Communication method and related device

Abstract

A communication method and related apparatus are provided. The method includes receiving first information from a network device, the first information being used to request a first burst arrival time (BAT) corresponding to a first uplink service, and transmitting second information to the network device, the second information including information about the first BAT, the first BAT being determined based on an uplink frame boundary of the terminal device. In this method, the first BAT determined by using the uplink frame boundary of the terminal device as a reference is reported to the network device, thereby allowing the network device to immediately recognize the burst arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service of the terminal device. This reduces the delay time required to wait for transmission resources for the uplink service data packet and meets low latency requirements.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] TECHNICAL FIELD This application relates to the field of communications technology, and more particularly to communications methods and related devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) services have strict requirements for quality of service (QoS), especially high reliability and low latency. For example, the data transmission delay for URLLC services must meet a packet delay budget (PDB) requirement of 2 ms or less. For a base station, if data packets of URLLC services from most user equipments (UEs) served by the base station all arrive at the air interface side of the base station within a short time, it becomes difficult for the base station scheduler to allocate appropriate transmission resources to these data packets and successfully transmit all these data packets within the required PDB.

[0003] Currently, by adjusting the generation time of the URLLC service data packets, it is possible to stagger the arrival times of the URLLC service data packets from different UEs to the air interface side of the base station, which enables the base station scheduler to better allocate transmission resources for these data packets and meet the low latency requirements of more UEs.

[0004] However, currently, the base station cannot immediately recognize the burst arrival time (BAT) of the UE's URLLC uplink service data packet, which may result in significant BAT drift, resulting in a long delay time waiting for transmission resources for the uplink service data packet, making it difficult to meet the low latency requirement. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and related device that enable a base station to quickly recognize the BAT of a URLLC uplink service data packet of a UE, which reduces the delay time of waiting for transmission resources for the uplink service data packet and meets the low latency requirement.

[0006] According to a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be performed by a communication device. The communication device can be a device, or a chip (system) or circuit used in the device. This is not limited in the present application. The method includes: receiving first information from a network device, the first information being used to request a first burst arrival time BAT corresponding to a first uplink service; and transmitting second information to the network device, the second information including information regarding the first BAT, the first BAT being determined based on an uplink frame boundary of the terminal device.

[0007] In this embodiment of the present application, a communication method is provided. A terminal device receives first information from a network device and transmits second information to the network device. The terminal device in this specification may alternatively be a processor / chip that can be configured to execute computer-executable instructions. This is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0008] The first information in this embodiment of the present application is used to request a first burst arrival time (BAT) corresponding to a first uplink service. The second information in this embodiment of the present application includes information about the first BAT, and the first BAT is determined based on an uplink frame boundary of the terminal device. The frame boundary of the network device is not aligned with the downlink frame boundary of the terminal device, and a downlink transmission latency deviation exists between the frame boundary of the network device and the downlink frame boundary of the terminal device. In addition, the uplink frame boundary and the downlink frame boundary of the terminal device are also not aligned with each other, and the uplink frame boundary is ahead of the downlink frame boundary by a timing advance (TA) value. However, the network device may not be able to track the exact TA value of the terminal device. Therefore, the first BAT determined using the uplink frame boundary of the terminal device as a reference is reported to the network device, so that the network device can immediately recognize the burst arrival time of the data packets of the first uplink service of the terminal device even if the network device does not know the exact TA value, and allocate appropriate uplink transmission resources to the terminal device, which shortens the delay time of waiting for transmission resources by the uplink service data packets and meets the low delay requirement.

[0009] In this embodiment of the present application, the network device requests the terminal device to report the BAT of the first uplink service, and the terminal device reports the first BAT determined by using the uplink frame boundary as a reference to the network device, so that the network device can immediately recognize the burst arrival time of the data packets of the first uplink service of the terminal device, which shortens the delay time of waiting for transmission resources by the uplink service data packets and meets the low delay requirement.

[0010] According to a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be performed by a communication device. The communication device can be a device, or a chip (system) or circuit used in the device. This is not limited in the present application. The method includes: receiving first information from a network device, the first information being used to request a first burst arrival time BAT corresponding to a first uplink service; and transmitting second information to the network device, the second information including information regarding the first BAT, the first BAT being determined based on a downlink frame boundary and a timing advance TA value of the terminal device.

[0011] In this embodiment of the present application, a communication method is provided. A terminal device receives first information from a network device and transmits second information to the network device. The terminal device in this specification may alternatively be a processor / chip that can be configured to execute computer-executable instructions. This is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0012] The first information in this embodiment of the present application is used to request a first BAT corresponding to a first uplink service. The second information in this embodiment of the present application includes information about the first BAT, and the first BAT is determined based on the downlink frame boundary and TA value of the terminal device. The frame boundary of the network device is not aligned with the downlink frame boundary of the terminal device, a downlink transmission delay deviation exists between the frame boundary of the network device and the downlink frame boundary of the terminal device, the uplink frame boundary and the downlink frame boundary of the terminal device are also not aligned with each other, and the uplink frame boundary precedes the downlink frame boundary by the TA value, so the network device may not be able to track the accurate TA value of the terminal device. If the first BAT is determined by using the downlink frame boundary, the network device cannot determine the allocation of uplink transmission resources to the terminal device. Therefore, the first BAT determined by using the downlink frame boundary and TA value of the terminal device as a reference is reported to the network device. In other words, the first BAT in this case is the sum of the actual arrival time of the uplink service data packet and the TA value. The network device can immediately recognize the burst arrival time of the first uplink service data packet of the terminal device and allocate appropriate uplink transmission resources to the terminal device, thereby reducing the delay time waiting for the transmission resources for the uplink service data packet and meeting the low latency requirement.

[0013] In this embodiment of the present application, the network device requests the terminal device to report the BAT of the first uplink service, and the terminal device reports the first BAT determined by using the downlink frame boundary and the TA value as a reference to the network device, so that the network device can immediately recognize the burst arrival time of the data packets of the first uplink service of the terminal device, which shortens the delay time of waiting for transmission resources by the uplink service data packets and meets the low delay requirement.

[0014] According to a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be performed by a communication device. The communication device can be a device, or a chip (system) or circuit used in the device. This is not limited in the present application. The method includes: receiving first information from a network device, the first information being used to request a first burst arrival time BAT corresponding to a first uplink service; transmitting second information to the network device, the second information including information regarding the first BAT, the first BAT being determined based on a downlink frame boundary of the terminal device; Optionally, transmitting third information to the network device, where the third information includes a TA value of the terminal device.

[0015] In this embodiment of the present application, a communication method is provided. A terminal device receives first information from a network device, and transmits second information and optional third information to the network device. The terminal device in this specification may alternatively be a processor / chip that can be configured to execute computer-executable instructions. This is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0016] The first information in this embodiment of the present application is used to request a first BAT corresponding to a first uplink service. The second information in this embodiment of the present application includes information about the first BAT, and the first BAT is determined based on a downlink frame boundary of the terminal device. The third information in this embodiment of the present application includes a TA value of the terminal device. The frame boundary of the network device is not aligned with the downlink frame boundary of the terminal device, a downlink transmission delay deviation exists between the frame boundary of the network device and the downlink frame boundary of the terminal device, the uplink frame boundary and the downlink frame boundary of the terminal device are also not aligned with each other, and the uplink frame boundary precedes the downlink frame boundary by the TA value, so the network device may not be able to track the accurate TA value of the terminal device. If the first BAT is determined by using the downlink frame boundary, the network device cannot determine the allocation of uplink transmission resources to the terminal device. Therefore, the first BAT determined by using the downlink frame boundary of the terminal device as a reference is reported to the network device, and the TA value of the terminal device is reported to the network device. The network device can immediately recognize the burst arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service of the terminal device, i.e., the sum of the first BAT and the TA value, and can allocate appropriate uplink transmission resources to the terminal device. This reduces the delay time waiting for transmission resources for the uplink service data packet and meets the low latency requirement. Optionally, when the network device can track the TA value of the terminal device, the terminal device does not need to report the third information.

[0017] In this embodiment of the present application, the second information and the third information may be carried in different fields of the same packet, or may be carried in different packets, which is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0018] In this embodiment of the present application, the network device requests the terminal device to report the BAT of the first uplink service, and the terminal device reports the first BAT determined by using the downlink frame boundary as a reference to the network device, and reports the TA value of the terminal device to the network device, so that the network device can immediately recognize the burst arrival time of the data packets of the first uplink service of the terminal device, which shortens the delay time of waiting for transmission resources by the uplink service data packets and meets the low delay requirement.

[0019] In one possible implementation form of any one of the first to third aspects, the first BAT is represented by at least one of a system frame number, a slot index, and a symbol index.

[0020] In one implementation of the present application, a possible specific implementation form for representing the first BAT is provided. In particular, the first BAT may be represented by a system frame number (SFN), a slot index, a symbol index, and the like, which respectively indicate the system frame number, the slot index, and the symbol index where the arrival instant of the data packet of the first uplink service is located.

[0021] In one possible implementation form of the first aspect, the first information further indicates that the first BAT is determined based on an uplink frame boundary of the terminal device.

[0022] In one implementation of the present application, a possible specific implementation of the first information is provided. In particular, the first information further indicates that the first BAT is determined based on an uplink frame boundary of the terminal device. Optionally, when the network device cannot determine the TA value of the terminal device, the network device transmits the first information instructing the terminal device to report the first BAT determined based on the uplink frame boundary. Correspondingly, the first BAT reported by the terminal device is determined based on the uplink frame boundary.

[0023] In one possible implementation form of the second aspect, the first information further indicates that the first BAT is determined based on a downlink frame boundary and a timing advance TA value of the terminal device.

[0024] In one implementation of the present application, a possible specific implementation of the first information is provided. In particular, the first information further indicates that the first BAT is determined based on a downlink frame boundary and a TA value of the terminal device. Optionally, when the network device cannot determine the TA value of the terminal device, the network device transmits the first information instructing the terminal device to report the first BAT determined based on the downlink frame boundary and the TA value. Correspondingly, the first BAT reported by the terminal device is determined based on the downlink frame boundary and the TA value.

[0025] In a possible implementation form of the third aspect, the first information further indicates that the first BAT is determined based on a downlink frame boundary of the terminal device.

[0026] In one implementation of the present application, a possible specific implementation of the first information is provided. In particular, the first information further indicates that the first BAT is determined based on a downlink frame boundary of the terminal device. Optionally, when the network device can determine the TA value of the terminal device, the network device transmits the first information instructing the terminal device to report the first BAT determined based on the downlink frame boundary. Correspondingly, the first BAT reported by the terminal device is determined based on the downlink frame boundary. Optionally, when the network device cannot determine the TA value of the terminal device, the network device transmits the first information instructing the terminal device to report the first BAT determined based on the downlink frame boundary. Correspondingly, the first BAT reported by the terminal device is determined based on the downlink frame boundary. In addition, the terminal device is further required to report the TA value.

[0027] In one possible implementation form of any one of the first to third aspects, the first information includes an identification information of a first uplink service, and the identification information of the first uplink service is: At least one of a data radio bearer identifier to which the first uplink service belongs, a logical channel identifier to which the first uplink service belongs, and a quality-of-service flow identifier to which the first uplink service belongs.

[0028] In one embodiment of the present application, a possible specific implementation of the first information is provided. In particular, the first information includes identification information of the first uplink service, such as a data radio bearer (DRB) identifier to which the first uplink service belongs, a logical channel (LC) identifier to which the first uplink service belongs, and a quality-of-service (QoS) flow identifier (QFI) to which the first uplink service belongs. This is not limited to the embodiment of the present application. According to this embodiment of the present application, the terminal device can be instructed to report the BAT of uplink data packets of the specified service by using the service identification information, so that the network device can immediately recognize changes in the BAT of the uplink service data packets of the terminal device. This shortens the delay time of waiting for transmission resources for the uplink service data packets and meets low latency requirements.

[0029] Optionally, the first information further includes information regarding a periodicity of the first uplink service.

[0030] In one possible implementation form of any one of the first to third aspects, the second information includes identification information of the first uplink service, and the identification information of the first uplink service is: At least one of a data radio bearer identifier to which the first uplink service belongs, a logical channel identifier to which the first uplink service belongs, and a quality of service flow identifier to which the first uplink service belongs.

[0031] In one embodiment of the present application, a specific possible implementation of the second information is provided. In particular, the second information includes identification information of the first uplink service, such as a DRB identifier to which the first uplink service belongs, an LC identifier to which the first uplink service belongs, and a QFI to which the first uplink service belongs. This is not limited to the embodiment of the present application. According to this embodiment of the present application, the network device can use the service identification information included in the second information to identify whether the BAT reported by the terminal device is the BAT of the uplink data packet of the specified service, thereby quickly recognizing a change in the BAT of the specified uplink service data packet of the terminal device. This reduces the delay time required to wait for transmission resources for the uplink service data packet and meets low latency requirements.

[0032] In one possible implementation form of any one of the first to third aspects, the first information further includes a first timer, and the method further comprises: starting a first timer when the second information is transmitted; and reporting the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device when the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service changes and the first timer expires or does not run.

[0033] In one embodiment of the present application, a specific possible implementation of BAT reporting is provided. In particular, the first information further includes a first timer (prohibit timer), and the terminal device starts the first timer when transmitting the second information. When the first timer expires or is not executed and the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service of the terminal device changes, for example, when there is a certain deviation between the actual BAT and the BAT estimated by the terminal device, the terminal device reports the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device again. In this embodiment of the present application, the time when the terminal device starts the first timer may be, in particular, the time when the transmission of the second information is triggered, or the time when the terminal device starts the first timer in the process of transmitting the second information. This is not limited in the embodiment of the present application. In this embodiment of the present application, not executing the first timer means that the terminal device is prohibited from reporting the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service again after completing the current BAT report. According to this embodiment of the present application, the network device can immediately recognize the change in the BAT of the uplink service data packet of the terminal device, which shortens the delay time of waiting for the transmission resource of the uplink service data packet and meets the low delay requirement.

[0034] In one possible implementation form of any one of the first to third aspects, the first information further includes a second timer, and the method further comprises: starting a second timer when the second information is transmitted; and reporting the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device when the second timer expires.

[0035] In one embodiment of the present application, a specific possible implementation of reporting the BAT is provided. In particular, the first information further includes a second timer, and the terminal device starts the second timer when transmitting the second information. When the second timer expires, the terminal device reports the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device. Similarly, when reporting the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device, the terminal device starts the second timer. When the second timer expires, the terminal device again reports the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device. The rest can be inferred by analogy. According to this embodiment of the present application, the terminal device is instructed to periodically report the BAT of uplink service data packets by using the second timer, so that the network device can immediately recognize changes in the BAT of the uplink service data packets of the terminal device and allocate appropriate transmission resources to the terminal device. This shortens the delay time waiting for transmission resources for the uplink service data packets and meets low latency requirements.

[0036] In one possible implementation form of any one of the first to third aspects, the first information further includes a first threshold value, and the method further comprises: The method further includes reporting a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device when a deviation between an expected arrival time and an actual arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service exceeds a first threshold.

[0037] In one embodiment of the present application, a specific implementation of BAT reporting is provided. In particular, the first information further includes a first threshold. When the deviation between the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service exceeds the first threshold, the terminal device is triggered to report the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device. It can be understood that the first threshold is a threshold for triggering the terminal device to report the BAT. When the terminal device detects that the difference between the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service is excessively large, the terminal device reports the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device. According to this embodiment of the present application, the network device configures a condition for the terminal device to report the BAT corresponding to the uplink service by using the first threshold included in the first information, so that the terminal device can report the BAT as needed. In this way, the network device can know whether the arrival time of the uplink service data packet is deviated, which can help the network device allocate appropriate uplink transmission resources. In addition, possible unnecessary BAT reports are avoided, signaling overhead is reduced, and the occupied transmission resources are reduced.

[0038] In one possible implementation form of any one of the first to third aspects, the first threshold is a time value or a time range.

[0039] In one implementation of the present application, a possible specific implementation of the first threshold is provided. In particular, the first threshold may be a time value or a time range. When the first threshold is a time value and the deviation between the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service exceeds the time value, the terminal device is triggered to report the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device. When the first threshold is a time range and the deviation between the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service falls outside the time range, the terminal device is triggered to report the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device.

[0040] In one possible implementation form of any one of the first to third aspects, the expected arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service is determined based on the periodicity of the first uplink service and the reported second BAT, where the second BAT is the BAT reported immediately before the first BAT.

[0041] In one implementation form of the present application, a possible specific implementation form is provided for determining an expected arrival time of a data packet of a first uplink service. In particular, the expected arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service is determined based on the periodicity of the first uplink service and a reported second BAT, where the second BAT is a BAT reported immediately before the first BAT. It can be understood that the expected arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service is the BAT of the data packet of the first uplink service, which is determined based on the BAT previously reported by the terminal device and the periodicity of the first uplink service.

[0042] In one possible implementation form of any one of the first to third aspects, the first information further includes a periodicity of the first uplink service, or the periodicity of the first uplink service is pre-configured.

[0043] In one implementation of the present application, a specific possible implementation of the periodicity of the first uplink service is provided. In particular, the periodicity of the first uplink service may be included in the first information, may be pre-configured, may be provided by an upper layer of the terminal device relative to an access stratum (AS), may be configured by a core network element such as an access and mobility management function (AMF) for the terminal device by using a non-access stratum (NAS) message, or the like. This is not limited to the embodiment of the present application. According to this embodiment of the present application, the periodicity of the first uplink service may be obtained in the above-mentioned manner or a similar manner to determine the expected arrival time of data packets of the first uplink service. In this way, the terminal device reports the BAT as needed based on the conditions for reporting the BAT corresponding to the uplink service.

