Data transmission method and communication apparatus

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a data transmission method and a communication apparatus. The method comprises: an access network node determining to establish a first data radio bearer (DRB), wherein the first DRB is used for transmitting first data, and the first data comprises local data of the access network node; the access network node sending first information to a terminal, wherein the first information is used for configuring the first DRB; and the access network node transmitting the first data by means of the first DRB. The present solution can enable local data of an access network to be transmitted between an access network node and a terminal, thereby improving the performance of the access network.

Description

Data transmission method and communication device

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on September 28, 2023, with application number 202311294560.8 and application name “Data transmission method and communication device”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly, to a data transmission method and a communication device. Background Art

[0003] Artificial intelligence (AI) technology can be applied to mobile communication systems to improve network performance and user experience through intelligent data collection and analysis. Specific application scenarios include, but are not limited to, energy saving, load balancing, mobility optimization, enhanced channel state information (CSI) feedback, enhanced beam management, and enhanced positioning.

[0004] In various scenarios where AI technology is used in access networks, it is necessary to transmit AI data related to the implementation of AI technology between access network nodes and terminals. This AI data may include, but is not limited to, model parameters and data used for model training. In other words, this AI data, as local data of the access network, needs to be transmitted between the access network nodes and terminals. How to implement the transmission of local data between access network nodes and terminals is a challenge that needs to be addressed when applying AI technology to access networks.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] The embodiments of the present application provide a data transmission method and a communication device, which can realize the transmission of local data of the access network between the access network node and the terminal, thereby improving the performance of the access network.

[0007] In a first aspect, a data transmission method is provided, which can be executed by an access network node or a module (such as a chip) configured in (or used for) an access network node. The following description takes the access network node executing the method as an example.

[0008] The method includes: an access network and a node determining to establish a first data radio bearer (DRB), the first DRB being used to transmit first data, the first data including local data of the access network node. The access network and the node sending first information to a terminal, the first information being used to configure the first DRB. The access network and the node transmitting the first data via the first DRB.

[0009] According to the above solution, a DRB for transmitting local data of the access network can be established between the access network node and the terminal, and the local data of the access network can be transmitted between the access network node and the terminal through the DRB, thereby improving the performance of the access network.

[0010] In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the access network and the node determining to establish a first DRB includes: the access network and the node receiving second information from the terminal, the second information being used to request establishment of a DRB for transmitting the first data. The access network and the node determining to establish the first DRB based on the second information.

[0011] According to the above scheme, the terminal can request the access network node to establish a DRB for transmitting the first data on demand, and the access network node can establish a DRB for transmitting the first data in response to the terminal's request, thereby enabling the terminal to transmit local data of the access network between the terminal and the access network node on demand.

[0012] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the second information is used to indicate at least one of the following information:

[0013] The type of the first data, the application scenario of the first data, the transmission delay requirement of the first data, the reliability requirement of the first data, the recommended DRB configuration parameters, or the recommended DRB release time limit.

[0014] According to the above solution, the terminal can provide the access network node with the requirement information related to establishing a DRB for transmitting the first data in the second information, so that the access network node can establish a DRB that meets the terminal requirements based on the second information.

[0015] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the access network node sends third information to the terminal after the first data transmission is completed, and the third information is used to indicate that the first DRB is retained; or, the access network node receives fourth information from the terminal after the first data transmission is completed, and the fourth information is used to indicate that the first DRB is retained.

[0016] According to the above scheme, after the first data transmission is completed, the access network node and the terminal can interact with each other to determine whether to retain the first DRB for subsequent transmission of local data of the access network, which can reduce unnecessary resource consumption caused by re-establishing the DRB for transmitting local data of the access network.

[0017] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the third information or the fourth information includes a first duration for retaining the first DRB; the method also includes: the access network node releases the first DRB after the first duration.

[0018] According to the above scheme, the access network node and the terminal can interact with each other to determine that the duration of retaining the first DRB is the first duration, so as to release the first DRB after the first duration, thereby reducing resource waste.

[0019] In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the access network node receiving fifth information from the core network node, the fifth information being used to instruct establishment of a first QoS flow corresponding to the first data, and the access network node mapping the first QoS flow to the first DRB.

[0020] According to the above scheme, the core network can determine whether the transmission of the first data between the access network node and the terminal will affect the transmission of other user plane data, etc., thereby instructing the access network node whether to establish the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data, which can reduce network congestion or transmission quality degradation.

[0021] In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the access network node receiving fifth information from the core network node includes: the access network node sending sixth information to the core network node, the sixth information being used to request establishment of a QoS flow corresponding to the first data. The access network node receiving the fifth information from the core network node.

[0022] According to the above solution, when there is a need to transmit local data of the access network, the access network node can send a request to the core network node to establish a QoS flow corresponding to the first data. Upon receiving a response from the core network node, the access network node can establish a first DRB and map the QoS flow corresponding to the first data instructed to be established by the core network node to the first DRB. This allows the core network to determine whether the transmission of the first data between the access network node and the terminal will affect the transmission of other user plane data.

[0023] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the method also includes: after the first data transmission is completed, the access network node sends seventh information and / or eighth information to the core network node, the seventh information is used to indicate the transmission traffic of the first QoS flow, and the eighth information is used to indicate the retention or release of the first QoS flow.

[0024] According to the above solution, the core network node can implement functions such as billing based on the actual transmission flow of the first QoS fed back by the access network side.

[0025] In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the fifth information is used to indicate whether feedback of the transmission traffic of the first QoS flow is required. After the first data transmission is completed, the access network node sends the seventh information to the core network node, including: if the fifth information indicates that feedback of the transmission traffic of the first QoS flow is required, the access network node sends the seventh information to the core network node after the first data transmission is completed.

[0026] In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the first data includes artificial intelligence-related data, and the artificial intelligence-related data includes one or more of the following:

[0027] Parameters of an intelligent model, an identifier of an intelligent model, or training data of an intelligent model.

[0028] According to the above solution, artificial intelligence-related data can be transmitted locally in the access network, thereby improving the performance of the access network.

[0029] In a second aspect, a data transmission method is provided, which can be executed by a terminal or a module (such as a chip) configured in (or used for) a terminal. The following description will be made using a terminal as an example.

[0030] The method includes: a terminal receiving first information from an access network node, the first information being used to configure a first DRB, the first DRB being used to transmit first data, the first data including local data of the access network node, and the terminal transmitting the first data via the first DRB.

[0031] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: the terminal sends second information to the access network node, where the second information is used to request establishment of a DRB for transmitting the first data.

[0032] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the second information is used to indicate at least one of the following information:

[0033] The type of the first data, the application scenario of the first data, the transmission delay requirement of the first data, the reliability requirement of the first data, the recommended DRB configuration parameters, or the recommended DRB release time limit.

[0034] In combination with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the method also includes: after the first data transmission is completed, the terminal receives third information from the access network node, and the third information is used to indicate the retention of the first DRB; or, after the first data transmission is completed, the terminal sends fourth information to the access network node, and the fourth information is used to indicate the retention of the first DRB.

[0035] In combination with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the third information or the fourth information includes a first duration for retaining the first DRB; the method also includes: the terminal releases the first DRB after the first duration.

[0036] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: the terminal receiving eighth information from the core network node, where the eighth information is used to indicate that establishment of a first QoS flow corresponding to the first data is allowed.

[0037] In conjunction with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the terminal receiving eighth information from the core network node includes: the terminal sending ninth information to the core network node, the ninth information being used to request establishment of a QoS flow corresponding to the first data. The terminal receiving the eighth information from the core network node.

[0038] In conjunction with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the first data includes artificial intelligence-related data, and the artificial intelligence-related data includes one or more of the following:

[0039] Parameters of an intelligent model, an identifier of an intelligent model, or training data of an intelligent model.

[0040] According to a third aspect, a communication device is provided. In one design, the device may include a module corresponding to the method / operation / step / action described in the first aspect or any one of the embodiments of the first aspect. The module may be a hardware circuit, software, or a combination of a hardware circuit and software. In one design, the device includes: a processing unit for determining to establish a first data radio bearer DRB, the first DRB being used to transmit first data, the first data including local data of an access network node. A transceiver unit for sending first information to a terminal, the first information being used to configure the first DRB. The transceiver unit is also used to transmit the first data through the first DRB.

