Latency control method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a latency control method and apparatus. The method includes: an access network element receives a profile of an uplink Quality of Service flow and a profile of a downlink Quality of Service flow from a session management network element; when the sum of the current data transmission latency of the uplink Quality of Service flow and the current data transmission latency of the downlink Quality of Service flow does not satisfy the round-trip latency requirement of the service, the access network element determines a target data packet delay budget of the uplink Quality of Service flow and a target data packet delay budget of the downlink Quality of Service flow from the profile of the uplink Quality of Service flow and the profile of the downlink Quality of Service flow; the target data packet delay budget of the uplink Quality of Service flow and the target data packet delay budget of the downlink Quality of Service flow satisfy the round-trip latency requirement. According to the latency control method and apparatus provided in the present application, the round-trip latency can be controlled based on the service requirement.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly to a latency control method and apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Currently, more and more services impose extremely high requirements on round-trip (RT) latency during data transmission. Round-trip latency is the sum of uplink transmission latency and downlink transmission latency. If the round-trip latency during data transmission cannot meet the service requirements, the running service may be significantly affected, and therefore the user experience will be affected.

[0003] For example, a service with a high requirement for round-trip latency may be a real-time media service, including virtual reality, augmented reality, extended reality (XR), etc. Using an XR service as an example, the round-trip latency required by an XR service can be understood as the latency from detecting head / hand movements to rendering a corresponding new picture by the image engine and displaying the picture on the screen. If the latency is extremely high, the user will feel dizzy as a result, and the experience of the XR service will be affected.

[0004] Therefore, how to control the round-trip latency based on service requirements is an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present application provides a latency control method and apparatus for controlling round trip latency based on service requirements.

[0006] Regarding the first aspect, some implementations of the first aspect are as follows.

[0007] According to a first aspect, a latency control method is provided. The method can be implemented by an access network element, or by a component (e.g., a chip or a circuit) of the access network element. This is not limited in the present application. For ease of explanation, an example in which the method is implemented by an access network element is used for the following description.

[0008] The method may include: an access network element receives, from a session management network element, a profile of an uplink quality of service flow and a profile of a downlink quality of service flow, the uplink quality of service flow and the downlink quality of service flow for transmitting uplink data and downlink data of a service, respectively; when a sum of a current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow and a current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow does not satisfy a round-trip latency requirement of the service, the access network element determines a target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow and a target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow from the profile of the uplink quality of service flow and the profile of the downlink quality of service flow; the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow satisfy the round-trip latency requirement.

[0009] In the above solution, the access network element determines the target data packet delay budgets of the uplink Quality of Service flow and the downlink Quality of Service flow from the uplink Quality of Service flow profile and the downlink Quality of Service flow profile received from the core network side based on the current data transmission latency of the uplink Quality of Service flow and the current data transmission latency of the downlink Quality of Service flow. In this way, the round-trip latency is efficiently controlled based on the service requirements in a timely manner. Furthermore, in the above solution, the access network element updates the data packet delay budgets of the uplink Quality of Service flow and the downlink Quality of Service flow. Compared with the policy control network element updating the data packet delay budgets of the uplink Quality of Service flow and the downlink Quality of Service flow, signaling interactions between the access network element and the core network can be reduced, overhead can be reduced, and the period for controlling the round-trip latency can be shortened. Furthermore, after the access network element determines the target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow, there is no case where the updated quality of service profile is not recognized by the core network, and therefore the updated quality of service profile may not be sent to the core network, thus further reducing signaling interactions and overhead.

[0010] Regarding the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the profile of the uplink quality of service flow includes a plurality of groups of uplink quality of service profiles, and the profile of the downlink quality of service flow includes a plurality of groups of downlink quality of service profiles. Each group of uplink quality of service profiles includes a data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow, and each group of downlink quality of service profiles includes a data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow. The data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow and included in the plurality of groups of uplink quality of service profiles includes a target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow. The data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow and included in the plurality of groups of downlink quality of service profiles includes a target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow. The target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow satisfying the round-trip latency requirement includes: The sum of the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow satisfies the round-trip latency requirement.

[0011] In the above solution, the core network configures multiple groups of uplink quality of service profiles and multiple groups of downlink quality of service profiles for the radio access network element, and the radio access network element can autonomously select a target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow and a target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow from the multiple groups of uplink quality of service profiles and the multiple groups of downlink quality of service profiles. In this way, the access network element can dynamically and separately determine the target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow based on a real-time network transmission status. Furthermore, in the above solution, there is no case where the updated uplink quality of service profile or the updated downlink quality of service profile is not recognized by the core network. Therefore, there is no need to wait for the quality of service profile update implemented by the core network, and the round-trip control logic is simplified. Signaling interactions are further reduced, overhead is reduced, and service round-trip latency is quickly and flexibly controlled and quality guaranteed.

[0012] It should be appreciated that each group of uplink quality of service profiles comprising a data packet delay budget for an uplink quality of service flow may be understood in multiple ways.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the data packet delay budget included in each group of uplink quality of service profiles is a specific data packet delay budget value and indicates a downlink quality of service flow, and the data packet delay budget included in each group of downlink quality of service profiles is also a specific data.

[0014] In the above solution, the access network element obtains the data packet delay budget contained in each group of uplink quality of service profiles more directly, which is simpler and more efficient.

[0015] In another possible implementation, each group of uplink quality of service profiles includes information indicating a data packet delay budget for an uplink quality of service flow, and each group of downlink quality of service profiles includes information indicating a data packet delay budget for a downlink quality of service flow, for example, the information may be 5th generation quality of service identifier (5QI) information.

[0016] In the above solution, the implementation in which the core network configures the data packet delay budget for the radio access network elements is more flexible and the information overhead can be reduced.

[0017] Furthermore, it should be understood that the target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow may be specific data packet delay budget values ​​or may be information indicative of the target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow. For example, the information may be 5QI information.

[0018] With regard to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, when the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow is greater than the data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow, the access network element determining the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow from the profile of the uplink quality of service flow and the profile of the downlink quality of service flow includes: the access network element selecting the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow from a plurality of groups of uplink quality of service profiles based on the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow; the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow is greater than the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow; and the access network element selecting the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow from a plurality of groups of downlink quality of service profiles based on the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow and a round-trip latency requirement.

[0019] In the above solution, when the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow is larger than the data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow, the access network element adjusts the profile of the uplink quality of service flow, so that the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow is larger than the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow, thus the quality of service of the uplink quality of service flow can be guaranteed and the user experience is improved. The access network element can determine the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow in a more real-time and more flexible manner, so that the round-trip latency requirement of the service is guaranteed and the service experience of the user is improved.

[0020] With regard to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, when the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow is greater than the data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow, the access network element determining the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow from the profile of the uplink quality of service flow and the profile of the downlink quality of service flow includes: the access network element selects the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow from a plurality of groups of downlink quality of service profiles based on the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow; the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow is greater than the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow; and the access network element selects the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow from a plurality of groups of uplink quality of service profiles based on the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow and a round-trip latency requirement.

[0021] In the above solution, when the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow is larger than the data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow, the access network element adjusts the profile of the downlink quality of service flow, so that the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow is larger than the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow, thus the quality of service of the downlink quality of service flow can be guaranteed and the user experience is improved. The access network element can determine the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow in a more real-time and more flexible manner, so that the round-trip latency requirement of the service is guaranteed and the service experience of the user is improved.

[0022] Regarding the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the access network element's determining a target data packet delay budget for an uplink quality of service flow and a target data packet delay budget for a downlink quality of service flow from a profile for the uplink quality of service flow and a profile for the downlink quality of service flow includes: the access network element generates a plurality of quality of service profile pairs based on a round-trip latency requirement, a plurality of groups of uplink quality of service profiles, and a plurality of groups of downlink quality of service profiles, each quality of service profile pair including an uplink quality of service profile and a downlink quality of service profile, the sum of the data packet delay budget in the uplink quality of service profile for the uplink quality of service flow and the data packet delay budget in the downlink quality of service profile for the downlink quality of service flow satisfies the round-trip latency requirement, and the data packet delay budget in the plurality of quality of service profile pairs for the uplink quality of service flow includes the target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow. The data packet delay budget included in the plurality of quality of service profile pairs is for a downlink quality of service flow and includes a target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow. The access network element selects a target quality of service profile pair from the plurality of quality of service profile pairs. The target quality of service profile pair includes the data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow.

[0023] In the above solution, the access network element can more efficiently determine the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow by determining the target quality of service profile pair. Furthermore, when the round-trip latency requirement of the service, the profile of the uplink quality of service flow, and the profile of the downlink quality of service flow remain the same, the access network element may generate the multiple quality of service profile pairs only once. The access network element stores the multiple quality of service profile pairs. When the sum of the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow and the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow still does not satisfy the round-trip latency requirement of the service, the multiple quality of service profile pairs can be directly invoked. The real-time processing logic of the access network element is further simplified, and the efficiency of controlling round-trip latency is improved.

[0024] With respect to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the profile of the uplink quality of service flow includes at least two uplink budget values ​​of the data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow, and the profile of the downlink quality of service flow includes at least two downlink budget values ​​of the data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow, wherein the at least two uplink budget values ​​include target data packet delay budgets of the uplink quality of service flow, and the at least two downlink budget values ​​include target data packet delay budgets of the downlink quality of service flow.

[0025] In the above solution, one profile of an uplink quality of service flow or one profile of a downlink quality of service flow includes two or more data packet delay budgets, respectively, so that the method of configuring quality of service throughout the system becomes more flexible. Compared with the method in which the core network sends a quality of service profile including only one fixed data packet delay budget to an access network element, the above solution allows more data packet delay budgets to be configured for the access network element with little increase in resource overhead, so that the access network element can dynamically re-determine the data packet delay budget corresponding to the quality of service profile based on the real-time network transmission status. Furthermore, after the access network element re-determines the data packet delay budget corresponding to the quality of service profile, there is no case in which the updated quality of service profile is not recognized by the core network. Therefore, there is no need to wait for the quality of service profile update implemented by the core network, and the round-trip control logic is simplified. Signaling interactions are further reduced, overhead is reduced, and service round-trip latency is quickly and flexibly controlled and quality guaranteed.

[0026] Regarding the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, when the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow is greater than the data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow, the access network element determining the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow from the profile of the uplink quality of service flow and the profile of the downlink quality of service flow includes: the access network element selects the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow from at least two uplink budget values ​​based on the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow; the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow is greater than the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow; and the access network element selects the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow from at least two downlink budget values ​​based on the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow and the round-trip latency requirement of the service.

[0027] In the above solution, when the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow is larger than the data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow, the access network element adjusts the profile of the uplink quality of service flow, so that the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow is larger than the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow, thus the quality of service of the uplink quality of service flow can be guaranteed and the user experience is improved. The access network element can determine the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow in a more real-time and more flexible manner, so that the round-trip latency requirement of the service is guaranteed and the service experience of the user is improved.

[0028] Regarding the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, when the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow is greater than the data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow, the access network element determining the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow from the profile of the downlink quality of service flow and the profile of the uplink quality of service flow includes: the access network element selects the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow from at least two downlink budget values ​​based on the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow; the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow is greater than the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow; and the access network element selects the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow from at least two uplink budget values ​​based on the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow and the round-trip latency requirement of the service.

[0029] In the above solution, when the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow is larger than the data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow, the access network element adjusts the profile of the downlink quality of service flow, so that the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow is larger than the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow, thus the quality of service of the downlink quality of service flow can be guaranteed and the user experience is improved. The access network element can determine the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow in a more real-time and more flexible manner, so that the round-trip latency requirement of the service is guaranteed and the service experience of the user is improved.

[0030] With regard to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the access network element receiving a round-trip latency requirement from the session management network element.

[0031] In the above solution, the access network element selects target data packet delay budgets for uplink quality of service flows and target data packet delay budgets for downlink quality of service flows that meet the round-trip latency requirements from the profiles of uplink quality of service flows and downlink quality of service flows delivered by the core network based on the round-trip latency requirements of the service, thereby further ensuring the control and quality guarantee of the round-trip latency of the service.

[0032] Regarding the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the profile of the uplink quality of service flow and the profile of the downlink quality of service flow include a plurality of quality of service profile pairs. Each quality of service profile pair includes an uplink quality of service profile and a downlink quality of service profile. In each quality of service profile pair, the sum of the data packet delay budget in the uplink quality of service profile for the uplink quality of service flow and the data packet delay budget in the downlink quality of service profile for the downlink quality of service flow satisfies the round-trip latency requirement. The data packet delay budget in the plurality of quality of service profile pairs for the uplink quality of service flow includes the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow. The data packet delay budget in the plurality of quality of service profile pairs for the downlink quality of service flow includes the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow.

[0033] In the above solution, the core network sends to the access network element multiple quality of service profile pairs that have already been determined based on the round-trip latency requirements of the service, so that the access network element can directly select a target profile pair based on the multiple quality of service profile pairs.

[0034] With regard to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the access network element determining a target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow and a target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow from a profile of the uplink quality of service flow and a profile of the downlink quality of service flow includes: the access network element selecting a target quality of service profile pair from a plurality of quality of service profile pairs; the target quality of service profile pair including a target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow and a target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow; the target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow is equal to or greater than a current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow; and the target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow is equal to or greater than a current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow.

[0035] In the above solution, the access network element does not need to obtain the round-trip latency requirement of the service, and does not need to process the quality of service profile delivered by the core network based on the round-trip latency requirement of the service. The processing procedure of the access network element can be further simplified based on the reduced signaling interaction between the access network element and the core network, thus reducing the consumption of the access network element.

[0036] Regarding the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, when the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow is greater than the data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow, the access network element determining the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow from the profile of the uplink quality of service flow and the profile of the downlink quality of service flow includes: the access network element selecting a candidate quality of service profile pair from a plurality of quality of service profile pairs based on the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow; the data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow and included in the candidate quality of service profile pair is greater than the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow; the access network element selecting a target quality of service profile pair from the candidate quality of service profile pairs based on the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow.

[0037] In the above solution, when the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow is larger than the data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow, the access network element adjusts the profile of the uplink quality of service flow, so that the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow is larger than the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow, thus the quality of service of the uplink quality of service flow can be guaranteed and the user experience is improved. The access network element can determine the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow in a more real-time and more flexible manner, so that the round-trip latency requirement of the service is guaranteed and the service experience of the user is improved.

[0038] Regarding the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, when the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow is greater than the data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow, the access network element determining the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow from the profile of the downlink quality of service flow and the profile of the uplink quality of service flow includes: the access network element selects a candidate quality of service profile pair from a plurality of quality of service profile pairs based on the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow; the data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow and included in the candidate quality of service profile pair is greater than the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow; and the access network element selects a target quality of service profile pair from the candidate quality of service profile pairs based on the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow.

[0039] In the above solution, when the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow is larger than the data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow, the access network element adjusts the profile of the downlink quality of service flow, so that the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow is larger than the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow, thus the quality of service of the downlink quality of service flow can be guaranteed and the user experience is improved. The access network element can determine the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow in a more real-time and more flexible manner, so that the round-trip latency requirement of the service is guaranteed and the service experience of the user is improved.

