The RAN node allocates a tunnel for the PDU session and sends tunnel information to the UE.

[0102] Step 7: The RAN node sends an N2 PDU session establishment response message to the AMF network element.

[0103] Step 8: The AMF network element sends a PDU session context update request (Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Request) message to the SMF network element. At this point, the PDU session tunnel is successfully set up, and service data can be transmitted through the PDU session tunnel.

[0104] In 5G networks, the QoS configuration issued by SMF network elements includes the mapping relationship between QoS Flow Identifiers (QFIs) and QoS parameters. These QoS parameters include 5G QoS Identifiers (5QIs). In existing communication protocols, 5QIs can identify some pre-configured QoS characteristic parameters (or a set of QoS characteristic parameters). In other words, existing communication protocols predefine the mapping relationship between 5QI values ​​and a set of QoS characteristic parameter values. These parameters that have a mapping relationship with 5QIs can also be called QoS parameters associated with / corresponding to / included by 5QIs. For example, 5QIs can be associated with QoS parameters such as resource type, priority, packet delay budget, packet error rate, and average window. SMF network elements can determine the value of 5QI in the QoS configuration based on factors such as service type and service requirements. For example, a PDU session established for conversational voice services has a 5QI value of 1, a PDU session established for games has a 5QI value of 3, a session established for mission-critical user plane video services has a 5QI value of 67, and a session established for enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) applications has a 5QI value of 80.

[0105] After receiving the QoS configuration, the RAN node needs to allocate the corresponding DRB to the PDU session according to the QoS configuration and save the mapping relationship between QFI and DRB. For example, if the priority associated with 5QI is high, the RAN node can allocate a DRB with good communication quality for that PDU session. Subsequently, when the RAN node receives uplink / downlink service data, it can determine the corresponding DRB based on the PDU session corresponding to the data stream. For downlink data streams, the RAN node can transmit the downlink data stream to the UE through the DRB; for uplink data streams, the RAN node can receive the uplink data stream sent by the UE through the DRB.

[0106] Understandably, the RAN node can derive and save the mapping relationship between DRB and 5QI based on the mapping relationship between QFI and DRB, and the mapping relationship between QFI and 5QI in the QoS configuration. Alternatively, the RAN node can save the mapping relationship between DRB and 5QI, which includes both the mapping relationship between QFI and DRB, and the mapping relationship between QFI and 5QI. For example, the RAN node can maintain a table representing the mapping relationship between 5QI and DRB.

[0107] In communication networks, to ensure a good communication experience, users may purchase service packages from operators that guarantee specific data usage (such as uplink and downlink speeds) within a specific geographical area (also known as a protection zone). This means they are subscribing to a service (or business) that guarantees user-level (or UE-level) data usage within the protection zone. After subscribing, when the UE is located within the protection zone, the network needs to provide quality of service (QoS) guarantees for the data transmitted by the UE (data sent by the UE, and / or data received by the UE).

[0108] One approach to providing UE-level protection within a specific geographical area is as follows: the core network monitors the UE's location information and, upon a change in the UE's location (e.g., entering or leaving the protection area), triggers the reconstruction of the PDU session, i.e., triggers... Figure 1 The process shown involves configuring a new QoS. When entering a protected area, the new QoS configuration needs to meet specific experience requirements; when leaving a protected area, the new QoS configuration does not need to meet specific experience requirements. In cases with multiple user subscriptions, each user's protected area may be the same or different. To achieve multi-user protection, all RAN nodes in a network need to maintain the mapping relationship between all 5QI and DRBs in that network. However, maintaining the mapping relationship between all 5QI and DRBs in the network places a significant burden on the RAN node's storage resources.

[0109] To address this issue, embodiments of this application provide a communication method and apparatus that can reduce the storage resource overhead of RAN nodes while achieving UE-level protection.

[0110] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, " / " indicates that the objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B can represent A or B. "And / or" in this application is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, and B existing alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. Furthermore, in the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "multiple" refers to two or more. "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, and / or c can represent the following situations: a existing alone, b existing alone, c existing alone, a and b existing simultaneously, b and c existing simultaneously, a and c existing simultaneously, and a, b, and c existing simultaneously, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple. Furthermore, to facilitate a clear description of the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the terms "first" and "second" are used in the embodiments of this application to distinguish identical or similar items with substantially the same function and effect. Those skilled in the art will understand that the terms "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity or execution order, and that "first" and "second" are not necessarily different. Meanwhile, in the embodiments of this application, the terms "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate that something is being used as an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design scheme described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. Specifically, the use of terms such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present related concepts in a concrete manner for ease of understanding.

[0111] In the embodiments of this application, "instruction" can include direct and indirect instructions, as well as explicit and implicit instructions. The information indicated by a certain piece of information (such as the first information below) is called the information to be instructed. In the specific implementation process, there are many ways to instruct the information to be instructed, such as, but not limited to, directly instructing the information to be instructed, such as the information to be instructed itself or its index. It can also indirectly instruct the information to be instructed by instructing other information, where there is a correlation between the other information and the information to be instructed. It can also instruct only a part of the information to be instructed, while the other parts are known or pre-agreed upon. For example, the instruction of specific information can be achieved by using a pre-agreed (e.g., protocol-defined) arrangement order of various pieces of information, thereby reducing instruction overhead to some extent. At the same time, common parts of various pieces of information can be identified and uniformly indicated to reduce the instruction overhead caused by individually indicating the same information.

[0112] Furthermore, the specific indication method can also be any existing indication method, such as, but not limited to, the above-mentioned indication methods and their various combinations. Specific details of various indication methods can be found in existing technologies, and will not be repeated here. As described above, for example, when multiple pieces of information of the same type need to be indicated, the indication methods for different pieces of information may differ. In the specific implementation process, the required indication method can be selected according to specific needs. This application embodiment does not limit the selected indication method; therefore, the indication methods involved in this application embodiment should be understood to cover various methods that enable the party to be indicated to obtain the information to be indicated.

[0113] It should be understood that the information to be indicated can be sent as a whole or divided into multiple sub-information messages sent separately, and the sending period and / or timing of these sub-information messages can be the same or different. The specific sending method is not limited in this application embodiment. The sending period and / or timing of these sub-information messages can be predefined, for example, according to a protocol, or configured by the sending device by sending configuration information to the receiving device.

[0114] In this application embodiment, "predefined," "pre-configured," or "pre-configured" can be implemented by pre-saving corresponding codes, tables, or other methods that can be used to indicate relevant information in the device. For example, it can be burned into the device when it leaves the factory, or configured when it first connects to the network. This application embodiment does not limit the specific implementation method. "Saving" can refer to saving in one or more memories. The one or more memories can be separate settings or integrated into the encoder or decoder, processor, or communication device. The one or more memories can also be partially separate settings and partially integrated into the decoder, processor, or communication device. The type of memory can be any form of storage medium, and this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0115] The “protocol” mentioned in the embodiments of this application may refer to a protocol family in the field of communication, a standard protocol with a similar protocol family frame structure, or a related protocol applied to future communication systems. The embodiments of this application do not specifically limit this.

[0116] In the embodiments of this application, descriptions such as "when," "under the circumstances," "if," and "if" all refer to the device making corresponding processing under certain objective circumstances, and are not limited to a specific time. They do not require the device to make a judgment action during implementation, nor do they imply any other limitations.

[0117] In this embodiment of the application, "sending information" can be understood as one device sending information to another device, or it can also be understood as one logic module inside a device sending information to another logic module. For example, "sending" can also be understood as the "output" of a chip interface. For example, "the first communication device sending information" can be understood as the first communication device sending information to another device (such as the second communication device), or it can be understood as logic module 1 in the first communication device sending information to logic module 2 in the first communication device.

[0118] In this application, "receiving information" can be understood as one device receiving information from another device, or it can be understood as a logic module within a device receiving information from another logic module. For example, "receiving" can also be understood as "input" of a chip interface. For example, "the first communication device receiving information" can be understood as the first communication device receiving information from another device (such as the second communication device), or it can be understood as logic module 1 in the first communication device receiving information from logic module 2 in the first communication device.

[0119] In this application, the phrase "sending information to... (e.g., the first communication device)" or the related illustrations in the accompanying drawings can be understood as the destination of the information being the first communication device. This can include sending information directly or indirectly to the first communication device. Similarly, the phrases "receiving information from... (e.g., the first communication device)," "receiving information from... (e.g., the first communication device)," or "receiving information sent (e.g., by the first communication device)," or the related illustrations in the accompanying drawings, can be understood as the source of the information being the first communication device. This can include receiving information directly or indirectly from the first communication device. Information may undergo necessary processing between the source and destination, such as format changes, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be interpreted similarly, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0120] The technical solutions provided in this application can be used in various communication systems, such as 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) communication systems, including 4th generation (4G) mobile communication systems, Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, 5th generation (5G) mobile communication systems and their evolution systems, non-terrestrial network (NTN) systems, narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) systems, LTE and New Radio (NR) hybrid networking systems, NR systems, or device-to-device (D2D) systems, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication systems, Internet of Things (IoT), wireless fidelity (WiFi) systems, and other communication systems such as open radio access networks (ORAN), future communication systems, etc. Furthermore, the term "system" can be used interchangeably with "network."

[0121] It should be noted that the network architecture and business scenarios 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.

[0122] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a non-limiting possible communication system applicable to embodiments of this application.

[0123] like Figure 2 As shown in (1), in the 3GPP network domain, the operations administration and maintenance (OAM) functions include the network management system (NMS) and the element management system (EMS), with the NMS directly managing the EMS. RAN nodes and RAN domain EMS ( Figure 2 Taking EMS (Radio Management System) as an example, the RAN domain (EMS) can constitute the RAN management domain, and network functions (NF) (…). Figure 2 (NFs represent multiple NFs) and CN domain EMS ( Figure 2 Taking EMS (CN) as an example, the CN domain (EMS) can constitute a CN management domain.