[0044] In one possible implementation form of any one of the first to third aspects, the first information further includes a third timer, and the method further comprises: starting a third timer when the second information is transmitted; and reporting the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device when a deviation between the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service exceeds a first threshold and the third timer expires or is not executed.

[0045] In one embodiment of the present application, a specific possible implementation of BAT reporting is provided. In particular, the first information further includes a third timer (prohibit timer), and the terminal device starts the third timer when transmitting the second information. When the third timer expires or is not executed and the deviation between the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service of the terminal device exceeds a first threshold, the terminal device again reports the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device. In this embodiment of the present application, the time when the terminal device starts the third timer may be, in particular, the time when the transmission of the second information is triggered, or the time when the terminal device starts the third timer in the process of transmitting the second information. This is not limited to this embodiment of the present application. In this embodiment of the present application, not executing the third timer means that the terminal device is prohibited from reporting the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service again after completing the current BAT report. According to this embodiment of the present application, the network device can immediately recognize a change in the BAT of the uplink service data packet of the terminal device. This reduces the delay time for uplink service data packets to wait for transmission resources, and meets the low delay requirement.

[0046] In one possible implementation form of any one of the first to third aspects, the first information further includes a second threshold value, and the method further comprises: sending first indication information to the network device when a deviation between an expected arrival time and an actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service exceeds a second threshold, the first indication information indicating that the deviation between the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service exceeds the second threshold; receiving a request message from a network device, the request message being used to request a BAT corresponding to a first uplink service; and reporting the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device.

[0047] In one embodiment of the present application, a specific implementation of reporting a BAT is provided. In particular, the first information further includes a second threshold, and when a deviation between an expected arrival time and an actual arrival time of a data packet of a first uplink service exceeds the second threshold, the terminal device is triggered to send first indication information to the network device, indicating that the deviation between the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service exceeds the second threshold. When the terminal device receives a message from the network device requesting reporting of a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service, the terminal device reports the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device. It can be understood that the second threshold is a threshold for triggering the terminal device to report the first indication information. When detecting that the difference between the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service is excessively large, the terminal device transmits first indication information to the network device, indicating that the BAT of the first uplink service has changed and that the deviation between the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service exceeds a second threshold indicated by the network device. According to this embodiment of the present application, the network device can configure the condition for the terminal device to transmit the first indication information by using the second threshold included in the first information. In this way, the network device can know whether the arrival time of the uplink service data packet is shifted, and can thereby allocate appropriate transmission resources to the terminal device. This reduces the delay time for the uplink service data packet to wait for transmission resources, meeting low latency requirements.

[0048] In one possible implementation form of any one of the first to third aspects, the second threshold is a time value or a time range.

[0049] In one implementation of the present application, a possible specific implementation of the second threshold is provided. In particular, the second threshold may be a time value or a time range. When the second threshold is a time value and a deviation between the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service exceeds the time value, the terminal device is triggered to send the first indication information to the network device. When the second threshold is a time range and a deviation between the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service falls outside the time range, the terminal device is triggered to send the first indication information to the network device.

[0050] In one possible implementation form of any one of the first to third aspects, the expected arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service is determined based on the periodicity of the first uplink service and the reported second BAT, where the second BAT is the BAT reported immediately before the first BAT.

[0051] In one implementation form of the present application, a possible specific implementation form is provided for determining an expected arrival time of a data packet of a first uplink service. In particular, the expected arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service is determined based on the periodicity of the first uplink service and a reported second BAT, where the second BAT is a BAT reported immediately before the first BAT. It can be understood that the expected arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service is the BAT of the data packet of the first uplink service, which is determined based on the BAT previously reported by the terminal device and the periodicity of the first uplink service.

[0052] In one possible implementation form of any one of the first to third aspects, the first information further includes a periodicity of the first uplink service, or the periodicity of the first uplink service is pre-configured.

[0053] In one implementation of the present application, a specific possible implementation of the periodicity of the first uplink service is provided. In particular, the periodicity of the first uplink service may be included in the first information, may be pre-configured, may be provided by an upper layer of the terminal device for the AS stratum, may be configured by a core network element (e.g., AMF) for the terminal device by using a NAS message, or the like. This is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. According to this embodiment of the present application, the periodicity of the first uplink service may be obtained in the above-mentioned manner or a similar manner to determine the expected arrival time of data packets of the first uplink service. In this way, the first indication information is transmitted to the network device when the deviation between the actual arrival time and the expected arrival time of data packets of the first uplink service is excessively large.

[0054] In one possible implementation form of any one of the first to third aspects, the first information further includes a fourth timer, and the method further comprises: starting a fourth timer when the first indication information is transmitted; and sending first indication information to the network device when a deviation between the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service exceeds a second threshold and the fourth timer expires or is not executed.

[0055] In one implementation of the present application, a possible specific implementation of transmitting first indication information is provided. In particular, the first information further includes a fourth timer (prohibit timer), and the terminal device starts the fourth timer when transmitting the first indication information. When the fourth timer expires or is not executed and the difference between the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service of the terminal device exceeds a second threshold, the terminal device again transmits the first indication information to the network device, indicating that the BAT of the first uplink service has changed and that the deviation between the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service has exceeded the second threshold indicated by the network device. In this embodiment of the present application, the time when the terminal device starts the fourth timer may be, in particular, the time when the transmission of the first indication information is triggered, or the time when the terminal device starts the fourth timer in the process of transmitting the first indication information. This is not limited in the embodiment of the present application. In this embodiment of the present application, the fourth timer not running means that the terminal device is prohibited from transmitting the first indication information again after completing the current transmission of the first indication information. According to this embodiment of the present application, the network device can know whether the arrival time of the uplink service data packet is shifted, and can thereby allocate appropriate transmission resources to the terminal device. This shortens the delay time for waiting for transmission resources for the uplink service data packet and meets the low delay requirement.

[0056] In one possible implementation of any one of the first to third aspects, the method comprises: When the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service do not match, sending second indication information to the network device, the second indication information indicating that the BAT of the data packet of the first uplink service is changed; receiving a request message from a network device, the request message being used to request a BAT corresponding to a first uplink service; and reporting the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device.

[0057] In one implementation of the present application, a specific implementation of BAT reporting is provided. In particular, when the expected arrival time and actual arrival time of a data packet of a first uplink service do not match, the terminal device transmits second indication information to the network device, instructing that the BAT of the data packet of the first uplink service will change. When the terminal device receives a message from the network device requesting reporting of the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service, the terminal device reports the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device. The mismatch between the expected arrival time and actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service may be understood to mean that the expected arrival time and actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service are different. According to the embodiment of the present application, the terminal device transmits second indication information to the network device when the expected arrival time and actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service do not match. In this way, the network device can know whether the arrival time of the uplink service data packet is misaligned and can thereby allocate appropriate transmission resources to the terminal device. This reduces the delay time for uplink service data packets to wait for transmission resources, and meets the low delay requirement.

[0058] In one possible implementation form of any one of the first to third aspects, the expected arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service is determined based on the periodicity of the first uplink service and the reported second BAT, where the second BAT is the BAT reported immediately before the first BAT.

[0059] In one implementation form of the present application, a possible specific implementation form is provided for determining an expected arrival time of a data packet of a first uplink service. In particular, the expected arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service is determined based on the periodicity of the first uplink service and a reported second BAT, where the second BAT is a BAT reported immediately before the first BAT. It can be understood that the expected arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service is the BAT of the data packet of the first uplink service, which is determined based on the BAT previously reported by the terminal device and the periodicity of the first uplink service.

[0060] In one possible implementation form of any one of the first to third aspects, the first information further includes a periodicity of the first uplink service, or the periodicity of the first uplink service is pre-configured.

[0061] In one implementation of the present application, a specific possible implementation of the periodicity of the first uplink service is provided. In particular, the periodicity of the first uplink service may be included in the first information, may be pre-configured, may be provided by an upper layer of the terminal device for the AS stratum, may be configured by a core network element (e.g., AMF) for the terminal device by using a NAS message, or the like. This is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. According to this embodiment of the present application, the periodicity of the first uplink service may be obtained in the above-mentioned manner or a similar manner to determine the expected arrival time of data packets of the first uplink service. In this way, the second indication information is sent to the network device when the actual arrival time and the expected arrival time of data packets of the first uplink service do not match.

[0062] In one possible implementation form of any one of the first to third aspects, the first information further includes a fifth timer, and the method further comprises: starting a fifth timer when the second indication information is transmitted; and sending second indication information to the network device when the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service do not match and the fifth timer expires or is not executed.

[0063] In one implementation of the present application, a possible specific implementation of transmitting second indication information is provided. In particular, the first information further includes a fifth timer (prohibit timer), and the terminal device starts the fifth timer when transmitting the second indication information. When the fifth timer expires or is not executed and the expected arrival time and actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service of the terminal device do not match, the terminal device sends second indication information to the network device, indicating that the BAT of the first uplink service will change. In this embodiment of the present application, the time when the terminal device starts the fifth timer may be, in particular, the time when the transmission of the second indication information is triggered, or the time when the terminal device starts the fifth timer in the process of transmitting the second indication information. This is not limited in the embodiment of the present application. In this embodiment of the present application, the fact that the fifth timer is not executed means that the terminal device is prohibited from transmitting the second indication information again after completing the current transmission of the second indication information. According to this embodiment of the present application, the network device can know whether the arrival time of the uplink service data packet is shifted, and can thereby allocate appropriate transmission resources to the terminal device, which shortens the delay time of waiting for the transmission resource by the uplink service data packet and meets the low delay requirement.

[0064] According to a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be performed by a communication device. The communication device can be a device, or a chip (system) or circuit used in the device. This is not limited in the present application. The method includes: Sending first information to a terminal device, the first information being used to request a first burst arrival time BAT corresponding to a first uplink service; and receiving second information from the terminal device, the second information including information regarding the first BAT, the first BAT being determined based on an uplink frame boundary of the terminal device.

[0065] In this embodiment of the present application, a communication method is provided. A network device transmits first information to a terminal device and receives second information from the terminal device. The network device in this specification may alternatively be a processor / chip that can be configured to execute computer-executable instructions. This is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0066] The first information in this embodiment of the present application is used to request a first burst arrival time (BAT) corresponding to the first uplink service. The second information in this embodiment of the present application includes information about the first BAT, and the first BAT is determined based on the uplink frame boundary of the terminal device. The frame boundary of the network device is not aligned with the downlink frame boundary of the terminal device, a downlink transmission delay deviation exists between the frame boundary of the network device and the downlink frame boundary of the terminal device, the uplink frame boundary and the downlink frame boundary of the terminal device are also not aligned with each other, the uplink frame boundary is ahead of the downlink frame boundary by a timing advance (TA) value, and the network device may not be able to track the exact TA value of the terminal device. Therefore, the first BAT determined using the uplink frame boundary of the terminal device as a reference is reported to the network device, so that the network device can immediately recognize the burst arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service of the terminal device even if the network device does not know the exact TA value, and allocate appropriate uplink transmission resources to the terminal device. This reduces the delay time for uplink service data packets to wait for transmission resources, and meets the low delay requirement.

[0067] In this embodiment of the present application, the network device requests the terminal device to report the BAT of the first uplink service, and the terminal device reports the first BAT determined by using the uplink frame boundary as a reference to the network device, so that the network device can immediately recognize the burst arrival time of the data packets of the first uplink service of the terminal device, which shortens the delay time of waiting for transmission resources by the uplink service data packets and meets the low delay requirement.

[0068] According to a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be performed by a communication device. The communication device can be a device, or a chip (system) or circuit used in the device. This is not limited in the present application. The method includes: Sending first information to a terminal device, the first information being used to request a first burst arrival time BAT corresponding to a first uplink service; receiving second information from the terminal device, the second information including information regarding the first BAT, the first BAT being determined based on a downlink frame boundary and a timing advance TA value of the terminal device;

[0069] In this embodiment of the present application, a communication method is provided. A network device transmits first information to a terminal device and receives second information from the terminal device. The network device in this specification may alternatively be a processor / chip that can be configured to execute computer-executable instructions. This is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0070] The first information in this embodiment of the present application is used to request a first BAT corresponding to a first uplink service. The second information in this embodiment of the present application includes information about the first BAT, and the first BAT is determined based on the downlink frame boundary and TA value of the terminal device. The frame boundary of the network device is not aligned with the downlink frame boundary of the terminal device, a downlink transmission delay deviation exists between the frame boundary of the network device and the downlink frame boundary of the terminal device, the uplink frame boundary and the downlink frame boundary of the terminal device are also not aligned with each other, and the uplink frame boundary precedes the downlink frame boundary by the TA value, so the network device may not be able to track the accurate TA value of the terminal device. If the first BAT is determined by using the downlink frame boundary, the network device cannot determine the allocation of uplink transmission resources to the terminal device. Therefore, the first BAT determined by using the downlink frame boundary and TA value of the terminal device as a reference is reported to the network device. In other words, the first BAT in this case is the sum of the actual arrival time of the uplink service data packet and the TA value. The network device can immediately recognize the burst arrival time of the first uplink service data packet of the terminal device and allocate appropriate uplink transmission resources to the terminal device, thereby reducing the delay time waiting for the transmission resources for the uplink service data packet and meeting the low latency requirement.

[0071] In this embodiment of the present application, the network device requests the terminal device to report the BAT of the first uplink service, and the terminal device reports the first BAT determined by using the downlink frame boundary and the TA value as a reference to the network device, so that the network device can immediately recognize the burst arrival time of the data packets of the first uplink service of the terminal device, which shortens the delay time of waiting for transmission resources by the uplink service data packets and meets the low delay requirement.

[0072] According to a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be performed by a communication device. The communication device can be a device, or a chip (system) or circuit used in the device. This is not limited in the present application. The method includes: Sending first information to a terminal device, the first information being used to request a first burst arrival time BAT corresponding to a first uplink service; receiving second information from the terminal device, the second information including information regarding the first BAT, the first BAT being determined based on a downlink frame boundary of the terminal device; Optionally, receiving third information from the terminal device, where the third information includes a TA value of the terminal device.

[0073] In this embodiment of the present application, a communication method is provided. A network device transmits first information to a terminal device, and receives second information and optional third information from the terminal device. The network device in this specification may alternatively be a processor / chip that can be configured to execute computer-executable instructions. This is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0074] The first information in this embodiment of the present application is used to request a first BAT corresponding to a first uplink service. The second information in this embodiment of the present application includes information about the first BAT, and the first BAT is determined based on a downlink frame boundary of the terminal device. The third information in this embodiment of the present application includes a TA value of the terminal device. The frame boundary of the network device is not aligned with the downlink frame boundary of the terminal device, a downlink transmission delay deviation exists between the frame boundary of the network device and the downlink frame boundary of the terminal device, the uplink frame boundary and the downlink frame boundary of the terminal device are also not aligned with each other, and the uplink frame boundary precedes the downlink frame boundary by the TA value, so the network device may not be able to track the accurate TA value of the terminal device. If the first BAT is determined by using the downlink frame boundary, the network device cannot determine the allocation of uplink transmission resources to the terminal device. Therefore, the first BAT determined by using the downlink frame boundary of the terminal device as a reference is reported to the network device, and the TA value of the terminal device is reported to the network device. The network device can immediately recognize the burst arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service of the terminal device, i.e., the sum of the first BAT and the TA value, and allocate appropriate uplink transmission resources to the terminal device, which shortens the delay time of waiting for the transmission resources for the uplink service data packet and meets the low delay requirement.

[0075] In this embodiment of the present application, the second information and the third information may be carried in different fields of the same packet, or may be carried in different packets, which is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0076] In this embodiment of the present application, the network device requests the terminal device to report the BAT of the first uplink service, and the terminal device reports the first BAT determined by using the downlink frame boundary as a reference to the network device, and reports the TA value of the terminal device to the network device, so that the network device can immediately recognize the burst arrival time of the data packets of the first uplink service of the terminal device, which shortens the delay time of waiting for transmission resources by the uplink service data packets and meets the low delay requirement.

[0077] In one possible implementation form of any one of the first to third aspects, the network device includes a central unit CU and a distributed unit DU, and the method comprises: The central unit CU receives the first BAT and indicates the first BAT to the distributed units DU; The DU determines a BAT offset based on the first BAT and sends the BAT offset to the central unit, where the BAT offset is an adjustment amount of the BAT of the UE's uplink service, and further includes indicating the adjustment amount expected by the distributed unit DU.

[0078] Optionally, the method further comprises: The central unit CU further indicates at least one of a service identifier, a service periodicity, and a BAT adaptation to the distributed unit DU, and the BAT adaptation further includes indicating that the distributed unit DU may feed back a BAT offset to the central unit CU.

[0079] In one possible implementation form of any one of the first to third aspects, the network device includes a central unit CU and a distributed unit DU, and the method comprises: The distributed unit DU receives the first BAT and determines a BAT offset according to the first BAT, where the BAT offset is an adjustment amount of the BAT of the UE's uplink service, and indicates an adjustment amount expected by the distributed unit DU; The distributed unit DU further includes indicating the BAT offset to the central unit CU.

[0080] Optionally, the method further comprises: The distributed unit DU further indicates at least one of a service identifier and a service periodicity to the central unit CU.

[0081] In one possible implementation form of any one of the first to third aspects, the first BAT is represented by at least one of a system frame number, a slot index, and a symbol index.

