Communication method, apparatus and system, and storage medium and program product

Abstract

Disclosed in the present application are a communication method, apparatus and system, and a storage medium and a program product. A core network element can acquire QoS association information which is predicted by an access network device, perform prediction according to the QoS association information, so as to obtain a first QoS parameter set, and send the first QoS parameter set to the access network device. Since the first QoS parameter set is obtained on the basis of the QoS association information which is predicted by the access network device, the service requirements at an access network side can be better met, such that the access network device can efficiently acquire an available QoS parameter, and the efficiency for performing service processing by using the QoS parameters is thus improved.

Description

Communication method, device, system, storage medium and program product

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on June 13, 2023, with application number 202310699975.7 and invention name “Communication method, device, system, storage medium and program product”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, device, system, storage medium, and program product. Background Art

[0003] The Quality of Service (QoS) mechanism is a security mechanism for wireless networks. Network devices use the QoS mechanism to process data of different priorities, which helps to avoid network delays and congestion.

[0004] Currently, QoS parameters are generated in the core network and then delivered to access network devices. However, the QoS parameters delivered by the core network may not meet the service requirements of the access network side.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present application provides a communication method, apparatus, system, storage medium, and program product to enable access network equipment to efficiently obtain available QoS parameters.

[0007] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, the method comprising: obtaining QoS association information predicted based on a first artificial intelligence (AI) model; sending the QoS association information to a core network network element, the QoS association information being used to determine a first QoS parameter set; and receiving the first QoS parameter set from the core network network element, wherein the first QoS parameter set includes one or more first QoS parameters.

[0008] In this aspect, a core network element can obtain QoS association information predicted by an access network device, and based on the QoS association information, predict a first QoS parameter set, and send the first QoS parameter set to the access network device. Because the first QoS parameter set is obtained based on the QoS association information predicted by the access network device, it can better meet the service requirements of the access network side, thereby enabling the access network device to efficiently obtain available QoS parameters and improve the efficiency of service processing using the QoS parameters.

[0009] In a possible implementation, the first QoS parameter set is predicted by the core network element based on the second AI model and the QoS association information.

[0010] In another possible implementation, the QoS associated information includes at least one of the following: prediction information associated with the terminal, and prediction information associated with the access network device.

[0011] In this implementation, the QoS association information is obtained by the access network device through AI reasoning using a first AI model based on historical QoS flow measurement data of the terminal and / or the access network device.

[0012] In another possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving a first request from the core network element, wherein the first request is used to request to obtain the QoS association information.

[0013] In another possible implementation, the first request includes at least one of the following information: a request content indication, a reporting mechanism indication, a predicted time period, and an indication of a valid time.

[0014] In this implementation, the first request carries the above information, so that the access network device can accurately report the corresponding QoS related information.

[0015] In another possible implementation, sending the QoS association information to the core network element includes: sending a first message to the core network element according to the first request, wherein the first message includes the QoS association information and the valid time corresponding to the QoS association information.

[0016] In another possible implementation, the QoS association information includes a second QoS parameter set, the second QoS parameter set includes one or more second QoS parameters, and the second QoS parameter set is based on at least one of prediction information associated with the terminal and prediction information associated with the access network device.

[0017] In this implementation, the first AI model of the access network device has the ability to process the prediction information associated with the terminal and the prediction information associated with the access network device to obtain a second QoS parameter set, so that the core network network element can issue a QoS parameter set that can meet the service requirements of the access network side as much as possible.

[0018] In another possible implementation, the QoS parameters in the first QoS parameter set and the second QoS parameter set are completely identical, partially identical, or completely different.

[0019] In this implementation, if the second QoS parameter set meets the requirements of the core network network element, for example, meets the contract requirements of the terminal, etc., then the first QoS parameter set may be the same as the second QoS parameter set; if some QoS parameters in the second QoS parameter set do not meet the requirements of the core network network element, then the first QoS parameter set may be partially the same as the second QoS parameter set; if all QoS parameters in the second QoS parameter set do not meet the requirements of the core network network element, then the first QoS parameter set may be completely different from the second QoS parameter set.

[0020] In another possible implementation, the first QoS parameter set includes at least one of the following information: an AI identifier associated with the first QoS parameter set, and validity information corresponding to the first QoS parameter set.

[0021] For example, the validity information includes any one of the following: validity time, applicable cell, and applicable beam.

[0022] In this implementation, the first QoS parameter set may also include the above-mentioned AI identifier and validity information. The AI ​​identifier may be an identifier of the first AI model, so that the access network device can select the QoS parameters corresponding to the currently adopted AI model based on the identifier of the first AI model; and / or the AI ​​identifier may be an identifier of the AI ​​service, so that the access network device can select the QoS parameters corresponding to the current AI service based on the identifier of the AI ​​service. The access network device may also select the QoS parameters that are valid for the current time period based on the validity message. The above may enable the access network device to select the QoS parameter set more accurately. In another possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving a third QoS parameter set from the core network network element, the third QoS parameter set being obtained based on user subscription information and historical QoS flow information, the third QoS parameter set including one or more third QoS parameters; and selecting an available QoS parameter set from the first QoS parameter set and the third QoS parameter set.

[0023] In another possible implementation, the first QoS parameter set and the third QoS parameter set are included in a second message, and the second message also includes a priority indication of the QoS parameter set, and the priority indication of the QoS parameter set is used to indicate the priority of the first QoS parameter set and the third QoS parameter set; the selecting of an available QoS parameter set from the first QoS parameter set and the third QoS parameter set includes: selecting a QoS parameter set with a higher priority from the first QoS parameter set and the third QoS parameter set according to the priority indication of the QoS parameter set; or, when the QoS parameter set with a higher priority is not available, selecting a QoS parameter set with a lower priority.

[0024] In this implementation, the access network device can obtain the first QoS parameter set and the third QoS parameter set by receiving the second message, so there is no need to wait until the access network device feeds back that the QoS parameter set does not meet the service requirements and notifies the core network network element before receiving the new QoS parameter set, thereby allowing the access network device to obtain the available QoS parameter set in a timely manner.

[0025] In another possible implementation, when the first QoS parameter set is selected, the method further includes: sending usage status of the first QoS parameter set to the core network element.

[0026] In this implementation, the access network device sends the usage of the first QoS parameter set to the core network network element, so that the core network network element can optimize the second AI model used to predict the QoS parameter set based on the usage, thereby improving the accuracy of the predicted QoS parameter set.

[0027] In another possible implementation, when the first QoS parameter set is selected, the method further includes: optimizing the first AI model according to usage of the first QoS parameter set.

[0028] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, the method comprising: receiving QoS association information from an access network device, the QoS association information being used to determine a first QoS parameter set, the QoS association information being predicted by the access network device based on a first AI model; determining a first QoS parameter set based on the QoS association information, wherein the first QoS parameter set includes one or more first QoS parameters; and sending the first QoS parameter set to the access network device.

[0029] In a possible implementation, determining the first QoS parameter set according to the QoS association information includes: predicting the QoS parameter set based on a second AI model and the QoS association information.

[0030] In another possible implementation, the QoS associated information includes at least one of the following: prediction information associated with the terminal, and prediction information associated with the access network device.

[0031] In another possible implementation, the method further includes: sending a first request to the access network device, wherein the first request is used to request to obtain the QoS association information, and the first request includes at least one of the following information: a request content indication, a reporting mechanism indication, a predicted time period, and an indication of carrying a valid time.

[0032] In another possible implementation, the receiving of QoS association information from the access network device includes: receiving a first message from the access network device, where the first message includes the QoS association information and a valid time corresponding to the QoS association information.

[0033] In another possible implementation, the QoS association information includes a second QoS parameter set, the second QoS parameter set includes one or more second QoS parameters, and the second QoS parameter set is based on at least one of prediction information associated with the terminal and prediction information associated with the access network device.

[0034] In another possible implementation, the QoS parameters in the first QoS parameter set and the second QoS parameter set are completely identical, partially identical, or completely different.

[0035] In another possible implementation, the first QoS parameter set includes at least one of the following information: an AI identifier associated with the first QoS parameter set, and validity information corresponding to the first QoS parameter set.

[0036] In another possible implementation, the validity information corresponding to the first QoS parameter set includes any one of the following: valid time, applicable cell, and applicable beam.

[0037] In yet another possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0038] A third QoS parameter set is sent to the access network device, where the third QoS parameter set is obtained based on user subscription information and historical QoS flow information, and the third QoS parameter set includes one or more third QoS parameters.

[0039] In another possible implementation, the first QoS parameter set and the third QoS parameter set are included in a second message, and the second message also includes a priority indication of the QoS parameter set, and the priority indication of the QoS parameter set is used to indicate the priority of the first QoS parameter set and the third QoS parameter set.

[0040] In another possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving usage of the first QoS parameter set from the access network device; and optimizing the second AI model based on the usage of the first QoS parameter set.

[0041] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided, the method comprising: obtaining at least one first QoS parameter set based on AI model prediction, each first QoS parameter set including one or more QoS parameters; receiving first QoS parameter range information from a core network network element, the first QoS parameter range information including parameter ranges corresponding to part or all of one or more QoS parameters; determining a second QoS parameter set based on the at least one first QoS parameter set, each QoS parameter of the one or more QoS parameters in the second QoS parameter set being within the parameter range corresponding to each QoS parameter; and sending the second QoS parameter set to the core network network element.

[0042] In this aspect, the access network device predicts at least one first QoS parameter set based on its own AI model, and determines a second QoS parameter set based on the first QoS parameter range information issued by the core network element. The access network device can determine an available QoS parameter set based on the QoS parameter set predicted by itself and the QoS parameter range information issued by the core network element to meet the service requirements of the terminal.

[0043] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: if there is at least one QoS parameter in any one of the first QoS parameter sets that is not within the parameter range corresponding to the at least one QoS parameter, sending a first request to the core network network element, wherein the first request is used to request modification of the first QoS parameter range information, and the first request includes an identifier of the QoS parameter in the first QoS parameter set that is not within the parameter range.

[0044] In another possible implementation, the first request further includes at least one of the following information: an identifier of the first QoS parameter set, a reason why the first QoS parameter set is unavailable, and a parameter value of a QoS parameter in the first QoS parameter set that is not within a parameter range.

[0045] In another possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving second QoS parameter range information from the core network element, where the second QoS parameter range information is obtained by modifying the first QoS parameter range information according to the first request.