[0040] Regarding the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the access network element sends a target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow and a target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow to the session management network element.

[0041] In the above solution, the core network control plane can be aware of the current service quality of the service, and therefore all end-to-end devices can adjust their service quality profiles accordingly, ensuring end-to-end service quality.

[0042] Regarding the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the access network element obtains a current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow and a current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow.

[0043] In the above solution, the access network can dynamically adjust the uplink quality of service flow profile and the downlink quality of service flow profile based on the real-time network transmission status, so that the service round-trip latency is quickly and flexibly controlled and quality guaranteed in a real-time manner.

[0044] Regarding the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the access network element obtaining the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow and the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow includes: the access network element measuring the air interface latency of the uplink quality of service flow and the air interface latency of the downlink quality of service flow; the access network element determining the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow based on the air interface latency of the uplink quality of service flow and a core network data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow; the access network element determining the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow based on the air interface latency of the downlink quality of service flow and a core network data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow.

[0045] Compared with obtaining the current data transmission latency of the core network from the core network, the above solution can further reduce the interactions between the access network element and the core network, reduce overhead, and further shorten the period for controlling the round-trip latency.

[0046] Regarding the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, an access network element measures the air interface latency of an uplink quality of service flow and the air interface latency of a downlink quality of service flow. The access network element receives the current core network data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow and the current core network data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow from a user plane function network element or a session management network element. The access network element determines the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow based on the air interface latency of the uplink quality of service flow and the current core network data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow. The access network element determines the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow based on the air interface latency of the downlink quality of service flow and the current core network data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow.

[0047] In the above solution, after obtaining the air interface latency of the uplink quality of service flow and the air interface latency of the downlink quality of service flow, the access network element does not need to report the air interface latency of the uplink quality of service flow and the air interface latency of the downlink quality of service flow to the core network, thus the interaction between the access network element and the core network can be further reduced, the overhead can be reduced, and the period for controlling the round-trip latency can be further shortened.

[0048] With regard to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the access network element receiving latency control indication information from the session management network element. The latency control indication information triggers the access network element to determine a target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow and a target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow from a profile of the uplink quality of service flow and a profile of the downlink quality of service flow. The access network element's determining a target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow and a target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow from the profile of the uplink quality of service flow and the profile of the downlink quality of service flow includes: the access network element determines a target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow and a target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow from the profile of the uplink quality of service flow and the profile of the downlink quality of service flow based on the latency control indication information.

[0049] In the above solution, the access network element can determine the target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow based on the indication of the core network element, and the core network schedules the internal processing of the access network element during the procedure accordingly.

[0050] Regarding the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the access network element receives association indication information from the session management network element, the association indication information indicating that an uplink quality of service flow is associated with a downlink quality of service flow, and the access network element determines, based on the association indication information, to perform a coordinated adjustment on a quality of service profile of the uplink quality of service flow and a quality of service profile of the downlink quality of service flow, where the uplink quality of service flow and the downlink quality of service flow are for transmitting uplink data and downlink data of the service, respectively.

[0051] In the above solution, the access network element can perform coordinated adjustment to the quality of service profile of the uplink quality of service flow and the quality of service profile of the downlink quality of service flow, so that the quality of service of the two quality of service flows can both be guaranteed, and the user experience is further guaranteed.

[0052] With respect to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the sum of the maximum data packet delay budget in the uplink quality of service flow profile and the minimum data packet delay budget in the downlink quality of service flow profile is less than or equal to the round-trip latency requirement. The sum of the minimum data packet delay budget in the uplink quality of service flow profile and the maximum data packet delay budget in the downlink quality of service flow profile is less than or equal to the round-trip latency requirement.

[0053] In the above solution, the uplink and downlink quality of service flow profiles configured by the core network already satisfy the requirements in the above solution, which is equivalent to the core network pre-screening the data packet delay budget in the quality of service profile, thus avoiding extreme cases. Therefore, the selection range of the uplink and downlink quality of service flow profiles sent to the access network elements is narrowed, which reduces the signaling overhead and the complexity of the access network elements.

[0054] According to a second aspect, a latency control method is provided. The method may be implemented by a policy control network element, or may be implemented by a component (e.g., a chip or a circuit) of the policy control network element. This is not limited in the present application. For ease of explanation, an example in which the method is implemented by a policy control network element is used for the following description. For beneficial effects of the second aspect, please refer to the beneficial effects of the first aspect.

[0055] The method may include: a policy control network element receives a round-trip latency requirement of a service; the policy control network element generates uplink quality of service flow parameters and downlink quality of service flow parameters based on the round-trip latency requirement; the uplink quality of service flow and the downlink quality of service flow parameters are for transmitting uplink data and downlink data of the service, respectively; and the policy control network element sends the uplink quality of service flow parameters and the downlink quality of service flow parameters to a session management network element.

[0056] In the above solution, the access network element can perform coordinated adjustment on the quality of service parameters of the uplink quality of service flow and the quality of service parameters of the downlink quality of service flow, so that the quality of service of the two quality of service flows can both be guaranteed, and the user experience is further guaranteed.

[0057] Regarding the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: the policy control network element determines to create an uplink quality of service flow and a downlink quality of service flow for the service based on a round-trip latency requirement.

[0058] In the above solution, it is determined that the uplink quality of service flow and the downlink quality of service flow carry the data flow of the same service, so that the access network element can perform coordinated adjustment on the quality of service parameters of the uplink quality of service flow and the downlink quality of service flow, so that the quality of service of the two quality of service flows can both be guaranteed, and the user experience is further guaranteed.

[0059] Regarding the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: the policy control network element sends the round-trip latency requirement to the session management network element.

[0060] With respect to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the parameters of the uplink quality of service flow include multiple groups of uplink quality of service parameters, and the parameters of the downlink quality of service flow include multiple groups of downlink quality of service parameters, each group of uplink quality of service parameters including a data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow, and each group of downlink quality of service parameters including a data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow.

[0061] Regarding the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the parameters of the uplink quality of service flow and the parameters of the downlink quality of service flow include a plurality of quality of service parameter pairs, each quality of service parameter pair including an uplink quality of service parameter and a downlink quality of service parameter, and the sum of the data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service parameter included in each quality of service parameter pair satisfies a round-trip latency requirement.

[0062] With respect to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the parameters of the uplink quality of service flow include at least two uplink budget values ​​of the data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow, and the parameters of the downlink quality of service flow include at least two downlink budget values ​​of the data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow.

[0063] With respect to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the sum of the maximum data packet delay budget in the parameters of the uplink quality of service flow and the minimum data packet delay budget in the parameters of the downlink quality of service flow is less than or equal to the round-trip latency requirement. The sum of the minimum data packet delay budget in the parameters of the uplink quality of service flow and the maximum data packet delay budget in the parameters of the downlink quality of service flow is less than or equal to the round-trip latency requirement.

[0064] According to a third aspect, a latency control method is provided. The method may be implemented by a session management network element, or may be implemented by a component (e.g., a chip or a circuit) of the session management network element. This is not limited in the present application. For ease of explanation, an example in which the method is implemented by a session management network element is used for the following description. For beneficial effects of the third aspect, please refer to the beneficial effects of the first aspect.

[0065] The method may include: a session management network element receiving uplink quality of service flow parameters and downlink quality of service flow parameters from a policy control network element, the uplink quality of service flow parameters and downlink quality of service flow parameters for transmitting uplink data and downlink data of a service, respectively, the uplink quality of service flow parameters and downlink quality of service flow parameters satisfying a round-trip latency requirement of the service, and the session management network element sending uplink quality of service flow profiles and downlink quality of service flow profiles to an access network element based on the uplink quality of service flow parameters and downlink quality of service flow parameters.

[0066] Regarding the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the method further includes: the session management network element generates an uplink quality of service flow profile and a downlink quality of service flow profile based on the uplink quality of service flow parameter and the downlink quality of service flow parameter.

[0067] With respect to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the profile of the uplink quality of service flow includes multiple groups of uplink quality of service profiles, and the profile of the downlink quality of service flow includes multiple groups of downlink quality of service parameters, where each group of uplink quality of service profiles includes a data packet delay budget, and each group of downlink quality of service profiles includes a data packet delay budget.

[0068] With respect to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the profile of the uplink quality of service flow includes at least two uplink budget values ​​of the data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow, and the profile of the downlink quality of service flow includes at least two downlink budget values ​​of the data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow.

[0069] Regarding the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the method further includes: the session management network element sending the round-trip latency requirement to the access network element.

[0070] Regarding the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the parameters of the uplink quality of service flow and the parameters of the downlink quality of service flow include a plurality of quality of service parameter pairs. Each quality of service parameter pair includes an uplink quality of service parameter and a downlink quality of service parameter. The sum of the data packet delay budget in the uplink quality of service parameter included in each quality of service parameter pair and the data packet delay budget in the downlink quality of service parameter included in each quality of service parameter pair satisfies the round-trip latency requirement. The profile of the uplink quality of service flow and the profile of the downlink quality of service flow include a plurality of quality of service profile pairs. Each quality of service profile pair includes an uplink quality of service profile and a downlink quality of service profile. The sum of the data packet delay budget in the uplink quality of service profile included in each quality of service profile pair and the data packet delay budget in the downlink quality of service profile included in each quality of service profile pair satisfies the round-trip latency requirement.

[0071] Regarding the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the method further includes: the session management network element sending latency control indication information to the access network element, wherein the latency control indication information triggers the access network element to determine a target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow and a target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow from the profile of the uplink quality of service flow and the profile of the downlink quality of service flow.

[0072] Regarding the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the method further includes: the session management network element sending association indication information to the access network element, the association indication information indicating that the uplink quality of service flow is associated with the downlink quality of service flow.

[0073] With regard to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the sum of the maximum data packet delay budget in the parameters of the uplink quality of service flow and the minimum data packet delay budget in the parameters of the downlink quality of service flow is less than or equal to the round-trip latency requirement. The sum of the minimum data packet delay budget in the parameters of the uplink quality of service flow and the maximum data packet delay budget in the parameters of the downlink quality of service flow is less than or equal to the round-trip latency requirement. The sum of the maximum data packet delay budget in the profile of the uplink quality of service flow and the minimum data packet delay budget in the profile of the downlink quality of service flow is less than or equal to the round-trip latency requirement. The sum of the minimum data packet delay budget in the profile of the uplink quality of service flow and the maximum data packet delay budget in the profile of the downlink quality of service flow is less than or equal to the round-trip latency requirement.

[0074] According to a fourth aspect, a latency control method is provided. The method can be implemented by a network device or by a component (e.g., a chip or a circuit) of an access network element. This is not limited in the present application. For ease of explanation, an example in which the method is implemented by an access network element is used for the following description.

[0075] The method may include: an access network element receives a profile of a first quality of service flow and a profile of a second quality of service flow from a session management network element; the first quality of service flow is associated with the second quality of service flow; when a current data transmission latency of the first quality of service flow and a current data transmission latency of the second quality of service flow do not satisfy an association latency requirement of the service, the access network element determines a target data packet delay budget of the first quality of service flow and a target data packet delay budget of the second quality of service flow from the profile of the first quality of service flow and the profile of the second quality of service flow; the target data packet delay budget of the first quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget of the second quality of service flow satisfy the association latency requirement.

[0076] The first quality of service flow may be an uplink quality of service flow or a downlink quality of service flow, and the second quality of service flow may be a downlink quality of service flow or an uplink quality of service flow.

[0077] The current data transmission latency of the first quality of service flow and the current data transmission latency of the second quality of service flow not satisfying the association latency requirement of the service may be understood as the sum of the current data transmission latency of the first quality of service flow and the current data transmission latency of the second quality of service flow not satisfying the association latency requirement of the service. The target data packet delay budget of the first quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget of the second quality of service flow satisfying the association latency requirement may be understood as the sum of the target data packet delay budget of the first quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget of the second quality of service flow satisfying the association latency requirement.

[0078] Alternatively, a current data transmission latency of a first quality of service flow and a current data transmission latency of a second quality of service flow not satisfying the association latency requirement of the service may be understood as a difference between the current data transmission latency of the first quality of service flow and the current data transmission latency of the second quality of service flow not satisfying the association latency requirement of the service. A target data packet delay budget of a first quality of service flow and a target data packet delay budget of a second quality of service flow satisfying the association latency requirement may be understood as a difference between the target data packet delay budget of the first quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget of the second quality of service flow satisfying the association latency requirement.

[0079] Optionally, the association of a first quality of service flow with a second quality of service flow may be understood as the first quality of service flow and the second quality of service flow each being for transmitting data of the same service.

[0080] Optionally, the association of the first quality of service flow with the second quality of service flow may be understood as the first quality of service flow and the second quality of service flow being for transmitting uplink data and downlink data, respectively.

[0081] According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a communication method, the method including: a session management network element sends an uplink quality of service flow profile and a downlink quality of service flow profile to an access network element based on parameters of the uplink quality of service flow and parameters of the downlink quality of service flow; the access network element receives the uplink quality of service flow profile and the downlink quality of service flow profile from the session management network element; the uplink quality of service flow and the downlink quality of service flow are for transmitting uplink data and downlink data of a service, respectively; when a sum of a current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow and a current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow does not satisfy a round-trip latency requirement of the service, the access network element determines a target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow and a target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow from the uplink quality of service flow profile and the downlink quality of service flow profile. The target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow satisfy the round-trip latency requirement.

[0082] According to a sixth aspect, there is provided a communication method. The method includes: a policy control network element receives a round-trip latency requirement of a service; the policy control network element generates uplink quality of service flow parameters and downlink quality of service flow parameters based on the round-trip latency requirement of the service; the uplink quality of service flow and the downlink quality of service flow parameters are for transmitting uplink data and downlink data of the service, respectively; the policy control network element sends the uplink quality of service flow parameters and the downlink quality of service flow parameters to a session management network element; and the session management network element receives the uplink quality of service flow parameters and the downlink quality of service flow parameters from the policy control network element.

[0083] According to a seventh aspect, there is provided a communication method. The method includes: a policy control network element receives a round-trip latency requirement of a service; the policy control network element generates uplink quality of service flow parameters and downlink quality of service flow parameters based on the round-trip latency requirement of the service; the uplink quality of service flow and the downlink quality of service flow parameters are for transmitting uplink data and downlink data of the service, respectively; the policy control network element sends the uplink quality of service flow parameters and the downlink quality of service flow parameters to a session management network element; the session management network element receives the uplink quality of service flow parameters and the downlink quality of service flow parameters from the policy control network element; the session management network element sends an uplink quality of service flow profile and a downlink quality of service flow profile to an access network element based on the uplink quality of service flow parameter and the downlink quality of service flow parameter; the access network element receives the uplink quality of service flow profile and the downlink quality of service flow profile from the session management network element. The uplink quality of service flow and the downlink quality of service flow are for transmitting uplink data and downlink data of the service, respectively. When the sum of the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow and the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow does not satisfy the round-trip latency requirement of the service, the access network element determines a target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow and a target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow from the profile of the uplink quality of service flow and the profile of the downlink quality of service flow.The target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow satisfy the round-trip latency requirement.