[0124] In the RAN or CN domain, each domain EMS can manage network elements within the domain separately. For example, the RAN domain EMS can manage network elements such as RAN nodes, while the CN domain EMS can manage NFs, such as network data analytics functions (NWDAF), AMF, SMF, PCF, UDM, UPF, and other network elements.

[0125] The RAN node interacts with the UE during operation, and a physical connection exists between the UE and the RAN node. A logical interface exists between the UE and the CN: in the 3GPP control plane, the UE connects to the AMF network element through the N2 interface; in the 3GPP user plane, the UE connects to the UPF through the N3 interface. For details, please refer to protocol 3GPP SA2 TS23.501.

[0126] like Figure 2 As shown in (2) in the ORAN network domain, the service management and orchestration (SMO) function can directly manage various heterogeneous network elements such as RAN nodes and various NFs.

[0127] In addition, network data / model information can be exposed to and interacted with the UE vendor's over-the-top (OTT) server via NMS / SMO. The UE's data / model information can then interact with the OTT server.

[0128] The various devices or network elements involved in the embodiments of this application will be described below.

[0129] UE: A UE can be a device or module that accesses a communication system and has corresponding communication functions. UE can also be called a terminal device, terminal, mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. UEs can be widely used in various scenarios, such as D2D, V2X communication, machine-type communication (MTC), IoT, virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, etc. A UE can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable device, vehicle, drone, helicopter, airplane, ship, robot, robotic arm, smart home device, transportation vehicle with wireless communication capabilities, communication module, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the device form of the UE. A UE typically contains a communication module, circuit, or chip that performs the corresponding communication functions. The UE can also be configured with program instructions for performing the corresponding communication functions.

[0130] RAN Node: RAN nodes, sometimes also called access network equipment, network equipment, RAN entities, or access nodes, are part of the communication system and are used to help UEs achieve wireless access.

[0131] In one possible scenario, a RAN node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB), a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access point (AP) in a WiFi system. A RAN node can be a macro base station, a micro base station, an indoor station, a relay node, a donor node, or a radio controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. Optionally, a RAN node can also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, in V2X technology, the RAN node can be a roadside unit (RSU).

[0132] In another possible scenario, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist the UE in achieving radio access, with each RAN node implementing a portion of the base station's functions. For example, RAN nodes can be central units (CUs), distributed units (DUs), CU-control plane (CPs), CU-user plane (UPs), or radio units (RUs), etc. CUs and DUs can be configured separately or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RUs can be included in radio equipment or radio units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs).

[0133] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called O-CU (open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. For ease of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules.

[0134] NMS: Network Management System, responsible for the operation, management, and maintenance of the network. It can also be called a cross-domain management system.

[0135] SMO: Service Management and Orchestration Function, responsible for the operation, management, and maintenance of various network services and orchestration functions. Its directly managed network elements can be heterogeneous, such as gNB, NWDAF, etc.

[0136] EMS: Network Element Management System, used to manage one or more network elements of a certain category, also known as a domain management system or single-domain management system.

[0137] OTT: refers to the server provided by the terminal or network equipment manufacturer.

[0138] CP (User Plane): Primarily responsible for the transmission and processing of user data, its functions include data transmission, data processing, and quality of service assurance. User plane equipment and functions are mainly concentrated in parts of the UPF (User Platform Frame) and core network.

[0139] UP: The main responsibility of the control plane is to manage and control the operation of the network. Its functions include signaling transmission, resource allocation, mobility management, policy and rule management, authentication and authorization, etc.

[0140] UPF: Responsible for processing and forwarding user data streams (data forwarding, routing, data packets, flow control, QoS support, etc.).

[0141] AMF (Automatic Facilitation Controller): Primarily responsible for signaling processing, such as access control, mobility management, attach and detach, and gateway selection. When the AMF provides services for a UE's session, it provides control plane storage resources for that session to store the session identifier, the identifier of the SMF associated with the session identifier, etc.

[0142] SMF: Primarily manages user equipment connectivity and network resource allocation so that users can access network services (creating, maintaining, and releasing sessions).

[0143] UDM: Primarily manages user identity and personal data, including user configurations, service subscriptions, and policy information, so that the network can provide personalized and customized services.

[0144] PCF: Primarily responsible for formulating, implementing, and managing network policies, including traffic control, QoS management, and access control, to ensure the effective utilization of network resources and the guarantee of service quality.

[0145] The following will combine Figure 2 The communication method provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below.

[0146] The message names, information names, parameter names, names of various network elements, and interface names between various network elements in the embodiments of this application are merely examples. In specific implementations, other names may be used, and this application does not impose any specific limitations on them. For example, in future communication networks, network elements such as NMS, SMO, EMS, SMF, UPF, and PCF may also have other names.

[0147] In this embodiment of the application, the network element can also be referred to as an entity or functional entity.

[0148] like Figure 3 The image shows a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 3 The method is illustrated using a first communication device and a second communication device as examples of the execution subjects, but this application does not limit the execution subjects of this illustration. For example, Figure 3 The first communication device can also be a module applied to the first communication device, such as a chip, chip system, or processor, or a logic node, logic module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first communication device. Figure 3 The second communication device can also be a module applied to the second communication device, such as a chip, chip system, or processor, or it can be a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the second communication device. Furthermore, the processing performed by a single execution entity can be divided into multiple execution entities, which can be logically and / or physically separated. For example, the processing performed by the RAN node can be divided into execution by at least one of CU, DU, RU, etc. The communication method includes the following steps:

[0149] S301, the second communication device sends first information to the first communication device, and correspondingly, the first communication device receives first information from the second communication device. The first information requests that the terminal device be provided with quality of service assurance within a first area, and the first information includes information about the first area.

[0150] This application does not limit the first and second communication devices in its embodiments. For example, the first communication device may be an EMS (e.g., EMS RAN or EMS CN) or an SMO. The second communication device may be an NMS.

[0151] In this embodiment of the application, the quality of communication service can also be replaced by descriptions such as QoS, communication service experience, and communication service requirements.

[0152] In this embodiment, the first region can be any geographical region. The information of the first region is used to indicate the first region, and this embodiment does not limit the specific form of the information. For example, the information of the first region can be the cell ID. Another example is that the information of the first region can be a tracing area identity / tracking area indicator (TAI). Yet another example is that the information of the first region can be the name of the first region, such as the name of an administrative region or a city. For yet another example, assuming the first region is circular, the information of the first region can indicate the location of the center point of the first region (e.g., the latitude and longitude of the center point) and the radius of the first region.

[0153] The request for the first information to provide quality of service (QoS) assurance for the terminal device within a first area can be understood as follows: after receiving the first information, the first communication device can determine, based on the first information, that it needs to provide QoS assurance for the terminal device within the area indicated by the first information. For example, this can be predefined in the protocol, or pre-agreed between the first and second communication devices, stipulating that after receiving the first information, the first communication device needs to provide QoS assurance for the terminal device within the area indicated by the first information.

[0154] The embodiments of this application do not specifically limit the first information. Optionally, the first information can be newly defined information. Alternatively, the first information can be existing information carrying information about the first region.

[0155] In this embodiment, providing communication service quality assurance for the terminal device can be understood as ensuring that the relevant communication parameters of the data transmitted by the terminal device (data received by the terminal device, and / or data sent by the terminal device) meet certain requirements. For example, ensuring that the latency of the data transmitted by the terminal device is below a certain threshold. Alternatively, providing communication service quality assurance for the terminal device can also be understood as ensuring that the QoS configuration corresponding to the terminal device's session (e.g., a PDU session) meets certain requirements. For example, ensuring that the 5QI value in the QoS configuration corresponding to the terminal device's session is one of a specific value. Another example is ensuring that the QoS configuration corresponding to the terminal device's session is a specific QoS configuration. Yet another example is ensuring that the value of one or more QoS parameters in the QoS configuration corresponding to the terminal device's session is not lower than a specific value. Here, "threshold," "specific value," or "specific QoS configuration" can be predefined by the protocol, pre-configured, pre-agreed upon, or determined by other means, and this embodiment does not limit the definition.

[0156] Optionally, providing quality of service (QoS) assurance for the terminal device can be done by providing QoS assurance for any service data of the terminal device, or it can be done by providing QoS assurance for specific service data of the terminal device. For example, the terminal device can sign a contract with the network to provide QoS assurance for specific services. Unless otherwise specified, the following embodiments of this application will be described using the example of providing QoS assurance for any service data of the terminal device.

[0157] This application does not specifically limit the requirements that the relevant communication parameters of the data transmitted by the terminal device must meet when providing communication service quality assurance for the terminal device, or the requirements that the QoS configuration corresponding to the session of the terminal device must meet.

[0158] Optionally, the first information may carry a specific Quality of Service (QoS) configuration. In this case, the first communication device can determine, based on the first information, that providing QoS assurance for the terminal device includes configuring the specific QoS configuration for the session corresponding to the terminal device. The QoS configuration can also be replaced by descriptions such as QoS configuration; the following description uses QoS configuration as an example.

[0159] In this embodiment, QoS configuration may include QoS parameters or a mapping relationship between QoS parameters and QoS flow identification information. QoS parameters may include at least one of QoS identification information and QoS characteristic parameters. QoS identification information is used to identify at least one QoS characteristic parameter; in other words, there is a predefined mapping relationship between QoS identification information and at least one QoS characteristic parameter, or the QoS identification information includes / corresponds to / is associated with at least one QoS characteristic parameter. For example, the QoS identification information may be 5QI, and there is a predefined mapping relationship between 5QI and QoS characteristic parameters such as resource type and priority; please refer to the above description of 5QI for details. QoS characteristic parameters may be any parameters that can characterize QoS characteristics, such as resource type, priority, packet delay budget, packet error rate, average window, etc.

[0160] Optionally, the first information may also include information from the first moment. In this case, the first information requests that the terminal device be provided with quality of service assurance in the first area and within the first moment.

