Wireless communication methods and communication apparatuses

Abstract

Provided are wireless communication methods and communication apparatuses. A wireless communication method comprises: a first network element sending a first message to a second network element, the first message being used for requesting to perform QoS monitoring on a first packet delay, and the first packet delay comprising one or more of the following packet delays: a packet delay between a first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device, and a packet delay between a UPF and a DN.

Description

Wireless communication method and communication device Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and more particularly, to a method and device for wireless communication. Background Art

[0002] To optimize the performance of communication systems, some communication systems (such as new radio (NR) systems) have introduced a quality of service (QoS) monitoring mechanism. The QoS monitoring mechanism can achieve end-to-end QoS control of services.

[0003] As the number of business scenarios in communication systems increases, the demand for end-to-end QoS control of services becomes increasingly diverse, which requires further enhancement of the application scenarios of QoS monitoring mechanisms. Therefore, how to enhance the QoS monitoring mechanism is an urgent problem to be solved.

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present application provides a wireless communication method and a communication device. The following introduces various aspects of the present application.

[0006] In a first aspect, a wireless communication method is provided, including: a first network element sending a first message to a second network element, where the first message is used to request QoS monitoring of a first packet delay; wherein the first packet delay includes one or more of the following packet delays: a packet delay between a first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device; and a packet delay between a user plane function (UPF) and a data network (DN).

[0007] In a second aspect, a method for wireless communication is provided, including: a second network element receives a first message sent by a first network element, the first message being used to request QoS monitoring of a first packet delay; wherein the first packet delay includes one or more of the following packet delays: a packet delay between a first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device; and a packet delay between a UPF and a DN.

[0008] According to a third aspect, a method for wireless communication is provided, including: a third network element receives a second message sent by a second network element, the second message being used to instruct the third network element to perform QoS monitoring on a first packet delay; wherein the first packet delay includes one or more of the following packet delays: a packet delay between a first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device; and a packet delay between a UPF and a DN.

[0009] In a fourth aspect, a method for wireless communication is provided, comprising: a fourth network element receives a third message sent by a third network element, wherein the third message is used to request the fourth network element to perform QoS monitoring on the packet delay between the UPF and the DN.

[0010] In the fifth aspect, a method for wireless communication is provided, including: a first terminal device receives a fourth message sent by a third network element, and the fourth message is used to request the first terminal device to perform QoS monitoring on the packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device.

[0011] In the sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, which is a first network element, and the communication device includes: a sending module for sending a first message to a second network element, the first message being used to request QoS monitoring of a first packet delay; wherein the first packet delay includes one or more of the following packet delays: the packet delay between a first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device; and the packet delay between the UPF and the DN.

[0012] In the seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, which is a second network element, and the communication device includes: a first receiving module, used to receive a first message sent by the first network element, the first message is used to request QoS monitoring of the first packet delay; wherein, the first packet delay includes one or more of the following packet delays: the packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device; and the packet delay between the UPF and the DN.

[0013] In the eighth aspect, a communication device is provided, which is a third network element, and the communication device includes: a first receiving module, used to receive a second message sent by a second network element, and the second message is used to instruct the third network element to perform QoS monitoring on the first packet delay; wherein, the first packet delay includes one or more of the following packet delays: the packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device; and the packet delay between the UPF and the DN.

[0014] In the ninth aspect, a communication device is provided, which is a fourth network element, and the communication device includes: a first receiving module, used to receive a third message sent by a third network element, and the third message is used to request the fourth network element to perform QoS monitoring on the packet delay between UPF and DN.

[0015] In the tenth aspect, a terminal device is provided, characterized in that the terminal device is a first terminal device, and the terminal device includes: a receiving module for receiving a fourth message sent by a third network element, and the fourth message is used to request the first terminal device to perform QoS monitoring on the packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device.

[0016] In the eleventh aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor, a memory, and a communication interface, wherein the memory is used to store one or more computer programs, and the processor is used to call the computer program in the memory so that the communication device performs part or all of the steps in the method of any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0017] In the twelfth aspect, a terminal device is provided, comprising a processor, a memory, and a communication interface, wherein the memory is used to store one or more computer programs, and the processor is used to call the computer program in the memory so that the terminal device executes part or all of the steps in the method of the fifth aspect.

[0018] In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which includes the above-mentioned communication device and / or terminal device. In another possible design, the system may also include other devices that interact with the communication device or terminal device in the solution provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0019] In the fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a computer program, and the computer program enables a computer to execute part or all of the steps in the methods of the above aspects.

[0020] In a fifteenth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a computer program product, wherein the computer program product includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, wherein the computer program is operable to cause a computer to perform some or all of the steps of the methods described in each of the above aspects. In some implementations, the computer program product may be a software installation package.

[0021] In the sixteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program, which can be operated to enable a computer to execute part or all of the steps in the methods of the above aspects.

[0022] In the seventeenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip, which includes a memory and a processor. The processor can call and run a computer program from the memory to implement some or all of the steps described in the methods of the above aspects.

[0023] The embodiments of the present application add the measurement of the packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device and / or the measurement of the packet delay between the UPF and the DN, which is conducive to achieving end-to-end QoS control between the DN / UPF and the associated device of the terminal device, and enhances the QoS monitoring mechanism. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] FIG1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system architecture of a wireless communication system to which an embodiment of the present application may be applied.

[0025] FIG2 is another exemplary diagram of the system architecture of a wireless communication system to which embodiments of the present application may be applied.

[0026] FIG3 is an example diagram of an application scenario to which the embodiments of the present application are applicable.

[0027] FIG4 is another example diagram of an application scenario to which the embodiments of the present application are applicable.

[0028] FIG5 is another example diagram of an application scenario to which the embodiments of the present application are applicable.

[0029] FIG6 is another example diagram of an application scenario to which the embodiments of the present application are applicable.

[0030] FIG7 is a flow chart of a wireless communication method provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present application.

[0031] FIG8 is a schematic flow chart of a wireless communication method provided in another embodiment of the present application.

[0032] FIG9 is a flowchart of a wireless communication method provided in yet another embodiment of the present application.

[0033] FIG10 is a flowchart of a wireless communication method provided in yet another embodiment of the present application.

[0034] FIG11 is a flowchart of a wireless communication method provided in yet another embodiment of the present application.

[0035] FIG12 is a flowchart of a wireless communication method provided in yet another embodiment of the present application.

[0036] FIG13 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0037] FIG14 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in another embodiment of the present application.

[0038] FIG15 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in yet another embodiment of the present application.

[0039] FIG16 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in yet another embodiment of the present application.

[0040] FIG17 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the terminal device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0041] FIG18 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in yet another embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Communication system architecture

[0043] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: global system of mobile communication (GSM) system, code division multiple access (CDMA) system, wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) system, general packet radio service (GPRS), long term evolution (LTE) system, advanced long term evolution (LTE-A) system, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (TDD) system, new radio (NR) system, NR system evolution system, LTE on unlicensed spectrum (LTE-U) system, NR on unlicensed spectrum (NR-U) system, non-terrestrial networks (NTN) system, terrestrial networks (TN) system, universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS) system. system (UMTS), wireless local area networks (WLAN), wireless fidelity (WIFI), fifth-generation (5G) systems, etc. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to other communication systems, such as future communication systems, such as the sixth-generation mobile communication system, and satellite communication systems.

[0044] Generally speaking, traditional communication systems support a limited number of connections and are easy to implement. However, with the development of communication technology, mobile communication systems will not only support traditional communications, but will also support, for example, device-to-device (D2D) communication, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, or vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, and the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to these communication systems.

[0045] The communication system in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to a carrier aggregation (CA) scenario, a dual connectivity (DC) scenario, and a standalone (SA) networking scenario.

[0046] The communication system in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to an unlicensed spectrum, where the unlicensed spectrum can also be considered as a shared spectrum; or, the communication system in the embodiment of the present application can also be applied to an authorized spectrum, where the authorized spectrum can also be considered as a dedicated spectrum.

[0047] An important feature of the communication system architecture (such as the 5G system architecture) is that the communication system architecture can be a service-oriented architecture, that is, the network elements (service providers) in the core network can provide specific services and make them available to other network elements (consumers) through defined API interfaces.

[0048] Figures 1 and 2 exemplarily illustrate example diagrams of the system architecture of a wireless communication system to which embodiments of the present application may be applied. Taking the 5G system architecture as an example, the wireless communication system may include multiple network elements, such as terminal equipment, access network (AN) equipment, UPF network element, access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, session management function (SMF) network element, policy control function (PCF) network element, and application function (AF) network element. The wireless communication system may also include a DN, etc.

[0049] The following is an illustrative description of the functions of each part or network element involved in the wireless communication system in the 5G network.

[0050] Terminal device: A terminal device may also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user apparatus. In the embodiments of the present application, a terminal device may refer to a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user and can be used to connect people, objects, and machines, such as a handheld device or vehicle-mounted device with wireless connectivity. The terminal device in the embodiments of the present application can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a PDA, a mobile internet device (MID), a wearable device, a vehicle equipment, a virtual reality (VR) device, an augmented reality (AR) device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home, etc.

[0051] Access network equipment: Access network equipment provides network access for authorized terminal devices in a specific area and can utilize transmission channels of varying quality based on the terminal device's level and service requirements. Access network equipment manages wireless resources, provides access services to terminal devices, and forwards control signals and data between terminal devices and the core network.

[0052] An access network device may be a device in a wireless network. An access network device may also be referred to as a radio access network (RAN) device or a network device. For example, an access network device may be a base station. The access network device in the embodiments of the present application may refer to a radio access network (RAN) node (or device) that connects a terminal device to a wireless network. A 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), relay station, access point, transmission point (TRP), transmission point (TP), master station MeNB, secondary station SeNB, multi-standard radio (MSR) 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), central unit (CU), distributed unit (DU), positioning node, etc. A base station can be a macro base station, a micro base station, a relay node, a donor node or the like, or a combination thereof. A base station can also refer to a communication module, a modem or a chip used to be set in the aforementioned device or apparatus. The base station can also be a mobile switching center and a device that performs base station functions in device-to-device D2D, vehicle-to-everything (V2X), and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications, a network-side device in a 6G network, or a device that performs base station functions in future communication systems. The base station can support networks with the same or different access technologies. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form used by the access network device.

[0053] Base stations can be fixed or mobile. For example, a helicopter or drone can be configured to act as a mobile base station, and one or more cells can move based on the location of the mobile base station. In other examples, a helicopter or drone can be configured to act as a device that communicates with another base station.

[0054] In some deployments, the access network device in the embodiments of the present application may refer to a CU or a DU, or the access network device may include a CU and a DU. The gNB may also include an AAU.

[0055] The access network equipment and terminal equipment can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; they can also be deployed in the air on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the scenarios in which the access network equipment and terminal equipment are located.

[0056] UPF network element: UPF is the user plane function in the core network, which can be responsible for forwarding and receiving user data (such as business data flow) in the terminal device. UPF can be connected to the access network equipment (such as base station) and the external data network for data transmission. For example, UPF can receive user data from DN and transmit it to the terminal device through the access network equipment; or, UPF can also receive user data from the terminal device through the access network equipment and then forward it to DN. The transmission resources and scheduling functions in UPF that provide services to terminal devices are managed and controlled by SMF. In some embodiments, UPF can be divided into intermediate-UPF (I-UPF) and anchor UPF (A-UPF). Among them, I-UPF is connected to the access network, A-UPF is the UPF of the session anchor, and A-UPF can also be called PDU session anchor (PSA).

[0057] AMF network element: AMF is the mobility management function in the core network. It can be used to implement other functions of the mobility management entity (MME) in addition to session management, such as lawful interception or access authorization (or authentication). In some embodiments, in addition to performing mobility management for terminal devices, the AMF can also be responsible for forwarding session management related messages between terminal devices and SMF.

[0058] SMF network element: SMF is the session management function in the core network. It is mainly responsible for session management, Internet protocol (IP) address allocation and management of terminal devices, selection of endpoints for manageable user plane functions, policy control, or charging function interfaces, downlink data notification, and configuration of routing information for user plane functions.

[0059] PCF network element: PCF is the policy management function in the core network, which is responsible for formulating policies related to mobility management, session management, billing, etc. for terminal devices. Specifically, PCF can provide policy rule information to functional network elements of the control plane (such as AMF and SMF network elements) to manage and control mobility management and session management of terminal devices.

[0060] AF network element: The AF primarily supports interaction with the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) core network to provide services, such as influencing data routing decisions, policy control functions, or providing third-party services to the network. Alternatively, the AF can be primarily used to communicate application-side requirements to the network. In some embodiments, the AF can be an application within the operator, such as the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) technology. In some embodiments, the AF can be understood as a third-party server, such as an application server on the Internet, providing relevant service information, including providing service-related quality of service (QoS) requirement information to the PCF and sending service user plane data information to the A-UPF. In some embodiments, the AF can also be a service provider (content provider, CP). In some embodiments, if the AF is within the operator and is within the same trusted domain as other network functions (NFs), it can directly interact and access other NFs. If the AF is not within the trusted domain, it needs to access other NFs through other network elements (e.g., the NEF network element described below).

[0061] DN: A DN is a network used to transmit data. It can be a private network, such as a local area network (LAN), an external network not controlled by a carrier, such as the internet, or a proprietary network deployed jointly with carriers, such as the network that provides IMS services.

[0062] It should be understood that the above network elements in the core network can also be referred to as functional entities, and this application does not limit this. For example, the UPF network element can also be referred to as the UPF entity, and the AMF network element can also be referred to as the AMF entity, etc. It should also be understood that in some embodiments, the xx network element or the xx functional entity can also be directly referred to as xx, for example, the UPF network element (or UPF entity) can be referred to as UPF, and the AMF network element (or AMF entity) can be referred to as AMF. For the sake of convenience of description, the xx (such as UPF, AMF, etc.) mentioned in the embodiments of this application can refer to the xx network element or the xx entity, which will not be repeated later.

[0063] Optionally, the wireless communication system may also include a unified data management (UDM) network element, an authentication and authorization service function (AUSF) network element, a network slice selection function (NSSF) network element, a network exposure function (NEF) network element, a network data analysis function (NWDAF) and other network elements, but the embodiments of the present application are not limited to this.

[0064] The UDM network element is a subscription database in the core network, which can be used to generate and store subscription data of users in the network (for example, 5G network), management of authentication data and other functions. The UDM network element can support interaction with external third-party servers. The AUSF network element can be used to receive AMF's request for terminal device identity authentication, request a key from the UDM, and then forward the issued key to the AMF for authentication processing. The NSSF network element can be used for network slice selection. The NEF network element can be responsible for managing the network data opened to the outside world by 5G network elements. External non-trusted applications need to access the core network's internal data through the NEF to ensure the security of the 3GPP network. In some embodiments, the NEF network element can also provide external application QoS capability opening, event subscription, AF request distribution and other functions. The NWDAF network element can collect data from various network elements, network management systems, etc. in the core network for big data statistics, analysis or intelligent data analysis, so as to obtain analysis results on the network side or prediction data on the network side, thereby assisting each network element to more effectively control the terminal device based on the data analysis results.

[0065] In the wireless communication systems shown in Figures 1 and 2, various components or network elements can communicate with each other through interfaces. For example, a terminal device can establish an access layer connection with the AN via the Uu interface, exchanging access layer messages and wireless data transmission. A terminal device can establish a non-access stratum (NAS) connection with the AMF via the N1 interface, exchanging NAS messages. The AN can connect to the AMF via the N2 interface to transmit radio bearer control information from the core network to the AN. The UPF can transmit data with the AN via the N3 interface and with the DN via the N6 interface. The interfaces connecting other components or network elements can be found in Figures 1 and 2 and are not described here in detail.

[0066] It should be understood that the terminal devices, access network devices, SMFs, and PCFs shown in Figures 1 and 2 are merely names, and the names do not limit the devices themselves. In 5G networks and other future networks, the network elements corresponding to terminal devices, access network devices, SMFs, and PCFs may also have other names, and this embodiment of the application does not specifically limit this.

[0067] It should be understood that the above-mentioned communication system is illustrated using the 5G system as an example. Of course, the present application can also be applied to other 3GPP communication systems, such as the 4G communication system, or future 3GPP communication systems, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited to this.

[0068] It should be understood that all or part of the functions of the communication device in this application can also be implemented through software functions running on hardware, or through virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (such as a cloud platform).

[0069] It should be understood that the system architecture described in the embodiments of the present application is intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application. Those skilled in the art will know that with the evolution of network architecture, the embodiments of the present application may also be applicable to similar technical problems.

[0070] QoS Monitoring

[0071] To support ultra-reliable and low-latency communication (URLLC) services, some communication systems (such as NR systems) have introduced QoS monitoring mechanisms. QoS monitoring is primarily used to measure packet latency. For example, QoS monitoring can be used to measure packet latency between a terminal device and an anchor UPF.

[0072] In some embodiments, the definition of packet delay between a terminal device and an anchor UPF can be found in 3GPP specification TS 38.314. As an implementation, the packet delay between a terminal device and an anchor UPF can be composed of two parts: the uplink and downlink packet delay between the terminal device and the access network device, and the uplink and downlink packet delay between the access network device and the anchor UPF.

[0073] In some protocols (such as 3GPP R18), QoS monitoring can be used not only to monitor packet delay but also parameters such as congestion information. As an implementation method, AF can trigger QoS monitoring of service data flows (SDFs), which mainly include the following measured QoS parameters: uplink / downlink packet delay, round-trip packet delay, congestion information, data transmission rate, packet delay variation, and the round-trip delay corresponding to the mapping of uplink and downlink data flows to different QoS flows.

[0074] The QoS monitoring policy corresponding to QoS monitoring can be generated by the PCF. For example, the PCF can generate a QoS monitoring policy based on a request from a third-party application (third-party server). As an implementation method, if the PCF receives a QoS monitoring request from the AF, the PCF can generate an authorized QoS monitoring policy based on the service data flow. In some embodiments, after the PCF generates the QoS monitoring policy, it can include the authorized QoS monitoring policy in the policy and charging control (PCC) rules and provide it to the SMF.

[0075] In some embodiments, the access network device needs to provide QoS monitoring for the uplink and downlink packet delays between the terminal device and the access network device. In other words, the uplink and downlink packet delays between the terminal device and the access network are monitored by the access network device for QoS.

[0076] In some embodiments, QoS monitoring of the uplink and downlink packet delays between the access network device and the anchor UPF can be performed at different granularities (levels). Exemplarily, the QoS monitoring of the uplink and downlink packet delays between the access network device and the anchor UPF can include QoS monitoring of each QoS flow level of each terminal device and / or QoS monitoring of each general packet radio service tunnelling protocol-user plane (GTP-U) path level. In some embodiments, the granularity of QoS monitoring of the uplink and downlink packet delays between the access network device and the anchor UPF is determined based on one or more of the following factors: the operator's configuration, the request of the third-party application, and the PCF policy control of the URLLC service.

[0077] The following introduces QoS monitoring at different granularities.

