Communication method, terminal and storage medium

Abstract

Provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure are a communication method, a terminal and a storage medium. The method is executed by the terminal, and the method comprises: determining that a first timer is in an operating state and receives first information sent by a network device, and performing an operation. The first timer is used for controlling packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) service data units (SDU) to be discarded; the operation comprises a first operation and / or a second operation, the first operation controlling the first timer to continue to operate or controlling the first timer to stop operating, and the second operation controlling the terminal to discard a PDCP SDU associated with the first timer. The present disclosure specifies mechanisms for controlling operation of timers and discarding PDCP SDUs.

Description

Communication method, terminal and storage medium Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular to a communication method, a terminal, and a storage medium. Background Art

[0002] In the field of communication technology, in some scenarios (eg, congestion scenarios), discarding a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) Service Data Unit (SDU) may be achieved based on a timer.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] How to control the timer operation and discard the PDCP SDU is an issue that needs to be considered.

[0005] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, which is executed by a terminal and includes:

[0006] Determining that the first timer is in a running state and receiving first information sent by the network device, and performing an operation;

[0007] The first timer is used to control the discard of the Packet Data Convergence Protocol PDCP Service Data Unit SDU; the operation includes a first operation and / or a second operation; the first operation controls the first timer to continue running or controls the first timer to stop running; the second operation controls the terminal to discard the PDCP SDU associated with the first timer.

[0008] According to a second aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a terminal is provided, comprising:

[0009] The processing module is configured to:

[0010] Determining that the first timer is in a running state and receiving first information sent by the network device, and performing an operation;

[0011] The first timer is used to control the discard of the Packet Data Convergence Protocol PDCP Service Data Unit SDU; the operation includes a first operation and / or a second operation; the first operation controls the first timer to continue running or controls the first timer to stop running; the second operation controls the terminal to discard the PDCP SDU associated with the first timer.

[0012] According to a third aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a terminal is provided, comprising:

[0013] one or more processors;

[0014] The terminal is used to execute the method described in the first aspect.

[0015] According to a fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided, wherein the storage medium stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the method provided in the first aspect.

[0016] The technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure clarifies the mechanism for controlling the operation of the timer and discarding the PDCP SDU.

[0017] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the embodiments of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0019] FIG1a is a schematic diagram showing an architecture of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0020] FIG2a is a schematic flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0021] FIG3a is a schematic flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0022] FIG3 b is a schematic flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0023] FIG4a is a schematic flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0024] FIG5a is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0025] FIG6a is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0026] FIG6b is a schematic structural diagram of a network device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0027] FIG7a is a schematic structural diagram of a UE according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0028] Fig. 7b is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a terminal, and a storage medium.

[0030] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, which is executed by a terminal and includes:

[0031] Determining that the first timer is in a running state and receiving first information sent by the network device, and performing an operation;

[0032] The first timer is used to control the discard of the Packet Data Convergence Protocol PDCP Service Data Unit SDU; the operation includes a first operation and / or a second operation; the first operation controls the first timer to continue running or controls the first timer to stop running; the second operation controls the terminal to discard the PDCP SDU associated with the first timer.

[0033] In the above embodiment, when the first timer is in the running state and when the first information sent by the network device is received, the operations of controlling the first timer to continue running, controlling the first timer to stop running and / or controlling the terminal to discard the PDCP SDU associated with the first timer can be performed. In this way, the mechanism of controlling the first timer when the first timer is in the running state and the mechanism of discarding the PDCP SDU associated with the first timer are clarified, thereby improving the reliability of discarding the PDCP SDU.

[0034] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first information is at least one of the following:

[0035] Congestion indication information;

[0036] De-configuration information of the packet drop mechanism based on the importance level of the data packet set PSI;

[0037] PDCP reconfiguration information.

[0038] In the above embodiment, the first information may be congestion indication information, deconfiguration information of a packet discard mechanism based on a data packet set importance level PSI, and / or PDCP reconfiguration information, which may flexibly trigger a discard operation of a PDCP SDU.

[0039] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the congestion indication information is a packet set importance level PSI discard deactivation instruction.

[0040] In the above embodiment, it is clarified that the congestion indication information is a packet set importance level PSI discard deactivation instruction.

[0041] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the performing operation includes at least one of the following:

[0042] Controlling the first timer to continue running;

[0043] The PDCP SDU is discarded after the first timer expires.

[0044] In the above embodiment, when the first timer is in the running state and the first information is received, the first timer can be controlled to continue running and / or the PDCP SDU can be discarded after the first timer times out, clarifying the mechanism for controlling the first timer and the mechanism for discarding the PDCP SDU.

[0045] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the performing operation includes at least one of the following:

[0046] Controlling the first timer to stop running;

[0047] The PDCP SDU is discarded immediately.

[0048] In the above embodiment, when the first timer is in the running state and the first information is received, the first timer can be controlled to stop running and / or the PDCP SDU can be immediately discarded, clarifying the mechanism for controlling the first timer and the mechanism for discarding the PDCP SDU.

[0049] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the performing operation includes one of the following:

[0050] controlling the first timer to stop running and controlling the second timer to run, and discarding the PDCP SDU after the second timer times out;

[0051] The first timer is controlled to stop running and is controlled to restart running after the first timer stops running, and the PDCP SDU is discarded after the first timer times out.

[0052] In the above embodiment, when the first timer is in the running state and the first information is received, the first timer may be controlled to stop running, the second timer may be controlled to start running and the PDCP SDU may be discarded after the second timer times out, or the first timer may be controlled to stop running, the first timer may be controlled to restart running after the first timer stops running, and the PDCP SDU may be discarded after the first timer times out. Different discard mechanisms are clarified.