[0084] According to an eighth aspect, there is provided a communications device. The device includes at least one processor configured to execute a computer program or instructions stored in a memory to perform a method in any possible implementation of the first to third aspects. Optionally, the device further includes a memory configured to store the computer program or instructions. Optionally, the device further includes a communications interface through which the processor reads the computer program or instructions stored in the memory.

[0085] In one implementation, the apparatus is a communications device (eg, an access network element, a policy control network element, or a session management network element).

[0086] In another implementation, the apparatus is a chip, chip system, or circuit used in a communications device (eg, an access network element, a policy control network element, or a session management network element).

[0087] According to a ninth aspect, the present application provides a processor configured to perform the methods provided in the first to third aspects.

[0088] Unless operations such as transmitting and acquiring / receiving related to a processor are specified, or an operation does not conflict with the actual function or internal logic of an operation in the relevant description, the operation may be understood as an operation such as output, reception, and input of a processor, or as a transmitting and receiving operation performed by a radio frequency circuit and an antenna, which is not limited in this application.

[0089] According to a tenth aspect, there is provided a latency control system including an access network element, a policy control function network element, and a session management network element, wherein the access network element is configured to implement the method in any possible implementation of the first aspect, the policy control function network element is configured to implement the method in any possible implementation of the second aspect, and the session management network element is configured to implement the method in any possible implementation of the third aspect.

[0090] According to an eleventh aspect, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium storing program code to be executed by a device, the program code including a method in any possible implementation of the first to third aspects.

[0091] According to a twelfth aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising instructions which, when run on a computer, enable the computer to perform a method in any possible implementation of the first to third aspects. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0092] [Figure 1] 1 shows the architecture of a fifth-generation communication system. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of a latency control method 100 according to the present application. [Figure 3] 2 is a schematic diagram of a latency control method 200 according to the present application. [Figure 4] 3 is a schematic diagram of a latency control method 300 according to the present application. [Figure 5] 4 is a schematic diagram of a latency control method 400 according to the present application. [Figure 6A] 5 is a schematic diagram of a latency control method 500 according to the present application. [Figure 6B] 5 is a schematic diagram of a latency control method 500 according to the present application. [Figure 7A]6 is a schematic diagram of a latency control method 600 according to the present application. [Figure 7B] 6 is a schematic diagram of a latency control method 600 according to the present application. [Figure 8A] 7 is a schematic diagram of a latency control method 700 according to the present application. [Figure 8B] 7 is a schematic diagram of a latency control method 700 according to the present application. [Figure 9] 8 is a schematic diagram of a latency control device 800 to which the present application is applicable. [Figure 10] 9 is a schematic diagram of another latency control device 900 to which the present application is applicable. [Figure 11] 1 is a schematic diagram of a chip system 1000 to which the present application is applicable. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0093] The technical solutions of the present application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0094] The technical solutions provided in this application may be applied to various communication systems, for example, a fifth generation (5G) or new radio (NR) system, a long term evolution (LTE) system, an LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, or an LTE time division duplex (TDD) system. The technical solutions provided in this application may also be applied to future communication systems, for example, a sixth generation (6G) mobile communication system. The technical solutions provided in this application may also be applied to device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, machine type communication (MTC), internet of things (IoT) communication system, or another communication system.

[0095] Figure 1 shows the architecture of a 5G communication system. As shown in Figure 1, the architecture of the 5G system is divided into two parts: an access network and a core network. The access network is configured to implement functions related to wireless access. The core network mainly includes the following main logical network elements: a radio access network (RAN), an access and mobility management network element (AMF), a session management network element (SMF), a user plane function (UPF), a policy control network element (policy control function), a unified data management network element (UDM), and a network slice specific authentication and authorization function (NSSAAF).

[0096] A terminal (user equipment, UE) is a network terminal device such as a mobile phone or an Internet of Things terminal device.

[0097] The RAN is a device that provides wireless access to terminal devices, including but not limited to evolved NodeBs (eNodeBs), Wi-Fi access points, global interoperability base stations for microwave access, and the like.

[0098] The AMF is mainly responsible for mobility management in a mobile network, such as updating user location, registering users in the network, and switching users.

[0099] The SMF is primarily responsible for session management in mobile networks, such as session establishment, modification, and release. Specific functions include, for example, allocating an Internet Protocol (IP) address to a user or selecting a UPF that provides packet forwarding functionality.

[0100] The PCF is responsible for providing policies such as quality of service policies and slice selection policies to the AMF and SMF.

[0101] The UDM is configured to store user data such as subscription information and authentication / authorization information.

[0102] The NSSAAF is primarily responsible for authentication and authorization of network slices and may interact with the authentication, authorization, and accounting server (AAA-S) by using an authentication, authorization, and accounting proxy (AAA-P).

[0103] An application function (AF) is responsible for providing services to the 3GPP network, for example influencing service routing and interacting with the PCF to enforce policy control.

[0104] The UPF is mainly responsible for processing user packets, such as forwarding and charging.

[0105] A DN is an operator network that provides users with data transmission services, such as internet protocol Multi-media Services (IMS) or the Internet.

[0106] The UE transmits protocol data units between the UE and the RAN, between the RAN and the UPF, and between the UPF and the DN. to( protocol data unit , PDU ) session The data network (DN) is accessed by establishing a

[0107] In order to better understand the embodiments of the present application, some terminology in the present application will be explained below.

[0108] 1. Quality of Service (QoS) Flow: In a 5G system, when a UE has a service communication requirement, a PDU session is established. During the PDU session, the QoS flow carries the corresponding service flow. In particular, the UE obtains an IP address by establishing the PDU session and interacts with an external service server, thereby implementing the service communication. The 5G system maps the service flow corresponding to different QoS flows based on service flow description information, such as a service data flow (SDF) template, and performs corresponding QoS processing.

[0109] 2. QoS parameters: QoS parameters are generated by the PCF and then sent to the SMF. QoS parameters may enable multiple services of the same type to have the same minimum QoS quality guarantees. For example, QoS parameters include a guaranteed flow bit rate, a maximum flow bit rate, or a 5G QoS identifier (5QI).

[0110] 3. QoS Profile: The QoS profile is sent from the SMF to the RAN side. The QoS profile includes QoS parameters such as a 5G QoS identifier (5QI) or a guaranteed / maximum service flow rate. For example, the SMF generates a QoS profile based on the QoS parameters.

[0111] Currently, more and more services impose extremely high requirements on round-trip latency during data transmission. Round-trip latency is the sum of uplink transmission latency and downlink transmission latency. If the round-trip latency during data transmission cannot meet the service requirements, the running service may be significantly affected, and thus the user experience will be affected. For example, real-time media services have high requirements on round-trip latency. Real-time media services include virtual reality, augmented reality, extended reality (XR), etc. Using XR services as an example, the round-trip latency required by an XR service can be understood as the latency from detecting head / hand movements to rendering a corresponding new picture by the image engine and displaying the picture on the screen. If the latency is extremely high, the user will feel dizzy as a result, and the experience of the XR service will be affected. Therefore, how to control round-trip latency based on service requirements is an urgent problem to be solved.

[0112] In view of this, the present application provides a latency control method. For example, an access network element determines (e.g., calculates) a data packet delay budget for an uplink quality of service flow and a data packet delay budget for a downlink quality of service flow based on the current transmission latency status of uplink data and downlink data and the round-trip latency requirement of the service, and sends the determined data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow and the determined data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow to a session management network element via an access and mobility management network element. The session management network element then sends the determined data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow and the determined data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow to a policy control network element. Finally, the policy control network element determines whether to adjust the uplink and downlink data packet delay budgets of the service. The policy control network element sends the determined result to the access network element. Based on the determined result, the access network element determines whether to adjust the uplink and downlink data packet delay budgets based on the data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow and the data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow. In another example, the present application provides latency control method 100 to latency control method 700.

[0113] The 5G system is used as an example. In the latency control method provided in this application, the policy control network element may be the PCF in Figure 1, the access network element may be the (R)AN in Figure 1, and the session management network element may be the SMF in Figure 1.

[0114] 2 is a schematic diagram of a latency control method 100 according to the present application. Referring to FIG. 2, the latency control method 100 provided in the present application will be described in detail below.

[0115] S101: The policy control network element sends parameters of an uplink quality of service flow and parameters of a downlink quality of service flow to the session management network element, and correspondingly, the session management network element receives parameters of an uplink quality of service flow and parameters of a downlink quality of service flow from the policy control network element.

[0116] The uplink quality of service flow and the downlink quality of service flow are for transmitting uplink data and downlink data of the service, respectively, and the parameters of the uplink quality of service flow and the downlink quality of service flow satisfy the round-trip latency requirements of the service.

[0117] Optionally, the uplink quality of service flow parameters and the downlink quality of service flow parameters sent by the policy control network element to the session management network are carried by policy and charging control (PCC) rules, which are sent by the policy control network element to the session management network element.

[0118] Optionally, the policy control network element determines, based on the round-trip latency requirement of the service, that the data stream of the service needs to be mapped to two quality of service flows for transmission. Specifically, the uplink quality of service flow and the downlink quality of service flow are for transmitting uplink data and downlink data of the service, respectively. For example, the policy control network element sends association indication information #1 to the session management network element, and the session management network element correspondingly receives association indication information #1 from the policy control network element. The association indication information #1 indicates that the uplink quality of service flow is associated with the downlink quality of service flow, or indicates that the uplink quality of service flow and the downlink quality of service flow carry data of the same service. The association indication information #1 may be independent information, or may be sent together with parameters of the uplink quality of service flow and the downlink quality of service flow, or may be carried in a policy and charging control PCC rule.

[0119] It should be noted that in this application, an uplink Quality of Service flow carries all or part of the uplink data of a service, and a downlink Quality of Service flow carries all or part of the downlink data of a service, which is not limited herein.

[0120] Example 1-1: The parameters of the uplink quality of service flow and the parameters of the downlink quality of service flow are generated by a policy control network element based on the round-trip latency requirement and / or other information (e.g., user subscription information, application service level agreement (SLA) requirements, or current network status). In other words, the parameters of the uplink quality of service flow and the parameters of the downlink quality of service flow satisfy the round-trip latency requirement. Optionally, the parameters of the uplink quality of service flow and the parameters of the downlink quality of service flow satisfying the round-trip latency requirement can be understood as neither the data packet delay budget in the parameters of the uplink quality of service flow nor the data packet delay budget in the parameters of the downlink quality of service flow exceeding the round-trip latency requirement. Alternatively, the sum of the maximum value of the data packet delay budget in the parameters of the uplink quality of service flow and the minimum value of the data packet delay budget in the parameters of the downlink quality of service flow satisfies the round-trip latency requirement, and the sum of the minimum value of the data packet delay budget in the parameters of the uplink quality of service flow and the maximum value of the data packet delay budget in the parameters of the downlink quality of service flow satisfies the round-trip latency requirement.

[0121] The round-trip latency requirement of a service can be understood as a threshold. In this application, the round-trip latency requirement being satisfied can be understood as being equal to or less than the threshold, and the round-trip latency requirement not being satisfied can be understood as being greater than the threshold. A unified explanation is provided here, and the details will not be described again.

[0122] In the following, the data packet delay budget included in the parameters of the quality of service flow in this application will be uniformly described. Details will not be described again below. In this application, the data packet delay budget included in the parameters of the quality of service flow can be an explicit data packet delay budget, for example, a value of the data packet delay budget, or can be other information that can indicate the data packet delay budget or information that can be used to determine the data packet delay budget, for example, 5QI. This is not limited in this application.

[0123] Example 1-2: The round-trip latency requirement of a service may be pre-configured in the policy control network element or may be received by the policy control network element from another network element (e.g., an application entity), which is not limited in this application.

[0124] S102: The session management network element sends an uplink quality of service flow profile and a downlink quality of service flow profile to the access network element based on the uplink quality of service flow parameters and the downlink quality of service flow parameters, and correspondingly, the access network element receives the uplink quality of service flow profile and the downlink quality of service flow profile from the session management network element.

[0125] Optionally, the method 100 further includes: the session management network element creating an uplink quality of service flow and a downlink quality of service flow for the service based on a parameter of the uplink quality of service flow and a parameter of the downlink quality of service flow, the uplink quality of service flow and the downlink quality of service flow being for carrying uplink data and downlink data of the service, respectively.

[0126] Example 2-1: The method 100 may further include: the session management network element generates an uplink quality of service flow profile and a downlink quality of service flow profile based on the uplink quality of service flow parameters and the downlink quality of service flow parameters. Optionally, a sum of a maximum value of the data packet delay budget in the uplink quality of service flow profile and a minimum value of the data packet delay budget in the downlink quality of service flow profile is less than or equal to the round-trip latency requirement, and a sum of a minimum value of the data packet delay budget in the uplink quality of service flow profile and a maximum value of the data packet delay budget in the downlink quality of service flow profile is less than or equal to the round-trip latency requirement. Alternatively, both the data packet delay budget in the uplink quality of service flow parameters and the data packet delay budget in the downlink quality of service flow parameters are less than or equal to the round-trip latency requirement.

[0127] In the following, the data packet delay budget included in the profile of the quality of service flow in this application will be uniformly described. Details will not be described again below. In this application, the data packet delay budget included in the profile of the quality of service flow can be an explicit data packet delay budget, for example, a value of the data packet delay budget, or can be other information that can indicate the data packet delay budget or information that can be used to determine the data packet delay budget, for example, 5QI. This is not limited in this application.

[0128] Example 2-2: The method 100 may further include step 1-1. The session management network element sends association indication information to the access network element, and in response, the access network element receives association indication information #2 from the session management network element. The association indication information #2 indicates that the uplink quality of service flow is associated with the downlink quality of service flow. Step 1-2: The access network element performs coordinated adjustment on the quality of service profiles of the uplink quality of service flow and the downlink quality of service flow based on the association indication information #2. The uplink quality of service flow and the downlink quality of service flow are for transmitting uplink data and downlink data of the service, respectively.

[0129] S103: When the sum of the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow and the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow does not satisfy the round-trip latency requirement of the service, the access network element determines a target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow and a target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow from the profile of the uplink quality of service flow and the profile of the downlink quality of service flow.

[0130] The target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow satisfy the round-trip latency requirement.

[0131] Optionally, before S103, the access network element determines whether the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow and the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow satisfy the round-trip latency requirement of the service.

[0132] Example 3-1: The method 100 may further include: Before S103, the access network element obtains a current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow and a current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow. Manners by which the access network element obtains the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow and the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow include, but are not limited to, the following two manners:

[0133] Method 1:

[0134] Step 2-1: The access network element measures the air interface latency of the uplink quality of service flow (eg, the uplink data transmission latency of the Uu interface) and the air interface latency of the downlink quality of service flow (eg, the downlink data transmission latency of the Uu interface).

[0135] Step 2-2: The access network element receives the current core network data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow (e.g., uplink data transmission delay on the N3 link) and the current core network data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow (e.g., downlink data transmission delay on the N3 link) from the user plane function network element or the session management network element.

[0136] Step 2-3: The access network element determines a current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow based on the air interface latency of the uplink quality of service flow and the current core network data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow.

[0137] Step 2-4: The access network element determines a current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow based on the air interface latency of the downlink quality of service flow and the current core network data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow.

[0138] Method 2:

[0139] Step 3-1: The access network element measures the air interface latency of the uplink quality of service flow and the air interface latency of the downlink quality of service flow.