[0161] The information at the first moment is used to indicate the first moment, and the specific form of the information at the first moment is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0162] In one possible implementation, the information for the first time may include information indicating the start time (or start moment) and information indicating the end time (or end moment). For example, the information for the first time may include two information cells: one information cell indicating the start time, such as 13:00, and the other information cell indicating the end time, such as 14:00, in which case the first time is from 13:00 to 14:00.

[0163] In another possible implementation, the first time information is used to indicate a time period, which is the first time. For example, if the first time information is a single cell indicating 13:00 to 14:00, then the first time is 13:00 to 14:00.

[0164] In another possible implementation, the first-time information is used to indicate a duration, which is the duration of the first time. In this implementation, the start time of the first time is default, or in other words, the start time of the first time can be predefined by the protocol, pre-agreed upon, or pre-configured. For example, the start time of the first time is predefined as 13:00, or the start time of the first time is predefined as the time of receiving or sending a certain message.

[0165] For example, the first time information can be a single cell indicating one hour. The default start time of the first time is the time when the access network device receives the second information. Therefore, the first time is the period from when the access network device receives the second information until one hour has elapsed. The specific details of how the access network device receives the second information are described in the following section on S302, and will not be elaborated upon here.

[0166] Optionally, if the default start time of the first time is the time when the access network device receives the second information, the first communication device can immediately send the second information to the access network device after receiving the first information. Alternatively, the first communication device can decide for itself when to send the second information to the access network device; for example, if the first communication device receives the first information at 12:50, it can send the second information to the access network device at 13:00.

[0167] Optionally, prior to S301, at least one UE (hereinafter referred to as the first UE) may subscribe to a network (e.g., an operator or a third party) and require itself to obtain quality of service (QoS) guarantees within at least one area. That is, when the first UE is located within the subscribed at least one area, the network needs to provide QoS guarantees for the first UE; this at least one area can also be referred to as the guarantee area corresponding to the first UE.

[0168] When a first UE subscribes to a protected area, it can trigger a second communication device to send a request message (also called a protection request) to the first communication device. This request message requests that the first UE be provided with a quality of service (QoS) guarantee within the protected area. For example, if the protected area subscribed to by the first UE includes a first area, it can trigger the second communication device to send a first message to the first communication device. It is understood that if the protected area corresponding to the first UE includes areas other than the first area, the second communication device can send a message to the first communication device requesting that the first UE be provided with a QoS guarantee in other areas. The following explanation uses the example of S301, where the first message requests that the first UE be provided with a QoS guarantee within the first area.

[0169] Optionally, the first UE can also subscribe to a period during which it needs to receive quality of service (QoS) assurance (referred to as the assurance period). Within the assurance area and the assurance period, the first UE needs to receive QoS assurance. Taking the first area as an example, if the assurance period corresponding to the first area subscribed by the first UE is the first time, then within the first area and the first time, the first UE needs to receive QoS assurance. If the first UE subscribes to multiple assurance areas, the assurance periods corresponding to different assurance areas may be the same or different.

[0170] Optionally, after the first UE subscribes to a protected area, the subscribing party (e.g., an operator or a third-party server) can send a request message (also referred to as a protection request) to the second communication device. This request message requests that the first UE be provided with a quality of service guarantee within the protected area. The request message includes the first UE's identification information and the protected area information. Optionally, the request message may also include protection time information. Optionally, the request message may also include a specific QoS configuration. In this case, the second communication device can determine, based on the request message, that providing a quality of service guarantee for the first UE includes configuring the specific QoS configuration for the first UE's session.

[0171] The identification information of the first UE obtained by the second communication device can be the real identification information of the first UE, such as the UE's subscription permanent identifier (SUPI), UE ID or other identification information.

[0172] Optionally, after the first UE subscribes to the protection area, the subscription information of the first UE obtained by the core network element can indicate that the first UE has subscribed to a service that provides communication service quality assurance for the first UE (or, subscribed to a business that provides communication service quality assurance for the first UE). The subscription information of the first UE may include the identification information of the first UE. Here, the core network element is a network element different from the first communication device. This application embodiment does not specifically limit the core network element; it can be a session-related network element or a network element responsible for generating session policies, for example, a PCF network element.

[0173] This application does not limit the specific implementation of how the core network element obtains the subscription information of the first UE in the embodiments. Taking the core network element as a PCF network element as an example, the PCF network element can obtain the subscription information of the first UE from the UDM network element. Alternatively, the PCF network element can obtain the subscription information of the first UE from a second communication device.

[0174] Optionally, the subscription information of the first UE may include indication information indicating that the first UE has subscribed to a service that provides quality of service assurance for the first UE. For example, a predefined information element may be used; if the first UE's subscription information includes this information element, it means that the first UE has subscribed to a service that provides quality of service assurance for the first UE; if the first UE's subscription information does not include this information element, it means that the first UE has not subscribed to a service that provides quality of service assurance for the first UE.

[0175] Optionally, the subscription information of the first UE may also include information about the protection area. In this case, the core network elements can determine from the subscription information of the first UE that the first UE has subscribed to provide communication service quality assurance for the first UE within the protection area.

[0176] Optionally, the subscription information of the first UE may also include information on the guarantee period. In this case, the core network element can determine from the subscription information of the first UE that the first UE has subscribed to provide a service guarantee for the first UE's communication service quality during the guarantee period.

[0177] Optionally, the subscription information of the first UE may also include a specific QoS configuration. In this case, the core network element can determine, based on the subscription information of the first UE, that providing communication service quality assurance for the first UE includes configuring the specific QoS configuration for the session corresponding to the first UE.

[0178] S302. The first communication device sends second information to the access network devices in the first area according to the first information. The second information is used to instruct the access network devices in the first area to use the first QoS configuration.

[0179] In S302, the first communication device can determine, based on the first information, that the session of the first UE in the first area needs to be configured with a specific QoS configuration. This specific QoS configuration is called the first QoS configuration (or incremental QoS configuration). In order for the session of the first UE to be configured with the first QoS configuration, the first communication device sends second information to the access network devices in the first area, instructing the access network devices in the first area to use (or enable) the first QoS configuration, so that the access network devices in the first area support the first QoS configuration.

[0180] Based on the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application, after determining that the service needs to obtain communication service quality assurance in a specific area, the first communication device can send information to the access network device in the specific area to enable the access network device in the specific area to use a specific QoS configuration to provide communication service quality assurance for the terminal device. Access network devices not in the specific area do not need to use the specific QoS configuration, and therefore do not need to store the mapping relationship between DRB and QoS parameters / QoS flow identification information in the QoS configuration. Thus, while saving the storage resource overhead of the access network device, user-level communication service quality assurance can be provided.

[0181] Optionally, the first QoS configuration may be configured by a core network element for access network devices within a first area. For example, after the PCF generates the first QoS configuration, it sends the first QoS configuration to the SMF network element, which then sends the first QoS configuration to the access network devices within the first area. Alternatively, the first QoS configuration may be configured by a first communication device for access network devices within the first area. In this case, the second information includes the first QoS configuration.

[0182] In this embodiment, the first QoS configuration includes a mapping relationship between the identification information of the QoS flow and QoS parameters. For example, the identification information of the QoS flow can be QFI, and the QoS parameters can include 5QI. For details, please refer to the above description of QoS configuration.

[0183] The following describes different scenarios where the first QoS configuration is configured by the core network element or the first communication device.

[0184] Scenario 1: The first QoS configuration is configured by the core network element.

[0185] The core network element sends the first QoS configuration to any one or more access network devices under the network (optionally, it can be all access network devices under the network). The first communication device determines the access network devices in the first area and sends second information to the access network devices in the first area, instructing the access network devices in the first area to use the first QoS configuration. The access network devices in the first area use the first QoS configuration according to the second information. Access network devices that do not receive the second information do not use the first QoS configuration.

[0186] This application does not limit the implementation of the core network element determining the first QoS configuration. For example, the first QoS configuration may be a pre-configured, pre-defined, or pre-agreed specific QoS configuration required for the first UE's session when providing communication service quality assurance for the first UE. As another example, the core network element may generate the first QoS configuration based on the QoS configuration in the first UE's subscription information, such as 5QI, or determine the QoS configuration in the first UE's subscription information as the first configuration. As yet another example, the core network element may generate the first QoS configuration based on the communication parameters that the data transmitted by the first UE needs to meet when providing communication service quality assurance for the first UE, based on pre-configured, pre-defined, or pre-agreed communication parameters.

[0187] Scenario 2: The first QoS configuration is configured by the first communication device.

[0188] The first communication device identifies the access network devices within a first area and sends a first QoS configuration along with second information to the access network devices within the first area, instructing them to use the first QoS configuration. The access network devices within the first area then use the first QoS configuration based on the second information.

[0189] This application embodiment does not limit the implementation of the first communication device determining the first QoS configuration. Optionally, the first QoS configuration may be a pre-configured, pre-defined, or pre-agreed specific QoS configuration required for the first UE's session when providing communication service quality assurance for the first UE. Optionally, the first communication device may generate the first QoS configuration. For example, the first communication device may generate the first QoS configuration based on the communication parameters that the data transmitted by the first UE needs to meet when providing communication service quality assurance for the first UE. Optionally, the first communication device may generate the first QoS configuration based on a specific QoS configuration in the first information, such as 5QI, or the first communication device may determine the specific QoS configuration in the first information as the first configuration.

[0190] Optionally, in Scenario 2, the first communication device can obtain the first QoS configuration from other network elements. For example, the first communication device can determine a specific QoS configuration obtained from the PCF network element as the first QoS configuration. Optionally, the specific implementation of the PCF network element generating the specific QoS configuration can refer to the above introduction on how the core network element determines the first QoS configuration in Scenario 1.

[0191] Optionally, the first QoS configuration may be newly added compared to the QoS configuration previously obtained by the access network devices in the first area. In this case, after receiving the second information, the access network devices in the first area can extend the mapping relationship between the QoS parameters and the identification information of the QoS flows included in the first QoS configuration to the previously saved QoS configuration. For example, assuming that the access network devices in the first area have already saved a QoS configuration including the mapping relationship between QFI1 and 5QI1 before receiving the first QoS configuration, and the first QoS configuration includes the mapping relationship between QFI2 and 5QI80, after receiving the second information, the access network devices in the first area can extend the mapping relationship between QFI2 and 5QI80 to the mapping relationship between QFI1 and 5QI1, obtaining a QoS configuration including the mapping relationship between QFI2 and 5QI80 and the mapping relationship between QFI1 and 5QI1, and then use the obtained QoS configuration.