[0041] In conjunction with the third aspect, in certain implementations of the third aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive second information from the terminal, the second information being used to request establishment of a DRB for transmitting the first data. The processing unit is specifically configured to determine establishment of the first DRB based on the second information.

[0042] In conjunction with the third aspect, in certain implementations of the third aspect, the second information is used to indicate at least one of the following information:

[0043] The type of the first data, the application scenario of the first data, the transmission delay requirement of the first data, the reliability requirement of the first data, the recommended DRB configuration parameters, or the recommended DRB release time limit.

[0044] In combination with the third aspect, in certain implementations of the third aspect, the transceiver unit is further used to send third information to the terminal after the first data transmission is completed, and the third information is used to indicate the retention of the first DRB; or, the transceiver unit is further used to receive fourth information from the terminal after the first data transmission is completed, and the fourth information is used to indicate the retention of the first DRB.

[0045] In combination with the third aspect, in certain implementations of the third aspect, the third information or the fourth information includes a first duration for retaining the first DRB; the processing unit is also used to release the first DRB after the first duration.

[0046] In combination with the third aspect, in certain implementations of the third aspect, the transceiver unit is also used to receive fifth information from the core network node, and the fifth information is used to indicate the establishment of a first QoS flow corresponding to the first data; the processing unit is also used to map the first QoS flow to the first DRB.

[0047] In combination with the third aspect, in certain implementations of the third aspect, the transceiver unit is specifically used to send sixth information to the core network node, and the sixth information is used to request establishment of a QoS flow corresponding to the first data; the transceiver unit is specifically used to receive the fifth information from the core network node.

[0048] In combination with the third aspect, in certain implementations of the third aspect, the transceiver unit is also used to send seventh information and / or eighth information to the core network node after the first data transmission is completed, the seventh information is used to indicate the transmission traffic of the first QoS flow, and the eighth information is used to indicate the retention or release of the first QoS flow.

[0049] In combination with the third aspect, in certain implementations of the third aspect, the fifth information is used to indicate whether it is necessary to feedback the transmission traffic of the first QoS flow; the transceiver unit is specifically used to send the seventh information to the core network node after the first data transmission is completed when the fifth information indicates that it is necessary to feedback the transmission traffic of the first QoS flow.

[0050] In conjunction with the third aspect, in certain implementations of the third aspect, the first data includes artificial intelligence-related data, and the artificial intelligence-related data includes one or more of the following:

[0051] Parameters of an intelligent model, an identifier of an intelligent model, or training data of an intelligent model.

[0052] In a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided. In one design, the device may include a module corresponding to each of the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the second aspect or any one of the embodiments of the second aspect. The module may be a hardware circuit, software, or a combination of a hardware circuit and software. In one design, the device includes: a transceiver unit for receiving first information from an access network node, the first information being used to configure a first DRB, the first DRB being used to transmit first data, the first data including local data of the access network node. A processing unit for configuring the first DRB based on the first information. The transceiver unit is also used to transmit the first data through the first DRB.

[0053] In combination with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the transceiver unit is further used to send second information to the access network node, where the second information is used to request establishment of a DRB for transmitting the first data.

[0054] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the second information is used to indicate at least one of the following information:

[0055] The type of the first data, the application scenario of the first data, the transmission delay requirement of the first data, the reliability requirement of the first data, the recommended DRB configuration parameters, or the recommended DRB release time limit.

[0056] In combination with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the transceiver unit is further used to receive third information from the access network node after the first data transmission is completed, and the third information is used to indicate the retention of the first DRB; or, the transceiver unit is further used to send fourth information to the access network node after the first data transmission is completed, and the fourth information is used to indicate the retention of the first DRB.

[0057] In combination with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the third information or the fourth information includes a first duration for retaining the first DRB; the processing unit is also used to release the first DRB after the first duration.

[0058] In combination with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the transceiver unit is used to receive eighth information from the core network node, where the eighth information is used to indicate that establishment of a first QoS flow corresponding to the first data is allowed.

[0059] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the transceiver unit is specifically configured to send ninth information to the core network node, where the ninth information is used to request establishment of a QoS flow corresponding to the first data. The transceiver unit is specifically configured to receive the eighth information from the core network node.

[0060] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the first data includes artificial intelligence-related data, and the artificial intelligence-related data includes one or more of the following:

[0061] Parameters of an intelligent model, an identifier of an intelligent model, or training data of an intelligent model.

[0062] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor. The processor can implement the method in any possible implementation of the first aspect to the second aspect and the first aspect to the second aspect. Optionally, the communication device further includes a memory, and the processor is coupled to the memory, and can be used to execute instructions in the memory to implement the method in any possible implementation of the first aspect to the second aspect and the first aspect to the second aspect. Optionally, the communication device further includes a communication interface, and the processor is coupled to the communication interface. In the embodiment of the present application, the communication interface can be a transceiver, a pin, a circuit, a bus, a module, or other types of communication interfaces, without limitation.

[0063] In one implementation, the communication apparatus is a communication device (such as a terminal device or an access network device). When the communication apparatus is a communication device, the communication interface may be a transceiver or an input / output interface.

[0064] In another implementation, the communication device is a chip configured in a communication device. When the communication device is a chip configured in a communication device, the communication interface may be an input / output interface.

[0065] Optionally, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface may be an input / output circuit.

[0066] In a sixth aspect, a processor is provided, comprising: an input circuit, an output circuit, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive a signal through the input circuit and transmit a signal through the output circuit, so that the processor executes the method described in any possible implementation of the first and second aspects above.

[0067] In a specific implementation, the processor may be one or more chips, the input circuit may be an input pin, the output circuit may be an output pin, and the processing circuit may be a transistor, a gate circuit, a trigger, or various logic circuits. The input signal received by the input circuit may be, for example, but not limited to, received and input by a receiver, and the signal output by the output circuit may be, for example, but not limited to, output to and transmitted by a transmitter. The input circuit and the output circuit may be the same circuit, which functions as an input circuit and an output circuit at different times. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific implementation of the processor and various circuits.

[0068] In the seventh aspect, a computer program product is provided, which includes: a computer program (also referred to as code, or instructions), which, when executed, enables a computer to execute the method in the above-mentioned first aspect to the second aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect to the second aspect.

[0069] In an eighth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program (also referred to as code, or instructions). When the computer-readable storage medium is run on a computer, the computer executes the method in the above-mentioned first aspect to the second aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect to the second aspect.

[0070] In a ninth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising the aforementioned at least one access network node and the aforementioned at least one terminal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0071] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0072] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of an application framework of AI in a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0073] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of the mapping relationship between PDU sessions, DRBs, and QoS flows provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0074] FIG4 is a schematic flow chart of a data transmission method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0075] 5 to 8 are another schematic flow chart of the data transmission method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0076] FIG9 is a schematic block diagram of an example of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0077] FIG10 is a schematic structural diagram of another example of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0078] The technical solution in this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0079] In this application, at least one (item) can also be described as one (item) or multiple (items), and multiple (items) can be two (items), three (items), four (items), or more (items), without limitation. " / " can indicate that the objects associated with each other are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B can mean A or B. "And / or" can be used to describe that there are three relationships between the associated objects. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. A and B can be singular or plural. To facilitate the description of the technical solutions of this application, words such as "first," "second," "A," or "B" can be used to distinguish technical features with the same or similar functions. The words "first," "second," "A," or "B" do not limit the quantity or execution order. Moreover, the words "first," "second," "A," or "B" do not necessarily mean different. The words "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate an example, instance, or illustration. Any design solution described as "exemplary" or "for example" should not be interpreted as being preferred or advantageous over other designs. The use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a concrete manner to facilitate understanding.

