Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

Provided in the embodiments of the present application are a communication method and apparatus, which are used for improving the forwarding efficiency of data. The method may be executed by a first access network device. The first access network device may be, for example, located on the ground (or may be a ground access network device), such as a ground base station; or, the first access network device is, for example, a non-ground access network device, such as a high-altitude platform or a satellite on which a base station or some base station functions is / are deployed. The method comprises: receiving a first identifier and first data which are from a first user equipment, wherein the first identifier is an identifier of a first RB, and the first RB is an RB corresponding to the first user equipment; and sending a second identifier and the first data to a second user equipment or a second access network device on the basis of the first identifier, wherein the second access network device is an access network device to which the second user equipment accesses, the second identifier is an identifier of a second RB, and the second RB is an RB corresponding to the second user equipment.

Description

A communication method and apparatus

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202311402848.2, filed on October 26, 2023, entitled "A Communication Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0004] 5G LAN (5th Generation Local Area Network) service is a service provided by the 5G system that enables private communication using either Internet Protocol (IP) or Ethernet for user equipment (UE) belonging to the same 5G virtual network group (5G VN). For example, UEs in a factory can form a 5G VN group and can send Ethernet or IP data packets to each other.

[0005] In a 5G LAN, data packets transmitted between terminal devices in a 5G VN group can be forwarded through local forwarding, N19 tunnel-based forwarding, and other methods. However, improving data forwarding efficiency is an urgent problem to be solved.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] This application provides a communication method and apparatus for improving data forwarding efficiency.

[0008] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a first access network device. The first access network device may be located on the ground (or, in other words, a terrestrial access network device), such as a terrestrial base station; or, the first access network device may be a non-terrestrial access network device, such as a high-altitude platform or satellite deploying a base station or partial base station functionality. The method includes: receiving a first identifier and first data from a first terminal device, wherein the first identifier is an identifier of a first radio bearer (RB), and the first RB is an RB corresponding to the first terminal device; and transmitting a second identifier and the first data to a second terminal device or a second access network device based on the first identifier, wherein the second access network device is an access network device to which the second terminal device is connected, and the second identifier is an identifier of a second RB, and the second RB is an RB corresponding to the second terminal device.

[0009] In this embodiment, the access network device can send data to the second terminal device or the second access network device according to the identifier of the RB corresponding to the first terminal device, without having to send the data to the core network device. For example, it is not necessary to send the data to the user plane function (UPF) unit for data forwarding, thereby reducing the data transmission latency and improving the data forwarding efficiency.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the first identifier is associated with the second identifier. The first access network device can configure the association between the first identifier and the second identifier, so that when the first access network device receives the first identifier from the first terminal device, it can forward the first data based on the association; and the first access network device can send the second identifier to the second terminal device based on the association, so that the second terminal device can parse the first data based on the second identifier. For example, the second terminal device can determine a second RB for parsing the first data based on the second identifier.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the first access network device may also receive first indication information from the core network device, the first indication information being used to instruct the first access network device to send the first data to the second terminal device or the second access network device. By having the core network device decide whether the first access network device should forward data between the first terminal device and the second terminal device, security is enhanced.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the first indication information is used to instruct the first access network device to send the first data to the second terminal device or the second access network device, including: the first indication information is used to instruct the first data path corresponding to the first QoS flow to be associated with the second data path corresponding to the second QoS flow, and the first data path and the second data path are used to transmit the first data. The core network device can instruct the first access network device to forward all data between the two terminal devices; alternatively, the core network device can also instruct the first access network device to forward some data between the two terminal devices, for example, instructing the first access network device to forward data transmitted through the data paths corresponding to two QoS flows, while other data is still forwarded through the core network device. This improves the forwarding efficiency for data with lower security requirements, while ensuring data security for data with higher security requirements.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the first QoS flow is associated with the first RB, and the second QoS flow is associated with the second RB. After the first access network device associates the data transmission paths corresponding to the first QoS flow and the second QoS flow, associating the first QoS flow with the first RB and the second QoS flow with the second RB can obtain the association relationship between the first RB and the second RB.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the first access network device may further send the first identifier to the first terminal device. Thus, when the first access network device receives the first identifier from the first terminal device, it can forward data based on the first identifier; for example, it can forward data based on the association between the first identifier and the second identifier.

[0015] In one possible implementation, the first access network device may send the second identifier to the second terminal device before sending the second identifier and the first data. Thus, when the second terminal device receives the second identifier and the first data, it can determine the second RB used to parse the first data based on the second identifier.

[0016] In one possible implementation, the first access network device may further receive first routing information from the core network device. This first routing information indicates the path for the first access network device to send the first data to the second terminal device or the second access network device. Sending the first data to the second terminal device or the second access network device includes: sending the first data to the second terminal device or the second access network device based on the first routing information. The first access network device and the second access network device may be far apart, and the first access network device cannot directly send data to the second access network device; it needs to be forwarded through other access network devices. Therefore, the core network device can instruct the first access network device to send data to the second access network device via routing information, enabling multi-hop forwarding of data and completing direct communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the first access network device may also receive a third identifier from the first terminal device, wherein the third identifier is the identifier of the second terminal device. When the first access network device needs to send data to the second access network device through other access network devices (e.g., a third access network device), the third access network device can determine the forwarding routing information based on the identifier of the second terminal device, thereby realizing data forwarding between access network devices.

[0018] Secondly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a first terminal device. The method includes: sending a first identifier and first data to a first access network device, wherein the first identifier is an identifier of a first RB, and the first RB is an RB corresponding to the first terminal device.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the first terminal device may also receive a first identifier from the first access network device.

[0020] In one possible implementation, a first indication information is received from a core network device, the first indication information being used to indicate that a first data path corresponding to a first QoS flow is associated with a second data path corresponding to a second QoS flow.

[0021] For the technical effects of the second aspect or various alternative implementation methods, please refer to the introduction of the technical effects of the first aspect or corresponding implementation methods.

[0022] Thirdly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a core network device. The method includes: sending first indication information to a first access network device, the first indication information being used to instruct the first access network device to send first data to a second terminal device or a second access network device, wherein the second access network device is an access network device to which the second terminal device is connected.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the first indication information is used to instruct the first access network device to send first data to the second terminal device or the second access network device, including: the first indication information is used to instruct the first data path corresponding to the first QoS flow to be associated with the second data path corresponding to the second QoS flow, and the first data path and the second data path are used to transmit the first data.

[0024] In one possible implementation, the core network device may also send the first indication information to the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

[0025] In one possible implementation, the core network device may also determine first routing information for the first access network device to send the first data to the second terminal device or the second access network device.

[0026] In one possible implementation, the core network device may also send the first routing information to the access network device indicated by the first routing information, wherein the access network device indicated by the first routing information includes the first access network device.

[0027] For information on the technical effects of the third aspect or various alternative implementation methods, please refer to the description of the technical effects of the first aspect or corresponding implementation methods.

[0028] Fourthly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a first access network device. A description of the first access network device can be found in the first aspect. The method includes: receiving first data from a first terminal device transmitted via a first logical channel or a first secondary carrier; and transmitting the first data to a second terminal device via a second logical channel or a second secondary carrier, wherein the first logical channel is associated with the second logical channel, and the first secondary carrier is associated with the second secondary carrier.

[0029] In this embodiment, when the first access network device receives the first data transmitted by the first terminal device through a configured dedicated logical channel or secondary carrier, it can send the first data to the second terminal device based on the association relationship of the logical channel or the association relationship of the secondary carrier, without having to send the first data to the core network device, which can improve the data forwarding efficiency.

[0030] In one possible implementation, the first access network device may also receive first indication information from the core network device, the first indication information being used to instruct the first access network device to send the first data to the second terminal device. By having the core network device decide whether to forward data between the first and second terminal devices, security is enhanced.

[0031] Fifthly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a first terminal device. The method includes: transmitting first data to a first access network device via a first logical channel or a first secondary carrier, wherein the first logical channel or the first secondary carrier is a logical channel or secondary carrier configured by the first access network device for transmitting the first data to a second terminal device.

[0032] For the technical effects of the fifth aspect or various alternative implementations, please refer to the description of the technical effects of the fourth aspect or corresponding implementations.

[0033] Sixthly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a core network device. The method includes: sending first indication information to a first access network device, the first indication information being used to instruct the first access network device to send first data to a second terminal device or a second access network device, the first data being data sent by the first terminal device to the second terminal device.

[0034] For the technical effects of the sixth aspect or various alternative implementations, please refer to the description of the technical effects of the fourth aspect or corresponding implementations.

[0035] A seventh aspect provides a communication system, including a first access network device for performing any implementation method of the first aspect, a first terminal device for performing any implementation method of the second aspect, and a core network device for performing any implementation method of the third aspect.

[0036] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication system, including a first access network device for any implementation of the fourth aspect, a first terminal device for executing any implementation of the fifth aspect, and a core network device for executing any implementation of the sixth aspect.

