Communication method, apparatus, and system

Abstract

A communication method, apparatus, and system, which relate to the technical field of communications, and are used to promptly and reliably determine a transmission parameter corresponding to a transmission mode in a scenario in which there are multiple connections between a terminal and the network side. In the method, a transmission parameter corresponding to a transmission mode for data of a first session of a terminal is determined on the basis of transmission assistance information of N access network devices, and the transmission assistance information of the N access network devices indicates the transmission performance of transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices. The transmission mode is a split transmission mode or a path selection transmission mode. A transmission parameter corresponding to the split transmission mode indicates split proportions of the data of the first session on the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices. A transmission parameter corresponding to the path selection transmission mode indicates a target transmission path for the data of the first session, and the target transmission path is one of the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices.

Description

Communication method, device and system

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on November 23, 2023, with application number 202311584842.1 and application name “A Communication Method, Device and System”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, device, and system. Background Art

[0004] With the development of communication technology, future terminals (such as smartphones) may have dual connectivity. In dual connectivity mode, a terminal can simultaneously connect to two access network devices and maintain radio resource control (RRC) connections with both access network devices. The terminal can offload data transmission through the transmission paths corresponding to the two access network devices, or it can select one of the two transmission paths corresponding to the two access network devices for data transmission.

[0005] Factors such as changes in network status can cause changes in the transmission performance of the transmission paths corresponding to different access network devices. Therefore, it is necessary to promptly and reliably adjust the transmission parameters of service data on the transmission paths corresponding to different access network devices to ensure the transmission performance of service data. For example, when using split transmission, it is necessary to promptly and reliably adjust the split ratio on the two transmission paths; when using path selection for transmission, it is necessary to promptly and reliably adjust the target transmission path. Therefore, in scenarios where there are multiple connections between the terminal and the network side, how to promptly and reliably adjust the transmission parameters to improve transmission performance is a technical problem that needs to be solved.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, device, and system for timely and reliably determining transmission parameters corresponding to a transmission mode in a scenario where there are multiple connections between a terminal and a network side.

[0008] The method of the embodiment of the present application can be applied to a communication system including the following network elements: access network equipment, access and mobility management function entity, session management function entity, user plane function entity, terminal, etc. The number of access network equipment is N, where N is an integer greater than 1.

[0009] Optionally, the N access network devices include N radio access network (RAN) devices; or the N access network devices include N non-3GPP interworking function (non-3GPP Inter Working Function, N3IWF; wherein, 3GPP is the abbreviation of 3rd generation partnership project, representing the third generation partnership project) devices; or the N access network devices include N trusted non-3GPP gateway function (trusted non-3GPP gateway function, TNGF) devices; or the N access network devices include at least one RAN device and at least one N3IWF device; or the N access network devices include at least one RAN device and at least one TNGF device; or the N access network devices include at least one N3IWF device and at least one TNGF device.

[0010] Optionally, the access network device, session management function entity, user plane function entity or terminal in the above system architecture can determine the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission method of the data of the first protocol data unit (PDU) session of the terminal based on the transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices for uplink and / or downlink transmission.

[0011] Optionally, the transmission mode may be a split transmission mode, wherein the transmission parameter corresponding to the split transmission mode indicates the split ratio on the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices. Optionally, the transmission mode may be a path selection transmission mode, wherein the transmission parameter corresponding to the path selection transmission mode is the target transmission path. Optionally, the transmission mode may be a redundant transmission mode, wherein data in the first PDU session is transmitted on one transmission path, and the same data is transmitted on at least one other transmission path.

[0012] Optionally, the N access network devices include a first access network device, and the transmission auxiliary information of the first access network device includes one or more of the following information: signal status information measured by the first access network device, the signal status information indicating the signal status between the first access network device and the terminal; signal status information received by the first access network device from the terminal, the signal status information indicating the signal status between the first access network device and the terminal; load information of the first access network device; air interface transmission delay between the first access network device and the terminal; transmission rate between the first access network device and the terminal; and transmission reliability information between the first access network device and the terminal.

[0013] The following describes embodiments of the present application.

[0014] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, comprising: a first device receiving transmission indication information from a session management function entity, the transmission indication information including first transmission indication information, the first transmission indication information indicating a transmission mode for data of a first session; wherein the transmission mode is an offload transmission mode or a path selection transmission mode; the first device comprises a terminal and / or a user plane function entity, the session management function entity is configured to manage the first session of the terminal, and the user plane function entity is configured to transmit data of the first session. The first device receives transmission assistance information from N access network devices, the transmission assistance information of the N access network devices indicating transmission performance of transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices, where N is a positive integer greater than 1; the N access network devices are configured to transmit data of the first session. Upon receiving the transmission indication information, the first device determines, based on the transmission assistance information, transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode for the data of the first session, the transmission parameters corresponding to the offload transmission mode indicating a distribution ratio of the data of the first session on the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices, and the transmission parameters corresponding to the path selection transmission mode indicating a target transmission path for the data of the first session, the target transmission path being one of the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices.

[0015] Optionally, the N access network devices may periodically send transmission auxiliary information so that the first device may timely adjust the transmission parameters according to the received transmission auxiliary information, such as timely adjusting the diversion ratio of the data of the first session on the transmission path corresponding to the N access network devices, or timely adjusting the target transmission path of the data of the first session, thereby improving the transmission decision performance and further improving the transmission performance.

[0016] Optionally, the terminal is connected to the user plane functional entity through N access network devices; or, the terminal has transmission paths corresponding to N access network devices; or, the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices are associated with a session of the terminal (such as the first session).

[0017] Optionally, the first device is a user plane functional entity, and the data of the first session is downlink data. In this case, the transmission mode is used for downlink data transmission of the first session. For example, when the transmission mode is a diversion transmission mode, it indicates that the data of the first session is diverted and transmitted on the downlink transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices, and the transmission parameters corresponding to the diversion transmission mode indicate the diversion ratio of the data of the first session on the downlink transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices; or when the transmission mode is a path selection transmission mode, it indicates that the downlink data of the first session is transmitted through a target downlink transmission path, and the transmission parameters corresponding to the path selection transmission mode indicate the downlink target transmission path for the data of the first session.

[0018] Optionally, the first device is a terminal, and the data of the first session is uplink data. In this case, the transmission mode is used for uplink data transmission of the first session. For example, when the transmission mode is a shunt transmission mode, it indicates that the data of the first session is shunt-transmitted on the uplink transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices, and the transmission parameters corresponding to the first transmission mode indicate the shunt ratio of the uplink data of the first session on the uplink transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices; or, when the transmission mode is a path selection transmission mode, it indicates that the data of the first session is transmitted through a target uplink transmission path, and the transmission parameters corresponding to the path selection transmission mode indicate the target uplink transmission path for the data of the first session.