[0080] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system architecture 100 applicable to an embodiment of the present application. The system architecture 100 includes user equipment (UE), an access network, and a core network, wherein the access network includes one or more access network nodes, such as a radio access network (RAN) node as shown in FIG1 . The network elements in the core network include an authentication server function (AUSF) network element, a policy control function (PCF) network element, a unified data management (UDM), a unified data repository (UDR), a network repository function (NRF) network element, an application function (AF) network element, an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, a session management function module (SMF) network element, a RAN, and a UPF network element, as shown in FIG1 .

[0081] The following describes the functions of each core network element. The AUSF network element is primarily responsible for user authentication to determine whether a user or device is allowed to access the network. The PCF network element is primarily responsible for policy management of charging and QoS policies. The UDM network element is primarily responsible for managing subscription data and user access authorization. The UDR network element is primarily responsible for accessing subscription data, policy data, application data, and other types of data. The NRF network element can be used to provide network element discovery, providing network element information corresponding to the network element type based on requests from other network elements. The NRF network element also provides network element management services such as network element registration, update, and deregistration, as well as network element status subscription and push notifications. The AF network element primarily communicates application-side requests to the network. The AMF network element primarily performs functions such as mobility management and access authentication / authorization. Furthermore, the AMF network element is responsible for communicating user policies between the UE and the PCF network element. The SMF network element is primarily responsible for completing session management functions such as UE Internet Protocol (IP) address allocation, and the UPF network element is primarily responsible for selection, billing, and Quality of Service (QoS) policy control. As the interface with the data network (DN), the UPF network element is mainly responsible for completing functions such as user plane data forwarding, session / flow-level billing statistics, and bandwidth limitation.

[0082] As shown in Figure 1, the functional units can communicate with each other through the next generation network (NG) interface, such as: the UE can transmit control plane messages with the AMF node through the NG interface 1 (referred to as N1), the RAN node can establish a user plane data transmission channel with the UPF through the NG interface 3 (referred to as N3), the RAN node can establish a control plane signaling connection with the AMF node through the NG interface 2 (referred to as N2), the UPF can exchange information with the SMF node through the NG interface 4 (referred to as N4), the UPF can exchange user plane data with the data network DN through the NG interface 6 (referred to as N6), the AMF node can exchange information with the SMF node through the NG interface 11 (referred to as N11), the SMF node can exchange information with the PCF node through the NG interface 7 (referred to as N7), and the AMF node can exchange information with the AUSF through the NG interface 12 (referred to as N12). It should be noted that Figure 1 is only an exemplary architecture diagram. In addition to the functional units shown in Figure 1, the network architecture may also include other functional units.

[0083] The system architecture may also include a server (cloud), which may provide computing or application services for devices requiring integrity transmission services, including control servers, application servers and other devices.

[0084] An access network node may be a base station, a Node B, an evolved Node B (eNodeB or eNB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation Node B (gNB) in a fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication system, an access network node in an open radio access network (O-RAN or open RAN), a next-generation base station in a sixth-generation (6G) mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system. Alternatively, an access network node may be a module or unit that performs some of the functions of a base station, for example, a centralized unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a centralized unit control plane (CU-CP) module, or a centralized unit user plane (CU-UP) module. The access network node can be a macro base station (such as 110a in Figure 1), a micro base station or an indoor station (such as 110b in Figure 1), a relay node or a donor node, etc. The specific technology and specific equipment form adopted by the access network node are not limited in this application. Among them, the 5G system can also be referred to as a new radio (NR) system. The access network node in this application can be an access network node, or it can be a module or unit configured in an access network node.

[0085] In the present application, the device for realizing the function of the access network node may be an access network node; or it may be a device capable of supporting the access network node to realize the function, such as a chip system, a hardware circuit, a software module, or a hardware circuit plus a software module, which device may be installed in the access network node or may be used in conjunction with the access network node. In the present application, the chip system may be composed of a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices. For ease of description, the following describes the technical solution provided by the present application by taking the device for realizing the function of the access network node as an access network node as an example, and optionally taking the access network node as a base station as an example.

[0086] (1) Protocol layer structure.

[0087] The communication between the access network node and the terminal follows a certain protocol layer structure. The protocol layer structure may include a control plane protocol layer structure and a user plane protocol layer structure. For example, the control plane protocol layer structure may include the functions of at least one of the following protocol layers: radio resource control (RRC) layer, packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, radio link control (RLC) layer, media access control (MAC) layer or physical (PHY) layer. For example, the user plane protocol layer structure may include the functions of at least one of the following protocol layers: PDCP layer, RLC layer, MAC layer or physical layer, etc. In one possible implementation, a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer may also be included above the PDCP layer.

[0088] Optionally, the protocol layer structure between the access network node and the terminal may further include an artificial intelligence (AI) layer for transmitting data related to AI functions.

[0089] The protocol layer structure between the access network node and the terminal can be considered as the access stratum (AS) structure. Optionally, a non-access stratum (NAS) may exist above the AS to enable the access network node to forward information from the core network node to the terminal, or to enable the access network node to forward information from the terminal to the core network node. In this case, it can be considered that a logical interface exists between the terminal and the core network node. The access network node can forward information between the terminal and the core network node through transparent transmission. For example, NAS signaling can be mapped to or included in RRC signaling as an element of RRC signaling.

[0090] (2) Centralized unit (CU) and distributed unit (DU).

[0091] The access network node may include a CU and a DU. Multiple DUs may be centrally controlled by one CU. As an example, the interface between the CU and the DU may be referred to as an F1 interface. Among them, the control plane (CP) interface may be F1-C, and the user plane (UP) interface may be F1-U. This application does not limit the specific names of the interfaces. The CU and the DU may be divided according to the protocol layers of the wireless network: for example, the functions of the PDCP layer and the protocol layers above it (such as the RRC layer and the SDAP layer, etc.) are set in the CU, and the functions of the protocol layers below the PDCP layer (such as the RLC layer, the MAC layer and the PHY layer, etc.) are set in the DU; for another example, the functions of the protocol layers above the PDCP layer are set in the CU, and the functions of the protocol layers below the PDCP layer are set in the DU, without limitation.

[0092] The above division of the processing functions of CU and DU according to the protocol layer is only an example, and can also be divided in other ways. For example, the CU or DU can be divided into functions with more protocol layers, and for example, the CU or DU can also be divided into partial processing functions with the protocol layer. In one design, some functions of the RLC layer and the functions of the protocol layers above the RLC layer are set in the CU, and the remaining functions of the RLC layer and the functions of the protocol layers below the RLC layer are set in the DU. In another design, the functions of the CU or DU can also be divided according to the service type or other system requirements, for example, by delay, the functions whose processing time needs to meet the delay requirements are set in the DU, and the functions that do not need to meet the delay requirements are set in the CU. In another design, the CU can also have one or more functions of the core network. For example, the CU can be set on the network side to facilitate centralized management. In another design, the radio unit (RU) of the DU is set remotely. Optionally, the RU can have radio frequency functions.

[0093] Optionally, the DU and RU can be divided at the PHY layer. For example, the DU can implement high-level functions in the PHY layer, and the RU can implement low-level functions in the PHY layer.

[0094] Optionally, the functions of the CU can be implemented by one entity (or module), or can be implemented by different entities. For example, the functions of the CU can be further divided, the control plane and the user plane can be separated and implemented through different entities. The separated entities are the control plane CU entity (i.e., CU-CP entity) and the user plane CU entity (i.e., CU-UP entity). The CU-CP entity and CU-UP entity can be coupled with the DU to jointly complete the functions of the access network node.

[0095] Optionally, any of the above-mentioned DU, CU, CU-CP, CU-UP and RU can be a software module, a hardware structure, or a software module + hardware structure, without limitation. The existence forms of different entities can be different and are not limited. For example, DU, CU, CU-CP, CU-UP are software modules, and RU is a hardware structure. For the sake of brevity, all possible combinations are not listed here one by one. These modules and their execution methods are also within the scope of protection of this application.