[0192] Alternatively, the first QoS configuration can be complete compared to the QoS configuration previously acquired by the access network devices in the first area. In this case, the access network devices in the first area can directly use the first QoS configuration after receiving the second information. For example, suppose that before receiving the first QoS configuration, the access network devices in the first area already have a QoS configuration that includes the mapping relationship between QFI1 and 5QI1, and the first QoS configuration includes the mapping relationship between QFI1 and 5QI1 and the mapping relationship between QFI2 and 5QI80, after receiving the second information, the access network devices in the first area can replace the previously saved QoS configuration with the first QoS configuration and directly use the first QoS configuration.

[0193] Optionally, if the first UE also corresponds to a guarantee time, for example, if the first information also includes information about the first time, or if the first communication device determines the guarantee time corresponding to the first UE through other means, the first communication device can instruct the access network device in the first area to use the first QoS configuration within the first time period in the following ways:

[0194] Method 1: The second information includes information from the first time. Access network devices within the first area use the first QoS configuration within the first time period based on this first time information. Optionally, the second information may include information indicating the start time of the first time and information indicating the end time of the first time. Optionally, in the second information, the first time information is used to indicate a time period, which is the first time. Optionally, in the second information, the first time information is used to indicate a duration, which is the duration of the first time, and the start time of the first time is defaulted; for example, the start time of the first time defaults to the time when the second information is received.

[0195] Method 2: The first communication device sends a second message to the access network devices in the first area at the start time of the first time period, and sends a third message to the access network devices in the first area at the end time of the first time period (i.e., the sending time of the third message is the end time of the first time period). The third message is used to instruct the access network devices in the first area to stop using the first QoS configuration. In Method 2, the access network devices in the first area default to starting to use the first QoS configuration after receiving the second message and stopping using the first QoS configuration after receiving the third message; if the third message is not received, they will not stop using the first QoS configuration.

[0196] Optionally, when the first UE is located in the first area, it can establish a session with access network devices and core network elements within the first area. When establishing a session with the first UE, the core network element can configure a first QoS configuration for the session. That is, the core network element can assign the QoS flow identification information from the first QoS configuration to the QoS flows in the session, so that when the first UE, access network devices, or core network elements transmit data through the session, they can transmit data according to the QoS parameters corresponding to the QoS flows based on the first QoS configuration. Optionally, the core network element can determine, based on the first UE's subscription information, that configuring the first QoS configuration is required when establishing a session with the first UE.

[0197] The above embodiments use the example of the first information including information of a first region, and the first information requesting to provide communication service quality assurance for a first UE within the first region, to describe S301-S302. Optionally, embodiments of this application can also provide a method for providing communication service quality assurance for a UE at a more granular level based on packets, which will be described below.

[0198] In this method, the first communication device groups access network devices that need to provide communication service quality assurance for the UE based on the first information. In one possible scenario, the first communication device groups the data based on the area information carried in the first information; in another possible scenario, the first communication device groups the data based on the UE identification information carried in the first information.

[0199] In one possible scenario, the first information includes information from multiple regions, and the first communication device groups access network devices located in the same region together. For example, assuming the first information includes information from a first region, a second region, and a third region, the first communication device groups access network devices located in the first region into one group, access network devices located in the second region into another group, and access network devices located in the third region into yet another group.

[0200] Optionally, in a first possible scenario, the information on multiple regions included in the first information can be obtained by the second communication device dividing the protection area corresponding to the first UE. For example, the second communication device can divide the protection area according to a management domain, administrative region, or geographic grid to obtain multiple regions, and carry the information of multiple regions in the first information.

[0201] Optionally, in the first possible scenario, the first information may further include information about the guarantee time corresponding to each of the multiple regions. The guarantee time for each region may be the same or different. For example, assuming the first information includes information about the first region and information about the second region, the first information may also include information about the guarantee time (which can be referred to as the first time) corresponding to the first region and information about the guarantee time (which can be referred to as the second time) corresponding to the second region. The guarantee time information carried in the first information can be specifically referred to in the above description of the first time information in S301. The first communication device can indicate the guarantee time corresponding to the region to the access network device in each of the multiple regions. Specifically, the above description of the first communication device indicating the first time to the access network device in the first region in S301 can be referred to.

[0202] Optionally, in the first possible scenario, the first information may further include a specific QoS configuration corresponding to each of the multiple regions. The specific QoS configuration for each region may be the same or different. The first communication device can determine, based on the first information, that when the UE is located in each region, it needs to configure the specific QoS configuration corresponding to that region for the UE's session. For example, assuming the first information includes information about the first region and information about the second region, the first information may also include the specific QoS configuration corresponding to the first region and the specific QoS configuration corresponding to the second region. The specific QoS configuration carried by the first information can be referred to the above description of the specific QoS configuration in S301.

[0203] Optionally, in the first possible scenario, the first information may further include identification information associated with each of the multiple regions. The region-associated identification information can also be understood as the identification information of the group corresponding to that region; that is, the first information may also include identification information for each group. For example, assuming the first information includes information about a first region and information about a second region, the first information may further include first identification information associated with the first region and second identification information associated with the second region.

[0204] In this embodiment of the application, a and b are associated, which can also be understood as a corresponding to b, or a having a mapping relationship with b.

[0205] Optionally, in a first possible scenario, if the UE subscription information obtained by the core network element also includes guarantee time information and / or specific QoS configuration, the UE subscription information may further include identification information associated with the guarantee time and / or specific QoS configuration. The identification information associated with the guarantee time and / or specific QoS configuration is packet identification information, used to indicate that the guarantee time and / or specific QoS configuration are the guarantee time and / or specific QoS configuration corresponding to the packet. For example, assuming the first information includes information about a first region, information about a second region, a first identification information associated with the first region, and a second identification information associated with the second region, the UE subscription information obtained by the core network element may include at least one of the following: UE identification information, first identification information, second identification information, guarantee time and / or specific QoS configuration associated with the first identification information, and guarantee time and / or specific QoS configuration associated with the second identification information.

[0206] In one possible scenario, the first communication device can determine the access network device located in each of the multiple regions based on the information of multiple regions included in the first information, and determine that when the UE is located in each region, the UE's session needs to be configured with a specific QoS configuration corresponding to that region. Further, the first communication device sends information instructing the access network device in each region to use the specific QoS configuration.

[0207] For example, assuming the first information includes information about a first region and information about a second region, the first communication device can determine, based on the first information, that when the UE is located in the first region, the UE's session needs to be configured with the QoS configuration corresponding to the first region (i.e., the first QoS configuration), and determine that when the UE is located in the second region, the UE's session needs to be configured with the QoS configuration corresponding to the second region (which can be called the second QoS configuration). The first communication device sends second information to the access network devices in the first region (the second information can be specifically referred to as described above), and sends fourth information to the access network devices in the second region, which instructs the access network devices in the second region to use the second QoS configuration.

[0208] Alternatively, in the first possible scenario, the QoS configuration used by access network devices in multiple areas can be sent by core network elements, or it can be sent by the first communication device to access network devices in multiple areas.

[0209] In the implementation of core network elements sending QoS configurations to access network devices in multiple areas, the QoS configurations configured by the core network elements for each area are mapped to the identification information of the packets corresponding to that area (or, the QoS configurations for each area are associated with the identification information of the packets corresponding to that area). For example, the first QoS configuration is mapped to the first identification information, and the second QoS configuration is mapped to the second identification information; this can also be described as the first QoS configuration being associated with the first identification information and the second QoS configuration being associated with the second identification information. The core network element sends the QoS configurations corresponding to all areas in the multiple areas, along with the identification information associated with the QoS configurations, to any one or more access network devices in the network (optionally, this can be all access network devices in the network). The first communication device sends information indicating the use of the QoS configuration corresponding to that area, including the identification information of the packets corresponding to that area, to the access network devices in each of the multiple areas. Each access network device in each area can determine the QoS configuration associated with the identification information from all the QoS configurations configured by the core network element based on the identification information, and then use that QoS configuration.

[0210] For example, assuming the first information includes information about a first area and information about a second area, the core network element sends a first QoS configuration, a first identification information, a second QoS configuration, and a second identification information to all access network devices under the network. A first communication device identifies the access network devices in the first area and the second area, sends the second information to the access network devices in the first area, and sends a fourth information to the access network devices in the second area. The second information includes the first identification information, and the fourth information includes the second identification information. After receiving the second information, the access network devices in the first area can determine the first QoS configuration associated with the first identification information based on the first identification information and use the first QoS configuration. After receiving the fourth information, the access network devices in the second area can determine the second QoS configuration associated with the second identification information based on the second identification information and use the second QoS configuration. In other words, the first identification information is used by the access network devices in the first area to determine the use of the first QoS configuration based on the mapping relationship between the first QoS configuration and the first identification information. The second identification information is used by the access network devices in the second area to determine the use of the second QoS configuration based on the mapping relationship between the second QoS configuration and the second identification information.

[0211] The specific implementation of QoS configuration for core network elements can be found in the above introduction to the first QoS configuration for core network elements. For example, a core network element can generate a QoS configuration corresponding to a region; or, for another example, a core network element can determine the QoS configuration in the UE's subscription information as the QoS configuration corresponding to the region.

[0212] In the implementation of the first communication device sending QoS configuration to access network devices in multiple areas, the first communication device determines the access network devices in each of the multiple areas and carries the QoS configuration corresponding to each area in the information sent to the access network devices in each area, indicating the use of the QoS configuration. Accordingly, the access network devices in each of the multiple areas use the QoS configuration corresponding to the area based on the received information.