[0140] Step 3-2: The access network element determines the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow based on the air interface latency of the uplink quality of service flow and the core network packet delay budget (CN PDB) of the uplink quality of service flow.

[0141] Step 3-3: The access network element determines a current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow based on the air interface latency of the downlink quality of service flow and the core network data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow.

[0142] It can be understood that the core network packet delay budget can usually be considered as a fixed value. The access network device can determine the corresponding core network data packet delay budget (i.e., CN PDB) based on the current quality of service profile from the session management network element. Thus, the access network device determines the data packet transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow or the downlink quality of service flow based on the measured air interface latency and the corresponding core network data packet delay budget.

[0143] Furthermore, it can be seen that in scheme 2, the interaction between the access network elements and the core network can be further reduced, the overhead can be reduced, and the period for controlling round-trip latency can be further shortened.

[0144] Example 3-2: Before S103, the method 100 may further include: a session management network element sends latency control indication information to an access network element, and the access network element correspondingly receives latency control indication information from the session management network element.

[0145] The latency control indication information triggers the access network element to determine a target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow and a target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow from the profile of the uplink quality of service flow and the profile of the downlink quality of service flow. The uplink quality of service flow is associated with the downlink quality of service flow. Optionally, the uplink quality of service flow and the downlink quality of service flow in this specification are the uplink quality of service flow and the downlink quality of service flow indicated by association indication information #2 in this application.

[0146] For example, the latency control indication information may include an identifier of an uplink quality of service flow and an identifier of a downlink quality of service flow, or may include an association identifier of an uplink quality of service flow and a downlink quality of service flow.

[0147] For example, the latency control indication information may be a separate information element or may be carried in the same message with the uplink quality of service flow profile or the downlink quality of service flow profile.

[0148] Therefore, at S103, the access network element determines a target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow and a target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow based on the latency control indication information from the associated uplink quality of service flow profile and downlink quality of service flow profile.

[0149] Example 3-3: When Example 3-2 is not implemented, the association display information #2 in Example 2-2 may also have the function of latency control display information.

[0150] In the above solution, the access network element determines the target data packet delay budgets of the uplink Quality of Service flow and the downlink Quality of Service flow from the uplink Quality of Service flow profile and the downlink Quality of Service flow profile received from the core network side based on the current data transmission latency of the uplink Quality of Service flow and the current data transmission latency of the downlink Quality of Service flow. In this way, the round-trip latency is efficiently controlled based on the service requirements in a timely manner. Furthermore, in the above solution, the access network element updates the data packet delay budgets of the uplink Quality of Service flow and the downlink Quality of Service flow. Compared with the policy control network element updating the data packet delay budgets of the uplink Quality of Service flow and the downlink Quality of Service flow, signaling interactions between the access network element and the core network can be reduced, overhead can be reduced, and the period for controlling the round-trip latency can be shortened.

[0151] Furthermore, after the access network element determines the target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow, there is no case where the updated quality of service profile is not recognized by the core network, and therefore the updated quality of service profile may not be sent to the core network, thus further reducing signaling interactions and overhead.

[0152] Some possible implementations of the method 100 are described below with reference to Figures 3 through 8A and 8B.

[0153] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a latency control method 200 according to the present application. The latency control method 200 provided in the present application will be described in detail below with reference to Figure 3. In the method 200, the profiles of the uplink quality of service flows in the method 100 are described by using multiple groups of uplink quality of service profiles as an example, and the profiles of the downlink quality of service flows are described by using multiple groups of downlink quality of service profiles as an example. The parameters of the uplink quality of service flows in the method 100 are described by using multiple groups of uplink quality of service parameters as an example, and the parameters of the downlink quality of service flows are described by using multiple groups of downlink quality of service parameters as an example.

[0154] S201 is a possible example of S101. For example, the parameters of the uplink quality of service flow include multiple groups of uplink quality of service parameters, and the parameters of the downlink quality of service flow include multiple groups of downlink quality of service parameters.

[0155] S201: A policy control network element sends multiple groups of uplink quality of service parameters and multiple groups of downlink quality of service parameters to a session management network element, and correspondingly, the session management network element receives multiple groups of uplink quality of service parameters and multiple groups of downlink quality of service parameters from the policy control network element.

[0156] Each group of uplink quality of service parameters includes a data packet delay budget for an uplink quality of service flow, and each group of downlink quality of service parameters includes a data packet delay budget for a downlink quality of service flow.

[0157] For example, multiple groups of uplink quality of service parameters are shown in Table 1. Four groups of uplink quality of service parameters are used as an example and include QoS Parameter #A to QoS Parameter #D. Multiple groups of downlink quality of service parameters are shown in Table 2. Four groups of downlink quality of service parameters are used as an example and include QoS Parameter #1 to QoS Parameter #4. Optionally, the sum of the maximum value of the data packet delay budget included in QoS Parameter #A to QoS Parameter #D and the minimum value of the data packet delay budget included in QoS Parameter #1 to QoS Parameter #4 satisfies the round-trip latency requirement. The sum of the minimum value of the data packet delay budget included in QoS Parameter #A to QoS Parameter #D and the maximum value of the data packet delay budget included in QoS Parameter #1 to QoS Parameter #4 satisfies the round-trip latency requirement.

[0158] [Table 1]

[0159] [Table 2]

[0160] It should be noted that Tables 1 and 2 are merely examples and do not limit the group quantities and representation manners of the uplink and downlink quality of service parameters.

[0161] S202 is a possible example of S 102. For example, the profile of an uplink quality of service flow includes an uplink quality of service profile, and the profile of a downlink quality of service flow includes a downlink quality of service profile.

[0162] S202: The session management network element sends an uplink quality of service profile and a downlink quality of service profile to the access network element based on the parameters of the uplink quality of service flow and the parameters of the downlink quality of service flow, and correspondingly, the access network element receives the uplink quality of service profile and the downlink quality of service profile from the session management network element.

[0163] Each group of uplink quality of service profiles includes a data packet delay budget for an uplink quality of service flow, and each group of downlink quality of service profiles includes a data packet delay budget for a downlink quality of service flow. The data packet delay budgets for an uplink quality of service flow and included in the multiple groups of uplink quality of service profiles include a target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow. The data packet delay budgets for a downlink quality of service flow and included in the multiple groups of downlink quality of service profiles include a target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow.

[0164] For example, a plurality of groups of uplink quality of service profiles may be shown in Table 4 and include QoS Profile #A to QoS Profile #D. A plurality of groups of downlink quality of service profiles may be shown in Table 2 and include QoS Profile #1 to QoS Profile #4. Optionally, the sum of the maximum data packet delay budgets included in QoS Profile #A to QoS Profile #D and the minimum data packet delay budgets included in QoS Profile #1 to QoS Profile #4 satisfies the round-trip latency requirement. The sum of the minimum data packet delay budgets included in QoS Profile #A to QoS Profile #D and the maximum data packet delay budgets included in QoS Profile #1 to QoS Profile #4 satisfies the round-trip latency requirement.

[0165] [Table 3]

[0166] [Table 4]

[0167] It should be noted that Tables 3 and 4 are merely examples and do not limit the group quantities and representation manners of the uplink and downlink quality of service profiles.

[0168] In the above solution, the core network configures multiple groups of uplink quality of service profiles and multiple groups of downlink quality of service profiles for the radio access network element, and the radio access network element can autonomously select a target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow and a target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow from the multiple groups of uplink quality of service profiles and the multiple groups of downlink quality of service profiles. In this way, the access network element can dynamically and separately determine the target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow based on a real-time network transmission status. Furthermore, in the above solution, there is no case where the updated uplink quality of service profile or the updated downlink quality of service profile is not recognized by the core network. Therefore, there is no need to wait for the quality of service profile update implemented by the core network, and the round-trip control logic is simplified. Signaling interactions are further reduced, overhead is reduced, and service round-trip latency is quickly and flexibly controlled and quality guaranteed.

[0169] S203 and S204 are possible examples of S103. When the sum of the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow and the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow still does not satisfy the round-trip latency requirement of the service, S203 and S204, including but not limited to S203a and S204a, S203b and S204b, or S203c and S204c, are implemented in multiple manners.

[0170] Solution 1: The access network element first adjusts the data packet delay budget of one of the uplink quality of service flow and the downlink quality of service flow, and then adjusts the data packet delay budget of the other quality of service flow accordingly.

[0171] When the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow is greater than the data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow, S203a and S204a are performed.

[0172] S203a: The access network element selects a target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow from a plurality of groups of uplink quality of service profiles based on a current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow.

[0173] The target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow is greater than or equal to the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow.

[0174] S204a: The access network element selects a target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow from a plurality of groups of downlink quality of service profiles based on the target data packet delay budget and a round-trip latency requirement of the uplink quality of service flow.

[0175] For example, the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow <= the difference obtained by subtracting the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow from the round trip latency requirement.

[0176] In another example, the access network element first selects QoS Profile #A from Table 3, where Data Packet Delay Budget #1 in QoS Profile #A is the target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow. The access network element then selects a downlink quality of service profile from Table 4 that corresponds to a data packet delay budget that is less than or equal to the difference obtained by subtracting Data Packet Delay Budget #1 from the round-trip latency requirement. Assuming that Data Packet Delay Budget #2 in QoS Profile #4 is less than the difference, Data Packet Delay Budget #2 is the target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow.

[0177] In the above solution, when the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow is larger than the data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow, the access network element adjusts the profile of the uplink quality of service flow, so that the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow is larger than the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow, thus the quality of service of the uplink quality of service flow can be guaranteed and the user experience is improved. The access network element can determine the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow in a more real-time and more flexible manner, so that the round-trip latency requirement of the service is guaranteed and the service experience of the user is improved.

[0178] When the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow is greater than the data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow, S203b and S204b are performed.

[0179] S203b: The access network element selects a target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow from a plurality of groups of downlink quality of service profiles based on a current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow.

[0180] The target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow is greater than the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow.

[0181] S204b: The access network element selects a target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow from a plurality of groups of uplink quality of service profiles based on the target data packet delay budget and a round-trip latency requirement of the downlink quality of service flow.

[0182] For example, the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow is less than or equal to the difference obtained by subtracting the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow from the round-trip latency requirement.

[0183] In the above solution, when the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow is larger than the data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow, the access network element adjusts the profile of the downlink quality of service flow, so that the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow is larger than the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow, thus the quality of service of the downlink quality of service flow can be guaranteed and the user experience is improved. The access network element can determine the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow in a more real-time and more flexible manner, so that the round-trip latency requirement of the service is guaranteed and the service experience of the user is improved.

[0184] In Solution 1, the access network element can determine the target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow in a more real-time and flexible manner.

[0185] Solution 2: The access network element first pairs the uplink quality of service profile and the downlink quality of service profile based on the round-trip latency requirement, and then directly performs the selection by using the quality of service profile pair as the granularity.

[0186] S203c: The access network element generates a plurality of quality of service profile pairs based on the round trip latency requirement, a plurality of groups of uplink quality of service profiles, and a plurality of groups of downlink quality of service profiles.

[0187] Each quality of service profile pair includes an uplink quality of service profile and a downlink quality of service profile. In each quality of service profile pair, the sum of the data packet delay budget in the uplink quality of service profile for the uplink quality of service flow and the data packet delay budget in the downlink quality of service profile for the downlink quality of service flow satisfies the round-trip latency requirement. The data packet delay budget in the multiple quality of service profile pairs for the uplink quality of service flow includes the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow. The data packet delay budget in the multiple quality of service profile pairs for the downlink quality of service flow includes the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow.

[0188] In the following, the data packet delay budget included in the quality of service profile pair in this application will be uniformly described. Details will not be described again below. The data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow included in the quality of service profile pair in this application or the data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow included in the quality of service profile pair in this application may be an explicit data packet delay budget, for example, a value of the data packet delay budget, or may be other information that can indicate the data packet delay budget or information that can be used to determine the data packet delay budget, for example, 5QI. This is not limited in this application.

[0189] For example, the access network element generates Table 5 based on Table 3 and Table 4. As shown in Table 5, the quality of service profile pairs include quality of service profile pair #1 to quality of service profile pair #4. For example, quality of service profile pair #4 includes QoS profile #D and QoS profile #4. Furthermore, in each of quality of service profile pair #1 to quality of service profile pair #4, the sum of the data packet delay budget included in the uplink quality of service profile and the data packet delay budget included in the downlink quality of service profile satisfies the round-trip latency requirement.

[0190] [Table 5]

[0191] It should be noted that Table 5 is merely an example and does not limit the quantity, representation, or composition of quality of service profile pairs. For example, the information in Table 5 may be represented by using two tables. One table includes the first and second columns of Table 5, and the other table includes the second and third columns of Table 5. Alternatively, another format may be used. This is not a limitation of the present application.

[0192] S204c: The access network element selects a target quality of service profile pair from a plurality of quality of service profile pairs, where the target quality of service profile pair includes a target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow and a target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow.

[0193] The target data packet delay budget of an uplink Quality of Service flow is equal to or greater than the current data transmission latency of the uplink Quality of Service flow. The target data packet delay budget of a downlink Quality of Service flow is equal to or greater than the current data transmission latency of the downlink Quality of Service flow. It should be noted that the value relationship between the target data packet delay budget of a downlink Quality of Service flow and the data packet delay budget of a downlink Quality of Service flow is not limited in this application. The target data packet delay budget of a downlink Quality of Service flow can be equal to or greater than the data packet delay budget of the downlink Quality of Service flow, or can be smaller than the data packet delay budget of the downlink Quality of Service flow.

[0194] In one example, step a: when a current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow is greater than a data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow, the access network element selects a candidate quality of service profile pair from a plurality of quality of service profile pairs based on the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow. The data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow and included in the candidate quality of service profile pair is greater than the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow. Step b: The access network element selects a target quality of service profile pair from the candidate quality of service profile pairs based on a current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow.

[0195] In the above solution, when the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow is larger than the data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow, the access network element adjusts the profile of the uplink quality of service flow, so that the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow is larger than the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow, thus the quality of service of the uplink quality of service flow can be guaranteed and the user experience is improved. The access network element can determine the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow in a more real-time and more flexible manner, so that the round-trip latency requirement of the service is guaranteed and the service experience of the user is improved.

[0196] In one example, step a: when the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow is greater than the data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow, the access network element selects a candidate quality of service profile pair from a plurality of quality of service profile pairs based on the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow, and the data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow and included in the candidate quality of service profile pair is greater than the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow.Step b: the access network element selects a target quality of service profile pair from the candidate quality of service profile pairs based on the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow.

[0197] In the above solution, when the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow is larger than the data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow, the access network element adjusts the profile of the downlink quality of service flow, so that the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow is larger than the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow, thus the quality of service of the downlink quality of service flow can be guaranteed and the user experience is improved. The access network element can determine the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow in a more real-time and more flexible manner, so that the round-trip latency requirement of the service is guaranteed and the service experience of the user is improved.

[0198] Optionally, the candidate quality of service profile pairs may include one or more quality of service profile pairs.