[0046] In a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided, the method comprising: sending first QoS parameter range information to an access network device, the first QoS parameter range information including parameter ranges corresponding to some or all of one or more QoS parameters; and receiving a second QoS parameter set from the access network device, wherein the second QoS parameter set is obtained based on at least one first QoS parameter set, the at least one first QoS parameter set is predicted based on an AI model, the second QoS parameter set includes one or more QoS parameters, and each QoS parameter of the one or more QoS parameters in the second QoS parameter set is within the parameter range corresponding to each QoS parameter.

[0047] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: if there is at least one QoS parameter in any one of the first QoS parameter sets that is not within the parameter range corresponding to the at least one QoS parameter, receiving a first request from the access network device, wherein the first request is used to request modification of the first QoS parameter range information, and the first request includes an identifier of the QoS parameter in the first QoS parameter set that is not within the parameter range; modifying the first QoS parameter range information according to the first request to obtain second QoS parameter range information; and sending the second QoS parameter range information to the access network device.

[0048] In another possible implementation, the first request further includes at least one of the following information: an identifier of the first QoS parameter set, a reason why the first QoS parameter set is unavailable, and a parameter value of a QoS parameter in the first QoS parameter set that is not within a parameter range.

[0049] The methods of the first and third aspects above can be executed by an access network device, or by a module (such as a processor, chip, or chip system, etc.) applied to the access network device, or by a logical node, logical module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the access network device.

[0050] The methods of the second and fourth aspects mentioned above can be executed by a core network element, or by a module applied to the core network element (such as a processor, chip, or chip system, etc.), or by a logical node, logical module or software that can realize all or part of the core network element functions.

[0051] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided, configured to implement the communication method of the first aspect or any one of its implementations; or configured to implement the communication method of the third aspect or any one of its implementations. The device may be an access network device, a module (such as a processor, chip, or chip system) applied to an access network device, or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of an access network device.

[0052] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, configured to implement the communication method in the second aspect or any one of its implementations; or configured to implement the communication method in the fourth aspect or any one of its implementations. The device may be a core network element, a module (e.g., a processor, a chip, or a chip system) applied to a core network element, or a logical node, a logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the core network element functions.

[0053] In a possible implementation, the communication device in the fifth to sixth aspects includes a module for respectively executing the method in any one of the first to fourth aspects or any one of the implementations.

[0054] In another possible implementation, the communication device in the fifth to sixth aspects includes a processor coupled to a memory; the processor is configured to enable the device to perform the corresponding functions in the above-mentioned communication method. The memory is used to couple with the processor and store the necessary programs (instructions) and / or data for the device. Optionally, the communication device may further include a communication interface for enabling communication between the device and other network elements. Optionally, the memory may be located inside or outside the communication device.

[0055] In another possible implementation, the communication device in the fifth to sixth aspects includes a processor and a transceiver, the processor being coupled to the transceiver, and the processor being used to execute a computer program or instruction to control the transceiver to receive and send information; when the processor executes the computer program or instruction, the processor is also used to implement the above method through a logic circuit or execution code instruction. The transceiver may be a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, or an input / output interface, configured to receive signals from other communication devices other than the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices other than the communication device. When the communication device is a chip, the transceiver is a transceiver circuit or an input / output interface.

[0056] When the communication device in the fifth and sixth aspects is a chip, the transmitting unit may be an output unit, such as an output circuit or a communication interface; and the receiving unit may be an input unit, such as an input circuit or a communication interface. When the communication device is a terminal, the transmitting unit may be a transmitter or a transmitter; and the receiving unit may be a receiver or a receiver.

[0057] In a seventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, in which a computer program or instruction is stored. When the computer program or instruction is executed, the methods described in the above aspects are implemented.

[0058] In an eighth aspect, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided, which, when executed on a communication device, causes the communication device to execute the methods described in the above aspects.

[0059] In the ninth aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes an access network device and a core network network element, wherein the access network device can execute the method described in the first aspect or the third aspect, and the core network network element can execute the method described in the second aspect or the fourth aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0060] FIG1 is a simplified schematic diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0061] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of an application framework of AI in NR provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0062] FIG3 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0063] FIG4 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0064] FIG5 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0065] FIG6 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0066] FIG7 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0067] FIG8 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0068] The embodiments of the present application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0069] The technology provided by this application can be applied to various communication systems. For example, the communication system can be a fourth generation (4G) thgeneration, 4G) communication systems (such as long term evolution (LTE) systems), fifth generation (5 th The present application provides a communication system that is a 5G generation (5G) communication system, or a future communication system, such as a 6G communication system, or a fusion system of multiple systems. Among them, the 5G communication system can also be called a new radio (NR) system. In addition, the communication system provided in this application may include a non-terrestrial network (NTN) and / or a terrestrial network (TN).

[0070] A network element in a communication system can send signals to or receive signals from another network element. The signals may include information, signaling, or data. The network element may also be replaced by an entity, a network entity, a device, a communication device, a communication module, a node, a communication node, etc. The present application uses the network element as an example for description. For example, a communication system may include at least one terminal and at least one access network device. The access network device may send downlink signals to the terminal, and / or the terminal may send uplink signals to the access network device. In addition, it is understood that if the communication system includes multiple terminals, the multiple terminals may also send signals to each other, that is, the signal sending network element and the signal receiving network element may both be terminals.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 1 , FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 1 , the communication system 1000 includes a radio access network 100, a core network 200, and the Internet 300. The radio access network 100 may be a next-generation (e.g., 6G or higher) radio access network, or a traditional (e.g., 5G or 4G) radio access network. One or more terminals (120 a - 120 j , collectively referred to as 120 ) may be connected to each other or to one or more network devices (110 a , 110 b , collectively referred to as 110 ) in the radio access network 100. The core network 200 may include one or more core network elements. Taking the 5G core network as an example, the 5G core network includes an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element responsible for services such as mobility management and access management, a session management function (SMF) network element responsible for session management, a user plane function (UPF) network element responsible for packet routing and forwarding and quality of service (QoS) control on the user plane, and a policy control function (PCF) network element. The above core network elements can work independently or be combined to implement certain control functions. For example, the AMF, SMF, and PCF can be combined as a core network element. The core network element in the embodiments of the present application can be any of the above-mentioned AMF, SMF, UPF, PCF, etc. Figure 1 is only a schematic diagram, and the communication system may also include other devices, such as wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices, which are not shown in Figure 1. For example, in actual applications, the communication system may include multiple network devices (also called access network devices) at the same time, or may include multiple communication devices at the same time. A network device can serve one or more communication devices at the same time. A communication device can also access one or more network devices at the same time. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the number of communication devices and network devices included in the communication system.

[0072] The network device may be an entity on the network side for transmitting or receiving signals, and may be an access network device that connects a communication device to the communication system in a wireless manner, such as a base station. The base station can broadly cover various names as follows, or be replaced with the following names, such as: NodeB, evolved NodeB (eNB), next generation NodeB (gNB), access network equipment in open radio access network (O-RAN), relay station, access point, transmission point (TRP), transmitting point (TP), multi-standard wireless node, home base station, network controller, access node, wireless node, access point (AP), transmission node, transceiver node, baseband unit (BBU), remote radio unit (RRU), active antenna unit (AAU), remote radio head (RRH), centralized unit (CU), distributed unit (DU), radio unit (RU), centralized unit control plane (CU-CP) node, centralized unit user plane (CU user The base station may be a macro base station, a micro base station, a relay node, a donor node or the like, or a combination thereof. The network device may also refer to a communication module, a modem or a chip provided in the aforementioned device or apparatus. The network device may also be a mobile switching center and a device to device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), a device that performs the base station function in machine-to-machine (M2M) communications, a network side device in a 6G network, a device that performs the base station function in a future communication system, etc. The network device may support networks with the same or different access technologies. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the network device.

[0073] All or part of the functions of the network device in this application may also be implemented through software functions running on hardware, or through virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (such as a cloud platform). The network device in this application may also be a logical node, logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the network device functions.

[0074] Network devices can be fixed or mobile. For example, base stations 110a and 110b are stationary and are responsible for wireless transmission and reception in one or more cells from communication device 120. The helicopter or drone 120i shown in Figure 1 can be configured to act as a mobile base station, and one or more cells can move according to the location of the mobile base station 120i. In other examples, the helicopter or drone (120i) can be configured to act as a communication device communicating with base station 110b.

[0075] In this application, the communication device used to implement the above-mentioned access network function can be an access network device, a network device having some of the access network functions, or a device capable of supporting the implementation of the access network function, such as a chip system, a hardware circuit, a software module, or a hardware circuit and a software module. The device can be installed in the access network device or used in combination with the access network device. In the method of this application, the communication device used to implement the access network device function is described as an access network device.

[0076] The terminal 120 can be any device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to the user and can communicate with one or more core networks via a radio access network (RAN). The terminal provided in this application can be applied to various communication scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IOT), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), industrial control, self-driving, telemedicine, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wearable, smart transportation, smart city, etc. The terminal device can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer (pad), a computer with wireless transceiver function, a wearable device, aerospace equipment, a drone device, etc. The communication device 120 can be a wireless device in the above various communication scenarios or a device used to be set in a wireless device, such as a communication module, modem or chip in the above device. A communication device may also be referred to as a terminal, terminal device, user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc. A communication device may also be a communication device in a future communication system. A communication device may be used in a dedicated network device or a general-purpose device. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or specific device form used by the communication device.

[0077] For example, a communication device can function as a base station. For example, a UE can function as a dispatching entity, providing sidelink signals between UEs in V2X, D2D, or P2P scenarios. As shown in Figure 1 , a cell phone 120a and a car 120b communicate with each other using sidelink signals. Cell phone 120a and smart home device 120e communicate without relaying the communication signals through base station 110b.

[0078] In this application, the communication device used to implement the functions of the above-mentioned terminal 120 can be a terminal device, or a module having some of the functions of the above-mentioned terminal, or a device capable of supporting the implementation of the functions of the above-mentioned terminal, such as a chip system, which can be installed in the terminal or used in combination with the terminal. In this application, the chip system can be composed of chips, or it can include chips and other discrete devices. In the technical solution provided in this application, the communication device is described as a terminal or UE as an example.