[0037] A ninth aspect provides a communication device. The communication device may be the first access network device described in the first aspect and / or the fourth aspect, or a communication device including the first access network device, or a functional module within the first access network device, such as a baseband device or a chip system. In one optional implementation, the communication device includes a baseband device and a radio frequency device. In another optional implementation, the communication device includes a processing unit (sometimes also called a processing module) and a transceiver unit (sometimes also called a transceiver module). The transceiver unit is capable of transmitting and receiving functions. When the transceiver unit performs the transmitting function, it may be called a transmitting unit (sometimes also called a transmitting module), and when the transceiver unit performs the receiving function, it may be called a receiving unit (sometimes also called a receiving module). The transmitting unit and the receiving unit may be the same functional module, which is called the transceiver unit and can perform both transmitting and receiving functions; or, the transmitting unit and the receiving unit may be different functional modules, with the transceiver unit being a collective term for these functional modules.

[0038] The transceiver unit (or the receiving unit) is configured to receive a first identifier and first data from a first terminal device, wherein the first identifier is an identifier of a first radio bearer (RB) and the first RB is an RB corresponding to the first terminal device; the processing unit is configured to control the transceiver unit (or the sending unit) to send a second identifier and the first data to a second terminal device or a second access network device based on the first identifier, wherein the second access network device is an access network device to which the second terminal device is connected, the second identifier is an identifier of a second RB and the second RB is an RB corresponding to the second terminal device.

[0039] Alternatively, the transceiver unit (or the receiving unit) is configured to receive first data from a first logical channel or a first secondary carrier; the transceiver unit (or the sending unit) is configured to send the first data to a second terminal device via a second logical channel or a second secondary carrier, wherein the first logical channel is associated with the second logical channel and the first secondary carrier is associated with the second secondary carrier.

[0040] In an alternative embodiment, the communication device further includes a storage unit (sometimes also called a storage module), and the processing unit is configured to couple with the storage unit and execute programs or instructions in the storage unit to enable the communication device to perform the functions of the first access network device described in the first aspect and / or the fourth aspect above.

[0041] In a tenth aspect, another communication device is provided. The communication device may be the first terminal device described in the second and / or fifth aspects above, or a communication device including the first terminal device, or a functional module within the first terminal device, such as a baseband device or a chip system. The communication device includes a transceiver unit (sometimes also called a transceiver module), and a description of the transceiver unit can be found in the seventh aspect.

[0042] The transceiver unit (or the sending unit) is used to send a first identifier and first data to the first access network device, wherein the first identifier is the identifier of the first RB and the first RB is the RB corresponding to the first terminal device.

[0043] Alternatively, the transceiver unit (or the sending unit) is configured to send first data to the first access network device via a first logical channel or a first auxiliary carrier, wherein the first logical channel or the first auxiliary carrier is a logical channel or auxiliary carrier configured by the first access network device for sending the first data to a second terminal device.

[0044] In one possible implementation, the communication device further includes a processing unit (sometimes also called a processing module) and a storage unit (sometimes also called a storage module), the processing unit being coupled to the storage unit and executing programs or instructions in the storage unit to enable the communication device to perform the functions of the first terminal device described in the second and / or fifth aspects above.

[0045] Eleventhly, another communication device is provided. The communication device may be the core network equipment described in the third and / or sixth aspects above, or a communication device including the core network equipment, or a functional module within the core network equipment, such as a baseband device or a chip system. The communication device includes a transceiver unit (sometimes also called a transceiver module), and a description of the transceiver unit can be found in the seventh aspect.

[0046] Wherein, the transceiver unit (or the sending unit) is used to send first indication information to the first access network device, the first indication information being used to instruct the first access network device to send first data to the second terminal device or the second access network device, the second access network device being the access network device to which the second terminal device is connected; or, the first indication information is used to instruct the first data path corresponding to the first QoS flow to be associated with the second data path corresponding to the second QoS flow, the first data path and the second data path being used to transmit the first data; wherein, the first data is data sent by the first terminal device to the second terminal device.

[0047] Alternatively, the transceiver unit (or the sending unit) is configured to send first indication information to the first access network device, the first indication information being configured to instruct the first access network device to send first data to the second terminal device or the second access network device, the first data being data sent by the first terminal device to the second terminal device.

[0048] In one possible implementation, the communication device further includes a processing unit (sometimes also called a processing module) and a storage unit (sometimes also called a storage module), the processing unit being coupled to the storage unit and executing programs or instructions in the storage unit to enable the communication device to perform the functions of the first terminal device described in the third and / or sixth aspects above.

[0049] In a twelfth aspect, a communication device is provided, which can be an access network device or a chip or chip system for use in an access network device. The communication device includes a communication interface and a processor, and optionally, a memory. The memory stores a computer program, and the processor is coupled to the memory and the communication interface. When the processor reads the computer program or instructions, it causes the communication device to execute the methods performed by the first access network device as described in the preceding aspects.

[0050] In a thirteenth aspect, a communication device is provided, which can be a terminal device or a chip or chip system for use in a terminal device. The communication device includes a communication interface and a processor, and optionally, a memory. The memory stores a computer program, and the processor is coupled to the memory and the communication interface. When the processor reads the computer program or instructions, it causes the communication device to execute the methods performed by the first terminal device as described in the preceding aspects.

[0051] In a fourteenth aspect, a communication device is provided, which can be a core network device or a chip or chip system used in a core network device. The communication device includes a communication interface and a processor, and optionally, a memory. The memory stores a computer program, and the processor is coupled to the memory and the communication interface. When the processor reads the computer program or instructions, it causes the communication device to execute the methods performed by the core network device in the aforementioned aspects.

[0052] In a fifteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising a first terminal device, a first access network device, and a core network device, wherein the first terminal device is configured to perform the communication method as described in the second and / or fifth aspects, the first access network device is configured to perform the communication method as described in the first and / or fourth aspects, and the core network device is configured to perform the communication method as described in the third and / or sixth aspects.

[0053] In a sixteenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided for storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed, cause the methods performed by the first terminal device, the first access network device, or the core network device in the foregoing aspects to be implemented.

[0054] In a seventeenth aspect, a computer program product containing instructions is provided that, when run on a computer, enables the methods described in the above aspects to be implemented.

[0055] Eighteenthly, a chip system is provided, including a processor and an interface, the processor being configured to call and execute instructions from the interface to enable the chip system to implement the methods of the above aspects. Attached Figure Description

[0056] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a data forwarding method between terminals;

[0057] Figure 2A is a schematic diagram of a network architecture of a communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application;

[0058] Figure 2B is a schematic diagram of the network architecture of another communication system applicable to the embodiments of this application;

[0059] Figure 2C is a schematic diagram of data transmission between layers from an access network device to a terminal device.

[0060] Figure 3 is a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0061] Figures 4A, 4B, and 4C are schematic diagrams of the header formats of several data packets provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0062] Figure 5 is a flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0063] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of an association between a first RB and a second RB provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0064] Figure 7 is a flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0065] Figures 8A and 8B are schematic diagrams of two protocol layer entities provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0066] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of data transmission between layers according to an embodiment of this application;

[0067] Figure 10 is a flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0068] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of another data transmission between layers provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0069] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of a device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0070] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of another device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0071] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the embodiments of this application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0072] In this application embodiment, the number of nouns, unless otherwise specified, refers to "singular nouns or plural nouns," that is, "one or more." "At least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone, where A or B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B means: A or B. Expressions such as "at least one of the following" or "one or more of them" refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c, or one or more of a, b, or c, means: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c. Each of a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0073] The ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish multiple objects, and are not used to limit the size, content, order, timing, priority, or importance of the multiple objects. Furthermore, the numbering of steps in the various embodiments described in this application is only to distinguish different steps and is not used to limit the order of the steps.

[0074] As mentioned earlier, data transmitted between terminal devices in a 5G VN group can be forwarded through local forwarding, N19 tunnel-based forwarding, and other forwarding methods. The data forwarding process for local forwarding and N19 tunnel-based forwarding can be seen in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 1, the data forwarding process via local forwarding or N19 tunnel-based forwarding is as follows: UE1 sends data to the base station, the base station forwards the data to the UPF, the UPF sends the data back to the base station after local forwarding or N19 tunnel forwarding, and the base station then sends the data to UE2.

[0075] When forwarding data via local forwarding or N19 tunnel, the base station needs to send the data to be forwarded to the UPF, and the UPF will then forward the data. This results in a large data transmission delay and low efficiency.