[0082] In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the first information further indicates that the first BAT is determined based on an uplink frame boundary of the terminal device.

[0083] In a possible implementation form of the second aspect, the first information further indicates that the first BAT is determined based on a downlink frame boundary and a timing advance TA value of the terminal device.

[0084] In a possible implementation form of the third aspect, the first information further indicates that the first BAT is determined based on a downlink frame boundary of the terminal device.

[0085] In one possible implementation form of any one of the first to third aspects, the first information includes an identification information of a first uplink service, and the identification information of the first uplink service is: At least one of a data radio bearer identifier to which the first uplink service belongs, a logical channel identifier to which the first uplink service belongs, and a quality of service flow identifier to which the first uplink service belongs.

[0086] Optionally, the first information further includes information regarding a periodicity of the first uplink service.

[0087] In one possible implementation form of any one of the first to third aspects, the second information includes identification information of the first uplink service, and the identification information of the first uplink service is: At least one of a data radio bearer identifier to which the first uplink service belongs, a logical channel identifier to which the first uplink service belongs, and a quality of service flow identifier to which the first uplink service belongs.

[0088] In one possible implementation form of any one of the aspects from the first aspect to the third aspect, the first information further includes a first timer, and the first timer is used by the terminal device to report the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service when the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service changes and the first timer expires or is not executed.

[0089] In one possible implementation form of any one of the first to third aspects, the first information further includes a second timer, and the second timer is used by the terminal device to report a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service when the second timer expires.

[0090] In one possible implementation form of any one of the first to third aspects, the first information further includes a first threshold value, and the first threshold value is used by the terminal device to report a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service when a deviation between an expected arrival time and an actual arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service exceeds the first threshold value.

[0091] In one possible implementation form of any one of the first to third aspects, the first threshold is a time value or a time range.

[0092] In one possible implementation form of any one of the first to third aspects, the expected arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service is determined based on the periodicity of the first uplink service and the reported second BAT, where the second BAT is the BAT reported immediately before the first BAT.

[0093] In one possible implementation form of any one of the first to third aspects, the first information further includes a periodicity of the first uplink service, or the periodicity of the first uplink service is pre-configured.

[0094] In one possible implementation form of any one of the first to third aspects, the first information further includes a third timer, and the third timer is used by the terminal device to report a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service when a deviation between an expected arrival time and an actual arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service exceeds a first threshold and the third timer expires or is not executed.

[0095] In one possible implementation form of any one of the first to third aspects, the first information further includes a second threshold value, and the method further comprises: receiving first indication information from the terminal device, the first indication information indicating that a deviation between an expected arrival time and an actual arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service exceeds a second threshold; Sending a request message to a terminal device, where the request message is used to request a BAT corresponding to a first uplink service; The method further includes receiving a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service from the terminal device.

[0096] In one possible implementation form of any one of the first to third aspects, the second threshold is a time value or a time range.

[0097] In one possible implementation form of any one of the first to third aspects, the expected arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service is determined based on the periodicity of the first uplink service and the reported second BAT, where the second BAT is the BAT reported immediately before the first BAT.

[0098] In one possible implementation form of any one of the first to third aspects, the first information further includes a periodicity of the first uplink service, or the periodicity of the first uplink service is pre-configured.

[0099] In one possible implementation form of any one of the first to third aspects, the first information further includes a fourth timer, and the fourth timer is used by the terminal device to send the first indication information when a deviation between the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service exceeds a second threshold and the fourth timer expires or is not executed.

[0100] In one possible implementation of any one of the first to third aspects, the method comprises: receiving second indication information from the terminal device, the second indication information indicating that a BAT of data packets of the first uplink service is to be changed; Sending a request message to a terminal device, where the request message is used to request a BAT corresponding to a first uplink service; The method further includes receiving a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service from the terminal device.

[0101] In one possible implementation form of any one of the first to third aspects, the expected arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service is determined based on the periodicity of the first uplink service and the reported second BAT, where the second BAT is the BAT reported immediately before the first BAT.

[0102] In one possible implementation form of any one of the first to third aspects, the first information further includes a periodicity of the first uplink service, or the periodicity of the first uplink service is pre-configured.

[0103] In one possible implementation form of any one of the first to third aspects, the first information further includes a fifth timer, which is used by the terminal device to send second indication information when the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service do not match and the fifth timer expires or is not executed.

[0104] For the technical effects provided by any one of the fourth to sixth aspects and possible implementation forms, please refer to the description of the technical effects of any one of the first to third aspects and corresponding implementation forms.

[0105] According to a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, the device including a module or unit configured to perform a method according to any one of the first to third aspects.

[0106] In possible design 1, the device comprises: a communication unit configured to receive first information from a network device, the first information being used to request a first burst arrival time BAT corresponding to a first uplink service; The communication unit is further configured to send second information to the network device, where the second information includes information regarding the first BAT, and the first BAT is determined based on an uplink frame boundary of the terminal device.

[0107] In possible design 2, the device comprises: a communication unit configured to receive first information from a network device, the first information being used to request a first burst arrival time BAT corresponding to a first uplink service; The communication unit is further configured to transmit second information to the network device, the second information including information regarding the first BAT, the first BAT being determined based on a downlink frame boundary and a timing advance TA value of the terminal device.

[0108] In possible design 3, the device a communication unit configured to receive first information from a network device, the first information being used to request a first burst arrival time BAT corresponding to a first uplink service; The communication unit is further configured to send second information to the network device, the second information including information regarding the first BAT, the first BAT being determined based on a downlink frame boundary of the terminal device; The communication unit is further configured to send third information to the network device, where the third information includes a TA value of the terminal device.

[0109] In one possible implementation of any one of the preceding designs, an apparatus comprises: The device further includes a processing unit configured to determine the first BAT.

[0110] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first BAT is represented by at least one of a system frame number, a slot index, and a symbol index.

[0111] In one possible implementation of the preceding Design 1, the first information further indicates that the first BAT is determined based on an uplink frame boundary of the terminal device.

[0112] In one possible implementation of the above Design 2, the first information further indicates that the first BAT is determined based on a downlink frame boundary and a timing advance TA value of the terminal device.

[0113] In one possible implementation of Design 3 above, the first information further indicates that the first BAT is determined based on a downlink frame boundary of the terminal device.

[0114] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first information includes an identification of the first uplink service, and the identification of the first uplink service is: At least one of a data radio bearer identifier to which the first uplink service belongs, a logical channel identifier to which the first uplink service belongs, and a quality of service flow identifier to which the first uplink service belongs.

[0115] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the second information further includes identification information of the first uplink service, and the identification information of the first uplink service is: At least one of a data radio bearer identifier to which the first uplink service belongs, a logical channel identifier to which the first uplink service belongs, and a quality of service flow identifier to which the first uplink service belongs.

[0116] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first information further includes a first timer; The processing unit is further configured to start a first timer when the second information is transmitted; The communication unit is further configured to report the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device when the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service changes and the first timer expires or is not executed.

[0117] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first information further includes a second timer; The processing unit is further configured to start a second timer when the second information is transmitted; The communication unit is further configured to report the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device when the second timer expires.

[0118] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first information further includes a first threshold value; The communication unit is further configured to report the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device when a deviation between the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service exceeds a first threshold.

[0119] In one possible implementation of any one of the above designs, the first threshold is a time value or a time range.

[0120] In one possible implementation of any one of the above designs, the expected arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service is determined based on the periodicity of the first uplink service and the reported second BAT, where the second BAT is the BAT reported immediately before the first BAT.

[0121] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first information further includes a periodicity of the first uplink service, or the periodicity of the first uplink service is pre-configured.

[0122] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first information further includes a third timer; The processing unit is further configured to start a third timer when the second information is transmitted; The communication unit is further configured to report the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device when a deviation between the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service exceeds a first threshold and the third timer expires or is not executed.

[0123] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first information further includes a second threshold value; The communication unit is further configured to send first indication information to the network device when a deviation between an expected arrival time and an actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service exceeds a second threshold, the first indication information indicating that a deviation between an expected arrival time and an actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service exceeds the second threshold; The communication unit is further configured to receive a request message from the network device, where the request message is used to request a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service; The communication unit is further configured to report a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device.

[0124] In one possible implementation of any one of the above designs, the second threshold is a time value or a time range.

[0125] In one possible implementation of any one of the above designs, the expected arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service is determined based on the periodicity of the first uplink service and the reported second BAT, where the second BAT is the BAT reported immediately before the first BAT.

[0126] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first information further includes a periodicity of the first uplink service, or the periodicity of the first uplink service is pre-configured.

[0127] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first information further includes a fourth timer; The processing unit is further configured to start a fourth timer when the first indication information is transmitted; The communication unit is further configured to send first indication information to the network device when a deviation between the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service exceeds a second threshold and the fourth timer expires or is not executed.

[0128] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the communication unit is further configured to: send second indication information to the network device when the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service do not match, the second indication information indicating that a BAT of the data packet of the first uplink service will change; The communication unit is further configured to receive a request message from the network device, where the request message is used to request a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service; The communication unit is further configured to report a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device.

[0129] In one possible implementation of any one of the above designs, the expected arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service is determined based on the periodicity of the first uplink service and the reported second BAT, where the second BAT is the BAT reported immediately before the first BAT.

[0130] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first information further includes a periodicity of the first uplink service, or the periodicity of the first uplink service is pre-configured.

[0131] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first information further includes a fifth timer; The processing unit is further configured to start a fifth timer when the second indication information is transmitted; The communication unit is further configured to send second indication information to the network device when the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service do not match and the fifth timer expires or is not executed.

[0132] In one implementation, the communication apparatus is a communication device. When the communication apparatus is a communication device, the communication unit may be a transceiver or an input / output interface, and the processing unit may be at least one processor. Optionally, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface may be an input / output circuit.

[0133] In another implementation, the communication device is a chip (system) or circuit used in a communication device. When the communication device is a chip (system) or circuit used in a communication device, the communication unit may be a communication interface (input / output interface), interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, associated circuit, or the like of the chip (system) or circuit, and the processing unit may be at least one processor, processing circuit, logic circuit, or the like.

[0134] For the technical effects provided by the seventh aspect and any one of the possible implementation forms, please refer to the description of the technical effects of any one of the first to third aspects and corresponding implementation forms.

[0135] According to an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, the device including a module or unit configured to perform a method according to any one of the fourth to sixth aspects.

[0136] In possible design 1, the device comprises: a communication unit configured to transmit first information to a terminal device, the first information being used to request a first burst arrival time BAT corresponding to a first uplink service; The communication unit is further configured to receive second information from the terminal device, where the second information includes information regarding the first BAT, and the first BAT is determined based on an uplink frame boundary of the terminal device.

[0137] In possible design 2, the device comprises: a communication unit configured to transmit first information to a terminal device, the first information being used to request a first burst arrival time BAT corresponding to a first uplink service; The communication unit is further configured to receive second information from the terminal device, the second information including information regarding the first BAT, the first BAT being determined based on a downlink frame boundary and a timing advance TA value of the terminal device.

[0138] In possible design 3, the device a communication unit configured to transmit first information to a terminal device, the first information being used to request a first burst arrival time BAT corresponding to a first uplink service; The communication unit is further configured to receive second information from the terminal device, the second information including information regarding the first BAT, the first BAT being determined based on a downlink frame boundary of the terminal device; The communication unit is further configured to receive third information from the terminal device, where the third information includes a TA value of the terminal device.

[0139] In one possible implementation of any one of the preceding designs, an apparatus comprises: The device further includes a processing unit configured to determine the first information.

[0140] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first BAT is represented by at least one of a system frame number, a slot index, and a symbol index.

[0141] In one possible implementation of the preceding Design 1, the first information further indicates that the first BAT is determined based on an uplink frame boundary of the terminal device.

[0142] In one possible implementation of the above Design 2, the first information further indicates that the first BAT is determined based on a downlink frame boundary and a timing advance TA value of the terminal device.

[0143] In one possible implementation of Design 3 above, the first information further indicates that the first BAT is determined based on a downlink frame boundary of the terminal device.

[0144] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first information includes an identification of the first uplink service, and the identification of the first uplink service is: At least one of a data radio bearer identifier to which the first uplink service belongs, a logical channel identifier to which the first uplink service belongs, and a quality of service flow identifier to which the first uplink service belongs.

[0145] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the second information further includes identification information of the first uplink service, and the identification information of the first uplink service is: At least one of a data radio bearer identifier to which the first uplink service belongs, a logical channel identifier to which the first uplink service belongs, and a quality of service flow identifier to which the first uplink service belongs.

[0146] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first information further includes a first timer, which is used by the terminal device to report the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service when the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service changes and the first timer expires or is not executed.

[0147] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first information further includes a second timer, which is used by the terminal device to report a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service when the second timer expires.

[0148] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first information further includes a first threshold value, which is used by the terminal device to report a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service when a deviation between an expected arrival time and an actual arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service exceeds the first threshold value.

[0149] In one possible implementation of any one of the above designs, the first threshold is a time value or a time range.

[0150] In one possible implementation of any one of the above designs, the expected arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service is determined based on the periodicity of the first uplink service and the reported second BAT, where the second BAT is the BAT reported immediately before the first BAT.

[0151] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first information further includes a periodicity of the first uplink service, or the periodicity of the first uplink service is pre-configured.

[0152] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first information further includes a third timer, wherein the third timer is used by the terminal device to report a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service when a deviation between an expected arrival time and an actual arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service exceeds a first threshold and the third timer expires or does not run.

[0153] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first information further includes a second threshold value; The communication unit is further configured to receive first indication information from the terminal device, the first indication information indicating that a deviation between an expected arrival time and an actual arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service exceeds a second threshold; The communication unit is further configured to send a request message to the terminal device, where the request message is used to request a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service; The communication unit is further configured to receive, from the terminal device, a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service.

[0154] In one possible implementation of any one of the above designs, the second threshold is a time value or a time range.

[0155] In one possible implementation of any one of the above designs, the expected arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service is determined based on the periodicity of the first uplink service and the reported second BAT, where the second BAT is the BAT reported immediately before the first BAT.

[0156] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first information further includes a periodicity of the first uplink service, or the periodicity of the first uplink service is pre-configured.

[0157] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first information further includes a fourth timer, which is used by the terminal device to send the first indication information when a deviation between an expected arrival time and an actual arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service exceeds a second threshold and the fourth timer expires or is not executed.

[0158] In one possible implementation of any one of the preceding designs, the communication unit is further configured to receive second instruction information from the terminal device, the second instruction information indicating that a BAT of data packets of the first uplink service is changed; and The communication unit is further configured to send a request message to the terminal device, where the request message is used to request a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service; The communication unit is further configured to receive, from the terminal device, a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service.

[0159] In one possible implementation of any one of the above designs, the expected arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service is determined based on the periodicity of the first uplink service and the reported second BAT, where the second BAT is the BAT reported immediately before the first BAT.

[0160] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first information further includes a periodicity of the first uplink service, or the periodicity of the first uplink service is pre-configured.

[0161] In one possible implementation of any one of the above designs, the first information further includes a fifth timer, which is used by the terminal device to send the second indication information when the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service do not match and the fifth timer expires or is not executed.

[0162] In one implementation, the communication apparatus is a communication device. When the communication apparatus is a communication device, the communication unit may be a transceiver or an input / output interface, and the processing unit may be at least one processor. Optionally, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface may be an input / output circuit.

[0163] In another implementation, the communication device is a chip (system) or circuit used in a communication device. When the communication device is a chip (system) or circuit used in a communication device, the communication unit may be a communication interface (input / output interface), interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, associated circuit, or the like of the chip (system) or circuit, and the processing unit may be at least one processor, processing circuit, logic circuit, or the like.

[0164] For the technical effects provided by the eighth aspect and any one of the possible implementation forms, please refer to the description of the technical effects of any one of the fourth to sixth aspects and corresponding implementation forms.

[0165] According to a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The communication device includes a processor. The processor may be coupled to a memory and configured to execute instructions in the memory to perform a method according to any one of the aspects and possible implementations from the first aspect to the sixth aspect. Optionally, the communication device further includes the memory. Optionally, the communication device further includes a communication interface, and the processor is coupled to the communication interface.

[0166] According to a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, comprising: a logic circuit and a communication interface. The communication interface is configured to receive or transmit information. The logic circuit is configured to receive or transmit information through the communication interface, thereby causing the communication device to perform a method according to any one of the aspects and possible implementations of the first to sixth aspects.

[0167] According to an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium is configured to store a computer program (which may also be referred to as code or instructions). When the computer program is executed on a computer, a method according to any one of the first to sixth aspects and possible implementations is implemented.

[0168] According to a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program (which may also be referred to as code or instructions), which, when executed, enables a computer to perform a method according to any one of the aspects and possible implementations of the first to sixth aspects.

[0169] According to a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip. The chip includes a processor. The processor is configured to execute instructions. When the processor executes the instructions, the chip is enabled to perform a method according to any one of the aspects and possible implementations of the first to sixth aspects. Optionally, the chip further includes a communication interface, the communication interface configured to receive or transmit a signal.

[0170] According to a fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, the communication system including at least one of a communication device according to the seventh aspect, a communication device according to the eighth aspect, a communication device according to the ninth aspect, a communication device according to the tenth aspect, or a chip according to the thirteenth aspect.

[0171] According to a fifteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, the communication system including a network device and a terminal device, the terminal device configured to perform a method according to any one of the aspects and possible implementations of the first to third aspects, and the network device configured to perform a method according to any one of the aspects and possible implementations of the fourth to sixth aspects.