[0213] For example, suppose the first information includes information about a first area and information about a second area, the second information sent by the first communication device to the access network device in the first area includes a first QoS configuration, instructing the access network device in the first area to use the first QoS configuration, and the fourth information sent to the access network device in the second area includes a second QoS configuration, instructing the access network device in the second area to use the second QoS configuration.

[0214] In the second possible scenario, the first information includes identification information for multiple UEs and information for multiple regions. Each UE's identification information is associated with information from at least one region, indicating that this at least one region is the protection region corresponding to that UE. The first communication device groups all access network devices within the protection regions corresponding to a UE into a single group. For example, assuming the first information includes identification information for UE1 and UE2, where UE1's identification information is associated with information from the first region, and UE2's identification information is associated with information from the second and third regions, the first access network device groups the access network devices located in the first region into one group, and groups the access network devices located in the second and third regions into another group.

[0215] Optionally, the first information may include the UE's identification information, which may be virtual UE identification information.

[0216] Optionally, in the second possible scenario, the first information may further include information about the guarantee time corresponding to each of the multiple UEs. The guarantee time corresponding to each UE may be the same or different. For example, suppose the first information includes the identification information of UE1, the identification information of UE2, information about the first area, and information about the second area. The identification information of UE1 is associated with the information about the first area, and the identification information of UE2 is associated with the information about the second area. The first information may also include information about the guarantee time (which can be called the first time) corresponding to UE1 and information about the guarantee time (which can be called the second time) corresponding to UE2. For details regarding the guarantee time information carried in the first information, please refer to the above description of the first time information in S301. The first communication device can indicate the corresponding guarantee time to the access network devices in each group. For details, please refer to the above description of the first communication device indicating the first time to the access network devices in the first area in S301.

[0217] Optionally, in the second possible scenario, the first information may further include QoS configurations associated with the identification information of each of the multiple UEs. The QoS configuration associated with the UE's identification information can also be referred to as the QoS configuration corresponding to the UE, or the QoS configuration corresponding to the group corresponding to the UE. The first communication device can determine, based on the first information, that the access network device within the group needs to configure the QoS configuration associated with the UE's identification information for the session corresponding to the UE. Optionally, if the identification information of a UE is associated with information from multiple regions, the UE's identification information can be associated with one QoS configuration, and the access network device within the group corresponding to the UE configures this QoS configuration for the session of the UE. Alternatively, the UE's identification information can be associated with multiple QoS configurations, each corresponding to a different region associated with the UE's identification information. The access network device within the group corresponding to the UE needs to configure the QoS configuration corresponding to the region for the session corresponding to the UE based on the region where the access network device is located.

[0218] For example, suppose the first information includes the identification information of UE1, the identification information of UE2, information of the first region, and information of the second region. The identification information of UE1 is associated with the information of the first region, and the identification information of UE2 is associated with the information of the second region. The first information may also include specific QoS configurations corresponding to UE1 and UE2. The specific QoS configurations carried in the first information can be found in the description of specific QoS configurations in S301 above.

[0219] Optionally, in the second possible scenario, the identification information of multiple UEs included in the first information may be the identification information of multiple first UEs. After multiple first UEs have signed up for the protection area, the second communication device can send the first information to the first communication device based on a request message from the signatory requesting that the first UEs be provided with communication service quality assurance within the protection area.

[0220] Optionally, the request message sent by the subscriber to the second communication device may also include information about the guaranteed time periods subscribed to by multiple first UEs. Optionally, the request message may also include QoS configurations corresponding to multiple first UEs. Wherein, if a first UE subscribes to multiple guaranteed areas, the guaranteed time periods corresponding to each guaranteed area may be the same or different. The QoS configurations corresponding to each guaranteed area may be the same or different. For details, please refer to the above description of the guaranteed areas, guaranteed times, and specific QoS configurations subscribed to by the first UE in S301.

[0221] Optionally, in the second possible scenario, if the UE identification information in the first information is virtual UE identification information, the UE subscription information obtained by the core network element may include real UE identification information, virtual UE identification information, and at least one of the following: guarantee time, specific QoS configuration.

[0222] In a second possible scenario, the first communication device can determine the access network device within each packet based on the information about the area associated with the identification information of multiple UEs included in the first information, and determine the specific QoS configuration that the UE's session needs to be configured when the UE is located in the area associated with the UE's identification information. Further, the first communication device sends information instructing the access network device within each packet to use the specific QoS configuration.

[0223] For example, suppose the first information includes the identification information of UE1, the identification information of UE2, information of the first area, information of the second area, and information of the third area. The identification information of UE1 is associated with the information of the first area, and the identification information of UE2 is associated with the information of the second and third areas. Based on the first information, the first communication device can determine that when UE1 is located in the first area, UE1's session needs to be configured with the corresponding QoS configuration (which can be called the first QoS configuration), and that when UE2 is located in the second and third areas, UE2's session needs to be configured with the corresponding QoS configuration (which can be called the second QoS configuration). The first communication device sends the second information to the access network devices in the first area (the second information can be referred to as described above), and sends the fourth information to the access network devices in the second and third areas. The fourth information is used to instruct the access network devices to use the second QoS configuration. Optionally, in this example, UE2 may also correspond to two different QoS configurations: a second QoS configuration and a third QoS configuration. The second area corresponds to the second QoS configuration, and the third area corresponds to the third QoS configuration. The first communication device sends a fourth message to the access network device in the second area, indicating the use of the second QoS configuration, and sends a message to the access network device in the third area, indicating the use of the third QoS configuration.

[0224] Alternatively, in the second possible scenario, the QoS configuration used by the access network devices within each group can be sent by the core network element, or it can be sent by the first communication device to the access network devices within each group.

[0225] In the implementation of the core network element sending QoS configuration to access network devices within each group, the QoS configuration corresponding to the UE configured by the core network element has a mapping relationship with the UE's identification information (or, the QoS configuration corresponding to the UE is associated with the UE's identification information). The core network element sends the QoS configuration corresponding to all UEs and the identification information of all UEs to any one or more access network devices under the network (optionally, it can be all access network devices under the network). The first communication device sends information indicating the use of QoS configuration to the access network devices within each group, including the identification information of the UE corresponding to the group. The access network devices within each group can determine the QoS configuration associated with the identification information from all QoS configurations configured by the core network element based on the identification information, and use the QoS configuration. Optionally, the UE identification information associated with the QoS configuration sent by the core network element and the first communication device to the access network devices can be virtual UE identification information.

[0226] For example, suppose the first information includes the identification information of UE1, the identification information of UE2, information from the first area, information from the second area, and information from the third area. The identification information of UE1 is associated with the information from the first area, and the identification information of UE2 is associated with the information from the second and third areas. The core network element sends the QoS configuration corresponding to UE1 (first QoS configuration), the virtual identification information of UE1 (which can be called the first identification information), the QoS configuration corresponding to UE2 (second QoS configuration), and the virtual identification information of UE2 (which can be called the second identification information) to all access network devices in the network. The first communication device identifies the access network devices in the first area, the second area, and the third area, sends the second information to the access network devices in the first area, and sends the fourth information to the access network devices in the second and third areas. The second information includes the first identification information, and the fourth information includes the second identification information. After receiving the second information, the access network devices in the first area can determine the first QoS configuration associated with the first identification information based on the first identification information and use the first QoS configuration. After receiving the fourth information, the access network devices in the second and third areas can determine the second QoS configuration associated with the second identification information based on the second identification information and use the second QoS configuration.

[0227] The specific implementation of QoS configuration for core network elements can be found in the above introduction to the first QoS configuration of core network elements. For example, a core network element can generate the QoS configuration corresponding to the UE, or it can determine the QoS configuration in the UE's subscription information as the QoS configuration corresponding to the UE.

[0228] In the implementation of the first communication device sending QoS configuration to access network devices within each group, the first communication device determines the access network devices within each group and sends information indicating the use of QoS configuration to the access network devices within each group. Specifically, the information indicating the use of QoS configuration sent to the access network devices within a particular group carries the QoS configuration corresponding to that group, that is, the QoS configuration corresponding to the UE for that group. Accordingly, the access network devices within each group use the QoS configuration corresponding to that group based on the received information.

[0229] For example, suppose the first information includes the identification information of UE1, the identification information of UE2, information of a first area, information of a second area, and information of a third area. The identification information of UE1 is associated with the information of the first area, and the identification information of UE2 is associated with the information of the second and third areas. The first communication device sends second information to access network devices in the first area. This second information carries the QoS configuration corresponding to UE1 and instructs the access network devices to use the first QoS configuration. The first communication device also sends fourth information to access network devices in the second and third areas. This fourth information carries the QoS configuration corresponding to UE1 and instructs the access network devices to use the second QoS configuration. Optionally, in this example, UE2 may also correspond to two different QoS configurations: a second QoS configuration and a third QoS configuration. The second area corresponds to the second QoS configuration, and the third area corresponds to the third QoS configuration. In this case, the first communication device sends fourth information carrying the second QoS configuration to access network devices in the second area, instructing them to use the second QoS configuration, and sends information carrying the third QoS configuration to access network devices in the third area, instructing them to use the third QoS configuration.

[0230] Optionally, in the first and second cases described above, the QoS configuration used by the access network device can be new or complete, as can be found in the introduction of the first QoS configuration in S302 above.

[0231] Optionally, in the first and second scenarios described above, when the UE is located in the protected area, the core network elements and access network devices within the protected area can establish a session for the UE and configure the corresponding QoS settings for the session. For details, please refer to the above description of how the core network elements and access network devices within the first area configure the first QoS settings for the session in S302.