[0078] QoS monitoring at each QoS flow level for each end device

[0079] In some embodiments, the SMF may activate end-to-end uplink and downlink packet delay measurement between the terminal device and the anchor UPF for a QoS flow. For example, the SMF may activate end-to-end uplink and downlink packet delay measurement between the terminal device and the anchor UPF for a QoS flow during the PDU session establishment or modification process.

[0080] As an implementation method, the SMF may send a QoS monitoring request message to the anchor UPF and the access network device respectively to start QoS monitoring between the anchor UPF and the terminal device. In some embodiments, the SMF may send a QoS monitoring request message to the anchor UPF via the N4 interface and / or send a QoS monitoring request message to the access network device via N2 signaling.

[0081] The QoS monitoring request message sent by the SMF may carry one or more monitoring parameters. The one or more monitoring parameters may be obtained by the SMF based on the QoS monitoring policy of the PCF or based on local configuration.

[0082] In some embodiments, after receiving the QoS monitoring request message from the SMF, the access network device can start measuring the uplink and downlink packet delay of the access network part (i.e., the uplink and downlink packet delay between the terminal device and the access network device), and report the measurement results to the anchor point UPF through the uplink data packet.

[0083] If the access network device and the anchor UPF are time synchronized, then monitoring of the one-way packet delay between the access network device and the anchor UPF is allowed. In some embodiments, if the access network device and the anchor UPF are time synchronized, the communication system may assume that the uplink packet delay and the downlink packet delay between the access network device and the anchor UPF are the same when performing packet delay monitoring.

[0084] In both cases, the anchor UPF creates monitoring packets and sends them to the access network device at a certain measurement frequency. As an implementation method, the measurement frequency at which the anchor UPF sends monitoring packets can be determined by the anchor UPF based on the QoS monitoring report frequency received from the SMF.

[0085] The following is an example of the QoS monitoring process for each QoS flow level of each terminal device.

[0086] Step 1: The anchor UPF encapsulates the QoS flow identifier (QFI), QoS monitoring packet indication information, and local time (e.g., T1) into the GPT-U header. As an implementation, the QoS monitoring packet indication information indicates that this data packet is used for uplink and downlink packet delay measurement. In some embodiments, the local time (T1) may be the time when the anchor UPF sends the downlink monitoring packet.

[0087] Step 2: The access network device receives the downlink monitoring packet sent by the anchor UPF and records the local time (T1) in the received GTP-U packet header and the time when the downlink monitoring packet is received (such as T2).

[0088] Step 3: The access network device sends a monitoring response packet to the UPF. In some embodiments, the access network device may send a monitoring response packet to the UPF via the N3 interface.

[0089] In some embodiments, the GTP-U header of the monitoring response packet may carry one or more of the following information: QoS monitoring packet indication information, packet delay measurement results of the access network part, local time (T1) in the GTP-U header received by the access network, time (T2) when the access network device receives the downlink monitoring packet, and time (such as T3) when the access network device sends the monitoring response packet.

[0090] In some embodiments, the access network device sends a monitoring response packet based on one or more of the following triggers: the access network device receives an uplink data packet corresponding to the QFI (the QFI carried in the GTP-U sent by the anchor UPF) from the terminal device, and the access network device sends a dummy uplink data packet as a monitoring response. In some embodiments, when the access network device sends the dummy uplink data packet as a monitoring response to the anchor UPF depends on the implementation of the access network device.

[0091] Step 4: The anchor UPF determines the round-trip delay or uplink and downlink packet delay between the access network device and the anchor UPF. For example, if the access network device and the anchor UPF are time-out, the anchor UPF can determine the round-trip delay between the access network device and the anchor UPF. If the access network device and the anchor UPF are time-in-sync, the anchor UPF can determine the uplink and downlink packet delay between the access network device and the anchor UPF.

[0092] In some embodiments, the anchor UPF can determine the round-trip delay or uplink and downlink packet delay between the access network device and the anchor UPF based on one or more of the following information: the local time (such as T4) when the anchor UPF receives the monitoring response packet, and the time information contained in the GTP-U packet header of the monitoring response packet.

[0093] As an implementation method, if the access network device and the anchor UPF are time-asynchronous, the anchor UPF can calculate the packet delay between itself and the access network device by (T2-T1+T4-T3) / 2. As another implementation method, if the access network device and the anchor UPF are time-synchronized, the anchor UPF can calculate the uplink packet delay by (T4-T3) and the downlink packet delay by (T2-T1).

[0094] In some embodiments, further, the anchor UPF can determine the uplink and downlink packet delay between the anchor UPF and the terminal device based on the uplink and downlink delay results of the received access network part and the uplink and downlink packet delay between the access network device and the anchor UPF calculated above.

[0095] In some embodiments, the anchor UPF may report the above calculation results to the SMF. For example, when certain conditions are met (such as reaching a reporting threshold or a reporting period), the anchor UPF may report the above calculation results to the SMF.

[0096] It should be understood that if the access network equipment and the anchor UPF time are not synchronized, the calculation results of the uplink and downlink packet delay may be inaccurate.

[0097] In some embodiments, if redundant transmission on the N3 / N9 interface is activated, the UPF and access network equipment can perform QoS monitoring on the two user plane paths separately. In this case, the UPF can report the packet delay of the two user plane paths separately to the SMF.

[0098] GTP-U path-level QoS monitoring

[0099] In some embodiments, the SMF may request activation of QoS monitoring for all GTP-U paths between the access network device and all UPFs. In some embodiments, the above activation is triggered based on the policy of the local configuration of the SMF. In some embodiments, when the SMF receives the QoS monitoring policy in the PCC rule and the QoS monitoring of the differentiated service code point corresponding to the 5G QoS identifier (5G QoS identifier, 5QI) in the PCC rule has not been activated, the SMF may activate QoS monitoring for all UPFs and access network devices for the current PDU session. In this case, the SMF does not consider the QoS monitoring policy in the PCC rule when performing QoS flow binding. The QoS monitoring policy in the PCC rule is used to trigger the SMF to instruct the UPF to start GTP-U-based QoS monitoring. The SMF can send the QoS monitoring policy to each involved UPF and access network device through the N4 interface and the N2 interface respectively.

[0100] A GTP-U sender can estimate the round-trip time (RTT) between it and a receiver on the GTP-U path by sending an Echo message and measuring the time from sending a request message to receiving a response message.

[0101] The GTP-U sender can calculate the current accumulated packet delay by summing the following information: the RTT / 2 between the GTP-U sender and the receiver on the GTP-U path, the GTP-U sender's processing time, and the accumulated packet delay from the upstream GTP-U sender (i.e., the immediately preceding GTP-U sender in the user plane path). In some embodiments, the current accumulated packet delay measured by the GTP-U sender can be used to estimate the time elapsed since the user plane data packet entered the 3GPP domain.

[0102] In some embodiments, the GTP-U sender may periodically determine the round trip delay to monitor changes in the transmission delay.

[0103] As an implementation, QoS monitoring can be performed by a GTP-U endpoint (user plane function). The endpoint can receive and store QoS monitoring policies, including QoS flow packet delay budget (PDB) parameters. In some embodiments, the GTP-U sender can compare the measured cumulative packet delay with stored QoS parameters (e.g., PDB parameters) to perform QoS monitoring.

[0104] If a GTP-U endpoint (e.g., anchor UPF) determines that the packet delay exceeds the requested PDB based on the accumulated packet delay reports, the GTP-U endpoint can trigger QoS monitoring alarm signaling to the relevant SMF or operations, administration, and maintenance (OA&M). QoS monitoring can be used to measure the packet delay of the transmission path and map the QoS flow to the appropriate network instance.

[0105] In GTP-U path-level QoS monitoring, packet delay measurement can be performed in the corresponding user plane transmission path using the GTP-U Echo request and response defined in 3GPP specification TS 28.552. This packet delay measurement can be used for specific URLLC services, regardless of the corresponding PDU session and 5QI of a given QoS flow.

[0106] The following is an example of a process for QoS monitoring at the GTP-U path level.

[0107] Step 1: The access network device measures the packet delay of the access network (the packet delay between the access network device and the terminal device) and provides the measurement results to the UPF. For example, the access network device provides the measurement results to the UPF through the N3 interface.

[0108] Step 2: UPF determines the delay between uploading and downloading packets.

[0109] Step 3: The UPF reports the QoS monitoring results to the SMF. For example, the UPF may report the QoS monitoring results to the SMF when certain specific conditions are met. The embodiments of the present application do not limit these specific conditions. For example, these specific conditions may be associated with one or more of the following: the UPF obtaining the QoS monitoring results for the first time, periodically reporting the QoS monitoring results, reporting the QoS monitoring results when an event triggers an event, or reporting the QoS monitoring results when a threshold for reporting to the SMF is reached.

[0110] In some embodiments, the UPF may support notifying the AF of QoS monitoring results via the local NEF.

[0111] Step 4: The UPF measures the network hop latency for each transport resource. As an implementation, the UPF can calculate the network hop latency by sending an Echo request on the transport resource and measuring the RTT / 2 when receiving the Echo response. This RTT is the time between the UPF sending the Echo request and receiving the Echo response.

[0112] Step 5: UPF maps {network instance, DiffServ Code Point} to transport resources and measures the latency for each destination IP address and port.

[0113] Step 6: The UPF that performs QoS monitoring provides the SMF with the corresponding {network instance, differentiated services code point} and the measured cumulative packet delay of the corresponding transmission path.

[0114] Step 7: SMF maps the QoS flow to the appropriate {network instance, differentiated services code point}. As an implementation method, the SMF can map the QoS flow to the appropriate {network instance, differentiated services code point} based on the parameter set of a given QoS flow. The QoS parameter set may include, for example, one or more of the following: the 5QI of the QoS flow, the QoS characteristics of the QoS flow, and the allocation and retention priority (ARP) corresponding to the QoS flow. As an example, the SMF can map the QoS flow to the appropriate {network instance, differentiated services code point} based on the {5QI, QoS characteristics, ARP} of a given QoS flow.

[0115] As mentioned earlier, some communication systems have introduced QoS monitoring mechanisms to optimize communication system performance (such as supporting URLLC services). However, current QoS monitoring mechanisms can only measure packet delay and round-trip time (RTT) between the terminal device and the UPF. As the number of service scenarios in communication systems increases, the demand for end-to-end QoS control of services is becoming increasingly diverse, and current QoS monitoring mechanisms may not be able to meet these requirements. Therefore, enhancing QoS monitoring mechanisms is an urgent issue.

[0116] To address the above issues, an embodiment of the present application provides a wireless communication method and a communication device to achieve end-to-end QoS control between the DN / UPF and the associated devices of the terminal device by adding a packet delay measurement mechanism, thereby enhancing the QoS monitoring mechanism.

[0117] To facilitate understanding, the application scenarios (business scenarios) to which the embodiments of the present application are applicable are first introduced below.

[0118] In some embodiments, the present invention can be applied to scenarios where there are associated devices of a terminal device in a communication system. In other words, the present invention can be applied to scenarios where there is a need to measure packet delay between the associated device of the terminal device and other nodes / devices.

[0119] As an example, embodiments of the present application may be applicable to scenarios involving packet delay measurement between an associated device of a terminal device and the terminal device itself. As another example, embodiments of the present application may be applicable to scenarios involving packet delay measurement between an associated device of a terminal device and a UPF / DN. As yet another example, embodiments of the present application may be applicable to scenarios involving packet delay measurement between associated devices of multiple terminal devices, and the like.

[0120] It should be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the associated device of the terminal device refers to other devices associated with the terminal device. In some embodiments, the associated device of the terminal device may refer to a device that communicates with a mobile communication network (such as 5GC) through the terminal device. In some embodiments, the associated device of the terminal device may refer to a device that is an accessory of the terminal device, such as certain wearable devices (VR devices, AR devices, etc.) attached to the terminal device. In some embodiments, the associated device of the terminal device may refer to a device that uses the terminal device as a gateway or relay, that is, the associated device can access the mobile communication network through the relay or bridge of the terminal device. For example, when the terminal device serves as customer premise equipment (CPE), the device that accesses the network through the terminal device can be called an associated device of the terminal device.

[0121] In some embodiments, the associated device of the terminal device may be a 3GPP terminal device, such as a 3GPP wearable device, etc. In some embodiments, the associated device of the terminal device may be a non-3GPP device, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0122] The embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit the name of the associated device of the terminal device. For example, the associated device of the terminal device can also be called or understood as an auxiliary device of the terminal device, device behind UE, tethered device, etc.

[0123] In some embodiments, the embodiments of the present application may be applicable to scenarios where there is a need to measure the packet delay between the UPF and the DN (or, N6 delay, the packet delay between the UPF and the DN mentioned hereinafter may be replaced by N6 delay). As an example, the embodiments of the present application may be applicable to the scenario of measuring the packet delay between the UPF and the DN. As another example, the embodiments of the present application may be applicable to the scenario of measuring the packet delay between the associated devices of different terminal devices (or, different associated devices, the associated devices of different terminal devices mentioned hereinafter may be understood or replaced by different associated devices) forwarded via the UPF / DN. As another example, the embodiments of the present application may be applicable to the scenario of measuring the packet delay between the associated devices of the terminal device and the terminal device forwarded via the UPF / DN, etc.

[0124] In some embodiments, associated devices of different terminal devices can be associated with or attached to the same terminal device. In some embodiments, associated devices of different terminal devices can be associated with or attached to different terminal devices, but this is not a limitation in the embodiments of the present application. For example, if the associated devices of different terminal devices include a first associated device and a second associated device, the first associated device and the second associated device can both be associated with or attached to the first terminal device; or, the first associated device can be associated with or attached to the first terminal device, and the second associated device can be associated with or attached to the second terminal device.

[0125] 3 to 6 , several application scenarios to which the embodiments of the present application are applicable are exemplarily introduced below.

[0126] Figure 3 shows a scenario of end-to-end packet delay monitoring. As shown in Figure 3, in the scenario of packet delay monitoring, the communication system includes multiple network entities, such as associated devices of terminal devices, terminal devices, access network devices, UPF, DN, etc. In the example of Figure 3, device 1 and device 2 are associated devices of terminal devices, and device 1 and device 2 can be 3GPP terminal devices or non-3GPP devices. Figure 3 exemplarily shows the associated devices of two terminal devices, but the embodiments of the present application are not limited to this. The embodiments of the present application can also be applied to scenarios of associated devices of one terminal device or associated devices of more than two terminal devices.

[0127] The end-to-end service shown in FIG3 may include different services, such as end-to-end services between the associated device of the terminal device and the DN, end-to-end services between the associated devices of different terminal devices, and end-to-end services with asymmetric uplink and downlink.

[0128] Figure 4 shows an example of end-to-end services between an associated device of a terminal device and a DN. In the example of Figure 4, device 1 is an associated device of the terminal device. As shown in Figure 4, the end-to-end services between the associated device of the terminal device and the DN may include uplink services and / or downlink services. Among them, the downlink services between the associated device of the terminal device and the DN can be expressed as: DN → anchor UPF (PSA UPF) → I-UPF → access network device → terminal device → associated device of the terminal device (device 1). The uplink services between the associated device of the terminal device and the DN can be expressed as: associated device of the terminal device (device 1) → terminal device → access network device → I-UPF → anchor UPF → DN.

[0129] Figure 5 shows an example of end-to-end services between associated devices of different terminal devices. In the example of Figure 5 , device 1 and device 2 are associated devices of the terminal device. As shown in Figure 5 , end-to-end services between associated devices of different terminal devices (i.e., device 1 and device 2) may include one or more of the following services: device 1-terminal device-device 2, device 1-terminal device-access network device-UPF-access network device-terminal device-device 2, device 1-terminal device-access network device-UPF-UPF-access network device-terminal device-device 2, and device 1-terminal device-access network device-UPF-DN-UPF-access network device-terminal device-device 2.

[0130] It should be understood that when device 1 and device 2 correspond to the same UPF, or when device 1 and device 2 are served by the same UPF, the end-to-end service between device 1 and device 2 forwarded via the UPF can be expressed as: device 1-terminal device-access network device-UPF-access network device-terminal device-device 2. When device 1 and device 2 correspond to different UPFs, or when device 1 and device 2 are served by different UPFs, the end-to-end service between device 1 and device 2 forwarded via the UPF can be expressed as: device 1-terminal device-access network device-UPF-UPF-access network device-terminal device-device 2.

[0131] Figure 6 shows an example of an end-to-end service with asymmetric uplink and downlink. In the example of Figure 6, device 1 is an associated device of the terminal device. As shown in Figure 6, the end-to-end service with asymmetric uplink and downlink may refer to an end-to-end service between the terminal device and the associated device of the terminal device (device 1). In some embodiments, the end-to-end service between the terminal device and the associated device of the terminal device may include: an uplink service between the terminal device and the UPF / DN and a downlink service between the associated device of the terminal device and the UPF / DN. In some embodiments, the end-to-end service between the terminal device and the associated device of the terminal device may include: a downlink service between the terminal device and the UPF / DN and an uplink service between the associated device of the terminal device and the UPF / DN.

[0132] As an example, in the example of Figure 6, asymmetric end-to-end services can be expressed as: downlink services (DN→anchor UPF→I-UPF→access network device→terminal device→associated device of terminal device), uplink services (terminal device→access network device→I-UPF→anchor UPF→DN). As another example, in the example of Figure 6, asymmetric end-to-end services can be expressed as: downlink services (DN→anchor UPF→I-UPF→access network device→terminal device), uplink services (associated device of terminal device→terminal device→access network device→I-UPF→anchor UPF→DN).

[0133] In some embodiments, the aforementioned downlink service and the associated device of the terminal device in the downlink service, the terminal device, the access network device, and the UPF may be the same network entity. In some embodiments, the aforementioned downlink service and the associated device of the terminal device in the downlink service, the terminal device, the access network device, and the UPF may be different network entities, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this. For example, the associated device of the terminal device in the downlink service and the associated device of the terminal device in the uplink service are the same network entity (for example, both are device 1 shown in Figure 3). Alternatively, the associated device of the terminal device in the downlink service and the associated device of the terminal device in the uplink service are different network entities (for example, the associated device of the terminal device in the downlink service is device 1 shown in Figure 3, and the associated device of the terminal device in the uplink service is device 2 shown in Figure 3). Whether other nodes or devices (such as terminal devices, access network devices, and UPF) are the same network entity in the downlink service and the uplink service is similar to the associated device of the terminal device, and for the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0134] The embodiment of the present application does not limit the number of I-UPFs included between the access network device and the anchor UPF. For example, there may be 0 or more I-UPFs between the access network device and the anchor UPF.

[0135] The following describes an embodiment of the method of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Figure 7 is a flow chart of a wireless communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. The method shown in Figure 7 is described from the perspective of the interaction between a first network element and a second network element. For ease of understanding, the first network element and the second network element are first introduced.

[0136] In the embodiment of the present application, the first network element is the network element that initiates the QoS monitoring request, or in other words, the first network element is the network element that requests QoS monitoring. For example, the first network element is the network element that requests QoS monitoring of packet delay.

[0137] The embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit the first network element, as long as it can initiate a QoS monitoring request (eg, a QoS monitoring request for packet delay).