[0076] Furthermore, because traditional terrestrial networks cannot provide seamless mobile communication coverage for UEs, especially in areas where base stations cannot be deployed, such as oceans, deserts, and the air, non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) have been introduced into 5G systems. NTNs provide seamless mobile communication coverage for UEs by deploying base stations or parts of their functions on high-altitude platforms or satellites. However, when using NTN communication, during local forwarding or forwarding via the N19 tunnel, UE1 sends data to the high-altitude platform or satellite, which then forwards the data to the UPF (User Platform Provider) in the terrestrial core network. After local forwarding or N19 tunnel forwarding, the UPF sends the data back to the high-altitude platform or satellite. However, the distance between the high-altitude platform or satellite and the ground is very large, resulting in greater latency and lower efficiency when the high-altitude platform or satellite transmits data to the ground-based UPF. Additionally, when all data is forwarded through the UPF, the load on the backhaul link when the UPF sends data back to the base station is also significant. While deploying the UPF on a satellite can reduce data transmission latency and backhaul load, it is more expensive.

[0077] To address this technical problem, a communication method and apparatus according to embodiments of this application are provided. The technical solutions provided in these embodiments can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, New Radio (NR) communication systems, NTN systems, Vehicle to Everything (V2X), Internet of Vehicles (IoV), Machine-Type Communications (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), Machine to Machine (M2M), or may also be applied to future mobile communication systems such as the 6th generation (6G) system.

[0078] Optionally, the NTN system may include a satellite system. Based on satellite altitude, i.e., satellite orbital altitude, satellites can be classified into highly elliptical orbit (HEO) satellites, geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) satellites, medium earth orbit (MEO) satellites, and low earth orbit (LEO) satellites, etc. Furthermore, the NTN system may also include high altitude platform stations (HAPS), etc., and the NTN system involved in the embodiments of this application is not limited to the examples above.

[0079] Please refer to Figure 2A, which is a schematic diagram of a network architecture for a communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application. This network architecture includes terminal devices, access network devices, and core network devices. The network architecture shown in Figure 2A is for illustrative purposes only. Terminal devices can access the core network through the access network devices and communicate with data networks (DNs) through the core network.

[0080] Terminal equipment includes devices that provide voice and / or data connectivity to users. Specifically, it includes devices that provide voice connectivity to users, or devices that provide data connectivity to users, or devices that provide both voice and data connectivity to users. For example, it may include handheld devices with wireless connectivity or processing devices connected to a wireless modem. The terminal equipment may include user equipment (UE), wireless terminal equipment, mobile terminal equipment, device-to-device (D2D) terminal equipment, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) terminal equipment, machine-to-machine / machine-type communications (M2M / MTC) terminal equipment, Internet of Things (IoT) terminal equipment, light UE, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, remote station, access point (AP), remote terminal, access terminal, user terminal, user agent, or user device, etc. For example, it may include mobile phones (or "cellular" phones), computers with mobile terminal devices, portable, pocket-sized, handheld, or computer-embedded mobile devices, etc. Examples include personal communication service (PCS) phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, and personal digital assistants (PDAs). It also includes limited devices, such as those with low power consumption, limited storage capacity, or limited computing power. Examples include information sensing devices such as barcode scanners, radio frequency identification (RFID), sensors, global positioning systems (GPS), and laser scanners. Optionally, the terminal device can also be a wearable device.Wearable devices, also known as wearable smart devices or smart wearable devices, are a general term for devices that apply wearable technology to intelligently design and develop everyday wearables, such as smartwatches or smart glasses.

[0081] Any device located on a vehicle (e.g., placed inside or installed inside the vehicle) can be considered an on-board terminal device, also known as an on-board unit (OBU). In this embodiment, the terminal device may further include a relay terminal device.

[0082] In this application embodiment, the device for implementing the functions of the terminal device can be the terminal device itself, or it can be a device capable of supporting the terminal device in implementing the functions, such as a chip system, which can be installed in the terminal device. In this application embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips, or it can include chips and other discrete devices. In the technical solutions provided in this application embodiment, the terminal device is used as an example to describe the technical solutions provided in this application embodiment.

[0083] Access network equipment is a network-side device with wireless transceiver capabilities. Access network equipment can be a device in a radio access network (RAN) that provides wireless communication functions for terminal devices; it is called RAN equipment. For example, access network equipment can be a base station, such as an evolved Node B (eNB) in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system or Long Term Evolution-Advanced (LTE-A) system (which can be abbreviated as eNB or e-NodeB). An eNB is a device deployed in a radio access network that meets 4G standards and provides wireless communication functions for terminal devices. Network devices can also be new radio controllers (NR controllers), gNode Bs (gNBs) in 5G systems, centralized units, new wireless base stations, remote radio modules, micro base stations (also known as small stations), relays, distributed units, various forms of macro base stations, transmission reception points (TRPs), transmission measurement functions (TMFs), transmission points (TPs), or any other wireless access devices. The embodiments in this application are not limited to these.

[0084] Access network equipment can also be a radio network controller (RNC), a node B (NB), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a home base station (e.g., a home evolved Node B, or a home Node B, HNB), a base band unit (BBU), a remote radio unit (RRU), a Wi-Fi access point (AP), or a base band pool (BBU pool) and RRU in a cloud radio access network (CRAN), etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or equipment form used in the access network equipment. In a 4G system, the access network equipment can correspond to an eNB, and in a 5G system, it can correspond to a gNB.

[0085] Furthermore, the access network equipment in this application embodiment may include centralized units (CUs) and distributed units (DUs), and multiple DUs can be centrally controlled by one CU. CUs and DUs can be divided according to their wireless network protocol layer functions, such as the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer and above. For example, the Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer function is located in the CU, while protocol layers below PDCP, such as the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer and the Media Access Control (MAC) layer, are located in the DU. It should be noted that this protocol layer division is merely an example, and other protocol layers can also be used. Radio frequency devices can be remotely located, not placed in the DU, or integrated into the DU, or partially remote and partially integrated into the DU; this application embodiment does not impose any limitations. Additionally, in some embodiments, the control plane (CP) and user plane (UP) of the CU can be separated and implemented as different entities, namely the control plane CU entity (CU-CP entity) and the user plane CU entity (CU-UP entity). In this network architecture, signaling generated by the CU can be sent to the terminal device via the DU, or signaling generated by the UE can be sent to the CU via the DU. The DU can directly encapsulate the signaling through the protocol layer and transmit it to the terminal device or CU without parsing it. In this network architecture, the CU is classified as a network device on the RAN side. Alternatively, the CU can also be classified as a network device on the core network (CN) side; this application does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0086] In this application embodiment, "access network device" refers to a device that can be used to implement the functions of an access network device, or it can be a device that supports the access network device in implementing those functions, such as a chip system, which can be installed in the access network device. The chip system can be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete components. In this application embodiment, the technical solution provided by this application embodiment is described using the access network device itself as an example of the device used to implement the functions of the access network device.

[0087] The core network (CN) serves as the interface to the DN (Digital Network) as the bearer network, providing communication connections, authentication, management, policy control, and data service delivery for terminal devices. The CN may include at least one core network device, such as user plane function network elements (referred to as user plane network elements) and control plane function network elements (referred to as control plane network elements). Control plane function network elements may include access management network elements, session management network elements, unified data management network elements, and policy control network elements. It should be noted that the aforementioned CN may include one or more CN devices. A CN device may be a network element used to perform a single network function or a network element used to perform multiple network functions. When a single CN device is used to perform multiple network functions, the CN device may include one or more functional modules for performing these multiple network functions. These functional modules may be software modules or hardware / software modules; this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0088] Please refer to Figure 2B, which is a schematic diagram of the network architecture of another communication system provided in this application embodiment. This communication system is, for example, the aforementioned NTN system. In the network architecture shown in Figure 2B, ground-based terminal devices can access the NTN through the 5G New Radio interface. In the NTN, 5G base stations can be deployed on satellites and connected to the ground-based 5G core network via wireless links. Furthermore, wireless links also exist between satellites, thereby enabling signaling interaction and user data transmission between base stations. A brief description of each network element and interface in Figure 2B is as follows:

[0089] (1) Terminal equipment: including mobile devices that support 5G New Radio. Terminal equipment can access NTN and initiate services such as calls and internet access through 5G New Radio. The types of terminal equipment included in the embodiments of this application can be referred to the terminal equipment in the network architecture shown in Figure 2A.

[0090] (2) 5G base station: This mainly refers to non-terrestrial access network equipment that provides wireless access services. Like terrestrial access network equipment, non-terrestrial access network equipment can provide wireless coverage services to terminal devices, such as allocating wireless resources to accessing terminal devices and providing reliable wireless transmission protocols and data encryption protocols. The 5G base stations involved in this application embodiment can be deployed on satellites or have some 5G base station functions deployed on satellites, thereby achieving a communication network that provides seamless coverage for terminal devices.

[0091] (3) 5G Core Network: This includes the 5G control plane and 5G user plane functional units (UPFs), used for services such as access control, mobility management, session management, user security authentication, and billing. The 5G core network can be exemplified by the core network equipment in the network architecture shown in Figure 2A.