[0096] A terminal may also be referred to as a terminal device, user equipment (UE), mobile station, or mobile terminal. The terminal can be widely used in various scenarios for communication. The scenario includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC), massive machine-type communications (mMTC), device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wearable, smart transportation, or smart city. The terminal may be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver function, wearable device, vehicle, drone, helicopter, airplane, ship, robot, robotic arm, or smart home device. This application does not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the terminal.

[0097] In this application, a device for implementing a terminal function may be a terminal; it may also be a device capable of supporting the terminal in implementing the function, such as a chip system, a hardware circuit, a software module, or a hardware circuit plus a software module. The device may be installed in the terminal or used in conjunction with the terminal. For ease of description, the following describes the technical solution provided in this application using the example of the device for implementing the terminal function being a terminal, and optionally using the example of the terminal being a UE.

[0098] The base station and / or terminal can be fixed or movable. The base station and / or terminal can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; or can be deployed on the water surface; or can be deployed on aircraft, balloons and artificial satellites in the air. This application does not limit the environment / scenario in which the base station and terminal are located. The base station and the terminal can be deployed in the same or different environments / scenarios, for example, the base station and the terminal are deployed on land at the same time; or the base station is deployed on land and the terminal is deployed on water surface, etc., and no further examples are given.

[0099] Optionally, in order to match and support AI, an AI entity may be integrated into the terminal or terminal chip.

[0100] Figure 2 shows an example of an AI application framework in a communication system. In Figure 2, a data source is used to store training data and inference data. A model training host analyzes or trains the training data provided by the data source to obtain an AI model, which is then deployed on a model inference host. The AI ​​model represents the mapping relationship between the model's inputs and outputs. Learning the AI ​​model through the model training host is equivalent to the model training host using the training data to learn the mapping relationship between the model's inputs and outputs. The model inference host uses the AI ​​model to perform inference based on the inference data provided by the data source, obtaining an inference result. The method can also be described as follows: the model inference host inputs the inference data into the AI ​​model, and the AI ​​model generates an output, which is the inference result. The inference result may indicate configuration parameters used (executed) by the execution object and / or the operation performed by the execution object. The inference result can be centrally planned by the execution (actor) entity and sent to one or more execution objects (e.g., network elements) for execution. Optionally, the model inference node can feed its inference results back to the model training node. This process is called model feedback. The fed-back parameters are used by the model training node to update the AI ​​model, and the updated AI model is deployed on the model inference node. Optionally, the execution object can feed back its collected network parameters to the data source. This process is called performance feedback. The fed-back parameters can be used as training data or inference data.

[0101] In the present application, the application framework shown in FIG2 can be deployed in the network element shown in FIG1 . For example, the application framework of FIG2 can be deployed in at least one of the terminal, access network node, core network node, or independently deployed AI network element (not shown) in FIG1 . For example, the AI ​​network element (which can be regarded as a model training node) can analyze or train the training data (training data) provided by the terminal and / or access network node to obtain a model. At least one of the terminal, access network node, or core network node (which can be regarded as a model inference node) can use the model and inference data to perform inference to obtain the output of the model. The inference data can be provided by the terminal and / or access network node. The input of the model includes the inference data, and the output of the model is the inference result corresponding to the model. At least one of the terminal, access network node, or core network node (which can be regarded as an execution object) can perform corresponding operations based on the inference data and / or the inference result. The model inference node and the execution object can be the same or different, without limitation.

[0102] This application does not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the terminal. It should be understood that in this application, "sending information / data to... (such as a terminal)" can be understood as the destination end of the information being the terminal. It can include sending information / data directly or indirectly to the terminal. "Receiving information / data from... (such as a terminal)" can be understood as the source end of the information being the terminal, which can include receiving information / data directly or indirectly from the terminal. The information / data may be subjected to necessary processing between the source end and the destination end of the information / data transmission, such as format changes, etc., but the destination end can understand the valid information / data from the source end. Similar expressions in this application can be understood similarly and will not be repeated here.

[0103] In this application, "sending information / data" refers only to the direction of information / data transmission, including direct transmission over the air interface and indirect transmission by the processing unit through the air interface. "Sending" can also be understood as the "output" of the module interface. "Receiving information / data" refers only to the direction of information / data transmission, including direct reception over the air interface and indirect reception by the processing unit through the air interface. "Receiving" can also be understood as the "input" of the module interface.

[0104] In order to better understand the solution provided by this application, the relevant technologies and terms involved in this application are first explained below.

[0105] 1. Radio bearer (RB)

[0106] RBs are a general term for the different protocol layer entities and configurations allocated by access network nodes to terminals. These include PDCP layer entities, RLC layer entities, MAC layer protocol entities, and a series of resources allocated by the PHY layer. RBs are the channels connecting the access network node and the terminal through the radio interface. All signaling and data transmitted on the radio interface must pass through RBs. RBs include those used to carry signaling, known as signaling radio bearers (SRBs), and those used to carry data, known as data radio bearers (DRBs). These two types of RBs have distinct functions and ensure the effectiveness of wireless transmission.

[0107] 2. Quality of service (QoS)

[0108] To provide different QoS for different services, wireless networks provide QoS management mechanisms. QoS management is a control mechanism that ensures that wireless networks meet diverse service quality requirements. It is an end-to-end process that requires collaboration among all network nodes that a service traverses between initiator and responder to ensure QoS. Air interface QoS management features provide differentiated end-to-end QoS for the diverse needs of various services and users. A QoS flow is the finest level of QoS control between the core network and the terminal. Each QoS flow is identified by a QoS flow identifier (QFI). Within a protocol data unit (PDU) session, each QoS flow has a unique QFI. The core network notifies access network nodes of the 5G QoS identifier (5QI) corresponding to each QoS flow, which indicates the QoS attributes of the QoS flow. As shown in Figure 3, access network nodes map QoS flows to RBs. The mapping between QoS flows and RBs can be either many-to-one or one-to-one.

[0109] 3.PDU Session

[0110] In mobile communication systems, a session refers to the information exchange between a terminal and a specific IP address on the network side. The basic unit of granularity for session management is the PDU. A PDU session can include multiple QoS flows, multiple radio bearers (DRBs), and the Next Generation (NG)-U Tunnel (NG-U Tunnel) between the access network node and the core network UPF node. The establishment of a PDU session can be initiated by the core network or the terminal.

[0111] Discussions are underway to apply AI technology to mobile communication systems, improving network performance and user experience through intelligent data collection and analysis. Specific application scenarios include, but are not limited to, energy saving, load balancing, mobility optimization, enhanced channel state information (CSI) feedback, enhanced beam management, and enhanced positioning.

[0112] For example, when AI technology is used in energy-saving scenarios, access network nodes can collect load, energy consumption, and energy efficiency information of the cell and neighboring cells, as well as terminal trajectory information and measurement results, to predict the load trend of the cell. Furthermore, based on the cell's usage and key performance indicators (KPI) requirements, appropriate energy-saving measures can be taken in a timely manner without affecting network coverage and terminal access.

[0113] For another example, an access network node can collect beam management reports from a certain number of terminals and use these reports as training data to train an AI model. The access network node can then send the AI ​​model's parameters to the terminal, which then infers beam management results based on the AI ​​model and reports them back to the access network node. Based on the beam management results reported by the terminal, the access network node infers the optimal beam to serve the terminal.

[0114] AI technology is used in various access network scenarios, requiring the transmission of AI data related to AI implementation between access network nodes and terminals. This AI data can include, but is not limited to, model parameters and data used for model training. In other words, this AI data, as local data of the access network, must be transmitted between access network nodes and terminals. How to implement this local data transmission between access network nodes and terminals is a challenge that needs to be addressed when applying AI technology to access networks.

[0115] This application proposes that since the amount of data related to AI technology is relatively large, the user plane transmission method can be reused to transmit AI data. However, the user plane currently only supports data transmission between the terminal and the core network or data network through access network node forwarding, and does not support the transmission of local data on the access network side between the access network node and the terminal through the user plane. This application proposes that a DRB for transmitting local data of the access network can be established between the access network node and the terminal, and the local data of the access network can be transmitted between the access network node and the terminal through the DRB.

[0116] Figure 4 is a schematic flow chart of a data transmission method 400 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method 400 includes but is not limited to the following steps S401 to S403.