[0199] Another example is given below with reference to Table 5. When the current data transmission latency of an uplink quality of service flow is longer than the data packet delay budget (e.g., referred to as latency #x) of the uplink quality of service flow, the target data packet delay budget included in the target quality of service profile pair determined by the access network element for the uplink quality of service flow must be equal to or greater than latency #x. Assume that the data packet delay budgets for the uplink quality of service flow corresponding to quality of service profile pair #1 and quality of service profile pair #2 in Table 5 are equal to or greater than latency #x. In possible implementation 1, if the data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow corresponding to quality of service profile pair #1 is smaller than the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow, quality of service profile pair #1 may not be used as the target quality of service profile pair. If the data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow corresponding to quality of service profile pair #2 is equal to or greater than the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow, quality of service profile pair #2 may be used as the target quality of service profile pair. In possible implementation 2, assume that, in quality of service profile pair #1 and quality of service profile pair #2, the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow is greater than or equal to the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow, and the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow is greater than or equal to the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow. Assuming that the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow in quality of service profile pair #2 is smaller than the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow in quality of service profile pair #1, quality of service profile pair #2 can be used as the target quality of service profile pair.

[0200] For example, the access network element selects quality of service profile pair #2 from Table 5 as the target quality of service profile pair, selects the data packet delay budget contained in QoS profile #B as the target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow, and selects the data packet delay budget contained in QoS profile #2 as the target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow.

[0201] In Solution 2, the access network element can more efficiently determine the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow by determining the target quality of service profile pair. Furthermore, when the round-trip latency requirement of the service, the profile of the uplink quality of service flow, and the profile of the downlink quality of service flow remain the same, the access network element may generate the multiple quality of service profile pairs only once. The access network element stores the multiple quality of service profile pairs. When the sum of the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow and the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow still does not satisfy the round-trip latency requirement of the service, the multiple quality of service profile pairs can be directly invoked. The real-time processing logic of the access network element is further simplified, and the efficiency of controlling round-trip latency is improved.

[0202] The following describes method 200'. S200' includes steps S201' to S204'. For steps S201' and S202', please refer to the related descriptions of S201 and S203 (S203a or S203b) of method 200 corresponding to solution 1. The differences are as follows:

[0203] In method 200′, the requirement for performing S203′ (including S203a′ and S203b′) is not limited to the sum of the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow and the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow not satisfying the round-trip latency requirement of the service.

[0204] S203' and S204', including but not limited to S203a' and S204a' or S203b' and S204b', may be implemented in multiple ways.

[0205] S204a′: After the access network element performs S203a′, if the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow is less than or equal to the data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow, and the sum of the data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow satisfies the round-trip latency requirement, the access network element may determine the data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow as the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow.

[0206] S204b': After the access network element performs S203b', if the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow is less than or equal to the data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow, and the sum of the data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow satisfies the round-trip latency requirement, the access network element ,a Uplink service quality flow The flow may determine the data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow as the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow.

[0207] 4 is a schematic diagram of a latency control method 300 according to the present application. Referring to FIG. 4, the latency control method 300 provided in the present application will be described in detail below.

[0208] Case 1: In method 300, the profile of an uplink quality of service flow in method 100 is described, by way of example, by using at least two uplink budget values ​​of the data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow, and the profile of a downlink quality of service flow is described, by way of example, by using at least two downlink budget values ​​of the data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow. The parameters of an uplink quality of service flow in method 100 are described, by way of example, by using multiple groups of uplink quality of service parameters, and the parameters of a downlink quality of service flow are described, by way of example, by using multiple groups of downlink quality of service parameters.

[0209] Alternatively, in Case 2: method 300, the parameters of the uplink quality of service flow in method 100 are described, for example, by using information indicating at least two uplink budget values ​​of the data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow, and the parameters of the downlink quality of service flow are described, for example, by using information indicating at least two downlink budget values ​​of the data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow.

[0210] For example, the 5QI may be extended to indicate at least two specific values ​​of the data packet delay budget of an uplink quality of service flow. Alternatively, the solution of the present application may be implemented by using other information having similar functionality, which is not limited herein.

[0211] Alternatively, the information indicating at least two uplink budget values ​​of the data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow may be replaced with information for determining at least two uplink budget values ​​of the data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow, and the information indicating at least two downlink budget values ​​of the data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow may be replaced with information for determining at least two downlink budget values ​​of the data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow.

[0212] In the following, the method 300 is described by using Case 1 as an example.

[0213] S301 is one possible example of S101. For example, the parameters of the uplink quality of service flow include at least two uplink budget values ​​of the data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow, and the parameters of the downlink quality of service flow include at least two downlink budget values ​​of the data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow.

[0214] S301: The policy control network element sends at least two uplink budget values ​​of the data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow and at least two downlink budget values ​​of the data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow to the session management network element, and correspondingly, the session management network element receives at least two uplink budget values ​​of the data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow and at least two downlink budget values ​​of the data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow from the policy control network element.

[0215] The at least two uplink budget values ​​include target data packet delay budgets for uplink quality of service flows, and the at least two downlink budget values ​​include target data packet delay budgets for downlink quality of service flows.

[0216] It should be noted that the at least two uplink budget values ​​may be understood as a value range or a set, which set includes at least two data packet delay budgets for uplink quality of service flows. The at least two downlink budget values ​​may be understood as a value range or a set, which set includes at least two data packet delay budgets for downlink quality of service flows.

[0217] For example, the at least two uplink budget values ​​are set #A, where set #A includes {value #1, value #2, value #3, value #4, value #5}. The at least two downlink budget values ​​are set #B, where set #B includes {value #a, value #b, value #c, value #d, value #e}. Optionally, the sum of the maximum value of set #A and the minimum value of set #B satisfies a round-trip latency requirement, and the sum of the maximum value of set #B and the minimum value of set #A satisfies the round-trip latency requirement.

[0218] In another example, at least two uplink budget values ​​belong to value range #A, where value #1≦value range #A≦value #5. At least two downlink budget values ​​belong to value range #B, where value #a≦value range #B≦value #e. Optionally, the sum of the maximum value of value range #A and the minimum value of value range #B satisfies a round-trip latency requirement, and the sum of the maximum value of value range #B and the minimum value of value range #A satisfies a round-trip latency requirement.

[0219] S302 is one possible example of S102. For example, the profile of the uplink quality of service flow includes at least two uplink budget values ​​of the data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow, and the profile of the downlink quality of service flow includes at least two downlink budget values ​​of the data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow.

[0220] In the above solution, one profile for an uplink quality of service flow or one profile for a downlink quality of service flow each includes two or more data packet delay budgets, thereby providing a more flexible system-wide quality of service configuration. Compared with a case in which the core network sends a quality of service profile including only one fixed data packet delay budget to an access network element, the above solution allows more data packet delay budgets to be configured for the access network element with little increase in resource overhead, thereby allowing the access network element to dynamically re-determine the data packet delay budget corresponding to the quality of service profile based on real-time network transmission conditions. Furthermore, after the access network element re-determines the data packet delay budget corresponding to the quality of service profile, the updated quality of service profile is not recognized by the core network. Therefore, there is no need to wait for the quality of service profile update performed by the core network, and round-trip control logic is simplified. Signaling interactions are further reduced, overhead is reduced, and service round-trip latency is quickly and flexibly controlled and guaranteed.

[0221] S302: The session management network element sends at least two uplink budget values ​​of data packet delay budgets of the uplink quality of service flow and at least two downlink budget values ​​of data packet delay budgets of the downlink quality of service flow to the access network element based on parameters of the uplink quality of service flow and parameters of the downlink quality of service flow, and correspondingly, the access network element receives at least two uplink budget values ​​of data packet delay budgets of the uplink quality of service flow and at least two downlink budget values ​​of data packet delay budgets of the downlink quality of service flow from the session management network element.

[0222] For example, the access network element receives one profile of an uplink quality of service flow from the session management network element. The profile of the uplink quality of service flow does not include a fixed value of the data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow, but includes multiple values ​​of the data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow. For details, see the related examples in S301. The profile of the downlink quality of service flow is similar to the profile of the uplink quality of service flow, and the details will not be described again here.

[0223] S303 and S304 are one possible example of S103. S303 and S304 may be implemented in multiple manners, including but not limited to S303a and S304a, or S303b and S304b. The access network element first determines the data packet delay budget of one of the uplink quality of service flow and the downlink quality of service flow, and then correspondingly determines the data packet delay budget of the other quality of service flow.

[0224] When the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow is greater than the data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow, S303a and S304a are performed.

[0225] S303a: The access network element selects, from at least two uplink budget values, a target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow based on a current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow.

[0226] The target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow is greater than the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow.

[0227] For example, the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow is value #x, and the access network element selects uplink budget values ​​from set #A that are greater than value #x, for example, value #4 and value #5.

[0228] S304a: The access network element selects a target data packet delay budget for a downlink quality of service flow from at least two downlink budget values ​​based on the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow and a round-trip latency requirement of the service.

[0229] In another example, referring to the example of S303a, the access network element selects a target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow from set #B, where the sum of the target data packet delay budget and value #4 satisfies the round-trip latency requirement, or the sum of the target data packet delay budget and value #5 satisfies the round-trip latency requirement.

[0230] In the above solution, when the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow is larger than the data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow, the access network element adjusts the profile of the uplink quality of service flow so that the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow is larger than the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow, thus the quality of service of the uplink quality of service flow can be guaranteed and the user experience is improved. The access network element can determine the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow in a more real-time and more flexible manner, thus the round-trip latency requirement of the service is guaranteed and the service experience of the user is improved.

[0231] Alternatively, after the access network element performs S303a, if the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow is less than or equal to the data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow, and the sum of the data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow satisfies the round-trip latency requirement, the access network element may determine the data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow as the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow, and S304a is skipped.

[0232] When the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow is greater than the data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow, S303b and S304b are performed.

[0233] S303b: The access network element selects, from the at least two downlink budget values, a target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow based on a current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow.

[0234] The target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow is greater than the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow.

[0235] S304b: The access network element selects, from the at least two uplink budget values, a target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow based on the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow and a round-trip latency requirement of the service.

[0236] For an example of S303b and S304b, please refer to the description of the example of S303a and S304a, with the difference being that the uplink in S303a and S304a is replaced with the downlink in S303b and S304b, and the downlink in S303a and S304a is replaced with the uplink in S303b and S304b.

[0237] In the above solution, when the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow is larger than the data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow, the access network element adjusts the profile of the downlink quality of service flow so that the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow is larger than the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow, thus the quality of service of the downlink quality of service flow can be guaranteed and the user experience is improved. The access network element can determine the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow in a more real-time and more flexible manner, thus the round-trip latency requirement of the service is guaranteed and the service experience of the user is improved.

[0238] Alternatively, after the access network element performs S303b, if the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow is less than or equal to the data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow, and the sum of the data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow satisfies the round-trip latency requirement, the access network element may: A Uplink service quality flow The target data packet delay budget may be determined as S304b. S304b is skipped.

[0239] For example, in the method 300, the profile of the uplink quality of service flow may be an uplink quality of service profile, and the profile of the downlink quality of service flow may be a downlink quality of service profile.

[0240] In the above solution, one profile of an uplink quality of service flow or one profile of a downlink quality of service flow each includes two or more data packet delay budgets, thereby providing a more flexible system-wide quality of service configuration. Compared with a case in which the core network sends a quality of service profile including only one fixed data packet delay budget to an access network element, the above solution allows the access network element to re-determine the data packet delay budget corresponding to the quality of service profile with little increase in resource overhead. Furthermore, after the access network element re-determines the data packet delay budget corresponding to the quality of service profile, the updated quality of service profile will not be recognized by the core network. Therefore, the updated quality of service profile may not be sent to the core network, thereby further reducing signaling interactions and overhead.

[0241] It should be noted that in method 200 and method 300, the access network element needs to obtain the round-trip latency requirement. For example, the round-trip latency requirement may be preconfigured in the access network element or received by the access network element from another network element (e.g., a session management network element). This is not limited in the present application. For example, the session management network element sends at least one of an uplink quality of service flow profile and a downlink quality of service flow profile together with the round-trip latency requirement to the access network element. Alternatively, the round-trip latency requirement is carried in the uplink quality of service flow profile and / or the downlink quality of service flow profile. In another example, the round-trip latency requirement is carried in association indication information #2 in Example 2-2 and / or Example 3-3 in method 100. Thus, the association indication information #2 may further explicitly indicate that the uplink quality of service flow and the downlink quality of service flow need to satisfy the round-trip latency requirement. Alternatively, the association display information #2 may further implicitly indicate that the access network element performs coordinated adjustments to the quality of service profiles of the uplink quality of service flows and the downlink quality of service flows based on the association display information #2.

[0242] In another example, when the access network element receives the round-trip latency requirement from the session management network element, the round-trip latency requirement may be pre-configured in the session management network element or may be received by the session management network element from another network element (e.g., a policy control network element). This is not limited in the present application. For example, the policy control network element sends at least one of a parameter of the uplink quality of service flow and a parameter of the downlink quality of service flow together with the round-trip latency requirement to the session management network element. Alternatively, the round-trip latency requirement is carried in a parameter of the uplink quality of service flow and / or a parameter of the downlink quality of service flow.

[0243] Optionally, in method 200 and method 300, the latency control indication information in method 100 triggers the access network element to determine target data packet delay budgets for uplink quality of service flows and target data packet delay budgets for downlink quality of service flows based on round-trip latency requirements, in particular from the profile of the uplink quality of service flows and the profile of the downlink quality of service flows.

[0244] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a latency control method 400 according to the present application. The latency control method 400 provided in the present application will be described in detail below with reference to Figure 5. In the method 400, the uplink quality of service flow profile and the downlink quality of service flow profile in the method 100 are described by using multiple quality of service profile pairs, as an example. The uplink quality of service flow parameters and the downlink quality of service flow parameters in the method 100 are described by using multiple quality of service parameter pairs, as an example.

[0245] S401 is one possible example of S101. For example, the parameters of the uplink quality of service flow and the parameters of the downlink quality of service flow include multiple quality of service parameter pairs.

[0246] S401: A policy control network element sends a plurality of quality of service parameter pairs to a session management network element, and correspondingly, the session management network element receives a plurality of quality of service parameter pairs from the policy control network element.

[0247] Each quality of service parameter pair includes an uplink quality of service parameter and a downlink quality of service parameter, and the sum of the data packet delay budget in the uplink quality of service parameter included in each quality of service parameter pair and the data packet delay budget in the downlink quality of service parameter included in each quality of service parameter pair satisfies the round-trip latency requirement.

[0248] For example, multiple quality of service parameter pairs may be shown in Table 6. Table 6 includes quality of service parameter pair #1 to quality of service parameter pair #4. The uplink quality of service parameter and the downlink quality of service parameter included in each quality of service parameter pair are shown in the second and third columns of Table 6.

[0249] [Table 6]

[0250] It should be noted that Table 6 is merely an example and does not limit the quantity, representation, or configuration of quality of service parameter pairs.

[0251] In the above solution, the core network sends to the access network element multiple quality of service profile pairs that have already been determined based on the round-trip latency requirements of the service, so that the access network element can directly select a target profile pair based on the multiple quality of service profile pairs.

[0252] S402 is one possible example of S 102. For example, the uplink quality of service flow profile and the downlink quality of service flow profile include multiple quality of service profile pairs.