[0079] The communication between the access network device and the terminal follows a certain protocol layer structure. The protocol layer structure may include a control plane protocol layer structure and a user plane protocol layer structure. For example, the control plane protocol layer structure may include the functions of protocol layers such as the radio resource control (RRC) layer, the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, the radio link control (RLC) layer, the medium access control (MAC) layer, and the physical layer. For example, the user plane protocol layer structure may include the functions of protocol layers such as the PDCP layer, the RLC layer, the MAC layer, and the physical layer. In one possible implementation, a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer may also be included above the PDCP layer.

[0080] Exemplarily, the protocol layer structure between the access network device and the terminal may further include an AI layer for transmitting data related to the AI ​​function.

[0081] In one example, the access network device may include a CU and a DU. Multiple DUs may be centrally controlled by one CU. As an example, the interface between the CU and the DU may be referred to as an F1 interface. Among them, the control plane (CP) interface may be F1-C, and the user plane (UP) interface may be F1-U. The CU and the DU may be divided according to the protocol layers of the wireless network: for example, the functions of the PDCP layer and above protocol layers are set in the CU, and the functions of the protocol layers below the PDCP layer (such as the RLC layer and the MAC layer, etc.) are set in the DU; for another example, the functions of the protocol layers above the PDCP layer are set in the CU, and the functions of the protocol layers below the PDCP layer are set in the DU.

[0082] It will be appreciated that the above division of the processing functions of the CU and DU based on protocol layers is merely an example, and the division may be performed in other ways. For example, the CU or DU may be divided to include functions for more protocol layers, or to include partial processing functions for a protocol layer. In one design, some functions of the RLC layer and functions of protocol layers above the RLC layer are located in the CU, while the remaining functions of the RLC layer and functions of protocol layers below the RLC layer are located in the DU. In another design, the functions of the CU or DU may be divided based on service type or other system requirements, for example, based on latency, where functions whose processing time must meet latency requirements are located in the DU, while functions that do not meet these latency requirements are located in the CU. In another design, the CU may also include one or more functions of the core network. For example, the CU may be located on the network side to facilitate centralized management. In another design, the RU of the DU is remotely located, where the RU has radio frequency functions. In another design, the DU and RU may be divided at the physical layer (PHY). For example, the DU may implement high-layer functions in the PHY layer, and the RU may implement low-layer functions in the PHY layer.

[0083] For example, the functions of the CU can be implemented by one entity, or by different entities. For example, the functions of the CU can be further divided, that is, the control plane and the user plane are separated and implemented by different entities, namely the control plane CU entity (i.e., CU-CP entity) and the user plane CU entity (i.e., CU-UP entity). The CU-CP entity and the CU-UP entity can be coupled with the DU to jointly complete the functions of the access network device.

[0084] In the above architecture, signaling generated by the CU can be sent to the terminal via the DU, and vice versa. For example, RRC or PDCP layer signaling is ultimately processed into physical layer signaling and sent to the terminal, or converted from received physical layer signaling. In this architecture, the RRC or PDCP layer signaling can be considered to be sent via the DU, or via the DU and RU.

[0085] For example, any of the above-mentioned DU, CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, and RU can be a software module, a hardware structure, or a software module + hardware structure, without limitation. The existence forms of different entities can be different and are not limited. For example, DU, CU, CU-CP, and CU-UP are software modules, and RU is a hardware structure. These modules and their execution methods are also within the scope of protection of this application.

[0086] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meanings. For example, in the O-RAN system, CU may be called O-CU (Open CU), DU may be called O-DU, CU-CP may be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP may be called O-CU-UP, and RU may be called O-RU.

[0087] It should be understood that the number and type of each device in the communication system shown in Figure 1 are for illustration only, and the present application is not limited to this. In actual applications, the communication system may also include more terminals, more access network devices, more core network elements, and other network elements, such as network elements for implementing artificial intelligence functions.

[0088] It is understandable that all or part of the functions implemented by one or more of the terminals, access network devices, core network network elements, or network elements for implementing artificial intelligence functions can be virtualized, that is, implemented by one or more of the proprietary processors or general-purpose processors and the corresponding software modules. Among them, since the terminal and the access network device involve an interface for air interface transmission, the transceiver function of the interface can be implemented by hardware. Exemplarily, one or more functions of the virtualized terminal, access network device, core network network element, or network element for implementing artificial intelligence functions can be implemented by a cloud device, such as a cloud device in an over the top (OTT) system.

[0089] The method provided in this application can be used for communication between access network equipment and core network elements, but is not limited to this.

[0090] In this application, "sending information to... (e.g., access network device)" or the related illustrations in the accompanying drawings can be understood as the destination end of the information being the access network device. This can include sending information directly or indirectly to the access network device. "Receiving information from... (e.g., access network device)" or "receiving information from... (e.g., access network device)", or the related illustrations in the accompanying drawings can be understood as the source end of the information being the access network device, which can include receiving information directly or indirectly from the access network device. The information may be processed as necessary between the source end and the destination end of the information transmission, such as format changes, but the destination end can understand the valid information from the source end. Similar expressions in this application can be understood similarly and will not be repeated here.

[0091] The embodiments of this application involve the following concepts:

[0092] AI: AI is a technology that simulates the human brain to perform complex calculations. With advances in data storage and computing power, AI is increasingly being used. Currently, there are proposals to apply AI to NR to improve network performance and user experience through intelligent data collection and analysis.

[0093] As shown in Figure 2, it is a schematic diagram of an application framework of AI in NR provided in an embodiment of the present application. The application framework includes the following modules: a data collection module, a model training module, a model inference module and an executor.

[0094] The model training module and the model reasoning module are examples of AI modules. The AI ​​module is a module with machine learning computing capabilities. Exemplarily, the AI ​​module can be located in the access network device (for example, if the access network device is a separated architecture, it can be located in the CU), can be located in the terminal, or can be a separate network element entity AI control layer (AI control layer, AIC). Taking the communication system shown in Figure 1 as an example, the AI ​​module can be located in the wireless access network 100, can be located in the core network 200, or can be located in the Internet 300. If the O-RAN architecture is adopted, the AI ​​module can also be set in the RAN intelligent controller (RAN intelligent controller, RIC). The RIC can obtain network side and / or terminal side information from the access network device and / or terminal for AI model training or reasoning, and the training or reasoning results can be transmitted to the RAN node and / or terminal. When the AI ​​model is located in the CU and the CP and UP of the CU are separated, the CP can be responsible for receiving the AI ​​model and the subsequent AI reasoning and policy generation functions. When CU-CP is further divided into CU-CP1 and CU-CP2, CU-CP1 can be responsible for receiving the AI ​​model and the reasoning function of the subsequent AI model, and generating specific interaction signaling, which will be sent by CU-CP2.

[0095] The data collection module stores data input from gNBs, gNB-CUs, gNB-DUs, UEs, or other management entities, serving as a database for AI model training and data analysis and inference. The model training module analyzes the training data provided by the data collection module to generate an optimal AI model. The model illustration module uses the AI ​​model to generate AI-based predictions about network performance based on the data provided by the data collection module, or to guide network policy adjustments. The executor entity centrally plans these policy adjustments and sends them to multiple network entities for execution. Furthermore, after the relevant policies are applied, the network's performance is stored again in the database.

[0096] QoS refers to a network's ability to leverage various underlying technologies to provide improved service for specified network communications. It is a network security mechanism and a technology used to address issues such as network latency and congestion. Within a protocol data unit session (PDU session), data flows with the same QoS requirements are referred to as a QoS flow. Additionally, for each UE, the access network equipment establishes one or more data radio bearers (DRBs) for each PDU session. QoS flows are mapped to DRBs.

[0097] The specific content of the QoS parameters will be summarized below. First of all, it should be noted that the symbols ">", ">>", and ">>>" in the following tables involving QoS parameters represent the hierarchy of the cell. For example, ">" represents the first-level cell, ">>" represents the second-level cell, and ">>>" represents the third-level cell, and so on. The cells at each level have a nested relationship according to the hierarchy. For example, the second-level cell is contained in the first-level cell, and the third-level cell is contained in the second-level cell. It can be understood that the second-level cell and the third-level cell are both contained in the first-level cell. If the above-mentioned symbols such as ">" appear in the examples of cell design in this application, the meaning is the same and will not be repeated.

[0098] For example, in NR, QoS parameters may include one or more of the following:

[0099] Table 1

[0100] The 5QI represents the service's QoS requirements, including resource type, priority, latency, and packet loss rate. The resource type determines whether dedicated network resources need to be permanently allocated for the guaranteed flow bit rate (GFBR) at the QoS Flow level. Resource types include guaranteed bit rate (GBR), delay-critical guaranteed bit rate (delay-critical GBR), and non-guaranteed bit rate (non-GBR). Bandwidth is guaranteed for GBR services (real-time services such as voice, video, and real-time gaming), but not for non-GBR services (non-real-time services such as email, FTP, and HTTP). Delay-critical GBR is used to support delay-sensitive URLLC services in smart grids and factories. The QoS flow corresponding to GBR and delay-critical GBR services is GBR QoS Flow; the QoS flow corresponding to non-GBR services is non-GBR QoS Flow.

[0101] 5QI is divided into non-dynamic 5QI and dynamic 5QI, as shown in Table 2 and Table 3 respectively:

[0102] Table 2

[0103] Table 3

[0104] Priority Level indicates the resource scheduling priority of a 5G QoS flow and applies to different QoS flows for the same UE and QoS flows for different UEs. A smaller value indicates a higher priority. The average window is defined for GBR QoS flows and is used by related network elements to calculate GFBR and MFBR statistics. Maximum data burst volume applies only to Delay-critical GBR and is used for ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) services. It represents the maximum amount of data that an access network device can transmit within a packet delay budget (PDB). The packet delay budget defines the maximum upper limit for the packet transmission delay between the UE and the anchor UPF. The packet error rate (PAR) sets an upper limit on the ratio of packets processed by the radio link control (RLC) layer on the sender side but not submitted to the upper layer (packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer) by the corresponding receiver side. This is the maximum tolerable bit error rate.

[0105] The 5QI value ranges from 0 to 255. Non-dynamic 5QI QoS requirements include values ​​from 1 to 9, 65 to 67, 69 to 76, 79, 80, and 82 to 86. Non-dynamic 5QI can be used for both GBR and non-GBR services, as well as Delay Critical GBR services. Dynamic 5QI QoS requirements can be customized.