[0172] In addition, in the process of performing the method according to any one of the aspects and possible implementations from the first aspect to the sixth aspect, a process related to transmitting information and / or receiving information or the like in this method can be understood as a process of outputting information by a processor and / or a process of receiving input information by a processor. When outputting information, the processor may output the information to a transceiver (or a communication interface or transmission module), so that the transceiver transmits the information. After the information is output by the processor, other processing may further be required to be performed on the information, and then the processed information arrives at the transceiver. Similarly, when the processor receives input information, the transceiver (or a communication interface or transmission module) receives the information and inputs the information to the processor. Furthermore, after the transceiver receives the information, other processing may further be required to be performed on the information, and then the processed information is input to the processor.

[0173] According to the above principles, for example, transmitting information referred to in the above methods may be understood as outputting information by a processor, and as another example, receiving information may be understood as receiving input information by a processor.

[0174] Optionally, transmit, send, receive, and other operations associated with a processor may be understood more generally as output, receive, input, and other operations performed by the processor unless otherwise specified or unless the operations are inconsistent with the actual functionality or internal logic of the operations in the associated description.

[0175] Optionally, in the process of performing the method according to any one of the aspects and possible implementations from the first aspect to the sixth aspect, the processor may be a processor specifically configured to perform the method, or may be a processor that performs the method by executing computer instructions in a memory, such as a general-purpose processor. The memory may be a non-transitory memory, such as a read-only memory (ROM). The memory and the processor may be integrated on the same chip or may be arranged on different chips. The type of memory and the manner in which the memory and the processor are arranged are not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0176] In one possible implementation, at least one memory is located outside the device.

[0177] In another possible implementation, the at least one memory is located within the device.

[0178] In yet another possible implementation, a portion of at least one memory is located within the device and another memory is located outside the device.

[0179] In the present application, the processor and memory may alternatively be integrated into one device. In other words, the processor and memory may alternatively be integrated together.

[0180] In an embodiment of the present application, the first BAT determined by using the uplink frame boundary of the terminal device as a reference is reported to the network device, so that the network device can immediately recognize the burst arrival time of the data packets of the first uplink service of the terminal device, which shortens the delay time of waiting for transmission resources for the uplink service data packets and meets the low delay requirement.

[0181] In order to more clearly describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments of the present application will now be briefly described. The accompanying drawings described below merely illustrate some embodiments of the present application, and it is obvious that those skilled in the art can derive other drawings from these accompanying drawings without expending creative efforts. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0182] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 2A] 1 is a schematic flow chart for determining a BAT offset according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 2B] 1 is a schematic flow chart for determining a BAT offset according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 2C] 1 is a schematic flow chart for determining a BAT offset according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram of changes in BAT according to one embodiment of the present application. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 5A] 2 is a diagram of the arrival instant of an uplink service data packet according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 5B] 1 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a diagram of conditions that trigger BAT reporting according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 10] 1 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 11] 1 is a diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 12] 1 is a diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 13] 1 is a diagram of a chip structure according to an embodiment of the present application; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0183] To make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the following describes the embodiments of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0184] In the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application, "first," "second," and the like are intended to distinguish different objects but do not dictate a particular order. In addition, "comprises," "comprising," "having," and any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product, device, or the like that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally further include unlisted steps, units, or the like, or may optionally further include other steps or units inherent to the process, method, product, device, or the like.

[0185] The term "embodiment" referred to in this specification means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described with reference to the embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. Phrases appearing in various places in this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor are they exclusive independent or optional embodiments of other embodiments. Those skilled in the art can explicitly or implicitly understand that, in the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified or there is a logical contradiction, the terms and / or descriptions in the embodiments are consistent and may be cross-referenced, and that technical features in different embodiments can be combined into a new embodiment based on the internal logical relationships between the technical features.

[0186] It should be understood that, in this application, "at least one item (fragment)" means one or more, "multiple" means two or more, "at least two items (fragments)" means two, three, or more, and "and / or" describes an associative relationship for describing related objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, "A and / or B" may refer to three cases: only A is present, only B is present, and both A and B are present. A and B may each be singular or plural. The character " / " generally represents an "or" relationship between associated objects. "At least one of the following items (fragments)" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of singular items (fragments) or multiple items (fragments). For example, at least one item (fragment) of a, b, or c may represent a; b; c; a and b; a and c; b and c; or a, b, and c, where a, b, and c may each be singular or plural.

[0187] It should be noted that in this application, "instructions" may include direct instructions, indirect instructions, explicit instructions, and implicit instructions. A piece of instruction information used to indicate A may be understood as follows: the instruction information conveys A, directly indicates A, or indirectly indicates A.

[0188] In this application, information indicated by the indication information is referred to as information to be indicated. In a specific implementation process, there are many ways to indicate the information to be indicated. For example, these ways include, but are not limited to, a way in which the information to be indicated, for example, the information to be indicated or an index of the information to be indicated, can be directly indicated. Alternatively, the information to be indicated can be indirectly indicated by indicating other information, and there is an association relationship between the other information and the information to be indicated. Alternatively, only a part of the information to be indicated can be indicated, and other parts of the information to be indicated can be known or pre-agreed upon. For example, specific information can be indicated by using a pre-agreed (e.g., specified in a protocol) sorting order of various information, thereby reducing the indication overhead to some extent. The information to be indicated can be transmitted collectively or separately in the form of multiple partial information fragments. The transmission periods and / or transmission opportunities of these partial information fragments can be the same or different. The specific transmission method is not limited in this application. The transmission period and / or transmission opportunities of these pieces of partial information fragments may be predefined, for example, predefined according to a protocol, or may be configured by the transmitting end device by sending configuration information to the receiving device.

[0189] It should be noted that in this application, "transmitting" can be understood as "outputting," and "receiving" can be understood as "inputting." In "transmitting information to A," "to A" indicates only the direction of information transmission, with A being the destination, and "transmitting information to A" is not limited to direct transmission over the air interface. "Transmitting information to A" includes sending information directly to A or indirectly sending information to A through a transmitter. Therefore, "transmitting information to A" can also be understood as "outputting information addressed to A." Similarly, "receiving information from A" indicates that the source of the information is A and includes receiving information directly from A or indirectly receiving information from A through a receiver. Therefore, "receiving information from A" can also be understood as "inputting information from A."

[0190] The methods provided in this application may be applied to various communication systems, such as internet of things (IoT) systems, narrowband internet of things (NB-IoT) systems, long term evolution (LTE) systems, fifth generation (5G) communication systems, and new communication systems emerging in future communication developments (e.g., 6G).

[0191] The technical solutions provided in this application may also be applied to machine-type communication (MTC), long-term evolution-machine (LTE-M), device-to-device (D2D) networks, machine-to-machine (M2M) networks, internet of things (IoT) networks, or other networks. IoT networks may include, for example, internet of things (IoT). The communication modes in internet of things (IoT) systems are collectively called vehicle-to-everything (V2X, where X can represent anything). For example, V2X may include vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication, vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) communication, vehicle-to-network (V2N) communication, or the like. For example, in FIG. 1 shown below, terminal devices may communicate with each other by using D2D technology, M2M technology, V2X technology, or the like.

[0192] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a communication system according to one embodiment of the present application.

[0193] As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system may include at least one access network device and at least one terminal device.

[0194] The access network device and the terminal device are described separately below.

[0195] For example, the access network device may be a next generation NodeB (gNB), a next generation evolved NodeB (ng-eNB), an access network device in future 6G communications, or the like. The access network device may be any device having wireless receiving and transmitting capabilities, including but not limited to the base stations described above. The base station may alternatively be a base station in future communications systems such as sixth-generation communications systems. Optionally, the access network device may be an access node, a wireless relay node, a wireless backhaul node, or the like in a wireless local area network (wireless fidelity, Wi-Fi) system. Optionally, the access network device may be a radio controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. Optionally, the access network device may be a wearable device, an in-vehicle device, or the like. Optionally, the access network device may be a wearable device, an in-vehicle device, etc. Optionally, the access network device may be a small cell, a transmission reception point (TRP) (or may be referred to as a transmission point), or the like. It may be understood that the access network device may alternatively be a base station or the like in a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN).

[0196] In some deployments, a base station (e.g., a gNB) may include a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). Specifically, the functions of the base station within the access network are divided, with some functions of the base station deployed on one CU and the remaining functions deployed on multiple DUs. In addition, multiple DUs share one CU. This can reduce costs and facilitate network expansion. In some other deployments of base stations, the CU may be further divided into a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), and the like. In still other deployments of base stations, the base station may alternatively be a radio unit (RU) or the like. In still other deployments of base stations, the base station may alternatively be an open radio access network (ORAN) architecture or the like. The specific type of base station is not limited in this application. For example, when the base station is a base station of an ORAN architecture, the base station shown in the embodiments of the present application may be an access network device in the ORAN, a module in the access network device, or the like. In the ORAN system, the CU may also be referred to as an open (O)-CU, the DU may also be referred to as an O-DU, the CU-DU may also be referred to as an O-CU-DU, the CU-UP may also be referred to as an O-CU-UP, and the RU may also be referred to as an O-RU.

[0197] For ease of explanation, the following describes the method in this application by using an example in which the access network device is a base station.

[0198] For example, a terminal device may be referred to as user equipment (UE), a terminal, or similar equipment. The terminal device is a device having wireless receiving and transmitting capabilities, and may be deployed on land, including an indoor or outdoor device, a handheld device, a wearable device, or an in-vehicle device, on water (e.g., on a ship), or in the air (e.g., on an airplane, a balloon, or a satellite). The terminal device may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer (Pad), a computer having wireless receiving and transmitting capabilities, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home, or the like. It may be understood that the terminal device may alternatively be a terminal device in a future 6G network, a terminal device in a future evolved PLMN, or the like.

[0199] It may be understood that the terminal device described in this application may include a vehicle (e.g., the entire vehicle) in the Internet of Vehicles, and may also include an in-vehicle device, an in-vehicle terminal, or the like in the Internet of Vehicles. The specific form of the terminal device used in the Internet of Vehicles is not limited in this application.

[0200] For ease of explanation, the following describes the method in this application by using an example in which the terminal device is a UE.

[0201] As shown in Figure 1, the communication system may further include at least one core network device, which is described below.

[0202] For example, a core network device includes user access control, mobility management, session management, user security authentication, charging, and other services. A core network device includes multiple functional units and can be divided into control plane functional entities and data plane functional entities. The access and mobility management function (AMF) is responsible for user access management, security authentication, and mobility management. The location management function (LMF) unit is responsible for managing and controlling location service requests of target terminals and processing location-related information. The user plane function (UPF) unit is responsible for managing user plane data transmission, traffic statistics collection, and the like.

[0203] The communication system shown in FIG. 1 includes one core network device, two base stations, and eight UEs, for example, the core network device, base station 1, base station 2, and UE1 to UE8 shown in FIG. 1. In the communication system, base station 1 may transmit downlink signals, such as configuration information or downlink control information (DCI), to UE1 to UE6, and UE1 to UE6 may transmit uplink signals, such as SRS or a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), to base station 1. Base station 1 may also transmit downlink signals to UE7 and UE8 via base station 2, and UE7 and UE8 may transmit uplink signals to base station 1 via base station 2. Base station 2 may transmit downlink signals, such as configuration information or DCI, to UE7 and UE8, and UE7 and UE8 may transmit uplink signals, such as SRS or a PUSCH, to base station 2. It may be understood that the communication modes between UEs can be understood by referring to the previous description. Details will not be described again here.

[0204] It should be understood that Figure 1 illustrates an example of one core network device, two base stations, eight UEs, and communication links between the communication devices. Optionally, the communication system may include multiple base stations, and a different number of UEs, for example, more or fewer UEs, may be included in the coverage area of ​​each base station. This is not a limitation in the present application.

[0205] Multiple antennas may be configured for the aforementioned communication devices, such as the core network device, base station 1, base station 2, and UE1 to UE8 in FIG. 1 . The multiple antennas may include at least one transmitting antenna for transmitting signals, at least one receiving antenna for receiving signals, and the like. The specific structure of each communication device is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. Optionally, the communication system may further include other network entities, such as a network controller and a mobility management entity. This is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0206] It can be understood that the diagram of the communication system shown in Figure 1 is merely an example. For diagrams of other types of communication systems, please refer to the relevant standards, protocols, or the like. Details will not be described here.

[0207] The embodiments shown below can be applied to the communication system shown in Figure 1 or to other forms of communication systems, which will not be described again below.

[0208] The present application provides a communication method applied in the field of communication technology, for example, ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC). In order to explain the solution of the present application more clearly, first some knowledge related to URLLC services will be explained.

[0209] URLLC, or ultra-reliable and low-latency communication, is one of the three application scenarios of 5G, and has high reliability, low latency, extremely high availability, and other new features. It is widely recognized in the industry that 5G URLLC can be applied to scenarios such as industrial control, factory automation, smart grids, smart devices, vehicle internet communication, and remote surgery.

[0210] URLLC services have quality-of-service (QoS) requirements for high reliability and low latency. For example, the data transmission delay of URLLC services must meet a packet delay budget (PDB) requirement of 2 ms or less. For a base station, if the data packets of URLLC services of most user equipments (UEs) served by the base station all arrive at the air interface side of the base station within a short time, it is difficult for the base station scheduler to allocate appropriate transmission resources to these data packets and successfully transmit all these data packets within the required PDB.

[0211] Currently, the time at which URLLC service data packets are generated can be adjusted so that the arrival times of data packets of different UEs at the air interface side of the base station are staggered, so that the base station scheduler can better allocate transmission resources for these data packets and meet the low latency requirements of more UEs.

[0212] For details, please refer to Figure 2A, which is a schematic flow chart of determining a BAT offset according to one embodiment of the present application.

[0213] As shown in FIG. 2A, before the transmission of the UE's URLLC service flow begins, an application function (AF) indicates information regarding the time at which the URLLC service will arrive in the 5G system (5G system) to a core network element, i.e., a session management function (SMF). The time information includes, but is not limited to, information such as the BAT, BAT window, and periodicity. After converting the time information into 5GS time, the SMF may further indicate the 5GS time to the base station. The BAT indicated to the base station by the SMF indicates the time at which the URLLC service will arrive at the radio access network (RAN). The base station (gNB) determines whether the BAT of the UE's URLLC service is appropriate based on the above information corresponding to the UE's URLLC service. If the BAT is inappropriate, an appropriate BAT offset (BAT offset) is determined within the BAT window and fed back to the AF via the SMF. Furthermore, the AF allows the URLLC application to correspondingly adjust the time at which the URLLC service is generated, so that the time at which URLLC service data packets of different UEs arrive at the air interface side of the base station can be staggered, so that the base station scheduler can better allocate transmission resources for these data packets and meet the low latency requirements of more UEs.

[0214] It should be understood that the above-described method of determining a BAT offset to adjust the time at which a data packet is generated by a URLLC application is applicable to both uplink and downlink services.

[0215] FIG. 2B is a schematic flow chart of determining a BAT offset according to one embodiment of the present application.

[0216] As shown in FIG. 2B, the AF indicates the periodicity and BAT adjustable indication of the UE's URLLC service to the base station through the SMF. After the UE's URLLC service starts transmitting, if the RAN side finds that the air interface scheduling cannot meet the low latency requirement of the URLLC service, the RAN side may calculate an appropriate BAT offset and feed the BAT offset back to the AF through the SMF. Furthermore, the AF causes the URLLC application to correspondingly adjust the time at which the URLLC service is generated, so that the arrival times of URLLC service data packets of different UEs at the air interface side of the base station can be staggered. In this way, the base station scheduler can better allocate transmission resources for these data packets and meet the low latency requirements of more UEs.

[0217] In particular, for uplink services, the RAN side determines the BAT offset in the following manner.

[0218] After receiving the "BAT adjustable" indication from the SMF, the RAN sends the indication and the BAT offset threshold to the UE by using radio resource control (RRC) signaling. The UE determines the BAT offset value based on the time difference between the actual arrival time of the URLLC uplink service on the air interface side and the uplink grant. If the BAT offset exceeds the configured BAT offset threshold, the UE reports the BAT offset to the RAN. Furthermore, the RAN reports the BAT offset to the AF through the SMF, and the AF causes the URLLC application to correspondingly adjust the time at which the URLLC service is generated, so that the arrival times of URLLC service data packets of different UEs on the air interface side of the base station can be staggered. In this way, the base station scheduler can better allocate transmission resources for these data packets and meet the low latency requirements of more UEs.

[0219] In this scheme, the UE determines the BAT offset based on the actual BAT and uplink transmission resources of the uplink service. However, in practice, the method by which the base station schedules resources is implemented by the base station and is usually very flexible. The UE may not be able to obtain a stable BAT offset. The UE reports an unstable BAT offset. As a result, the application continuously adjusts the BAT, and the base station continuously adjusts the transmission resource allocation. Ultimately, the low latency requirement of the service cannot be met. In addition, in this scheme, the UE reports each BAT offset in a distributed manner and does not synchronize with each other. As a result, after the application performs adjustment based on the BAT offset reported by the UE, the UE's uplink service may not be shifted in time.