[0053] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the timing time of the second timer is configured by the network.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the network may configure the timing of the second timer.

[0055] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the importance level of the PDCP SDU associated with the first timer is lower than the importance level of the PDCP SDU associated with the second timer; and / or the timing duration of the first timer is less than the timing duration of the second timer.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the relationship between the first timer and the second timer is clarified.

[0057] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, determining that the first timer for controlling the discard of a Packet Data Convergence Protocol PDCP service data unit (SDU) is in a running state and receiving first information sent by a network device, and performing the first operation and / or the second operation includes:

[0058] Based on the communication rule information or the second information received from the network device, it is determined that the first timer for controlling PDCP SDU discard is in a running state and the first information sent by the network device is received, and the first operation and / or the second operation are performed.

[0059] In the above embodiment, based on the communication rule information or the second information sent by the received network device, it can be determined that the first timer for controlling the discard of the PDCP SDU is in a running state and the first information sent by the network device is received, and the first operation and / or the second operation are performed. In this way, the way of performing the discard operation will be more flexible.

[0060] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a terminal, the terminal including:

[0061] The processing module is configured to:

[0062] Determining that the first timer is in a running state and receiving first information sent by the network device, and performing an operation;

[0063] The first timer is used to control the discard of the Packet Data Convergence Protocol PDCP Service Data Unit SDU; the operation includes a first operation and / or a second operation; the first operation controls the first timer to continue running or controls the first timer to stop running; the second operation controls the terminal to discard the PDCP SDU associated with the first timer.

[0064] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the processing module is further configured to: the first information is at least one of the following:

[0065] Congestion indication information;

[0066] De-configuration information of the packet drop mechanism based on the importance level of the data packet set PSI;

[0067] PDCP reconfiguration information.

[0068] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the processing module is further configured to: the congestion indication information is a packet set importance level PSI discard deactivation instruction.

[0069] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the processing module is further configured to include at least one of the following:

[0070] Controlling the first timer to continue running;

[0071] The PDCP SDU is discarded after the first timer expires.

[0072] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the processing module is further configured to include at least one of the following:

[0073] Controlling the first timer to stop running;

[0074] The PDCP SDU is discarded immediately.

[0075] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the processing module is further configured to include one of the following:

[0076] controlling the first timer to stop running and controlling the second timer to run, and discarding the PDCP SDU after the second timer times out;

[0077] The first timer is controlled to stop running and is controlled to restart running after the first timer stops running, and the PDCP SDU is discarded after the first timer times out.

[0078] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the processing module is further configured to: the timing time of the second timer is configured by the network.

[0079] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the processing module is further configured as: the importance level of the PDCP SDU associated with the first timer is lower than the importance level of the PDCP SDU associated with the second timer; and / or the timing duration of the first timer is less than the timing duration of the second timer.

[0080] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the processing module is further configured to:

[0081] Based on the communication rule information or the second information received from the network device, it is determined that the first timer for controlling PDCP SDU discard is in a running state and the first information sent by the network device is received, and the first operation and / or the second operation are performed.

[0082] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a terminal, the terminal including:

[0083] one or more processors;

[0084] The terminal is used to execute the method provided by the first aspect.

[0085] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a storage medium, wherein the storage medium stores instructions, which, when the instructions are executed on a communication device, enable the communication device to execute the method described in the optional implementation manner of the first aspect.

[0086] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a program product. When the program product is executed by a communication device, the communication device executes the method described in the optional implementation manner of the first aspect.

[0087] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method described in the optional implementation manner of the first aspect.

[0088] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a chip or a chip system, which includes a processing circuit configured to execute the method described in the optional implementation of the first, second, and third aspects above.

[0089] It is understandable that the above-mentioned terminals, storage media, program products, computer programs, chips or chip systems are all used to execute the methods proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can refer to the beneficial effects of the corresponding methods and will not be repeated here.

[0090] The present disclosure provides a communication method, a terminal, and a storage medium. In some embodiments, the terms communication method, information indication method, information processing method, information transmission method, etc. are interchangeable, and the terms communication system, information processing system, etc. are interchangeable.

[0091] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive and are merely illustrative of some embodiments, and are not intended to be a specific limitation on the scope of protection of the present disclosure. In the absence of contradiction, each step in a certain embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a certain embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily exchanged. In addition, the optional implementation methods in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; in addition, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined. For example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

[0092] In each embodiment of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified or provided for by logic, the terms and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form a new embodiment based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0093] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0094] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, elements expressed in the singular, such as "a", "an", "the", "above", "said", "the", "the", etc., may mean "one and only one", or "one or more", "at least one", etc. For example, when using articles such as "a", "an", "the" in English in translation, the noun following the article may be understood as a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0095] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, “plurality” refers to two or more.

[0096] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one," "one or more," "a plurality of," "multiple," etc. may be used interchangeably.

[0097] In some embodiments, descriptions such as "at least one of A and B," "A and / or B," "A in one case, B in another case," or "in response to one case A, in response to another case B" may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); and in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, and C.

[0098] In some embodiments, "A or B" and other descriptions may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0099] The prefixes such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only used to distinguish different description objects and do not constitute any restriction on the position, order, priority, quantity or content of the description objects. For the statement of the description object, please refer to the description in the context of the claims or embodiments, and no unnecessary restriction should be constituted due to the use of prefixes. For example, if the description object is a "field", the ordinal number before the "field" in the "first field" and the "second field" does not limit the position or order between the "fields". "First" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they limit the order of the "first field" and the "second field". For another example, if the description object is a "level", the ordinal number before the "level" in the "first level" and the "second level" does not limit the priority between the "levels". For another example, the number of description objects is not limited by the ordinal number and can be one or more. Taking "first device" as an example, the number of "devices" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the description object is "device", then the "first device" and the "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different; for another example, if the description object is "information", then the "first information" and the "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their contents can be the same or different.