[0138] In some embodiments, the first network element may be a third-party server or a third-party application, or in other words, the first network element may be a network element for transmitting the requirements of the application side to the network side. Taking the NR system as an example, the first network element may be an AF. However, the present application is not limited to this. The first network element may be another third-party server or a third-party application, or in other words, the first network element may be another network element, node, or device for transmitting the requirements of the application side to the network side. For example, the first network element may be a third-party server or a third-party application in a future communication system. Alternatively, the first network element may be a network element in a future communication system for transmitting the requirements of the application side to the network side, etc.

[0139] In some embodiments, the first network element may be a network element in the core network. That is, the first network element may be a network element in the core network that can initiate a QoS monitoring request. Taking the NR system as an example, the first network element may be an SMF, PCF, etc. in the core network. Taking the LTE system as an example, the first network element may be a mobility management entity (MME), a policy and charging rules function (PCRF), etc. in the core network. Of course, the first network element may also be a network element in the core network in a future communication system, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited to this.

[0140] In some embodiments, the first network element may be a terminal device. That is, the terminal device may initiate a QoS monitoring request, for example, a QoS monitoring request for packet delay.

[0141] In addition to the possible implementation forms of the first network element listed above, the first network element can also be other network elements, nodes or devices. The embodiments of the present application are not limited to this. For example, the first network element can also be an access network device, that is, the access network device can also initiate a QoS monitoring request to the second network element.

[0142] In an embodiment of the present application, a second network element may receive a QoS monitoring request sent by a first network element. In some embodiments, the second network element may generate a corresponding QoS monitoring policy in response to the QoS monitoring request. In other words, in some embodiments, the second network element may provide policy rule information to other network elements, nodes, or devices in the core network. In some embodiments, the second network element may be a network element in the core network.

[0143] Exemplarily, taking the NR system as an example, the second network element may be a PCF in the core network. However, the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto. The second network element may also be another network element, node, or device capable of generating a corresponding QoS monitoring policy for a QoS monitoring request. In other words, the second network element may also be another network element, node, or device capable of providing policy rule information to a network element, node, or device in the core network. For example, the second network element may be a network element, node, or device in a future communication system capable of generating a corresponding QoS monitoring policy for a QoS monitoring request.

[0144] The method shown in FIG. 7 may include step S710 , which is described below.

[0145] In step S710, a first network element sends a first message to a second network element, wherein the first message is used to request QoS monitoring of a first packet delay.

[0146] In some embodiments, the first packet delay may be related to an associated device of the terminal device, or in other words, the first packet delay may include a packet delay related to an associated device of the terminal device. For example, the first packet delay may be related to a packet delay between the terminal device and an associated device of the terminal device, or in other words, the first packet delay may include a packet delay between the terminal device and an associated device of the terminal device. Taking the terminal device as the first terminal device as an example, the first packet delay may include a packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device.

[0147] In some embodiments, the first packet delay may be related to the packet delay between the UPF and the DN, or in other words, the first packet delay may be a packet delay related to the packet delay between the UPF and the DN. For example, the first packet delay may include the packet delay between the UPF and the DN.

[0148] In some embodiments, the first packet delay may be related to both the packet delay associated with the associated device of the terminal device and the packet delay between the UPF and the DN. For example, the first packet delay may include the packet delay between the terminal device and the associated device of the terminal device and the packet delay between the UPF and the DN.

[0149] In some embodiments, the first packet delay may include one or more of the following packet delays: packet delay between DN and the associated device of the terminal device; packet delay between UPF and the associated device of the terminal device; packet delay between the terminal device and the associated device of the terminal device; packet delay between UPF and DN; packet delay forwarded via UPF between associated devices of different terminal devices; packet delay forwarded via DN between associated devices of different terminal devices; packet delay forwarded via UPF between the terminal device and the associated device of the terminal device; packet delay forwarded via DN between the terminal device and the associated device of the terminal device, etc.

[0150] In some embodiments, the associated devices of different terminal devices can be associated with or attached to the same terminal device. For example, if the associated devices of different terminal devices include a first associated device and a second associated device, the first associated device and the second associated device can both be associated with or attached to the first terminal device. In this case, the packet delay between the associated devices of different terminal devices when forwarded via the UPF / DN can refer to the packet delay between the first associated device of the first terminal device and the second associated device of the first terminal device when forwarded via the UPF / DN.

[0151] In some embodiments, the associated devices of different terminal devices can be associated with or attached to different terminal devices. For example, if the associated devices of different terminal devices include a first associated device and a second associated device, the first associated device can be associated with or attached to the first terminal device, and the second associated device can be associated with or attached to the second terminal device. In this case, the packet delay between the associated devices of different terminal devices when forwarded via the UPF / DN can refer to the packet delay between the first associated device of the first terminal device and the second associated device of the second terminal device when forwarded via the UPF / DN.

[0152] In some embodiments, the packet delay between a terminal device and its associated device via the UPF / DN may refer to the packet delay between the terminal device and its associated device via the UPF / DN. Taking the terminal device as a first terminal device as an example, the packet delay between the terminal device and its associated device via the UPF / DN may refer to the packet delay between the first terminal device and its associated device via the UPF / DN.

[0153] In some embodiments, the packet delay between a terminal device and its associated device, which is forwarded via the UPF / DN, may refer to the packet delay between the terminal device and the associated device of another terminal device other than the terminal device, which is forwarded via the UPF / DN. Taking the example of a terminal device including a first terminal device and a second terminal device, the packet delay between the terminal device and its associated device, which is forwarded via the UPF / DN, may refer to the packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the second terminal device, which is forwarded via the UPF / DN; or it may refer to the packet delay between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device, which is forwarded via the UPF / DN.

[0154] Exemplarily, the first packet delay can be one of the following packet delays: the packet delay between the DN and the associated device of the first terminal device; the packet delay between the UPF and the associated device of the first terminal device; the packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device; the packet delay between the UPF and the DN; the packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device via the UPF; the packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device via the DN; the packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device via the UPF; the packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device via the DN; the packet delay between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device via the UPF; and the packet delay between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device via the DN.

[0155] It should be noted that the second associated device mentioned above may be an associated device of the first terminal device; or, the second associated device may be an associated device of the second terminal device.

[0156] In some embodiments, the first packet delay may include other packet delays in addition to the packet delays listed above, that is, in addition to the packet delay associated with the terminal device's associated device and / or the packet delay associated with the UPF and DN, but this is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. For example, the first packet delay may also include one or more of the following packet delays: packet delay of the access network portion (packet delay between the access network device and the terminal device), packet delay between the access network device and the UPF, etc.

[0157] The embodiments of the present application do not limit the network element, node, or device that measures the first packet delay. For example, the first packet delay may be measured by one or more of the following network elements, nodes, or devices: a terminal device, an access network device, or a network element in the core network. For example, the first packet delay may be measured by one or more of the following network elements, nodes, or devices: a terminal device, an access network device, or a network element in the user plane of the core network (e.g., a UPF).

[0158] As an example, the packet delay between the terminal device and its associated device may be measured by the terminal device.

[0159] As another example, the packet delay between the terminal device and the access network device may be measured by the access network device.

[0160] As another example, the packet delay between the access network device and the UPF can be measured by the UPF.

[0161] As yet another example, the packet delay between the UPF and the DN may be measured by the UPF.

[0162] As another example, the packet delay between the DN / UPF and the terminal device's associated device can be jointly measured by the terminal device, the access network device, and the UPF. Taking the packet delay between the DN and the terminal device's associated device as an example, the packet delay between the DN and the UPF, and the packet delay between the UPF and the access network device, can be measured by the UPF; the packet delay between the access network device and the terminal device can be measured by the access network device; and the packet delay between the terminal device and its associated device can be measured by the terminal device.

[0163] As another example, the packet delay between associated devices of different terminal devices forwarded via the UPF / DN can be jointly measured by the terminal device, the access network device, and the UPF. Taking the packet delay between associated devices of different terminal devices (a first associated device and a second associated device) forwarded via the DN as an example, the packet delay between the DN and the UPF, and the packet delay between the UPF and the access network device can be measured by the UPF; the packet delay between the access network device and the terminal device can be measured by the access network device; the packet delay between the terminal device and the first associated device, and the packet delay between the terminal device and the second associated device can be measured by the terminal device. In some embodiments, if the first associated device and the second associated device are associated or attached to the same terminal device, the packet delay between the terminal device and the first associated device, and the packet delay between the terminal device and the second associated device can be measured by the same terminal device. In some embodiments, if the first associated device and the second associated device are associated or attached to different terminal devices, the packet delay between the terminal device and the first associated device, and the packet delay between the terminal device and the second associated device can be measured by different terminal devices.

[0164] As another example, the packet delay between a terminal device and its associated device forwarded via the UPF / DN can be jointly measured by the terminal device, the access network device, and the UPF. Taking the packet delay between a terminal device and its associated device forwarded via the DN as an example, the packet delay between the DN and the UPF, and the packet delay between the UPF and the access network device can be measured by the UPF; the packet delay between the access network device and the terminal device can be measured by the access network device; and the packet delay between the terminal device and its associated device can be measured by the terminal device.

[0165] In some embodiments, after the network element, node, or device (e.g., a terminal device, an access network device, a network element in a core network, etc.) measuring the first packet delay completes the measurement of the first packet delay, the monitoring result (or measurement result) may be reported to the target network element (or network entity). For example, the network element, node, or device measuring the first packet delay may report the monitoring result to the target network entity according to the local configuration or the instruction information in the QoS monitoring request. This will be described in detail later and will not be described in detail here for the sake of brevity.

[0166] In some embodiments, the first network element may send one or more first messages to the second network element, or in other words, the first network element may request one or more QoS monitoring of the first packet delay. That is, in an embodiment of the present application, the first network element may request the second network element to initiate one or more measurements of the first packet delay. For example, the first network element may request the second network element to initiate multiple measurements of the first packet delay to obtain changes in the first packet delay, so as to learn whether jitter has occurred in the network. Taking the first network element as AF and the second network element as PCF as an example, after the PCF obtains two consecutive first packet delays, it can calculate the difference between the two consecutive first packet delays, and report to the AF when the difference meets the threshold, so that the AF can learn whether jitter has occurred in the network.

[0167] In some embodiments, the first message is sent directly from the first network element to the second network element. In some embodiments, the first message is sent from the first network element to the second network element via another network element, or in other words, the first message is forwarded from the first network element to the second network element via another network element. For example, if the first network element is an AF and the second network element is a PCF, the first message can be sent directly from the AF to the PCF, or the first message can be sent from the AF to the PCF via the NEF.

[0168] It can be seen that the embodiments of the present application add the measurement of packet delay between the terminal device and the associated device of the terminal device and / or the measurement of packet delay between the UPF and the DN, which is conducive to achieving end-to-end QoS control between the DN / UPF and the associated device of the terminal device, and enhances the QoS monitoring mechanism.

[0169] That is to say, compared with the current QoS monitoring mechanism that can only be used to measure the packet delay between the terminal device and the UPF, and the RTT between the terminal device and the UPF, the embodiment of the present application adds relevant measurement mechanisms for measuring the packet delay between the UPF and the DN, and the packet delay between the terminal device and the terminal device's associated devices, which can enhance end-to-end QoS control of the service.

[0170] The embodiments of the present application are mainly applied to scenarios where QoS monitoring of packet delay is performed, but the embodiments of the present application are not limited to this. The embodiments of the present application can also be applied to other QoS monitoring scenarios, for example, scenarios where QoS monitoring of congestion information is performed.

[0171] In some embodiments, the first packet delay may include one or more of the following: uplink delay, downlink delay, and round-trip delay.

[0172] Taking the first packet delay as the packet delay between DN and the associated device of the first terminal device as an example, the first packet delay including the uplink delay can mean: the first packet delay includes the uplink packet delay between DN and the associated device of the first terminal device.

[0173] Taking the first packet delay as the packet delay between DN and the associated device of the first terminal device as an example, the first packet delay including the downlink delay can mean: the first packet delay includes the downlink packet delay between DN and the associated device of the first terminal device.

[0174] Taking the first packet delay as the packet delay between DN and the associated device of the first terminal device as an example, the first packet delay including the round-trip delay can mean: the first packet delay includes the round-trip packet delay between DN and the associated device of the first terminal device.

[0175] Taking the first packet delay as the packet delay between the UPF and the associated device of the first terminal device as an example, the first packet delay including the uplink delay can mean: the first packet delay includes the uplink packet delay between the UPF and the associated device of the first terminal device.

[0176] Taking the first packet delay as the packet delay between the UPF and the associated device of the first terminal device as an example, the first packet delay including the downlink delay can mean: the first packet delay includes the downlink packet delay between the UPF and the associated device of the first terminal device.

[0177] Taking the first packet delay as the packet delay between the UPF and the associated device of the first terminal device as an example, the first packet delay including the round-trip delay can mean: the first packet delay includes the round-trip packet delay between the UPF and the associated device of the first terminal device.

[0178] Taking the first packet delay as the packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device as an example, the first packet delay including the uplink delay can mean: the first packet delay includes the uplink packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device.

[0179] Taking the first packet delay as the packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device as an example, the first packet delay including the downlink delay can mean: the first packet delay includes the downlink packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device.

[0180] Taking the first packet delay as the packet delay between the first terminal device and its associated device as an example, the first packet delay including the round-trip delay may mean: the first packet delay includes the round-trip packet delay between the first terminal device and its associated device.

[0181] Taking the first packet delay as the packet delay between UPF and DN as an example, the first packet delay including the uplink delay may mean: the first packet delay includes the uplink packet delay between UPF and DN.

[0182] Taking the first packet delay as the packet delay between UPF and DN as an example, the first packet delay including the downlink delay may mean: the first packet delay includes the downlink packet delay between UPF and DN.

[0183] Taking the first packet delay as the packet delay between UPF and DN as an example, the first packet delay including the round-trip delay may mean: the first packet delay includes the round-trip packet delay between UPF and DN.

[0184] Taking the first packet delay as the packet delay forwarded via UPF between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device as an example, the first packet delay including the uplink delay can mean: the first packet delay includes the uplink packet delay forwarded via UPF between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device.

[0185] Taking the first packet delay as the packet delay forwarded via UPF between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device as an example, the first packet delay including the downlink delay can mean: the first packet delay includes the downlink packet delay forwarded via UPF between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device.

[0186] Taking the first packet delay as the packet delay forwarded via UPF between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device as an example, the first packet delay including the round-trip delay can mean: the first packet delay includes the round-trip packet delay forwarded via UPF between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device.

[0187] Taking the first packet delay as the packet delay forwarded via UPF between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device as an example, the first packet delay including the uplink delay can mean: the first packet delay includes the uplink packet delay forwarded via UPF between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device.

[0188] Taking the first packet delay as the packet delay forwarded via UPF between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device as an example, the first packet delay including the downlink delay can mean: the first packet delay includes the downlink packet delay forwarded via UPF between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device.

[0189] Taking the first packet delay as the packet delay forwarded via UPF between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device as an example, the first packet delay including the round-trip delay can mean: the first packet delay includes the round-trip packet delay forwarded via UPF between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device.

[0190] Taking the first packet delay as the packet delay forwarded via DN between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device as an example, the first packet delay including the uplink delay can mean: the first packet delay includes the uplink packet delay forwarded via DN between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device.

[0191] Taking the first packet delay as the packet delay forwarded via DN between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device as an example, the first packet delay including the downlink delay can mean: the first packet delay includes the downlink packet delay forwarded via DN between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device.

[0192] Taking the first packet delay as the packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device forwarded via DN as an example, the first packet delay including the round-trip delay can mean: the first packet delay includes the round-trip packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device forwarded via DN.

[0193] Taking the first packet delay as the packet delay forwarded via UPF between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device as an example, the first packet delay including the uplink delay can mean: the first packet delay includes the uplink packet delay forwarded via UPF between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device.

[0194] Taking the first packet delay as the packet delay forwarded via UPF between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device as an example, the first packet delay including the downlink delay can mean: the first packet delay includes the downlink packet delay forwarded via UPF between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device.

[0195] Taking the first packet delay as the packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device forwarded via UPF as an example, the first packet delay including the round-trip delay can mean: the first packet delay includes the round-trip packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device forwarded via UPF.

[0196] Taking the first packet delay as the packet delay forwarded via DN between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device as an example, the first packet delay including the uplink delay can mean: the first packet delay includes the uplink packet delay forwarded via DN between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device.

[0197] Taking the first packet delay as the packet delay forwarded via DN between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device as an example, the first packet delay including the downlink delay can mean: the first packet delay includes the downlink packet delay forwarded via DN between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device.

[0198] Taking the first packet delay as the packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device forwarded via DN as an example, the first packet delay including the round-trip delay can mean: the first packet delay includes the round-trip packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device forwarded via DN.

[0199] Taking the first packet delay as the packet delay forwarded via UPF between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device as an example, the first packet delay including the uplink delay can mean: the first packet delay includes the uplink packet delay forwarded via UPF between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device.

[0200] Taking the first packet delay as the packet delay forwarded via UPF between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device as an example, the first packet delay including the downlink delay can mean: the first packet delay includes the downlink packet delay forwarded via UPF between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device.

[0201] Taking the first packet delay as the packet delay forwarded via UPF between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device as an example, the first packet delay including the round-trip delay can mean: the first packet delay includes the round-trip packet delay forwarded via UPF between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device.

[0202] Taking the first packet delay as the packet delay forwarded via DN between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device as an example, the first packet delay including the uplink delay can mean: the first packet delay includes the uplink packet delay forwarded via DN between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device.

[0203] Taking the first packet delay as the packet delay forwarded via DN between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device as an example, the first packet delay including the downlink delay can mean: the first packet delay includes the downlink packet delay forwarded via DN between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device.

[0204] Taking the first packet delay as the packet delay forwarded via DN between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device as an example, the first packet delay including the round-trip delay can mean: the first packet delay includes the round-trip packet delay forwarded via DN between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device.

[0205] In embodiments of the present application, round-trip delay (or end-to-end round-trip delay, round-trip packet delay, etc.) may vary in different scenarios. For example, the round-trip delays in embodiments of the present application may include the following: the round-trip delay when uplink and downlink service data streams are carried on an associated device of the same terminal device (i.e., the same associated device); the round-trip delay when uplink and downlink service data streams are carried on associated devices of different terminal devices; and the round-trip delay when uplink and downlink service data streams are respectively carried on a terminal device and an associated device of the terminal device.

[0206] As an example, in the application scenario of Figure 4, the round-trip delay may refer to the round-trip delay of the uplink and downlink business data flows carried on the associated devices of the same terminal device. As another example, in the application scenario of Figure 5, the round-trip delay may refer to the round-trip delay of the uplink and downlink business data flows carried on the associated devices of different terminal devices. Among them, the uplink and downlink business data flows are carried on the associated devices of different terminal devices corresponding to the same terminal device. As another example, in the application scenario of Figure 6, the round-trip delay may refer to the round-trip delay of the uplink and downlink business data flows respectively carried on the terminal device and the associated device of the terminal device.

[0207] In some embodiments, the difference in round-trip delay is related to multiple factors, such as one or more of the following factors: the topological relationship between the terminal device and its associated devices, and the service flow diversion method.