[0019] In the above implementation, the user plane function entity determines, based on the transmission assistance information sent by the access network device, a diversion ratio for data of the first session across different transmission paths in the diversion transmission mode, or determines a target transmission path for data of the first session in the path selection transmission mode. Providing the transmission assistance information to the user plane function entity by the access network device can reduce latency, improve reliability, and enhance real-time performance, compared to obtaining transmission performance between the user plane function entity and the terminal through performance measurement function (PMF) measurements performed by the user plane function entity, thereby improving decision-making performance.

[0020] In one possible implementation, the transmission indication information further includes second transmission indication information, and the second transmission indication information indicates transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission method of the data of the first session determined based on the transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices.

[0021] In one possible implementation, the first session includes at least one data stream, wherein the at least one data stream includes a first data stream; and the data of the first session includes the first data stream. That is, the transmission parameters may be transmission parameters at the data stream granularity within the first PDU session. For example, if the transmission mode is a split transmission mode, the transmission parameters include the split ratio of the first data stream in the first PDU session on the transmission paths corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device. Optionally, different data streams in the first PDU session can have their own split ratios, and the split ratios of different data streams may be different. For another example, if the transmission mode is a path selection transmission mode, the transmission parameters include the target transmission path of the first data stream in the first PDU session. Optionally, different data streams in the first PDU session can have their own target transmission paths, and the target transmission paths of different data streams may be different. Determining transmission parameters at the data stream granularity within the PDU session can improve the control (or scheduling) accuracy of data transmission and enhance system flexibility.

[0022] In one possible implementation, it also includes: the first device receives a diversion rule from the session management function entity, and the diversion rule indicates the correspondence between transmission auxiliary information and a diversion ratio; the first device determines the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the data of the first session based on the transmission auxiliary information, including: the first device determines the diversion ratio of the data of the first session on the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices based on the received transmission auxiliary information and the diversion rule; or, the first device receives a path selection rule from the session management function entity; the first device determines the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the data of the first session based on the transmission auxiliary information, including: the first device determines the target transmission path of the data of the first session based on the received transmission auxiliary information and the transmission path selection rule.

[0023] Optionally, the transmission path selection rule indicates how to select a target transmission path according to the transmission auxiliary information.

[0024] In one possible implementation, the first device determines the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the data of the first session based on the transmission auxiliary information, including: the first device determines the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the data of the first session based on the transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices and the capability information of the terminal; wherein the capability information of the terminal indicates the air interface transmission capability of the terminal in the N access network devices.

[0025] Optionally, the air interface transmission capability may include multi-antenna capability, bandwidth capability, transmission power capability, etc.

[0026] In the above implementation, since the air interface transmission capability of the terminal in the access network device will affect the transmission performance of the transmission path corresponding to the access network device, the air interface transmission capability of the terminal in N access network devices is used as the basis for determining the transmission parameters, which can improve the reliability of the transmission parameters.

[0027] In a possible implementation manner, the first device is the user plane function entity, and the method further includes: the user plane function entity receiving the capability information of the terminal from the session management function entity.

[0028] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the user plane functional entity offloads the data of the first session on the downlink transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices according to the offload ratio indicated by the transmission parameter corresponding to the offload transmission mode, or transmits the data of the first session on the target downlink transmission path according to the target downlink transmission path indicated by the transmission parameter corresponding to the path selection transmission mode; or, the terminal offloads the data of the first session on the downlink transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices according to the offload ratio indicated by the transmission parameter corresponding to the first transmission mode, or transmits the data of the first session on the target uplink transmission path according to the target uplink transmission path indicated by the transmission parameter corresponding to the second transmission mode.

[0029] According to a second aspect, a communication method is provided, which includes: a session management function entity sends reporting indication information to N access network devices, and the reporting indication information sent to a first access network device instructs the first access network device to send transmission auxiliary information to the first device, the first access network device is one of the N access network devices, and the transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices indicates the transmission performance of the transmission path corresponding to the N access network devices, and the first device includes a terminal and / or a user plane function entity, and N is a positive integer greater than 1; wherein the session management function entity is used to manage the first session of the terminal, and the N access network devices and the user plane function entity are used to transmit data of the first session. The session management function entity sends transmission indication information to the first device, and the transmission indication information includes second transmission indication information. The second transmission indication information instructs the first device to determine the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the data of the first session based on the transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices. The transmission mode is a diversion transmission mode or a path selection transmission mode. The transmission parameters corresponding to the diversion transmission mode indicate the diversion ratio of the data of the first session on the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices. The transmission parameters corresponding to the path selection transmission mode indicate the target transmission path of the data of the first session. The target transmission path is one of the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices.

[0030] In a possible implementation, the transmission indication information further includes first transmission indication information, where the first transmission indication information indicates a transmission method for data of the first session.

[0031] In a possible implementation, the first session includes at least one data stream, the at least one data stream includes a first data stream; and the data of the first session includes the first data stream.

[0032] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the session management function entity sending a diversion rule or a transmission path selection rule to the first device, where the diversion rule indicates a correspondence between the transmission auxiliary information and the diversion ratio.

[0033] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the session management function entity sending capability information of the terminal to the user plane function entity, where the capability information of the terminal indicates the air interface transmission capability of the terminal on the N access network devices.

[0034] In a possible implementation, before the session management function entity sends reporting indication information to N access network devices, it also includes: the session management function entity determines that the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices are associated with the first session of the terminal.

[0035] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the session management function entity sending reporting frequency indication information to the N access network devices, where the reporting frequency indication information indicates a sending frequency of the transmission auxiliary information.

[0036] According to a third aspect, a communication method is provided, comprising: a first access network device receives reporting indication information from a session management function entity; the first access network device sends transmission auxiliary information to the session management function entity or the first device according to the reporting indication information, wherein the transmission auxiliary information indicates the transmission performance of the transmission path corresponding to the first access network device, and the first device includes a terminal and / or a user plane function entity; wherein the session management function entity is used to manage the first session of the terminal, and the first access network device and the user plane function entity are used to transmit data of the first session.

[0037] In one possible implementation, the reporting indication information further instructs the first access network device to send the transmission assistance information to the session management function entity; or, the reporting indication information further instructs the first access network device to send the transmission assistance information to the first device.

[0038] In a possible implementation method, it also includes: the first access network device receives reporting frequency indication information from the network function entity; the first access network device sends transmission auxiliary information to the session management function entity or the first device according to the reporting indication information, including: the first access network device sends transmission auxiliary information to the session management function entity or the first device according to the reporting frequency indicated by the reporting frequency indication information.