[0100] In some embodiments, “including A,” “comprising A,” “used to indicate A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0101] In some embodiments, terms such as "in response to...", "in response to determining...", "in the case of...", "at the time of...", "when...", "if...", "if...", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0102] In some embodiments, terms such as "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than", "more than or equal to", "not less than", "higher than", "higher than or equal to", "not less than", and "above" can be replaced with each other, and terms such as "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "less than", "less than or equal to", "not more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", and "below" can be replaced with each other.

[0103] In some embodiments, devices and equipment can be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. In some cases, they can also be understood as "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", "subject", etc.

[0104] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in the network, such as access network equipment, core network equipment, etc.

[0105] In some embodiments, "access network device (AN device)" may also be referred to as "radio access network device (RAN device)", "base station (BS)", "radio base station", "fixed station", and in some embodiments may also be understood as "node", "access point", "transmission point (TP)", "reception point (RP)", "transmission and / or reception point (TRP)" "panel", "antenna panel", "antenna array", "cell", "macro cell", "small cell", "femto cell", "pico cell", "sector", "cell group", "serving cell", "carrier", "component carrier", "bandwidth part (BWP)", etc.

[0106] In some embodiments, "terminal" or "terminal device" may be referred to as "user equipment (UE)", "user terminal" "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, etc.

[0107] In some embodiments, obtaining data, information, etc. may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the data is obtained.

[0108] In some embodiments, data, information, etc. may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0109] In addition, each element, each row, or each column in the table of the embodiment of the present disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of any elements, any rows, and any columns can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0110] FIG1a is a schematic diagram showing the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 1 a , a communication system 100 includes a terminal 101 and a network device 102 .

[0112] In some embodiments, the network device 102 may include at least one of an access network device and a core network device.

[0113] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 includes, for example, a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things device, a car with communication function, a smart car, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, and at least one of a wireless terminal device in a smart home, but is not limited thereto.

[0114] In some embodiments, the access network device may be, for example, a node or device that accesses a terminal to a wireless network. The access network device may include an evolved NodeB (eNB), a next generation evolved NodeB (ng-eNB), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a node B (NB), a home node B (HNB), a home evolved nodeB (HeNB), a wireless backhaul device, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a base band unit (BBU), a mobile switching center, a base station in a 6G communication system, an open base station (Open RAN), a cloud base station (Cloud RAN), a base station in other communication systems, and at least one of an access node in a Wi-Fi system, but is not limited thereto.

[0115] In some embodiments, the technical solution of the present disclosure can be applied to the Open RAN architecture. In this case, the interfaces between or within the access network devices involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be transformed into internal interfaces of the Open RAN, and the processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented through software or programs.

[0116] In some embodiments, the access network device can be composed of a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), where the CU can also be called a control unit. The CU-DU structure can be used to split the protocol layer of the access network device, with the functions of some protocol layers centrally controlled by the CU, and the functions of the remaining part or all of the protocol layers distributed in the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU, but is not limited to this.

[0117] In some embodiments, a core network device may be a device including one or more network elements, or may be multiple devices or device groups, each including all or part of the one or more network elements. The network element may be virtual or physical. The core network may include, for example, at least one of an Evolved Packet Core (EPC), a 5G Core Network (5GCN), and a Next Generation Core (NGC).

[0118] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiment of the present disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solution of the embodiment of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure. Ordinary technicians in this field can know that with the evolution of the system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure is also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0119] The following embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1a, or a portion thereof, but are not limited thereto. The entities shown in FIG1a are illustrative only. The communication system may include all or a portion of the entities shown in FIG1a, or may include other entities other than those shown in FIG1a. The number and form of the entities may be arbitrary. The connection relationship between the entities is illustrative only. The entities may be connected or disconnected, and the connection may be in any manner, including direct or indirect, wired or wireless.

[0120] The embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), future radio access (FRA), new radio access technology (RAT), new radio (NR), new radio access (NX), future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, Ultra-WideBand (UWB), Bluetooth (registered trademark), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) networks, Device-to-Device (D2D) systems, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), systems utilizing other communication methods, and next-generation systems based on and extending these methods. Furthermore, multiple systems may be combined (for example, a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G).

[0121] In some embodiments, when the discard timer of a PDCP SDU expires or a PDCP status report confirms successful delivery of the PDCP SDU, the transmitting PDCP entity discards the PDCP SDU and the corresponding PDCP packet data unit (PDU). If the corresponding PDCP PDU has been submitted to a lower layer, the discard is indicated to the lower layer.

[0122] In some embodiments, for Signaling Radio Bearers (SRBs), when upper layers request PDCP SDU discard, the PDCP entity shall discard all stored PDCP SDUs and PDCP PDUs.

[0123] In some embodiments, if the discard timer of the SDU times out and is not successfully sent, it means that the sending end needs to discard it; or if the confirmation information of the receiving end is successfully received, the sending end also needs to discard the data packet.

[0124] In some embodiments, in extended reality (XR) services, data is differentiated based on importance, for example, by modeling I-frames and P-frames (I-frames can be understood as relatively important frames, which terminals need to use for decoding, while P-frames cannot be decoded independently). However, the relevant PDCP packet discard mechanism does not involve discarding data packets based on their importance level. Therefore, a new working method is needed.