[0208] As mentioned above, the first message can be used to request QoS monitoring of the first packet delay. The content of the first message is introduced in detail below.

[0209] Exemplarily, the first message may include one or more of the following information: parameters that need to be measured, relevant indication information for reporting measurement results, relevant information of the terminal device, relevant information of the terminal device's associated devices, relevant information of the first network element, relevant information of the service data flow, etc.

[0210] The parameter that needs to be measured can be used to indicate the relevant information of the first packet delay, that is, the first packet delay that needs to be measured is indicated by the parameter. As an example, the parameter that needs to be measured may include the packet delay between the DN and the associated device of the terminal device, such as including one or more of the following: the uplink delay between the DN and the associated device of the terminal device, the downlink delay between the DN and the associated device of the terminal device, and the round-trip delay when the uplink and downlink service data flows are carried on the associated device of the same terminal device (i.e., the same associated device). As another example, the parameter that needs to be measured may include the packet delay between the UPF and the associated device of the terminal device, such as including one or more of the following: the uplink delay between the UPF and the associated device of the terminal device, the downlink delay between the UPF and the associated device of the terminal device, and the round-trip delay when the uplink and downlink service data flows are carried on the associated device of the same terminal device (i.e., the same associated device). As yet another example, the parameter that needs to be measured may include the packet delay between the terminal device and the associated device of the terminal device. As another example, the parameter that needs to be measured may include the packet delay between UPF and DN, such as one or more of the following: uplink delay between UPF and DN, downlink delay between UPF and DN, and round-trip delay between UPF and DN.

[0211] For a detailed introduction to the first packet delay or related introductions to the parameters that need to be measured, please refer to the previous introduction to the first packet delay. For the sake of brevity, they are not repeated here.

[0212] The relevant indication information for measurement result reporting may refer to information related to the measurement reporting of the first packet delay. Exemplarily, the relevant indication information for measurement result reporting may include one or more of the following: indication information of the measurement result reporting frequency, indication information of the target network entity for measurement result reporting (or indication information of the reporting target), and direct reporting indication information.

[0213] The embodiments of the present application do not limit the frequency of measurement result reporting. In some embodiments, measurement result reporting can be triggered based on an event. In some embodiments, measurement results can be reported periodically.

[0214] In some embodiments, the first message may include indication information of a measurement result reporting method. For example, the indication information may be used to indicate that the measurement result reporting is based on event triggering, or that the measurement result is reported periodically.

[0215] In some embodiments, if the measurement result reporting is triggered by an event, the first message may include relevant information about the event. For example, the first message may include a reporting threshold corresponding to the event, i.e., when the parameter to be measured (first packet delay) reaches the reporting threshold, the measurement result reporting is triggered.

[0216] In some embodiments, if the measurement results are reported periodically, the first message may include information related to the reporting period. For example, the first message may include the reporting period of the parameter to be measured (first packet delay) and / or the minimum waiting time between two reports.

[0217] The target network entity indication information for reporting the measurement result may be used to indicate the reporting target of the parameter (first packet delay) to be measured, i.e., the target object for reporting the measurement result. Exemplarily, the target network entity indication information for reporting the measurement result may include one or more of the following: a first network element, a network element in the core network, etc. For example, the target network entity indication information for reporting the measurement result may be used to indicate that the measurement result is to be reported to one or more of the following: an AF, a PCF, a NEF, an SMF, a terminal device, etc.

[0218] In some embodiments, if the first message includes direct reporting indication information, the network element (e.g., UPF) that determines the monitoring result of the first packet delay may directly report the monitoring result to the first network element or a network element in the core network. For example, when the first message includes direct reporting indication information, the UPF may directly report the monitoring result to the AF or NEF, etc.

[0219] The relevant information of the terminal device in the first message can be used to indicate the identity or address of the terminal device. For example, the first message may include the address information (such as IP address or MAC address) of the terminal device and / or the identifier of the terminal device.

[0220] The relevant information of the associated device of the terminal device in the first message can be used to indicate the identity or address of the associated device of the terminal device. For example, the first message may include the address information (such as IP address or MAC address) of the associated device of the terminal device and / or the identifier of the associated device of the terminal device.

[0221] In some embodiments, if the parameter to be measured or the first packet delay includes the packet delay between the terminal device and an associated device of the terminal device, the first message may include relevant information of the associated device of the terminal device. As an example, if the first packet delay is the packet delay between the DN / UPF and an associated device of the terminal device, the first message may include relevant information of the associated device of the terminal device. As another example, if the first packet delay is the packet delay between the terminal device and an associated device of the terminal device, the first message may include relevant information of the associated device of the terminal device. As yet another example, if the first packet delay is the packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device forwarded via the UPF / DN, the first message may include relevant information of the first associated device and / or the second associated device. As yet another example, if the first packet delay is the packet delay between the terminal device and an associated device of the terminal device forwarded via the UPF / DN, the first message may include relevant information of the associated device of the terminal device.

[0222] In some embodiments, the first message may include relevant information about the first network element to indicate the network element that initiated the QoS monitoring request. For example, the relevant information about the first network element included in the first message may be used to indicate the identity of the first network element, such as the first message may include an identifier of the first network element. For example, if the first network element is an AF, the first message may include an identifier of the AF.

[0223] In some embodiments, the first message may include relevant information of the service data flow, for example, it may include flow description information, packet filter (composed of information such as flow direction, IP quintuple, etc.), and other information.

[0224] In some embodiments, the first message may further include relevant information of the external application, for example, may include an identifier of the external application.

[0225] In some embodiments, after the first network element sends the first message requesting QoS monitoring of the first packet delay, the first network element may also receive corresponding monitoring results. This will be described below in conjunction with FIG7 .

[0226] Continuing to refer to Figure 7, in some embodiments, the method shown in Figure 7 may further include step S720. In step S720, the first network element receives the monitoring result.

[0227] In some embodiments, the monitoring result may include one or more of the following: first packet delay, and segment delay within the first packet delay. It should be understood that the first packet delay mentioned in the embodiments of the present application may refer to the end-to-end packet delay between two communication nodes. The segment delay within the first packet delay may include the packet delay between two adjacent nodes along the data transmission path between the two communication nodes.

[0228] Two adjacent nodes may refer to an end node and its adjacent node on a data transmission path, or may refer to two adjacent intermediate nodes on a data transmission path (when there are multiple intermediate nodes between the two communicating nodes).

[0229] As an example, the first packet delay is the end-to-end packet delay between two communication nodes, DN and the associated device of the terminal device. The segmented delay in the first packet delay may include one or more of the following: packet delay between DN and UPF, packet delay between UPF and access network device, packet delay between access network device and terminal device, and packet delay between terminal device and its associated device.

[0230] In the above example, the two adjacent nodes may refer to DN and UPF; or, the two adjacent nodes may refer to UPF and access network equipment; or, the two adjacent nodes may refer to access network equipment and terminal equipment; or, the two adjacent nodes may refer to terminal equipment and its associated equipment.

[0231] As another example, the first packet delay is the packet delay between the terminal device and its associated device forwarded via the UPF. The segmented delay in the first packet delay may include one or more of the following: packet delay between the UPF and the access network device, packet delay between the access network device and the terminal device, and packet delay between the terminal device and its associated device.

[0232] In the above example, the two adjacent nodes may refer to the UPF and the access network device; or, the two adjacent nodes may refer to the access network device and the terminal device; or, the two adjacent nodes may refer to the terminal device and the terminal device.

[0233] In some embodiments, the monitoring results may include only the first packet delay, that is, the monitoring results include the total end-to-end delay. For example, the first packet delay refers to the end-to-end packet delay between two communication nodes, the DN and the terminal device's associated device. The monitoring results may include only the end-to-end delay between the DN and the terminal device's associated device.

[0234] In some embodiments, the above monitoring results may include the segment delay in the first packet delay, such as each part of the segment delay in the first packet delay. For example, the first packet delay refers to the end-to-end packet delay between the two communication nodes, DN and the associated device of the terminal device. The above monitoring results may include the packet delay between DN and UPF, the packet delay between UPF and the access network device, the packet delay between the access network device and the terminal device, and the packet delay between the terminal device and the associated device of the terminal device. However, the embodiments of the present application are not limited to this. For example, the monitoring results may include partial segment delays. Taking the first packet delay as the end-to-end packet delay between the two communication nodes, DN and the associated device of the terminal device, as an example, the monitoring results may include the packet delay between DN and UPF, and the packet delay between the terminal device and the associated device of the terminal device.

[0235] In some embodiments, the monitoring results may include both the first packet delay and the segment delays in the first packet delay, such as the first packet delay and each portion of the segment delay in the first packet delay. For example, the first packet delay refers to the end-to-end packet delay between the two communication nodes, the DN and the associated device of the terminal device. The monitoring results may include the end-to-end delay between the DN and the associated device of the terminal device, the packet delay between the DN and the UPF, the packet delay between the UPF and the access network device, the packet delay between the access network device and the terminal device, and the packet delay between the terminal device and the associated device of the terminal device. However, the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto. For example, the monitoring results may include the first packet delay and some segment delays. Taking the first packet delay as the end-to-end packet delay between the two communication nodes, the DN and the associated device of the terminal device, as an example, the monitoring results may include the end-to-end delay between the DN and the associated device of the terminal device, the packet delay between the DN and the UPF, and the packet delay between the terminal device and the associated device of the terminal device.

[0236] In some embodiments, after receiving the first message sent by the first network element, the second network element can instruct other network elements to perform QoS monitoring on the first packet delay according to the first message. This will be described in detail below with reference to FIG8 .

[0237] Figure 8 is a flow chart of a wireless communication method provided by another embodiment of the present application. The method shown in Figure 8 is described from the perspective of interaction among the first network element, the second network element, and the third network element.

[0238] In some embodiments, the third network element may be used to instruct other network elements to measure the first packet delay or the segment delay in the first packet delay.

[0239] In some embodiments, the third network element may be configured to provide session management functionality.

[0240] In some embodiments, the third network element may be a network element in the core network.

[0241] For example, taking the NR system as an example, the third network element may be an SMF. However, the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto, and the third network element may also be other network elements for providing session management functions. For example, the third network element may be a network element, node, or device providing session management functions in a future communication system.

[0242] The method shown in Figure 8 may include step S810 and step S820. These steps are described below.

[0243] In step S810, a first network element sends a first message to a second network element, wherein the first message is used to request QoS monitoring of a first packet delay.

[0244] For a detailed description of step S810, please refer to the previous description of step S710, which will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0245] In step S820, the second network element sends a second message to the third network element. The second message may be used to instruct the third network element to perform QoS monitoring on the delay of the first packet.

[0246] In some embodiments, the second message carries the PCC rule, or in other words, the second message is sent to the third network element in the form of the PCC rule.

[0247] In some embodiments, the second message includes a QoS monitoring policy for the first packet delay generated by the second network element, such as an authorized QoS monitoring policy for the first packet delay.

[0248] In some embodiments, the QoS monitoring policy for the first packet delay is determined by the second network element based on the received first message and / or local configuration information. For example, the QoS monitoring policy for the first packet delay is determined by the second network element based on information related to the first packet delay in the first message and the local configuration information of the second network element.

[0249] In some embodiments, if the first packet delay is the packet delay forwarded via the UPF between associated devices of different terminal devices, the second message can be used to instruct the third network element to monitor the packet delay between each of the associated devices of the different terminal devices and the UPF respectively.

[0250] For example, if the first packet delay is the packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device, forwarded via the UPF, the second message may be used to instruct the third network element to monitor the second packet delay and the third packet delay, respectively. The second packet delay and the third packet delay may be used to indicate the packet delay between the first associated device and the UPF and the packet delay between the second associated device and the UPF, respectively. For example, the second packet delay may be the packet delay between the first associated device and the UPF, and the third packet delay may be the packet delay between the second associated device and the UPF.

[0251] It should be understood that the second associated device can be an associated device of the first terminal device or an associated device of the second terminal device. It should be noted that the definition of the second associated device mentioned below is the same, and for the sake of brevity, it will not be explained hereafter.

[0252] In some embodiments, if the first packet delay is the packet delay between associated devices of different terminal devices forwarded via DN, the second message can be used to instruct the third network element to monitor the packet delay between each of the associated devices of the different terminal devices and the DN respectively.

[0253] For example, if the first packet delay is the packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device, forwarded via the DN, the second message may be used to instruct the third network element to monitor the second packet delay and the third packet delay, respectively. The second packet delay and the third packet delay may be used to indicate the packet delay between the first associated device and the DN and the packet delay between the second associated device and the DN, respectively. For example, the second packet delay may be the packet delay between the first associated device and the DN, and the third packet delay may be the packet delay between the second associated device and the DN.

[0254] In some embodiments, if the first packet delay is the packet delay between the terminal device and its associated device forwarded via the UPF, the second message may be used to instruct the third network element to separately monitor the packet delay between the terminal device and the UPF and the packet delay between the terminal device's associated device and the UPF. Exemplarily, the second message may be used to instruct the third network element to separately monitor the second packet delay and the third packet delay, where the second packet delay may be the packet delay between the terminal device and the UPF, and the third packet delay may be the packet delay between the terminal device's associated device and the UPF.

[0255] In some embodiments, if the first packet delay is the packet delay between the terminal device and its associated device forwarded via the UPF, the second message may be used to instruct the third network element to separately monitor the round-trip packet delay between the terminal device and the UPF and the packet delay between the terminal device and its associated device. Exemplarily, the second message may be used to instruct the third network element to separately monitor the second packet delay and the third packet delay, where the second packet delay may be the round-trip packet delay between the terminal device and the UPF, and the third packet delay may be the packet delay between the terminal device and its associated device.

[0256] In some embodiments, if the first packet delay is the packet delay between the terminal device and an associated device of the terminal device forwarded via the DN, the second message may be used to instruct the third network element to separately monitor the packet delay between the terminal device and the DN and the packet delay between the associated device of the terminal device and the DN. Exemplarily, the second message may be used to instruct the third network element to separately monitor the second packet delay and the third packet delay, where the second packet delay may be the packet delay between the terminal device and the DN, and the third packet delay may be the packet delay between the associated device of the terminal device and the DN.

[0257] In some embodiments, if the first packet delay is the packet delay between the terminal device and its associated device forwarded via the DN, the second message may be used to instruct the third network element to separately monitor the round-trip packet delay between the terminal device and the DN and the packet delay between the terminal device and its associated device. Exemplarily, the second message may be used to instruct the third network element to separately monitor the second packet delay and the third packet delay, where the second packet delay may be the round-trip packet delay between the terminal device and the DN, and the third packet delay may be the packet delay between the terminal device and its associated device.

[0258] In some embodiments, if the first packet delay is the packet delay between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device, which is forwarded via the UPF, the second message may be used to instruct the third network element to separately monitor the packet delay between the second terminal device and the UPF and the packet delay between the associated device of the first terminal device and the UPF. Exemplarily, the second message may be used to instruct the third network element to separately monitor the second packet delay and the third packet delay, where the second packet delay may be the packet delay between the second terminal device and the UPF, and the third packet delay may be the packet delay between the associated device of the first terminal device and the UPF.

[0259] In some embodiments, if the first packet delay is the packet delay between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device and forwarded via the DN, the second message may be used to instruct the third network element to separately monitor the packet delay between the second terminal device and the DN and the packet delay between the associated device of the first terminal device and the DN. Exemplarily, the second message may be used to instruct the third network element to separately monitor the second packet delay and the third packet delay, where the second packet delay may be the packet delay between the second terminal device and the DN, and the third packet delay may be the packet delay between the associated device of the first terminal device and the DN.

[0260] In some embodiments, if the first packet delay includes the packet delay between the terminal device and an associated device of the terminal device, the second message may include relevant information of the associated device of the terminal device. Exemplarily, the second message may include one or more of the following: an address of the associated device of the terminal device, and an identifier of the associated device of the terminal device.

[0261] In some embodiments, after receiving the second message and completing the relevant QoS monitoring, the third network element may feed back the monitoring result to the second network element. This will be described below in conjunction with FIG8 .

[0262] Referring to Figure 8 , in some embodiments, the method shown in Figure 8 may further include step S830. In step S830, the third network element transmits the monitoring results to the second network element. The present embodiment of the application does not limit the monitoring results transmitted by the third network element to the second network element. The following provides several examples of monitoring results transmitted by the third network element to the second network element.

[0263] As an implementation, the monitoring result includes the aforementioned monitoring result of the second packet delay and the monitoring result of the third packet delay. In this case, after receiving the monitoring result, the second network element can determine the monitoring result of the first packet delay based on the monitoring result of the second packet delay and the monitoring result of the third packet delay.

[0264] In some embodiments, the monitoring result of the first packet delay is calculated based on the monitoring results of the second packet delay and the third packet delay. Exemplarily, the second packet delay and the third packet delay are segment delays within the first packet delay. The monitoring result of the first packet delay can be determined based on the second packet delay, the third packet delay, and other segment delays within the first packet delay. For example, the first packet delay can be the sum of the second packet delay, the third packet delay, and other segment delays within the first packet delay.

[0265] The embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit the second packet delay and the third packet delay, which can be any of the second packet delay and third packet delay mentioned above. For example, if the first packet delay is the packet delay between associated devices of different terminal devices forwarded via the UPF, then the second packet delay and the third packet delay can be the packet delay between the first associated device and the UPF, and the packet delay between the second associated device and the UPF, respectively. Alternatively, if the first packet delay is the packet delay between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device forwarded via the DN, then the second packet delay and the third packet delay can be the packet delay between the second terminal device and the DN, and the packet delay between the associated device of the first terminal device and the DN, respectively. Alternatively, if the first packet delay is the packet delay between the terminal device and its associated device forwarded via the DN, the second packet delay and the third packet delay may be the packet delay between the terminal device and the DN, and the packet delay between the terminal device's associated device and the DN, respectively; or the second packet delay and the third packet delay may be the round-trip packet delay between the terminal device and the DN, and the packet delay between the terminal device and its associated device, respectively.

[0266] In some embodiments, after determining the monitoring result of the first packet delay based on the monitoring result of the second packet delay and the monitoring result of the third packet delay, the second network element may send the monitoring result of the first packet delay to the first network element, for example, sending the first packet delay and / or the segment delay within the first packet delay.

[0267] As another implementation, the monitoring result sent by the third network element to the second network element may be the monitoring result of the first packet delay. That is, the third network element may determine the monitoring result of the first packet delay based on the monitoring result of the second packet delay and the monitoring result of the third packet delay, and send the monitoring result of the first packet delay to the second network element. In this implementation, the monitoring result sent by the third network element to the second network element may include one or more of the following: the first packet delay, and a segment delay within the first packet delay.

[0268] In some embodiments, after receiving the second message, the third network element can request, based on the second message, the corresponding network element to monitor the QoS parameters related to the first packet delay. Alternatively, the third network element can determine the control information for the QoS parameters to be measured from the second message and request the corresponding network element to implement the QoS parameter policy. This is described below with reference to FIG9 .

[0269] Figure 9 is a flow chart of a wireless communication method provided by another embodiment of the present application. The method shown in Figure 9 is described from the perspective of interaction between multiple network elements, nodes, or devices. The method shown in Figure 9 may include steps S910 to S940.