[0039] In a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided, comprising: a session management function entity sending reporting indication information to N access network devices, the reporting indication information instructing the N access network devices to send transmission assistance information to the session management function entity, the transmission assistance information of the N access network devices indicating the performance of the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices, where N is a positive integer greater than 1. The session management function entity receives the transmission assistance information from the N access network devices. The session management function entity determines, based on the transmission assistance information, transmission parameters corresponding to a transmission mode for data of a first session of a terminal, the transmission mode being either a split transmission mode or a path selection transmission mode, the transmission parameters corresponding to the split transmission mode indicating a split ratio of data of the first session on the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices, and the transmission parameters corresponding to the path selection transmission mode indicating a target transmission path for data of the first session, the target transmission path being one of the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices. The session management function entity sends the transmission parameters to the first device. The first device includes the terminal and / or a user plane function entity, the session management function entity is configured to manage the first session, and the N access network devices and the user plane function entity are configured to transmit data of the first session.

[0040] In the above implementation, the session management function determines the offload ratio of the first session data across different transmission paths in the offload transmission mode, or determines the target transmission path for the first session data in the path selection transmission mode, based on the transmission assistance information sent by the access network device. Providing the transmission assistance information to the session management function by the access network device reduces latency, improves reliability, and enhances real-time performance, compared to obtaining transmission performance between the user plane function entity and the terminal through PMF measurements performed by the user plane function entity, thereby improving decision-making performance.

[0041] In a possible implementation, the first session includes at least one data stream, the at least one data stream includes a first data stream; and the data of the first session includes the first data stream.

[0042] In a possible implementation, it also includes: the session management function entity sends transmission indication information to the first device, the transmission indication information includes third transmission indication information, and the third transmission indication information instructs the first device to transmit the data of the first session according to the transmission parameters.

[0043] In a possible implementation manner, the transmission indication information further includes fourth transmission indication information, and the fourth transmission indication information indicates a transmission method of data of the first session.

[0044] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the session management function entity sending reporting frequency indication information to the N access network devices, where the reporting frequency indication information indicates a sending frequency of the transmission auxiliary information.

[0045] In one possible implementation, the session management function entity determines the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the data of the first session based on the transmission auxiliary information, including: the session management function entity determines the transmission parameters corresponding to the diversion transmission mode of the data of the first session based on the transmission auxiliary information and the diversion rules; or, the session management function entity determines the transmission parameters corresponding to the path selection transmission mode of the data of the first session based on the transmission auxiliary information and the path selection rules.

[0046] In one possible implementation, the session management function entity determines the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the data of the first session based on the transmission auxiliary information, including: the session management function entity determines the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the data of the first session based on the transmission auxiliary information and the capability information of the terminal; wherein the capability information of the terminal indicates the air interface transmission capability of the terminal on the N access network devices.

[0047] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the session management function entity receiving the capability information from the terminal.

[0048] In a possible implementation, before the session management function entity sends reporting indication information to N access network devices, it also includes: the session management function entity determines that the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices are associated with the first session of the terminal.

[0049] In a fifth aspect, a communication method is provided, including: a first device receives transmission parameters corresponding to a transmission mode from a session management function entity, where the transmission mode is a diversion transmission mode or a path selection transmission mode, and the transmission parameters corresponding to the diversion transmission mode indicate the diversion ratio of the data of the first session on the transmission paths corresponding to N access network devices, and the transmission parameters corresponding to the path selection transmission mode indicate the target transmission path of the data of the first session, and the target transmission path is one of the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices. The transmission parameters are determined based on the transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices, and the transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices indicates the transmission performance of the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices. The first device includes a terminal and / or a user plane function entity, and N is a positive integer; wherein the session management function entity is used to manage the first session of the terminal, and the N access network devices and the user plane function entity are used to transmit the data of the first session; the first device transmits the data of the first session according to the transmission parameters.

[0050] In a possible implementation, it also includes: the first device receives transmission indication information from the session management function entity, the transmission indication information includes third transmission indication information, and the third transmission indication information instructs the first device to transmit data of the first session according to the transmission parameters.

[0051] In a possible implementation manner, the transmission indication information further includes fourth transmission indication information, and the fourth transmission indication information indicates a transmission method of data of the first session.

[0052] In a possible implementation, the first session includes at least one data stream, the at least one data stream includes a first data stream; and the data of the first session includes the first data stream.

[0053] In one possible implementation, the first device transmits the data of the first session according to the transmission parameters, including: the user plane functional entity transmits the data of the first session on the downlink transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices according to the diversion ratio indicated by the transmission parameters corresponding to the first transmission mode, or transmits the data of the first session on the target downlink transmission path according to the target downlink transmission path indicated by the transmission parameters corresponding to the second transmission mode; or, the terminal transmits the data of the first session on the downlink transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices according to the diversion ratio indicated by the transmission parameters corresponding to the first transmission mode, or transmits the data of the first session on the target uplink transmission path according to the target uplink transmission path indicated by the transmission parameters corresponding to the second transmission mode.

[0054] In a sixth aspect, a communication method is provided, including: a session management function entity sends a first indication message to a first access network device among N access network devices, wherein the first indication message instructs the first access network device to determine a transmission parameter corresponding to a transmission mode of data of a first session, wherein the transmission mode is a diversion transmission mode or a path selection transmission mode, and the transmission parameter corresponding to the diversion transmission mode indicates a diversion ratio of the data of the first session on the transmission path corresponding to the N access network devices, and the transmission parameter corresponding to the path selection transmission mode indicates a target transmission path of the data of the first session, wherein the target transmission path is one of the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices, and the transmission parameter It is determined based on the transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices, the transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices indicates the transmission performance of the transmission path corresponding to the N access network devices, and N is a positive integer greater than 1; the session management function entity sends transmission indication information to the first device, and the transmission indication information includes fifth transmission indication information, and the fifth transmission indication information instructs the first device to transmit the data of the first session according to the transmission parameters. The first device includes a terminal and / or a user plane function entity, and the session management function entity is used to manage the first session of the terminal. The N access network devices and the user plane function entity are used to transmit the data of the first session.

[0055] In the above implementation, the access network device determines the offload ratio of the first session data across different transmission paths in the offload transmission mode, or determines the target transmission path for the first session data in the path selection transmission mode, based on the transmission assistance information of the access network device and other access network devices. Providing transmission assistance information by the access network device can reduce latency, improve reliability, and enhance real-time performance, compared to obtaining transmission performance between the user plane function entity and the terminal through PMF measurements performed by the user plane function entity, thereby improving decision-making performance.

[0056] In one possible implementation, the first session includes at least one data stream, and the at least one data stream includes a first data stream; the fifth transmission indication information instructs the first device to transmit the first data stream according to the transmission parameters.

[0057] In a possible implementation manner, the transmission indication information further includes sixth transmission indication information, and the sixth transmission indication information indicates a transmission method of data of the first session.

[0058] A possible implementation method also includes: the session management function entity sends the identifier or address of the second access network device to the first access network device, and the second access network device is at least one access network device among the N access network devices except the first access network device.

[0059] In one possible implementation, before the session management function entity sends the first indication information to the first access network device among N access network devices, it also includes: the session management function entity determines that the transmission path corresponding to the N access network devices is associated with the first session of the terminal.