[0092] (4) Ground station: mainly responsible for forwarding signaling and service data between the satellite and the 5G core network. That is, the basic function of the ground station is to transmit signals to the satellite and receive signals forwarded by other ground stations via the satellite.

[0093] (5) 5G New Radio: This refers to the wireless link between the terminal device and the 5G base station, enabling the terminal device and the 5G base station to perform services such as signaling interaction and user data transmission through the 5G New Radio.

[0094] (6) Xn interface: This refers to the interface between 5G base stations, which is mainly used to realize the interaction of signaling such as handover.

[0095] (7) NG Interface: This represents the interface between the 5G base station and the 5G core network. It is mainly used to implement signaling such as the non-access stratum (NAS) of the 5G core network and to transmit user service data. Optionally, when the 5G base station interacts with the UPF network element of the 5G core network, the interface between the 5G base station and the UPF network element may be, for example, the NG-U tunnel interface, where U is the abbreviation for UPF network element.

[0096] The network architecture and business scenarios described above in this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0097] Communication between access network equipment (such as the access network equipment shown in Figure 2A or the 5G base station shown in Figure 2B) and terminal equipment follows a certain protocol layer structure. For example, data sent from the terminal equipment to the access network equipment needs to pass through the user plane protocol layer. The user plane protocol layer structure includes the SDAP layer, PDCP layer, RLC layer, MAC layer, and physical layer (PHY) / PHY layer. The functions of one or more of the above protocol layers can be implemented by one or more nodes of the access network equipment or the terminal equipment.

[0098] The SDAP layer, PDCP layer, RLC layer, MAC layer, and physical layer can all be collectively referred to as the access layer. Based on the data transmission direction, they are divided into sending and receiving layers, and each layer is further divided into a sending part and a receiving part. Taking the following data transmission as an example, refer to Figure 2C, which is a schematic diagram of data transmission between layers from the access network device to the terminal device. In Figure 2C, downward arrows represent data transmission, and upward arrows represent data reception. In this embodiment, the data sent from the access network device to the terminal device is also referred to as downlink data.

[0099] During downlink data transmission, after the PDCP layer receives data from the SDAP layer, it transmits the data to the RLC and MAC layers. The MAC layer then generates a transport block (TB), which is then wirelessly transmitted through the physical layer. Data is encapsulated at each layer. Data received by a layer from its upper layer is considered a service data unit (SDU) for that layer. After layer encapsulation, it becomes a PHY PDU and is then passed to the next layer. For example, data received by the PDCP layer from its upper layer is called a PDCP SDU, and data sent by the PDCP layer to its lower layer is called a PDCP PDU; data received by the RLC layer from its upper layer is called an RLC SDU, and data sent by the RLC layer to its lower layer is called an RLC PDU; data received by the MAC layer from its upper layer is called a MAC SDU, and data sent by the MAC layer to its lower layer is called a MAC PDU. A MAC PDU can also be called a transport block. In the protocol, inter-layer communication is mostly represented by channels. The RLC layer and MAC layer correspond via a logical channel (LCH), while the MAC layer and physical layer correspond via a transport channel. Below the physical layer is the physical channel, which is used to map to the physical layer at the other end.

[0100] Similar to access network equipment, terminal equipment also has an access layer comprising SDAP, PDCP, RLC, MAC, and physical layers. Terminal equipment also has an application layer and a non-access layer. The application layer provides services to applications installed on the terminal equipment. For example, downlink data received by the terminal equipment can be sequentially transmitted from the physical layer to the application layer, and then provided to the application by the application layer. Alternatively, the application layer can acquire data generated by applications (such as videos recorded by users using the application) and sequentially transmit the data to the physical layer for transmission to other communication devices. The non-access layer forwards user data, such as forwarding uplink data received from the application layer to the SDAP layer or forwarding downlink data received from the SDAP layer to the application layer.

[0101] The communication method provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0102] Please refer to Figure 3, which is a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This method can be applied to the network architecture shown in Figure 2A or Figure 2B. If this method is applied to the network architecture shown in Figure 2A or Figure 2B, the terminal device described below is the terminal device in the network architecture shown in Figure 2A or Figure 2B, the first access network device and the second access network device are the access network devices in the network architecture shown in Figure 2A or the 5G base station in the network architecture shown in Figure 2B, and the core network device is the core network in the network architecture shown in Figure 2A or the 5G core network in the network architecture shown in Figure 2B.

[0103] S301: The first terminal device sends a first identifier and first data to the first access network device. Correspondingly, the first access network device receives the first identifier and first data from the first terminal device.

[0104] At least one Resource Block (RB) can be established between the first terminal device and the first access network device to transmit data. When the first terminal device sends data (e.g., first data) to the first access network device, it can carry an identifier of the RB (e.g., the first RB) used to transmit the first data, such as a first identifier.

[0105] Optionally, the first terminal device may encapsulate the first identifier and the first data into a data packet (e.g., a first data packet) and send the first data packet to the first access network device. For example, the first terminal device may include the first identifier in the header of the first data packet. Alternatively, the first terminal device may also send the first identifier and the first data to the first access network device through other transmission methods; this embodiment of the application does not specifically limit the method. The following embodiments take the sending of the first data packet by the first terminal device to the first access network device as an example.

[0106] The header of the first data packet may also include a parameter indicating the format of the header, such as F. The value of this parameter can indicate the identification information contained in the header of the first data packet. For example, if F = 0, it indicates that the header of the first data packet includes the identifier of the first RB corresponding to the first terminal device, i.e., the first identifier, but does not include the identifier of the destination terminal device (e.g., DST UE ID), which is, for example, the second terminal device described below. Here, the first terminal device is the source device that sends the first data packet, so the first terminal device can also be called the source terminal device, and the identifier of the first RB corresponding to the first terminal device is, for example, SRC RB ID; if F = 1, it indicates that the header of the first data packet includes the first identifier of the first RB, and also includes the identifier of the destination terminal device. For example, please refer to Figures 4A and 4B. In Figures 4A and 4B, R in the header is a reserved bit, Oct represents an octal byte, and data is the data contained in the first data packet, i.e., the first data. In this way, the first access network device can determine the identification information that needs to be obtained based on this parameter during the parsing of the first data packet.

[0107] Optionally, the header of the first data packet may further include the identifier of the first terminal device and / or the identifier of the RB corresponding to the target terminal device. The identifier of the first terminal device is, for example, the SRC UE ID, and the RB corresponding to the second terminal device is, for example, the DST RB ID. Wherein, if the header of the first data packet includes the SRC UE ID, the SRC UE ID and the DST UE ID can be included in the same field; and if the header of the first data packet includes the DST RB ID, the DST RB ID and the SRC RB ID can be included in the same field. The format of the first data packet containing the identifier of the first terminal device and / or the identifier of the RB corresponding to the target terminal device can be seen in Figure 4C, for example. The explanation of the contents included in Figure 4C can be seen in the explanation of the corresponding contents in Figures 4A and 4B, and will not be repeated here.

[0108] The first identifier is assigned by the first access network device. Optionally, before executing S301, the first terminal device may also receive the first identifier from the first access network device. For example, the first access network device may send the first identifier to the first terminal device in a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message used to establish the first RB. Alternatively, the first access network device may send the first identifier to the first terminal device in other information; for example, after establishing the first RB, the first access network device may send indication information to the first terminal device to indicate that the identifier of the first RB is the first identifier. This application embodiment does not limit the manner in which the first access network device sends the first identifier to the first terminal device.

[0109] Optionally, the first identifier may also include indication information for multicasting or broadcasting the first data. For example, the first identifier includes 16 character bits, wherein the 14th and 15th character bits are sign bits for indicating broadcasting or multicasting. If the 14th and 15th character bits are 00, it indicates that the first data is not transmitted via multicast or broadcast; if the 14th and 15th character bits are 01, it indicates that the first data is transmitted via multicast; and if the 14th and 15th character bits are 10, it indicates that the first data is transmitted via broadcast.

[0110] S302: The first access network device sends a second identifier and the first data to the second terminal device or the second access network device based on the first identifier. Correspondingly, the second terminal device or the second access network device receives the second identifier and the first data from the first access network device.

[0111] When the first access network device receives a first identifier from the first terminal device, it can determine the corresponding first RB and the service corresponding to the data transmitted by the first RB based on the first identifier. When determining the service transmitted by the first RB, the first access network device can determine the receiving end for receiving the data (i.e., the first data) of that service, such as the second terminal device. The first access network device can then send the first data to the second terminal device. Optionally, the access network device accessed by the second terminal device may not be the first access network device, but rather the second access network device. In this case, the first access network device cannot directly send the first data to the second terminal device. Therefore, the first access network device can send the first data to the second access network device accessed by the second terminal device, which will then forward it to the second terminal device. Alternatively, if the first identifier includes an identifier for indicating multicast or broadcast, the first access network device can multicast or broadcast the first data. For example, if the first terminal device and the second terminal device belong to the same 5G VN group, and the 14th and 15th characters of the first identifier are 01, the first access network device can send the first data to the second terminal device via multicast. In the following embodiments, the first identifier does not include an identifier used to indicate multicast or broadcast.