[0253] S402: The session management network element sends a plurality of quality of service profile pairs to the access network element based on the plurality of quality of service parameter pairs, and correspondingly, the access network element receives a plurality of quality of service profile pairs from the session management network element.

[0254] Each quality of service profile pair includes an uplink quality of service profile and a downlink quality of service profile, and the sum of the data packet delay budget in the uplink quality of service profile included in each quality of service profile pair and the data packet delay budget in the downlink quality of service profile included in each quality of service profile pair satisfies the round-trip latency requirement.

[0255] For example, multiple quality of service profile pairs may be shown in Table 7. Table 7 includes quality of service profile pair #1 through quality of service profile pair #4. The uplink quality of service profile and the downlink quality of service profile included in each quality of service profile pair are shown in the second and third columns in Table 7.

[0256] [Table 7]

[0257] Table 7 is just an example. ,sa Note that the present application does not limit the quantity, representation, or configuration of service quality profile pairs. For example, the information in Table 7 may be represented by using two tables. One table includes the first and second columns in Table 7, and the other table includes the second and third columns in Table 7. Alternatively, another format may be used. This is not a limitation of the present application.

[0258] In another example, multiple quality of service profile pairs can be represented in the following manner: Uplink quality of service profiles: quality of service profile pair #1, QoS profile #A; quality of service profile pair #2, QoS profile #B. Downlink quality of service profiles: quality of service profile pair #1, QoS profile #1; quality of service profile pair #2, QoS profile #2. This manner is ,sa Note that there is no restriction on the quantity, representation, or composition of quality of service profile pairs.

[0259] S403 is one possible example of S103.

[0260] S403: The access network element selects a target quality of service profile pair from a plurality of quality of service profile pairs.

[0261] The target quality of service profile pair includes a data packet delay budget for an uplink quality of service flow and a target data packet delay budget for a downlink quality of service flow.

[0262] For details, see the description of S204c in method 200.

[0263] For example, the access network element selects a target quality of service profile pair from Table 7 based on the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow and the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow: The target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow is greater than or equal to the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow. The target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow is greater than or equal to the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow.

[0264] It should be noted that in method 400, the access network element may not obtain the round-trip latency requirement. If the access network element needs to obtain the round-trip latency requirement, please refer to the corresponding descriptions in method 200 and method 300. The details will not be described again here.

[0265] In the above solution, the access network element does not need to obtain the round-trip latency requirement of the service, and does not need to process the quality of service profile delivered by the core network based on the round-trip latency requirement of the service. Based on the reduced signaling interaction between the access network element and the core network, the processing procedures of the access network element can be further reduced, and therefore the consumption of the access network element is reduced.

[0266] The beneficial effects of methods 200 through 400 are additional beneficial effects that build on the beneficial effects of method 100.

[0267] 6A and 6B are schematic diagrams of a latency control method 500 according to the present application. With reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the latency control method 500 provided in the present application will be described in detail below. The method 500 is a possible implementation of the method 100 and can also be understood as an example of the method 200. An example in which the access network element is a RAN, the policy control network element is a PCF, the session management network element is an SMF, and the quality of service is QoS is used for the description.

[0268] S501: The AF sends RT latency requirements and corresponding service flow description information, such as service data flow (SDF), to the PCF through a capability publishing interface, and in response, the PCF receives RT latency requirements and corresponding service flow description information from the AF.

[0269] For example, if the AF is in a trusted domain, the AF may interact with the PCF directly, i.e., invoke a service interface of the PCF, such as the Npcf_PolicyAuthorization service interface. If the AF is in an untrusted domain, the AF must interact with the PCF by using the NEF. The AF invokes a service interface of the NEF, such as the Nnef_AFSessionWithQoS service interface. The NEF then correspondingly invokes a service interface of the PCF.

[0270] S504: The PCF generates multiple groups of QoS parameters for uplink (UL) QoS flows and downlink (DL) QoS flows based on RT latency requirements.

[0271] For multiple groups of QoS parameters, see the description of multiple groups of quality of service parameters in method 200.

[0272] A PDU session establishment or modification procedure between the UE and the core network may be initiated by the UE or the PCF.

[0273] Optionally, the UE initiates a PDU session establishment or modification procedure, and the method 500 further includes S502 to S505.

[0274] S502: The UE sends a PDU session establishment or modification request to the AMF, and in response, the AMF receives the PDU session establishment or modification request from the UE. In particular, the UE sends a PDU session establishment or modification request message to the AMF by using the RAN.

[0275] S503: AMF sends an N11 message to SMF, and in response, SMF: A Receives N11 message from MF.

[0276] The N11 message carries a PDU session establishment or modification request.

[0277] The SMF then actively initiates the session management policy association establishment or modification procedure.

[0278] S505: The PCF sends multiple groups of QoS parameters to the SMF based on the session management policy association establishment or modification procedure, and correspondingly, the SMF receives multiple groups of QoS parameters from the PCF based on the session management policy association establishment or modification procedure.

[0279] Groups of QoS parameters are carried in policy and charging control (PCC) rules.

[0280] Optionally, the PCF initiates a PDU session establishment or modification procedure, and the method 500 further includes S505.

[0281] The PCF actively initiates the session management policy association establishment or modification procedure.

[0282] S505: The PCF sends multiple groups of QoS parameters to the SMF based on the session management policy association establishment or modification procedure, and correspondingly, the SMF receives multiple groups of QoS parameters from the PCF based on the session management policy association establishment or modification procedure.

[0283] Multiple groups of QoS parameters are carried in a PCC rule.

[0284] S505 can be understood as a specific example of S201.

[0285] S506: The SMF sends an N2 session message to the RAN, and correspondingly, the RAN receives an N2 session message from the SMF. The N2 session message carries multiple groups of QoS profiles.

[0286] S506 may be understood as a specific example of S202. For a description of generating multiple groups of QoS profiles based on multiple groups of QoS parameters by the SMF and a description of the multiple groups of QoS profiles, please refer to the corresponding descriptions in method 200. In particular, the SMF sends an N2 session message to the RAN via the AMF.

[0287] S507: The UE and the core network complete the remaining PDU session establishment or modification procedures. For details, see Section 4.3.2.1 in TS23.502.

[0288] In the following, the RAN may obtain the current data transmission latency of the UL QoS flow and the current data transmission latency of the DL QoS flow in Scheme 1 or Scheme 2 shown in Figures 6A and 6B. Scheme 1 and Scheme 2 in method 500 may be specific examples of Example 3-1 in method 100.

[0289] 6A and 6B corresponds to Scheme 1 in Example 3-1. S508a-1 and S508a-2, and S508b are two implementations of Step 2-2. For S509, please refer to Step 2-1.

[0290] 6A and 6B, the method 500 may further include: In S504, the PCF further generates a QoS measurement policy to assist in measuring the uplink and downlink latencies of the uplink and downlink QoS flows. In S506, the SMF further generates a corresponding QoS measurement profile based on the QoS measurement policy. The SMF sends the QoS measurement profile to the RAN, and the RAN correspondingly receives the QoS measurement profile from the SMF. The UPF also receives the QoS measurement profile from the SMF.

[0291] 6A and 6B corresponds to Scheme 2 in Example 3-1. For S509, refer to step 3-1.

[0292] S510: The RAN determines whether the UL latency measurement results satisfy the data packet delay budget (PDB) of the UL QoS flow and whether the DL latency measurement results satisfy the PDB of the DL QoS flow.

[0293] If the UL latency measurement result does not satisfy the data packet delay budget of the UL QoS flow and the DL latency measurement result does not satisfy the PDB of the DL QoS flow, the RAN selects an appropriate QoS profile for the corresponding QoS flow.

[0294] For S510, please refer to the corresponding description in S203.

[0295] 7A and 7B are schematic diagrams of a latency control method 600 according to the present application. With reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the latency control method 600 provided in the present application will be described in detail below. The method 600 is a possible implementation of the method 100 and can also be understood as an example of the method 400. An example in which the access network element is a RAN, the policy control network element is a PCF, the session management network element is an SMF, and the quality of service is QoS is used for the description.

[0296] For S601 to S609, please refer to the explanations for S501 to S509. The differences are as follows:

[0297] The groups of QoS parameters in S504 and S505 are replaced with pairs of QoS parameters in S604 and S605. For a description of the pairs of QoS parameters, please refer to the related description in method 400.

[0298] The multiple groups of QoS profiles in S506 are replaced with multiple QoS profile pairs in S606. For a description of the QoS profile pairs, please refer to the related description in method 400.

[0299] For S610, please refer to the corresponding description in S403.

[0300] 8A and 8B are schematic diagrams of a latency control method 700 according to the present application. With reference to Figures 8A and 8B, the latency control method 700 provided in the present application will be described in detail below. The method 700 is a possible implementation of the method 100 and can also be understood as an example of the method 300. An example in which the access network element is a RAN, the policy control network element is a PCF, the session management network element is an SMF, and the quality of service is QoS is used for the description.

[0301] For S701 to S709, please refer to the explanations for S501 to S509, respectively. The differences are as follows:

[0302] The groups of QoS parameters in S504 and S505 are replaced with available PDB ranges for UL QoS flows and DL QoS flows, or QoS parameters including available PDB ranges, in S704 and S705. For details of available PDB ranges herein, see the description of at least two uplink budget values ​​of the data packet delay budget for uplink quality of service flows and at least two downlink budget values ​​of the data packet delay budget for downlink quality of service flows in method 300.

[0303] The groups of QoS profiles in S506 are replaced with available PDB ranges or QoS profiles including available PDB ranges in S706.

[0304] For S710, please refer to the corresponding description in S303.

[0305] For the beneficial effects of the methods 500 to 700, please refer to the beneficial effects of the corresponding embodiments above.

[0306] Corresponding to the methods provided in the above method embodiments, one embodiment of the present application further provides a corresponding apparatus. The apparatus includes corresponding modules configured to implement the above method embodiments. The modules may be software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. It can be understood that the technical features described in the above method embodiments are also applicable to the following apparatus embodiments. Therefore, for contents not described in detail, please refer to the above method embodiments. For the sake of brevity, the details will not be described again here.

[0307] 9 is a schematic diagram of a latency control device 800 to which the present application is applicable. The device 800 includes a transceiver unit 810, which may be configured to implement corresponding communication functions. The transceiver unit 810 may also be referred to as a communication interface or a communication unit.

[0308] Optionally, the apparatus 800 may further include a processing unit 820, which may be configured to perform data processing.

[0309] Optionally, the apparatus 800 further includes a storage unit. The storage unit may be configured to store instructions and / or data. The processing unit 820 may read the instructions and / or data in the storage unit to enable the apparatus to implement actions performed by a communication device (e.g., an access network element, a policy control network element, or a session management network element) in the above method embodiments.

[0310] The apparatus 800 may be configured to perform actions performed by a communication device (e.g., an access network element, a policy control network element, or a session management network element) in the above method embodiments. In this case, the apparatus 800 may be a component of the communication device (e.g., an access network element, a policy control network element, or a session management network element). The transceiver unit 810 is configured to perform receiving and sending-related operations at the communication device (e.g., an access network element, a policy control network element, or a session management network element) side in the above method embodiments. The processing unit 820 is configured to perform processing-related operations at the communication device (e.g., an access network element, a policy control network element, or a session management network element) side in the above method embodiments.

[0311] In design, the apparatus 800 is configured to perform the actions performed by the access network element in the above method embodiments.

[0312] In particular, the transceiver unit 810 is configured to receive an uplink quality of service flow profile and a downlink quality of service flow profile from the session management network element. The uplink quality of service flow and the downlink quality of service flow are for transmitting uplink data and downlink data of a service, respectively. When a sum of a current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow and a current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow does not satisfy a round-trip latency requirement of the service, the processing unit 820 is configured to determine a target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow and a target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow from the uplink quality of service flow profile and the downlink quality of service flow profile. The target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow satisfy the round-trip latency requirement.

[0313] Optionally, when the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow is greater than the data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow, the processing unit 820 is particularly configured to select, from a plurality of groups of uplink quality of service profiles, a target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow based on the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow. The target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow is greater than the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow. The processing unit 820 is particularly configured to select, from a plurality of groups of downlink quality of service profiles, a target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow based on the target data packet delay budget and a round-trip latency requirement of the uplink quality of service flow.

[0314] Optionally, when the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow is greater than the data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow, the processing unit 820 is particularly configured to select, from a plurality of groups of downlink quality of service profiles, a target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow based on the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow. The target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow is greater than the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow. The processing unit 820 is particularly configured to select, from a plurality of groups of uplink quality of service profiles, a target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow based on the target data packet delay budget and a round-trip latency requirement of the downlink quality of service flow.

[0315] Optionally, the processing unit 820 is specifically configured to generate a plurality of quality of service profile pairs based on the round-trip latency requirement, a plurality of groups of uplink quality of service profiles, and a plurality of groups of downlink quality of service profiles. Each quality of service profile pair includes an uplink quality of service profile and a downlink quality of service profile. In each quality of service profile pair, the sum of the data packet delay budget in the uplink quality of service profile for the uplink quality of service flow and the data packet delay budget in the downlink quality of service profile for the downlink quality of service flow satisfies the round-trip latency requirement. The data packet delay budget in the plurality of quality of service profile pairs for the uplink quality of service flow includes the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow. The data packet delay budget in the plurality of quality of service profile pairs for the downlink quality of service flow includes the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow. The processing unit 820 is specifically configured to select a target quality of service profile pair from the plurality of quality of service profile pairs. The target quality of service profile pair includes a data packet delay budget for an uplink quality of service flow and a target data packet delay budget for a downlink quality of service flow.

[0316] Optionally, when the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow is greater than the data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow, the processing unit 820 is particularly configured to select, from the at least two uplink budget values, a target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow based on the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow. The target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow is greater than the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow. The processing unit 820 is particularly configured to select, from the at least two downlink budget values, a target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow based on the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow and a round-trip latency requirement of the service.

[0317] Optionally, when the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow is greater than the data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow, the processing unit 820 is particularly configured to select, from the at least two downlink budget values, a target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow based on the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow. The target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow is greater than the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow. The processing unit 820 is particularly configured to select, from the at least two uplink budget values, a target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow based on the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow and a round-trip latency requirement of the service.

[0318] Optionally, the transceiver unit 810 is further configured to receive a round trip latency requirement from the session management network element.

[0319] Optionally, the processing unit 820 is specifically configured to select a target quality of service profile pair from the plurality of quality of service profile pairs. The target quality of service profile pair includes a data packet delay budget of an uplink quality of service flow and a target data packet delay budget of a downlink quality of service flow. The target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow is equal to or greater than a current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow. The target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow is equal to or greater than a current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow.

[0320] Optionally, the transceiver unit 810 and / or the processing unit 820 are further configured to obtain a current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow and a current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow.

[0321] Optionally, the processing unit 820 is particularly configured to: measure an air interface latency of the uplink quality of service flow and an air interface latency of the downlink quality of service flow; determine a current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow based on the air interface latency of the uplink quality of service flow and a core network data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow; and determine a current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow based on the air interface latency of the downlink quality of service flow and a core network data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow.