[0270] In step S910, a first network element sends a first message to a second network element, wherein the first message is used to request QoS monitoring of a first packet delay.

[0271] For the introduction of step S910, please refer to the relevant introduction of step S710 above, and for the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0272] In step S920, the second network element sends a second message to the third network element, wherein the second message is used to instruct the third network element to perform QoS monitoring on the delay of the first packet.

[0273] For the introduction of step S920, please refer to the relevant introduction of step S820 above. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0274] In step S930, if the first packet delay includes the packet delay between the UPF and the DN, the third network element sends a third message to the fourth network element, requesting the fourth network element to perform QoS monitoring on the packet delay between the UPF and the DN.

[0275] In some embodiments, the fourth network element can be used to perform QoS monitoring on the packet delay between the UPF and the DN.

[0276] In some embodiments, the fourth network element may be a network element in the core network. For example, the fourth network element may be a user plane network element in the core network.

[0277] Taking the NR system as an example, the fourth network element may be a UPF. However, the embodiment of the present application is not limited thereto, and the fourth network element may also be another network element capable of performing QoS monitoring on the packet delay between the UPF and the DN. For example, the fourth network element may be a network element, node, or device capable of performing QoS monitoring on the packet delay between the UPF and the DN in a future communication system.

[0278] In some embodiments, the first packet delay includes the packet delay between the UPF and the DN, which may include one or more of the following: the first packet delay is the packet delay between the DN and the associated device of the terminal device, the first packet delay is the packet delay between the UPF and the DN, the first packet delay is the packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device forwarded via the DN, the first packet delay is the packet delay between the terminal device and the associated device of the terminal device forwarded via the DN (for example, the first packet delay is the packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device forwarded via the DN, or the first packet delay is the packet delay between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device forwarded via the DN), etc.

[0279] In some embodiments, the packet delay between the UPF and the DN may include one or more of the following: uplink delay, downlink delay, and round-trip delay.

[0280] In some embodiments, the third message may include QoS monitoring control information determined by the third network element (ie, QoS monitoring control information for the delay of the first packet).

[0281] In some embodiments, the third network element can configure the fourth network element to perform QoS monitoring on the target QoS flow. In other words, the third network element can configure the fourth network element to perform QoS monitoring on the QoS flow for the first packet delay.

[0282] In some embodiments, the third network element may further provide the fourth network element with one or more of the following information: QoS parameters to be measured, measurement reporting period, measurement reporting frequency, target network entity for measurement reporting, etc. In some embodiments, one or more of the above information may be carried by the third network element in a session reporting rule (SRR).

[0283] In some embodiments, the fourth network element can be determined based on the third network element based on one or more of the following information: the address of the terminal device, flow description information, data network name (DNN), single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI), application identifier, etc.

[0284] In some embodiments, the target QoS flow (the QoS flow for the first packet delay) monitored by the fourth network element may be determined by a QFI.

[0285] In some embodiments, if the first packet delay includes the packet delay between the UPF and the access network device, the fourth network element also needs to measure the packet delay between the UPF (such as the anchor UPF) and the access network device. For example, if the first packet delay includes the packet delay between the UPF and the access network device, the fourth network element needs to collaborate with the access network device to measure the packet delay between the UPF and the access network device.

[0286] In some embodiments, the first packet delay includes the packet delay between the UPF and the access network device, which may include one or more of the following: the first packet delay is the packet delay between the DN and the associated device of the terminal device, the first packet delay is the packet delay between the UPF and the associated device of the terminal device, the first packet delay is the packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device forwarded via the UPF, the first packet delay is the packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device forwarded via the DN, the first packet delay is the packet delay between the terminal device and the associated device of the terminal device forwarded via the UPF (for example, the first packet delay is the packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device forwarded via the UPF, or the first packet delay is the packet delay between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device forwarded via the UPF), the first packet delay is the packet delay between the terminal device and the associated device of the terminal device forwarded via the DN (for example, the first packet delay is the packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device forwarded via the DN, or the first packet delay is the packet delay between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device forwarded via the DN), etc.

[0287] In step S940, if the first packet delay includes the packet delay between the terminal device and its associated device, the third network element sends a fourth message to the terminal device, requesting the terminal device to perform QoS monitoring on the packet delay between the terminal device and its associated device.

[0288] In some embodiments, the first packet delay includes the packet delay between the terminal device and the associated device of the terminal device and may include one or more of the following: the first packet delay is the packet delay between the DN and the associated device of the terminal device, the first packet delay is the packet delay between the UPF and the associated device of the terminal device, the first packet delay is the packet delay between the terminal device and the associated device of the terminal device, the first packet delay is the packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device forwarded via the DN, the first packet delay is the packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device forwarded via the UPF, the first packet delay is the packet delay between the terminal device and the associated device of the terminal device The first packet delay is the packet delay forwarded via DN between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device (for example, the first packet delay is the packet delay forwarded via DN between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device, or the first packet delay is the packet delay forwarded via DN between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device), the first packet delay is the packet delay forwarded via UPF between the terminal device and the associated device of the terminal device (for example, the first packet delay is the packet delay forwarded via UPF between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device, or the first packet delay is the packet delay forwarded via UPF between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device), etc.

[0289] In some embodiments, the fourth message is used to request the terminal device to perform QoS monitoring on one or more of the following: uplink packet delay and / or downlink packet delay between the terminal device and its associated devices; round-trip delay between the terminal device and its associated devices; packet delay between the terminal device and multiple associated devices of the terminal device; one-way packet delay between the terminal device and its associated devices.

[0290] As an example, if the terminal device has only one associated device, and the source address of the uplink data flow and the destination address of the downlink data flow both point to the associated device (see the scenario shown in Figure 4 above), the terminal device can only measure the uplink and / or downlink packet delay between the terminal device and the associated device, or in other words, the terminal device can measure the uplink packet delay between the terminal device and the associated device.

[0291] As another example, if the terminal device has multiple associated devices (for example, two), that is, the source address of the upstream data flow is different from the destination address of the downstream data flow, and the upstream and downstream data flows are diverted to different associated devices through the terminal device, then the terminal device can measure the packet delay between the terminal device and multiple associated devices separately.

[0292] As another example, if the terminal device has only one associated device, but the source address of the upstream data flow (for example, pointing to the terminal device) is different from the destination address of the downstream data flow (for example, pointing to the associated device), the terminal device can only measure the one-way packet delay between the terminal device and the associated device of the terminal device.

[0293] As another example, if the terminal device has only one associated device, and the source address of the upstream data flow (e.g., pointing to the associated device of the terminal device) is different from the destination address of the downstream data flow (e.g., pointing to the terminal device), the terminal device can only measure the one-way packet delay between the terminal device and the associated device of the terminal device.

[0294] In some embodiments, the fourth message may include QoS monitoring control information determined by the third network element (ie, QoS monitoring control information for the delay of the first packet).

[0295] In some embodiments, the terminal device receiving the fourth message is determined by the third network element based on the address information of the terminal device. For example, the third network element can determine to which terminal device or devices the fourth message is to be sent based on the address information of the terminal device carried in the second message.

[0296] In some embodiments, the fourth message (for example, the QoS monitoring control information contained in the fourth message) may include one or more of the following information: address information of the terminal device, identification information of the terminal device, address information of the associated device of the terminal device, identification information of the associated device of the terminal device, flow description information, packet filter information, etc.

[0297] In some embodiments, the fourth message is sent by the third network element to the terminal device through the intermediate node. Taking the third network element as SMF as an example, the third network element can send the fourth message to the terminal device through AMF and access network equipment.

[0298] In some embodiments, the third network element may further send QoS monitoring control information (QoS monitoring control information for the first packet delay) to the access network device to configure the access network device to perform QoS monitoring on the target QoS flow. In other words, the third network element may configure the access network device to perform QoS monitoring on the QoS flow for the first packet delay.

[0299] In some embodiments, if the first packet delay includes the packet delay between the access network device and the terminal device, the third network element may request the access network device to measure the packet delay between the access network device and the terminal device. For example, if the first packet delay is the packet delay between the DN / UPF and an associated device of the terminal device, or the first packet delay is the packet delay between the terminal device and its associated device after being forwarded by the DN / UPF, the third network element may request the access network device to measure the packet delay between the access network device and the terminal device.

[0300] In some embodiments, if the first packet delay includes the packet delay between the access network device and the UPF, the third network element may configure the access network device and the UPF to collaborate to measure the packet delay between the access network device and the UPF. For example, if the first packet delay is the packet delay between the DN / UPF and an associated device of the terminal device, or the first packet delay is the packet delay between the terminal device and an associated device of the terminal device after being forwarded by the DN / UPF, the third network element may configure the access network device and the UPF to collaborate to measure the packet delay between the access network device and the UPF.

[0301] In some embodiments, after completing QoS monitoring, the network element, node, or device performing QoS monitoring needs to determine and / or report monitoring results, which will be further described below in conjunction with FIG9 .

[0302] In some embodiments, the method shown in Figure 9 may include step S950. In step S950, the terminal device sends the monitoring result to the fourth network element.

[0303] In some embodiments, the monitoring results include one or more of the following: uplink packet delay and / or downlink packet delay between the terminal device and its associated devices; round-trip packet delay between the terminal device and its associated devices; packet delay between the terminal device and multiple associated devices of the terminal device; one-way packet delay between the terminal device and its associated devices.

[0304] In some embodiments, the monitoring result is sent by the terminal device to the fourth network element via the intermediate node. Taking the fourth network element as a UPF as an example, the monitoring result can be sent by the terminal device to the UPF via the access network device.

[0305] In some embodiments, the monitoring result is sent by the terminal device to the fourth network element via the user plane. For example, the monitoring result is sent by the terminal device to the UPF via the user plane via the access network device.

[0306] In some embodiments, the monitoring result is sent by the terminal device to the fourth network element via the control plane. For example, the monitoring result is sent by the terminal device to the UPF via the control plane via the access network device.

[0307] In some embodiments, step S950 may not be performed. For example, if the first network element is a terminal device, that is, the QoS monitoring request for the first packet delay is triggered by the terminal device, in this case, the terminal device does not need to report the packet delay between the terminal device and its associated devices. Instead, it can request the network to provide the packet delay between the DN / UPF and the terminal device, thereby determining the end-to-end delay between the DN / UPF and the terminal device's associated devices.

[0308] In some embodiments, the method shown in Figure 9 may include step S960. In step S960, the fifth network element sends a fifth message to the fourth network element. In some embodiments, the fifth network element may be an access network device, such as a base station.

[0309] The fifth message includes one or more of the following: packet delay between the access network device and the terminal device, and packet delay between the terminal device and an associated device of the terminal device.

[0310] That is to say, after the terminal device sends the monitoring results to the access network device (the monitoring results are used to indicate the packet delay between the terminal device and the associated device of the terminal device), the access network device can send the monitoring results sent by the terminal device and the monitoring results of the packet delay between the access network device and the terminal device measured by the access network device to the fourth network element.

[0311] In some embodiments, the method shown in FIG9 may include step S970. In step S970, the fourth network element determines and reports a monitoring result based on the packet delay in the fifth message and the packet delay monitored by the fourth network element. The monitoring result can be understood as a monitoring result for the first packet delay.

[0312] In some embodiments, the monitoring result includes one or more of the following: the first packet delay requested to be monitored, and the segment delay in the first packet delay.

[0313] In some embodiments, the packet delay monitored by the fourth network element may include one or more of the following: the packet delay between the DN and the UPF, and the packet delay between the UPF and the access network device.

[0314] In some embodiments, if the first packet delay includes the packet delay between the DN and the UPF, the packet delay obtained by monitoring the fourth network element includes the packet delay between the DN and the UPF. As an example, if the first packet delay is the packet delay between the DN and an associated device of the terminal device, the packet delay obtained by monitoring the fourth network element includes the packet delay between the DN and the UPF. As another example, if the first packet delay is the packet delay between the DN and the UPF, the packet delay obtained by monitoring the fourth network element includes the packet delay between the DN and the UPF.

[0315] For ease of understanding, an implementation method in which the fourth network element monitors the packet delay between the DN and the UPF is given below.

[0316] As an implementation method, the fourth network element can read the timestamp of the application layer header of the downlink data packet to obtain the sending time of the data packet on the DN side (such as T0), and record the local time of receiving the data packet (such as T1). Afterwards, the fourth network element can add a timestamp to the application layer header of the uplink data packet to record the sending time of the uplink data packet (such as T2), and record the local reception time (such as T3) when the DN side receives the uplink data packet. In this way, the fourth network element can determine that the round-trip delay between the UPF and the DN is (T3-T2)+(T1-T0).

[0317] In some embodiments, if the DN and UPF local clocks are synchronized, the fourth network element may further determine that the one-way delay between the UPF and the DN is T3-T2 or T1-T0. In some embodiments, if the DN and UPF local clocks are not synchronized, the fourth network element may estimate the one-way delay between the DN and the UPF based on [(T3-T2)+(T1-T0)] / 2.

[0318] In some embodiments, if the first packet delay includes the packet delay between the UPF and the access network device, the packet delay obtained by monitoring the fourth network element includes the packet delay between the UPF and the access network device. As an example, if the first packet delay is the packet delay between the DN and an associated device of the terminal device, the packet delay obtained by monitoring the fourth network element includes the packet delay between the UPF and the access network device. As another example, if the first packet delay is the packet delay between the UPF and an associated device of the terminal device, the packet delay obtained by monitoring the fourth network element includes the packet delay between the UPF and the access network device.

[0319] At this point, the fourth network element can determine the monitoring result according to the packet delay in the fifth message and the packet delay monitored by the fourth network element.

[0320] In some embodiments, after determining the monitoring result, the fourth network element may report the monitoring result.

[0321] As an implementation manner, the fourth network element may send the monitoring result to the third network element, so that the third network element sends the monitoring result to the first network element.

[0322] In some embodiments, after the fourth network element sends the monitoring result to the third network element, the third network element may send the monitoring result to the second network element. Thereafter, the second network element may send the monitoring result to the network element requesting QoS monitoring (ie, the first network element).

[0323] As another implementation, the fourth network element may directly send the monitoring result to the network element requesting QoS monitoring (ie, the first network element). For example, if the first message includes direct reporting indication information, the fourth network element may directly send the monitoring result to the first network element.

[0324] In some embodiments, the fourth network element reports the monitoring result based on a conditional trigger. For example, the fourth network element may report the monitoring result when a threshold corresponding to an event is reached. Alternatively, the fourth network element may periodically report the monitoring result (when a reporting period is reached).

[0325] As an example, the fourth network element may send the monitoring result to the third network element when the threshold corresponding to the event is reached. Alternatively, the fourth network element may directly send the monitoring result to the first network element when the threshold corresponding to the event is reached.

[0326] As another example, the fourth network element may periodically report the monitoring result to the third network element. Alternatively, the fourth network element may directly periodically report the monitoring result to the first network element.

[0327] It should be noted that in the method shown in FIG9 , the node that ultimately collects statistics and reports the monitoring results is the fourth network element, or in other words, the node that integrates the segment delays in the first packet delay is the fourth network element. However, the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the second network element, third network element, fifth network element, terminal device, etc. may also serve as the node that collects statistics and reports the monitoring results or as the node that integrates the segment delays in the first packet delay.

[0328] It should be understood that the processes or steps of the wireless communication methods described above can be used in combination with each other. For example, the methods shown in Figures 7, 8, and / or 9 can be used in combination. As an example, the methods shown in Figures 7 and 8 can be used in combination. As another example, the methods shown in Figures 8 and 9 can be used in combination. As yet another example, the methods shown in Figures 7, 8, and 9 can be used in combination, and so on.

[0329] For ease of understanding, the following examples illustrate the process of packet delay monitoring in the embodiments of the present application, taking the first network element as the AF and the other network elements as network elements in the 5G system as an example. It should be noted that the detailed description of the concepts mentioned in the steps in the following embodiments can be found in the previous text, such as the information contained in the first message.

[0330] Example 1: AF requests end-to-end packet delay monitoring

[0331] In the first embodiment, the monitoring results of the packet delay are integrated, calculated and reported by the UPF.

[0332] Embodiment 1 is primarily applicable to scenarios where devices (associated devices of terminal devices) access a mobile communication network through a 3GPP terminal device acting as a gateway or relay, ultimately interacting directly with a user. In this scenario, the end-to-end packet delay monitoring requested by the AF may include the delay between the terminal device and its associated devices, and / or the delay between the DN and the UPF. The packet delay monitoring process for this scenario is described below with reference to Figure 10.

[0333] Figure 10 is a flow chart of a wireless communication method provided by another embodiment of the present application. The method shown in Figure 10 may include steps S1001 to S1009.

[0334] In step S1001, the AF sends a first message to the PCF, wherein the first message is used to request QoS monitoring of a first packet delay.

[0335] In some embodiments, the AF may send the first message directly to the PCF. In some embodiments, the AF may send the first message to the PCF via the NEF.

[0336] In step S1002, the PCF sends a second message to the SMF based on the first message.

[0337] In some embodiments, the PCF may generate an authorized QoS monitoring policy based on the received first message and local configuration information, and include the authorized QoS monitoring policy in a second message and send it to the SMF.

[0338] In some embodiments, the second message carries the PCC rule, or in other words, the second message is sent to the SMF in the form of the PCC rule.

[0339] In some embodiments, the SMF can determine the control information of the QoS parameters of the first packet delay from the generated authorized QoS monitoring policy, and request the corresponding UPF, access network equipment and terminal equipment to perform QoS parameter monitoring.

[0340] In step S1003, the SMF sends a third message to the UPF.

[0341] In some embodiments, the SMF may configure the UPF to perform QoS monitoring on the QoS flow for the first packet delay.

[0342] In some embodiments, if the first packet delay includes the packet delay between the DN and an associated device of the terminal device, or includes the packet delay between the DN and the UPF, the SMF can configure the UPF to monitor the packet delay between the UPF and the DN.

[0343] In some embodiments, if the first packet delay includes the packet delay between the DN and the associated device of the terminal device, or includes the packet delay between the UPF and the associated device of the terminal device, the SMF can also configure the UPF to collaborate with the access network device to measure the packet delay between the access network device and the UPF.

[0344] In step S1004, the SMF sends a QoS monitoring control message to the access network device to configure the access network device to perform QoS monitoring on the QoS flow for the first packet delay.

[0345] In some embodiments, if the first packet delay includes the packet delay between the DN and the associated device of the terminal device, or includes the packet delay between the UPF and the associated device of the terminal device, the SMF can configure the access network device and the UPF to collaborate to measure the packet delay between the access network device and the UPF.

[0346] In step S1005, if the first packet delay includes the delay between the terminal device and the associated device of the terminal device, the SMF sends a fourth message to the terminal device.

[0347] The fourth message may be used to request the terminal device to perform QoS monitoring on the packet delay between the terminal device and its associated device. For example, if the first packet delay is the packet delay between the DN and the associated device of the terminal device, or the packet delay between the UPF and the associated device of the terminal device, or the packet delay between the terminal device and its associated device, the SMF may send the fourth message to the terminal device.