[0106] In Table 1, allocation and retention priority (ARP) means that when resources are limited, whether to accept a DRB establishment or modification request can be decided based on ARP; when congestion occurs, which one or more DRBs to release can be decided based on ARP.

[0107] In Table 1, GBR QoS Flow Information is information related to the GBR QoS flow, specifically including one or more items in Table 4 below:

[0108] Table 4

[0109] Among them, GFBR and MFBR are the guaranteed flow bit rate and maximum flow bit rate that QoS Flow can provide, that is, dedicated network resources will be allocated to GBR QoS Flow to ensure that the flow bit rate is not lower than GFBR and not higher than MFBR. Both GFBR and MFBR are notified to the access network device by the core network element. MPLR is the maximum packet loss rate that the QoS flow can tolerate in the upstream and downstream directions, and is only applied to voice media services. Notification control (NC) is used to control whether the access network device reports a message to the core network element when the GFBR, PDB, and PER of the GBR QoS Flow cannot be met. After NC is turned on, when the GFBR, PDB, and PER of a QoS Flow cannot meet the GFBR, PDB, and PER in the corresponding QoS profile, the access network device sends a notification to the SMF, and the core network element subsequently modifies or releases this QoS Flow. Alternative QoS Parameters Set List is a set of alternative QoS parameters for the QoS flow, specifically including one or more of the following Table 5:

[0110] Table 5

[0111] Wherein, Alternative QoS Parameters Set Index represents the index of the alternative QoS parameter set. The notification sent by the access network device includes the index of the alternative QoS parameter set.

[0112] In order to distinguish the alternative QoS parameter set from other QoS parameter sets in the QoS parameter set, in this application, we refer to the QoS parameter sets other than the alternative QoS parameter set as basic QoS parameters.

[0113] In Table 1, the reflective QoS attribute (RQA) is used when the UE sends uplink user plane data (traffic). If the core network does not provide a mapping rule, the uplink user plane data is mapped to a QoS flow, saving the signaling overhead of mapping, such as when browsing a web page. This is applicable to non-GBR QoS flows.

[0114] Currently, the AMF distributes QoS parameters to access network devices. However, when core network elements generate these QoS parameters, they lack access network-side information, such as cell load and terminal information. Furthermore, access network devices only notify core network elements when QoS parameters fail to meet requirements, resulting in delayed problem identification and inability to identify QoS parameter unavailability in advance.

[0115] In view of this, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication solution in which a core network element can obtain QoS association information predicted by an access network device through an AI model. This QoS association information takes into account high-precision terminal and access network device information. Based on this QoS association information, a first QoS parameter set is predicted and sent to the access network device. As a result, the core network element does not need to wait until the access network device reports that the QoS parameters do not meet the requirements before receiving a notification, allowing the access network device to obtain QoS parameters that can meet the terminal service requirements, so that the access network device can obtain available QoS parameters in a timely manner.

[0116] The communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application is described in detail below. It can be understood that the present application uses the access network device and the core network element as an example to illustrate the execution subject of the interaction diagram, but the present application does not limit the execution subject of the interaction diagram. For example, the access network device in the method provided by the present application can also be a chip, chip system, or processor applied to the access network device, or a logical node, logical module or software that can implement all or part of the access network device; the core network element in the method provided by the present application can also be a chip, chip system, or processor applied to the core network element, or a logical node, logical module or software that can implement all or part of the core network element function.

[0117] FIG3 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method may include the following steps:

[0118] S301. The access network device obtains QoS related information predicted based on the first AI model.

[0119] Specifically, a first AI model is stored in the access network device, so that the access network device can use the first AI model for training, reasoning, updating, and evaluation. In this embodiment, the access network device can use historical information associated with the terminal and / or historical information associated with the access network device as input information of the first AI model, and use the first AI model to infer or predict QoS-related information. That is, the QoS-related information is the reasoning result obtained by the access network device based on the first AI model. Exemplarily, the first AI model can be a recurrent neural network, a convolutional neural network, or a graph neural network, etc.

[0120] Exemplarily, the historical information associated with the terminal may include at least one of the following: historical channel measurement data, historical terminal movement paths, historical uplink and downlink throughputs, historical packet loss rates, historical packet delays, and historical terminal service types. The channel measurement data may be reference signal received power (RSRP) or reference signal received quality (RSRQ).

[0121] Exemplarily, the historical information associated with the access network device may include at least one of the following: historical cell load, historical beam-level load.

[0122] For example, the access network device uses historical information associated with the terminal and / or historical information associated with the access network device at time t as input information for the first AI model, thereby inferring QoS-related information at time t+5 in the future based on the first AI model. This time can be an absolute time or a relative time in the communication system.

[0123] It is understood that the first AI model described above is applicable to any AI use case. Exemplary AI use cases inferred / trained on access network devices include network energy conservation, load balancing, and mobility optimization and enhancement. The execution strategy for an AI use case can be based on the inference results of the AI ​​model. For example, using an AI model to predict network energy efficiency, the access network device generates a network energy conservation strategy based on the predicted energy efficiency to achieve energy conservation.

[0124] S302. The access network device sends QoS association information to the core network element. Correspondingly, the core network element receives the QoS association information.

[0125] After acquiring the QoS association information, the access network device sends the QoS association information to the core network element. The QoS association information is used by the core network element to determine the first QoS parameter set.

[0126] S303. The core network element determines a first QoS parameter set according to the QoS association information.

[0127] The core network element stores a second AI model. Therefore, the core network element can use the second AI model to perform operations such as training, inference, updating, or evaluation. In this embodiment, the core network element can use the second AI model to infer the first QoS parameter set. The second AI model can be a recurrent neural network, a convolutional neural network, a graph neural network, etc. The second AI model can be the same as or different from the first AI model.

[0128] Specifically, the core network element can use the second AI model to perform AI reasoning based on the received QoS association information, historical QoS flow information, and terminal subscription information, and predict a first QoS parameter set, which can also be called a predicted QoS parameter set (predicted QoS, pQoS). The first QoS parameter set includes one or more first QoS parameters. The first QoS parameter can be the QoS parameters mentioned in Tables 1 to 5, but is not limited thereto.

[0129] Since the first QoS parameter set is based on QoS association information, which is predicted based on historical information associated with the terminal and / or historical information associated with the access network device, the first QoS parameter set can better meet the service requirements on the access network side.

[0130] The core network element can determine, based on its own AI implementation, a specific method for predicting the first QoS parameter set based on the second AI model. For example, the core network element can predict pQoS parameter set 1 for future time period 1 based on historical QoS flow information, and determine whether pQoS parameter set 1 is reasonable in combination with the terminal's packet delay in the QoS association information. If reasonable, the first QoS parameter set determined in this step is pQoS parameter set 1. If not reasonable, the core network element modifies pQoS parameter set 1 to pQoS parameter set 2 based on the terminal's packet delay in the QoS association information and other information such as the terminal's subscription information obtained by the core network element. For example, the core network element determines, based on the terminal's packet delay, that if the access network device adopts pQoS parameter set 1, it will result in a high packet delay for the terminal in the future, which does not meet service requirements. Furthermore, the core network element can determine, based on the terminal's subscription information, that the parameter range of the pQoS parameters in pQoS parameter set 1 can be narrowed to obtain pQoS parameter set 2. If pQoS parameter set 2 can meet the terminal's packet delay, the first QoS parameter set determined in this step is pQoS parameter set 2.

[0131] S304. The core network element sends a first QoS parameter set to the access network device. Correspondingly, the access network device receives the first QoS parameter set.

[0132] After determining the first QoS parameter set, the core network network element sends the first QoS parameter set to the access network device.

[0133] The first QoS parameter set includes one or more first QoS parameters. Exemplarily, the first QoS parameter set may be in the form of a QoS parameter list, which includes the one or more first QoS parameters.

[0134] After receiving the first QoS parameter set, the access network device may choose to use the first QoS parameter set to transmit the QoS flow.

[0135] According to a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application, a core network element can obtain QoS association information predicted by an access network device, and based on the QoS association information, predict a first QoS parameter set, and send the first QoS parameter set to the access network device. Because the first QoS parameter set is obtained based on the QoS association information predicted by the access network device, it can better meet the service requirements of the access network side, thereby enabling the access network device to efficiently obtain available QoS parameters, further improving the efficiency of service processing using the QoS parameters.

[0136] The QoS association information may include different contents. The following describes the contents of different QoS association information in conjunction with the embodiments of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 .

[0137] FIG4 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method may include the following steps:

[0138] S401. The access network device obtains QoS related information predicted based on the first AI model.

[0139] For the specific implementation of this embodiment, reference may be made to step S301 of the embodiment shown in Figure 3. Specifically, in this embodiment, for example, the access network device uses the historical information associated with the terminal at time t as input information of the first AI model, thereby predicting the predicted information associated with the terminal at time t+5; or the access network device uses the historical information associated with the access network device at time t as input information of the first AI model, thereby predicting the predicted information associated with the access network device at time t+5; or the access network device uses the historical information associated with the terminal and the historical information associated with the access network device at time t as input information of the first AI model, and respectively predicts the predicted information associated with the terminal and the predicted information associated with the access network device at time t+5.

[0140] S402: The core network element sends a first request to the access network device. Correspondingly, the access network device receives the first request.

[0141] The core network element may request the access network device to obtain QoS associated information before predicting the first QoS parameter set. Therefore, the core network element sends a first request to the access network device, where the first request is used to request to obtain QoS associated information.

[0142] The first request includes at least one of the following information: a request content indication, a reporting mechanism indication, a predicted time period, and an indication of a valid time.

[0143] Exemplarily, the request content indicates a request for prediction information associated with a terminal; or, the request content indicates a request for prediction information associated with an access network device; or, the request content indicates a request for prediction information associated with a terminal and prediction information associated with an access network device; or, the request content indicates a request for instructing the access network device to predict what information it has obtained based on internal implementation, and then report the prediction information to the core network element, while the core network element does not indicate the specific type of information to be reported.

[0144] Exemplarily, the reporting mechanism indicates that upon receiving the first request, the access network device reports the QoS associated information once, or that upon receiving the first request, the access network device periodically reports the QoS associated information (the first request may also include a reporting period), etc.