[0060] In one possible implementation, the first indication information also instructs the first access network device to send the transmission parameters to the first device; or, it also includes: the session management function entity sends a second indication information, and the second indication information instructs the first access network device to send the transmission parameters to the first device.

[0061] In one possible implementation, the first indication information also instructs the first access network device to send the transmission parameters to the session management function entity, and the method also includes: the session management function entity sends the transmission parameters to the first device; or, further includes: the session management function entity sends second indication information, and the second indication information instructs the first access network device to send the transmission parameters to the session management function entity; the session management function entity sends the transmission parameters to the first device.

[0062] In the seventh aspect, a communication method is provided, including: a first device receives transmission indication information from a control plane function entity (for example, a session management function entity), the transmission indication information includes fifth transmission indication information, and the fifth transmission indication information instructs the first device to transmit data of the first session according to the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode; the first device receives transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode from the first access network device, the transmission mode is a diversion transmission mode or a path transmission mode, the transmission parameters corresponding to the diversion transmission mode indicate the diversion ratio of the data on the transmission paths corresponding to N access network devices, the transmission parameters corresponding to the path selection transmission mode indicate the target transmission path of the data, and the target transmission path is one of the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices, the first device includes a terminal and / or a user plane function entity, the session management function entity is used to manage the first session of the terminal, and the N access network devices and the user plane function entity are used to transmit the data of the first session; the first device transmits the data of the first session according to the transmission parameters.

[0063] In one possible implementation, the first session includes at least one data stream, and the at least one data stream includes a first data stream; the fifth transmission indication information instructs the first device to transmit the first data stream according to the transmission parameters.

[0064] In a possible implementation manner, the transmission indication information further includes sixth transmission indication information, and the sixth transmission indication information indicates a transmission method of data of the first session.

[0065] In a possible implementation, the first device transmits the data of the first session according to the transmission parameter, including: the first device transmits the data of the first session according to the transmission parameter and a transmission performance measurement result.

[0066] In one possible implementation, the first device transmits the data of the first session according to the transmission parameters, including: the user plane functional entity transmits the data of the first session on the downlink transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices according to the diversion ratio indicated by the transmission parameters corresponding to the first transmission mode, or transmits the data of the first session on the target downlink transmission path according to the target downlink transmission path indicated by the transmission parameters corresponding to the second transmission mode; or, the terminal transmits the data of the first session on the downlink transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices according to the diversion ratio indicated by the transmission parameters corresponding to the first transmission mode, or transmits the data of the first session on the target uplink transmission path according to the target uplink transmission path indicated by the transmission parameters corresponding to the second transmission mode.

[0067] In an eighth aspect, a communication method is provided, including: a first access network device receives first indication information from a session management function entity, the first indication information instructing the first access network device to determine transmission parameters corresponding to a transmission mode for data of a first session, where the transmission mode is a diversion transmission mode or a path selection transmission mode, and the transmission parameters corresponding to the diversion transmission mode indicate a diversion ratio of the data of the first session on the transmission paths corresponding to N access network devices including the first access network device, and the transmission parameters corresponding to the path selection transmission mode indicate a target transmission path for the data of the first session, where the target transmission path is one of the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices, where N is a positive integer greater than 1; the first access network device determines the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode for the data of the first session based on the transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices, and the transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices indicates the transmission performance of the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices; the first access network device sends the transmission parameters to the first device or the control plane function entity, where the first device includes a terminal and / or a user plane function entity; wherein the session management function entity is used to manage the first session of the terminal, and the N access network devices and the user plane function entity are used to transmit the data of the first session.

[0068] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the first access network device obtaining transmission auxiliary information of other access network devices among the N access network devices except the first access network device.

[0069] In a possible implementation, it also includes: the first access network device receives the identifier or address of the second access network device, and the second access network device includes other access network devices among the N access network devices except the first access network device; the first access network device obtains the transmission auxiliary information of the second access network device from the second access network device according to the identifier or address of the second access network device.

[0070] In one possible implementation, the identifier or address of the second access network device is sent by the session management function entity to the first access network device, or sent by the access and mobility management function entity to the first access network device, or sent by the terminal to the first access network device.

[0071] In a possible implementation, it also includes: the first access network device receives reporting frequency indication information from the session management function entity; the first access network device instructs other access network devices among the N access network devices except the first access network device to send transmission auxiliary information according to the reporting frequency indicated by the reporting frequency indication information.

[0072] In one possible implementation, the first access network device determines the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the data of the first session based on the transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices, including: the first access network device determines the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the data of the first session based on the transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices and the capability information of the terminal, and the capability information of the terminal indicates the air interface transmission capability of the terminal at the N access network devices.

[0073] In a ninth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a unit or module for executing the method as described in any one of the first to eighth aspects.

[0074] In a tenth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: one or more processors configured to execute the method as described in any one of aspects 1 to 8.

[0075] In an eleventh aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising: a first device implementing any method according to the first aspect, a session management function entity implementing any method according to the second aspect, and a first access network device implementing any method according to the third aspect. The first device includes a terminal and / or a user plane function entity.

[0076] In the twelfth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, in which a computer program or instruction is stored. When the computer program or instruction is executed by a communication device, the method as described in any one of the first to eighth aspects is implemented.

[0077] In the thirteenth aspect, a chip system is provided, comprising: a memory for storing a computer program; a processor; when the processor calls and runs the computer program from the memory, the communication device equipped with the chip system executes any method described in any one of the first to eighth aspects.

[0078] In a fourteenth aspect, a computer program product is provided, which, when called by a computer, enables the computer to execute any of the methods described in any of aspects one to eight. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0079] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system architecture applicable to an embodiment of the present application;

[0080] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of an ATSSS architecture applicable to an embodiment of the present application;

[0081] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a 5G QoS model applicable to an embodiment of the present application;

[0082] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a diversion mode according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0083] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of a measurement based on the PMF protocol according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0084] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a process in which a user plane function entity determines a data offload ratio or a target data transmission path based on transmission assistance information of the N access network devices when N access network devices are connected to the same access and mobility management function entity in an embodiment of the present application;

[0085] 7 is a schematic diagram of a process in which a user plane function entity determines a data offload ratio or a target data transmission path according to transmission assistance information of the N access network devices when N access network devices are connected to different access and mobility management function entities in an embodiment of the present application;

[0086] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of a process in which a terminal determines a data splitting ratio or a target data transmission path based on transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices when N access network devices are connected to the same access and mobility management function entity in an embodiment of the present application;

[0087] FIG9 is a schematic diagram of a process in which a terminal determines a data splitting ratio or a target data transmission path based on transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices when N access network devices are connected to different access and mobility management function entities in an embodiment of the present application;

[0088] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of a process in which a session management function entity determines a data split ratio or a target data transmission path based on transmission assistance information of the N access network devices when N access network devices are connected to the same access and mobility management function entity in an embodiment of the present application;