[0232] Optionally, if the UE's location moves from the protected area to outside the protected area (or, in other words, if the UE's location moves from the protected area to a non-protected area), the core network element can trigger session reconstruction based on the change in the UE's location information. During session reconstruction, the core network element sends a session establishment request message (which can be called the fifth message) carrying the QoS configuration corresponding to the UE's original session to the access network device located in the non-protected area. The fifth message indicates that the QoS configuration for the reconstructed session should be based on the QoS configuration corresponding to the original session. Since the access network device located in the non-protected area has not previously received the information from the first communication device instructing the use of the QoS configuration corresponding to the protected area, the access network device located in the non-protected area does not support the QoS configuration corresponding to the original session and cannot configure the QoS configuration corresponding to the original session for the reconstructed session in the non-protected area. In this scenario, access network devices located outside the guaranteed area can send a sixth piece of information to the core network element. This sixth piece of information indicates that the access network device does not have the QoS configuration information corresponding to the original session. In other words, it indicates that the access network device does not support the QoS configuration information corresponding to the original session. For example, the access network device can send information to the core network element indicating that the corresponding QoS value is None. Based on the feedback from the access network device outside the guaranteed area, the core network element can query the UE's subscription information and configure a basic QoS configuration for the reconstructed PDU session. This basic QoS configuration can be understood as the QoS configuration that can be configured for the UE's session when it is not necessary to provide communication service quality assurance for the UE.

[0233] For example, assume that the protection area subscribed to by the first UE includes the first area but excludes the third area (i.e., the first UE's subscription information indicates that the first UE's protection area includes the first area but excludes the third area). The core network element sends a first QoS configuration to the first access network device in the first area and the second access network device in the third area. The first communication device sends first information to the access network devices in the first area, instructing them to use the first QoS configuration. When the first UE is located in the first area, the core network element establishes a PDU session for the first UE with the access network devices in the first area and configures the first QoS configuration for this PDU session. After the first UE moves from the first area to the third area, it connects to the second access network device in the third area. Upon determining that the first UE has moved from the first area to the third area, the core network element sends a fifth message to the second access network device in the third area. This fifth message requests the establishment of a communication session (e.g., a PDU session) for the terminal device, and includes the first QoS configuration. Based on the fifth message, the second access network device determines that it does not support the first QoS configuration and sends a sixth message to the core network element, indicating that it does not support using the first QoS configuration.

[0234] Optionally, in this embodiment of the application, when providing communication service quality assurance for the first UE, the QoS configuration corresponding to the session of the first UE can be a newly defined QoS configuration. For example, the first QoS configuration may include a newly defined 5QI value. Alternatively, the first QoS configuration can be the current highest priority QoS configuration. For example, the first QoS configuration may include the highest priority QoS parameters.

[0235] Optionally, in this embodiment, the communication device may be pre-configured with at least one type of service that can provide quality of service assurance for it. The UE may subscribe to the network to provide quality of service assurance for this at least one service within the assurance area.

[0236] Optionally, if the first UE corresponds to a guarantee time, the core network element can also indicate the guarantee time to the access network equipment in the guarantee area, and control the access network equipment to provide communication service quality guarantee for the UE within the guarantee time. For details, please refer to the above introduction on the first communication device indicating the first time to the access network equipment in the first area.

[0237] Optionally, the core network element in the above embodiments can also be referred to as a third communication device. In the above embodiments, the core network elements that perform different steps can be the same core network element or different core network elements. For example, the core network element that configures the first QoS configuration and the core network element that triggers the UE's session reconstruction based on the UE's location information can be the same core network element or different core network elements.

[0238] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a non-limiting, exemplary process provided for an embodiment of this application. Figure 4 The process shown can be applied when the first communication device is an EMS (Electronic Services System). Figure 4 (Taking EMS-RAN as an example for illustration), in a scenario where the first communication device is EMS-RAN and the second communication device is NMS. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the process includes the following steps:

[0239] The S400 and NMS receive a guarantee request, which requests that the UE be provided with a quality of service guarantee in the guarantee area. The guarantee request includes the UE identifier and information about the guarantee area. Optionally, the guarantee request may also include a guarantee time and / or a first QoS configuration.

[0240] S401, NMS sends a guarantee request to EMS-RAN (i.e., RAN domain EMS), requesting that the UE be provided with a quality of service guarantee in the guarantee area. The guarantee request includes information about the guarantee area. Optionally, the guarantee request also includes the guarantee time and / or the first QoS configuration.

[0241] S402, NMS sends user subscription information to CN. The user subscription information includes a UE identifier, indicating that the UE has subscribed to a service that provides quality of service (QoS) assurance in the guaranteed area. Optionally, the user subscription information also includes at least one of the following: guaranteed area, guaranteed time, and first QoS configuration.

[0242] S403 and EMS-RAN determine the access network equipment within the protection area based on the location of the managed access network equipment.

[0243] After S403, you can execute S404a-S406a (Solution 1), or you can execute S404b-S405b (Solution 2).

[0244] Option 1, S404a-S406a includes:

[0245] S404a and CN determine the first QoS configuration. For example, the PCF network element generates the first QoS configuration.

[0246] S405a, CN sends the first QoS configuration to any one or more access network devices in the network.

[0247] S406a and EMS-RAN send a second message to the access network equipment within the protected area, instructing the access network equipment to enable the first QoS configuration.

[0248] Option 2, S404b-S406b includes:

[0249] S404b and EMS-RAN determine the first QoS configuration.

[0250] S405b and EMS-RAN send a second message to the access network equipment within the protected area. The second message includes the first QoS configuration and instructs the access network equipment to enable the first QoS configuration.

[0251] Optionally, after S404a-S406a or S404b-S405b, steps S407 and thereafter can be performed:

[0252] S407. Ensure that access network equipment within the protection area uses the first QoS configuration.

[0253] S408. When the UE is located in the protected area, the UE establishes a PDU session with the access network equipment and CN in the protected area, and the PDU session is configured with the first QoS.

[0254] S409. When the UE moves from within the protected area to outside the protected area based on its location, the CN triggers a PDU session reconstruction. During the PDU session establishment process, the CN instructs the access network equipment outside the protected area that the reconstructed session needs to be configured with the first QoS configuration corresponding to the original PDU session. The access network equipment outside the protected area reports back to the CN that it does not support the first QoS configuration and cannot complete the corresponding protection task.

[0255] S410 and CN query UE subscription information and configure basic QoS for the rebuilt PDU session.

[0256] S411, the UE completes the PDU session with the access network equipment outside the protection area and the CN rebuilt, and performs services through the user plane.

[0257] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of another non-limiting, exemplary process provided for embodiments of this application. Figure 5 The process shown can be applied when the first communication device is an EMS (Electronic Services System). Figure 5 (Taking EMS-RAN as an example as the first communication device), and NMS as the second communication device, in a scenario where EMS is based on access network device groups within a region. For example... Figure 5 As shown, the process includes the following steps:

[0258] The S500 and NMS receive a guarantee request, which requests that the UE be provided with a quality of service guarantee in the guarantee area. The guarantee request includes the UE identifier and information about the guarantee area. Optionally, the guarantee request also includes the guarantee time and / or QoS configuration corresponding to the guarantee area.

[0259] S501, the NMS divides the protection area into multiple areas. The following assumes a first area and a second area are obtained. The NMS sends a protection request to the EMS-RAN (i.e., the RAN domain EMS). The protection request requests the provision of communication service quality assurance for the UE in both the first and second areas. The protection request includes information about the first area and information about the second area. Optionally, the protection request may also include at least one of the following: the protection time corresponding to the first area, the first QoS configuration corresponding to the first area, the protection time corresponding to the second area, and the second QoS configuration corresponding to the second area.

[0260] S502.NMS sends user subscription information to CN. The user subscription information includes a UE identifier, indicating that the UE has subscribed to a service that provides quality of service (QoS) assurance in the guaranteed area. Optionally, the user subscription information also includes at least one of the following: information about a first area, information about a second area, a guarantee period corresponding to the first area, a first QoS configuration corresponding to the first area, a guarantee period corresponding to the second area, a second QoS configuration corresponding to the second area, a first identifier associated with the first area, and a second identifier associated with the second area.

[0261] S503 and EMS-RAN determine the access network equipment in the first area and the access network equipment in the second area based on the location of the managed access network equipment.

[0262] After S503, S504a-S507a (Solution 1) can be executed, or S504b-S506b (Solution 2) can be executed.

[0263] Option 1, S504a-S506a includes:

[0264] S504a and CN determine the first QoS configuration and the second QoS configuration. For example, the PCF network element generates the first QoS configuration and the second QoS configuration.

[0265] S505a and CN send a first QoS configuration, a second QoS configuration, a first identification information associated with the first QoS configuration, and a second identification information associated with the second QoS configuration to any one or more access network devices in the network.

[0266] S506a and EMS-RAN send a second message to the access network devices in the first area. The second message includes the first identification information and instructs the access network devices to enable the first QoS configuration. EMS-RAN sends a fourth message to the access network devices in the second area. The fourth message includes the second identification information and instructs the access network devices to enable the second QoS configuration.

[0267] S507a. Access network devices in the first area determine and use the first QoS configuration from the first QoS configuration and the second QoS configuration based on the first identification information. Access network devices in the second area determine and use the second QoS configuration from the first QoS configuration and the second QoS configuration based on the second identification information.

[0268] Option 2, S504b-S506b includes:

[0269] S504b and EMS-RAN determine the first QoS configuration and the second QoS configuration.

[0270] S505b and EMS-RAN send a second message to the access network devices in the first area. The second message includes a first QoS configuration and instructs the access network devices to enable the first QoS configuration. EMS-RAN sends a fourth message to the access network devices in the second area. The fourth message includes a second QoS configuration and instructs the access network devices to enable the second QoS configuration.

[0271] S506b: Access network devices in the first area use the first QoS configuration based on the second information. Access network devices in the second area use the second QoS configuration based on the fourth information.

[0272] Optionally, after S504a-S507a or S504b-S506b, steps S508 and thereafter can be performed:

[0273] S508. When the UE is located in the first area, the UE establishes a PDU session with the access network equipment and CN in the first area, and the PDU session is configured with the first QoS configuration. Alternatively, when the UE is located in the second area, the UE establishes a PDU session with the access network equipment and CN in the second area, and the PDU session is configured with the second QoS configuration.