[0125] In some embodiments, XR introduces a priority-based PDCP packet discard mechanism. Assuming there are two types of PSI (PDU Set Importance) packet sets, divided into a first level (corresponding to a low priority level) and a second level (corresponding to a high priority level), low-priority packets are configured with a shorter discard timer (a first value of 0 indicates immediate discard), while high-priority packets are configured with a longer discard timer (corresponding to a second value). This allows for faster discarding of corresponding packets during congestion. The priority-based PDCP packet discard mechanism is implemented when the network is congested. Typically, the network configures a PSI-based discard configuration message for a data radio bearer (DRB) (e.g., by setting the psi-BasedDiscard switch in an RRC reconfiguration message to active). When network congestion occurs, the network sends a congestion indication or activates the PSI discard mechanism (e.g., by indicating PSI-based SDU discard is activated via a MAC CE). At this point, the terminal will implement the priority-based PDCP packet discard mechanism, using a short discard timer for low-priority packets.

[0126] In some embodiments, if the first timer (i.e., a short discard timer is used for low-priority data packets) is running and a network congestion relief indication is received (such as a MAC CE indication that PSI based SDU discard is deactivated) or a network-indicated PSI discard deconfiguration message is received (such as a RRC reconfiguration message where the psi-BasedDiscard switch is set to invalid), it is not clear whether the timer will continue to run; how the first-level data packets will be handled.

[0127] FIG2a is an interactive diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG2a, the present disclosure embodiment relates to a communication method for a communication system 100, the method comprising:

[0128] Step S2101: The network device sends first information to the terminal.

[0129] In some embodiments, the terminal receives first information sent by the network device.

[0130] In some embodiments, the first information is congestion indication information,

[0131] In some embodiments, the first information is congestion relief indication information.

[0132] In some embodiments, the first information is deconfiguration information of a packet discard mechanism based on a data packet set importance level PSI, which may be Radio Resource Control (RRC) information or Media Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE).

[0133] In some embodiments, the congestion indication information is a PDU Set Importance (PSI) discard deactivation instruction.

[0134] In some embodiments, the first information is PDCP reconfiguration information.

[0135] Step S2102: The network device sends second information to the terminal.

[0136] In some embodiments, the terminal receives second information sent by the network device.

[0137] In some embodiments, the second information instructs the terminal to: determine that the first timer for controlling PDCP SDU discard is in a running state and receives the first information sent by the network device, and perform the first operation and / or the second operation.

[0138] It should be noted that if in step S2103, based on the communication rule information, it is determined that the first timer for controlling the discard of the PDCP SDU is in a running state and the first information sent by the network device is received, and the first operation and / or the second operation is performed, then step S2102 can be omitted.

[0139] Step S2103: The terminal executes the operation.

[0140] In some embodiments, it is determined that the first timer is in a running state and first information sent by the network device is received, and an operation is performed.

[0141] In some embodiments, it is determined based on the communication rule information that a first timer for controlling PDCP SDU discard is in a running state and first information sent by the network device is received, and the first operation and / or the second operation are performed.

[0142] In some embodiments, controlling the PDCP SDU to be discarded may include discarding the PDCP SDU and PDCP data (Data) PDUs related to the PDCP SDU, which is not limited here.

[0143] In some embodiments, based on the second information received from the network device, it is determined that the first timer for controlling PDCP SDU discard is in a running state and the first information sent by the network device is received, and the first operation and / or the second operation are performed.

[0144] In some embodiments, the operation includes a first operation and / or a second operation.

[0145] In some embodiments, the first operation controls the first timer to continue running or controls the first timer to stop running.

[0146] In some embodiments, the second operation controls the terminal to discard the PDCP SDU associated with the first timer.

[0147] In some embodiments, the PDCP layer of the terminal is configured with a first timer and a second timer.

[0148] In some embodiments, the first timer is used to control packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) service data unit (SDU) discard.

[0149] In some embodiments, the second timer is used to control packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) service data unit (SDU) discard.

[0150] In some embodiments, the PDCP SDU associated with the first timer has a lower importance level than the PDCP SDU associated with the second timer.

[0151] In some embodiments, the PSI of the PDCP SDU associated with the first timer is lower than the PSI of the PDCP SDU associated with the second timer.

[0152] In some embodiments, the timing duration of the first timer is shorter than the timing duration of the second timer.

[0153] In some embodiments, the timing duration of the first timer and / or the timing duration of the second timer may be network-configured.

[0154] In some embodiments, the timing duration of each start of the first timer and / or the second timer may be different. For example, the timing duration of the Nth start of the first timer is the first duration, and the timing duration of the (N+1)th start of the first timer is the second duration. The first duration may be different from the second duration, that is, the network may configure the first duration to be different from the second duration.

[0155] In some embodiments, if the first timer expires, the PDCP SDU associated with the first timer is discarded; if the second timer expires, the PDCP SDU associated with the second timer is discarded.

[0156] In some embodiments, a timer may be run for each PDCP SDU.

[0157] In some embodiments, it is determined that a first timer is in a running state and first information sent by a network device is received, and the first timer is controlled to continue running.

[0158] In some embodiments, it is determined that a first timer is in a running state and first information sent by a network device is received, and the PDCP SDU is discarded after the first timer expires.

[0159] In some embodiments, it is determined that a first timer is in a running state and first information sent by a network device is received, the first timer is controlled to continue running, and the PDCP SDU is discarded after the first timer times out.

[0160] In some embodiments, it is determined that a first timer is in a running state and first information sent by a network device is received, and the first timer is controlled to stop running.

[0161] In some embodiments, it is determined that the first timer is in a running state and first information sent by the network device is received, and the PDCP SDU is immediately discarded.

[0162] In some embodiments, it is determined that a first timer is running and first information sent by a network device is received, and the first timer is controlled to stop running and the PDCP SDU is immediately discarded. Here, "immediately discard" can be understood as discarding upon determining that the first timer has stopped running, or discarding upon receiving the first information.