[0089] FIG11 is a schematic diagram of a process in which a session management function entity determines a data split ratio or a target data transmission path based on transmission assistance information of the N access network devices when N access network devices are connected to different access and mobility management function entities in an embodiment of the present application;

[0090] FIG12 is a schematic diagram of a process for determining, for downlink transmission, a data splitting ratio or a target data transmission path by a first access network device based on transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices when N access network devices are connected to the same access and mobility management function entity in an embodiment of the present application;

[0091] FIG13 is a schematic diagram of a process for determining, for downlink transmission, a data splitting ratio or a target data transmission path by a first access network device based on transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices when N access network devices are connected to different access and mobility management function entities in an embodiment of the present application;

[0092] FIG14 is a schematic diagram of a process for determining, for uplink transmission, a data splitting ratio or a target data transmission path by a first access network device based on transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices when N access network devices are connected to the same access and mobility management function entity in an embodiment of the present application;

[0093] FIG15 is a schematic diagram of a process for determining, for uplink transmission, a data splitting ratio or a target data transmission path by a first access network device based on transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices when N access network devices are connected to different access and mobility management function entities in an embodiment of the present application;

[0094] FIG16 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0095] FIG17 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in another embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0096] The embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: global system for mobile communications (GSM) system, code division multiple access (CDMA) system, wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) system, general packet radio service (GPRS), long term evolution (LTE) system, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (TDD), universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), world-wide interoperability for microwave access (WIMAX) communication system, fifth generation (5G) system or new radio (NR), or applied to future communication systems or other similar communication systems.

[0097] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a fifth-generation (5G) network architecture based on a service-oriented architecture (SA), as provided by 3GPP. This 5G network architecture includes access network equipment and core network equipment. Terminals access the data network (DN) through these devices.

[0098] Terminals can include various handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, in-vehicle devices, wearable devices, computing devices, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem. In vehicle-to-vehicle communication, roadside units (RSUs) can also be considered as terminals. Terminals can also be called terminal devices. Terminal may also refer to user equipment (UE), access terminal, subscriber unit, user agent, cellular phone, smart phone, wireless data card, personal digital assistant (PDA), tablet computer, wireless modem, handheld device (handset), laptop computer, smart point of sale (POS), customer-premises equipment (CPE), machine type communication (MTC) terminal, communication equipment carried by high-altitude aircraft, wearable device, drone, robot, terminal in D2D, terminal in vehicle to everything (V2X), virtual reality (VR) terminal device, augmented reality (AR) terminal device, wireless terminal in industrial control, wireless terminal in self-driving, wireless terminal in remote medical, wireless terminal in smart grid, wireless terminal in transportation security, etc. Safety), wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, or terminal devices in future communication networks, etc.

[0099] Access network equipment can be either RAN or wired access network equipment. RAN is primarily responsible for air interface functions such as radio resource management, quality of service management, data compression, and encryption. It provides access services to terminals and forwards user data between terminals and the core network. RAN can also be understood as a base station in the network. In systems using different radio access technologies, the name of the device with base station functionality may vary. For example, in fifth-generation (5G) systems, it is called a gNB.

[0100] Exemplarily, the access network device in the embodiment of the present application may be any communication device with wireless transceiver functions for communicating with a terminal. The access network equipment includes but is not limited to: evolved Node B (eNB), radio network controller (RNC), Node B (NB), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), home evolved NodeB (HeNB, or home Node B, HNB), baseband unit (BBU), access point (AP) in wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) system, wireless relay node, wireless backhaul node, transmission point (TP) or transmission and reception point (TRP), etc., and can also be a 5G mobile communication system, such as a gNB in ​​the next generation wireless (NR) system, or a transmission point (TRP or TP), one or a group of (including multiple antenna panels) antenna panels of a base station in the 5G mobile communication system, or it can also be a network node constituting a gNB or a transmission point, such as a baseband unit (BBU) or a distributed unit (DU), etc.

[0101] In some deployments, a gNB may include a centralized unit (CU) and a DU. The gNB may also include an active antenna unit (AAU). The CU implements some gNB functions, while the DU implements some gNB functions. For example, the CU is responsible for processing non-real-time protocols and services, implementing the functions of the radio resource control (RRC) and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layers. The DU is responsible for processing physical layer protocols and real-time services, implementing the functions of the radio link control (RLC), media access control (MAC), and physical (PHY) layers. The AAU implements some physical layer processing functions, RF processing, and active antenna-related functions. RRC layer information is generated by the CU and ultimately encapsulated by the DU's PHY layer into PHY layer information, or is converted from PHY layer information. Therefore, in this architecture, higher-layer signaling, such as RRC layer signaling, can also be considered to be sent by the DU, or by a combination of the DU and the AAU. It is understood that the access network device may be a device including one or more of a CU node, a DU node, and an AAU node. In addition, the CU may be classified as an access network device in the access network, or as an access network device in the core network (CN), which is not limited in this application.

[0102] The terminal and access network equipment communicate with each other using a certain air interface technology (such as NR or LTE technology). The terminals can also communicate with each other using a certain air interface technology (such as NR or LTE technology).

[0103] Access network equipment and terminals can be fixed or mobile. They can be deployed on land, indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; on water; or in the air on aircraft, balloons, and satellites.

[0104] Core network equipment, also known as core network elements, may include but is not limited to some or all of the following network elements: user plane network elements and control plane network elements. Control plane network elements may include mobility management network elements, session management network elements, etc. In addition, it may also include policy control network elements, unified data management network elements, authentication server functions (AUSF), network repository functions (NRF), network exposure functions (NEF), network slice selection functions (NSSF), application functions (AF), and other network elements.

[0105] The user plane network element, as an interface with the data network (DN), is responsible for forwarding and receiving user data in the terminal. It can receive user data from the data network and transmit it to the terminal device through the access network equipment. It can also receive user data from the terminal device through the access network equipment and forward it to the data network. In a 5G mobile communication system, this user plane network element can be a UPF. The transmission resources and scheduling functions provided by the UPF for terminal devices are managed and controlled by the SMF network element.

[0106] The data network provides, for example, operator services, Internet access, or third-party services, and includes servers that implement video source encoding and rendering. In 5G mobile communication systems, the data network can be a data network, abbreviated as DN.

[0107] The mobility management network element is primarily responsible for signaling processing, such as access control, mobility management, attach and detach, and gateway selection. In a 5G mobile communication system, the mobility management network element can be the AMF. When the AMF provides services for a session in a terminal, it can provide control plane storage resources for the session to store the session identifier and the SMF network element identifier associated with the session identifier.

[0108] The session management network element is mainly responsible for user plane network element selection, user plane network element redirection, Internet Protocol (IP) address allocation, bearer establishment, modification and release, and Quality of Service (QoS) control. In the 5G mobile communication system, this network element can be an SMF, which is used for session management after user access, including PDU session establishment, modification, activation, deactivation, and release.