[0117] S401: An access network node determines to establish a first DRB, where the first DRB is used to transmit first data, where the first data includes local data of the access network.

[0118] Among them, the first data may refer to data that the access network node or terminal in the access network needs to use, that is, data that needs to be transmitted between the access network node and the terminal. The first data includes access network local data, specifically, it may include local data of the access network node and / or local data of the terminal, wherein the local data of the access network node can be understood as data generated by the access network node, rather than data transmitted by the core network. The access network node can determine to establish the first DRB for the access network node to send the local data of the access network node to the terminal. The local data of the terminal can be understood as data generated by the terminal, and the access network node can determine to establish the first DRB for the terminal to send the local data of the terminal to the access network node.

[0119] Exemplarily, the first data may include, but is not limited to, AI-related data. For example, AI-related data may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the parameters of the intelligent model, the identifier of the intelligent model, and the training data of the intelligent model. Among them, the parameters of the intelligent model may be complete parameters for building an AI model, or may be partial parameters for building an AI model, such as model architecture parameters, model format, input parameter type, input parameters, output parameter type or output parameters, etc. The identifier of the intelligent model may be the version number corresponding to the model, or the identifier of one or more models among a plurality of predefined intelligent models. The AI-related data may also include the application scenario of the intelligent model, the computational complexity of the intelligent model, the processing capability requirements of the intelligent model for the device software / hardware, etc. This application does not limit this.

[0120] The access network node may determine to establish the first DRB in multiple ways:

[0121] In the first implementation mode, the access network node may determine to establish a first DRB according to demand when it is necessary to send first data to the terminal or receive first data from the terminal.

[0122] In this embodiment, the establishment process of the DRB for transmitting the first data is initiated by the access network node.

[0123] For example, when the access network node determines that the current communication quality has deteriorated, it determines that it is necessary to jointly train the AI ​​model used for CSI inference with the terminal. The access network node can determine to establish a first DRB so as to transmit the relevant parameters for executing the model training through the first DRB, as well as the relevant parameters in the model training process, so that the access network node and the terminal can jointly train the AI ​​model and improve the inference performance of the AI ​​model.

[0124] In the second implementation mode, the terminal sends second information to the access network node, where the second information is used to request the establishment of a DRB for transmitting the first data. Accordingly, the access network node receives the second information from the terminal, and in response to the request of the terminal, the access network node determines to establish the first DRB.

[0125] In this embodiment, the process of establishing a DRB for transmitting the first data is initiated by the terminal. When the terminal needs to send the first data to the access network node or needs to receive the first data from the access network node, the terminal may send second information to the access network node to request the establishment of the DRB for transmitting the first data.

[0126] For example, the terminal determines that the inference accuracy of the AI ​​model used for beam management has decreased, resulting in performance degradation, and needs to obtain an updated AI model from the access network node to use the replaced AI model for beam management inference. Alternatively, training data is obtained from the access network node to train the current AI model and update the model parameters to improve inference accuracy. The terminal can send second information to the access network node to request the access network node to establish a DRB for transmitting the first data.

[0127] The second information may include 1 bit, which is used to instruct the terminal to request the access network node to establish a DRB for transmitting the first data.

[0128] Optionally, the second information also includes the terminal's configuration requirements and / or configuration suggestions for establishing the DRB. The second information is also used to indicate at least one of the following information:

[0129] The type of the first data, the application scenario of the first data, the transmission delay requirement of the first data, the reliability requirement of the first data, the recommended DRB configuration parameters, or the recommended DRB release time limit.

[0130] For example, multiple data types and corresponding identifiers can be predefined, and the terminal can notify the access network node of the type of the first data by indicating the identifier corresponding to the type of the first data through the second information. Similarly, the second information can indicate the identifier corresponding to the application scenario of the first data. The terminal can also provide the access network node with the transmission requirements of the first data, such as delay requirements and / or reliability requirements, so that the access network node can establish a DRB that meets the transmission requirements based on the second information. Among them, the transmission delay requirement can be the time length expected by the terminal to complete the first data, or it can be called the transmission delay budget of the first data. Or the transmission delay requirement can also be the start and end time expected by the terminal to transmit the first data, etc. For example, the reliability requirement can be the maximum bit error rate acceptable to the terminal, etc. However, the present application is not limited to this. The second information can also indicate the DRB configuration parameters recommended by the terminal, such as one or more of the DRB identifier, data frame size, packet loss time threshold, header compression method, or whether to encrypt.

[0131] The second information may also indicate a DRB release time limit recommended by the terminal. For example, the second information may indicate that after establishing a DRB for transmitting the first data, the DRB should be released after the first data transmission is completed, or the DRB should be retained for subsequent transmission of local data on the access network. Optionally, if the second information indicates to retain the DRB, the second information may also indicate the duration for which the terminal recommends retaining the DRB, or the time point for releasing the DRB.

[0132] After receiving the second information, the access network node can determine the configuration parameters of the first DRB based on the transmission status of the existing QoS flow and the terminal's configuration requirements and / or configuration suggestions for establishing the DRB indicated by the second information.

[0133] S402: The access network node sends first information to the terminal, where the first information is used to configure a first DRB.

[0134] Accordingly, the terminal receives the first information from the access network node. The first information may include configuration parameters of the first DRB, and the terminal configures the first DRB according to the configuration parameters of the first DRB.

[0135] In one embodiment, the first information may also be used to indicate whether to retain the first DRB after the first data transmission is completed. If the first information indicates that the first DRB is not to be retained after the data transmission is completed, the access network node and the terminal release the first DRB after the first data transmission is completed. If the first information indicates that the first DRB is to be retained after the data transmission is completed, the access network node and the terminal do not release the first DRB after the first data transmission is completed.

[0136] Optionally, when the first information indicates that the first DRB is retained after data transmission is completed, the first information may also include a first duration, and the access network node and the terminal may release the first DRB after the first duration after the first data transmission is completed.

[0137] With respect to the above-mentioned embodiment 1, if the establishment process of the first DRB is initiated on demand by the access network node. Optionally, the first information is also used to indicate that the first DRB is used to transmit the first data. The first information may also include but is not limited to the type of the first data and / or the application scenario of the first data.

[0138] With respect to the above-mentioned second embodiment, if the establishment process of the first DRB is initiated on demand by the terminal. If the second information sent by the terminal includes the configuration parameters of the DRB recommended by the terminal, the first information can indicate whether the access network node accepts the DRB configuration parameters recommended by the terminal, such as indicating whether to receive or not accept the configuration parameters of all DRBs recommended by the terminal, or indicating one by one whether the access network node accepts the recommended configuration parameters for each DRB recommended by the terminal, and if so, whether the first DRB adopts the configuration parameters; if not, the first information indicates the configuration parameters determined by the access network node.

[0139] S403: The access network node and the terminal transmit first data through the first DRB.

[0140] After the access network node establishes the first DRB with the terminal, the first data can be transmitted through the first DRB.

[0141] In one embodiment, if the first information indicates whether to retain the first DRB after the transmission is completed, the access network node and the terminal retain or release the first DRB according to the indication of the first information.

[0142] In another embodiment, the first information does not indicate whether to retain the first DRB after the transmission is completed. After the first data transmission is completed, the access network node sends third information to the terminal, where the third information is used to indicate that the first DRB should be retained. Accordingly, the terminal receives the third information and determines to retain the first DRB based on the third information.

[0143] Optionally, the third information is also used to indicate a first duration, that is, the duration for which the terminal and the access network node retain the first DRB is the first duration, and the terminal and the access network node release the first DRB after the first duration after the first data transmission is completed.

[0144] In one embodiment, if the terminal does not receive the third information after the first data transmission is completed, the terminal releases the first DRB. In another embodiment, the third information specifically indicates whether to retain or release the first DRB. That is, the third information can be used to indicate not only whether to retain the first DRB but also whether to release the first DRB. The terminal retains or releases the first DRB according to the instruction of the third information.