[0112] When the first access network device sends first data to the second terminal device or the second access network device, it may carry a second identifier of the second RB corresponding to the second terminal device. This allows the second terminal device to determine, upon receiving the first data, to process the first data through the protocol entity corresponding to the second RB based on the second identifier. The method by which the first access network device sends the second identifier and first data to the second terminal device or the second access network device may correspond to the method by which the first terminal device sends the first identifier and first data to the first access network device. For example, if the first terminal device encapsulates the first identifier and first data into a first data packet and sends it to the first access network device, the first access network device will also encapsulate the second identifier and first data into a data packet (e.g., a second data packet) and send it to the second terminal device, with the second identifier carried in the header of the second data packet. Alternatively, the method by which the first access network device sends the second identifier and first data to the second terminal device may be decoupled from the method by which the first terminal device sends the first identifier and first data to the first access network device. This application embodiment does not limit the method by which the first access network device sends the second identifier and first data to the second terminal device.

[0113] When the first access network device sends the second identifier and the first data to the second terminal device or the second access network device in a manner corresponding to the first terminal device sending the first identifier and the first data to the first access network device—that is, when the first access network device encapsulates the second identifier and the first data into a second data packet and sends it to the second terminal device or the second access network device—the first access network device can replace the first identifier carried in the header of the first data packet with the second identifier to obtain the second data packet. Alternatively, if the header of the first data packet carries the second identifier, the first access network device can use the first data packet as the second data packet, or it can delete the first identifier carried in the header of the first data packet to obtain the second data packet.

[0114] Optionally, if the first data packet received by the first access network device from the first terminal device includes the identifier of the second terminal device, the second data packet sent by the first access network device to the second terminal device or the second access network device may include the identifier of the second terminal device, or the second data packet may not include the identifier of the second terminal device. For example, if the access network device accessed by the second terminal device is the first access network device, or if the access network device accessed by the second terminal device is the second access network device, but the first access network device can communicate directly with the second access network device, indicating that there is no need to determine the second terminal device or the second access network device based on the identifier of the second terminal device, then the first access network device may delete the identifier of the second terminal device, resulting in a second data packet to be sent to the second terminal device, which does not include the identifier of the second terminal device. Alternatively, the first access network device may not delete the identifier of the second terminal device, i.e., the second data packet includes the identifier of the second terminal device. Optionally, after deleting the identifier of the second terminal device, the first access network device may also modify the value of F carried in the packet header to 0.

[0115] If the access network device to which the second terminal device connects is a second access network device, and the first access network device cannot communicate directly with the second access network device (i.e., the first access network device needs to communicate with the second access network device through another access network device), then when the other terminal device forwards the first data packet from the first access network device to the second access network device, the other access network device needs to identify the second access network device based on the identifier of the second terminal device carried in the first data packet. Therefore, the second data packet may include the identifier of the second terminal device.

[0116] The second identifier is assigned by the first access network device. Optionally, before executing S301 or S302, the first access network device may also send the first identifier to the second terminal device. For example, the first access network device may send the second identifier to the second terminal device in an RRC reconfiguration message used to establish the second RB. Alternatively, the first access network device may send the second identifier to the second terminal device in other information; for example, after establishing the second RB, the first access network device may send indication information to the first terminal device to indicate that the identifier of the second RB is the second identifier. This application embodiment does not limit the manner in which the first access network device sends the second identifier to the second terminal device.

[0117] Optionally, the first access network device can also configure a first identifier and a second identifier association. When the first access network device determines that the identifier contained in the first data packet is the first identifier, it can send the first data to the second terminal device or the second access network device based on the association between the first identifier and the second identifier, and also send the second identifier.

[0118] For communication security, data used for communication between terminal devices is generally forwarded through the UPF of the core network device. Therefore, in this embodiment, the forwarding of the first data (i.e., the data used for communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device) through the first access network device can be indicated by the core network device. Moreover, as mentioned above, the second terminal device may be the second access network device it accesses; that is, the access network devices accessed by the second terminal device and the first terminal device may be the same or different. Therefore, optionally, before executing S301 or S302, the steps shown in Figure 5 or Figure 7 can also be executed.

[0119] Please refer to Figure 5, which is a flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This method takes the example of a first terminal device and a second terminal device accessing a first access network device.

[0120] S501: The core network device sends a first indication message to the first access network device. Correspondingly, the first access network device receives the first indication message from the core network device.

[0121] When a first terminal device wants to communicate with a second terminal device, it can send a service request to the core network device. This service request may be for example, requesting the transmission of a first service with the second terminal device, such as voice call or file transfer. Upon receiving this service request, the core network device can determine whether the data for the first service (e.g., the aforementioned first data) should be forwarded through the access network device or through the UPF. For example, if the first service has high security requirements, the core network device can determine that the first data should be forwarded through the UPF; if the first service has low security requirements, the core network device can determine that the first data should be forwarded through the first access network device. Alternatively, when the first terminal device communicates with the second terminal device, if the core network device determines that the load on the UPF backhaul link is high, the core network device can determine that the first data should be forwarded through the first access network device.

[0122] When the core network device determines that forwarding is to be achieved through the first access network device, it can send a first indication message to the first access network device to instruct the first access network device to send the first data to the second terminal device or the second access network device.

[0123] Optionally, if the core network device has configured data paths for transmitting first data for the first terminal device and the second terminal device, the core network device can also instruct the first access network device to send the first data to the second terminal device or the second access network device by instructing the first access network device to associate the data paths used for transmitting the first data. That is, the first instruction information can instruct the first access network device to associate the first data path corresponding to the first QoS flow and the second data path corresponding to the second QoS flow. The first data path corresponding to the first QoS flow is, for example, a data path between the first terminal device and the first access network device used for transmitting the first data, and the second data path corresponding to the second QoS flow is, for example, a data path between the second terminal device and the first access network device or the second access network device used for transmitting the first data. Optionally, when the first instruction information can instruct the first access network device to associate the first data path corresponding to the first QoS flow and the second data path corresponding to the second QoS flow, the core network device can also send the first instruction information to the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

[0124] There may be multiple service transmissions between the first terminal device and the second terminal device. Data for different services can be transmitted through data paths corresponding to different QoS flows. The core network device can instruct the first access network device to forward data transmitted through data paths corresponding to two specific QoS flows, i.e., forward data for a specific service, while data transmitted through data paths corresponding to other QoS flows continues to be forwarded through the core network device's UPF. In this way, while improving the forwarding efficiency of data for a specific service, the security of other services can also be guaranteed.

[0125] S502: The first access network device determines the first RB and the second RB for transmitting the first data.

[0126] After receiving a first indication message from a core network device, if the first indication message indicates that the first data should be sent to a second terminal device or a second access network device, the first access network device can determine whether the first terminal device and the second terminal device have a first RB and a second RB for transmitting the first data. If not, the first access network device can establish a first RB for transmitting the first data for the first terminal device and a second RB for transmitting the first data for the second terminal device. Optionally, if there is already a second service transmission between the first terminal device and the second terminal device, the first access network device can reuse the RB used for transmitting the data of the second service, that is, determine the RB used for transmitting the data of the second service as the first RB and the second RB.

[0127] Optionally, if the first indication information instructs the first access network device to associate the first QoS flow and the second QoS flow, the first access network device may determine that the RB containing the first data path corresponding to the first QoS flow is the first RB, and determine that the RB containing the second data path corresponding to the second QoS flow is the second RB. Alternatively, the first access network device may configure (e.g., create) the first RB for the first terminal device and associate the first QoS flow with the first RB, and configure the second RB for the second terminal device and associate the second QoS flow with the second RB. Associating the first QoS flow with the first RB may, for example, map the first data path corresponding to the first QoS flow to the first RB, and associating the second QoS flow with the second RB may, for example, map the second data path corresponding to the second QoS flow to the second RB.

[0128] After determining the first RB and the second RB used for transmitting the first data, the first access network device can establish an association between the first RB and the second RB. For example, the first access network device can associate a first identifier corresponding to the first RB and a second identifier corresponding to the second RB. Optionally, if the first RB and the second RB are newly established RBs, the first access network device can also assign identifiers to the first RB and the second RB.

[0129] For example, please refer to Figure 6, which is a schematic diagram of the association between a first RB and a second RB provided in an embodiment of this application. In Figure 6, the access network devices accessed by both the first terminal device and the second terminal device are both first access network devices. As shown in Figure 6, a PDU session 1 has been established between the first terminal device and the core network device. PDU session 1 includes RB1 and RB2. RB1 includes QoS A1 and QoS A2, and RB2 includes QoS An. A PDU session 2 has been established between the second terminal device and the core network device. PDU session 2 includes RB1 and RB2. RB1 includes QoS B1 and QoS B2, and RB2 includes QoS Bm. The data paths corresponding to QoS A1 and QoS Bm are used to transmit the first data packet.