[0109] In a 5G mobile communication system, the policy control network element may be a policy control function (PCF), which is mainly responsible for policy control decisions, providing policy rules for control plane functions, and flow-based charging control functions.

[0110] In a 5G mobile communication system, the unified data management network element may be a unified data management (UDM), which is mainly responsible for the UE's contract data management, including the storage and management of the UE identifier, the UE's access authorization, etc.

[0111] Network Exposure Function (NEF): mainly supports the secure interaction between 3GPP networks and third-party applications.

[0112] The application function (AF) mainly supports interaction with the 3GPP core network to provide services, such as influencing data routing decisions, policy control functions, or providing some third-party services to the network side.

[0113] The network slice selection function (NSSF) is mainly responsible for network slice selection and determines the network slice instance that the UE is allowed to access based on the UE's slice selection auxiliary information, subscription information, etc.

[0114] The Authentication Server Function (AUSF) supports 3GPP and non-3GPP access authentication.

[0115] The network repository function (NRF) supports the registration and discovery of network functions.

[0116] Based on the system architecture shown in Figure 1, the user plane carries service data, while the control plane carries signaling messages. User data traffic is transmitted through PDU sessions established between the UE and the DN, passing through the (R)AN and UPF. The control plane network elements are primarily responsible for authentication and authorization, registration management, session management, mobility management, and policy control, ensuring reliable and stable transmission of user-plane traffic.

[0117] Figure 1 also shows the interaction relationships and corresponding interfaces between the terminal, access network equipment, and core network elements. For example, the UE and AMF can interact through the N1 interface, and the interaction messages are called N1 messages. Some interfaces are implemented as service-oriented interfaces.

[0118] Referring to Figure 2, an architecture supporting access traffic steering, switching, and splitting (ATSSS) features applicable to embodiments of the present application is shown. Both the UE and UPF in this architecture support the ATSSS feature, meaning they can simultaneously transmit service flow data to be sent through both 3GPP access technology and non-3GPP access technology to improve transmission efficiency.

[0119] Both N3IWF and TNGF belong to non-3GPP access, while RAN belongs to 3GPP access. When the UE establishes a multi-access (MA) PDU session, that is, the PDU session is established on 3GPP access and non-3GPP access, the UE and UPF adopt different offload modes according to the policy information issued by the SMF to offload data flows or QoS flows on the transmission paths corresponding to 3GPP access and non-3GPP access, or perform path selection transmission.

[0120] In a future ATSSS architecture, such as an ATSSS architecture of a future communication system, a UE can access two 3GPP networks and transmit service flow data through the two 3GPP networks. This future ATSSS architecture is similar to the ATSSS architecture shown in FIG2 , for example, replacing the non-3GPP access in the ASSSS architecture diagram shown in FIG2 with a 3GPP access.

[0121] In the 5G system, in order to ensure the end-to-end service quality of the service, a 5G QoS model based on QoS flow is proposed, as shown in Figure 3. The 5G QoS model supports QoS flow with guaranteed bit rate (GBR QoS flow, where GBR is the abbreviation of guaranteed bit rate) and QoS flow without guaranteed bit rate (Non-GBR QoS Flow). Data packets controlled by the same QoS flow receive the same transmission processing (such as scheduling, admission threshold, etc.). For a UE, one or more PDU sessions can be established with the 5G network; one or more QoS flows can be established in each PDU session. Each QoS flow is identified by a QFI (QoS Flow Identifier), which uniquely identifies a QoS flow in the session.

[0122] In the embodiment of the present application, QoS flow is also called data flow, and QoS flow and data flow can be used interchangeably.

[0123] The ATSSS architecture shown in Figure 2 can support multiple steering modes. For example, the supported steering modes may include: active-standby mode, smallest delay mode, load-balancing mode, and priority-based mode. The steering mode is used to determine how data is transmitted. Simply put, it determines which data streams are transmitted via 3GPP access technologies and which data streams are transmitted via non-3GPP access technologies. The following briefly describes the mechanism of each steering mode.

[0124] Active / Standby Mode: See Figure 4 (a). In this mode, one transmission path is designated as the active path, and the other as the standby path. The active path can be either a 3GPP access or a non-3GPP access. When the active path is available, all data for the service flow is transmitted to the peer end over the active path. When the active path is unavailable, all data for that service flow is switched to the standby path for transmission.

[0125] Priority-based mode: See (b) in Figure 4. In this mode, one of the transmission paths is designated as a high-priority transmission path, and the other transmission path is designated as a low-priority transmission path. When the high-priority transmission path is not congested, all data of the service flow is transmitted through the high-priority transmission path; when the high-priority transmission path is congested, part of the data of the service flow is transmitted through the low-priority transmission path. For example, if the round-trip time (RTT) measurement or the packet error rate (PER) or the packet loss rate (PLR) measurement between the UE and the UPF does not exceed the set threshold, it indicates that the high-priority transmission path is not congested; if the RTT or PER measured between the UE and the UPF exceeds the set threshold, it indicates that the high-priority transmission path is congested.

[0126] Minimum Delay Mode: See (c) in Figure 4. In this mode, the transmission path with the shortest latency is selected to transmit the service flow data. In this mode, the UE or UPF needs to monitor the transmission latency of the path in real time. This can be achieved by the transport layer protocol, such as the MPTCP (MultiPathTCP) layer with RTT detection function, or by the PMF module in the UPF.

[0127] Load balancing mode: See (d) in Figure 4. In this mode, the data of the service flow is distributed to different transmission paths in proportion. The proportion can be distributed by the network and is a fixed proportion (that is, it will not change with the change of network load). It can also be based on the RTT measurement or PER measurement between the UE and the UPF to change the diversion ratio.

[0128] The UE and UPF perform measurements based on the PMF protocol, including RTT, PER, and PLR measurements. FIG5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a PMF-based measurement scheme. The UE and UPF can use the measurement results to determine the data flow split ratio (e.g., in load balancing mode) or the data flow transmission path (e.g., in minimum delay mode or priority-based mode).

[0129] When performing PMF measurement between the UE and UPF, bidirectional transmission is required between the UE and UPF. Since the transmission path between the UE and UPF is long, both real-time performance and reliability are difficult to guarantee, which will affect the real-time and reliability of the diversion ratio decision or the transmission path decision.

[0130] To this end, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and related devices capable of implementing the method. In embodiments of the present application, a terminal side and / or a network side can make decisions on the diversion ratio of a data stream or the target transmission path of a data stream based on transmission auxiliary information sent by an access network device, thereby improving the real-time and reliability of transmission decisions, that is, improving the performance of transmission decisions.

[0131] The embodiments of the present application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0132] First, some devices involved in the embodiments of the present application are described. The devices involved in the embodiments of the present application include: terminals, access network devices, and core network devices.