[0163] In some embodiments, it is determined that a first timer is in a running state and first information sent by a network device is received, the first timer is controlled to stop running and a second timer is controlled to run, and the PDCP SDU is discarded after the second timer times out.

[0164] In some embodiments, controlling the second timer to run may be starting the second timer.

[0165] In some embodiments, the timing time of the first timer is different from the timing time of the second timer, and the timing time of the second timer can be greater than the timing time of the first timer. For example, the timing time of the first timer is 10 seconds, and the timing time of the second timer is 13 seconds. Of course, the timing time of the timer can be determined according to implementation needs and is not limited thereto.

[0166] In some embodiments, the first timer is controlled to stop running and is controlled to restart running after the first timer stops running, and the PDCP SDU is discarded after the first timer times out.

[0167] In some embodiments, the associated time before and after the first timer is re-run is different.

[0168] In some embodiments, the timing times before and after the first timer is restarted are different or the same.

[0169] For example, the timing time before the first timer is restarted is 5 seconds, the timing time after the first timer is restarted is 10 seconds, and when the first timer stops running, it runs for 3 seconds. In essence, the PDCP SDU is discarded 13 seconds after the timing of the PDCP SDU is started.

[0170] For example, the timing time before the first timer is restarted is 5 seconds, the timing time after the first timer is restarted is 5 seconds, and when the first timer stops running, it runs for 3 seconds. In essence, after the timing of the PDCP SDU is started, the PDCP SDU is discarded after 8 seconds.

[0171] In some embodiments, the PDCP SDU associated with the first timer has a lower importance level than the PDCP SDU associated with the second timer.

[0172] In some embodiments, the timing duration of the first timer is shorter than the timing duration of the second timer.

[0173] In some embodiments, the term "information" can be interchangeable with terms such as "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "field", and "data".

[0174] In some embodiments, the term "send" can be interchanged with terms such as "transmit", "report", and "transmit".

[0175] The information indication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S2101 to S2103. For example, step S2101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S2103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, step S2101 combined with step S2103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S2102 combined with step S2103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0176] Figure 3a is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3a, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is executed by a terminal. The method includes:

[0177] Step S3101: Obtain first information.

[0178] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0179] Step S3102: Obtain second information.

[0180] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in Figure 2a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0181] Step S3103: Execute the operation.

[0182] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3103 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0183] The information indication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S3101 to S3103. For example, step S3101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S3103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, step S3101 combined with step S3103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S3102 combined with step S3103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0184] Figure 3b is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3b, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is executed by a terminal and includes:

[0185] Step S3201: Determine that the first timer is in a running state and receives first information sent by the network device, and perform an operation.

[0186] In some embodiments, the first timer is used to control the discard of the Packet Data Convergence Protocol PDCP service data unit SDU; the operation includes a first operation and / or a second operation; the first operation controls the first timer to continue running or controls the first timer to stop running; the second operation controls the terminal to discard the PDCP SDU associated with the first timer.

[0187] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0188] In some embodiments, the first information is at least one of the following:

[0189] Congestion indication information;

[0190] De-configuration information of the packet drop mechanism based on the importance level of the data packet set PSI;

[0191] PDCP reconfiguration information.

[0192] In some embodiments, the congestion indication information is a packet set importance level PSI discard deactivation instruction.

[0193] In some embodiments, the performing operation includes at least one of the following:

[0194] Controlling the first timer to continue running;

[0195] The PDCP SDU is discarded after the first timer expires.

[0196] In some embodiments, the performing operation includes at least one of the following:

[0197] Controlling the first timer to stop running;

[0198] The PDCP SDU is discarded immediately.

[0199] In some embodiments, the performing operation includes one of the following:

[0200] controlling the first timer to stop running and controlling the second timer to run, and discarding the PDCP SDU after the second timer times out;

[0201] The first timer is controlled to stop running and is controlled to restart running after the first timer stops running, and the PDCP SDU is discarded after the first timer times out.

[0202] In some embodiments, the timing of the second timer is configured by the network.

[0203] In some embodiments, the importance level of the PDCP SDU associated with the first timer is lower than the importance level of the PDCP SDU associated with the second timer; and / or the timing duration of the first timer is shorter than the timing duration of the second timer.

[0204] In some embodiments, determining that a first timer for controlling discard of a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) service data unit (SDU) is in a running state and receiving first information sent by a network device, and performing the first operation and / or the second operation includes:

[0205] Based on the communication rule information or the second information received from the network device, it is determined that the first timer for controlling PDCP SDU discard is in a running state and the first information sent by the network device is received, and the first operation and / or the second operation are performed.

[0206] Figure 4a is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 4a, the present disclosure embodiment relates to a communication method, which is executed by a network device. The method includes:

[0207] Step S4101: Send the first message and / or the second message.

[0208] In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S4101 can refer to the optional implementations of steps S2201 and S2102 in FIG2a and other related parts in the embodiment involved in FIG2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0209] Figure 5a is an interactive diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 5a, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is used in a communication system 100. The method includes one of the following steps:

[0210] Step S5001: The network device sends second information to the terminal;

[0211] Step S5002: Based on the second information, the terminal determines that the first timer for controlling the discard of the PDCP SDU is in a running state and receives the first information sent by the network device, and performs the first operation and / or the second operation.

[0212] Optional implementations of step S5001 and step S6502 can refer to the optional implementations of steps S2101 to S2103 in FIG2a and other related parts in the embodiment involved in FIG2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0213] In some embodiments, the above method may include the methods of the above communication system side, terminal, etc. embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0214] In order to better understand the embodiments of the present disclosure, some exemplary embodiments are further described below:

[0215] In some embodiments, a terminal PDCP SDU discard mechanism is protected.