[0145] In another embodiment, the first information does not indicate whether to retain the first DRB after the transmission is completed. After the first data transmission is completed, the terminal sends fourth information to the access network node, where the fourth information is used to indicate that the first DRB should be retained. In response, the access network node receives the fourth information and determines to retain the first DRB based on the fourth information.

[0146] Optionally, the fourth information is also used to indicate a first duration, that is, the duration for which the terminal and the access network node retain the first DRB is the first duration, and the terminal and the access network node release the first DRB after the first duration after the first data transmission is completed.

[0147] In one embodiment, if the access network node does not receive the fourth information after the first data transmission is completed, the access network node releases the first DRB. In another embodiment, the fourth information specifically indicates whether to retain or release the first DRB. The access network node retains or releases the first DRB according to the instruction of the fourth information.

[0148] According to the above solution, a DRB for transmitting local data of the access network can be established between the access network node and the terminal. This DRB can be used to transmit local data of the access network between the access network node and the terminal. This can enable the application of AI technology in the access network, thereby improving the performance of the access network.

[0149] In one implementation of the embodiment shown in FIG4 , when there is a need to transmit local data of the access network, the access network node may send a request to the core network node to establish a QoS flow corresponding to first data. Upon receiving a response from the core network node, the access network node may establish a first DRB and map the QoS flow corresponding to the first data instructed to be established by the core network node to the first DRB. This allows the core network to determine whether the transmission of the first data between the access network node and the terminal will affect the transmission of other user plane data.

[0150] 5 is a schematic flow chart of a data transmission method 500 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method includes but is not limited to the following steps S501 to S505.

[0151] S501: An access network node sends sixth information to a core network node, where the sixth information is used to request establishment of a QoS flow corresponding to first data.

[0152] The access network node determines that there is a need to transmit local data of the access network, such as when the access network node determines, based on its own needs, that it needs to transmit local data of the access network with the terminal, or when the access network node determines, in response to a request from the terminal (based on the second information from the terminal as described above), that it needs to transmit local data of the access network with the terminal. The access network node sends the sixth information to the core network node to request establishment of a QoS flow corresponding to the first data.

[0153] Optionally, the sixth information may indicate relevant information of the QoS flow that the access network node desires to establish. The relevant information may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following:

[0154] The terminal identifier, the application scenario of the first data, the AI ​​model corresponding to the first data, the target QoS parameters, the expected duration of the QoS flow, or the expected transmission traffic of the QoS flow.

[0155] The identifier of the terminal may be a user permanent identifier (SUPI). The sixth information may be an identifier indicating an application scenario of the first data, such as beam management or CSI feedback enhancement.

[0156] S502: The core network node sends fifth information to the access network node, where the fifth information is used to instruct establishment of a first QoS flow corresponding to the first data.

[0157] After receiving the sixth information from the access network node, the core network node can determine whether to accept the request to establish the QoS flow corresponding to the first data based on the current user plane data transmission situation, and send the fifth information to the access network node if the request is accepted.

[0158] Optionally, if the sixth information includes relevant information about the QoS flow that the access network node expects to establish, the core network node can determine whether to allow the establishment of the corresponding QoS flow based on the sixth information and with reference to the authority of the terminal obtained from the UDM node. When the core network node determines that the establishment of the corresponding QoS flow is allowed based on the authority of the terminal, the core network node can also determine whether the establishment of the QoS flow affects the current user plane data transmission. If the QoS flow expected by the access network node affects the transmission of the current user plane data, the core network node can refuse to establish the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data. Alternatively, the core network node can notify the access network node to adjust the expected QoS flow. Alternatively, the fifth information sent by the core network node to the access network node includes the parameters of the first QoS flow that meets the requirements determined by the core network node.

[0159] S503: The access network node maps the first QoS flow to a DRB used to transmit the first data according to the fifth information.

[0160] In one embodiment, the access network node establishes a first DRB for transmitting the first data, which can be specifically implemented with reference to the embodiment shown in Figure 4, and the access network node maps the first QoS flow to the first DRB based on the fifth information, and configures the first DRB for the terminal through the first information. The first information may also include information on the mapping relationship between the first QoS flow and the first DRB.

[0161] In another embodiment, the access network node determines to use an established DRB (such as a second DRB) to transmit the first data, and the access network node maps the first QoS flow to the second DRB based on the fifth information. The access network node may notify the terminal that the second DRB is used to transmit local data of the access network. Specifically, the access network node also notifies the terminal of the frame number of the data frame for transmitting the local data of the access network, or notifies the terminal of the rule for determining the data frame number for transmitting the local data of the access network. However, the present application is not limited to this.

[0162] S504: The access network node and the terminal transmit first data through the corresponding DRB.

[0163] Optionally, after the access network node and the terminal complete the first data transmission, the access network node or the terminal may report the transmission volume of the first QoS flow to the core network node. The core network node may implement functions such as billing based on the actual transmission volume of the first QoS flow fed back by the access network side.

[0164] In one implementation, the access network node or terminal may be configured to report the transmission volume of the first QoS flow to the core network node by default.

[0165] In another embodiment, the fifth information may instruct the access network node (or terminal) to report the transmission traffic of the first QoS flow to the core network node after the first data transmission is completed. The access network node (or terminal) reports the transmission traffic of the first QoS flow after the first data transmission is completed according to the instruction of the fifth information. If the fifth information does not instruct the access network node (or terminal) to report the transmission traffic of the first QoS flow to the core network node after the first data transmission is completed, the access network node (or terminal) does not report the transmission traffic of the first QoS flow to the core network node after the first data transmission is completed.

[0166] Optionally, after the first data transmission between the access network node and the terminal is completed, the access network node or the terminal can instruct the core network node to retain the first QoS flow for subsequent access network local data transmission between the access network node and the terminal, or can instruct the core network node to release the first QoS flow.

[0167] According to the above scheme, when there is a need to transmit local data of the access network, the access network node sends a request to the core network node to establish a QoS flow corresponding to the first data, so that the core network can determine whether the transmission of the first data between the access network node and the terminal will affect the transmission of other user-plane data, etc., thereby reducing network congestion or degradation of transmission quality.

[0168] FIG6 provides a specific example of the solution shown in FIG5 . The data transmission method 600 shown in FIG6 includes but is not limited to the following S601 to S606 .

[0169] S601, the SMF node obtains the terminal subscription information from the UDM node.

[0170] The SMF node can obtain the terminal's subscription information from the UDM node to determine the terminal's QoS configuration.

[0171] Optionally, the SMF node may obtain the corresponding permission information of the terminal for transmitting local data of the access network from the UDM node. For example, the permission information may indicate whether or not the terminal is supported to establish a QoS flow or DRB for transmitting local data of the access network.

[0172] For example, the UDM node can send the permission information to the SMF node, such as the UDM node can actively send the permission information to the SMF node, or the UDM node can send the permission information to the SMF node in response to a request from the SMF node. The permission information can indicate the terminal identifier, the application scenario of the local data of the transmission access network supported by the terminal, the AI ​​model supported by the terminal, the QoS parameters supported by the terminal, the duration of the allowed QoS flow, or the allowed transmission traffic of the QoS flow.

[0173] The allowed QoS parameters may include identifiers of available QoS flows for transmitting local data on the access network, and / or corresponding QoS parameters. The allowed QoS flow duration refers to the duration of the QoS flow that the terminal is allowed to transmit local data on the access network. The allowed QoS flow transmission rate refers to the traffic volume of the QoS flow that the terminal is allowed to transmit local data on the access network.

[0174] S602: The access network node sends sixth information, where the sixth information is used to request establishment of a QoS flow corresponding to the first data.

[0175] For example, the access network node may send the sixth information to the SMF node (or PCF node) through the AMF node to request establishment of a QoS flow corresponding to the first data.

[0176] Optionally, the sixth information may indicate relevant information of the QoS flow that the access network node desires to establish. The relevant information may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following:

[0177] The terminal identifier, the application scenario of the first data, the AI ​​model corresponding to the first data, the target QoS parameters, the expected duration of the QoS flow, or the expected transmission flow of the QoS flow

[0178] S603: The SMF node and the PCF node establish a QoS flow requirement for the first data.