[0220] FIG. 2C is a schematic flow chart of determining a BAT offset according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0221] As shown in FIG. 2C , the UE reports the actual BAT of the uplink service to the base station, and the RAN calculates an appropriate BAT offset for the UE's URLLC uplink service based on the air interface resources and the actual BAT reported by the UE. The RAN then reports the BAT offset to the AF through the SMF. In this manner, the base station and the RAN jointly determine the UE's BAT offset, ensuring that the UE's uplink service can be shifted in time after the application performs adjustment based on the corresponding BAT offset. Furthermore, the AF allows the URLLC application to correspondingly adjust the time at which the URLLC service is generated, so that the arrival times of URLLC service data packets of different UEs at the base station's air interface can be shifted. In this way, the base station scheduler can better allocate transmission resources for these data packets and meet the low latency requirements of more UEs.

[0222] The clock used to correspondingly adjust the time at which URLLC services are generated by the URLLC application is not synchronized with the clock used by the 5GS, so that from the 5GS point of view, the arrival period of application data packets is not strictly fixed.

[0223] For details, please refer to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a diagram of changes in BAT according to one embodiment of the present application.

[0224] As shown in Figure 3, there is a small deviation between the service periodicity considered by 5GS and the actual service periodicity. Over time, the deviation may exceed the PDB requirements.

[0225] If the actual BAT of the UE's uplink service changes obviously, but the base station cannot immediately notice the change, the base station may schedule inappropriate uplink transmission resources for the UE, resulting in an excessively long delay time for waiting for transmission resources for data packets of the uplink service, and the low latency requirement of the service cannot be met.

[0226] To solve the technical problem that the low latency requirement of uplink service cannot be met, the embodiment of the present application provides a communication method that enables a base station to quickly recognize the change in BAT of a data packet of an uplink service of a UE, thereby shortening the latency time of waiting for transmission resources for the uplink service data packet and meeting the low latency requirement.

[0227] 4 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application, which is applied to the field of communication technology, for example, URLLC service communication, and includes but is not limited to the following steps:

[0228] S401: A network device transmits first information to a terminal device, and in response, the terminal device receives the first information from the network device.

[0229] S402: The terminal device transmits second information to the network device, and in response, the network device receives the second information from the terminal device.

[0230] It can be understood that the terminal device in this embodiment of the present application may be a device equipped with a processor / chip that can be configured to execute computer-executable instructions, or may be a processor / chip that can be configured to execute computer-executable instructions. This is not limited in the embodiment of the present application. Optionally, the terminal device may be a personal digital assistant (e.g., a mobile phone or a tablet computer), an in-vehicle terminal (e.g., a wireless terminal in autonomous driving), or the like. In particular, the terminal device may be the terminal device in FIG. 1 (including but not limited to any one of UE1 to UE8) and configured to execute the communication method in this embodiment of the present application, thereby reducing the delay time of waiting for transmission resources by uplink service data packets and meeting low-latency requirements.

[0231] It can be understood that the network device in this embodiment of the present application may be a device equipped with a processor / chip that can be configured to execute computer-executable instructions, or may be a processor / chip that can be configured to execute computer-executable instructions. This is not limited in the embodiment of the present application. Optionally, the network device may be an access network device, for example, a base station or a transmission point TRP. In particular, the network device may be the access network device in FIG. 1 (including but not limited to either base station 1 or base station 2), and is configured to participate in performing the communication method in this embodiment of the present application, thereby reducing the delay time of waiting for transmission resources by data packets of uplink services and meeting low latency requirements.

[0232] The first information is used to request a first BAT corresponding to a first uplink service, the second information includes information about the first BAT, and the first BAT may be determined in any one of the following manners:

[0233] Scheme 1: The first BAT is determined based on the uplink frame boundary of the terminal device.

[0234] Because the frame boundary of the gNB is not aligned with the downlink frame boundary of the UE, there is a downlink transmission delay deviation between the frame boundary of the gNB and the downlink frame boundary of the UE. In addition, the uplink frame boundary and the downlink frame boundary of the UE are also not aligned with each other, and the uplink frame boundary is ahead of the downlink frame boundary by the TA value. However, the network device may not be able to track the exact TA value of the terminal device.

[0235] For details, please refer to Figure 5A, which is a diagram of the arrival moment of an uplink service data packet according to one embodiment of the present application.

[0236] 5A, when the downlink frame boundary of the UE is used as a reference, the arrival time of the data packet of the UE's uplink service is located in downlink frame slot 0. Since the uplink frame boundary of the UE is ahead of the downlink frame boundary by the TA value and the data packet of the UE's uplink service is carried in an uplink frame based on the uplink frame boundary of the UE, the actual arrival time of the UE's uplink service is located in uplink frame slot 1. In this embodiment of the present application, the BAT reported by the UE may be represented by slot 1.

[0237] Therefore, the first BAT determined using the uplink frame boundary of the terminal device as a reference is reported to the network device, so that the network device can immediately recognize the burst arrival time of the data packets of the first uplink service of the terminal device even if the network device does not know the exact TA value, and allocate appropriate uplink transmission resources to the terminal device, which shortens the delay time of waiting for transmission resources by the uplink service data packets and meets the low delay requirement.

[0238] In this embodiment of the present application, the network device may request the terminal device to report the BAT of the first uplink service, and the terminal device reports the first BAT determined by using the uplink frame boundary as a reference to the network device, so that the network device can immediately recognize the burst arrival time of the data packets of the first uplink service of the terminal device, which shortens the delay time of waiting for transmission resources by the uplink service data packets and meets the low delay requirement.

[0239] Method 2: The first BAT is determined based on the downlink frame boundary and timing advance TA value of the terminal device.

[0240] Because the frame boundary of the network device is not aligned with the downlink frame boundary of the terminal device, there is a downlink transmission delay deviation between the frame boundary of the network device and the downlink frame boundary of the terminal device. In addition, the uplink frame boundary and the downlink frame boundary of the terminal device are also not aligned with each other, and the uplink frame boundary is ahead of the downlink frame boundary by the TA value. However, the network device may not be able to track the exact TA value of the terminal device. If the first BAT is determined by using the downlink frame boundary, the network device cannot determine the allocation of uplink transmission resources to the terminal device.

[0241] For details, please refer to Figure 5A. The description of Figure 5A is consistent with the description of Scheme 1 above. The details will not be described again here.

[0242] Therefore, the first BAT determined by using the downlink frame boundary and TA value of the terminal device as a reference is reported to the network device. In other words, the first BAT in this case is the sum of the actual arrival time of the uplink service data packet and the TA value. The network device can immediately recognize the burst arrival time of the first uplink service data packet of the terminal device and allocate appropriate uplink transmission resources to the terminal device. This shortens the delay time for waiting for transmission resources for the uplink service data packet and meets the low latency requirement.

[0243] In this embodiment of the present application, the network device may request the terminal device to report the BAT of the first uplink service, and the terminal device reports the first BAT determined by using the downlink frame boundary and the TA value as reference to the network device, so that the network device can immediately recognize the burst arrival time of the data packets of the first uplink service of the terminal device, which shortens the delay time of waiting for transmission resources by the uplink service data packets and meets the low delay requirement.

[0244] Method 3: The first BAT is determined based on the downlink frame boundary of the terminal device.

[0245] Because the frame boundary of the network device is not aligned with the downlink frame boundary of the terminal device, there is a downlink transmission delay deviation between the frame boundary of the network device and the downlink frame boundary of the terminal device. In addition, the uplink frame boundary and the downlink frame boundary of the terminal device are not aligned with each other, and the uplink frame boundary precedes the downlink frame boundary by the TA value. However, the network device may not be able to track the exact TA value of the terminal device. If the first BAT is determined by using the downlink frame boundary, the network device cannot determine the allocation of uplink transmission resources to the terminal device.

[0246] For details, please refer to Figure 5A. The description of Figure 5A is consistent with the description of Scheme 1 above. The details will not be described again here.

[0247] Therefore, the first BAT determined by using the downlink frame boundary of the terminal device as a reference is reported to the network device, and optionally, the TA value of the terminal device is reported to the network device. The network device can immediately recognize the arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service of the terminal device, i.e., the sum of the first BAT and the TA value, and can allocate appropriate uplink transmission resources to the terminal device. This reduces the delay time waiting for transmission resources for the uplink service data packet and meets the low latency requirement. When the network device can track the TA value of the terminal device, the TA value of the terminal device does not need to be reported to the network device.

[0248] For details, please refer to Figure 5B. Figure 5B is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0249] S501: A network device transmits first information to a terminal device, and in response, the terminal device receives the first information from the network device.

[0250] S502: The terminal device transmits second information to the network device, and in response, the network device receives the second information from the terminal device.

[0251] S503: Optionally, the terminal device transmits third information to the network device, and in response, the network device receives the third information from the terminal device.

[0252] It can be understood that the first information in Figure 5B is consistent with the first information in Figure 4 and is used to request a first BAT corresponding to a first uplink service. The second information in Figure 5B includes information about the first BAT, which is determined in the above-mentioned manner 3, i.e., based on the downlink frame boundary of the terminal device. The third information in Figure 5B includes a TA value of the terminal device.

[0253] It can be understood that step S503 may be performed when the network device cannot track the TA value of the terminal device. The network device obtains the TA value of the terminal device by receiving the third information, so that the network device can immediately recognize the arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service of the terminal device (i.e., the sum of the first BAT and the TA value). When the network device can track the TA value of the terminal device, the TA value of the terminal device does not need to be reported to the network device. In other words, step S503 may not be performed (S503 is an optional step).

[0254] Optionally, the second information and the third information may be carried in different fields of the same packet, or may be carried in different packets, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0255] For example, the second information is carried in RRC message 1, and the third information is carried in RRC message 2. Specifically, the UE reports the second information (UL BAT) by using RRC message 1, and after receiving a request message for requesting to report the TA sent from the base station, reports the third information (TA value) by using RRC message 2.

[0256] In this embodiment of the present application, the network device may request the terminal device to report the BAT of the first uplink service, and the terminal device reports the first BAT determined by using the downlink frame boundary as a reference to the network device, and reports the TA value of the terminal device to the network device, so that the network device can immediately recognize the burst arrival time of the data packets of the first uplink service of the terminal device, which shortens the delay time of waiting for transmission resources by the uplink service data packets and meets the low delay requirement.

[0257] In one possible embodiment, the first BAT may be represented by a system frame number (SFN), a slot index, a symbol index, and the like, which respectively indicate the system frame number, slot index, and symbol index in which the arrival instant of the data packet of the first uplink service is located.

[0258] Alternatively, the first BAT may be represented by a communication clock (e.g., 5G time).

[0259] In this case, it can be seen that the following conditions must be met: The clock used by the URLLC application to correspondingly adjust the time at which the URLLC service is generated is kept synchronized with the clock used by the 5GS.

[0260] In one possible embodiment, the first information further indicates a manner in which to determine the first BAT to be reported.

[0261] Case 1: The first information further indicates that the first BAT is determined based on an uplink frame boundary of the terminal device.

[0262] Optionally, when the network device cannot determine the TA value of the terminal device, the network device transmits first information instructing the terminal device to report a first BAT determined based on an uplink frame boundary. In response, the terminal device reports to the network device the first BAT determined by using the uplink frame boundary as a reference. For a specific method for determining the first BAT, please refer to the description of Method 1 above. The details will not be described again here.

[0263] Case 2: The first information further indicates that the first BAT is determined based on a downlink frame boundary and a timing advance TA value of the terminal device.

[0264] Optionally, when the network device cannot determine the TA value of the terminal device, the network device transmits first information instructing the terminal device to report a first BAT determined based on the downlink frame boundary and the TA value. In response, the terminal device reports the first BAT determined by using the downlink frame boundary and the TA value as a reference to the network device. For a specific method for determining the first BAT, please refer to the description of Method 2 above. The details will not be described again here.

[0265] Case 3: The first information further indicates that the first BAT is determined based on a downlink frame boundary of the terminal device.

[0266] Optionally, when the network device can determine the TA value of the terminal device, the network device transmits first information instructing the terminal device to report the first BAT determined based on the downlink frame boundary. In response, the terminal device reports the first BAT determined by using the downlink frame boundary to the network device. For a specific method of determining the first BAT, see the aforementioned method. 3See the description in

[0046] , and the details will not be repeated here.

[0267] Optionally, when the network device cannot determine the TA value of the terminal device, the network device transmits first information instructing the terminal device to report a first BAT determined based on a downlink frame boundary. In response, the terminal device reports the first BAT determined by using the downlink frame boundary to the network device. For a specific method of determining the first BAT, see the aforementioned method. 3 See the description in

[0046] , and the details will not be repeated here.

[0268] In one possible embodiment, the first information comprises an identification of the first uplink service.

[0269] The identification information of the first uplink service is at least one of a data radio bearer (DRB) identifier to which the first uplink service belongs, a logical channel (LCH) identifier to which the first uplink service belongs, a quality-of-service (QoS) flow identifier (QoS flow ID, QFI) to which the first uplink service belongs, and the like, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0270] The UE may determine a corresponding service (first uplink service) based on the service identification information in the first information, and then determine a BAT corresponding to a data packet of the first uplink service.

[0271] It may be understood that the data packet of the first uplink service may be any data packet of the first uplink service to be transmitted, and the BAT may be the time when the data packet of the first uplink service arrives at a service access point (SAP) of a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer / service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer of the UE, or the time when the data packet of the first uplink service arrives at a radio link control (RLC) layer of the UE.

[0272] Optionally, the first information may further include information regarding the periodicity of the first uplink service.

[0273] According to this embodiment of the present application, the terminal device can be instructed to report the BAT of the uplink data packets of the specified service by using the service identification information, so that the network device can immediately recognize the change of the BAT of the uplink service data packets of the terminal device, which shortens the delay time of waiting for transmission resources by the uplink service data packets and meets the low delay requirement.

[0274] In one possible embodiment, the second information comprises an identification of the first uplink service.

[0275] The identification information of the first uplink service may be at least one of a DRB identifier to which the first uplink service belongs, an LCH identifier to which the first uplink service belongs, a QFI to which the first uplink service belongs, and the like, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0276] According to this embodiment of the present application, the network device can use the service identification information included in the second information to identify whether the BAT reported by the terminal device is the BAT of the uplink data packet of the specified service, and thereby immediately recognize changes in the BAT of the specified uplink service data packet of the terminal device, which shortens the delay time of waiting for transmission resources for the uplink service data packet and meets the low delay requirement.

[0277] It may be understood that the UE triggers reporting of the UL BAT after receiving a message from the base station to request reporting of the BAT. However, if the corresponding uplink service has not been started when the UE receives a message from the base station to request reporting of the BAT, the UE may trigger reporting of the UL BAT only when the first uplink data packet of the uplink service arrives in the AS stratum after the uplink service is started.

[0278] In one possible embodiment, the first information may further include a first timer (prohibit timer).

[0279] Starting the first timer by the terminal device when transmitting the second information may be specifically starting the first timer when the transmission of the second information is triggered, or may be starting the first timer in the process of transmitting the second information, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0280] When the first timer expires or is not executed and the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service of the terminal device changes, for example, when there is a certain deviation between the actual BAT and the BAT estimated by the terminal device, the terminal device reports the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device again.

[0281] It can be understood that when the terminal device reports the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device again, the manner of determining the BAT is the same as the manner of determining the first BAT. The BAT can be determined based on the uplink frame boundary of the terminal device, based on the downlink frame boundary and the timing advance TA value of the terminal device, and based on the downlink frame boundary of the terminal device. For details, please refer to the descriptions of Scheme 1, Scheme 2, and Scheme 3 above. The details will not be described again here.

[0282] It may be understood that the first timer is used to control the duration for which the terminal device is prohibited from reporting the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service again after the terminal device has completed reporting the current BAT.

[0283] According to this embodiment of the present application, the network device can immediately recognize the change in the BAT of the uplink service data packet of the terminal device, which shortens the delay time of waiting for the transmission resource of the uplink service data packet and meets the low delay requirement.

[0284] Optionally, when a base station (e.g., a gNB) uses a CU-DU split architecture, after the base station receives the BAT reported by the UE, the CU and DU in the base station may interact with each other in the following cases:

[0285] Case 1: The UE reports the BAT to the base station by using radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

[0286] Step 1: After receiving the BAT reported by the UE, the gNB-CU further instructs the BAT to the gNB-DU.

[0287] Optionally, in addition to indicating the BAT to the gNB-DU, the gNB-CU may further indicate at least one of a service identifier, service periodicity, BAT adaptation, and other parameter information to the gNB-DU, where the BAT adaptation indicates that the gNB-DU may feed back a BAT offset to the gNB-CU.

[0288] Step 2: After deriving the BAT offset based on the BAT, the gNB-DU feeds back the BAT offset to the gNB-CU.

[0289] The BAT offset is the adjustment amount of the BAT of the UE's uplink service and indicates the adjustment amount expected by the gNB-DU.

[0290] Case 2: The UE reports the BAT to the base station by using a media access control-control element (MAC CE).

[0291] Step 1: After receiving the BAT reported by the UE, the gNB-DU derives a BAT offset based on the BAT.

[0292] The BAT offset is the adjustment amount of the BAT of the UE's uplink service and indicates the adjustment amount expected by the gNB-DU.

[0293] Step 2: The gNB-DU indicates the BAT offset to the gNB-CU.

[0294] Optionally, in addition to indicating the BAT offset to the gNB-CU, the gNB-DU may further indicate a service identifier and other parameter information to the gNB-CU.

[0295] In the above case, if the gNB-CU further uses a CP-UP split architecture, the gNB-CU in the above step may specifically be a gNB-CU-CP.

[0296] 6 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. It can be understood that the steps in this embodiment of the present application can be considered as a suitable modification of or supplement to the embodiment in FIG. 4. Alternatively, it can be understood that the communication method in this embodiment of the present application can be considered as an embodiment that can be independently performed. This is not limited in the present application. The communication method provided in this embodiment of the present application is applied to the field of communication technology, for example, URLLC service communication. The communication method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0297] S601: A network device transmits first information to a terminal device, and in response, the terminal device receives the first information from the network device.