[0130] If the first indication information sent by the core network device to the first access network device is used to instruct the first access network device to associate QoS A1 in PDU session 1 and QoS Bm in PDU session 2, the first access network device can determine that RB1 included in PDU session 1 is the first RB and determine that RB2 included in PDU session 2 is the second RB, and the first access network device can associate RB1 included in PDU session 1 and RB2 included in PDU session 2.

[0131] S503: The first access network device sends an RRC reconfiguration message to the first terminal device and the second terminal device. Correspondingly, the first terminal device and the second terminal device receive the RRC reconfiguration message from the first access network device.

[0132] The first access network device can configure a first terminal device to transmit first data through a first RB, and configure a second terminal device to transmit the first data through a second RB. For example, the RRC reconfiguration message can be used to establish a first RB and a second RB; or, if the first RB and the second RB are multiplexed RBs used to transmit data for a second service, the RRC reconfiguration message can also be used to configure the first terminal device to multiplex the first RB to transmit the first data, and configure the second terminal device to multiplex the second RB to transmit the first data.

[0133] Optionally, the RRC reconfiguration message may also include a first identifier and / or a second identifier. For example, the RRC reconfiguration message sent by the first access network device to the first terminal device may include the first identifier, or it may include both the first identifier and the second identifier.

[0134] In the above technical solution, the first access network device can achieve data forwarding by configuring a first RB and a second RB for transmitting the first data and establishing the association between the first RB and the second RB, without having to forward the data to the UPF, thus improving the data forwarding efficiency.

[0135] Please refer to Figure 7, which is a flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. In this method, an example is taken where a first terminal device accesses a first access network device, and a second terminal device accesses a second access network device.

[0136] S701: The core network device sends a first indication message to the first access network device. Correspondingly, the first access network device receives the first indication message from the core network device.

[0137] For a description of the first instruction information, please refer to the description of the first instruction information in S501, which will not be repeated here.

[0138] S702: The first access network device and the second access network device negotiate the first RB and the second RB for transmitting the first data.

[0139] The first access network device and the second access network device can negotiate a first RB and a second RB based on the first indication information. For example, if the first terminal device and the second terminal device do not have a first RB and a second RB for transmitting the first data, the first access network device can negotiate with the second access network device to establish the first RB and the second RB for transmitting the first data; or, if there is already a second service transmission between the first terminal device and the second terminal device, the first access network device can negotiate with the second access network device to reuse the RB used for transmitting the data of the second service, that is, negotiate the RB used for transmitting the data of the second service as the first RB and the second RB.

[0140] Optionally, if the first indication information instructs the first access network device to associate the first QoS flow and the second QoS flow, the first access network device may negotiate with the second access network device to determine that the RB where the first data path corresponding to the first QoS flow is located is the first RB, and determine that the RB where the second data path corresponding to the second QoS flow is located is the second RB; or, the first access network device may negotiate with the second access network device to configure the first RB and the second RB respectively for the first terminal device and the second terminal device, and after configuring the first RB and the second RB, the first access network device associates the first QoS flow with the first RB, and the second access network device associates the second QoS flow with the second RB.

[0141] Optionally, after the first access network device and the second access network device negotiate a first RB and a second RB for transmitting the first data, the first access network device can establish an association relationship between the first RB and the second RB. The method by which the first access network device establishes the association relationship between the first RB and the second RB can be found in the relevant description of the first access network device establishing the association relationship between the first RB and the second RB in S502, and will not be repeated here.

[0142] Optionally, if the first RB and the second RB are configured through negotiation between the first access network device and the second access network device, the first access network device and the second access network device can negotiate to assign identifiers to the first RB and the second access network device. For example, the first access network device assigns a first identifier to the first RB, and the second access network device assigns a second identifier to the second RB. The first access network device can also assign identifiers to the first RB and the second RB. Optionally, the first access network device can also obtain the second identifier assigned by the second access network device to the second terminal device.

[0143] S703: The first access network device sends an RRC reconfiguration message to the first terminal device, and the second access network device sends an RRC reconfiguration message to the second terminal device.

[0144] The RRC reconfiguration message sent by the first access network device to the first terminal device and the RRC reconfiguration message sent by the second access network device to the second terminal device can be found in the relevant description of the RRC reconfiguration message in S503, which will not be repeated here.

[0145] Optionally, the core network device can also determine the path for the first access network device to send the first data to the second access network device, and send first routing information indicating the path to all access network devices included in the path. For example, the first routing information is: first access network device -> third access network device -> second access network device. The core network device can send the first routing information to the first access network device, the second access network device, and the third access network device. The first access network device, the second access network device, and the third access network device can send the first data (e.g., the aforementioned second data packet) to the second terminal device according to the first routing information. For example, after receiving the aforementioned second data packet, the first access network device can send the second data packet to the third access network device. The third access network device parses the second data packet, obtains the identifier of the second terminal device, and then sends the second data packet to the second access network device according to the first routing information. When the second access network device receives the second data packet and obtains the identifier of the second terminal device, it can forward the second data packet to the second terminal device.

[0146] In the above technical solution, the core network equipment can be configured with a forwarding path for the first data, enabling communication between terminal devices through multi-hop forwarding.

[0147] The following is an example of a communication method described in the embodiments shown in Figures 3, 5, or 7.

[0148] A set of functional entities within the same RB includes SDAP entity, SDAP, PDCP entity, RLC entity, MAC entity, and PHY entity. In this embodiment, when the access network device parses the first data packet down to the RLC layer, it stops parsing. Therefore, in the examples shown in Figure 8A or Figure 8B, the PDCP and SDAP entities above the first and second access network devices are not shown. Optionally, to enable data forwarding through the access network devices, an adaptation layer may be included above the RLC layer of the first and second access network devices, as shown in Figures 8A and 8B. This adaptation layer can be used to describe the association relationship of identifiers, such as the aforementioned association relationship between the first identifier and the second identifier, and can perform identifier replacement operations, such as replacing the first identifier contained in the header of the first data packet with the second identifier.

[0149] Please refer to Figure 8A. When the first terminal device and the second terminal device transmit the aforementioned first service, the first terminal device can send the first data packet to the first access network device, and then the first access network device sends the first data packet to the second terminal device.

[0150] For example, the first terminal device can send the first data packet obtained by processing the first data in sequence through the SDAP entity, PDCP entity, RLC entity, MAC entity and PHY entity corresponding to the first RB to the first access network device. The first data packet includes the first identifier of the first RB.

[0151] When the first access network device receives the first data packet from the first terminal device, it obtains a first identifier after processing by the PHY entity, MAC entity, and RLC entity in sequence. The adaptation layer of the first access network device can determine, based on the association between the first identifier and the second identifier, to send the first data packet to the second terminal device. It then replaces the first identifier in the header of the first data packet with the second identifier. The data packet with the replaced identifier (e.g., the aforementioned second data packet) is then processed by the RLC entity, MAC entity, and PHY entity in sequence before being sent to the second terminal device.

[0152] When the second terminal device receives the second data packet from the first access network device, it can obtain the first data packet by sequentially processing it through the PHY entity, MAC entity, RLC entity, PDCP entity and SDAP entity.

[0153] The first access network device can also be configured to associate the first terminal device and the second terminal device with RLC entities, MAC entities, and PHY entities. The associated RLC entities, MAC entities, and PHY entities can be referred to as, for example, a Uu-RLC-channel. Optionally, the first and second terminal devices can also include an adaptation layer above the RLC layer. This adaptation layer is used to associate the RLC entities, MAC entities, and PHY entities; that is, the adaptation layer can be used to describe the association between PDCP and the Uu-RLC-channel, and the adaptation layer can also add RB identifiers to data packets. The functions performed by the adaptation layer of the first and second terminal devices (e.g., establishing the association between PDCP and the Uu-RLC-channel) can be configured by the first access network device, for example, by sending RRC reconfiguration information to the first and second terminal devices. For example, the first access network device can configure the adaptation layer of the first terminal device to associate PDCP-1 and PDCP-2 with Uu-RLC-channel-l. In this way, when the adaptation layer receives data from PDCP-1, it can send the data to the first access network device through Uu-RLC-channel-l.

[0154] Optionally, if the second terminal device is connected to a second access network device, please refer to Figure 8B. When the first access network device sends the second data packet to the second access network device, it can do so via an inter-satellite link (ISL).

[0155] In this embodiment of the application, when the first access network device establishes the first RB and the second RB, the first access network device can configure the PDCP layer and the SDAP layer, and map the configured PDCP entity and SDAP entity to the Uu-RLC-channel that already has an association relationship. In this way, the first identifier and the second identifier can be considered as being used to identify the PDCP entity and the SDAP entity. For example, referring to Figure 9, the RAN configures UE1 to transmit data 1 with UE2's RB1 through RB1, and configures UE1 to transmit data 2 with UE3's RB1 through RB3.