[0274] S509: When the UE moves from within the protected area to outside the protected area based on its location (e.g., from the first or second area to the third area), the CN triggers a PDU session reconstruction. During the PDU session establishment process, the CN instructs the access network equipment outside the protected area that the reconstructed session needs to be configured with the QoS configuration (first QoS configuration or second QoS configuration) corresponding to the original PDU session. The access network equipment outside the protected area reports back to the CN that it does not support the first QoS configuration or the second QoS configuration and cannot complete the corresponding protection task.

[0275] S510 and CN query UE subscription information and configure basic QoS for the rebuilt PDU session.

[0276] S511, the UE completes the PDU session with the access network equipment outside the protection area and the CN rebuilt, and performs services through the user plane.

[0277] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of yet another non-limiting, exemplary process provided for embodiments of this application. Figure 6 The process shown can be applied when the first communication device is an EMS (Electronic Services System). Figure 6 Taking EMS-RAN as an example (the first communication device is EMS-RAN), and NMS as the second communication device, in a scenario where EMS groups data based on the UE as an access network device. Figure 6 As shown, the process includes the following steps:

[0278] The S600 and NMS receive a guarantee request, which requests that communication service quality assurance be provided for the corresponding UEs within their respective guarantee areas. The guarantee request includes the identification information of each UE and the information of the guarantee areas corresponding to each UE. Optionally, the guarantee request also includes the guarantee time and / or QoS configuration corresponding to each guarantee area. Alternatively, the NMS receives multiple guarantee requests, each requesting that communication service quality assurance be provided for the UEs within its guarantee area. Each guarantee request includes a different UE identifier and the information of the guarantee area corresponding to the UE. Optionally, each guarantee request also includes the guarantee time and / or QoS configuration corresponding to the guarantee area.

[0279] The following assumes that the protection request includes the identification information of the first UE, the identification information of the second UE, the information of the first region, and the information of the second region, wherein the protection region corresponding to the first UE is the first region, and the protection region corresponding to the second UE is the second region.

[0280] S601.NMS sends a guarantee request to EMS-RAN (i.e., RAN domain EMS). The guarantee request is used to request communication service quality assurance for the UE. The guarantee request includes the virtual identifier of the first UE, the virtual identifier of the second UE, information of the first area associated with the virtual identifier of the first UE, and information of the second area associated with the virtual identifier of the second UE. Optionally, the guarantee request also includes at least one of the following: the guarantee time corresponding to the first area, the first QoS configuration corresponding to the first area, the guarantee time corresponding to the second area, and the second QoS configuration corresponding to the second area.

[0281] S602.NMS sends user subscription information to CN. The user subscription information includes the identifier of the first UE and the identifier of the second UE, indicating that the first UE and the second UE have subscribed to a service providing guaranteed communication service quality in the guaranteed area. Optionally, the user subscription information also includes at least one of the following: information about the first area, information about the second area, the guaranteed time corresponding to the first area, the first QoS configuration corresponding to the first area, the guaranteed time corresponding to the second area, the second QoS configuration corresponding to the second area, the virtual identifier of the first UE, and the virtual identifier of the second UE.

[0282] S603 and EMS-RAN determine the access network equipment in the first area and the access network equipment in the second area based on the location of the managed access network equipment.

[0283] After S603, S604a-S607a (Solution 1) can be executed, or S604b-S606b (Solution 2) can be executed.

[0284] Option 1, S604a-S606a includes:

[0285] S604a and CN determine the first QoS configuration and the second QoS configuration. For example, the PCF network element generates the first QoS configuration and the second QoS configuration.

[0286] S605a and CN send a first QoS configuration, a second QoS configuration, a virtual identifier of a first UE associated with the first QoS configuration, and a virtual identifier of a second UE associated with the second QoS configuration to any one or more access network devices in the network.

[0287] S606a and EMS-RAN send a second message to the access network equipment in the first area. The second message includes the virtual identifier of the first UE and instructs the access network equipment to enable the first QoS configuration. EMS-RAN sends a fourth message to the access network equipment in the second area. The fourth message includes the virtual identifier of the second UE and instructs the access network equipment to enable the second QoS configuration.

[0288] S607a. Access network devices in the first area determine and use a first QoS configuration from a first QoS configuration and a second QoS configuration based on the virtual identifier of the first UE. Access network devices in the second area determine and use a second QoS configuration from the first QoS configuration and a second QoS configuration based on the virtual identifier of the second UE.

[0289] Option 2, S604b-S606b includes:

[0290] S604b and EMS-RAN determine the first QoS configuration and the second QoS configuration.

[0291] S605b and EMS-RAN send a second message to the access network devices in the first area. The second message includes a first QoS configuration and instructs the access network devices to enable the first QoS configuration. EMS-RAN sends a fourth message to the access network devices in the second area. The fourth message includes a second QoS configuration and instructs the access network devices to enable the second QoS configuration.

[0292] S606b: Access network devices in the first area use the first QoS configuration based on the second information. Access network devices in the second area use the second QoS configuration based on the fourth information.

[0293] Optionally, after S604a-S607a or S604b-S606b, execution can be performed with... Figure 5 The same steps as S508-S511 in the above.

[0294] It should be noted that, Figure 4 , Figure 5 or Figure 6The timing sequence between different steps in the process shown is only an exemplary timing sequence and does not represent the actual timing sequence.

[0295] In addition, embodiments of this application also provide a communication method, which includes the following steps:

[0296] Step 1: The first communication device receives the seventh information, which includes information about the protection area. The seventh information is used to request that the terminal device be provided with a quality of service guarantee within the protection area.

[0297] Optionally, the seventh piece of information may also include at least one of the following: the terminal device's identification information, the guarantee period, and the specific QoS configuration. For details on step 1, please refer to the above description. Figure 3 In the embodiment shown, the second communication device receives a request message that requests an introduction to provide communication service quality assurance for the first UE within the protection area.

[0298] The embodiments of this application do not limit the first communication device. For example, the first communication device may be an SM0.

[0299] Step 2: The first communication device, based on the protection request, sends a seventh message to the access network devices within the first area. This seventh message instructs the access network devices within the first area to use the first QoS configuration. Here, the first area is the protection area. Alternatively, the first area can be a region within the protection area. For example, the first communication device can divide the protection area into multiple regions, including the first area and other regions. See the above for details. Figure 3 The embodiment shown describes how the second communication device divides the protected area into multiple regions.

[0300] For details on the first QoS configuration, please refer to the above text. Figure 3 The illustrated embodiment describes the first QoS configuration. The first QoS configuration can be configured by a core network element or by a first communication device; please refer to the above description for details. Figure 3 The embodiment shown describes the configuration of the first QoS configuration by the core network element or the first communication device.

[0301] Optionally, the first communication device may also instruct access network devices within the first area to use the first QoS configuration within a first time period. See the above for details. Figure 3 In the embodiment shown, the first communication device instructs the access network devices in the first area to use the introduction of the first QoS configuration within a first time period.

[0302] For details on step 2, please refer to the above description of the first communication device sending the first information to the access network device in the first area.

[0303] Optionally, the first communication device may group the access network devices and send information to each access network device in the group instructing the access network device to use the QoS configuration corresponding to the group. For details, please refer to the above text. Figure 3 The embodiments shown describe how the first communication device groups access network devices based on regions or groups access network devices based on UEs.

[0304] Optionally, in the communication method including steps 1-2 above, the functions implemented by the first communication device may include... Figure 3 In the communication method shown, the first communication device implements all or part of the functions, and the second communication device implements all or part of the functions. The steps performed by the first communication device in this communication method may include... Figure 3 In the communication method shown, all or part of the steps performed by the first communication device and all or part of the steps performed by the second communication device are described. For details of this communication method including steps 1 and 2, please refer to the above description. Figure 3 An introduction to the communication method shown.

[0305] The names of the network elements in the above embodiments may be different in other communication systems, such as future communication systems, without affecting the application of the communication method provided in this application.

[0306] The above mainly describes the solutions provided by the embodiments of this application from the perspective of interaction between various devices. Correspondingly, the embodiments of this application also provide a communication device for implementing the various methods described above. This communication device can be a first communication device / second communication device / third communication device in the above method embodiments, or a device containing the first communication device / second communication device / third communication device, or a component usable in the first communication device / second communication device / third communication device. It is understood that, in order to achieve the above functions, the communication device includes hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, in conjunction with the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in the embodiments disclosed herein, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed by hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0307] This application embodiment can divide the communication device into functional modules according to the above method embodiment. For example, each function can be divided into a separate functional module, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional module. It should be understood that the module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods.

[0308] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a communication device 700 is shown. The communication device 700 includes a transceiver module 702 and a processing module 701. Optionally, the communication device 700 may also include a storage module 703. The transceiver module 702, also referred to as a transceiver unit, is used to implement transceiver functions; for example, it may be a transceiver circuit, transceiver, transceiver adapter, or communication interface.

[0309] The communication device 700 can be the SMF in the above embodiments, or it can be a chip within the SMF. Alternatively, the communication device can be the PCF in the above embodiments, or it can be a chip within the PCF. The communication device 700 can be used to implement the communication method of any of the above embodiments.

[0310] For example, the transceiver module 702 is used to support the communication device 700 in sending and receiving information, or to communicate with other devices. The processing module 701 is used to control and manage the operation of the communication device 700, and to execute the processing performed by the communication device 700 in the above embodiments. Optionally, if the communication device 700 includes a storage module 703, the processing module 701 can also execute programs or instructions stored in the memory, so that the communication device 700 implements the methods and functions involved in any of the above embodiments.

[0311] For example, if the communication device 700 is the first communication device in the above embodiments, the transceiver module 702 can be used for Figure 3 Steps S301 and S302, and / or other processes for sending and receiving information described herein, are used. Processing module 701 can be used for other processes of the technology described herein. All relevant content regarding each step in the above method embodiments can be referenced to the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and will not be repeated here.

[0312] For example, in hardware implementation, the functions of processing module 701 can be executed by a processor, and the functions of transceiver module 702 can be executed by a transceiver (transmitter / receiver) and / or communication interface. Processing module 701 can be embedded in or independent of the processor of communication device 700 in hardware form, or it can be stored in the memory of communication device 700 in software form, so that the processor can call and execute the operations corresponding to the above functional units.