[0216] In some embodiments, a first timer and a second timer are respectively run for packets of the first level (low priority) and the second level (high priority), wherein the first timer is associated with the network configuring a shorter discard timer timing (first value t1) for packets of the low priority level; wherein the second timer is associated with the network configuring a longer discard timer timing (second value t2) for packets of the high priority level. t1 and t2 correspond to a timing time or timing duration.

[0217] In some embodiments, the first timer and the second timer may be different timers.

[0218] Exemplarily, when the discard timer T1 (corresponding to the first timer in the present disclosure) runs or starts, its timing time (or timing duration) is t1; when the discard timer T2 (corresponding to the second timer in the present disclosure) runs or starts, its timing time is t2; that is, for low priority (which can be a low priority level indicated by PSI) data packets (PDCP SDU data packets), when the discard timer T1 runs or starts, its timing time is t1; and for high priority data packets, when the discard timer T2 runs or starts, its duration is t2.

[0219] In some embodiments, the first timer and the second timer may be the same timer. For example, the same timer is a discard timer T, but the timing time is associated with different values ​​according to the priority level of the data packet. That is, for different priority levels, the timer runs for different timing durations. For example, for low-priority data packets, when the discard timer T runs or starts, its duration is t1; and for high-priority data packets, when the discard timer T runs or starts, its duration is t2.

[0220] In some embodiments, if the first timer is running, then if congestion indication information sent by the network is received, the first timer continues to run.

[0221] In some embodiments, if the first timer is running, then if a PDCP reconfiguration message indicated by the network is received, the first timer continues to run.

[0222] In some embodiments, if the first timer is running, then if a deconfiguration message (or message) for a PSI-based packet discard mechanism indicated by the network is received, the first timer continues to run.

[0223] In some embodiments, a solution 1 is provided. In the solution 1, if the first timer is running, then if congestion relief indication information sent by the network is received or a deconfiguration message of a PSI-based packet discard mechanism indicated by the network is received, the first timer continues to run;

[0224] For example, if the first timer is running, then if a congestion relief indication (i.e., a PSI discard deactivation instruction for a data packet set based on importance level) is received from the network, or a PSI-based packet discard mechanism deconfiguration message is received from the network, the first timer continues to run. In this case, the data packet (PDCP SDU) for which the first timer is running will not be discarded until the first timer expires. This means that the running timer will not be affected by the congestion relief indication, the PSI discard deactivation instruction for a data packet set based on importance level, or the PSI-based packet discard mechanism deconfiguration message received from the network, thereby simplifying processing.

[0225] In some embodiments, solution 2 is provided. If the first timer is running, then if congestion relief indication information sent by the network is received or a deconfiguration message of a PSI-based packet discard mechanism indicated by the network is received, the first timer is stopped immediately.

[0226] Exemplarily, if the first timer is running, if congestion relief indication information, i.e., a PSI discard deactivation instruction, is received from the network or a deconfiguration message of a PSI-based packet discard mechanism indicated by the network is received, the first timer stops running; at this time, the data packet (PDCP SDU) that is running the first timer needs to be discarded immediately.

[0227] In some embodiments, solution 3 is provided. If the first timer is running, then if congestion relief indication information sent by the network is received or a deconfiguration message of a PSI-based packet discard mechanism indicated by the network is received, the first timer is immediately stopped and the second timer is used to run.

[0228] Exemplarily, if the first timer is running, if congestion relief indication information sent by the network, i.e., a PSI discard deactivation instruction, is received, or a deconfiguration message of a PSI-based packet discard mechanism indicated by the network is received, the first timer stops running and is run using a second timer. The second timer can be associated with a second value configured by the network or the duration of the running time can be considered at the same time. At this time, the data packet (PDCP SDU) for which the first timer is running needs to wait until the second timer expires before being discarded.

[0229] For example, for low-priority data packets, when the discard timer is running or started, its duration is t1, which is assumed to be 5 seconds; and for high-priority data packets, when the discard timer is running or started, its duration is t2, which is assumed to be 10 seconds. After 3 seconds, if the congestion relief indication information sent by the network is received, that is, the PSI discard deactivation instruction or the deconfiguration message of the PSI-based packet discard mechanism indicated by the network is received, then for the low-priority data packets, the discard timer is running, it needs to be stopped and re-assigned with the second value, that is, when it is restarted, it is assigned a value of 10s. Therefore, when the congestion is relieved or deconfigured, the data packet does not need to be discarded immediately, and can be discarded after 10 seconds.

[0230] It should be noted that the use of the second timer for operation may be to start a different second timer, wherein the timing value of the second timer is associated with the second value configured in the network. It should be noted that the use of the second timer for operation may be to run the same timer (i.e., to stop and then start the original timer), wherein the timing value of the second timer is associated with the second value configured in the network.

[0231] For example, for low-priority data packets, when the discard timer is running or started, its duration is t1, which is assumed to be 5 seconds; and for high-priority data packets, when the discard timer is running or started, its duration is t2, which is assumed to be 10 seconds. After 3 seconds, if the congestion relief indication information sent by the network is received, that is, the PSI discard deactivation instruction or the deconfiguration message of the PSI-based packet discard mechanism indicated by the network is received, then for the low-priority data packets, the discard timer is running, it needs to be stopped and re-assigned with the second value, that is, when it is restarted, it is assigned a value of 10s. Therefore, when the congestion is relieved or deconfigured, the data packet does not need to be discarded immediately, and can be discarded after 10 seconds.

[0232] It should be noted that using the second timer for operation may be to start a different second timer, wherein the second timer timing value is associated with the second value configured by the network, and may also take into account the first duration that has already been run. That is, the timing time of the second timer may be determined based on both the second value and the first duration.