[0298] This is consistent with step S401, and the details will not be explained again here.

[0299] S602: The terminal device transmits second information to the network device, and in response, the network device receives the second information from the terminal device.

[0300] This is consistent with step S402, and the details will not be explained again here.

[0301] It can be understood that the network devices in this embodiment of the present application may correspond to the network devices in Fig. 4, and the terminal devices in this embodiment of the present application may correspond to the terminal devices in Fig. 4. Therefore, for the network devices and terminal devices in this embodiment of the present application, please refer to the description of the network devices and terminal devices in Fig. 4. The details will not be described again here.

[0302] The difference from the embodiment in FIG. 4 is that the base station sends a request message to trigger the UE to periodically report the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service.

[0303] In particular, the first information in this embodiment of the present application further includes a second timer, and the terminal device starts the second timer when sending the second information.

[0304] It may be understood that starting the second timer by the terminal device when transmitting the second information may be specifically starting the second timer when the transmission of the second information is triggered, or may be starting the second timer in the process of transmitting the second information, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0305] S603: The terminal device reports a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device, and in response, the network device receives a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service from the terminal device.

[0306] When the second timer expires, the terminal device reports a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device, and in response, the network device receives a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service from the terminal device.

[0307] It can be understood that when the terminal device reports the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device, the manner of determining the BAT is the same as the manner of determining the first BAT. The BAT may be determined based on the uplink frame boundary of the terminal device, based on the downlink frame boundary and the timing advance TA value of the terminal device, or based on the downlink frame boundary of the terminal device. For details, please refer to the descriptions of Scheme 1, Scheme 2, and Scheme 3 above in the embodiment shown in Figure 4. The details will not be described again here.

[0308] Similarly, when reporting the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device, the terminal device again starts a second timer.

[0309] S604: The terminal device reports a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device, and in response, the network device receives a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service from the terminal device.

[0310] When the second timer expires, the terminal device again reports the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device, and in response, the network device receives the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service from the terminal device.

[0311] By analogy, every time the terminal device reports the BAT of the first uplink service to the network device, the terminal device starts a second timer and reports the BAT of the first uplink service again when the second timer expires.

[0312] It is understood that steps S603 and S604 are performed periodically based on the duration indicated by the second timer to periodically report the BAT of the first uplink service.

[0313] It may be understood that the UE triggers reporting of the UL BAT after receiving a message from the base station to request reporting of the BAT. However, if the corresponding uplink service has not been started when the UE receives a message from the base station to request reporting of the BAT, the UE may trigger reporting of the UL BAT only when the first uplink data packet of the uplink service arrives in the AS stratum after the uplink service is started.

[0314] According to this embodiment of the present application, the terminal device is instructed to periodically report the BAT of the uplink service data packet by using a second timer, so that the network device can immediately recognize the change in the BAT of the uplink service data packet of the terminal device and allocate appropriate transmission resources to the terminal device, which shortens the delay time of waiting for the transmission resources by the uplink service data packet and meets the low delay requirement.

[0315] 7 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. It can be understood that the steps in this embodiment of the present application can be considered as a suitable modification of or supplement to the embodiment in FIG. 4. Alternatively, it can be understood that the communication method in this embodiment of the present application can be considered as an embodiment that can be independently performed. This is not limited in the present application. The communication method provided in this embodiment of the present application is applied to the field of communication technology, for example, URLLC service communication. The communication method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0316] S701: A network device transmits first information to a terminal device, and in response, the terminal device receives the first information from the network device.

[0317] This is consistent with step S401, and the details will not be explained again here.

[0318] S702: The terminal device transmits second information to the network device, and in response, the network device receives the second information from the terminal device.

[0319] This is consistent with step S402, and the details will not be explained again here.

[0320] It can be understood that the network devices in this embodiment of the present application may correspond to the network devices in Fig. 4, and the terminal devices in this embodiment of the present application may correspond to the terminal devices in Fig. 4. Therefore, for the network devices and terminal devices in this embodiment of the present application, please refer to the description of the network devices and terminal devices in Fig. 4. The details will not be described again here.

[0321] The difference from the embodiment of Figure 4 is that the base station configures a condition for the UE to report the BAT of the first uplink service, and when the condition is met, the UE is triggered to report the BAT of the first uplink service.

[0322] In particular, the first information in this embodiment of the present application further includes a first threshold value.

[0323] It can be understood that the first threshold is a threshold for triggering the terminal device to report the BAT.

[0324] Optionally, the first threshold may be a time value or a time range.

[0325] S703: The deviation between the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service exceeds a first threshold.

[0326] The terminal device detects a deviation between the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service, and when the deviation is excessively large (exceeds a first threshold), step S704 is triggered to be executed, that is, the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service is reported to the network device.

[0327] Optionally, when the first threshold is a time value, it is detected whether the deviation between the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service exceeds the time value. When the deviation exceeds the time value, step S704 is triggered to be performed, that is, the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service is reported to the network device.

[0328] For example, the first threshold is 0.5 ms, and when the actual arrival time of the uplink data packet is at least 0.5 ms ahead of or at least 0.5 ms behind the expected arrival time, the reporting of the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service is triggered once.

[0329] Optionally, when the first threshold is a time range, it is detected whether the deviation between the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service is outside the time range. When the deviation is outside the time range, step S704 is triggered to be performed, that is, the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service is reported to the network device.

[0330] For example, the first threshold is {0.5 ms, 1 ms}. When the actual arrival time of an uplink data packet is at least 0.5 ms ahead of the expected arrival time or at least 1 ms behind the expected arrival time, the reporting of the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service is triggered once.

[0331] In one possible embodiment, the expected arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service is determined based on the periodicity of the first uplink service and the reported first BAT.

[0332] For more details, see Figure 8. Figure 8 is a diagram of conditions that trigger BAT reporting according to one embodiment of the present application.

[0333] As shown in Figure 8, the deviation between the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service is offset. When the offset is greater than a first threshold, a BAT report is triggered.

[0334] It may be understood that the expected arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service is the BAT of the data packet of the first uplink service, which is determined based on the BAT previously reported by the terminal device and the periodicity of the first uplink service.

[0335] For example, if the UL BAT last reported by the UE is SFN 0+slot 1, the periodicity of the first uplink service is 5 slots, and one radio frame contains 10 slots, the expected arrival times of subsequent data packets of the first uplink service are SFN 0+slot 6, SFN 1+slot 1, etc.

[0336] Optionally, the periodicity of the first uplink service may be included in the first information, may be pre-configured, may be provided by an upper layer of the terminal device for an access stratum (AS), may be configured by a core network element (e.g., AMF) for the terminal device by using a non-access stratum (NAS) message, or the like, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0337] The periodicity of the first uplink service is obtained in the above-described manner or a similar manner, thereby determining the expected arrival time of the data packets of the first uplink service, and therefore the terminal device reports the BAT as necessary based on the conditions for reporting the BAT corresponding to the uplink service.

[0338] S704: The terminal device reports a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device, and in response, the network device receives a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service from the terminal device.

[0339] When a deviation between an expected arrival time and an actual arrival time of a data packet of a first uplink service exceeds a first threshold, the terminal device is triggered to report a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device, and in response, the network device receives the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service from the terminal device.

[0340] It can be understood that when the terminal device reports the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device, the manner of determining the BAT is the same as the manner of determining the first BAT. The BAT may be determined based on the uplink frame boundary of the terminal device, based on the downlink frame boundary and the timing advance TA value of the terminal device, or based on the downlink frame boundary of the terminal device. For details, please refer to the descriptions of Scheme 1, Scheme 2, and Scheme 3 above in the embodiment shown in Figure 4. The details will not be described again here.

[0341] It may be understood that the UE triggers reporting of the UL BAT after receiving a message from the base station to request reporting of the BAT. However, if the corresponding uplink service has not been started when the UE receives a message from the base station to request reporting of the BAT, the UE may trigger reporting of the UL BAT only when the first uplink data packet of the uplink service arrives in the AS stratum after the uplink service is started.

[0342] In one possible embodiment, the first information may further include a third timer (prohibit timer).

[0343] Starting the third timer by the terminal device when transmitting the second information may be specifically starting the third timer when the transmission of the second information is triggered, or may be starting the third timer in the process of transmitting the second information, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0344] When the third timer expires or is not executed and the deviation between the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service of the terminal device exceeds a first threshold, the terminal device again reports the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device.

[0345] It can be understood that when the terminal device reports the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device again, the manner of determining the BAT is the same as the manner of determining the first BAT. The BAT may be determined based on the uplink frame boundary of the terminal device, based on the downlink frame boundary and the timing advance TA value of the terminal device, or based on the downlink frame boundary of the terminal device. For details, please refer to the descriptions of Scheme 1, Scheme 2, and Scheme 3 above in the embodiment shown in Figure 4. The details will not be described again here.

[0346] It can be understood that the third timer is used to control the duration for which the terminal device is prohibited from reporting the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service again after the terminal device has completed reporting the current BAT.

[0347] According to this embodiment of the present application, the network device configures a condition for the terminal device to report a BAT corresponding to the uplink service by using the first threshold included in the first information, so that the terminal device can report the BAT as needed. In this way, the network device can know whether the arrival time of the uplink service data packet is shifted, which can help the network device allocate appropriate uplink transmission resources. In addition, possible unnecessary BAT reports are avoided, signaling overhead is reduced, and the occupied transmission resources are reduced.

[0348] 9 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. It can be understood that the steps in this embodiment of the present application can be considered as an appropriate variation or supplement to the embodiment in FIG. 4, or as an appropriate variation or supplement to the embodiment in FIG. 7. Alternatively, it can be understood that the communication method in this embodiment of the present application can be considered as an embodiment that can be independently implemented. This is not limited in the present application. The communication method provided in this embodiment of the present application is applied to the field of communication technology, for example, URLLC service communication. The communication method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0349] S901: A network device transmits first information to a terminal device, and in response, the terminal device receives the first information from the network device.

[0350] This is consistent with step S401, and the details will not be explained again here.

[0351] S902: The terminal device transmits second information to the network device, and in response, the network device receives the second information from the terminal device.

[0352] This is consistent with step S402, and the details will not be explained again here.

[0353] It can be understood that the network devices in this embodiment of the present application may correspond to the network devices in Fig. 4, and the terminal devices in this embodiment of the present application may correspond to the terminal devices in Fig. 4. Therefore, for the network devices and terminal devices in this embodiment of the present application, please refer to the description of the network devices and terminal devices in Fig. 4. The details will not be described again here.

[0354] The difference from the embodiment in FIG. 4 is that after the BAT of the first uplink service of the UE changes to a specified size, the UE sends first indication information to the base station.

[0355] In particular, the first information in this embodiment of the present application further includes a second threshold value.

[0356] It can be understood that the second threshold is a threshold for triggering the terminal device to execute step S904 (send the first indication information).

[0357] Optionally, the second threshold may be a time value or a time range.

[0358] S903: The deviation between the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service exceeds a second threshold.

[0359] The terminal device detects a deviation between the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service, and when the deviation is excessively large (exceeds a second threshold), triggers step S904 to be performed (sends first indication information), that is, sends the first indication information to the network device.

[0360] Optionally, when the second threshold is a time value, detect whether the deviation between the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service exceeds the time value. When the deviation exceeds the time value, trigger step S904 to be performed (send first indication information), that is, send the first indication information to the network device.

[0361] For example, the second threshold is 0.5 ms. When the actual arrival time of the uplink data packet is at least 0.5 ms ahead of or at least 0.5 ms behind the expected arrival time, the transmission of the first indication information is triggered once.

[0362] Optionally, when the second threshold is a time range, detect whether the deviation between the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service is outside the time range. When the deviation is outside the time range, trigger step S904 to be performed (send first indication information), that is, send the first indication information to the network device.

[0363] For example, the second threshold is {0.5 ms, 1 ms}. When the actual arrival time of the uplink data packet is at least 0.5 ms ahead of the expected arrival time or at least 1 ms behind the expected arrival time, the transmission of the first indication information is triggered once.

[0364] In one possible embodiment, the expected arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service is determined based on the periodicity of the first uplink service and the reported first BAT.

[0365] For details, see the description of Figure 8. The details will not be repeated here.

[0366] It may be understood that the expected arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service is the BAT of the data packet of the first uplink service, which is determined based on the BAT previously reported by the terminal device and the periodicity of the first uplink service.

[0367] Optionally, the periodicity of the first uplink service may be included in the first information, may be pre-configured, may be provided by an upper layer of the terminal device for an access stratum (AS), may be configured by a core network element (e.g., AMF) for the terminal device by using a non-access stratum (NAS) message, or the like, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0368] The periodicity of the first uplink service is obtained in the above-described manner or a similar manner to determine the expected arrival time of the data packets of the first uplink service. In this way, the first indication information is sent to the network device when the deviation between the actual arrival time and the expected arrival time of the data packets of the first uplink service is excessively large.

[0369] S904: The terminal device sends first indication information to the network device, and in response, the network device receives the first indication information from the terminal device.

[0370] When the deviation between the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service exceeds a second threshold, the terminal device is triggered to send first indication information to the network device, indicating that the deviation between the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service exceeds the second threshold. In response, the network device receives the first indication information from the terminal device.

[0371] S905: The network device sends a request message to the terminal device, and in response, the terminal device receives the request message from the network device.

[0372] The request message is used to request the terminal device to report a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service.

[0373] Optionally, similar to the case where the first information further includes the second threshold, the request message may include the second threshold or a new threshold for "triggering the UE to send the first indication information." If the threshold for "triggering the UE to send the first indication information" is a default, the UE may continue to use the stored second threshold.

[0374] S906: The terminal device reports a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device, and in response, the network device receives a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service from the terminal device.

[0375] When the terminal device receives a message from the network device requesting reporting of a BAT corresponding to a first uplink service, the terminal device reports the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device, and in response, the network device receives the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service from the terminal device.

[0376] It can be understood that when the terminal device reports the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device, the manner of determining the BAT is the same as the manner of determining the first BAT. The BAT may be determined based on the uplink frame boundary of the terminal device, based on the downlink frame boundary and the timing advance TA value of the terminal device, or based on the downlink frame boundary of the terminal device. For details, please refer to the descriptions of Scheme 1, Scheme 2, and Scheme 3 above in the embodiment shown in Figure 4. The details will not be described again here.

[0377] It can be understood that the second threshold is a threshold for triggering the terminal device to report the first indication information. When detecting that the difference between the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service is excessively large, the terminal device sends the first indication information to the network device, indicating that the BAT of the first uplink service has changed and that the deviation between the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service exceeds the second threshold indicated by the network device.

[0378] It may be understood that the UE triggers reporting of the UL BAT after receiving a message from the base station to request reporting of the BAT. However, if the corresponding uplink service has not been started when the UE receives a message from the base station to request reporting of the BAT, the UE may trigger reporting of the UL BAT only when the first uplink data packet of the uplink service arrives in the AS stratum after the uplink service is started.

[0379] In one possible embodiment, the first information may further include a fourth timer (prohibit timer).

[0380] The starting of the fourth timer by the terminal device when transmitting the first indication information may be specifically starting the fourth timer when the transmission of the first indication information is triggered, or may be starting the fourth timer in the process of transmitting the first indication information, which is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0381] When the fourth timer expires or is not executed and the deviation between the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service of the terminal device exceeds the second threshold, the terminal device again transmits the first indication information to the network device. After receiving the message for requesting reporting the BAT from the network device, the terminal device again reports the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device.

[0382] It can be understood that when the terminal device reports the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device again, the manner of determining the BAT is the same as the manner of determining the first BAT. The BAT may be determined based on the uplink frame boundary of the terminal device, based on the downlink frame boundary and the timing advance TA value of the terminal device, or based on the downlink frame boundary of the terminal device. For details, please refer to the descriptions of Scheme 1, Scheme 2, and Scheme 3 above in the embodiment shown in Figure 4. The details will not be described again here.

[0383] It can be understood that the fourth timer is used to control the duration for which the terminal device is prohibited from transmitting the first indication information again after the terminal device has completed the current transmission of the first indication information.

[0384] According to this embodiment of the present application, the network device may configure a condition for the terminal device to send the first indication information by using the second threshold value included in the first information. In this way, the network device can know whether the arrival time of the uplink service data packet is shifted, and can thereby allocate appropriate transmission resources to the terminal device. This reduces the delay time for the uplink service data packet to wait for the transmission resources, and meets the low delay requirement.

[0385] 10 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. It can be understood that the steps in this embodiment of the present application can be considered as a suitable modification or supplement to the embodiment in FIG. 4. Alternatively, it can be understood that the communication method in this embodiment of the present application can be considered as an embodiment that can be performed independently. This is not limited in the present application. The communication method provided in this embodiment of the present application is applied to the field of communication technology, for example, URLLC service communication. The communication method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0386] S1001: A network device transmits first information to a terminal device, and in response, the terminal device receives the first information from the network device.

[0387] This is consistent with step S401, and the details will not be explained again here.

[0388] S1002: The terminal device transmits second information to the network device, and in response, the network device receives the second information from the terminal device.

[0389] This is consistent with step S402, and the details will not be explained again here.

[0390] It can be understood that the network devices in this embodiment of the present application may correspond to the network devices in Fig. 4, and the terminal devices in this embodiment of the present application may correspond to the terminal devices in Fig. 4. Therefore, for the network devices and terminal devices in this embodiment of the present application, please refer to the description of the network devices and terminal devices in Fig. 4. The details will not be described again here.