[0145] Exemplarily, the prediction time period is used to indicate the access network device to send QoS associated information within which prediction time period. The access network device can use the historical information associated with the terminal and / or the historical information associated with the access network device as input information of the first AI model, and use the first AI model to make predictions to obtain an inference result within a prediction time period, that is, obtain the prediction information associated with the terminal and / or the prediction information associated with the access network device within the prediction time period. The prediction time period corresponds to the input time period. The access network device can obtain inference results within multiple prediction time periods based on different input information. Different input information can be information associated with the terminal and / or information associated with the access network device at different historical moments. The core network network element can indicate the access network device to send QoS associated information within which prediction time period through the prediction time period. Exemplarily, the prediction time period can be indicated by the prediction start time and the prediction end time, or by information such as the prediction duration. For example, the prediction time period is [T n+1 , T n+5 ], the core network element instructs the access network device to send the time period [T n+1 , T n+5 ], the access network device can use the first AI model to analyze the QoS association information in the historical time period [T n-5 , T n ] is used to predict the above input information and obtain [T n+1 , T n+5 ] time period. Exemplarily, the first request may not include the predicted time period, and the access network device itself determines which predicted time period the QoS association information is to be sent.

[0146] Exemplarily, the indication of carrying the validity period is used to instruct the access network device to carry the validity period corresponding to the QoS association information when sending the QoS association information. The validity period corresponding to the QoS association information refers to the time period during which the QoS association information is valid, that is, the QoS association information is valid within the time period.

[0147] S403. The access network device sends a first message to the core network element according to the first request. Correspondingly, the core network element receives the first message.

[0148] The first message includes QoS association information acquired by the access network device, and the QoS association information is used to assist the core network element in determining the first QoS parameter set.

[0149] Exemplarily, if the first request includes a reporting mechanism indication, and the reporting mechanism indication is used to instruct the access network device to report the QoS-related information once upon receiving the first request, the access network device may follow the reporting mechanism indication and send the first message to the core network element. If the reporting mechanism indication is used to instruct the access network device to periodically report the QoS-related information upon receiving the first request, the access network device periodically sends the first message to the core network element according to the indicated reporting period.

[0150] Exemplarily, if the first request includes a predicted time period, the QoS association information includes predicted information associated with the terminal and / or predicted information associated with the access network device within the predicted time period. If the first request does not include a predicted time period, the access network device itself determines which predicted time period to send QoS association information.

[0151] Exemplarily, if the first request includes an indication of a validity period, the first message also includes the validity period corresponding to the QoS association information. If the access network device discovers, based on the validity period indication, that the QoS association information sent to the core network element is invalid, the access network device may resend the QoS association information, and the core network element may predict the first QoS parameter set based on the QoS association information resent by the access network device. Alternatively, the access network device may indicate to the core network element that the QoS association information previously sent is no longer valid. For example, if the QoS association information includes QoS association information for times t+1 to t+5 predicted at time t, and the access network device discovers, based on actual measurements of QoS association information associated with the terminal and / or QoS association information associated with the access network device at time t+3, that the predicted QoS association information is inaccurate or invalid, the access network device may instruct the core network element that the QoS association information predicted for times t+4 to t+5 is also invalid, and the core network element cannot generate the first QoS parameter set based on the QoS association information for times t+4 to t+5.

[0152] In another implementation, the core network element does not need to send the first request, and the access network device sends the first message to the core network element after obtaining the QoS association information. Therefore, step S402 is optional and is represented by a dotted line in the figure.

[0153] S404. The core network element determines a first QoS parameter set based on the second AI model and the QoS association information.

[0154] For the specific implementation of this step, reference may be made to step S303 of the embodiment shown in FIG3 , and details thereof will not be repeated here.

[0155] S405. The core network element sends a third QoS parameter set to the access network device. Correspondingly, the access network device receives the third QoS parameter set.

[0156] The third QoS parameter set is obtained based on user subscription information and historical QoS flow information. The third QoS parameter set includes one or more third QoS parameters. The third QoS parameter set does not consider QoS association information.

[0157] The third QoS parameter set may include a basic QoS parameter set and may also include an alternative QoS parameter set.

[0158] The core network element can use the first QoS parameter set to replace the third QoS parameter set, or can combine the third QoS parameter set and the first QoS parameter set and send them together. Therefore, this step is optional and is represented by a dotted line in Figure 4.

[0159] S406. The core network element sends the first QoS parameter set to the access network device. Correspondingly, the access network device receives the first QoS parameter set.

[0160] After determining the first QoS parameter set, the core network element sends the first QoS parameter set to the access network device. For example, the core network element may first send the third QoS parameter set to the access network device, and then send the first QoS parameter set to the access network device; or may first send the first QoS parameter set to the access network device, and then send the third QoS parameter set to the access network device; or may simultaneously send the first QoS parameter set and the third QoS parameter set to the access network device. Therefore, this application does not limit the execution order of steps S405 and S406.

[0161] The first QoS parameter set includes one or more first QoS parameters. Exemplarily, the first QoS parameter set may be in the form of a QoS parameter list, which includes the one or more first QoS parameters.

[0162] Compared with the third QoS parameter set, the first QoS parameter set may further include at least one of the following information: an AI identifier associated with the first QoS parameter set, and validity information corresponding to the first QoS parameter set.

[0163] The AI ​​identifier associated with the first QoS parameter set is used to identify the first QoS parameter set. The AI ​​identifier can be an identifier of a first AI model, or an identifier of an AI service, etc. For example, the AI ​​identifier can be an identifier of a first AI model, so that the access network device can select QoS parameters corresponding to the currently adopted AI model based on the identifier of the first AI model; and / or the AI ​​identifier can be an identifier of an AI service, so that the access network device can select QoS parameters corresponding to the current AI service based on the identifier of the AI ​​service.

[0164] The validity information corresponding to the first QoS parameter set includes any one of the following: validity time, applicable cell, and applicable beam. The access network device can select QoS parameters that are valid for the current time period based on the validity information.

[0165] Exemplarily, the validity period refers to the time or time period during which the first QoS parameter set issued by the core network element is valid. The validity period can be represented by a time or time period (eg, a start time and an end time, or a start time and a duration).

[0166] Exemplarily, the applicable cells refer to the cells in which the first QoS parameter set issued by the core network element can be used for communication. The applicable cells can be specifically represented by cell identifiers. The core network element can send multiple first QoS parameter sets corresponding to one or more cell identifiers to the access network device. For example, cell 1 corresponds to pQoS parameter set 1, and cell 2 corresponds to pQoS parameter set 2. When the terminal moves to cell 1, the access network device can use pQoS parameter set 1; when the terminal moves to cell 2, the access network device can use pQoS parameter set 2.

[0167] Exemplarily, the applicable beam refers to which beams the first QoS parameter set issued by the core network network element can be used for communication. The applicable beam can be specifically represented by a beam identifier. The core network network element can send multiple first QoS parameter sets corresponding to one or more beam identifiers to the access network device. For example, beam 1 corresponds to pQoS parameter set 1, and beam 2 corresponds to pQoS parameter set 2. If the access network device currently uses beam 1 for communication, it can use the pQoS parameter set 1 corresponding to beam 1 for communication; if the access network device currently uses beam 2 for communication, it can use the pQoS parameter set 1 corresponding to beam 2 for communication.

[0168] Exemplarily, the core network element may send the first QoS parameter set and the third QoS parameter set together to the access network device. For example, the core network element sends a second message including the first QoS parameter set and the third QoS parameter set to the access network device. The core network element may also use other signaling / procedures to send the first QoS parameter set.

[0169] Exemplarily, the second message further includes a priority indication of the QoS parameter set. The priority indication of the QoS parameter set is used to indicate the priority of the first QoS parameter set and the third QoS parameter set. For example, the priority indication can be any of the following: the priority of the first QoS parameter set is higher than that of the third QoS parameter set, or the priority of the first QoS parameter set is lower than that of the third QoS parameter set.

[0170] In one implementation, the third QoS parameter set may include a basic QoS parameter set and an alternative QoS parameter set. The priority indication may be any of the following: the priority of the first QoS parameter set is higher than the basic QoS parameter set and the priority of the first QoS parameter set is lower than the priority of the alternative QoS parameter set; or the priority of the first QoS parameter set is lower than the priority of the basic QoS parameter set and the alternative QoS parameter set; or the priority of the first QoS parameter set is higher than the priority of the basic QoS parameter set and the alternative QoS parameter set.

[0171] The format of the second message can be implemented in the following ways:

[0172] In one implementation, the message format of the second message is as shown in Table 6 below:

[0173] Table 6

[0174] The second message includes the above-mentioned priority indication, the third QoS parameter set (QoS Flow Level QoS Parameters Set Item), and the first QoS parameter set (pQoS Flow Level QoS Parameters Set Item). The first QoS parameter set includes one or more QoS parameters and may also include an AI identifier associated with the first QoS parameter set and validity information corresponding to the first QoS parameter set.

[0175] After receiving the second message, the access network device can select an available QoS parameter set based on the above-mentioned priority indication. For example, the above-mentioned priority indication is used to indicate that the priority of the first QoS parameter set is lower than that of the third QoS parameter set, and the validity information corresponding to the first QoS parameter set is a time period. In this case, the access network device will first try to use the third QoS parameter set corresponding to the current time period based on the priority indication. If the third QoS parameter set does not meet the service requirements, the first QoS parameter set corresponding to the current time period will be selected. The third QoS parameter set corresponding to the current time period is the third QoS parameter set within the valid time period; the first QoS parameter set corresponding to the current time period is the first QoS parameter set within the valid time period.

[0176] In another implementation, the first QoS parameter set may be derived based on the alternative QoS parameter set. In this implementation, the first QoS parameter set may also be referred to as the alternative pQoS parameter set. Compared to the alternative QoS parameter set, the alternative pQoS parameter set may also include at least one of the following information: an AI identifier associated with the first QoS parameter set, and validity information corresponding to the first QoS parameter set. The meanings of the AI ​​identifier and validity information are described above.

[0177] Among them, regarding the priority indication of the candidate QoS parameter sets and the candidate pQoS parameter sets, one method may be to sort them according to the index of the candidate QoS parameter sets, and by default, the one with the higher index has the higher priority.

[0178] The format of the second message may be as shown in Table 7 below:

[0179] Table 7

[0180] In the second message, compared with the candidate QoS parameter set shown in Table 5, the candidate QoS parameter set further includes an AI identifier and validity information, which indicates that the candidate QoS parameter set is a candidate pQoS parameter set.