[0313] Optionally, Figure 7 Modules in a module can also be called units; for example, a processing module can be called a processing unit, and a transceiver module can be called a transceiver unit. Additionally, in... Figure 7 In the embodiments shown, the names of the various units may not be the same as those shown in the figures. For example, the transceiver module may also be called a communication module or a communication unit.

[0314] Figure 7 If the various units in the software are implemented as software functional modules and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. This computer software product, stored in a storage medium, includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) or processor to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. Storage media for storing computer software products include various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0315] In this embodiment, the communication device 700 is presented in an integrated manner, divided into various functional modules. Here, "module" can refer to a specific ASIC, circuitry, a processor and memory executing one or more software or firmware programs, integrated logic circuitry, and / or other devices that can provide the aforementioned functions. In a simple embodiment, those skilled in the art will understand that the communication device 700 can adopt... Figure 8 The form of the communication device shown.

[0316] like Figure 8 As shown, the communication device 800 includes one or more processors 801. Figure 8(This is merely an example illustration using a processor 801.) The processor 801 can execute instructions to cause the communication device 800 to implement the methods described in the above embodiments. The processor 801 can be a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits used to control the execution of the program according to this application.

[0317] Optionally, the communication device 800 may also include a communication line 802. The communication line 802 may include a path for connecting different components.

[0318] Optionally, the communication device 800 may further include at least one communication interface. Figure 8 (This is merely an example illustration, using communication interface 804 as an example.) Communication interface 804 can be a transceiver module for communicating with other devices or communication networks, such as Ethernet, RAN, terminals, wireless local area networks (WLANs), etc. For example, the transceiver module can be a transceiver or a similar device. Optionally, communication interface 804 can also be a transceiver circuit or input / output interface located within processor 801, used to implement signal input and signal output for the processor.

[0319] Optionally, the communication device 800 may also include a memory 803. The memory 803 may be a device with storage functionality. For example, it may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices capable of storing static information and instructions; random access memory (RAM) or other types of dynamic storage devices capable of storing information and instructions; electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM); compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage; optical disc storage (including compressed optical discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital universal 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 not limited thereto. The memory may exist independently and be connected to the processor via the communication line 802. Alternatively, the memory may be integrated with the processor.

[0320] The memory 803 stores computer execution instructions for implementing the scheme of this application, and its execution is controlled by the processor 801. The processor 801 executes the computer execution instructions stored in the memory 803, thereby implementing the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0321] Alternatively, in this embodiment, the processor 801 may execute the processing-related functions in the communication method provided in this embodiment, and the communication interface 804 may be responsible for communicating with other devices or communication networks. This embodiment does not specifically limit this.

[0322] 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.

[0323] In a specific implementation, as one example, the processor 801 may include one or more CPUs, for example... Figure 8 CPU0 and CPU1 in the CPU.

[0324] In a specific implementation, as one example, the communication device 700 may include multiple processors, such as... Figure 8 The processors 801 and 807 are described herein. Each of these processors may be a single-core processor or a multi-core processor. The processors herein may include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller unit (MCU), or an artificial intelligence processor, and other computing devices that run software. Each computing device may include one or more cores for executing software instructions to perform calculations or processing.

[0325] In a specific implementation, as one embodiment, the communication device 800 may further include an output device 805 and an input device 806. The output device 805 communicates with the processor 801 and can display information in various ways. For example, the output device 805 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode (LED) display device, a cathode ray tube (CRT) display device, or a projector, etc. The input device 806 communicates with the processor 801 and can receive user input in various ways. For example, the input device 806 may be a mouse, keyboard, touchscreen device, or sensing device, etc.

[0326] The aforementioned communication device 800 may sometimes be referred to as a communication equipment, which can be a general-purpose device or a special-purpose device. For example, the communication device 800 may be a desktop computer, a portable computer, a network server, a handheld digital assistant (PDA), a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a wireless terminal device, an embedded device, or something else with... Figure 8 Devices with similar structures. This application does not limit the type of communication device 800 to any particular embodiment.

[0327] also, Figure 8 The structural composition shown does not constitute a limitation on the communication device, except... Figure 8 In addition to the components shown, the communication device 800 may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine certain components, or have different component arrangements.

[0328] in, Figure 7 The processor 801 in the communication device 800 shown can execute the communication method in the above method embodiment by calling the computer execution instructions stored in the memory 803.

[0329] Specifically, Figure 7 The functions / implementation process of the transceiver module 702 and the processing module 701 can be obtained through... Figure 8 The processor 801 in the communication device 800 shown calls computer execution instructions stored in memory 803 to implement the function. Alternatively, Figure 7 The function / implementation process of the processing module 701 can be achieved through... Figure 8 The processor 801 in the communication device 800 shown calls computer execution instructions stored in the memory 803 to implement the communication. Figure 7 The function / implementation process of the transceiver module 702 in the middle can be obtained through Figure 8 This is achieved through the communication interface 804 in the communication device 800 shown.

[0330] It should be understood that one or more of the above modules or units can be implemented by software, hardware, or a combination of both. When any of the above modules or units are implemented by software, the software exists as computer program instructions and is stored in memory. The processor can be used to execute the program instructions and implement the above method flow. The processor can be built into a SoC or ASIC, or it can be a separate semiconductor chip. In addition to the core that executes software instructions for computation or processing, the processor may further include necessary hardware accelerators, such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), or logic circuits that implement dedicated logic operations.

[0331] When the above modules or units are implemented in hardware, the hardware can be any one or any combination of a CPU, microprocessor, digital signal processing (DSP) chip, microcontroller unit (MCU), artificial intelligence processor, ASIC, SoC, FPGA, PLD, application-specific digital circuit, hardware accelerator, or non-integrated discrete device, which can run the necessary software or perform the above method flow independently of software.

[0332] Optionally, embodiments of this application also provide a communication device (e.g., the communication device may be a chip or a chip system), which includes a processor for implementing the methods in any of the above method embodiments. In one possible design, the communication device further includes a memory. The memory is used to store necessary program instructions and data, and the processor can call the program code stored in the memory to instruct the communication device to execute the methods in any of the above method embodiments. Of course, the memory may not be included in the communication device. When the communication device is a chip system, it may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices; embodiments of this application do not specifically limit this.

[0333] Optionally, embodiments of this application also provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions that, when run on a communication device, enable the communication device to execute the methods described in any of the above method embodiments or any implementation thereof.

[0334] Optionally, embodiments of this application also provide a computer program product, which includes a computer program or instructions that, when run on a communication device, enable the communication device to execute the methods described in any of the above method embodiments or any implementation thereof.

[0335] Optionally, embodiments of this application also provide a communication system, which includes the first communication device and the second communication device described in the above method embodiments. Optionally, the communication system includes the third communication device described in the above method embodiments.

[0336] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software programs, implementation can be, in whole or in part, in the form of a computer program product. This 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 flow or function according to the embodiments of this application is 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, computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another 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 accessible to a computer or a data storage device containing one or more servers, data centers, etc., that can be integrated with the medium. The available media can be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., DVDs), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state drives (SSDs)).

[0337] Although this application has been described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, those skilled in the art, by reviewing the accompanying drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims, will understand and implement other variations of the disclosed embodiments in carrying out the claimed application. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude multiple instances. A single processor or other unit can implement several functions listed in the claims. While different dependent claims may recite certain measures, this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to produce good results.

[0338] Although this application has been described in conjunction with specific features and embodiments, it is obvious that various modifications and combinations can be made thereto without departing from the scope of this application. Accordingly, this specification and drawings are merely exemplary illustrations of the application as defined by the appended claims, and are considered to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations, or equivalents within the scope of this application. Clearly, those skilled in the art can make various alterations and modifications to this application without departing from its scope. Thus, if such modifications and modifications fall within the scope of the claims and their equivalents, this application is also intended to include such modifications and modifications.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive first information, the first information requests that communication service quality assurance be provided for the terminal device in a first area, the first information including information of the first area; Based on the first information, a second information is sent, which instructs access network devices within the first area to use the first quality of service configuration.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first information also includes information at a first time, the first information request being in the first region, and the first time period providing communication service quality assurance for the terminal device; The second information includes the information from the first time period, and the second information is used to instruct access network devices in the first area to use the first quality of service configuration during the first time period; or, The second information is sent at the start time of the first time, and the method further includes: A third message is sent, which is used to instruct the access network devices in the first area to stop using the first quality of service configuration, and the time point for sending the third message is the end time point of the first time.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first information also requests that the terminal device be provided with a quality of service guarantee in the second region, and the first information also includes information about the second region; The method further includes: Send a fourth message, which is used to instruct access network devices in the second area to use the second quality of service configuration.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second quality of service configuration and the first quality of service configuration are configured by the third communication device. The first quality of service configuration configured by the third communication device has a mapping relationship with the first identification information, and the second quality of service configuration configured by the third communication device has a mapping relationship with the second identification information. The second information includes the first identification information, which is used by access network devices in the first area to determine the use of the first quality of service configuration based on the mapping relationship between the first quality of service configuration and the first identification information. The fourth information includes the second identification information. The first identification information is used by the access network devices in the first area to determine the use of the second quality of service configuration based on the mapping relationship between the second quality of service configuration and the second identification information.

5. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first information includes the first quality of service configuration, and the fourth information includes the second quality of service configuration.

6. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive fifth information, the fifth information including a first quality of service configuration, the fifth information being used to request the establishment of a communication session; A sixth message is sent, which indicates that the access network device does not support the use of the first quality of service configuration.

7. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes modules or units for implementing the method of any one of claims 1-6.

8. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a processor, which, when executing instructions, causes the communication device to perform the method of any one of claims 1-6.

9. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, It stores instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the method of any one of claims 1-6 to be performed.

10. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the method of any one of claims 1-6 to be performed.

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