[0133] Taking the 5G system as an example, the access network device may be the access network device in the architecture described in Figure 1. The embodiment of the present application involves N access network devices, where N is a positive integer greater than 1. The N access network devices may be N RAN devices; or the N access network devices are N N3IWF devices; or the N access network devices are N TNGF devices; or the N access network devices include at least one RAN device and at least one N3IWF device; or the N access network devices include at least one RAN device and at least one TNGF device; or the N access network devices include at least one N3IWF device and at least one TNGF device.

[0134] Taking the 5G system as an example, the core network device can be the core network device in the architecture shown in Figure 1. The core network device includes a control plane function entity and a user plane function entity (e.g., UPF). The control plane function entity includes a session management function entity (e.g., SMF) and an access and mobility management function entity (e.g., AMF).

[0135] Taking N=2 as an example, the terminal accesses the network through two access network devices. For example, both access network devices are RAN devices or both access network devices are 3GPP access devices.

[0136] It is understood that the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to other communication systems, such as future communication systems or further evolved systems. Devices that implement the same or similar functions may be named differently in the 5G system than in other systems, but this does not affect the implementation of the present application.

[0137] Next, the “transmission auxiliary information” involved in the embodiments of the present application is explained.

[0138] The transmission auxiliary information can be obtained by the access network device. The transmission auxiliary information of an access network device can be used to indicate the transmission performance of the transmission path (eg, N3 tunnel) corresponding to the access network device.

[0139] Exemplarily, taking the first access network device as an example, the transmission assistance information of the first access network device may include one or more of the following information:

[0140] - Signal status information measured by the first access network device, where the signal status information indicates the signal status between the first access network device and the terminal. Optionally, the first access network device may measure an uplink signal (e.g., an uplink reference signal) received from the terminal to obtain signal status information. Optionally, the signal status information may include reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), etc. It will be understood that the embodiment of the present application does not limit the type of the uplink signal.

[0141] - Signal status information received by the first access network device from the terminal, where the signal status information indicates the signal status between the first access network device and the terminal. Optionally, the terminal may measure the downlink signal sent by the first access network device and report the measurement result to the first access network device. The measurement result may include or indicate the signal status information. Optionally, the signal status information may include RSRP, RSRQ, etc. It will be understood that the embodiments of the present application do not limit the type of the downlink signal.

[0142] - Load information (load info) of the first access network device. For example, the load information may include information such as load level. Exemplarily, the load level may be classified into high, medium, and low.

[0143] -Air interface transmission delay (Uu delay) between the first access network device and the terminal.

[0144] -The transmission rate between the first access network device and the terminal, for example, a transmission rate prediction value that the first access network device can provide to the terminal.

[0145] - Transmission reliability information between the first access network device and the terminal, for example, the transmission reliability information includes a packet error rate (PER).

[0146] The transmission auxiliary information of the access network device is used to determine the transmission parameters. Taking the example that the data of the first PDU session can be transmitted through N transmission paths corresponding to N access network devices, the transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices can be used to determine the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the data of the PDU session on the N transmission paths. For example, if the transmission mode is a diversion transmission mode, the diversion ratio of the data of the first PDU session on the N transmission paths can be determined based on the transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices; for another example, if the transmission mode is a path selection transmission mode, the target transmission path of the data of the first PDU session in the N transmission paths can be determined based on the transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices.

[0147] In some embodiments of the present application, N access network devices may send their respective transmission assistance information to a first device, and the first device may determine a data diversion ratio or a target transmission path for the data based on the transmission assistance information of the N access network devices. The first device may include a terminal and / or a user plane functional entity. The terminal may determine a data diversion ratio or a target transmission path for the uplink data based on the transmission assistance information of the N access network devices, and the user plane functional entity may determine a data diversion ratio or a target transmission path for the downlink data based on the transmission assistance information of the N access network devices.

[0148] The above method is described below with reference to Figures 6, 7, 8, and 9. In the processes shown in Figures 6, 7, 8, and 9, the terminal is connected to the user plane functional entity through N access network devices, or the terminal has transmission paths corresponding to N access network devices, or the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices are associated with a session of the terminal (for example, the first PDU session). Figure 6 describes a process in which, when N access network devices are connected to the same access and mobility management functional entity, the user plane functional entity determines the data diversion ratio or the target transmission path of the data based on the transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices; Figure 7 describes a process in which, when N access network devices are connected to different access and mobility management functional entities, the user plane functional entity determines the data diversion ratio or the target transmission path of the data based on the transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices; Figure 8 describes a process in which, when N access network devices are connected to the same access and mobility management functional entity, the terminal determines the data diversion ratio or the target transmission path of the data based on the transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices; Figure 9 describes a process in which, when N access network devices are connected to different access and mobility management functional entities, the terminal determines the data diversion ratio or the target transmission path of the data based on the transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices.

[0149] To simplify the description, the processes shown in Figures 6, 7, 8, and 9 are based on the system architecture shown in Figure 1. The examples are as follows: the control plane network function entities include the SMF and AMF, the user plane function entity is the UPF, and the number of access network devices N = 2, i.e., the access network devices include a first access network device and a second access network device. In the processes shown in Figures 6, 7, 8, and 9, the terminal is connected to the UPF through the first access network device and the second access network device. In other words, the terminal has transmission paths corresponding to two access network devices, or the transmission paths corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device are associated with the terminal's first PDU session, or the first PDU session is established between the first access network device and the second access network device. The SMF is responsible for managing the terminal's first PDU session, and the UPF, the first access network device, and the second access network device are responsible for transmitting data for the first PDU session.

[0150] Refer to Figure 6, which shows a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. In this method, when the first access network device and the second access network device are connected to the same AMF, the access network device sends transmission auxiliary information to the UPF based on the reporting indication information sent by the SMF, so that the UPF makes a data flow diversion ratio decision or transmission path decision based on the transmission auxiliary information received from different access network devices.

[0151] As shown in Figure 6, the process may include the following steps:

[0152] Step 601: The terminal sends a PDU session establishment request message to the AMF through the first access network device and the second access network device respectively, requesting to establish a first PDU session.

[0153] This message includes an MA PDU request and the identifier of the first PDU session. The MA PDU request indicates that the data of the first PDU session is transmitted between at least two access network devices, or in other words, the MA PDU request indicates that the data of the first PDU session is transmitted on the transmission paths corresponding to at least two access network devices. In other words, when the terminal requests to establish the first PDU session, the following steps of the process shown in Figure 6 can be triggered.

[0154] Optionally, when the terminal requests to modify the first PDU session, the following steps of the process shown in Figure 6 may also be triggered. Accordingly, in this case, the PDU session establishment request message sent by the terminal may be replaced with a PDU session modification request message.

[0155] The above only exemplifies the following steps of the process shown in Figure 6 triggered by a PDU session establishment request message or a PDU session modification request message. It can be understood that the following steps may also be triggered by other messages or events, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0156] Step 602: AMF sends a PDU session context establishment request message to SMF, which includes an MA PDU request.