[0181] The format of the second message may also be as shown in Table 8 below:

[0182] Table 8

[0183] The second message includes a priority indication (see Table 6), a basic QoS parameter set (see Table 6), and an alternative QoS parameter set (Alternative QoS Parameters Set Item) and an alternative pQoS parameter set (Alternative pQoS Parameters Set Item) as shown in Table 8. The priority indication is used to indicate that the basic QoS parameter set has a higher priority than the alternative QoS parameter set.

[0184] Exemplarily, the validity information corresponding to the pQoS parameter set carried in the second message is a cell identifier. After receiving the second message, the access network device first attempts the basic QoS parameters corresponding to the current cell identifier in the basic QoS parameter set. If the basic QoS parameters corresponding to the current cell identifier do not meet the service requirements, and because the index of the alternative QoS parameter set is before the index of the alternative pQoS parameter set, the access network device then attempts the alternative QoS parameters corresponding to the current cell in the alternative QoS parameter set. If the alternative QoS parameters corresponding to the current cell do not meet the service requirements, the alternative pQoS parameters corresponding to the current cell may be attempted as a last resort.

[0185] Alternatively, the core network element may also send only one QoS parameter set, which is a merged parameter set of the above-mentioned first QoS parameter set and the third QoS parameter set, or the QoS parameter set is the above-mentioned first QoS parameter set, that is, the third QoS parameter set is replaced by the first QoS parameter set.

[0186] Therefore, the access network device can obtain the new available first QoS parameter before the third QoS parameter does not meet the service requirements, avoiding the delay caused by the access network device frequently switching QoS parameters and waiting for the core network network element to issue new QoS parameters, which is conducive to the access network device obtaining more appropriate QoS parameters to ensure the service requirements of the terminal.

[0187] S407. The access network device selects an available QoS parameter set from the first QoS parameter set and the third QoS parameter set.

[0188] The access network device may select a QoS parameter set with a higher priority from the first QoS parameter set and the third QoS parameter set according to the priority indication of the QoS parameter set.

[0189] When a QoS parameter set with a higher priority is unavailable, a QoS parameter set with a lower priority is selected.

[0190] In one implementation, the method further includes:

[0191] S408. When the first QoS parameter set is selected, the access network device sends the usage of the first QoS parameter set to the core network element. Correspondingly, the core network element receives the usage of the first QoS parameter set. This step is optional and is represented by a dotted line in Figure 4.

[0192] In order to further optimize the second AI model, when the access network device selects the first QoS parameter set in step S407 but fails to use one or more first QoS parameters in the first QoS parameter set, the access network device can send the usage of the first QoS parameter set to the core network network element.

[0193] The usage may include at least one of the following information: an index of the first QoS parameter set currently being used, an index of the first QoS parameter in the first QoS parameter set that failed to be used, and an indication of the cause of failure. Exemplarily, the access network device and the core network element may pre-store multiple causes of failure by index, and the indication of the cause of failure includes the index corresponding to the cause of failure, so that after the core network element receives the indication of the cause of failure, it can determine the cause of failure based on the correspondence between the pre-stored index and the cause of failure. For example, the first QoS parameter is PER, and the reason for the failure of use is that the PER is higher than the first threshold. For another example, the first QoS parameter is the maximum data burst volume, and the reason for the failure of use is that the maximum data burst volume is lower than the second threshold.

[0194] S409. The core network element optimizes the second AI model based on the usage of the first QoS parameter set.

[0195] After receiving the usage of the first QoS parameter set, the core network element uses it as AI feedback information, and optimizes the second AI model.

[0196] For example, if the use case includes a failure cause indication and the failure cause indication is an index, the core network element can determine the cause of the failure based on a pre-stored correspondence between the index and the cause of the failure, and optimize the second AI model based on the cause of the failure.

[0197] This step is optional and is indicated by a dotted line in FIG4 .

[0198] According to a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application, a core network element can obtain QoS association information predicted by an access network device, the QoS association information including prediction information associated with a terminal and / or prediction information associated with an access network device, and predict a first QoS parameter set based on the QoS association information, and send the first QoS parameter set to the access network device. Because the first QoS parameter set is obtained based on the QoS association information predicted by the access network device, it can better meet the service requirements of the access network side, thereby enabling the access network device to efficiently obtain available QoS parameters, further improving the efficiency of service processing using the QoS parameters.

[0199] FIG5 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method may include the following steps:

[0200] S501. The access network device obtains QoS related information predicted based on the first AI model.

[0201] For the specific implementation of this step, please refer to step S301 of the embodiment shown in Figure 3 or step S401 of the embodiment shown in Figure 4. Different from the embodiment shown in Figure 4, in this embodiment, the first AI model of the access network device has the ability to further process the prediction information associated with the terminal and the prediction information associated with the access network device to obtain a second QoS parameter set. Specifically, the access network device can be based on at least one of the historical information associated with the terminal, the historical information associated with the access network device, the prediction information associated with the terminal, the prediction information associated with the access network device, and historical QoS parameters, and use the first AI model to perform AI reasoning to obtain QoS associated information. The QoS associated information includes a second QoS parameter set. The second QoS parameter set includes one or more second QoS parameters.

[0202] S502: The access network device sends a first message to the core network element. Correspondingly, the core network element receives the first message.

[0203] Considering that the final determination of the QoS parameter set is related to data such as the terminal subscription information in the core network element, the predicted second QoS parameter set obtained by the access network device may not be used directly. Therefore, the core network element can determine the final QoS parameter set in combination with data such as the terminal subscription information. After obtaining the predicted QoS association information, the access network device can send a first message to the core network element. The first message includes QoS association information. Furthermore, the first message can also include the valid time corresponding to the QoS association information. The valid time corresponding to the QoS association information refers to the time period information during which the QoS association information is valid. The QoS association information is used to determine the first QoS parameter set.

[0204] The access network device can generate the QoS association information based on the prediction interval of the first AI model and send the QoS association information to the core network network element periodically. The QoS association information sent in each period can be different. The access network device can also send the new QoS association information to the core network network element after obtaining it.

[0205] S503. The core network element determines a first QoS parameter set based on the second AI model and the QoS association information.

[0206] After receiving the QoS association information, the core network element can determine a first QoS parameter set based on the terminal subscription data and the QoS association information using its own second AI model. The first QoS parameter set includes one or more first QoS parameters.

[0207] In one implementation, if the core network element considers that the second QoS parameter set is unreasonable, for example, the core network element determines the parameter range corresponding to each QoS parameter in the QoS parameter set based on the contract information of the terminal obtained by itself, and some or all of the QoS parameters in the second QoS parameter set are not within the corresponding parameter range, then the second QoS parameter set is considered unreasonable, and a rejection indication can be sent to the access network device, where the rejection indication is used to indicate that the second QoS parameter set is unreasonable. Furthermore, the core network element can also indicate to the access network device the specific parameters and / or reasons that cause the second QoS parameter set to be unreasonable. After receiving the above indication, the access network device can re-predict the second QoS parameter set based on the implementation selection.

[0208] In one implementation, if the core network element considers that the second QoS parameter set is reasonable and does not need to be modified, the core network element may indicate to the access network device that the second QoS parameter set is reasonable.

[0209] In one implementation, if the core network element determines that the second QoS parameter set is reasonable but requires appropriate modification, the core network element may modify the second QoS parameter set to obtain the first QoS parameter set. The specific modification may be any of the following: selecting several second QoS parameters from the second QoS parameter set; selecting several candidate QoS parameters from the second QoS parameter set; or modifying some of the second QoS parameters from the second QoS parameter set. Furthermore, the core network element may also indicate to the access network device the reason for modifying the second QoS parameter set.

[0210] The QoS parameters in the first QoS parameter set obtained according to the above method and the QoS parameters in the second QoS parameter set may be completely identical, partially identical, or completely different.

[0211] S504. The core network element sends a third QoS parameter set to the access network device. Correspondingly, the access network device receives the third QoS parameter set.

[0212] For the specific implementation of this step, reference may be made to step S405 of the embodiment shown in FIG4 , and details thereof will not be repeated here.

[0213] S505. The core network element sends a first QoS parameter set to the access network device. Correspondingly, the access network device receives the first QoS parameter set.

[0214] For the specific implementation of this step, reference may be made to step S406 in the embodiment shown in FIG4 , and details thereof will not be repeated here.

[0215] S506. The access network device selects an available QoS parameter set from the first QoS parameter set and the third QoS parameter set.

[0216] For the specific implementation of this step, reference may be made to step S407 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 .

[0217] S507. When the first QoS parameter set is selected, the access network device optimizes the first AI model according to the usage of the first QoS parameter set.

[0218] The access network device may optimize the first AI model based on the usage of the first QoS parameter set. For example, the access network device may use the failure reason of the first QoS parameter (such as inaccurate UE service prediction, incorrect effective time, etc.) as feedback information to optimize the first AI model.

[0219] Exemplarily, when the first QoS parameter set is selected, the access network device may further send usage information of the first QoS parameter set to the core network element. The core network element optimizes the second AI model based on the usage information of the first QoS parameter set.

[0220] According to a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application, a core network element can obtain QoS association information predicted by an access network device, the QoS association information including a second QoS parameter set predicted by the access network device, and predict a first QoS parameter set based on the QoS association information, and send the first QoS parameter set to the access network device. Because the first QoS parameter set is obtained based on the QoS association information predicted by the access network device, it can better meet the service requirements of the access network side, thereby enabling the access network device to efficiently obtain available QoS parameters, further improving the efficiency of service processing using the QoS parameters.

[0221] The above embodiments involve determining the first QoS parameter set by a core network element based on an AI model. The following embodiments will describe determining the first QoS parameter set by an access network device itself based on an AI model:

[0222] FIG6 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method may include the following steps:

[0223] S601. The access network device obtains at least one first QoS parameter set based on AI model prediction.

[0224] The specific implementation of this step may refer to step S301 of the embodiment shown in Figure 3 or step S501 of the embodiment shown in Figure 5, and will not be repeated here. Each first QoS parameter set in the at least one QoS parameter set includes one or more QoS parameters.

[0225] S602: The core network element sends first QoS parameter range information to the access network device. Correspondingly, the access network device receives the first QoS parameter range information.