[0179] After the SMF node (or PCF node) receives the sixth information, the SMF node interacts with the PCF node. For example, the SMF node and the PCF node can determine whether to allow the establishment of a QoS flow corresponding to the local data of the access network used by the terminal for transmitting the local data of the access network based on the contract information of the terminal and / or the permission information for transmitting the local data of the access network. If the SMF node and the PCF node determine that the establishment of a QoS flow corresponding to the local data of the access network used by the terminal for transmitting the local data of the access network is allowed, the SMF node executes S604.

[0180] S604: The SMF node sends fifth information to the access network node, where the fifth information is used to instruct establishment of a first QoS flow corresponding to the first data.

[0181] The fifth information is used to respond to the sixth information and confirm the establishment of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data. The fifth information may include relevant parameters of the first QoS flow.

[0182] In one embodiment, the fifth information may be PDU session establishment information. The fifth information is used to indicate the establishment of a PDU session for transmitting local data of the access network. The PDU session establishment information is a response to the sixth information, that is, used to confirm the establishment of the QoS flow corresponding to the first data.

[0183] In another implementation, the fifth information may instruct the access network node to use the established PDU session to transmit local data of the access network. For example, the fifth information includes an identifier of the PDU session.

[0184] S605: The access network node maps the first QoS flow to the first DRB according to the fifth information.

[0185] S606: The terminal transmits first data via the DRB corresponding to the access network node.

[0186] The above S605 and S606 can be implemented with reference to the description of S503 and S504 in the embodiment shown in FIG5 , and will not be described in detail here.

[0187] After the access network node and the terminal complete the first data transmission, the access network node or the terminal may report the transmission volume of the first QoS flow to the core network node, and / or the access network node or the terminal may instruct the core network node to retain or release the first QoS flow.

[0188] In the examples shown in Figures 5 and 6 above, when the access network node and the terminal need to transmit local data of the access network, the access network node requests the core network node to establish a QoS flow corresponding to the first data. However, the present application is not limited to this. When the access network node and the terminal need to transmit local data of the access network, the terminal may request the core network node to establish a QoS flow corresponding to the first data so that the core network can determine whether the transmission of the first data between the access network node and the terminal will affect the transmission of other user plane data.

[0189] FIG7 is a schematic flow chart of a data transmission method 700 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method 700 includes but is not limited to the following S701 to S705.

[0190] S701: The terminal sends ninth information to the core network node, where the ninth information is used to request establishment of a QoS flow corresponding to first data.

[0191] When there is a need to transmit local data of the transmission access network, the terminal can send ninth information to the core network node to request to establish a QoS flow corresponding to the first data. The ninth information can be non-access stratum (NAS) information.

[0192] Optionally, the ninth information may indicate relevant information of the QoS flow that the access network node desires to establish. The relevant information may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following:

[0193] The terminal identifier, the application scenario of the first data, the AI ​​model corresponding to the first data, the target QoS parameters, the expected duration of the QoS flow, or the expected transmission traffic of the QoS flow.

[0194] S702: The core network node sends fifth information to the access network node, where the fifth information is used to instruct establishment of a first QoS flow corresponding to the first data.

[0195] After receiving the sixth information from the terminal, the core network node can determine whether to accept the request to establish a QoS flow corresponding to the first data based on the current user plane data transmission situation. If the request is accepted, the core network node sends the fifth information to the access network node. The specific implementation of S702 can be implemented with reference to S502 in the embodiment shown in Figure 5 and will not be repeated here.

[0196] Optionally, in S703 , the core network node sends eighth information to the terminal, where the eighth information is used to indicate that establishment of a first QoS flow corresponding to the first data is allowed.

[0197] The core network node may send the eighth information to the terminal as response information of the ninth information, in response to the request of the terminal, to notify the terminal that establishment of the first QoS flow corresponding to the first data is allowed.

[0198] S704: The access network node maps the first QoS flow to a DRB used to transmit the first data according to the fifth information.

[0199] S705: The terminal and the access network node transmit first data through the corresponding DRB.

[0200] The above S704 and S705 can be implemented with reference to the description of S503 and S504 in the embodiment shown in FIG5 , and will not be described in detail here.

[0201] After the access network node and the terminal complete the first data transmission, the access network node or the terminal may report the transmission volume of the first QoS flow to the core network node, and / or the access network node or the terminal may instruct the core network node to retain or release the first QoS flow.

[0202] According to the above scheme, when there is a need to transmit local data of the access network, the terminal sends a request to the core network node to establish a QoS flow corresponding to the first data, so that the core network can determine whether the transmission of the first data between the access network node and the terminal will affect the transmission of other user-plane data, etc., thereby reducing network congestion or degradation of transmission quality.

[0203] FIG8 provides a specific example of the solution shown in FIG7 . The data transmission method 800 shown in FIG8 includes but is not limited to the following S801 to S807 . It should be noted that for the parts of the embodiment shown in FIG8 that are the same as those in the embodiments shown in FIG4 to FIG7 , reference can be made to the description of the above embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0204] S801, the SMF node obtains the terminal subscription information from the UDM node.

[0205] S802: The terminal sends ninth information to the SMF node or the PCF node, where the ninth information is used to request establishment of a QoS flow corresponding to the first data.

[0206] S803, the SMF node and the PCF node establish the QoS flow requirement of the first data.

[0207] S804, the SMF node sends fifth information to the access network node, where the fifth information is used to instruct establishment of a first QoS flow corresponding to the first data.

[0208] Optionally, in S805, the SMF node sends eighth information to the terminal, where the eighth information is used to indicate that establishment of a first QoS flow corresponding to the first data is allowed.

[0209] S805: The access network node maps the first QoS flow to the first DRB according to the fifth information.

[0210] S806: The terminal transmits first data via the DRB corresponding to the access network node.

[0211] After the access network node and the terminal complete the first data transmission, the access network node or the terminal may report the transmission volume of the first QoS flow to the core network node, and / or the access network node or the terminal may instruct the core network node to retain or release the first QoS flow.

[0212] According to the above solution, when there is a need to transmit local data on the access network, the terminal sends a request to the core network node to establish a QoS flow corresponding to the first data. This allows the core network to determine whether the transmission of the first data between the access network node and the terminal will affect the transmission of other user plane data, thereby reducing network congestion or transmission quality degradation. After completing the transmission of the first data, the access network can report the transmission traffic to the core network, allowing the core network to implement functions such as billing based on the actual transmission traffic.

[0213] It is understood that in order to implement the functions in the above embodiments, the network devices and terminals include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should readily appreciate that, in conjunction with the units and method steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed in this application, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or in a manner driven by computer software depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0214] Figures 9 and 10 are schematic diagrams of the structures of possible communication devices provided by the embodiments of the present application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of the terminal or network device in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects possessed by the above method embodiments. In the embodiments of the present application, the communication device can be a UE as shown in Figure 1, or it can be a network node as shown in Figure 1, such as a RAN node (i.e., an access network node), a core network node, etc. The communication device can also be a module (such as a chip or a chip system) applied to a terminal or network device.

[0215] The communication device 900 includes an interface unit 920, which can be used to receive or send information. The communication device 900 can also include a processing unit 910, which can be used to process instructions or data to implement corresponding operations.

[0216] It should be understood that when the communication device 900 is a chip configured in (or used in) a communication device, the interface unit 920 in the communication device 900 can be the input / output interface or circuit of the chip, and the processing unit 910 in the communication device 900 can be the processor in the chip.

[0217] Optionally, the communication device 900 may further include a storage unit 930, which may be used to store instructions or data. The processing unit 910 may execute the instructions or data stored in the storage unit to enable the communication device to perform corresponding operations.

[0218] The communication device 900 can be used to implement the functions of the terminal or network device in the method embodiments shown in Figures 4 to 8 above.

[0219] When the communication device 900 is used to implement the functions of the terminal in the method embodiment shown in Figure 4: the processing unit 910 is configured to determine and establish a first data radio bearer (DRB). The first DRB is used to transmit first data, where the first data includes local data of the access network node. The transceiver unit 920 is configured to send first information to the terminal, where the first information is used to configure the first DRB. The transceiver unit is further configured to transmit the first data via the first DRB.