[0391] The difference from the embodiment in FIG. 4 is that after the BAT of the first uplink service of the UE changes, the UE sends second indication information to the base station.

[0392] The specific steps are as follows:

[0393] Step S1003: The expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service do not match.

[0394] The terminal device detects that the expected arrival time and actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service do not match, and triggers step S1004 to be executed (second instruction information is sent), i.e., second instruction information is sent to the network device.

[0395] A mismatch between the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service may be understood to mean that the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service are different.

[0396] In one possible embodiment, the expected arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service is determined based on the periodicity of the first uplink service and the reported first BAT.

[0397] For details, see the description of Figure 8. The details will not be repeated here.

[0398] It may be understood that the expected arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service is the BAT of the data packet of the first uplink service, which is determined based on the BAT previously reported by the terminal device and the periodicity of the first uplink service.

[0399] Optionally, the periodicity of the first uplink service may be included in the first information, may be pre-configured, may be provided by an upper layer of the terminal device for an access stratum (AS), may be configured by a core network element (e.g., AMF) for the terminal device by using a non-access stratum (NAS) message, or the like, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0400] The periodicity of the first uplink service is obtained in the above-described manner or a similar manner to determine the expected arrival time of the data packets of the first uplink service. In this manner, the second indication information is sent to the network device when the actual arrival time and the expected arrival time of the data packets of the first uplink service do not match.

[0401] S1004: The terminal device sends second instruction information to the network device, and in response, the network device receives second instruction information from the terminal device.

[0402] When the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service do not match, the terminal device is triggered to send second indication information to the network device, where the second indication information indicates that the BAT of the data packet of the first uplink service is changed. In response, the network device receives the second indication information from the terminal device.

[0403] S1005: The network device sends a request message to the terminal device, and in response, the terminal device receives the request message from the network device.

[0404] The request message is used to request the terminal device to report a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service.

[0405] S1006: The terminal device reports a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device, and in response, the network device receives a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service from the terminal device.

[0406] When the terminal device receives a message from the network device requesting reporting of a BAT corresponding to a first uplink service, the terminal device reports the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device, and in response, the network device receives the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service from the terminal device.

[0407] It can be understood that when the terminal device reports the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device, the manner of determining the BAT is the same as the manner of determining the first BAT. The BAT may be determined based on the uplink frame boundary of the terminal device, based on the downlink frame boundary and the timing advance TA value of the terminal device, or based on the downlink frame boundary of the terminal device. For details, please refer to the descriptions of Scheme 1, Scheme 2, and Scheme 3 above in the embodiment shown in Figure 4. The details will not be described again here.

[0408] It may be understood that the UE triggers reporting of the UL BAT after receiving a message from the base station to request reporting of the BAT. However, if the corresponding uplink service has not been started when the UE receives a message from the base station to request reporting of the BAT, the UE may trigger reporting of the UL BAT only when the first uplink data packet of the uplink service arrives in the AS stratum after the uplink service is started.

[0409] In one possible embodiment, the first information may further include a fifth timer (prohibit timer).

[0410] The starting of the fifth timer by the terminal device when transmitting the second indication information may be specifically starting the fifth timer when the transmission of the second indication information is triggered, or may be starting the fifth timer in the process of transmitting the second indication information, which is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0411] When the fifth timer expires or is not executed and the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service of the terminal device do not match, the terminal device again transmits the second indication information to the network device. After receiving the message for requesting reporting the BAT from the network device, the terminal device again reports the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device.

[0412] It can be understood that when the terminal device reports the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device again, the manner of determining the BAT is the same as the manner of determining the first BAT. The BAT may be determined based on the uplink frame boundary of the terminal device, based on the downlink frame boundary and the timing advance TA value of the terminal device, or based on the downlink frame boundary of the terminal device. For details, please refer to the descriptions of Scheme 1, Scheme 2, and Scheme 3 above in the embodiment shown in Figure 4. The details will not be described again here.

[0413] The fifth timer is set to 0 if the terminal device is 2 It can be understood that the second indication information is used to control the duration for which the terminal device is prohibited from transmitting the second indication information again after completing the current transmission of the indication information.

[0414] According to an embodiment of the present application, when the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service do not match, the terminal device sends second indication information to the network device. In this way, the network device can know whether the arrival time of the uplink service data packet is off, and can thereby allocate appropriate transmission resources to the terminal device. This reduces the delay time waiting for transmission resources for the uplink service data packet and meets the low latency requirement.

[0415] The above description details the methods in the embodiments of the present application. Next, an apparatus for implementing any one of the methods in the embodiments of the present application is presented. For example, an apparatus is provided that includes a unit (or means) for implementing the steps performed by the device in any one of the aforementioned methods.

[0416] FIG. 11 is a diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0417] 11, the communication device 110 includes a communication unit 1101 and a processing unit 1102. The communication unit 1101 and the processing unit 1102 may be software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0418] The communication unit 1101 implements a transmitting function and / or a receiving function, and the communication unit 1101 may also be described as a transceiver unit. Alternatively, the communication unit 1101 may be a unit that integrates an acquiring unit and a transmitting unit. The acquiring unit is configured to perform a receiving function, and the transmitting unit is configured to perform a transmitting function. Optionally, the communication unit 1101 may be configured to receive information transmitted by another device and may further be configured to transmit information to another device.

[0419] In one possible design, communication device 110 may correspond to the terminal device in the method embodiments shown in Figures 4, 6, 7, 9, and 10. For example, communication device 110 may be a terminal device or a chip within a terminal device. Communication device 110 may include units configured to perform operations performed by the terminal device in the method embodiments shown in Figures 4, 6, 7, 9, and 10. In addition, the units within communication device 110 are separately configured to implement the operations performed by the terminal device in the method embodiments shown in Figures 4, 6, 7, 9, and 10. The units are described as follows:

[0420] In possible design 1, the device comprises: a communication unit 1101 configured to receive first information from a network device, the first information being used to request a first burst arrival time BAT corresponding to a first uplink service; The communication unit 1101 is further configured to send second information to the network device, where the second information includes information regarding the first BAT, and the first BAT is determined based on an uplink frame boundary of the terminal device.

[0421] In possible design 2, the device comprises: a communication unit 1101 configured to receive first information from a network device, the first information being used to request a first burst arrival time BAT corresponding to a first uplink service; The communication unit 1101 is further configured to send second information to the network device, where the second information includes information regarding the first BAT, and the first BAT is determined based on a downlink frame boundary and a timing advance TA value of the terminal device.

[0422] In possible design 3, the device a communication unit 1101 configured to receive first information from a network device, the first information being used to request a first burst arrival time BAT corresponding to a first uplink service; The communication unit 1101 is further configured to send second information to the network device, where the second information includes information about a first BAT, and the first BAT is determined based on a downlink frame boundary of the terminal device; The communication unit 1101 is further configured to send third information to the network device, where the third information includes a TA value of the terminal device.

[0423] In one possible implementation of any one of the preceding designs, an apparatus comprises: The system further includes a processing unit 1102 configured to determine the first BAT.

[0424] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first BAT is represented by at least one of a system frame number, a slot index, and a symbol index.

[0425] In one possible implementation of the preceding Design 1, the first information further indicates that the first BAT is determined based on an uplink frame boundary of the terminal device.

[0426] In one possible implementation of the above Design 2, the first information further indicates that the first BAT is determined based on a downlink frame boundary and a timing advance TA value of the terminal device.

[0427] In one possible implementation of Design 3 above, the first information further indicates that the first BAT is determined based on a downlink frame boundary of the terminal device.

[0428] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first information includes an identification of the first uplink service, and the identification of the first uplink service is: At least one of a data radio bearer identifier to which the first uplink service belongs, a logical channel identifier to which the first uplink service belongs, and a quality of service flow identifier to which the first uplink service belongs.

[0429] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the second information further includes identification information of the first uplink service, and the identification information of the first uplink service is: At least one of a data radio bearer identifier to which the first uplink service belongs, a logical channel identifier to which the first uplink service belongs, and a quality of service flow identifier to which the first uplink service belongs.

[0430] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first information further includes a first timer; The processing unit 1102 is further configured to start a first timer when the second information is transmitted; The communication unit 1101 is further configured to report the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device when the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service changes and the first timer expires or is not executed.

[0431] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first information further includes a second timer; The processing unit 1102 is further configured to start a second timer when the second information is transmitted; The communication unit 1101 is further configured to report the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device when the second timer expires.

[0432] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first information further includes a first threshold value; The communication unit 1101 is further configured to report the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device when a deviation between the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service exceeds a first threshold.

[0433] In one possible implementation of any one of the above designs, the first threshold is a time value or a time range.

[0434] In one possible implementation of any one of the above designs, the expected arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service is determined based on the periodicity of the first uplink service and the reported second BAT, where the second BAT is the BAT reported immediately before the first BAT.

[0435] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first information further includes a periodicity of the first uplink service, or the periodicity of the first uplink service is pre-configured.

[0436] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first information further includes a third timer; The processing unit 1102 is further configured to start a third timer when the second information is transmitted; The communication unit 1101 is further configured to report the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device when a deviation between the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service exceeds a first threshold and the third timer expires or is not executed.

[0437] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first information further includes a second threshold value; The communication unit 1101 is further configured to: send first indication information to the network device when a deviation between an expected arrival time and an actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service exceeds a second threshold, the first indication information indicating that a deviation between an expected arrival time and an actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service exceeds the second threshold; The communication unit 1101 is further configured to receive a request message from the network device, where the request message is used to request a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service; The communication unit 1101 is further configured to report a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device.

[0438] In one possible implementation of any one of the above designs, the second threshold is a time value or a time range.

[0439] In one possible implementation of any one of the above designs, the expected arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service is determined based on the periodicity of the first uplink service and the reported second BAT, where the second BAT is the BAT reported immediately before the first BAT.

[0440] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first information further includes a periodicity of the first uplink service, or the periodicity of the first uplink service is pre-configured.

[0441] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first information further includes a fourth timer; The processing unit 1102 is further configured to start a fourth timer when the first indication information is sent; The communication unit 1101 is further configured to send first indication information to the network device when a deviation between the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service exceeds a second threshold and the fourth timer expires or is not executed.

[0442] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the communication unit 1101 is further configured to: send second indication information to the network device when the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service do not match, the second indication information indicating that a BAT of the data packet of the first uplink service is changed; The communication unit 1101 is further configured to receive a request message from the network device, where the request message is used to request a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service; The communication unit 1101 is further configured to report a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device.

[0443] In one possible implementation of any one of the above designs, the expected arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service is determined based on the periodicity of the first uplink service and the reported second BAT, where the second BAT is the BAT reported immediately before the first BAT.

[0444] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first information further includes a periodicity of the first uplink service, or the periodicity of the first uplink service is pre-configured.

[0445] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first information further includes a fifth timer; The processing unit 1102 is further configured to start a fifth timer when the second indication information is sent; The communication unit 1101 is further configured to send second indication information to the network device when the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service do not match and the fifth timer expires or is not executed.

[0446] In one implementation, the communication apparatus is a communication device. When the communication apparatus is a communication device, the communication unit may be a transceiver or an input / output interface, and the processing unit may be at least one processor. Optionally, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface may be an input / output circuit.

[0447] In another implementation, the communication device is a chip (system) or circuit used in a communication device. When the communication device is a chip (system) or circuit used in a communication device, the communication unit may be a communication interface (input / output interface), interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, associated circuit, or the like of the chip (system) or circuit, and the processing unit may be at least one processor, processing circuit, logic circuit, or the like.

[0448] In another possible design of the communication device 110 shown in FIG. 11, the communication device 110 may correspond to the network device in the method embodiments shown in FIGS. 4, 6, 7, 9, and 10. For example, the communication device 110 may be a network device or a chip within a network device. The communication device 110 may include units configured to perform operations performed by the network device in the method embodiments shown in FIGS. 4, 6, 7, 9, and 10. In addition, the units within the communication device 110 are separately configured to implement the operations performed by the network device in the method embodiments shown in FIGS. 4, 6, 7, 9, and 10. The units are described as follows:

[0449] In possible design 1, the device comprises: a communication unit 1101 configured to send first information to a terminal device, the first information being used to request a first burst arrival time BAT corresponding to a first uplink service; The communication unit 1101 is further configured to receive second information from the terminal device, where the second information includes information regarding the first BAT, and the first BAT is determined based on an uplink frame boundary of the terminal device.

[0450] In possible design 2, the device comprises: a communication unit 1101 configured to send first information to a terminal device, the first information being used to request a first burst arrival time BAT corresponding to a first uplink service; The communication unit 1101 is further configured to receive second information from the terminal device, where the second information includes information regarding a first BAT, and the first BAT is determined based on a downlink frame boundary and a timing advance TA value of the terminal device.

[0451] In possible design 3, the device a communication unit 1101 configured to send first information to a terminal device, the first information being used to request a first burst arrival time BAT corresponding to a first uplink service; The communication unit 1101 is further configured to receive second information from the terminal device, the second information including information about a first BAT, the first BAT being determined based on a downlink frame boundary of the terminal device; The communication unit 1101 is further configured to receive third information from the terminal device, where the third information includes a TA value of the terminal device.

[0452] In one possible implementation of any one of the preceding designs, an apparatus comprises: It further includes a processing unit 1102 configured to determine the first information.

[0453] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first BAT is represented by at least one of a system frame number, a slot index, and a symbol index.

[0454] In one possible implementation of the preceding Design 1, the first information further indicates that the first BAT is determined based on an uplink frame boundary of the terminal device.

[0455] In one possible implementation of the above Design 2, the first information further indicates that the first BAT is determined based on a downlink frame boundary and a timing advance TA value of the terminal device.

[0456] In one possible implementation of Design 3 above, the first information further indicates that the first BAT is determined based on a downlink frame boundary of the terminal device.

[0457] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first information includes an identification of the first uplink service, and the identification of the first uplink service is: At least one of a data radio bearer identifier to which the first uplink service belongs, a logical channel identifier to which the first uplink service belongs, and a quality of service flow identifier to which the first uplink service belongs.

[0458] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the second information further includes identification information of the first uplink service, and the identification information of the first uplink service is: At least one of a data radio bearer identifier to which the first uplink service belongs, a logical channel identifier to which the first uplink service belongs, and a quality of service flow identifier to which the first uplink service belongs.

[0459] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first information further includes a first timer, which is used by the terminal device to report the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service when the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service changes and the first timer expires or is not executed.

[0460] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first information further includes a second timer, which is used by the terminal device to report a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service when the second timer expires.

[0461] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first information further includes a first threshold value, which is used by the terminal device to report a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service when a deviation between an expected arrival time and an actual arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service exceeds the first threshold value.

[0462] In one possible implementation of any one of the above designs, the first threshold is a time value or a time range.

[0463] In one possible implementation of any one of the above designs, the expected arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service is determined based on the periodicity of the first uplink service and the reported second BAT, where the second BAT is the BAT reported immediately before the first BAT.

[0464] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first information further includes a periodicity of the first uplink service, or the periodicity of the first uplink service is pre-configured.

[0465] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first information further includes a third timer, wherein the third timer is used by the terminal device to report a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service when a deviation between an expected arrival time and an actual arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service exceeds a first threshold and the third timer expires or does not run.

[0466] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first information further includes a second threshold value; The communication unit 1101 is further configured to receive first indication information from the terminal device, the first indication information indicating that a deviation between an expected arrival time and an actual arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service exceeds a second threshold; The communication unit 1101 is further configured to send a request message to the terminal device, where the request message is used to request a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service; The communication unit 1101 is further configured to receive, from the terminal device, a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service.

[0467] In one possible implementation of any one of the above designs, the second threshold is a time value or a time range.

[0468] In one possible implementation of any one of the above designs, the expected arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service is determined based on the periodicity of the first uplink service and the reported second BAT, where the second BAT is the BAT reported immediately before the first BAT.

[0469] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first information further includes a periodicity of the first uplink service, or the periodicity of the first uplink service is pre-configured.

[0470] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first information further includes a fourth timer, which is used by the terminal device to send the first indication information when a deviation between an expected arrival time and an actual arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service exceeds a second threshold and the fourth timer expires or is not executed.

[0471] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the communication unit 1101 is further configured to receive second instruction information from the terminal device, the second instruction information indicating that a BAT of data packets of the first uplink service is changed; and The communication unit 1101 is further configured to send a request message to the terminal device, where the request message is used to request a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service; The communication unit 1101 is further configured to receive, from the terminal device, a BAT corresponding to the first uplink service.

[0472] In one possible implementation of any one of the above designs, the expected arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service is determined based on the periodicity of the first uplink service and the reported second BAT, where the second BAT is the BAT reported immediately before the first BAT.

[0473] In one possible implementation of any one of the aforementioned designs, the first information further includes a periodicity of the first uplink service, or the periodicity of the first uplink service is pre-configured.

[0474] In one possible implementation of any one of the above designs, the first information further includes a fifth timer, which is used by the terminal device to send the second indication information when the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service do not match and the fifth timer expires or is not executed.

[0475] In one implementation, the communication apparatus is a communication device. When the communication apparatus is a communication device, the communication unit may be a transceiver or an input / output interface, and the processing unit may be at least one processor. Optionally, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface may be an input / output circuit.

[0476] In another implementation, the communication device is a chip (system) or circuit used in a communication device. When the communication device is a chip (system) or circuit used in a communication device, the communication unit may be a communication interface (input / output interface), interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, associated circuit, or the like of the chip (system) or circuit, and the processing unit may be at least one processor, processing circuit, logic circuit, or the like.