[0226] Different QoS parameters can have corresponding parameter ranges. For example, the parameter range of 5QI is 0 to 255, the parameter range of priority is 2 to 4, and the range of packet delay budget is 50ms to 300ms.

[0227] In this embodiment, the core network network element sends first QoS parameter range information to the access network device. The first QoS parameter range information is the parameter range of the available QoS parameters determined by the core network network element based on information such as terminal subscription data. The first QoS parameter range information includes the parameter ranges corresponding to some or all of the one or more QoS parameters. The core network network element can limit the parameter ranges corresponding to some or all of the one or more QoS parameters as needed. For some QoS parameters, the core network network element may not limit their parameter ranges. In this case, these QoS parameters are considered to be available, and there is no need to determine whether these QoS parameters are within the corresponding parameter ranges. For example, the range of the packet error rate may not be restricted.

[0228] In addition, different QoS parameters may have corresponding identifiers. Then the first QoS parameter range information includes parameter ranges corresponding to the identifiers of some or all of the one or more QoS parameters.

[0229] Exemplarily, the core network element may send the first QoS parameter range information to the access network device before the access network device determines the second QoS parameter set based on the first QoS parameter range information. That is, the execution order of step S601 and step S602 is not limited.

[0230] Optionally, before step S602, the access network device may send a request to the core network element to request the first QoS parameter range information. The request may also include the identifier of at least one terminal. When the request includes the identifiers of multiple terminals, the access network device may request the first QoS parameter range information corresponding to multiple terminals at one time.

[0231] S603. The access network device determines a second QoS parameter set based on at least one first QoS parameter set.

[0232] After receiving the first QoS parameter range information, the access network device determines, for each first QoS parameter set in the at least one first QoS parameter set predicted in step S601, whether each first QoS parameter in the first QoS parameter set that requires a parameter range limit is within the parameter range corresponding to the first QoS parameter, and finally determines the second QoS parameter set. Specifically, for any first QoS parameter set in the at least one first QoS parameter set, if one or more of the multiple first QoS parameters in the first QoS parameter set that require a parameter range limit are not within the corresponding parameter range, the first QoS parameter set is excluded; if all the first QoS parameters in the first QoS parameter set that require a parameter range limit are within the corresponding parameter range, the first QoS parameter set is used as the second QoS parameter set, and each of the one or more QoS parameters in the second QoS parameter set that require a parameter range limit is within the parameter range corresponding to each QoS parameter.

[0233] In step S603, among the multiple first QoS parameters in the first QoS parameter set whose parameter ranges need to be limited, one or more first QoS parameters may be outside the parameter range corresponding to the first QoS parameters. In this case, the determination result of the access network device may be implemented in the following two ways:

[0234] Implementation method 1:

[0235] S604a: The access network device sends a second QoS parameter set to the core network element. Correspondingly, the core network element receives the second QoS parameter set.

[0236] If the access network device finally determines the second QoS parameter set in at least one first QoS parameter set, the access network device uses the second QoS parameter set and sends the second QoS parameter set to the core network network element, so that the core network network element can know the QoS parameter set currently used by the access network device and communicate with the access network device and the terminal based on the QoS parameter set.

[0237] Implementation method 2:

[0238] S604b: If at least one QoS parameter in any first QoS parameter set is not within the parameter range corresponding to at least one QoS parameter, send a first request to the core network element. Correspondingly, the core network element receives the first request.

[0239] Specifically, if, for at least one first QoS parameter set obtained by the access network device, at least one QoS parameter in any of the first QoS parameter sets is outside the parameter range corresponding to the at least one QoS parameter, then it indicates that the first QoS parameter set predicted by the access network device is unavailable, and the access network device sends a first request to the core network element. The first request is used to request modification of the first QoS parameter range information. The first request includes an identifier of the QoS parameter in the first QoS parameter set that is outside the parameter range.

[0240] Exemplarily, the first request also includes at least one of the following information: an identifier of the first QoS parameter set, a reason why the first QoS parameter set is unavailable (for example, the currently predicted 5QI value is not within the parameter range of the 5QI issued by the core network element), and a parameter value of a QoS parameter in the first QoS parameter set that is not within the parameter range. This information can be used by the core network element to accurately modify the QoS parameter range.

[0241] S605b. The core network element modifies the first QoS parameter range information according to the first request to obtain the second QoS parameter range information.

[0242] Specifically, after receiving the first request, the core network element may modify the first QoS parameter range information, for example, by expanding the range of the QoS parameter requested for modification, thereby obtaining second QoS parameter range information. For another example, before the modification, the parameter range corresponding to a first QoS parameter was [0, 10]. The core network element modifies the parameter range to [11, 20] based on the first request. The second QoS parameter range information includes the parameter range corresponding to each of the one or more QoS parameters requested for modification.

[0243] S606b: The core network element sends the second QoS parameter range information to the access network device. Correspondingly, the access network device receives the second QoS parameter range information.

[0244] After receiving the second QoS parameter range information, the access network device may re-determine the second QoS parameter set based on the second QoS parameter range information.

[0245] According to a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application, an access network device predicts at least one first QoS parameter set based on its own AI model, and determines a second QoS parameter set based on the first QoS parameter range information issued by a core network element. The access network device can determine an available QoS parameter set based on the QoS parameter set predicted by itself and the QoS parameter range information issued by the core network element to meet the service requirements of the terminal, thereby improving the efficiency of the access network device in obtaining available QoS parameters and enhancing the application effect of the QoS parameters.

[0246] It can be understood that in the above embodiments, the methods and / or steps implemented by the access network device can also be implemented by components (such as chips or circuits) that can be used for the access network device; the methods and / or steps implemented by the core network network element can also be implemented by components (such as chips or circuits) that can be used for the core network network element.

[0247] The above description primarily describes the solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application from the perspective of interaction between various network elements. Accordingly, the embodiments of the present application also provide a communication device for implementing the various methods described above. This communication device can be the access network device described in the method embodiments described above, or a component that can be used in an access network device; alternatively, this communication device can be a core network element described in the method embodiments described above, or a component that can be used in a core network element. It will be understood that, to implement the aforementioned functions, the communication device includes hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to each function. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that, in conjunction with the various exemplary units and algorithm steps described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the present application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is implemented in hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professionals may use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementations should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0248] The embodiment of the present application can divide the functional modules of the communication device according to the above method embodiment. For example, each functional module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing unit. The above integrated modules can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules. It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiment of the present application is schematic and is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods.

[0249] Based on the same concept of the above communication method, the present application also provides the following communication device:

[0250] As shown in FIG7 , a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown. The communication device 700 includes a transceiver unit 701 and a processing unit 702 .

[0251] When the communication device is used to implement the functions of the access network device in the above method embodiment, the transceiver unit 701 is used to perform the operations of the access network device in S302 and S304 in the embodiment shown in FIG3 , and the processing unit 702 is used to perform the operation of S301 in the embodiment shown in FIG3 ; or, the transceiver unit 701 is used to perform the operations of the access network device in S402, S403, S405, S406 and S408 in the embodiment shown in FIG4 , and the processing unit 702 is used to perform the operations of S401 and S407 in the embodiment shown in FIG4 . Operation; or, the transceiver unit 701 is used to perform the operations of the access network device in S502, S504, S505 and S507 in the embodiment shown in Figure 5, and the processing unit 702 is used to perform the operations of S501, S506 and S507 in the embodiment shown in Figure 5; or, the transceiver unit 701 is used to perform the operations of the access network device in S602, S604a, S604b and S606b in the embodiment shown in Figure 6, and the processing unit 702 is used to perform the operations of S601 and S603 in the embodiment shown in Figure 6.

[0252] When the communication device is used to implement the functions of the core network element in the above method embodiment, the transceiver unit 701 is used to perform the operations of the core network element in S302 and S304 in the embodiment shown in Figure 3, and the processing unit 702 is used to perform the operation of S303 in the embodiment shown in Figure 3; or, the transceiver unit 701 is used to perform the operations of the core network element in S402, S403, S405, S406 and S408 in the embodiment shown in Figure 4, and the processing unit 702 is used to perform the operation of S40 in the embodiment shown in Figure 4. 4 and S407; or, the transceiver unit 701 is used to perform the operations of the core network network elements in S502, S504, S505 and S507 in the embodiment as shown in Figure 5, and the processing unit 702 is used to perform the operation of S503 in the embodiment as shown in Figure 5; or, the transceiver unit 701 is used to perform the operations of the core network network elements in S602, S604a, S604b and S606b in the embodiment as shown in Figure 6, and the processing unit 702 is used to perform the operation of S605b in the embodiment as shown in Figure 6.

[0253] For the specific implementation of the above-mentioned transceiver unit 701 and the processing unit 702, reference may be made to the description in the above-mentioned method embodiment.

[0254] As shown in Figure 8, it is a structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application, and the communication device 800 includes a processor 801 and a memory 803. The memory 803 is used to store instructions executed by the processor 801, or to store input data required for the processor 801 to run instructions, or to store data generated after the processor 801 runs instructions. Optionally, the communication device 800 may further include an interface circuit 802 (represented by a dotted line in the figure), and the processor 801 and the interface circuit 802 are coupled to each other. It will be understood that the interface circuit 802 can be a transceiver or an input and output interface. Among them, the processor 801 is used to implement the functions of the processing unit 702 in the embodiment shown in Figure 7 above; and the interface circuit 802 is used to implement the functions of the transceiver unit 701 in the embodiment shown in Figure 7 above.

[0255] When the aforementioned communication device is a chip used in an access network device, the chip implements the functions of the access network device in the aforementioned method embodiments. The chip receives information from other modules in the access network device (such as a radio frequency module or antenna), which is sent by a core network element to the access network device; or the chip sends information to other modules in the access network device (such as a radio frequency module or antenna), which is sent by the access network device to a core network element.

[0256] When the aforementioned communication device is a chip used in a core network element, the chip implements the functions of the core network element in the aforementioned method embodiments. The chip receives information from other modules in the core network element (such as a radio frequency module or antenna), which is sent by an access network device to the core network element; or the chip sends information to other modules in the core network element (such as a radio frequency module or antenna), which is sent by the core network element to an access network device.