[0233] For example, for low-priority data packets, when the discard timer is running or started, its duration is t1, which is assumed to be 5 seconds; and for high-priority data packets, when the discard timer is running or started, its duration is t2, which is assumed to be 10 seconds. After 3 seconds, if the congestion relief indication information sent by the network is received, that is, the PSI discard deactivation instruction or the deconfiguration message of the PSI-based packet discard mechanism indicated by the network is received, then for the low-priority data packets, the discard timer is running, it needs to be stopped and re-assigned with the second value, that is, when it is restarted, it is assigned to 10 seconds, but considering that it has already run for 3 seconds, it can only be assigned to 7 seconds. Therefore, when the congestion is relieved or deconfigured, the data packet does not need to be discarded immediately, and can be discarded after another 7 seconds.

[0234] In some embodiments, a network configuration or protocol agreement may be established: when the first timer is running, which strategy to adopt when receiving a network decongestion or de-congestion instruction.

[0235] The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is provided, comprising units or modules for implementing each step performed by a terminal in any of the above methods. For another example, another apparatus is provided, comprising units or modules for implementing each step performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network function node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0236] It should be understood that the division of the various units or modules in the above device is merely a division of logical functions. In actual implementation, they may be fully or partially integrated into a physical entity, or they may be physically separated. In addition, the units or modules in the device may be implemented in the form of a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor, the processor is connected to a memory, and the memory stores instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or implement the functions of the various units or modules of the above device, wherein the processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory within the device or a memory outside the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits, and the functions of some or all of the units or modules can be realized by designing the hardware circuits. The above-mentioned hardware circuits can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), which realizes the functions of some or all of the above units or modules by designing the logical relationship of the components in the circuit; for example, in another implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit can be realized by a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured by configuring the configuration file, thereby realizing the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. All units or modules of the above devices can be realized in the form of software called by the processor, or in the form of hardware circuits, or in part by the form of software called by the processor, and the rest by hardware circuits.

[0237] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading and execution capabilities, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationship of the hardware circuit. The logical relationship of the above-mentioned hardware circuit is fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented by an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and implementing the hardware circuit configuration can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. In addition, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), etc.

[0238] Figure 6a is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 6a, terminal 6100 may include at least one of a transceiver module 6101 and a processing module 6102. In some embodiments, the transceiver module is used to send and receive information. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to perform at least one of the communication steps, such as sending and / or receiving, performed by the terminal in any of the above methods, which are not further described here. Optionally, the processing module is used to perform at least one of the other steps performed by the first type terminal in any of the above methods, which are not further described here.

[0239] In some embodiments, the processing module is further configured to: the first information is at least one of the following:

[0240] Congestion indication information;

[0241] De-configuration information of the packet drop mechanism based on the importance level of the data packet set PSI;

[0242] PDCP reconfiguration information.

[0243] In some embodiments, the processing module is further configured to: the congestion indication information is a packet set importance level PSI discard deactivation instruction.

[0244] In some embodiments, the processing module is further configured to include at least one of the following:

[0245] Controlling the first timer to continue running;

[0246] The PDCP SDU is discarded after the first timer expires.

[0247] In some embodiments, the processing module is further configured to include at least one of the following:

[0248] Controlling the first timer to stop running;

[0249] The PDCP SDU is discarded immediately.

[0250] In some embodiments, the processing module is further configured to include one of the following:

[0251] controlling the first timer to stop running and controlling the second timer to run, and discarding the PDCP SDU after the second timer times out;

[0252] The first timer is controlled to stop running and is controlled to restart running after the first timer stops running, and the PDCP SDU is discarded after the first timer times out.

[0253] In some embodiments, the processing module is further configured to: the timing time of the second timer is configured by the network.

[0254] In some embodiments, the processing module is further configured as follows: the importance level of the PDCP SDU associated with the first timer is lower than the importance level of the PDCP SDU associated with the second timer; and / or the timing duration of the first timer is less than the timing duration of the second timer.

[0255] In some embodiments, the processing module is further configured to:

[0256] Based on the communication rule information or the second information received from the network device, it is determined that the first timer for controlling PDCP SDU discard is in a running state and the first information sent by the network device is received, and the first operation and / or the second operation are performed.

[0257] Figure 6b is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 6b, network device 6200 may include: at least one of a transceiver module 6201, a processing module 6202, etc. In some embodiments, the transceiver module is used to send and receive information. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the network device in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here. Optionally, the processing module is used to perform at least one of the other steps performed by the network device in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0258] Figure 7a is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 8100 proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Communication device 8100 can be a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network device, etc.), a terminal (e.g., a user equipment, etc.), a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports a network device to implement any of the above methods, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports a terminal to implement any of the above methods. Communication device 8100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments. For details, please refer to the description of the above method embodiments.

[0259] As shown in Figure 7a, the communication device 8100 includes one or more processors 8101. The processor 8101 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, for example, a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control the communication device (such as a base station, baseband chip, terminal device, terminal device chip, DU or CU, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. The communication device 8100 is used to perform any of the above methods.

[0260] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more memories 8102 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 8102 may be located outside the communication device 8100.

[0261] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more transceivers 8103. When the communication device 8100 includes one or more transceivers 8103, the transceiver 8103 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (for example, step S2101 and step S3101, but not limited thereto), and the processor 8101 performs at least one of the other steps (for example, step S2102 and step S3102, but not limited thereto).

[0262] In some embodiments, a transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter. The receiver and transmitter may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, and transceiver circuit may be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, and transmitting circuit may be used interchangeably; and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, and receiving circuit may be used interchangeably.

[0263] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 may include one or more interface circuits 8104. Optionally, the interface circuit 8104 is connected to the memory 8102. The interface circuit 8104 may be configured to receive signals from the memory 8102 or other devices, and may be configured to send signals to the memory 8102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 8104 may read instructions stored in the memory 8102 and send the instructions to the processor 8101.