[0156] When UE1 wants to communicate with UE2 to transmit data 1, after data 1 is processed by the SDAP and PDCP entity corresponding to RB1 of UE1, the adaptation layer of UE1 (not shown in the figure) can add the identifier of RB1 (e.g., identifier 1) to the header of the data packet containing data 1. The resulting data packet (e.g., data packet 1) can be sent to RAN through the Uu-RLC-channel (e.g., Uu-RLC-channel-1) associated with the SDAP and PDCP entity corresponding to RB1.

[0157] When the RAN receives data packet 1 and obtains identifier 1, the RAN adaptation layer (not shown in the figure) can determine to forward the data to RB1 of UE2 based on the association between identifier 1 and identifier 2. If the identifier of RB1 of UE2 is identifier 2, the RAN adaptation layer can replace identifier 1 in data packet 1 with identifier 2 to obtain data packet 2, and send the obtained data packet 2 to UE2 through Uu-RLC-channel (e.g., Uu-RLC-channel-2).

[0158] When UE2 receives data packet 2 and obtains the identifier 2, the adaptation layer of UE2 (not shown in the figure) can assign data packet 2 to the PDCP entity and SDAP entity corresponding to RB1 for processing based on the identifier 2, so as to obtain data packet 1.

[0159] Please refer to Figure 10, which is a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This method can be applied to the network architecture shown in Figure 2A or Figure 2B. If this method is applied to the network architecture shown in Figure 2A or Figure 2B, the terminal device described below is the terminal device in the network architecture shown in Figure 2A or Figure 2B, the first access network device and the second access network device are the access network devices in the network architecture shown in Figure 2A or the 5G base station in the network architecture shown in Figure 2B, and the core network device is the core network in the network architecture shown in Figure 2A or the 5G core network in the network architecture shown in Figure 2B.

[0160] S1001: The first terminal device sends first data to the first access network device through a first logical channel or a first secondary carrier. Correspondingly, the first access network device receives the first data from the first logical channel or the first secondary carrier.

[0161] The first data can be sent via a data packet (e.g., a first data packet) or directly. If the first data is sent via a first data packet, the format of the first data packet can be the format shown in the embodiment of Figure 3, or it can be other formats, which are not limited in this embodiment. In the following embodiments, the sending of the first data via a first data packet is used as an example for explanation.

[0162] The first access network device can configure the first terminal device to transmit the first data packet through the first logical channel or the first secondary carrier. The first logical channel or the first secondary carrier is a logical channel or secondary carrier reserved by the first access network device for transmitting relay data, wherein the relay data refers to data forwarded from the first access network device to the second terminal device. Optionally, before executing S1001, the first access network device can send an RRC reconfiguration message to the first terminal device to configure the first terminal device to send the first data packet through the first logical channel or the first secondary carrier. Optionally, before sending the RRC reconfiguration message to the first terminal device, the first access network device can also receive first indication information from the core network device, which instructs the first access network device to send the first data packet to the second terminal device.

[0163] Furthermore, before executing S1001, the first access network device may also send downlink control information (DCI) to the first terminal device and the second terminal device to indicate information such as time and frequency resources of the PHY layer and modulation and coding scheme.

[0164] S1002: The first access network device transmits the first data to the second terminal device through the second logical channel or the second secondary carrier. Correspondingly, the second terminal device receives the first data from the second logical channel or the second secondary carrier.

[0165] When the first access network device receives the first data packet, it can determine whether the first data in the first data packet is relay data or service data based on the identifier of the first logical signal or the first secondary carrier (e.g., logical channel ID or carrier frequency). Service data refers to data that needs to be uploaded to the core network device for processing. If the first data is relay data, the first access network device can determine the second logical channel associated with the first logical channel, or determine the second secondary carrier associated with the first secondary carrier, and send the first data packet to the second terminal device through the second logical channel or the second secondary carrier. If the first data is service data, the first access network device can send the first data packet to the core network device, such as to the core network device's UPF or other network elements.

[0166] Optionally, before sending the first data packet to the second terminal device via the second logical channel or the second secondary carrier, the first access network device may also send RRC reconfiguration information to the second terminal device to configure the second terminal device to transmit the first data packet via the second logical channel or the second secondary carrier.

[0167] The data transmission between layers in the communication method shown in Figure 10 can be referenced in Figure 11, which illustrates an example of a first terminal device sending a first data packet to a first access network device via a logical channel. As shown in Figure 11, the first terminal device can send the first data packet, obtained after processing the first data sequentially through the SDAP layer, PDCP layer, RLC layer, MAC layer, and PHY layer, to the first access network device. This first data packet includes the identifier of the first logical channel.

[0168] When the first access network device receives the first data packet, it processes it sequentially through the PHY layer and MAC layer to obtain the identifier of the first logical channel. Based on this identifier, the first access network device can determine whether the first logical channel is a reserved logical channel for transmitting relay data. If so, the first access network device can determine the second logical channel associated with the first logical channel and send the first data packet to the second terminal device through the second logical channel.

[0169] After receiving the first data packet from the first access network device, the second terminal device processes it sequentially through the PHY layer, MAC layer, RLC layer, PDCP layer and SDAP layer to obtain the first data.

[0170] In the above technical solution, the first access network device is configured to transmit different data through different logical channels or secondary carriers. This allows the first access network device to forward the data to the second terminal device based on the correlation between the logical channels or secondary carriers when it receives the first data transmitted through the logical channels or secondary carriers used for relay data transmission, without having to send the data to the core network device, thus improving the data forwarding efficiency.

[0171] Figure 12 shows a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 1200 can be a first access network device or its circuit system in any of the embodiments shown in Figures 3 to 11, used to implement the method corresponding to the first access network device in the above method embodiments. Alternatively, the communication device 1200 can be a core network device or its circuit system in any of the embodiments shown in Figures 3 to 11, used to implement the method corresponding to the core network device in the above method embodiments. Specific functions can be found in the descriptions of the above method embodiments. Alternatively, the communication device 1200 can be a first terminal device or its circuit system in any of the embodiments shown in Figures 3 to 11, used to implement the method corresponding to the first terminal device in the above method embodiments. Specific functions can be found in the descriptions of the above method embodiments. For example, one type of circuit system is a chip system.

[0172] The communication device 1200 includes at least one processor 1201. The processor 1201 can be used for internal processing within the device to implement certain control processing functions. Optionally, the processor 1201 includes instructions. Optionally, the processor 1201 can store data. Optionally, different processors can be independent devices, located in different physical locations, or located on different integrated circuits. Optionally, different processors can be integrated into one or more processors, for example, integrated on one or more integrated circuits.

[0173] Optionally, the communication device 1200 includes one or more memories 1203 for storing instructions. Optionally, the memories 1203 may also store data. The processor and the memories may be separate or integrated together.

[0174] Optionally, the communication device 1200 includes a communication line 1202 and at least one communication interface 1204. Since the memory 1203, communication line 1202, and communication interface 1204 are all optional, they are all represented by dashed lines in Figure 12.

[0175] Optionally, the communication device 1200 may further include a transceiver and / or an antenna. The transceiver can be used to send information to or receive information from other devices. The transceiver may be referred to as a transceiver unit, transceiver circuit, input / output interface, etc., and is used to realize the transmission and reception functions of the communication device 1200 via the antenna. Optionally, the transceiver includes a transmitter and a receiver. For example, the transmitter can be used to generate a radio frequency (RF) signal from a baseband signal, and the receiver can be used to convert the RF signal back into a baseband signal.

[0176] The processor 1201 may include a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of programs according to the present application.

[0177] Communication line 1202 may include a path for transmitting information between the aforementioned components.

[0178] Communication interface 1204 uses any transceiver-like device for communicating with other devices or communication networks, such as Ethernet, radio access network (RAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), wired access network, etc.

[0179] The memory 1203 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device capable of storing static information and instructions, random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device capable of storing information and instructions, or electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital universal optical discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and accessible by a computer, but not limited thereto. The memory 1203 may exist independently and be connected to the processor 1201 via communication line 1202. Alternatively, the memory 1203 may be integrated with the processor 1201.

[0180] The memory 1203 stores computer execution instructions for implementing the scheme of this application, and its execution is controlled by the processor 1201. The processor 1201 executes the computer execution instructions stored in the memory 1203, thereby implementing the steps performed by the first access network device in any of the embodiments of FIG3 to FIG11, or implementing the steps performed by the core network device in any of the embodiments of FIG3 to FIG11, or implementing the steps performed by the first terminal device in any of the embodiments of FIG3 to FIG11.

[0181] Optionally, the computer execution instructions in the embodiments of this application may also be referred to as application code, and the embodiments of this application do not specifically limit this.

[0182] In a specific implementation, as one embodiment, processor 1201 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 in FIG12.