[0257] In addition, it should be noted that the aforementioned transceiver unit and / or processing unit may be implemented through virtual modules, for example, the processing unit may be implemented through a software function unit or a virtual device, and the transceiver unit may be implemented through a software function or a virtual device. Alternatively, the processing unit or transceiver unit may also be implemented through a physical device, for example, if the device is implemented using a chip / chip circuit, the transceiver unit may be an input / output circuit and / or a communication interface, performing input operations (corresponding to the aforementioned receiving operations) and output operations (corresponding to the aforementioned sending operations); the processing unit is an integrated processor or microprocessor or integrated circuit.

[0258] The division of modules in this application is illustrative and represents only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, other division methods may be used. Furthermore, the functional modules in the examples of this application may be integrated into a single processor, exist physically as separate modules, or two or more modules may be integrated into a single module. The aforementioned integrated modules may be implemented in either hardware or software functional modules.

[0259] It is understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application may be a central processing unit (CPU), or may be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0260] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which a computer program or instruction is stored. When the computer program or instruction is executed, the method in the above embodiment is implemented.

[0261] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method in the above embodiment.

[0262] An embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system, including the above-mentioned communication device.

[0263] The present application also provides a circuit, which is coupled to a memory and is used to execute the method shown in the above embodiment. The circuit may include a chip circuit.

[0264] When the above-mentioned communication device is a module applied to an access network device, the access network device module implements the functions of the access network device in the above-mentioned method embodiment. The access network device module receives information from other modules in the access network device (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna), and the information is sent by the core network network element to the access network device; or, the access network device module sends information to other modules in the access network device (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna), and the information is sent by the access network device to the core network network element. The access network device module here can be a baseband chip of the access network device, or it can be a CU, DU or other module, or it can be a device under the O-RAN architecture, such as an open CU, open DU and other devices.

[0265] It should be noted that the above units or one or more of the units can be implemented by software, hardware, or a combination of the two. When any of the above units or units is implemented by software, the software exists in the form of computer program instructions and is stored in a memory, and a processor can be used to execute the program instructions and implement the above method flow.

[0266] In this application, a processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field-programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component, and may implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in this application. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in this application may be directly executed by a hardware processor, or by a combination of hardware and software modules within the processor.

[0267] When the above units or units are implemented in hardware, the hardware can be any one or any combination of a CPU, a microprocessor, a digital signal processing (DSP) chip, a microcontroller unit (MCU), an artificial intelligence processor, an ASIC, a SoC, an FPGA, a PLD, a dedicated digital circuit, a hardware accelerator or a non-integrated discrete device, which can run the necessary software or not rely on the software to execute the above method flow.

[0268] Optionally, an embodiment of the present application further provides a chip system, comprising: at least one processor and an interface, wherein the at least one processor is coupled to a memory via the interface, and when the at least one processor executes a computer program or instruction in the memory, the chip system executes the method in any of the above method embodiments. Optionally, the chip system may be composed of a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices, which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0269] The memory in the present application can also be a circuit or any other device capable of realizing a storage function, for storing program instructions and / or data. A memory is any other medium that can be used to carry or store a desired program code in the form of an instruction or data structure and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. For example, the memory can be a non-volatile memory, such as a digital versatile disc (DVD), a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), etc., or a volatile memory (volatile memory), such as a random-access memory (RAM).

[0270] It should be understood that in the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, " / " indicates that the objects associated with each other are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B can mean A or B; where A and B can be singular or plural. Also, in the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, "multiple" means two or more than two. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be single or plural. In addition, to facilitate the clear description of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, in the embodiments of this application, words such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish between identical or similar items with substantially the same functions and effects. Those skilled in the art will understand that words such as "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity or execution order, and words such as "first" and "second" do not necessarily mean different. In the embodiments of this application, words such as "exemplarily" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or explanations. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplarily" or "for example" in the embodiments of this application should not be interpreted as being preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of words such as "exemplarily" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a concrete manner to facilitate understanding.

[0271] As used in the following description of this application, the terms "including," "having," and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus comprising a series of steps or elements is not limited to the listed steps or elements but may optionally include other steps or elements not listed, or may optionally include other steps or elements inherent to the process, method, product, or apparatus.

[0272] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using a software program, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the process or function described in the embodiment of the present application is generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server or data center to another website, computer, server or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means.

[0273] Although the present application is described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, in the process of implementing the claimed application, those skilled in the art can understand and implement other changes to the disclosed embodiments by reviewing the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude multiple situations. A single processor or other unit can implement several functions listed in the claims. Certain measures are recorded in different dependent claims, but this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to produce good results.

[0274] It is understood that the various numbers used in the embodiments of this application are merely for ease of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the sequence numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not necessarily imply a specific order of execution; the order of execution of the processes should be determined by their functions and inherent logic.

[0275] In the above embodiments, the description of each embodiment has its own focus. For parts that are not described in detail in a certain embodiment, reference can be made to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

[0276] The components in the device of the embodiment of the present application can be merged, divided, or deleted according to actual needs. Those skilled in the art can combine or combine the different embodiments and features of the different embodiments described in this specification.

[0277] In this application, under the premise of no logical contradiction, the examples can reference each other, for example, the methods and / or terms between method embodiments can reference each other, for example, the functions and / or terms between device embodiments can reference each other, for example, the functions and / or terms between device examples and method examples can reference each other.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: Obtaining quality of service (QoS) related information predicted by the first artificial intelligence (AI) model; Sending the QoS association information to a core network element, where the QoS association information is used to determine a first QoS parameter set; A first QoS parameter set is received from the core network element, wherein the first QoS parameter set includes one or more first QoS parameters.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first QoS parameter set is predicted by the core network element based on the second AI model and the QoS association information.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The QoS associated information includes at least one of the following: prediction information associated with the terminal, and prediction information associated with the access network device.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The method further comprises: Receive a first request from the core network element, wherein the first request is used to request the QoS associated information, and the first request includes at least one of the following information: a request content indication, a reporting mechanism indication, a predicted time period, and an indication of carrying a valid time.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The sending the QoS association information to the core network element includes: A first message is sent to the core network element according to the first request, wherein the first message includes the QoS association information and the validity period corresponding to the QoS association information.

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The QoS associated information includes a second QoS parameter set, the second QoS parameter set includes one or more second QoS parameters, and the second QoS parameter set is based on at least one of prediction information associated with the terminal and prediction information associated with the access network device.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The QoS parameters in the first QoS parameter set and the second QoS parameter set are completely identical, partially identical, or completely different.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The first QoS parameter set includes at least one of the following information: an AI identifier associated with the first QoS parameter set, and validity information corresponding to the first QoS parameter set.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The validity information corresponding to the first QoS parameter set includes any one of the following: effective time, applicable cell, and applicable beam.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The method further comprises: receiving a third QoS parameter set from the core network element, where the third QoS parameter set is obtained based on user subscription information and historical QoS flow information, and the third QoS parameter set includes one or more third QoS parameters; An available QoS parameter set is selected from the first QoS parameter set and the third QoS parameter set.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The first QoS parameter set and the third QoS parameter set are included in a second message, the second message further comprising a priority indication of the QoS parameter set, the priority indication of the QoS parameter set being used to indicate a priority of the first QoS parameter set and the third QoS parameter set; The selecting an available QoS parameter set from the first QoS parameter set and the third QoS parameter set comprises: Selecting a QoS parameter set with a higher priority from the first QoS parameter set and the third QoS parameter set according to the priority indication of the QoS parameter set; or, When the QoS parameter set with a high priority is not available, a QoS parameter set with a low priority is selected.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that When the first QoS parameter set is selected, the method further includes: Sending usage status of the first QoS parameter set to the core network element.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that: When the first QoS parameter set is selected, the method further includes: Optimize the first AI model according to usage of the first QoS parameter set.

14. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: Receiving quality of service (QoS) associated information from an access network device, where the QoS associated information is used to determine a first QoS parameter set, where the QoS associated information is predicted by the access network device based on a first AI model; Determine a first QoS parameter set according to the QoS association information, wherein the first QoS parameter set includes one or more first QoS parameters; Send the first QoS parameter set to the access network device.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The determining, according to the QoS association information, a first QoS parameter set includes: The QoS parameter set is predicted based on the second AI model and the QoS associated information.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that The QoS associated information includes at least one of the following: prediction information associated with the terminal, and prediction information associated with the access network device.

17. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that: The method further comprises: A first request is sent to the access network device, wherein the first request is used to request the QoS associated information, and the first request includes at least one of the following information: a request content indication, a reporting mechanism indication, a predicted time period, and an indication of carrying a valid time.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The receiving QoS related information from the access network device includes: A first message is received from the access network device, where the first message includes the QoS associated information and a valid time corresponding to the QoS associated information.

19. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that The QoS associated information includes a second QoS parameter set, the second QoS parameter set includes one or more second QoS parameters, and the second QoS parameter set is based on at least one of prediction information associated with the terminal and prediction information associated with the access network device.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that The QoS parameters in the first QoS parameter set and the second QoS parameter set are completely identical, partially identical, or completely different.

21. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 20, characterized in that: The first QoS parameter set includes at least one of the following information: an AI identifier associated with the first QoS parameter set, and validity information corresponding to the first QoS parameter set.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that The validity information corresponding to the first QoS parameter set includes any one of the following: effective time, applicable cell, and applicable beam.

23. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 22, characterized in that: The method further comprises: A third QoS parameter set is sent to the access network device, where the third QoS parameter set is obtained based on user subscription information and historical QoS flow information, and the third QoS parameter set includes one or more third QoS parameters.

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that The first QoS parameter set and the third QoS parameter set are included in a second message, and the second message also includes a priority indication of the QoS parameter set, and the priority indication of the QoS parameter set is used to indicate the priority of the first QoS parameter set and the third QoS parameter set.

25. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 24, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Receiving usage of the first QoS parameter set from the access network device; Optimize the second AI model according to usage of the first QoS parameter set.

26. A communication device, characterized in that: The device is used to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 25.

27. A communication system, characterized in that: It includes access network equipment and core network elements, the access network equipment is used to execute the method described in any one of claims 1-13, and the core network element is used to execute the method described in any one of claims 14-25.

28. A communication device, characterized in that: It includes a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices and transmit them to the processor or send signals from the processor to other communication devices, and the processor is used to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-25 through a logic circuit or executing code instructions.

29. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The storage medium stores a computer program or instruction, and when the computer program or instruction is executed by the communication device, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 25 is implemented.

30. A computer program product comprising instructions, characterized in that When the instruction is executed on the communication device, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 25 is implemented.

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