[0348] In some embodiments, the fourth message is sent by SMF to the terminal device through AMF and access network equipment.

[0349] In some embodiments, the terminal device receiving the fourth message is determined by the address information of the terminal device in the second message.

[0350] In some embodiments, the fourth message may include one or more of the following information: address information of the terminal device, identification information of the terminal device, address information of the terminal device's associated device, identification information of the terminal device's associated device, flow description information, packet filter information, etc.

[0351] In some embodiments, the fourth message is used to request the terminal device to perform QoS monitoring on one or more of the following: uplink packet delay and / or downlink packet delay between the terminal device and its associated devices; packet delay between the terminal device and multiple associated devices of the terminal device; one-way packet delay between the terminal device and its associated devices.

[0352] In step S1006, the terminal device reports the monitoring result to the UPF. In other words, the terminal device reports the measured packet delay between the terminal device and its associated device to the UPF.

[0353] In some embodiments, the monitoring results reported by the terminal device may include one or more of the following: uplink packet delay and / or downlink packet delay between the terminal device and its associated devices; packet delay between the terminal device and multiple associated devices of the terminal device; one-way packet delay between the terminal device and its associated devices.

[0354] In some embodiments, the terminal device may report the monitoring result to the UPF via the user plane through the access network device. In some embodiments, the terminal device may report the monitoring result to the UPF via the control plane through the access network device.

[0355] In step S1007, the access network device reports monitoring results to the UPF, including packet delays between the access network device and the terminal device measured by the access network device, and packet delays between the terminal device and its associated devices measured by the terminal device.

[0356] In step S1008, the UPF determines a monitoring result of the first packet delay. The monitoring result includes one or more of the following: the first packet delay, and a segment delay within the first packet delay. Taking the example of the first packet delay being the packet delay between the DN and an associated device of the terminal device, the monitoring result may include the packet delay between the DN and the associated device of the terminal device, or the monitoring result may further include one or more of the following segment delays: the packet delay between the DN and the UPF, the packet delay between the UPF and the access network device, the packet delay between the access network device and the terminal device, and the packet delay between the terminal device and its associated device.

[0357] In some embodiments, if the first packet delay is the packet delay between the UPF and the DN or the packet delay between the DN and an associated device of the terminal device, the UPF needs to measure the packet delay between the UPF and the DN.

[0358] In some embodiments, if the first packet delay is the packet delay between the DN and the associated device of the terminal device or the packet delay between the UPF and the associated device of the terminal device, the UPF also needs to measure the packet delay between the access network device and the UPF.

[0359] Afterwards, the UPF determines the monitoring result of the first packet delay based on the packet delay between the access network device and the terminal device and / or the packet delay between the terminal device and the associated device of the terminal device in the received monitoring results.

[0360] In step S1009, the UPF reports the monitoring result to the AF.

[0361] As an implementation method, referring to step S1009a, the UPF may report the monitoring result to the SMF, which then reports it to the PCF, and finally the PCF reports it to the AF (for example, directly to the AF or to the AF through the NEF).

[0362] As another implementation, referring to step S009b, the UPF may report the monitoring result directly to the AF. For example, if the first message carries direct reporting indication information, the UPF may report the monitoring result directly to the AF.

[0363] In some embodiments, in addition to reporting the monitoring results to the AF, the UPF may also report the monitoring results to other target network elements, nodes, or devices.

[0364] The end-to-end QoS monitoring method proposed in Example 1 can accurately measure the end-to-end delay between the application server and the associated device of the opposite terminal device. Example 1 also adds the measurement of packet delay between the DN and the UPF, and / or adds the measurement of packet delay between the terminal device and its associated device in different application scenarios. This can assist the application server in adjusting the bit rate of the service flow, the bit rate of the transmitted file, the resolution, etc. based on the QoS monitoring results, allowing the service flow to dynamically adapt to network conditions and ensure user experience.

[0365] Example 2: Monitoring the packet delay between associated devices of different terminal devices forwarded via a mobile communication network (such as 5GC)

[0366] In the second embodiment, the monitoring results of packet delay are integrated, calculated and reported by the PCF.

[0367] The second embodiment is mainly applied to QoS monitoring of packet delays between associated devices of different terminal devices (different associated devices) forwarded via DN / UPF. The following describes the packet delay monitoring process in this scenario with reference to FIG11 .

[0368] Figure 11 is a flow chart of a wireless communication method provided by another embodiment of the present application. The method shown in Figure 11 may include steps S1101 to S1104.

[0369] In step S1101, the AF sends a first message to the PCF. In some embodiments, the first message may be used to request QoS monitoring of a first packet delay.

[0370] In some embodiments, the first packet delay may include: a packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device forwarded via the UPF, or a packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device forwarded via the DN.

[0371] In some embodiments, in addition to including the parameters that need to be measured (i.e., relevant information about the first packet delay), the first message may also include one or more of the following information: an identifier of the first associated device and an identifier of the second associated device, an address of the first associated device and an address of the second associated device, an identifier of the terminal device associated or attached to the first associated device, an identifier of the terminal device associated or attached to the second associated device, an address of the terminal device associated or attached to the first associated device, and an address of the terminal device associated or attached to the second associated device.

[0372] For other parameters carried in the first message, please refer to the introduction above. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0373] In step S1102, the PCF initiates QoS monitoring for the first associated device and the second associated device, respectively. Alternatively, step S1102 may include steps S1102a and S1102b. In step S1102a, the PCF initiates QoS monitoring for the first associated device. In step S1102b, the PCF initiates QoS monitoring for the second associated device.

[0374] In some embodiments, if the first packet delay is the packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device forwarded via the UPF, the PCF initiates monitoring of the packet delay between the first associated device and the UPF, and monitoring of the packet delay between the second associated device and the UPF, respectively.

[0375] In some embodiments, if the first packet delay is the packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device forwarded via the DN, the PCF initiates monitoring of the packet delay between the first associated device and the DN, and monitoring of the packet delay between the second associated device and the DN, respectively.

[0376] In step S1103, the PCF determines the packet delay (end-to-end delay) between the first associated device and the second associated device, or in other words, the PCF determines the packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device when forwarded via the mobile communication network. For example, the PCF determines the packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device when forwarded via the UPF, or determines the packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device when forwarded via the DN.

[0377] In step S1104, the PCF reports the packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device. In other words, the PCF reports the obtained packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device forwarded via the mobile communication network to the AF. For example, the PCF reports the obtained packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device forwarded via the UPF to the AF, or the PCF reports the obtained packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device forwarded via the DN to the AF.

[0378] In some embodiments, the PCF may report the obtained packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device forwarded via the mobile communication network to other target network elements, such as other target network elements specified in the first message.

[0379] Example 3: Monitoring the delay of packets forwarded via a mobile communication network between a terminal device and its associated devices

[0380] In the third embodiment, the monitoring results of the packet delay are integrated, calculated and reported by the PCF.

[0381] The third embodiment is mainly applied to QoS monitoring of packet delay between a terminal device and its associated device, which is forwarded via a DN / UPF. The following describes the packet delay monitoring process in this scenario with reference to FIG12 .

[0382] Figure 12 is a flow chart of a wireless communication method provided by another embodiment of the present application. The method shown in Figure 12 may include steps S1201 to S1204.

[0383] In step S1201, the AF sends a first message to the PCF. In some embodiments, the first message may be used to request QoS monitoring of a first packet delay.

[0384] In some embodiments, the first packet delay may include: the packet delay between the terminal device and its associated device forwarded via the UPF, or the packet delay between the terminal device and its associated device forwarded via the DN.

[0385] In some embodiments, in addition to including the parameters that need to be measured (i.e., relevant information about the first packet delay), the first message may also include one or more of the following information: the identification of the first associated device, the address of the first associated device, the identification of the terminal device associated or attached to the first associated device, and the address of the terminal device associated or attached to the first associated device.

[0386] For other parameters carried in the first message, please refer to the introduction above. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0387] In step S1202, the PCF initiates QoS monitoring for the terminal device and its associated devices. Alternatively, step S1202 may include steps S1202a and S1202b. In step S1202a, the PCF initiates QoS monitoring for the terminal device's associated devices. In step S1202b, the PCF initiates QoS monitoring for the terminal device.

[0388] In some embodiments, if the first packet delay is the packet delay between the terminal device and the associated device of the terminal device forwarded via the UPF, the PCF initiates monitoring of the packet delay between the associated device of the terminal device and the UPF, and monitoring of the packet delay between the terminal device and the UPF, respectively.

[0389] In some embodiments, if the first packet delay is the packet delay between the terminal device and its associated device forwarded via the UPF, the PCF initiates monitoring of the round-trip packet delay between the terminal device and the UPF, and monitoring of the packet delay between the terminal device and its associated device, respectively.

[0390] In some embodiments, if the first packet delay is the packet delay between the terminal device and the associated device of the terminal device forwarded via the DN, the PCF initiates monitoring of the packet delay between the associated device of the terminal device and the DN, and monitoring of the packet delay between the terminal device and the DN, respectively.

[0391] In some embodiments, if the first packet delay is the packet delay between the terminal device and the associated device of the terminal device forwarded via the DN, the PCF initiates monitoring of the round-trip packet delay between the terminal device and the DN, and monitoring of the packet delay between the terminal device and the associated device of the terminal device.

[0392] In step S1203, the PCF determines the packet delay (end-to-end delay) between the terminal device and its associated devices. In other words, the PCF determines the packet delay between the terminal device and its associated devices as forwarded via the mobile communication network. For example, the PCF determines the packet delay between the terminal device and its associated devices as forwarded via the UPF, or determines the packet delay between the terminal device and its associated devices as forwarded via the DN.

[0393] In step S1204, the PCF reports the packet delay between the terminal device and its associated device. In other words, the PCF reports the obtained packet delay between the terminal device and its associated device forwarded via the mobile communication network to the AF. For example, the PCF reports the obtained packet delay between the terminal device and its associated device forwarded via the UPF to the AF, or the PCF reports the obtained packet delay between the terminal device and its associated device forwarded via the DN to the AF.

[0394] In some embodiments, the PCF may report the obtained packet delay between the terminal device and the associated device of the terminal device forwarded via the mobile communication network to other target network elements, such as other target network elements specified in the first message.

[0395] Based on the method of Example 1, Example 2 and Example 3 can measure the end-to-end packet delay monitoring between the associated devices of different terminal devices forwarded through the mobile communication network, as well as the packet delay monitoring when the uplink and downlink are asymmetric (that is, the end-to-end packet delay monitoring between the terminal device and the associated devices of the terminal device forwarded through the mobile communication network), thereby enriching the application scenarios of the QoS monitoring mechanism, allowing the application server or user to perceive the service flow transmission status within the communication system, and thus make timely adaptive adjustments.

[0396] The method embodiment of the present application is described in detail above in conjunction with Figures 1 to 12. The device embodiment of the present application is described in detail below in conjunction with Figures 13 to 18. It should be understood that the description of the method embodiment corresponds to the description of the device embodiment. Therefore, for parts not described in detail, reference can be made to the above method embodiment.

[0397] FIG13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1300 shown in FIG13 can be any of the first network elements mentioned above. The communication device 1300 can include a sending module 1310.

[0398] The sending module 1310 can be used to send a first message to the second network element, where the first message is used to request QoS monitoring of the first packet delay; wherein the first packet delay includes one or more of the following packet delays: the packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device; and the packet delay between the UPF and the DN.

[0399] Optionally, the first packet delay is one of the following packet delays: the packet delay between the DN and the associated device of the first terminal device; the packet delay between the UPF and the associated device of the first terminal device; the packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device; the packet delay between the UPF and the DN; the packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device via the UPF forwarding; the packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device via the DN forwarding; the packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device via the UPF forwarding; the packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device via the DN forwarding; the packet delay between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device via the UPF forwarding; and the packet delay between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device via the DN forwarding; wherein, the second associated device is the associated device of the first terminal device; or, the second associated device is the associated device of the second terminal device.

[0400] Optionally, the first packet delay includes one or more of the following: uplink delay; downlink delay; and round-trip delay.

[0401] Optionally, if the first packet delay includes the packet delay between the first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device, the first message includes one or more of the following: an address of the associated device of the first terminal device; and an identifier of the associated device of the first terminal device.

[0402] Optionally, the communication device 1300 further includes: a receiving module 1320, configured to receive a monitoring result, where the monitoring result includes one or more of the following: the first packet delay; and a segment delay in the first packet delay.

[0403] Optionally, the first packet delay is an end-to-end packet delay between two communication nodes, and the segment delay includes a packet delay between two adjacent nodes through which the data transmission path between the two communication nodes passes.

[0404] Optionally, the first network element is an AF, a network element in a core network, or a terminal device.

[0405] Optionally, the second network element is a PCF.

[0406] Optionally, the associated device of the first terminal device is a device that communicates with the mobile communication network through the first terminal device.

[0407] Optionally, the associated device of the first terminal device is a 3GPP terminal device; or, the associated device of the first terminal device is a non-3GPP device.

[0408] Optionally, the sending module 1310 may be a transceiver 1830. The communication device 1300 may further include a processor 1810 and a memory 1820, as specifically shown in FIG18 .

[0409] FIG14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in another embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1400 shown in FIG14 can be any of the second network elements described above. The communication device 1400 can include a first receiving module 1410.

[0410] The first receiving module 1410 can be used to receive a first message sent by a first network element, where the first message is used to request QoS monitoring of a first packet delay; wherein the first packet delay includes one or more of the following packet delays: a packet delay between a first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device; and a packet delay between a UPF and a DN.

[0411] Optionally, the first packet delay is one of the following packet delays: the packet delay between the DN and the associated device of the first terminal device; the packet delay between the UPF and the associated device of the first terminal device; the packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device; the packet delay between the UPF and the DN; the packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device via the UPF forwarding; the packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device via the DN forwarding; the packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device via the UPF forwarding; the packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device via the DN forwarding; the packet delay between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device via the UPF forwarding; and the packet delay between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device via the DN forwarding; wherein, the second associated device is the associated device of the first terminal device; or, the second associated device is the associated device of the second terminal device.

[0412] Optionally, the first packet delay includes one or more of the following: uplink delay; downlink delay; and round-trip delay.

[0413] Optionally, if the first packet delay includes the packet delay between the first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device, the first message includes one or more of the following: an address of the associated device of the first terminal device; and an identifier of the associated device of the first terminal device.

[0414] Optionally, the communication device 1400 further includes: a first sending module 1420, configured to send a second message, where the second message is used to instruct the third network element to perform QoS monitoring on the first packet delay.

[0415] Optionally, if the first packet delay is the packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device and forwarded via the UPF, the second message is used to instruct the third network element to monitor the second packet delay and the third packet delay respectively; the second packet delay is the packet delay between the first associated device and the UPF, and the third packet delay is the packet delay between the second associated device and the UPF; wherein, the second associated device is the associated device of the first terminal device; or, the second associated device is the associated device of the second terminal device.

[0416] Optionally, if the first packet delay is the packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device and forwarded via the DN, the second message is used to instruct the third network element to monitor the second packet delay and the third packet delay respectively; the second packet delay is the packet delay between the first associated device and the DN, and the third packet delay is the packet delay between the second associated device and the DN; wherein, the second associated device is the associated device of the first terminal device; or, the second associated device is the associated device of the second terminal device.

[0417] Optionally, if the first packet delay is the packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device forwarded through the UPF, the second message is used to instruct the third network element to monitor the second packet delay and the third packet delay respectively; the second packet delay is the packet delay between the first terminal device and the UPF, and the third packet delay is the packet delay between the associated device of the first terminal device and the UPF; or, the second packet delay is the round-trip packet delay between the first terminal device and the UPF, and the third packet delay is the packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device.

[0418] Optionally, if the first packet delay is the packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device forwarded via the DN, the second message is used to instruct the third network element to monitor the second packet delay and the third packet delay respectively; the second packet delay is the packet delay between the first terminal device and the DN, and the third packet delay is the packet delay between the associated device of the first terminal device and the DN; or, the second packet delay is the round-trip packet delay between the first terminal device and the DN, and the third packet delay is the packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device.

[0419] Optionally, if the first packet delay is the packet delay between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device forwarded by the UPF, the second message is used to instruct the third network element to monitor the second packet delay and the third packet delay respectively; the second packet delay is the packet delay between the second terminal device and the UPF, and the third packet delay is the packet delay between the associated device of the first terminal device and the UPF.

[0420] Optionally, if the first packet delay is the packet delay between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device forwarded via the DN, the second message is used to instruct the third network element to monitor the second packet delay and the third packet delay respectively; the second packet delay is the packet delay between the second terminal device and the DN, and the third packet delay is the packet delay between the associated device of the first terminal device and the DN.

[0421] Optionally, the communication device also includes: a second receiving module, used to receive the monitoring results of the second packet delay and the third packet delay from the third network element; and a second sending module, used to send the monitoring results of the first packet delay to the first network element based on the monitoring results of the second packet delay and the third packet delay.

[0422] Optionally, the communication device also includes: a third receiving module, used to receive monitoring results from the third network element; a third sending module, used to send the monitoring results to the first network element; wherein the monitoring results include one or more of the following: the first packet delay; and the segment delay in the first packet delay.

[0423] Optionally, the first packet delay is an end-to-end packet delay between two communication nodes, and the segment delay includes a packet delay between two adjacent nodes through which the data transmission path between the two communication nodes passes.

[0424] Optionally, the third network element is SMF.

[0425] Optionally, the first network element is an AF, a network element in a core network, or a terminal device.

[0426] Optionally, the second network element is a PCF.

[0427] Optionally, the associated device of the first terminal device is a device that communicates with the mobile communication network through the first terminal device.

[0428] Optionally, the associated device of the first terminal device is a 3GPP terminal device; or, the associated device of the first terminal device is a non-3GPP device.

[0429] Optionally, the first receiving module 1410 may be a transceiver 1830. The communication device 1400 may further include a processor 1810 and a memory 1820, as specifically shown in FIG18 .

[0430] FIG15 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in another embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1500 shown in FIG15 can be any third network element described above. The communication device 1500 can include a first receiving module 1510.

[0431] The first receiving module 1510 can be used to receive a second message sent by a second network element, and the second message is used to instruct the third network element to perform QoS monitoring on the first packet delay; wherein the first packet delay includes one or more of the following packet delays: the packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device; and the packet delay between the UPF and the DN.

[0432] Optionally, the first packet delay is one of the following packet delays: the packet delay between the DN and the associated device of the first terminal device; the packet delay between the UPF and the associated device of the first terminal device; the packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device; the packet delay between the UPF and the DN; the packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device via the UPF forwarding; the packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device via the DN forwarding; the packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device via the UPF forwarding; the packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device via the DN forwarding; the packet delay between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device via the UPF forwarding; and the packet delay between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device via the DN forwarding; wherein, the second associated device is the associated device of the first terminal device; or, the second associated device is the associated device of the second terminal device.

[0433] Optionally, the first packet delay includes one or more of the following: uplink delay; downlink delay; and round-trip delay.

[0434] Optionally, if the first packet delay includes the packet delay between the first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device, the second message includes one or more of the following: an address of the associated device of the first terminal device; and an identifier of the associated device of the first terminal device.