[0264] The communication device 8100 described in the above embodiment may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 8100 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 8100 may not be limited by FIG. 7a. The communication device may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: 1) an independent integrated circuit IC, or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the above IC collection may also include a storage component for storing data or programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, a terminal device, an intelligent terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handheld device, a mobile unit, an in-vehicle device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0265] FIG7 b is a schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 8200 proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. If the communication device 8100 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 8200 shown in FIG7 b , but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0266] The chip 8200 includes one or more processors 8201 , and the chip 8200 is configured to execute any of the above methods.

[0267] In some embodiments, the chip 8200 further includes one or more interface circuits 8202. Optionally, the interface circuit 8202 is connected to the memory 8203. The interface circuit 8202 can be used to receive signals from the memory 8203 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to the memory 8203 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 8202 can read instructions stored in the memory 8203 and send the instructions to the processor 8201.

[0268] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 8202 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (for example, step S2101, step S3101, but not limited to this), and the processor 8201 performs at least one of the other steps (for example, step S2102, step S3102, but not limited to this).

[0269] In some embodiments, terms such as interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, and transceiver may be used interchangeably.

[0270] In some embodiments, the chip 8200 further includes one or more memories 8203 for storing instructions. Alternatively, all or part of the memories 8203 may be outside the chip 8200.

[0271] The present disclosure also proposes a storage medium having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed on the communication device 8100, causes the communication device 8100 to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but is not limited thereto, and may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but is not limited thereto, and may also be a temporary storage medium.

[0272] The present disclosure also provides a program product, which, when executed by the communication device 8100, enables the communication device 8100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0273] The present disclosure also proposes a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform any one of the above methods.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is executed by a terminal, and includes: Determine that the first timer is in a running state and receive first information sent by the network device, and perform an operation; Among them, the first timer is used to control the discard of the packet data convergence protocol PDCP service data unit SDU; the operation includes a first operation and / or a second operation; the first operation controls the first timer to continue running or controls the first timer to stop running; the second operation controls the terminal to discard the PDCP SDU associated with the first timer.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first information is at least one of the following: Congestion indication information; De-configuration information of the packet discard mechanism based on the importance level PSI of the data packet set; PDCP reconfiguration information.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The congestion indication information is a packet set importance level PSI discard deactivation instruction.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The execution operation includes at least one of the following: Controlling the first timer to continue running; The PDCP SDU is discarded after the first timer expires.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The execution operation includes at least one of the following: Controlling the first timer to stop running; The PDCP SDU is discarded immediately.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The execution operation includes one of the following: Control the first timer to stop running and control the second timer to run, and discard the PDCP SDU after the second timer times out; The first timer is controlled to stop running and the first timer is controlled to restart running after the first timer stops running, and the PDCP SDU is discarded after the first timer times out.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The timing period of the second timer is configured by the network.

8. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The importance level of the PDCP SDU associated with the first timer is lower than that of the PDCP SDU associated with the second timer; and / or the timing duration of the first timer is shorter than the timing duration of the second timer.

9. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The determining that the first timer for controlling the discard of a packet data convergence protocol PDCP service data unit SDU is in a running state and receiving first information sent by a network device, and performing the first operation and / or the second operation includes: Based on the communication rule information or the received second information sent by the network device, it is determined that the first timer for controlling PDCP SDU discard is in a running state and the first information sent by the network device is received, and the first operation and / or the second operation is performed.

10. A terminal, characterized in that: The terminal comprises: The processing module is configured as follows: Determine that the first timer is in a running state and receive first information sent by the network device, and perform an operation; Among them, the first timer is used to control the discard of the packet data convergence protocol PDCP service data unit SDU; the operation includes a first operation and / or a second operation; the first operation controls the first timer to continue running or controls the first timer to stop running; the second operation controls the terminal to discard the PDCP SDU associated with the first timer.

11. The terminal according to claim 10, characterized in that: The processing module is further configured to: the first information is at least one of the following: Congestion indication information; De-configuration information of the packet discard mechanism based on the importance level PSI of the data packet set; PDCP reconfiguration information.

12. The terminal according to claim 11, characterized in that: The processing module is further configured to: the congestion indication information is a packet set importance level PSI discard deactivation instruction.

13. The terminal according to claim 10, characterized in that: The processing module is further configured to include at least one of the following: Controlling the first timer to continue running; The PDCP SDU is discarded after the first timer expires.

14. The terminal according to claim 10, characterized in that: The processing module is further configured to include at least one of the following: Controlling the first timer to stop running; The PDCP SDU is discarded immediately.

15. The terminal according to claim 10, characterized in that: The processing module is further configured to include one of the following: Control the first timer to stop running and control the second timer to run, and discard the PDCP SDU after the second timer times out; The first timer is controlled to stop running and the first timer is controlled to restart running after the first timer stops running, and the PDCP SDU is discarded after the first timer times out.

16. The terminal according to claim 15, characterized in that: The processing module is further configured to: the timing time of the second timer is configured by the network.

17. The terminal according to claim 15, characterized in that: The processing module is further configured to: the importance level of the PDCP SDU associated with the first timer is lower than the importance level of the PDCP SDU associated with the second timer; and / or the timing duration of the first timer is shorter than the timing duration of the second timer.

18. The terminal according to claim 10, characterized in that: The processing module is further configured to: Based on the communication rule information or the received second information sent by the network device, it is determined that the first timer for controlling PDCP SDU discard is in a running state and the first information sent by the network device is received, and the first operation and / or the second operation is performed.

19. A terminal, characterized in that: The terminal comprises: one or more processors; The terminal is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

20. A storage medium, characterized in that: The storage medium stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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