[0477] According to this embodiment of the present application, the units in the device shown in FIG. 11 may be combined into one or more other units separately or all, or one (or more) of the units in the device may be further divided into multiple units with more detailed functions. In this way, the same operation may be implemented without affecting the implementation of the technical effect of this embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned units are obtained through division based on logical functions. In actual applications, the function of one unit may be implemented by multiple units, or the function of multiple units may be implemented by one unit. In other embodiments of the present application, the electronic device may alternatively include other units. In actual applications, a function may alternatively be implemented with the help of other units or through the cooperation of multiple units.

[0478] Please note that for the implementation form of each unit, please refer to the corresponding description in the method embodiment shown in Figure 4, Figure 6, Figure 7, Figure 9 or Figure 10.

[0479] In the communication device 110 illustrated in Fig. 11, the first BAT determined by using the uplink frame boundary of the terminal device as a reference is reported to the network device, so that the network device can immediately recognize the burst arrival time of the data packets of the first uplink service of the terminal device, which shortens the delay time of waiting for transmission resources by the uplink service data packets and meets the low delay requirement.

[0480] FIG. 12 is a diagram of the structure of a communication device according to one embodiment of the present application.

[0481] It should be understood that the communication device 120 shown in Figure 12 is merely an example, and the communication device in this embodiment of the present application may further include other components, may include components having similar functions to each component in Figure 12, or may not necessarily include all of the components in Figure 12.

[0482] The communication device 120 includes a communication interface 1201 and at least one processor 1202 .

[0483] The communication device 120 may correspond to any network element or device in a network device or a terminal device. The communication interface 1201 is configured to transmit and receive signals, and the at least one processor 1202 executes program instructions to enable the communication device 120 to implement corresponding steps of the methods performed by the corresponding device in the above-mentioned method embodiments.

[0484] In one possible design, the communication device 120 may correspond to the terminal device in the method embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 4, 6, 7, 9, and 10. For example, the communication device 120 may be a terminal device or a chip within a terminal device. The communication device 120 may include components configured to perform operations performed by the terminal device in the aforementioned method embodiments. In addition, the components within the communication device 120 are separately configured to implement the operations performed by the terminal device in the aforementioned method embodiments. Specific operations include: an operation of receiving first information from a network device, the first information being used to request a first burst arrival time BAT corresponding to a first uplink service; and The operation may be an operation of transmitting second information to the network device, where the second information includes information regarding the first BAT, and the first BAT is determined based on an uplink frame boundary of the terminal device.

[0485] In another possible design, the communication device 120 may correspond to the network device in the method embodiments shown in FIGS. 4, 6, 7, 9, and 10. For example, the communication device 120 may be a network device or a chip within a network device. The communication device 120 may include components configured to perform the operations performed by the network device in the aforementioned method embodiments. In addition, the components within the communication device 120 are separately configured to implement the operations performed by the network device in the aforementioned method embodiments. Specific operations include: an operation of transmitting first information to a terminal device, the first information being used to request a first burst arrival time BAT corresponding to a first uplink service; and The operation may include receiving second information from a terminal device, the second information including information regarding a first BAT, the first BAT being determined based on an uplink frame boundary of the terminal device.

[0486] In the communication device 120 illustrated in Fig. 12, the first BAT determined by using the uplink frame boundary of the terminal device as a reference is reported to the network device, so that the network device can immediately recognize the burst arrival time of the data packets of the first uplink service of the terminal device, which shortens the delay time of waiting for transmission resources by the uplink service data packets and meets the low delay requirement.

[0487] If the communication device is a chip or chip system, please refer to the diagram of the chip structure shown in FIG.

[0488] 13, the chip 130 includes a processor 1301 and an interface 1302. There may be one or more processors 1301 and multiple interfaces 1302. It should be noted that the functions corresponding to the processor 1301 and the interface 1302 may be implemented using a hardware design, a software design, or a combination of software and hardware, which is not limited herein.

[0489] Optionally, the chip 130 further includes a memory 1303, which is configured to store necessary program instructions and data.

[0490] In the present application, the processor 1301 may be configured to call a program from the memory 1303 and execute instructions included in the program for implementing a communication method provided in one or more embodiments of the present application by one or more devices or network elements in a network device and a terminal device. The interface 1302 may be configured to output an execution result of the processor 1301. In the present application, the interface 1302 may be particularly configured to output each message or each piece of information of the processor 1301.

[0491] For the communication methods provided in one or more implementations of the present application, please refer to the embodiments shown in Figures 4, 6, 7, 9, and 10. The details will not be described again here.

[0492] The processor in this embodiment of the present application may be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), or the processor may be another general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or another programmable logic device, discrete gates, transistor logic elements, discrete hardware components, or the like. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or the processor may be any conventional processor or the like.

[0493] The memory in this embodiment of the present application is configured to provide storage space, which may store data such as an operating system and computer programs, including, but not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), and compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM).

[0494] According to the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a computer program, which, when executed on one or more processors, can implement the methods shown in Figures 4, 6, 7, 9, and 10.

[0495] According to the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product. The computer program product includes a computer program, which, when executed on a processor, can implement the methods shown in Figures 4, 6, 7, 9, and 10.

[0496] An embodiment of the present application further provides a system, wherein the interface includes at least one of a communication device 110, a communication device 120, or a chip 130, and is configured to perform steps performed by a corresponding device in any one of the embodiments in Figures 4, 6, 7, 9, and 10.

[0497] An embodiment of the present application further provides a system. The system includes a network device and a terminal device. The terminal device is configured to perform the steps performed by the terminal device in any one of the embodiments in Figures 4, 6, 7, 9, and 10. The network device is configured to perform the steps performed by the network device in any one of the embodiments in Figures 4, 6, 7, 9, and 10.

[0498] An embodiment of the present application further provides a processing device, including a processor and an interface, wherein the processor is configured to perform the method in any one of the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0499] It should be understood that the processing device may be a chip. For example, the processing device may be a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), another programmable logic device, a discrete gate, a transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, a system on chip (SoC), a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a programmable logic device (PLD), or another integrated chip. The processing device may implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or the processor may be any conventional processor or the like. The steps of the methods disclosed with reference to the embodiments of the present application can be directly implemented by a hardware decoding processor, or can be implemented by using a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software modules can be located in a storage medium that is mature in the art, such as a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, an electrically erasable programmable memory, or a register. The storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads information from the memory and completes the steps in the aforementioned method in combination with the hardware in the processor.

[0500] It can be understood that the memory in this embodiment of the present application can be volatile or nonvolatile memory, or can include both volatile and nonvolatile memory. Nonvolatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM) and is used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as 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), synchronous dynamic random access memory (synchlink DRAM, SLDRAM), and Direct Rambus random access memory (direct rambus RAM, DR RAM). Note that memory in the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, without being limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0501] All or a portion of the above-described embodiments may be implemented using software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When software is used to implement the above-described embodiments, all or a portion of the above-described embodiments may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product comprises one or more computer instructions. When the computer-executable instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or a portion of the procedures or functions according to the embodiments of the present application are generated. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or another programmable device. The computer instructions may be recorded on 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, optical fiber, or digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, radio, or microwave) transmission. A computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium accessible by a computer or a data storage device, such as a server or data center, incorporating one or more available media. The available medium may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, or magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., high-density digital video discs (DVDs)), semiconductor media (e.g., solid state disks (SSDs)), or the like.

[0502] The units in the above-described apparatus embodiments fully correspond to the electronic devices in the method embodiments, and the corresponding modules or units perform the corresponding steps. For example, a communication unit (transceiver) performs the receiving or transmitting steps in the method embodiments, and steps other than the transmitting and receiving steps can be performed by a processing unit (processor). For specific functions of the units, please refer to the corresponding method embodiments. There can be one or more processors.

[0503] It can be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the electronic device may perform some or all of the steps in the embodiments of the present application. These steps or operations are merely examples. In the embodiments of the present application, other steps or variations of various steps may also be performed. In addition, these steps may be performed in an order different from that presented in the embodiments of the present application, and not all operations in the embodiments of the present application may be performed.

[0504] Those skilled in the art may recognize that, in combination with the examples described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the units and algorithm steps may be implemented by electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed by hardware or software depends on the design constraints of the specific application and technical solution. Those skilled in the art may use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but the implementation form should not be considered to exceed the scope of this application.

[0505] For the sake of convenience and conciseness, for the detailed work processes of the systems, devices and units described above, it can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments, and the details will not be described again here.

[0506] In some embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices, and methods may be implemented in other manners. For example, the described device embodiments are merely examples. 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. In addition, the shown or described mutual couplings or direct couplings or communication connections may be implemented through some interfaces. Indirect couplings or communication connections between devices or units may be implemented in electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0507] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units. Specifically, these components may be located in one location or distributed over multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to the actual requirements for achieving the objectives of the solution of the embodiment.

[0508] In addition, the functional units in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, and each of the units may exist physically alone, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0509] When a function is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, the function may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application may essentially, or a portion that contributes to the prior art, or a part of the technical solution may be implemented in the form of a software product. A computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes a plurality of instructions for instructing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, a network device, or the like) to perform all or some of the steps of the methods described in the embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes any medium capable of storing program code, such as 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.

[0510] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the protection scope of the present application. Any modifications or alternative forms that can be easily thought up by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present application shall fall within the protection scope of the present application. [Explanation of symbols]

[0511] 0 Downlink Frame Slot 1 uplink frame slot 1. RRC Message 2. RRC Messages 1 base station 1 Possible designs 2 base station 2 Possible designs 3 Possible designs 6UE 7UE 8UE 110 Communication equipment 120 Communication equipment 130 chips 1101 Communication unit 1102 Processing Unit 1201 Communication Interface 1202 processor 1301 processor 1302 Interface 1303 memory

Claims

1. receiving first information from a network device, the first information being used to request a first burst arrival time BAT corresponding to a first uplink service; and a step of transmitting second information to the network device, the second information including information regarding the first BAT, the first BAT being determined based on an uplink frame boundary of a terminal device.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first BAT is represented by at least one of a system frame number, a slot index, and a symbol index.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first information further indicates that the first BAT is determined based on the uplink frame boundary of the terminal device.

4. The first information includes an identification of the first uplink service, and the identification of the first uplink service is 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first uplink service identifier is at least one of a data radio bearer identifier to which the first uplink service belongs, a logical channel identifier to which the first uplink service belongs, and a quality of service flow identifier to which the first uplink service belongs.

5. The second information further includes identification information of the first uplink service, and the identification information of the first uplink service is:

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first uplink service identifier is at least one of a data radio bearer identifier to which the first uplink service belongs, a logical channel identifier to which the first uplink service belongs, and a quality of service flow identifier to which the first uplink service belongs.

6. The first information further includes a first timer, and the method further comprises: starting the first timer for the first uplink service when the second information is transmitted; 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: reporting the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device when the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service changes and the first timer corresponding to the first uplink service expires or is not executed.

7. The first information further includes a second timer, and the method further comprises: starting the second timer when the second information is transmitted; 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: when the second timer expires, reporting the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device.

8. The first information further includes a first threshold value, and the method further comprises:

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: reporting the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device when a deviation between an expected arrival time and an actual arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service exceeds the first threshold.

9. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the expected arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service is determined based on a periodicity of the first uplink service and a reported second BAT, the second BAT being a BAT reported immediately before the first BAT.

10. The first information further includes a third timer, and the method further comprises: starting the third timer when the second information is transmitted; 10. The method of claim 8 or 9, further comprising: reporting the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device when the deviation between the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service exceeds the first threshold and the third timer expires or is not executed.

11. The first information further includes a second threshold value, and the method further comprises: sending a first indication to the network device when a deviation between an expected arrival time and an actual arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service exceeds the second threshold, the first indication indicating that the deviation between the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service exceeds the second threshold; receiving a request message from the network device, the request message being used to request the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service; and reporting the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device.

12. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the expected arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service is determined based on a periodicity of the first uplink service and a reported second BAT, the second BAT being a BAT reported immediately before the first BAT.

13. The first information further includes a fourth timer, and the method further comprises: starting the fourth timer when the first indication information is transmitted; 13. The method of claim 11 or 12, further comprising: sending the first indication information to the network device when the deviation between the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service exceeds the second threshold and the fourth timer expires or is not executed.

14. sending second indication information to the network device when the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service do not match, the second indication information indicating that the BAT of the data packet of the first uplink service is to change; receiving a request message from the network device, the request message being used to request the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service; and reporting the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service to the network device.

15. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the expected arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service is determined based on a periodicity of the first uplink service and a reported second BAT, the second BAT being a BAT reported immediately before the first BAT.

16. The first information further includes a fifth timer, and the method further comprises: starting the fifth timer when the second indication information is transmitted; 16. The method of claim 14 or 15, further comprising: sending the second indication information to the network device when the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service do not match and the fifth timer expires or is not executed.

17. sending first information to a terminal device, the first information being used to request a first burst arrival time BAT corresponding to a first uplink service; receiving second information from the terminal device, the second information including information regarding the first BAT, the first BAT being determined based on an uplink frame boundary of the terminal device.

18. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first BAT is represented by at least one of a system frame number, a slot index, and a symbol index.

19. 19. The method of claim 17 or 18, wherein the first information further indicates that the first BAT is determined based on the uplink frame boundary of the terminal device.

20. The first information includes an identification of the first uplink service, and the identification of the first uplink service is 20. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the first uplink service identifier is at least one of a data radio bearer identifier to which the first uplink service belongs, a logical channel identifier to which the first uplink service belongs, and a quality of service flow identifier to which the first uplink service belongs.

21. The second information further includes identification information of the first uplink service, and the identification information of the first uplink service is:

21. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the first uplink service identifier is at least one of a data radio bearer identifier to which the first uplink service belongs, a logical channel identifier to which the first uplink service belongs, and a quality of service flow identifier to which the first uplink service belongs.

22. 22. The method of claim 17, wherein the first information further includes a first timer, the first timer being used by the terminal device to report the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service when the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service changes and the first timer corresponding to the first uplink service expires or is not executed.

23. 23. The method of claim 17, wherein the first information further includes a second timer, the second timer being used by the terminal device to report the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service when the second timer expires.

24. 23. The method of claim 17, wherein the first information further includes a first threshold value, the first threshold value being used by the terminal device to report the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service when a deviation between an expected arrival time and an actual arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service exceeds the first threshold value.

25. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the expected arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service is determined based on a periodicity of the first uplink service and a reported second BAT, the second BAT being a BAT reported immediately before the first BAT.

26. 26. The method of claim 24 or 25, wherein the first information further includes a third timer, and the third timer is used by the terminal device to report the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service when the deviation between the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service exceeds the first threshold and the third timer expires or does not run.

27. The first information further includes a second threshold value, and the method further comprises: receiving first indication information from the terminal device, the first indication information indicating that a deviation between an expected arrival time and an actual arrival time of a data packet of the first uplink service exceeds the second threshold; sending a request message to the terminal device, the request message being used to request the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service; 23. The method of claim 17, further comprising receiving the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service from the terminal device.

28. 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the expected arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service is determined based on a periodicity of the first uplink service and a reported second BAT, the second BAT being a BAT reported immediately before the first BAT.

29. 29. The method of claim 27 or 28, wherein the first information further includes a fourth timer, and the fourth timer is used by the terminal device to send the first indication information when the deviation between the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service exceeds the second threshold and the fourth timer expires or is not executed.

30. receiving second indication information from the terminal device, the second indication information indicating that the BAT of data packets of the first uplink service is to change; sending a request message to the terminal device, the request message being used to request the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service; 23. The method of claim 17, further comprising receiving the BAT corresponding to the first uplink service from the terminal device.

31. 31. The method of claim 30, wherein the expected arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service is determined based on a periodicity of the first uplink service and a reported second BAT, the second BAT being a BAT reported immediately before the first BAT.

32. 32. The method according to claim 30 or 31, wherein the first information further includes a fifth timer, and the fifth timer is used by the terminal device to send the second indication information when the expected arrival time and the actual arrival time of the data packet of the first uplink service do not match and the fifth timer expires or is not executed.

33. A communications device comprising a module or unit configured to carry out the method of any one of claims 1 to 16 or claims 17 to 32.

34. 1. A communication device comprising: a processor; A communications device in which the method of any one of claims 1 to 16 is performed or the method of any one of claims 17 to 32 is performed when the processor invokes a computer program or instruction residing in a memory.

35. 1. A communication device comprising: a logic circuit and an interface, the logic circuit coupled to the interface; 33. A communications device, wherein the interface is configured to input data to be processed, the logic circuit processes the data to be processed by using the method of any one of claims 1 to 16 or claims 17 to 32 to obtain processed data, and the interface is configured to output the processed data.

36. 1. A computer-readable storage medium, comprising: The computer-readable storage medium is configured to store instructions or a computer program that, when executed, implements the method of any one of claims 1 to 16 or the method of any one of claims 17 to 32.

37. A computer program product comprising instructions or computer programs, A computer program product which, when said instructions or said computer program are executed, performs the method of any one of claims 1 to 16 or performs the method of any one of claims 17 to 32.

38. A communication system comprising a communication device according to claim 33, a communication device according to claim 34, or a communication device according to claim 35.

39. A communication system comprising a network device and a terminal device, A communication system, wherein the terminal devices are configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 16 and the network devices are configured to perform the method of any one of claims 17 to 32.

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