[0435] Optionally, the communication device also includes: a first sending module 1520, which is used to send a third message to the fourth network element if the first packet delay includes the packet delay between the UPF and the DN, and the third message is used to request the fourth network element to perform QoS monitoring on the packet delay between the UPF and the DN.

[0436] Optionally, the communication device also includes: a second sending module, used to send a fourth message to the first terminal device if the first packet delay includes the packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device, and the fourth message is used to request the first terminal device to perform QoS monitoring on the packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device.

[0437] Optionally, the fourth message is used to request the first terminal device to perform QoS monitoring on one or more of the following: uplink packet delay and / or downlink packet delay between the first terminal device and the first associated device of the first terminal device; packet delay between the first terminal device and multiple associated devices of the first terminal device; and one-way packet delay between the first terminal device and the first associated device of the first terminal device.

[0438] Optionally, the communication device further includes: a second receiving module, configured to receive a monitoring result from a fourth network element, wherein the monitoring result includes one or more of the following: the first packet delay; and a segment delay in the first packet delay.

[0439] Optionally, the communication device further includes: a third sending module, configured to send the monitoring result to the second network element.

[0440] Optionally, the first packet delay is an end-to-end packet delay between two communication nodes, and the segment delay includes a packet delay between two adjacent nodes through which the data transmission path between the two communication nodes passes.

[0441] Optionally, the fourth network element is the UPF.

[0442] Optionally, the second network element is a PCF.

[0443] Optionally, the third network element is SMF.

[0444] Optionally, the associated device of the first terminal device is a device that communicates with the mobile communication network through the first terminal device.

[0445] Optionally, the associated device of the first terminal device is a 3GPP terminal device; or, the associated device of the first terminal device is a non-3GPP device.

[0446] Optionally, the first receiving module 1510 may be a transceiver 1830. The communication device 1500 may further include a processor 1810 and a memory 1820, as specifically shown in FIG18 .

[0447] FIG16 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in another embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1600 shown in FIG16 can be any of the fourth network elements described above. The communication device 1600 can include a first receiving module 1610.

[0448] The first receiving module 1610 can be used to receive a third message sent by a third network element, where the third message is used to request the fourth network element to perform QoS monitoring on the packet delay between the UPF and the DN.

[0449] Optionally, the packet delay between the UPF and the DN includes one or more of the following: uplink delay; downlink delay; and round-trip delay.

[0450] Optionally, the communication device also includes: a second receiving module 1620, used to receive a fifth message sent by a fifth network element, and the fifth message includes one or more of the following: packet delay between the access network device and the first terminal device; and packet delay between the first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device.

[0451] Optionally, the communication device also includes: a determination module, used to determine the monitoring result based on the packet delay in the fifth message and the packet delay obtained by monitoring the fourth network element, and the monitoring result includes one or more of the following: the first packet delay requested to be monitored; the segment delay in the first packet delay.

[0452] Optionally, the communication device further includes: a first sending module, configured to send the monitoring result to the third network element; or a second sending module, configured to send the monitoring result directly to the network element requesting the QoS monitoring.

[0453] Optionally, the first packet delay is one of the following packet delays: the packet delay between the DN and the associated device of the first terminal device; the packet delay between the UPF and the associated device of the first terminal device; the packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device; the packet delay between the UPF and the DN; the packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device via the UPF forwarding; the packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device via the DN forwarding; the packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device via the UPF forwarding; the packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device via the DN forwarding; the packet delay between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device via the UPF forwarding; and the packet delay between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device via the DN forwarding; wherein, the second associated device is the associated device of the first terminal device; or, the second associated device is the associated device of the second terminal device.

[0454] Optionally, the first packet delay includes one or more of the following: uplink delay; downlink delay; and round-trip delay.

[0455] Optionally, the first packet delay is an end-to-end packet delay between two communication nodes, and the segment delay includes a packet delay between two adjacent nodes through which the data transmission path between the two communication nodes passes.

[0456] Optionally, the fifth network element is the access network device.

[0457] Optionally, the associated device of the first terminal device is a device that communicates with the mobile communication network through the first terminal device.

[0458] Optionally, the associated device of the first terminal device is a 3GPP terminal device; or, the associated device of the first terminal device is a non-3GPP device.

[0459] Optionally, the fourth network element is the UPF.

[0460] Optionally, the third network element is SMF.

[0461] Optionally, the first receiving module 1610 may be a transceiver 1830. The communication device 1600 may further include a processor 1810 and a memory 1820, as specifically shown in FIG18 .

[0462] FIG17 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present application. The terminal device 1700 shown in FIG17 may include a receiving module 1710.

[0463] The receiving module 1710 can be used to receive a fourth message sent by a third network element, where the fourth message is used to request the first terminal device to perform QoS monitoring on the packet delay between the first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device.

[0464] Optionally, the fourth message includes one or more of the following: an address of an associated device of the first terminal device; and an identifier of an associated device of the first terminal device.

[0465] Optionally, the terminal device also includes: a sending module 1720, used to send monitoring results to the fourth network element, and the monitoring results include one or more of the following: uplink packet delay and / or downlink packet delay between the first terminal device and the first associated device of the first terminal device; packet delay between the first terminal device and multiple associated devices of the first terminal device; and one-way packet delay between the first terminal device and the first associated device of the first terminal device.

[0466] Optionally, the fourth network element is a UPF.

[0467] Optionally, the third network element is SMF.

[0468] Optionally, the associated device of the first terminal device is a device that communicates with the mobile communication network through the first terminal device.

[0469] Optionally, the associated device of the first terminal device is a 3GPP terminal device; or, the associated device of the first terminal device is a non-3GPP device.

[0470] Optionally, the receiving module 1710 may be a transceiver 1830. The terminal device 1700 may further include a processor 1810 and a memory 1820, as specifically shown in FIG18 .

[0471] Figure 18 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The dashed lines in Figure 18 indicate that the unit or module is optional. Device 1800 may be used to implement the method described in the above method embodiment. Device 1800 may be a chip, a terminal device, or a network device.

[0472] The device 1800 may include one or more processors 1810. The processor 1810 may support the device 1800 to implement the method described in the method embodiment above. The processor 1810 may be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor. For example, the processor may be a central processing unit (CPU). Alternatively, the processor may be another general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware component, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may be any conventional processor, etc.

[0473] The apparatus 1800 may further include one or more memories 1820. The memories 1820 store programs that can be executed by the processor 1810, causing the processor 1810 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments. The memories 1820 may be independent of the processor 1810 or integrated into the processor 1810.

[0474] The apparatus 1800 may further include a transceiver 1830. The processor 1810 may communicate with other devices or chips via the transceiver 1830. For example, the processor 1810 may transmit and receive data with other devices or chips via the transceiver 1830.

[0475] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a program. The computer-readable storage medium can be applied to a terminal or network device provided in the present application, and the program enables a computer to execute the method performed by the terminal or network device in each embodiment of the present application.

[0476] The present application also provides a computer program product. The computer program product includes a program. The computer program product can be applied to a terminal or network device provided in the present application, and the program causes a computer to execute the method performed by the terminal or network device in each embodiment of the present application.

[0477] The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program. The computer program can be applied to the terminal or network device provided in the embodiments of the present application, and the computer program enables a computer to execute the method performed by the terminal or network device in each embodiment of the present application.

[0478] It should be understood that the terms "system" and "network" in this application can be used interchangeably. In addition, the terms used in this application are only used to explain the specific embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit this application. The terms "first", "second", "third", and "fourth" in the specification and claims of this application and the accompanying drawings are used to distinguish different objects rather than to describe a specific order. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions.

[0479] In the embodiments of this application, the term "indication" may refer to a direct indication, an indirect indication, or an indication of an association. For example, "A indicates B" may refer to a direct indication of B, e.g., B can obtain information through A; it may refer to an indirect indication of B, e.g., A indicates C, e.g., B can obtain information through C; or it may refer to an association between A and B.

[0480] In the embodiment of the present application, "B corresponding to A" means that B is associated with A and B can be determined based on A. However, it should be understood that determining B based on A does not mean determining B based solely on A, but B can also be determined based on A and / or other information.

[0481] In the embodiments of the present application, the term "corresponding" may indicate a direct or indirect correspondence between the two, or an association relationship between the two, or a relationship between indication and indication, configuration and configuration, etc.

[0482] In the embodiments of this application, the term "include" can refer to direct inclusion or indirect inclusion. Alternatively, the term "include" in the embodiments of this application can be replaced with "indicates" or "is used to determine." For example, "A includes B" can be replaced with "A indicates B" or "A is used to determine B."

[0483] In the embodiments of the present application, "pre-definition" or "pre-configuration" may be implemented by pre-storing corresponding codes, tables, or other methods that can be used to indicate relevant information in a device (e.g., a terminal device and a network device). The present application does not limit the specific implementation method. For example, pre-definition may refer to information defined in a protocol.

[0484] In the embodiments of the present application, the “protocol” may refer to a standard protocol in the communications field, for example, it may include an LTE protocol, an NR protocol, and related protocols used in future communication systems, and the present application does not limit this.

[0485] In the embodiments of this application, the term "and / or" is simply a description of the association relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the related objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0486] In various embodiments of the present application, the size of the serial numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not mean the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0487] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely schematic. For example, the division of the units is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0488] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of these units may be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0489] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0490] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, 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 a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) method. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be read by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrated therein. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a digital versatile disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (eg, a solid state disk (SSD)).

[0491] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A wireless communication method, characterized in that: include: The first network element sends a first message to the second network element, where the first message is used to request QoS monitoring of the first packet delay; The first packet delay includes one or more of the following packet delays: Packet delay between a first terminal device and a device associated with the first terminal device; and Packet delay between UPF and DN.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first packet delay is one of the following packet delays: The packet delay between the DN and the associated device of the first terminal device; The packet delay between the UPF and an associated device of the first terminal device; The packet delay between the first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device; Packet delay between the UPF and the DN; The packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device forwarded by the UPF; The packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device forwarded via the DN; The packet delay between the first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device forwarded by the UPF; The packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device forwarded via the DN; The packet delay between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device forwarded by the UPF; as well as The packet delay between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device forwarded via the DN; The second associated device is an associated device of the first terminal device; or the second associated device is an associated device of the second terminal device.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first packet delay includes one or more of the following: Uplink delay; Downlink latency; and Round trip delay.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that If the first packet delay includes a packet delay between the first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device, the first message includes one or more of the following: The address of the associated device of the first terminal device; and An identifier of a device associated with the first terminal device.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first network element receives a monitoring result, where the monitoring result includes one or more of the following: The first packet delay; and The segment delay in the first packet delay.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The first packet delay is an end-to-end packet delay between two communication nodes, and the segment delay includes a packet delay between two adjacent nodes through which a data transmission path between the two communication nodes passes.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The first network element is an AF, a network element in a core network, or a terminal device.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The second network element is a PCF.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The associated device of the first terminal device is a device that communicates with the mobile communication network through the first terminal device.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The associated device of the first terminal device is a 3GPP terminal device; or, the associated device of the first terminal device is a non-3GPP device.

11. A wireless communication method, characterized in that: include: The second network element receives a first message sent by the first network element, where the first message is used to request QoS monitoring of a first packet delay; The first packet delay includes one or more of the following packet delays: Packet delay between a first terminal device and a device associated with the first terminal device; and Packet delay between UPF and DN.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The first packet delay is one of the following packet delays: The packet delay between the DN and the associated device of the first terminal device; The packet delay between the UPF and an associated device of the first terminal device; The packet delay between the first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device; Packet delay between the UPF and the DN; The packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device forwarded by the UPF; The packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device forwarded via the DN; The packet delay between the first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device forwarded by the UPF; The packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device forwarded via the DN; The packet delay between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device forwarded by the UPF; as well as The packet delay between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device forwarded via the DN; The second associated device is an associated device of the first terminal device; or the second associated device is an associated device of the second terminal device.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that: The first packet delay includes one or more of the following: Uplink delay; Downlink latency; and Round trip delay.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that If the first packet delay includes a packet delay between the first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device, the first message includes one or more of the following: The address of the associated device of the first terminal device; and An identifier of a device associated with the first terminal device.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that The method further comprises: The second network element sends a second message to the third network element, where the second message is used to instruct the third network element to perform QoS monitoring on the first packet delay.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that If the first packet delay is the packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device and forwarded by the UPF, the second message is used to instruct the third network element to monitor the second packet delay and the third packet delay respectively; The second packet delay is the packet delay between the first associated device and the UPF, and the third packet delay is the packet delay between the second associated device and the UPF; The second associated device is an associated device of the first terminal device; or the second associated device is an associated device of the second terminal device.

17. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that If the first packet delay is the packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device and forwarded via the DN, the second message is used to instruct the third network element to monitor the second packet delay and the third packet delay respectively; The second packet delay is the packet delay between the first associated device and the DN, and the third packet delay is the packet delay between the second associated device and the DN; The second associated device is an associated device of the first terminal device; or the second associated device is an associated device of the second terminal device.

18. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that If the first packet delay is the packet delay between the first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device forwarded by the UPF, the second message is used to instruct the third network element to monitor the second packet delay and the third packet delay respectively; The second packet delay is the packet delay between the first terminal device and the UPF, and the third packet delay is the packet delay between the associated device of the first terminal device and the UPF; or, The second packet delay is the round-trip packet delay between the first terminal device and the UPF, and the third packet delay is the packet delay between the first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device.

19. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that If the first packet delay is the packet delay between the first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device forwarded via the DN, the second message is used to instruct the third network element to monitor the second packet delay and the third packet delay respectively; The second packet delay is the packet delay between the first terminal device and the DN, and the third packet delay is the packet delay between the associated device of the first terminal device and the DN; or, The second packet delay is the round-trip packet delay between the first terminal device and the DN, and the third packet delay is the packet delay between the first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device.

20. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that If the first packet delay is the packet delay between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device forwarded by the UPF, the second message is used to instruct the third network element to monitor the second packet delay and the third packet delay respectively; The second packet delay is the packet delay between the second terminal device and the UPF, and the third packet delay is the packet delay between the associated device of the first terminal device and the UPF.

21. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that If the first packet delay is the packet delay between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device forwarded via the DN, the second message is used to instruct the third network element to monitor the second packet delay and the third packet delay respectively; The second packet delay is the packet delay between the second terminal device and the DN, and the third packet delay is the packet delay between the associated device of the first terminal device and the DN.

22. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 21, characterized in that The method further comprises: The second network element receives the monitoring result of the second packet delay and the third packet delay from the third network element; The second network element sends the monitoring result of the first packet delay to the first network element according to the monitoring results of the second packet delay and the third packet delay.

23. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The method further comprises: The second network element receives the monitoring result from the third network element; The second network element sends the monitoring result to the first network element; The monitoring results include one or more of the following: The first packet delay; and The segment delay in the first packet delay.

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that The first packet delay is an end-to-end packet delay between two communication nodes, and the segment delay includes a packet delay between two adjacent nodes through which a data transmission path between the two communication nodes passes.

25. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 24, characterized in that The third network element is SMF.

26. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 25, characterized in that The first network element is an AF, a network element in a core network, or a terminal device.

27. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 26, characterized in that The second network element is a PCF.

28. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 27, characterized in that The associated device of the first terminal device is a device that communicates with the mobile communication network through the first terminal device.

29. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that The associated device of the first terminal device is a 3GPP terminal device; or, the associated device of the first terminal device is a non-3GPP device.

30. A wireless communication method, characterized in that: include: The third network element receives a second message sent by the second network element, where the second message is used to instruct the third network element to perform QoS monitoring on the first packet delay; The first packet delay includes one or more of the following packet delays: Packet delay between a first terminal device and a device associated with the first terminal device; and Packet delay between UPF and DN.

31. The method according to claim 30, characterized in that The first packet delay is one of the following packet delays: The packet delay between the DN and the associated device of the first terminal device; The packet delay between the UPF and an associated device of the first terminal device; The packet delay between the first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device; Packet delay between the UPF and the DN; The packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device forwarded by the UPF; The packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device forwarded via the DN; The packet delay between the first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device forwarded by the UPF; The packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device forwarded via the DN; The packet delay between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device forwarded by the UPF; as well as The packet delay between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device forwarded via the DN; The second associated device is an associated device of the first terminal device; or the second associated device is an associated device of the second terminal device.

32. The method according to claim 30 or 31, characterized in that The first packet delay includes one or more of the following: Uplink delay; Downlink latency; and Round trip delay.

33. The method according to any one of claims 30 to 32, characterized in that If the first packet delay includes a packet delay between the first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device, the second message includes one or more of the following: The address of the associated device of the first terminal device; and An identifier of a device associated with the first terminal device.

34. The method according to any one of claims 30 to 33, characterized in that The method further comprises: If the first packet delay includes the packet delay between the UPF and the DN, the third network element sends a third message to the fourth network element, and the third message is used to request the fourth network element to perform QoS monitoring on the packet delay between the UPF and the DN.

35. The method according to any one of claims 30 to 34, characterized in that The method further comprises: If the first packet delay includes the packet delay between the first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device, the third network element sends a fourth message to the first terminal device, and the fourth message is used to request the first terminal device to perform QoS monitoring on the packet delay between the first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device.

36. The method according to claim 35, characterized in that The fourth message is used to request the first terminal device to perform QoS monitoring on one or more of the following: An uplink packet delay and / or a downlink packet delay between the first terminal device and a first associated device of the first terminal device; The packet delay between the first terminal device and a plurality of associated devices of the first terminal device; as well as One-way packet delay between the first terminal device and the first associated device of the first terminal device.

37. The method according to any one of claims 30 to 36, characterized in that The method further comprises: The third network element receives a monitoring result from the fourth network element, where the monitoring result includes one or more of the following: The first packet delay; and The segment delay in the first packet delay.

38. The method according to claim 37, characterized in that The method further comprises: The third network element sends the monitoring result to the second network element.

39. The method according to claim 37 or 38, characterized in that The first packet delay is an end-to-end packet delay between two communication nodes, and the segment delay includes a packet delay between two adjacent nodes through which a data transmission path between the two communication nodes passes.

40. The method of claim 34, 37, 38 or 39, wherein: The fourth network element is the UPF.

41. The method according to any one of claims 30 to 40, characterized in that The second network element is a PCF.

42. The method according to any one of claims 30 to 41, characterized in that The third network element is SMF.

43. The method according to any one of claims 30 to 42, characterized in that The associated device of the first terminal device is a device that communicates with the mobile communication network through the first terminal device.

44. The method according to claim 43, characterized in that The associated device of the first terminal device is a 3GPP terminal device; or, the associated device of the first terminal device is a non-3GPP device.

45. A method of wireless communication, characterized in that: include: The fourth network element receives a third message sent by the third network element, where the third message is used to request the fourth network element to perform QoS monitoring on the packet delay between the UPF and the DN.

46. ​​The method according to claim 45, characterized in that The packet delay between the UPF and the DN includes one or more of the following: Uplink delay; Downlink latency; and Round trip delay.