[0220] When the communication device 900 is used to implement the functions of the network device in the method embodiment shown in Figure 4: the transceiver unit 920 is configured to receive first information from an access network node, where the first information is used to configure a first DRB, which is used to transmit first data, where the first data includes local data of the access network node. The processing unit 910 is configured to configure the first DRB based on the first information. The transceiver unit is further configured to transmit the first data via the first DRB.

[0221] For a more detailed description of the processing unit 910 and the interface unit 920 , reference may be made to the relevant description in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 3 .

[0222] It should be understood that the interface unit 920 in the communication device 900 can be implemented by a communication interface (such as a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, an input / output interface, or a pin, etc.). When the communication interface is a transceiver, the transceiver can be composed of a receiver and / or a transmitter. The processing unit 910 in the communication device 900 can be implemented by at least one processor. The processing unit 910 in the communication device 900 can also be implemented by at least one logic circuit. Optionally, the communication device 900 also includes a storage unit, which can be implemented by a memory.

[0223] As shown in Figure 10, communication device 1000 includes a processor 1010 and an interface circuit 1020. Processor 1010 and interface circuit 1020 are coupled to each other. It will be appreciated that interface circuit 1020 may be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, communication device 1000 may further include a memory 1030 for storing instructions executed by processor 1010, input data required by processor 1010 to execute instructions, or data generated by processor 1010 after executing instructions.

[0224] In one implementation, the memory 1030 may also be integrated into the processor 1010 or independent of the processor 1010 .

[0225] When the communication device 1000 is used to implement the methods shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 8 , the processor 1010 is used to implement the functions of the processing unit 910 , and the interface circuit 1020 is used to implement the functions of the interface unit 920 .

[0226] When the communication device is a chip used in a terminal device, the terminal device chip can implement the terminal functions in the above method embodiments. The terminal device chip receives information from other modules in the terminal device (such as a radio frequency module or antenna), and the information is sent by the network device to the terminal device; or the terminal device chip sends information to other modules in the terminal device (such as a radio frequency module or antenna), and the information is sent by the terminal device to the network device.

[0227] When the above-mentioned communication device is a module applied to a network device, the network device module can implement the functions of the network device in the above-mentioned method embodiment. The network device module receives information from other modules in the network device (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna), and the information is sent by the terminal device to the network device; or the network device module sends information to other modules in the network device (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna), and the information is sent by the network device to the terminal device. The network device module here can be a baseband chip of the network device, or it can be a DU or other module. The DU here can be a DU under the open radio access network (O-RAN) architecture.

[0228] It is understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application may be a central processing unit (CPU), or may be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0229] The method steps in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in hardware or in software instructions that can be executed by a processor. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, and the software modules can be stored in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, registers, hard disk, mobile hard disk, CD-ROM or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. The storage medium can also be an integral part of the processor. The processor and storage medium can be located in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC can be located in an access network device or a terminal device. The processor and storage medium can also exist in the access network device or the terminal device as discrete components.

[0230] According to the method provided in the embodiment of the application, the embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product, which includes: computer program code, when the computer program code is executed by one or more processors, it enables the device including the processor to execute the method shown in Figures 4 to 8.

[0231] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented using software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are performed in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user device, or other programmable device.

[0232] According to the method provided in an embodiment of the present application, an embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores the above-mentioned computer program or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are executed by one or more processors, the device including the processor executes the method shown in Figures 4 to 8.

[0233] As described above, the computer program or instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program or instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired or wireless means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer, or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape; an optical medium, such as a digital video disk; or a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state drive. The computer-readable storage medium can be a volatile or non-volatile storage medium, or can include both volatile and non-volatile types of storage media.

[0234] According to the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system, including one or more terminals as described above. The system may further include one or more access network nodes as described above. Optionally, the system may further include one or more core network nodes.

[0235] 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 devices described above are only schematic. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation. For example, 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 coupling or direct coupling or communication connection between each other shown or discussed can be through some interface, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0236] 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 solution based on actual needs.

[0237] In the various embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

[0238] 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 data transmission method, characterized in that: include: Determine to establish a first data radio bearer DRB, where the first DRB is used to transmit first data, where the first data includes local data of the access network node; Sending first information to the terminal, where the first information is used to configure the first DRB; The first data is transmitted through the first DRB.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The determining to establish the first DRB includes: receiving second information from the terminal, where the second information is used to request establishment of a DRB for transmitting the first data; According to the second information, determine to establish the first DRB.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The second information is used to indicate at least one of the following information: The type of the first data, the application scenario of the first data, the transmission delay requirement of the first data, the reliability requirement of the first data, the recommended DRB configuration parameters, or the recommended DRB release time limit.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The method further comprises: After the first data transmission is completed, third information is sent to the terminal, where the third information is used to indicate that the first DRB is retained; or, After the first data transmission is completed, fourth information is received from the terminal, where the fourth information is used to indicate retention of the first DRB.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The third information or the fourth information includes a first duration for retaining the first DRB; and the method further includes: After the first duration, the first DRB is released.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving fifth information from a core network node, where the fifth information is used to instruct establishment of a first QoS flow corresponding to the first data; Map the first QoS flow to the first DRB.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The receiving fifth information from the core network node includes: Sending sixth information to the core network node, where the sixth information is used to request establishment of a QoS flow corresponding to the first data; Receive the fifth information from the core network node.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that: The method further comprises: After the first data transmission is completed, the seventh information and / or the eighth information is sent to the core network node, the seventh information is used to indicate the transmission traffic of the first QoS flow, and the eighth information is used to indicate the retention or release of the first QoS flow.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The fifth information is used to indicate whether the transmission flow of the first QoS flow needs to be fed back; The sending seventh information to the core network node after the first data transmission is completed includes: In a case where the fifth information indicates that the transmission traffic of the first QoS flow needs to be fed back, the seventh information is sent to the core network node after the first data transmission is completed.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that The first data includes artificial intelligence related data, and the artificial intelligence related data includes one or more of the following: Parameters of an intelligent model, an identifier of an intelligent model, or training data of an intelligent model.

11. A data transmission method, characterized in that: include: Receiving first information from an access network node, where the first information is used to configure a first DRB, where the first DRB is used to transmit first data, where the first data includes local data of the access network node; The first data is transmitted through the first DRB.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending second information to the access network node, where the second information is used to request establishment of a DRB for transmitting the first data.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The second information is used to indicate at least one of the following information: The type of the first data, the application scenario of the first data, the transmission delay requirement of the first data, the reliability requirement of the first data, the recommended DRB configuration parameters, or the recommended DRB release time limit.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that The method further comprises: After the first data transmission is completed, receiving third information from the access network node, where the third information is used to indicate that the first DRB is retained; or, After the first data transmission is completed, fourth information is sent to the access network node, where the fourth information is used to indicate retention of the first DRB.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The third information or the fourth information includes a first duration for retaining the first DRB; and the method further includes: After the first duration, the first DRB is released.

16. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that The method further comprises: Receive eighth information from the core network node, where the eighth information is used to indicate that establishment of a first QoS flow corresponding to the first data is allowed.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The receiving eighth information from the core network node includes: Sending ninth information to the core network node, where the ninth information is used to request establishment of a QoS flow corresponding to the first data; Receive the eighth information from the core network node.

18. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 17, characterized in that The first data includes artificial intelligence related data, and the artificial intelligence related data includes one or more of the following: Parameters of an intelligent model, an identifier of an intelligent model, or training data of an intelligent model.

19. A communication device, characterized in that: Comprising a module for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10; or a module for executing the method according to any one of claims 11 to 18.

20. A communication device, characterized in that: The device comprises a processor coupled to a memory, the memory being used to store a computer program, the processor being used to execute the computer program stored in the memory so that the communication device performs the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10; or so that the communication device performs the method as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 18.

21. A computer-readable storage medium comprising a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

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