[0322] Optionally, the processing unit 820 is particularly configured to measure the air interface latency of the uplink quality of service flow and the air interface latency of the downlink quality of service flow. The transceiver unit 810 is particularly configured to receive the current core network data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow and the current core network data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow from the user plane function network element or the session management network element. The processing unit 820 is particularly configured to determine the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow based on the air interface latency of the uplink quality of service flow and the current core network data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow, and to determine the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow based on the air interface latency of the downlink quality of service flow and the current core network data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow.

[0323] Optionally, the transceiver unit 810 is further configured to receive latency control indication information from the session management network element. The latency control indication information triggers the access network element to determine a target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow and a target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow from the profile of the uplink quality of service flow and the profile of the downlink quality of service flow. The processing unit 820 is particularly configured to determine the target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow from the profile of the uplink quality of service flow and the profile of the downlink quality of service flow based on the latency control indication information.

[0324] Optionally, the transceiver unit 810 is further configured to receive association indication information from the session management network element. The association indication information indicates that the uplink quality of service flow is associated with the downlink quality of service flow. The processing unit 820 is further configured to determine, based on the association indication information, that the uplink quality of service flow and the downlink quality of service flow are for transmitting uplink data and downlink data of the service, respectively.

[0325] It can be understood that the specific processes by which the units perform the above corresponding steps are described in detail in the above method embodiments, and for the sake of brevity, the details will not be described here.

[0326] In design, the apparatus 800 is configured to perform the actions performed by the policy control network element in the method embodiments described above.

[0327] The transceiver unit 810 is configured to receive a round-trip latency requirement of a service. The processing unit 820 is configured to generate uplink quality of service flow parameters and downlink quality of service flow parameters based on the round-trip latency requirement. The uplink quality of service flow and the downlink quality of service flow parameters are for transmitting uplink data and downlink data of the service, respectively. The transceiver unit 810 is further configured to send the uplink quality of service flow parameters and the downlink quality of service flow parameters to a session management network element.

[0328] Optionally, the processing unit 820 is further configured to determine to create an uplink quality of service flow and a downlink quality of service flow for the service based on a round-trip latency requirement.

[0329] Optionally, the transceiver unit 810 is further configured to send the round trip latency requirement to the session management network element.

[0330] It can be understood that the specific processes by which the units perform the above corresponding steps are described in detail in the above method embodiments, and for the sake of brevity, the details will not be described here.

[0331] In design, the apparatus 800 is configured to perform the actions performed by the session management network element in the method embodiments described above.

[0332] The transceiver unit 810 is configured to receive uplink quality of service flow parameters and downlink quality of service flow parameters from the policy control network element. The uplink quality of service flow and the downlink quality of service flow parameters are for transmitting uplink data and downlink data of the service, respectively. The uplink quality of service flow parameters and the downlink quality of service flow parameters satisfy round-trip latency requirements of the service. The processing unit 810 is configured to send uplink quality of service flow profiles and downlink quality of service flow profiles to the access network element based on the uplink quality of service flow parameters and the downlink quality of service flow parameters.

[0333] Optionally, the processing unit 820 is further configured to generate an uplink quality of service flow profile and a downlink quality of service flow profile based on the uplink quality of service flow parameter and the downlink quality of service flow parameter.

[0334] Optionally, the transceiver unit 810 is further configured to send latency control indication information to the access network element, which triggers the access network element to determine a target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow and a target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow from the profile of the uplink quality of service flow and the profile of the downlink quality of service flow.

[0335] Optionally, the transceiver unit 810 is further configured to send association indication information to the access network element, The association indication information indicates that the uplink quality of service flow is associated with the downlink quality of service flow.

[0336] It can be understood that the specific processes by which the units perform the above corresponding steps are described in detail in the above method embodiments, and for the sake of brevity, the details will not be described here.

[0337] It may further be understood that the apparatus 800 herein is embodied in the form of a functional unit. The term "unit" herein may refer to an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (e.g., a shared processor, a dedicated processor, or a group processor) configured to execute one or more software or firmware programs, a memory, a merged logic circuit, and / or another appropriate component supporting the described functions. In an optional example, those skilled in the art may understand that the apparatus 800 may be, in particular, a terminal device in the above embodiments and configured to perform procedures and / or steps corresponding to the terminal device in the above method embodiments. Alternatively, the apparatus 800 may be, in particular, a network device in the above embodiments and configured to perform procedures and / or steps corresponding to the network device in the above method embodiments. To avoid repetition, details will not be described again here.

[0338] The apparatus 800 in each of the above solutions has a function of implementing a corresponding step performed by an access network element in the above method. Alternatively, the apparatus 800 in each of the above solutions has a function of implementing a corresponding step performed by a policy control network element in the above method. Alternatively, the apparatus 800 in each of the above solutions has a function of implementing a corresponding step performed by a session management network element in the above method. The function may be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above function. For example, a transceiver unit may be replaced with a transceiver (e.g., a sending unit in the transceiver unit may be replaced with a transmitter, and a receiving unit in the transceiver unit may be replaced with a receiver), and another unit, such as a processing unit, may be replaced with a processor to separately perform the sending and receiving operations and related processing operations in the method embodiments.

[0339] Furthermore, the transceiver unit 810 may alternatively be a transceiver circuit (eg, the transceiver circuit may include a receiver circuit and a transmitter circuit), and the processing unit may be a processing circuit.

[0340] It should be noted that the device in Figure 9 may be a network element or device in the above embodiments, or may be a chip or a chip system, for example, a system on chip (SoC). The transceiver unit may be an input / output circuit or a communication interface. The processing unit may be a processor, a microprocessor, or an integrated circuit integrated on a chip. This is not limited herein.

[0341] 10 is a schematic diagram of another latency control device 900 to which the present application is applicable. The device 900 includes a processor 910. The processor 910 is coupled to a memory 920. The memory 920 is configured to store computer programs or instructions and / or data. The processor 910 is configured to execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory 920 or read the data stored in the memory 920 to perform the methods in the above method embodiments.

[0342] Optionally, there are one or more processors 910 .

[0343] Optionally, there are one or more memories 920 .

[0344] Optionally, memory 920 and processor 910 are integrated together or located separately.

[0345] 10, the apparatus 900 further includes a transceiver 930, the transceiver 930 configured to receive and / or send signals. For example, the processor 910 is configured to control the transceiver 930 to receive and / or send signals.

[0346] In the solution, the apparatus 900 is configured to implement the operations performed by the access network element in the above method embodiments.

[0347] For example, the processor 910 is configured to execute computer programs or instructions stored in the memory 920 to implement relevant operations of the access network element in the method embodiments described above, e.g., the method performed by the access network element or RAN in the embodiments shown in any one of Figures 2 to 8A and 8B.

[0348] In the solution, the apparatus 900 is configured to implement the operations performed by the policy control network element in the above method embodiments.

[0349] For example, the processor 910 is configured to execute computer programs or instructions stored in the memory 920 to implement the relevant operations of the policy control network element in the method embodiments described above, e.g., the method performed by the policy control network element or PCF in the embodiments shown in any one of Figures 2 to 8A and 8B.

[0350] In the solution, the apparatus 900 is configured to implement the operations performed by the session management network element in the above method embodiments.

[0351] For example, the processor 910 is configured to execute computer programs or instructions stored in the memory 920 to implement the relevant operations of the session management network element in the above method embodiments, e.g., the method performed by the session management network element or SMF in any one of the embodiments shown in Figures 2 to 8A and 8B.

[0352] It will be understood that the processor in this embodiment of the present application may be a central processing unit (CPU), or may be another general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or the processor may be any conventional processor, etc.

[0353] It may be further understood that the memory referred to in this embodiment of the present application may be volatile memory and / or nonvolatile memory. The nonvolatile memory may be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory may be random access memory (RAM). For example, RAM may be used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, RAM may include several forms of the following: static random access memory (static RAM, SRAM), dynamic random access memory (dynamic RAM, DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (synchronous DRAM, SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (double data rate SDRAM, DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (enhanced SDRAM, ESDRAM), synchlink dynamic random access memory (synchlink DRAM, SLDRAM), and direct rambus random access memory (direct rambus RAM, DR RAM).

[0354] It should be noted that when the processor is a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA or another programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component, the memory (storage module) may be integrated into the processor.

[0355] It should be further noted that memory, as described herein, is intended to include, without being limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0356] 11 is a schematic diagram of a chip system 1000 to which the present application is applicable. The chip system 1000 (sometimes called a processing system) includes a logic circuit 1010 and an input / output interface 1020.

[0357] The logic circuit 1010 may be a processing circuit in the chip system 1000. The logic circuit 1010 may be coupled to a storage unit and call instructions in the storage unit to enable the chip system 1000 to implement the methods and functions in the embodiments of the present application. The input / output interface 1020 is an input / output circuit in the chip system 1000, and may output information processed by the chip system 1000 or input data or signaling information to be processed into the chip system 1000 for processing.

[0358] In detail, for example, when chip system 1000 is installed in an access network element, logic circuit 1010 is coupled to input / output interface 1020, and logic circuit 1010 may send messages to a policy control network element or a session management network element through input / output interface 1020. The messages may be generated by logic circuit 1010. Alternatively, input / output interface 1020 may input messages from a policy control network element or a session management network element to logic circuit 1010 for processing. In another example, when chip system 1000 is installed in a policy control network element, logic circuit 1010 is coupled to input / output interface 1020, and logic circuit 1010 may send messages to an access network element or a session management network element through input / output interface 1020. The messages may be generated by logic circuit 1010. Alternatively, input / output interface 1020 may input messages from an access network element or a session management network element to logic circuit 1010 for processing. In another example, if the chip system 1000 is installed in a session management network element, the logic circuit 1010 is coupled to the input / output interface 1020, and the logic circuit 1010 may send messages to an access network element or a policy control network element through the input / output interface 1020. The messages may be generated by the logic circuit 1010. Alternatively, the input / output interface 1020 may input messages from the access network element or the policy control network element to the logic circuit 1010 for processing.

[0359] In the solution, the chip system 1000 is configured to implement the operations performed by the access network elements in the above method embodiments.

[0360] For example, the logic circuitry 1010 is configured to implement the processing-related operations performed by the access network element in the above-described method embodiments, e.g., the processing-related operations performed by the access network element or the RAN in the embodiments shown in any one of Figures 2 through 8A and 8B. The input / output interface 1020 is configured to implement the sending-related operations and / or the receiving-related operations performed by the access network element in the above-described method embodiments, e.g., the sending-related operations and / or the receiving-related operations performed by the access network element or the RAN in the embodiments shown in any one of Figures 2 through 8A and 8B.

[0361] In the solution, the chip system 1000 is configured to implement the operations performed by the policy control network element in the above method embodiments.

[0362] For example, logic circuitry 1010 is configured to implement the processing-related operations performed by the policy controlled network element in the above method embodiments, e.g., the processing-related operations performed by the policy controlled network element or the PCF in the embodiments shown in any one of Figures 2 through 8A and 8B. Input / output interface 1020 is configured to implement the sending-related operations and / or receiving-related operations performed by the policy controlled network element in the above method embodiments, e.g., the sending-related operations and / or receiving-related operations performed by the policy controlled network element or the PCF in the embodiments shown in any one of Figures 2 through 8A and 8B.

[0363] In the solution, the chip system 1000 is configured to implement the operations performed by the session management network element in the above method embodiments.

[0364] For example, logic 1010 is configured to implement the processing-related operations performed by the session management network element in the above method embodiments, e.g., the processing-related operations performed by the session management network element or the SMF in the embodiments shown in any one of Figures 2 to 8A and 8B. I / O interface 1020 is configured to implement the sending-related and / or receiving-related operations performed by the session management network element in the above method embodiments, e.g., the sending-related and / or receiving-related operations performed by the session management network element or the SMF in the embodiments shown in any one of Figures 2 to 8A and 8B.

[0365] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores computer instructions used to implement the method performed by the access network element, the policy control network element, or the session management network element in the above method embodiments.

[0366] For example, when the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer is enabled to implement the methods performed by the access network element, the policy control network element, or the session management network element in the above method embodiments.

[0367] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, including instructions, which, when executed by a computer, implement the method performed by the access network element, the policy control network element, or the session management network element in the above method embodiments.

[0368] An embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system, which includes the access network element, the session management network element, and the policy control network element in the above embodiments. For example, the system includes the access network element or RAN in the embodiments shown in any one of Figures 2 to 8A and 8B, and the policy control network element or PCF.

[0369] Optionally, the communication system further includes a session management network element, for example, the system includes a session management network element or SMF in the embodiments shown in any one of Figures 2 to 8A and 8B.

[0370] For the description of the relevant contents and beneficial effects of any one of the devices provided above, please refer to the corresponding method embodiments provided above, and the details will not be described again here.

[0371] In some embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and method may be implemented in other manners. For example, the described apparatus embodiment is merely an example. For example, the division into units is merely a logical functional division, and other divisions may be used in actual implementation. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not implemented. Furthermore, mutual couplings, direct couplings, or communication connections shown or described may be implemented through some interfaces. Indirect couplings or communication connections between apparatuses or units may be implemented in electronic, mechanical, or other forms.

[0372] All or part of the above embodiments may be implemented by using software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When software is used to implement an embodiment, all or part of the embodiment may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the procedures or functions according to the embodiments of the present application are generated in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. For example, the computer may be a personal computer, a server, a network device, etc. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from a computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from a website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optics, or digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, radio, or microwave) methods. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium or data storage device that can be accessed by a computer, such as a server or a data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk, or a magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., a DVD), a semiconductor medium (e.g., a solid-state drive (SSD)), etc. For example, the available medium includes any medium that can store program code, such as, but not limited to, a USB flash drive, a removable hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0373] The above description is merely a specific implementation of the present application and does not limit the scope of protection of the present application. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily thought of by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present application shall fall within the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present application shall be subject to the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A latency control method, comprising: receiving, by an access network element, from a session management network element, an uplink quality of service flow profile and a downlink quality of service flow profile, wherein the uplink quality of service flow and the downlink quality of service flow are for transmitting uplink data and downlink data of a service, respectively; determining, by the access network element, a target data packet delay budget for the uplink Quality of Service flow and a target data packet delay budget for the downlink Quality of Service flow from the profile of the uplink Quality of Service flow and the profile of the downlink Quality of Service flow when the sum of the current data transmission latency of the uplink Quality of Service flow and the current data transmission latency of the downlink Quality of Service flow does not satisfy the round-trip latency requirement of the service, wherein the target data packet delay budget for the uplink Quality of Service flow and the target data packet delay budget for the downlink Quality of Service flow satisfy the round-trip latency requirement; A latency control method comprising:

2. the profile of the uplink quality of service flow comprises a plurality of groups of uplink quality of service profiles, the profile of the downlink quality of service flow comprises a plurality of groups of downlink quality of service profiles, each group of uplink quality of service profiles comprises a data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow, each group of downlink quality of service profiles comprises a data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow, the data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow included in the plurality of groups of uplink quality of service profiles comprises the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow, and the data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow included in the plurality of groups of downlink quality of service profiles comprises the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow; The target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow satisfy the round-trip latency requirement, the sum of the target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow satisfies the round-trip latency requirement. The method of claim 1 , comprising:

3. determining, by the access network element, a target data packet delay budget for the uplink Quality of Service flow and a target data packet delay budget for the downlink Quality of Service flow from the profile of the uplink Quality of Service flow and the profile of the downlink Quality of Service flow when the current data transmission latency of the uplink Quality of Service flow is greater than the data packet delay budget of the uplink Quality of Service flow, comprising: selecting, by the access network element, from the plurality of groups of uplink quality of service profiles, the target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow based on the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow, wherein the target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow is greater than the current data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow; selecting, by the access network element, from the plurality of groups of downlink quality of service profiles, the target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow based on the target data packet delay budget and the round-trip latency requirement of the uplink quality of service flow; The method of claim 2 , comprising:

4. determining, by the access network element, a target data packet delay budget for the uplink Quality of Service flow and a target data packet delay budget for the downlink Quality of Service flow from the profile of the uplink Quality of Service flow and the profile of the downlink Quality of Service flow when the current data transmission latency of the downlink Quality of Service flow is greater than the data packet delay budget of the downlink Quality of Service flow, comprising: selecting, by the access network element, from the plurality of groups of downlink quality of service profiles, the target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow based on the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow, wherein the target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow is greater than the current data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow; selecting, by the access network element, from the plurality of groups of uplink quality of service profiles, the target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow based on the target data packet delay budget and the round-trip latency requirement of the downlink quality of service flow; The method of claim 2 , comprising:

5. determining, by the access network element, a target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow and a target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow from the profile of the uplink quality of service flow and the profile of the downlink quality of service flow, generating, by the access network element, a plurality of quality of service profile pairs based on the round-trip latency requirement, the plurality of groups of uplink quality of service profiles, and the plurality of groups of downlink quality of service profiles, each quality of service profile pair comprising an uplink quality of service profile and a downlink quality of service profile, wherein in each quality of service profile pair, a sum of a data packet delay budget in the uplink quality of service profile for the uplink quality of service flow and a data packet delay budget in the downlink quality of service profile for the downlink quality of service flow satisfies the round-trip latency requirement, wherein a data packet delay budget in the uplink quality of service flow and included in the plurality of quality of service profile pairs comprises the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow, and a data packet delay budget in the downlink quality of service flow and included in the plurality of quality of service profile pairs comprises the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow; selecting, by the access network element, a target quality of service profile pair from the plurality of quality of service profile pairs, the target quality of service profile pair comprising the target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow; The method of claim 2 , comprising:

6. the profile of the uplink quality of service flow comprises at least two uplink budget values ​​of a data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow, the profile of the downlink quality of service flow comprises at least two downlink budget values ​​of a data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow, the at least two uplink budget values ​​comprising the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow, and the at least two downlink budget values ​​comprising the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow; The method of claim 1.

7. determining, by the access network element, a target data packet delay budget for the uplink Quality of Service flow and a target data packet delay budget for the downlink Quality of Service flow from the profile of the uplink Quality of Service flow and the profile of the downlink Quality of Service flow when the current data transmission latency of the uplink Quality of Service flow is greater than the data packet delay budget of the uplink Quality of Service flow, comprising: selecting, by the access network element, from the at least two uplink budget values, the target data packet delay budget for the uplink Quality of Service flow based on the current data transmission latency of the uplink Quality of Service flow, wherein the target data packet delay budget for the uplink Quality of Service flow is greater than the current data transmission latency of the uplink Quality of Service flow; selecting, by the access network element, from the at least two downlink budget values, the target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow based on the target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow and the round-trip latency requirement of the service; The method of claim 6 , comprising:

8. determining, by the access network element, a target data packet delay budget for the uplink Quality of Service flow and a target data packet delay budget for the downlink Quality of Service flow from the profile of the downlink Quality of Service flow and the profile of the uplink Quality of Service flow when the current data transmission latency of the downlink Quality of Service flow is greater than the data packet delay budget of the downlink Quality of Service flow, comprising: selecting, by the access network element, from the at least two downlink budget values, the target data packet delay budget for the downlink Quality of Service flow based on the current data transmission latency of the downlink Quality of Service flow, wherein the target data packet delay budget for the downlink Quality of Service flow is greater than the current data transmission latency of the downlink Quality of Service flow; selecting, by the access network element, from the at least two uplink budget values, the target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow based on the target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow and the round-trip latency requirement of the service; The method of claim 6 , comprising:

9. The method comprises: receiving, by the access network element, the round trip latency requirement from the session management network element; The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

10. the profile of the uplink quality of service flow and the profile of the downlink quality of service flow comprise a plurality of quality of service profile pairs, each quality of service profile pair comprising an uplink quality of service profile and a downlink quality of service profile, wherein in each quality of service profile pair, a sum of a data packet delay budget in the uplink quality of service profile for the uplink quality of service flow and a data packet delay budget in the downlink quality of service profile for the downlink quality of service flow satisfies the round-trip latency requirement, wherein a data packet delay budget in the plurality of quality of service profile pairs for the uplink quality of service flow comprises the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow, and a data packet delay budget in the plurality of quality of service profile pairs for the downlink quality of service flow comprises the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow; The method of claim 2.

11. determining, by the access network element, a target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow and a target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow from the profile of the uplink quality of service flow and the profile of the downlink quality of service flow, selecting, by the access network element, a target quality of service profile pair from the plurality of quality of service profile pairs, the target quality of service profile pair comprising the target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow. Equipped with the target data packet delay budget for the uplink Quality of Service flow is greater than or equal to the current data transmission latency of the uplink Quality of Service flow, and the target data packet delay budget for the downlink Quality of Service flow is greater than or equal to the current data transmission latency of the downlink Quality of Service flow; The method of claim 10.

12. The method comprises: obtaining, by the access network element, the current data transmission latency of the uplink Quality of Service flow and the current data transmission latency of the downlink Quality of Service flow. The method of any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising:

13. The step of obtaining, by the access network element, the current data transmission latency of the uplink Quality of Service flow and the current data transmission latency of the downlink Quality of Service flow, comprises: measuring, by the access network element, an air interface latency of the uplink quality of service flow and an air interface latency of the downlink quality of service flow; determining, by the access network element, the current data transmission latency of the uplink Quality of Service flow based on the air interface latency of the uplink Quality of Service flow and a core network data packet delay budget of the uplink Quality of Service flow; determining, by the access network element, the current data transmission latency of the downlink Quality of Service flow based on the air interface latency of the downlink Quality of Service flow and a core network data packet delay budget of the downlink Quality of Service flow; Have or measuring, by the access network element, an air interface latency of the uplink quality of service flow and an air interface latency of the downlink quality of service flow; receiving, by the access network element from a user plane function network element or the session management network element, a current core network data transmission latency of the uplink quality of service flow and a current core network data transmission latency of the downlink quality of service flow; determining, by the access network element, the current data transmission latency of the uplink Quality of Service flow based on the air interface latency of the uplink Quality of Service flow and the current core network data transmission latency of the uplink Quality of Service flow; determining, by the access network element, the current data transmission latency of the downlink Quality of Service flow based on the air interface latency of the downlink Quality of Service flow and the current core network data transmission latency of the downlink Quality of Service flow; The method of claim 12, comprising:

14. The method comprises: receiving, by the access network element, latency control indication information from the session management network element, the latency control indication information triggering the access network element to determine the target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow from the profile of the uplink quality of service flow and the profile of the downlink quality of service flow. Furthermore, determining, by the access network element, a target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow and a target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow from the profile of the uplink quality of service flow and the profile of the downlink quality of service flow, determining, by the access network element, from the profile of the uplink quality of service flow and the profile of the downlink quality of service flow based on the latency control indication information, the target data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow and the target data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow.

14. The method of any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising:

15. The method comprises: receiving, by the access network element, association indication information from the session management network element, the association indication information indicating that the uplink quality of service flow is associated with the downlink quality of service flow; determining, by the access network element based on the association indication information, that the uplink quality of service flow and the downlink quality of service flow are for transmitting the uplink data and the downlink data of the service, respectively; The method of any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising:

16. the sum of the maximum value of the data packet delay budget in the profile of the uplink Quality of Service flow and the minimum value of the data packet delay budget in the profile of the downlink Quality of Service flow is less than or equal to the round-trip latency requirement, and the sum of the minimum value of the data packet delay budget in the profile of the uplink Quality of Service flow and the maximum value of the data packet delay budget in the profile of the downlink Quality of Service flow is less than or equal to the round-trip latency requirement.

16. The method of any one of claims 1 to 15.

17. A latency control method, comprising: receiving, by a policy control network element, a round trip latency requirement for a service; generating, by the policy control network element, parameters of an uplink quality of service flow and parameters of a downlink quality of service flow based on the round-trip latency requirement, the uplink quality of service flow and the downlink quality of service flow for transmitting uplink data and downlink data of the service, respectively; sending, by the policy control network element, the parameters of the uplink quality of service flow and the parameters of the downlink quality of service flow to a session management network element; A latency control method comprising:

18. The method comprises: determining, by the policy control network element based on the round-trip latency requirement, to create the uplink quality of service flow and the downlink quality of service flow for the service; 20. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

19. The method comprises: sending, by the policy control network element, the round trip latency requirement to the session management network element.

19. The method of claim 17 or 18, further comprising:

20. the parameters of the uplink quality of service flow comprise a plurality of groups of uplink quality of service parameters, and the parameters of the downlink quality of service flow comprise a plurality of groups of downlink quality of service parameters, each group of uplink quality of service parameters comprising a data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow, and each group of downlink quality of service parameters comprising a data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow; 20. The method of any one of claims 17 to 19.

21. the parameters of the uplink quality of service flow and the parameters of the downlink quality of service flow comprise a plurality of quality of service parameter pairs, each quality of service parameter pair comprising an uplink quality of service parameter and a downlink quality of service parameter, and a sum of a data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service parameter comprised in each quality of service parameter pair and a data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service parameter comprised in each quality of service parameter pair satisfies the round-trip latency requirement; 21. The method of claim 20.

22. the parameters of the uplink quality of service flow comprise at least two uplink budget values ​​of a data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow, and the parameters of the downlink quality of service flow comprise at least two downlink budget values ​​of a data packet delay budget of the downlink quality of service flow; 18. The method of claim 17.

23. the sum of the maximum value of the data packet delay budget in the parameters of the uplink Quality of Service flow and the minimum value of the data packet delay budget in the parameters of the downlink Quality of Service flow is less than or equal to the round-trip latency requirement, and the sum of the minimum value of the data packet delay budget in the parameters of the uplink Quality of Service flow and the maximum value of the data packet delay budget in the parameters of the downlink Quality of Service flow is less than or equal to the round-trip latency requirement.

23. The method of any one of claims 17 to 22.

24. A latency control method, comprising: receiving, by a session management network element from a policy control network element, parameters of an uplink quality of service flow and parameters of a downlink quality of service flow, the uplink quality of service flow and the downlink quality of service flow being for transmitting uplink data and downlink data of a service, respectively, and the parameters of the uplink quality of service flow and the parameters of the downlink quality of service flow satisfy a round-trip latency requirement of the service; sending, by the session management network element to an access network element, a profile of the uplink quality of service flow and a profile of the downlink quality of service flow based on the parameters of the uplink quality of service flow and the parameters of the downlink quality of service flow; A latency control method comprising:

25. The method comprises: generating, by the session management network element, the profile of the uplink quality of service flow and the profile of the downlink quality of service flow based on the parameters of the uplink quality of service flow and the parameters of the downlink quality of service flow.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising:

26. the profile of the uplink quality of service flow comprises a plurality of groups of uplink quality of service profiles, and the profile of the downlink quality of service flow comprises a plurality of groups of downlink quality of service parameters, each group of uplink quality of service profiles comprising a data packet delay budget, and each group of downlink quality of service profiles comprising a data packet delay budget; 26. The method of claim 24 or 25.

27. the profile of the uplink quality of service flow comprises at least two uplink budget values ​​of a data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow, and the profile of the downlink quality of service flow comprises at least two downlink budget values ​​of a data packet delay budget of the uplink quality of service flow; 25. The method of claim 24.

28. The method comprises: sending, by the session management network element, the round trip latency requirement to the access network element.

28. The method of any one of claims 24 to 27, further comprising:

29. the parameters of the uplink quality of service flow and the parameters of the downlink quality of service flow comprise a plurality of quality of service parameter pairs, each quality of service parameter pair comprising an uplink quality of service parameter and a downlink quality of service parameter, wherein a sum of a data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service parameter comprised in each quality of service parameter pair and a data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service parameter comprised in each quality of service parameter pair satisfies the round-trip latency requirement; the profile of the uplink quality of service flow and the profile of the downlink quality of service flow comprise a plurality of quality of service profile pairs, each quality of service profile pair comprising an uplink quality of service profile and a downlink quality of service profile, and a sum of a data packet delay budget in the uplink quality of service profile comprised in each quality of service profile pair and a data packet delay budget in the downlink quality of service profile comprised in each quality of service profile pair satisfies the round-trip latency requirement; 28. The method of claim 27.

30. The method comprises: sending, by the session management network element, latency control indication information to the access network element, the latency control indication information triggering the access network element to determine a target data packet delay budget for the uplink quality of service flow and a target data packet delay budget for the downlink quality of service flow from the profile of the uplink quality of service flow and the profile of the downlink quality of service flow.

30. The method of any one of claims 24 to 29, further comprising:

31. The method comprises: sending, by the session management network element, association indication information to the access network element, the association indication information indicating that the uplink quality of service flow is associated with the downlink quality of service flow.

31. The method of any one of claims 24 to 30, further comprising:

32. the sum of the maximum value of the data packet delay budget in the parameters of the uplink Quality of Service flow and the minimum value of the data packet delay budget in the parameters of the downlink Quality of Service flow is less than or equal to the round-trip latency requirement, and the sum of the minimum value of the data packet delay budget in the parameters of the uplink Quality of Service flow and the maximum value of the data packet delay budget in the parameters of the downlink Quality of Service flow is less than or equal to the round-trip latency requirement; the sum of the maximum value of the data packet delay budget in the profile of the uplink Quality of Service flow and the minimum value of the data packet delay budget in the profile of the downlink Quality of Service flow is less than or equal to the round-trip latency requirement, and the sum of the minimum value of the data packet delay budget in the profile of the uplink Quality of Service flow and the maximum value of the data packet delay budget in the profile of the downlink Quality of Service flow is less than or equal to the round-trip latency requirement.

32. The method of any one of claims 24 to 31.

33. 32. A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 16, to perform the method of any one of claims 17 to 23, or to perform the method of any one of claims 24 to 32.

34. A chip, a memory configured to store a computer program; a processor configured to read and execute the computer program stored in the memory, wherein when the computer program is executed, the processor performs a method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, a method according to any one of claims 17 to 23, or a method according to any one of claims 24 to 32; A chip comprising:

35. 32. A computer program product comprising computer program code that, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 16, to perform the method of any one of claims 17 to 23, or to perform the method of any one of claims 24 to 32.

36. A latency control method, comprising: sending, by a policy control network element to a session management network element, parameters of an uplink quality of service flow and parameters of a downlink quality of service flow, the uplink quality of service flow and the downlink quality of service flow being for transmitting uplink data and downlink data of a service, respectively, and the parameters of the uplink quality of service flow and the parameters of the downlink quality of service flow satisfy a round-trip latency requirement of the service; sending, by the session management network element to an access network element, a profile of the uplink quality of service flow and a profile of the downlink quality of service flow based on the parameters of the uplink quality of service flow and the parameters of the downlink quality of service flow; A latency control method comprising:

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