47. The method according to claim 45 or 46, characterized in that The method further comprises: The fourth network element receives a fifth message sent by the fifth network element, where the fifth message includes one or more of the following: packet delay between the access network device and the first terminal device; and The packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device.

48. The method according to claim 47, characterized in that The method further comprises: The fourth network element determines a monitoring result according to the packet delay in the fifth message and the packet delay monitored by the fourth network element, where the monitoring result includes one or more of the following: The first packet latency requested for monitoring; The segment delay in the first packet delay.

49. The method according to claim 48, characterized in that The method further comprises: The fourth network element sends the monitoring result to the third network element; or, The fourth network element directly sends the monitoring result to the network element requesting the QoS monitoring.

50. The method according to claim 48 or 49, characterized in that The first packet delay is one of the following packet delays: The packet delay between the DN and the associated device of the first terminal device; The packet delay between the UPF and an associated device of the first terminal device; The packet delay between the first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device; Packet delay between the UPF and the DN; The packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device forwarded by the UPF; The packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device forwarded via the DN; The packet delay between the first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device forwarded by the UPF; The packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device forwarded via the DN; The packet delay between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device forwarded by the UPF; as well as The packet delay between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device forwarded via the DN; The second associated device is an associated device of the first terminal device; or the second associated device is an associated device of the second terminal device.

51. The method according to any one of claims 48 to 50, characterized in that The first packet delay includes one or more of the following: Uplink delay; Downlink latency; and Round trip delay.

52. The method according to any one of claims 48 to 51, characterized in that The first packet delay is an end-to-end packet delay between two communication nodes, and the segment delay includes a packet delay between two adjacent nodes through which a data transmission path between the two communication nodes passes.

53. The method according to any one of claims 47 to 52, characterized in that The fifth network element is the access network device.

54. The method according to any one of claims 47 to 53, characterized in that The associated device of the first terminal device is a device that communicates with the mobile communication network through the first terminal device.

55. The method according to claim 54, characterized in that The associated device of the first terminal device is a 3GPP terminal device; or, the associated device of the first terminal device is a non-3GPP device.

56. The method according to any one of claims 45 to 55, characterized in that The fourth network element is the UPF.

57. The method according to any one of claims 45 to 56, characterized in that The third network element is SMF.

58. A method of wireless communication, characterized in that: include: The first terminal device receives a fourth message sent by a third network element, where the fourth message is used to request the first terminal device to perform QoS monitoring on a packet delay between the first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device.

59. The method according to claim 58, characterized in that The fourth message includes one or more of the following: The address of the associated device of the first terminal device; and An identifier of a device associated with the first terminal device.

60. The method according to claim 58 or 59, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first terminal device sends a monitoring result to the fourth network element, where the monitoring result includes one or more of the following: An uplink packet delay and / or a downlink packet delay between the first terminal device and a first associated device of the first terminal device; The packet delay between the first terminal device and a plurality of associated devices of the first terminal device; and One-way packet delay between the first terminal device and the first associated device of the first terminal device.

61. The method according to claim 60, characterized in that The fourth network element is UPF.

62. The method according to any one of claims 58 to 61, characterized in that The third network element is SMF.

63. The method according to any one of claims 58 to 62, characterized in that The associated device of the first terminal device is a device that communicates with the mobile communication network through the first terminal device.

64. The method according to claim 63, characterized in that The associated device of the first terminal device is a 3GPP terminal device; or, the associated device of the first terminal device is a non-3GPP device.

65. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device is a first network element, and the communication device includes: A sending module, used to send a first message to the second network element, where the first message is used to request QoS monitoring of the first packet delay; The first packet delay includes one or more of the following packet delays: Packet delay between a first terminal device and a device associated with the first terminal device; and Packet delay between UPF and DN.

66. The communication device according to claim 65, characterized in that The first packet delay is one of the following packet delays: The packet delay between the DN and the associated device of the first terminal device; The packet delay between the UPF and an associated device of the first terminal device; The packet delay between the first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device; Packet delay between the UPF and the DN; The packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device forwarded by the UPF; The packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device forwarded via the DN; The packet delay between the first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device forwarded by the UPF; The packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device forwarded via the DN; The packet delay between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device forwarded by the UPF; as well as The packet delay between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device forwarded via the DN; The second associated device is an associated device of the first terminal device; or the second associated device is an associated device of the second terminal device.

67. The communication device according to claim 65 or 66, characterized in that: The first packet delay includes one or more of the following: Uplink delay; Downlink latency; and Round trip delay.

68. The communication device according to any one of claims 65 to 67, characterized in that: If the first packet delay includes a packet delay between the first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device, the first message includes one or more of the following: The address of the associated device of the first terminal device; and An identifier of a device associated with the first terminal device.

69. The communication device according to any one of claims 65 to 68, characterized in that: The communication device further comprises: The receiving module is used to receive monitoring results, where the monitoring results include one or more of the following: The first packet delay; and The segment delay in the first packet delay.

70. The communication device according to claim 69, characterized in that The first packet delay is an end-to-end packet delay between two communication nodes, and the segment delay includes a packet delay between two adjacent nodes through which a data transmission path between the two communication nodes passes.

71. The communication device according to any one of claims 65 to 70, characterized in that: The first network element is an AF, a network element in a core network, or a terminal device.

72. The communication device according to any one of claims 65 to 71, characterized in that: The second network element is a PCF.

73. The communication device according to any one of claims 65 to 72, characterized in that: The associated device of the first terminal device is a device that communicates with the mobile communication network through the first terminal device.

74. The communication device according to claim 73, characterized in that The associated device of the first terminal device is a 3GPP terminal device; or, the associated device of the first terminal device is a non-3GPP device.

75. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device is a second network element, and the communication device includes: A first receiving module, configured to receive a first message sent by a first network element, wherein the first message is used to request QoS monitoring of a first packet delay; The first packet delay includes one or more of the following packet delays: Packet delay between a first terminal device and a device associated with the first terminal device; and Packet delay between UPF and DN.

76. The communication device according to claim 75, characterized in that The first packet delay is one of the following packet delays: The packet delay between the DN and the associated device of the first terminal device; The packet delay between the UPF and an associated device of the first terminal device; The packet delay between the first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device; Packet delay between the UPF and the DN; The packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device forwarded by the UPF; The packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device forwarded via the DN; The packet delay between the first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device forwarded by the UPF; The packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device forwarded via the DN; The packet delay between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device forwarded by the UPF; as well as The packet delay between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device forwarded via the DN; The second associated device is an associated device of the first terminal device; or the second associated device is an associated device of the second terminal device.

77. The communication device according to claim 75 or 76, characterized in that: The first packet delay includes one or more of the following: Uplink delay; Downlink latency; and Round trip delay.

78. The communication device according to any one of claims 75 to 77, characterized in that: If the first packet delay includes a packet delay between the first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device, the first message includes one or more of the following: The address of the associated device of the first terminal device; and An identifier of a device associated with the first terminal device.

79. The communication device according to any one of claims 75 to 78, characterized in that The communication device further comprises: The first sending module is used to send a second message, where the second message is used to instruct the third network element to perform QoS monitoring on the first packet delay.

80. The communication device according to claim 79, characterized in that If the first packet delay is the packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device and forwarded by the UPF, the second message is used to instruct the third network element to monitor the second packet delay and the third packet delay respectively; The second packet delay is the packet delay between the first associated device and the UPF, and the third packet delay is the packet delay between the second associated device and the UPF; The second associated device is an associated device of the first terminal device; or the second associated device is an associated device of the second terminal device.

81. The communication device according to claim 79, characterized in that If the first packet delay is the packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device and forwarded via the DN, the second message is used to instruct the third network element to monitor the second packet delay and the third packet delay respectively; The second packet delay is the packet delay between the first associated device and the DN, and the third packet delay is the packet delay between the second associated device and the DN; The second associated device is an associated device of the first terminal device; or the second associated device is an associated device of the second terminal device.

82. The communication device according to claim 79, characterized in that If the first packet delay is the packet delay between the first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device forwarded by the UPF, the second message is used to instruct the third network element to monitor the second packet delay and the third packet delay respectively; The second packet delay is the packet delay between the first terminal device and the UPF, and the third packet delay is the packet delay between the associated device of the first terminal device and the UPF; or, The second packet delay is the round-trip packet delay between the first terminal device and the UPF, and the third packet delay is the packet delay between the first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device.

83. The communication device according to claim 79, characterized in that If the first packet delay is the packet delay between the first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device forwarded via the DN, the second message is used to instruct the third network element to monitor the second packet delay and the third packet delay respectively; The second packet delay is the packet delay between the first terminal device and the DN, and the third packet delay is the packet delay between the associated device of the first terminal device and the DN; or, The second packet delay is the round-trip packet delay between the first terminal device and the DN, and the third packet delay is the packet delay between the first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device.

84. The communication device according to claim 79, characterized in that If the first packet delay is the packet delay between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device forwarded by the UPF, the second message is used to instruct the third network element to monitor the second packet delay and the third packet delay respectively; The second packet delay is the packet delay between the second terminal device and the UPF, and the third packet delay is the packet delay between the associated device of the first terminal device and the UPF.

85. The communication device according to claim 79, characterized in that If the first packet delay is the packet delay between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device forwarded via the DN, the second message is used to instruct the third network element to monitor the second packet delay and the third packet delay respectively; The second packet delay is the packet delay between the second terminal device and the DN, and the third packet delay is the packet delay between the associated device of the first terminal device and the DN.

86. The communication device according to any one of claims 80 to 85, characterized in that: The communication device further comprises: A second receiving module, configured to receive monitoring results of the second packet delay and the third packet delay from the third network element; a second sending module, configured to send the second packet delay and the third packet delay to the first network element according to the monitoring result of the second packet delay and the third packet delay Monitoring result of the first packet delay.

87. The communication device according to claim 79, characterized in that The communication device further comprises: A third receiving module, used to receive the monitoring result from the third network element; A third sending module, used to send the monitoring result to the first network element; The monitoring results include one or more of the following: The first packet delay; and The segment delay in the first packet delay.

88. The communication device according to claim 87, characterized in that The first packet delay is an end-to-end packet delay between two communication nodes, and the segment delay includes a packet delay between two adjacent nodes through which a data transmission path between the two communication nodes passes.

89. The communication device according to any one of claims 79 to 88, characterized in that: The third network element is SMF.

90. The communication device according to any one of claims 75 to 89, characterized in that: The first network element is an AF, a network element in a core network, or a terminal device.

91. The communication device according to any one of claims 75 to 90, characterized in that: The second network element is a PCF.

92. The communication device according to any one of claims 75 to 91, characterized in that: The associated device of the first terminal device is a device that communicates with the mobile communication network through the first terminal device.

93. The communication device according to claim 92, characterized in that: The associated device of the first terminal device is a 3GPP terminal device; or, the associated device of the first terminal device is a non-3GPP device.

94. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device is a third network element, and the communication device includes: A first receiving module, configured to receive a second message sent by a second network element, wherein the second message is used to instruct the third network element to perform QoS monitoring on a first packet delay; The first packet delay includes one or more of the following packet delays: Packet delay between a first terminal device and a device associated with the first terminal device; and Packet delay between UPF and DN.

95. The communication device according to claim 94, characterized in that The first packet delay is one of the following packet delays: The packet delay between the DN and the associated device of the first terminal device; The packet delay between the UPF and an associated device of the first terminal device; The packet delay between the first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device; Packet delay between the UPF and the DN; The packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device forwarded by the UPF; The packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device forwarded via the DN; The packet delay between the first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device forwarded by the UPF; The packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device forwarded via the DN; The packet delay between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device forwarded by the UPF; as well as The packet delay between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device forwarded via the DN; The second associated device is an associated device of the first terminal device; or the second associated device is an associated device of the second terminal device.

96. The communication device according to claim 94 or 95, characterized in that: The first packet delay includes one or more of the following: Uplink delay; Downlink latency; and Round trip delay.

97. The communication device according to any one of claims 94 to 96, characterized in that: If the first packet delay includes a packet delay between the first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device, the second message includes one or more of the following: The address of the associated device of the first terminal device; and An identifier of a device associated with the first terminal device.

98. The communication device according to any one of claims 94 to 97, characterized in that: The communication device further comprises: The first sending module is used to send a third message to the fourth network element if the first packet delay includes the packet delay between the UPF and the DN, and the third message is used to request the fourth network element to perform QoS monitoring on the packet delay between the UPF and the DN.

99. The communication device according to any one of claims 94 to 98, characterized in that: The communication device further comprises: The second sending module is used to send a fourth message to the first terminal device if the first packet delay includes the packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device, and the fourth message is used to request the first terminal device to perform QoS monitoring on the packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device.

100. The communication device according to claim 99, characterized in that: The fourth message is used to request the first terminal device to perform QoS monitoring on one or more of the following: An uplink packet delay and / or a downlink packet delay between the first terminal device and a first associated device of the first terminal device; The packet delay between the first terminal device and a plurality of associated devices of the first terminal device; as well as One-way packet delay between the first terminal device and the first associated device of the first terminal device.

101. The communication device according to any one of claims 94 to 100, characterized in that: The communication device further comprises: The second receiving module is configured to receive a monitoring result from a fourth network element, where the monitoring result includes one or more of the following: The first packet delay; and The segment delay in the first packet delay.

102. The communication device according to claim 101, characterized in that The communication device further comprises: The third sending module is used to send the monitoring result to the second network element.

103. The communication device according to claim 101 or 102, characterized in that: The first packet delay is an end-to-end packet delay between two communication nodes, and the segment delay includes a packet delay between two adjacent nodes through which a data transmission path between the two communication nodes passes.

104. The communication device according to claim 98, 101, 102 or 103, characterized in that: The fourth network element is the UPF.

105. The communication device according to any one of claims 94 to 104, characterized in that: The second network element is a PCF.

106. The communication device according to any one of claims 94 to 105, characterized in that: The third network element is SMF.

107. The communication device according to any one of claims 94 to 106, characterized in that: The associated device of the first terminal device is a device that communicates with the mobile communication network through the first terminal device.

108. The communication device according to claim 107, characterized in that: The associated device of the first terminal device is a 3GPP terminal device; or, the associated device of the first terminal device is a non-3GPP device.

109. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device is a fourth network element, and the communication device includes: The first receiving module is used to receive a third message sent by a third network element, where the third message is used to request the fourth network element to perform QoS monitoring on the packet delay between the UPF and the DN.

110. The communication device according to claim 109, characterized in that: The packet delay between the UPF and the DN includes one or more of the following: Uplink delay; Downlink latency; and Round trip delay.

111. The communication device according to claim 109 or 110, characterized in that: The communication device further comprises: The second receiving module is configured to receive a fifth message sent by a fifth network element, where the fifth message includes one or more of the following: packet delay between the access network device and the first terminal device; and The packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device.

112. The communication device according to claim 111, characterized in that: The communication device further comprises: A determination module, configured to determine a monitoring result according to the packet delay in the fifth message and the packet delay obtained by monitoring the fourth network element, wherein the monitoring result includes one or more of the following: The first packet latency requested for monitoring; The segment delay in the first packet delay.

113. The communication device according to claim 112, characterized in that: The communication device further comprises: A first sending module is configured to send the monitoring result to the third network element; or, The second sending module is used to send the monitoring result directly to the network element that requests the QoS monitoring.

114. The communication device according to claim 112 or 113, characterized in that: The first packet delay is one of the following packet delays: The packet delay between the DN and the associated device of the first terminal device; The packet delay between the UPF and an associated device of the first terminal device; The packet delay between the first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device; Packet delay between the UPF and the DN; The packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device forwarded by the UPF; The packet delay between the first associated device and the second associated device of the first terminal device forwarded via the DN; The packet delay between the first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device forwarded by the UPF; The packet delay between the first terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device forwarded via the DN; The packet delay between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device forwarded by the UPF; as well as The packet delay between the second terminal device and the associated device of the first terminal device forwarded via the DN; The second associated device is an associated device of the first terminal device; or the second associated device is an associated device of the second terminal device.

115. The communication device according to any one of claims 112 to 114, characterized in that: The first packet delay includes one or more of the following: uplink delay; downlink delay; and round-trip delay.

116. The communication device according to any one of claims 112 to 115, characterized in that: The first packet delay is an end-to-end packet delay between two communication nodes, and the segment delay includes a packet delay between two adjacent nodes through which a data transmission path between the two communication nodes passes.

117. The communication device according to any one of claims 111 to 116, characterized in that: The fifth network element is the access network device.

118. The communication device according to any one of claims 111 to 117, characterized in that: The associated device of the first terminal device is a device that communicates with the mobile communication network through the first terminal device.

119. The communication device according to claim 118, characterized in that The associated device of the first terminal device is a 3GPP terminal device; or, the associated device of the first terminal device is a non-3GPP device.

120. The communication device according to any one of claims 109 to 119, characterized in that: The fourth network element is the UPF.

121. The communication device according to any one of claims 109 to 120, characterized in that: The third network element is SMF.

122. A terminal device, characterized in that: The terminal device is a first terminal device, and the terminal device includes: A receiving module is used to receive a fourth message sent by a third network element, where the fourth message is used to request the first terminal device to perform QoS monitoring on the packet delay between the first terminal device and an associated device of the first terminal device.

123. The terminal device according to claim 122, characterized in that: The fourth message includes one or more of the following: The address of the associated device of the first terminal device; and An identifier of a device associated with the first terminal device.

124. The terminal device according to claim 122 or 123, characterized in that: The terminal device further includes: A sending module is used to send the monitoring result to the fourth network element, where the monitoring result includes one or more of the following: An uplink packet delay and / or a downlink packet delay between the first terminal device and a first associated device of the first terminal device; The packet delay between the first terminal device and a plurality of associated devices of the first terminal device; and One-way packet delay between the first terminal device and the first associated device of the first terminal device.

125. The terminal device according to claim 124, characterized in that: The fourth network element is UPF.

126. The terminal device according to any one of claims 122 to 125, characterized in that: The third network element is SMF.

127. The terminal device according to any one of claims 122 to 126, characterized in that: The associated device of the first terminal device is a device that communicates with the mobile communication network through the first terminal device.

128. The terminal device according to claim 127, characterized in that: The associated device of the first terminal device is a 3GPP terminal device; or, the associated device of the first terminal device is a non-3GPP device.

129. A communication device, characterized in that: It comprises a transceiver, a memory and a processor, wherein the memory is used to store a program, and the processor is used to call the program in the memory so that the communication device executes the method as described in any one of claims 1-57.

130. A terminal device, characterized in that: It comprises a transceiver, a memory and a processor, wherein the memory is used to store programs, and the processor is used to call the programs in the memory so that the terminal device executes the method as described in any one of claims 58-64.

131. A device, characterized in that: It comprises a processor, which is used to call a program from a memory so that the device executes the method as described in any one of claims 1-64.

132. A chip, characterized in that: It comprises a processor, which is used to call a program from a memory so that a device equipped with the chip executes a method as described in any one of claims 1 to 64.

133. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: A program is stored thereon, the program causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 64.

134. A computer program product, characterized in that It comprises a program which causes a computer to execute the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 64.

135. A computer program, characterized in that The computer program causes a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1-64.

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