[0183] In a specific implementation, as one embodiment, the communication device 1200 may include multiple processors, such as processor 1201 and processor 1205 in FIG. 12. Each of these processors may be a single-core (single-CPU) processor or a multi-core (multi-CPU) processor. Here, a processor may refer to one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores for processing data (e.g., computer program instructions).

[0184] When the device shown in Figure 12 is a chip, such as a chip for a first access network device, a core network device, or a first terminal device, the chip includes a processor 1201 (which may also include a processor 1205), a communication line 1202, a memory 1203, and a communication interface 1204. Specifically, the communication interface 1204 may be an input interface, pins, or circuits, etc. The memory 1203 may be a register, cache, etc. The processor 1201 and processor 1205 may be a general-purpose CPU, microprocessor, ASIC, or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of a program that controls the communication method of any of the above embodiments.

[0185] This application embodiment can divide the device into functional modules according to the above method examples. For example, each function can be divided into a separate functional module, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be implemented in hardware or software. It should be noted that the module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, when dividing each functional module according to each function, Figure 13 shows a schematic diagram of a device. The device 1300 can be the first terminal device, the first access network device, or the core network device involved in the above method embodiments, or it can be a chip in the first terminal device, the first access network device, or the core network device. The device 1300 includes a transmitting unit 1301, a processing unit 1302, and a receiving unit 1303.

[0186] It should be understood that the device 1300 can be used to implement the steps performed by the first access network device, core network device, or first terminal device in the communication method of the embodiments of this application. The relevant features can be referred to the embodiments shown in Figures 3 to 11 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0187] Optionally, the functions / implementation processes of the transmitting unit 1301, receiving unit 1303, and processing unit 1302 in Figure 13 can be implemented by the processor 1201 in Figure 12 calling computer execution instructions stored in memory 1203. Alternatively, the functions / implementation processes of the processing unit 1302 in Figure 13 can be implemented by the processor 1201 in Figure 12 calling computer execution instructions stored in memory 1203, and the functions / implementation processes of the transmitting unit 1301 and receiving unit 1303 in Figure 13 can be implemented by the communication interface 1204 in Figure 12.

[0188] Optionally, when the device 1300 is a chip or circuit, the functions / implementation of the transmitting unit 1301 and the receiving unit 1303 can also be implemented through pins or circuits, etc.

[0189] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed, implement the methods performed by the first access network device, core network device, or first terminal device in the aforementioned method embodiments. Thus, the functions described in the above embodiments can be implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to it, or a part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, ROM, RAM, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0190] This application also provides a computer program product comprising: computer program code, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method executed by the first access network device, core network device, or first terminal device in any of the foregoing method embodiments.

[0191] This application also provides a communication device, including a processor and an interface; the processor is used to execute the methods executed by the first access network device, core network device or first terminal device involved in any of the above method embodiments.

[0192] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access 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 (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., solid-state disk (SSD)).

[0193] The various illustrative logic units and circuits described in the embodiments of this application can be implemented or operate the described functions using a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor; alternatively, it can be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor can also be implemented using a combination of computing devices, such as a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors combined with a digital signal processor core, or any other similar configuration.

[0194] The steps of the methods or algorithms described in the embodiments of this application can be directly embedded in hardware, software units executed by a processor, or a combination of both. The software units can be stored in RAM, flash memory, ROM, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), EEPROM, registers, hard disks, removable disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of storage medium in the art. Exemplarily, the storage medium can be connected to the processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium can also be integrated into the processor. The processor and storage medium can be disposed in an ASIC, which can be disposed in the terminal device. Optionally, the processor and storage medium can also be disposed in different components of the terminal device.

[0195] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions, which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus, provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0196] The contents of the various embodiments of this application can be referenced to each other. Unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced to each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0197] It is understood that in the embodiments of this application, the terminal device, core network device, and / or access network device may execute some or all of the steps in the embodiments of this application. These steps or operations are merely examples, and other operations or variations thereof may also be performed in the embodiments of this application. Furthermore, the various steps may be performed in different orders as presented in the embodiments of this application, and it is not necessarily necessary to perform all the operations in the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method applied to a first access network device comprises: receiving a first identifier and first data from a first terminal device, the first identifier being an identifier of a first radio bearer (RB), and the first RB being a RB corresponding to the first terminal device; sending a second identifier and the first data to a second terminal device or a second access network device based on the first identifier, the second access network device being an access network device accessed by the second terminal device, and the second identifier being an identifier of a second RB, and the second RB being a RB corresponding to the second terminal device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first identifier is associated with the second identifier.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving first indication information from a core network device, the first indication information being used to indicate that the first access network device sends the first data to the second terminal device or the second access network device.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, The first indication information used to indicate that the first access network device sends the first data to the second terminal device or the second access network device comprises: The first indication information is used to indicate that a first data path corresponding to a first quality of service (QoS) flow is associated with a second data path corresponding to a second QoS flow, and the first data path and the second data path are used to transmit the first data.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, The first QoS flow is associated with the first RB, and the second QoS flow is associated with the second RB.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein, The method further comprises: sending the first identifier to the first terminal device.

7. The method of claim 3 or 6, wherein, The method further comprises: sending the second identifier to the second terminal device.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The method further comprises: receiving first routing information from a core network device, the first routing information being used to indicate a path for the first access network device to send the first data to the second terminal device or the second access network device; sending the first data to the second terminal device or the second access network device comprises: sending the first data to the second terminal device or the second access network device based on the first routing information.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The method further comprises: receiving a third identifier from the first terminal device, the third identifier being an identifier of the second terminal device.

10. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method applied to a core network device comprises: sending first indication information to a first access network device, the first indication information being used to indicate that the first access network device sends first data to a second terminal device or a second access network device, and the second access network device being an access network device accessed by the second terminal device.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, The first indication information used to indicate that the first access network device sends the first data to the second terminal device or the second access network device comprises: The first indication information is used to indicate that a first data path corresponding to a first quality of service (QoS) flow is associated with a second data path corresponding to a second QoS flow, and the first data path and the second data path are used to transmit the first data.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein, The method further comprises: sending the first indication information to the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

13. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that, The method further comprises: determining first routing information for the first access network device to send the first data to the second terminal device or the second network device.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, The method further comprises: The first routing information is sent to the access network device indicated by the first routing information, wherein the access network device indicated by the first routing information includes the first access network device.

15. A method of communication, comprising: Applied to a first terminal device, the method includes: Send a first identifier and first data to the first access network device, wherein the first identifier is the identifier of the first RB, and the first RB is the RB corresponding to the first terminal device.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein, The method further includes: Receive a first identifier from the first access network device.

17. The method of claim 15 or 16, wherein, The method further includes: The system receives a first indication information from a core network device. The first indication information is used to indicate that a first data path corresponding to a first QoS flow is associated with a second data path corresponding to a second QoS flow. The first data path and the second data path are used to transmit the first data.

18. A method of communication, comprising: Applied to a first access network device, the method includes: Receive first data from the first terminal device transmitted via the first logical channel or the first auxiliary carrier; The first data is transmitted to the second terminal device through the second logical channel or the second auxiliary carrier, wherein the first logical channel is associated with the second logical channel and the first auxiliary carrier is associated with the second auxiliary carrier.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein, The method further includes: The device receives a first instruction from a core network device, which instructs the first access network device to send the first data to the second terminal device.

20. A method of communication, comprising: Applied to core network equipment, the method includes: Send a first indication message to a first access network device, the first indication message being used to instruct the first access network device to send first data to a second terminal device or a second access network device, the second access network device being the access network device to which the second terminal device is connected.

21. A method of communication, comprising: Applied to a first terminal device, the method includes: First data is sent to a first access network device through a first logical channel or a first auxiliary carrier, wherein the first logical channel or the first auxiliary carrier is a logical channel or auxiliary carrier configured by the first access network device for sending the first data to a second terminal device.

22. A communication system, characterized by It includes a first access network device for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-9, 18-19, a core network device for performing the method as described in any one of claims 10-14, 20, and a first terminal device for performing the method as described in any one of claims 15-17, 21.

23. A communications device, characterized by The device includes a processor and a memory, the memory being coupled to the processor, the processor being configured to invoke computer instructions in the memory to execute the method as described in any one of claims 1-9, 18-19, or to execute the method as described in any one of claims 10-14, 20, or to execute the method as described in any one of claims 15-17, 21.

24. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, Includes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-9, 18-19, or causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 10-14, 20, or causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 15-17, 21.

25. A computer program product, characterised in that, When it is run on a computer, it causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, 18 to 19, or causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 10 to 14, 20, or causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 15 to 17, 21.

26. A chip system, characterized by include: A processor for calling and running a computer program from memory such that the method described in any one of claims 1-9, 18-19 is implemented, or the method described in any one of claims 10-14, 20 is implemented, or the method described in any one of claims 15-17, 21 is implemented.

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