[0157] Optionally, the PDU session context establishment request message may further include multiple access indication information, wherein the multiple access indication information indicates dual radio access type (dual radio access), or indicates that the terminal accesses through dual access type, for example, the multiple access indication information indicates that the terminal accesses through 3GPP access and non-3GPP access respectively, and for another example, the multiple access type indication information indicates that the terminal accesses through two 3GPP accesses or dual 3GPP access types. For example, the AMF receives PDU session establishment requests for the first PDU session from two access network devices respectively, and the PDU session context establishment request message includes multiple access indication information. For the case of two access network devices, the multiple access indication information indicates dual radio access type or dual 3GPP access type.

[0158] Optionally, the PDU session context establishment request message may further include an identifier of the first PDU session.

[0159] Steps 603a and 603b: The SMF sends reporting indication information to the first access network device and the second access network device respectively.

[0160] Optionally, when the SMF determines that the transmission path corresponding to the first access network device and the transmission path corresponding to the second access network device are associated with the first PDU session of the terminal, the SMF sends reporting indication information to the first access network device and the second access network device respectively. Since the above two PDU session requests received by the AMF from the terminal are both associated with the first PDU session, for example, the two PDU session requests are used to request the establishment of the first PDU session or request the modification of the first PDU session, the SMF can determine that the data of the first PDU session of the terminal can be transmitted on the transmission path corresponding to the first access network device and the transmission path corresponding to the second access network device, or in other words, the transmission path corresponding to the first access network device and the transmission path corresponding to the second access network device are associated with the first PDU session of the terminal.

[0161] The SMF may send reporting indication information to the first access network device and the second access network device respectively through the AMF. Optionally, the SMF may send a session container (N2 SM information) to the first access network device and the second access network device respectively through the AMF, and the container includes the reporting indication information. In one possible implementation, the reporting indication information sent by the SMF is associated with the identifier of the first PDU session. For example, the SMF sends the reporting indication information and the identifier of the first PDU session to the AMF, so that after the AMF receives the reporting indication information, it can determine whether the reporting indication information needs to be sent to the first access network device or the second access network device used to transmit the data of the first PDU session. In another possible implementation, in step 602, the AMF may send the identifier of the first access network device and the identifier of the second access network device associated with the identifier of the first PDU session to the SMF, so that in steps 603a and 603b, the SMF may send the reporting indication information to the AMF and indicate whether the reporting indication information is sent to the first access network device or the second access network device. It should be understood that this application does not limit the specific implementation method of SMF sending reporting indication information to the first access network device and the second access network device respectively through AMF.

[0162] In one possible implementation, the reporting indication information sent by the SMF to the first access network device and the second access network device may be the same, both used to indicate the sending of transmission auxiliary information. In another possible implementation, the reporting indication information sent by the SMF to the first access network device and the second access network device may be different. For example, the reporting indication information sent by the SMF to the first access network device indicates the first access network device to send transmission auxiliary information, and the reporting indication information sent by the SMF to the second access network device indicates the second access network device to send transmission auxiliary information. The transmission auxiliary information of the two access network devices indicates the transmission performance of the transmission paths corresponding to the two access network devices, wherein the transmission auxiliary information of the first access network device indicates the transmission performance of the transmission path corresponding to the first access network device, and the transmission auxiliary information of the second access network device indicates the performance of the transmission path corresponding to the second access network device.

[0163] Optionally, the reporting indication information further instructs the access network device to send the transmission assistance information to the UPF. For example, the reporting indication information may instruct the access network device to send the transmission assistance information for downlink transmission control, or may indicate the identifier or address of the UPF, or may indicate the type of target device for the transmission assistance information, so that the access network device can determine to send the transmission assistance information to the UPF. Accordingly, the first access network device and the second access network device send the transmission assistance information to the UPF based on the received reporting indication information.

[0164] Optionally, the SMF may also send reporting frequency indication information to the first access network device, and the first access network device may send transmission assistance information to the UPF based on the reporting frequency indicated by the reporting frequency indication information. Similarly, the SMF may also send reporting frequency indication information to the second access network device, and the second access network device may send transmission assistance information to the UPF based on the reporting frequency indicated by the reporting frequency indication information. The reporting frequency indication information may specifically indicate the number of reports per second, or the number of reports per few seconds. Optionally, the reporting frequency indication information may be included in the reporting indication information or sent via a separate message.

[0165] Step 604: The SMF sends transmission indication information to the UPF, where the transmission indication information includes first transmission indication information, and the first transmission indication information indicates a transmission mode for data of the first PDU session, wherein the transmission mode is a split transmission mode, a path selection transmission mode, or a redundant transmission mode (or redundant transmission mode).

[0166] The first PDU session includes at least one data stream, and the at least one data stream includes a first data stream; the data of the first PDU session includes the first data stream. Accordingly, the first transmission indication information can indicate the transmission mode of the first data stream of the first PDU session. If the first PDU session includes multiple data streams, the first transmission indication information can also indicate the transmission modes of the multiple data streams. The transmission modes of the multiple data streams may be the same or different. For example, the first transmission indication information indicates that the first data stream in the first PDU session is a diversion transmission mode, and indicates that the second data stream in the first PDU session is a path selection transmission mode. This application does not limit this.

[0167] Optionally, the SMF may obtain the transmission mode information of the data of the first PDU session from the PCF, and then configure the transmission mode of the data of the first PDU session to the UPF through the first transmission indication information.

[0168] Optionally, the PCF or SMF determines the transmission mode of the data of the first PDU session based on the data requirements of the first PDU session. For example, if the data of the first PDU session includes a first data stream, and if the transmission rate requirement of the first data stream is high, the transmission mode of the first data stream is determined to be a split transmission mode; if the transmission reliability requirement of the first data stream is high, the transmission mode of the first data stream is determined to be a redundant transmission mode.

[0169] Optionally, the offload transmission mode may include the load balancing mode shown in Figure 4. Optionally, the path selection transmission mode may be the primary / backup mode, minimum delay mode, or priority-based mode shown in Figure 4. This application is not limited thereto.

[0170] Optionally, the transmission indication information also includes second transmission indication information, and the second transmission indication information instructs the UPF to determine the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the data of the first PDU session according to the transmission auxiliary information of the first access network device and the second access network device. Alternatively, the second transmission indication information instructs the UPF to determine the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the data of the first PDU session according to the transmission auxiliary information of the access network device. In other words, the second indication information only needs to instruct the UPF to determine the transmission parameters according to the transmission auxiliary information of the access network device, without having to indicate which specific access network device's transmission auxiliary information is used to determine the transmission parameters.

[0171] In one implementation, the second transmission indication information instructs the UPF to determine the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the first data stream of the first PDU session based on the transmission auxiliary information of the first access network device and the second access network device; in another implementation, the second transmission indication information instructs the UPF to determine the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of each data stream in the first PDU session based on the transmission auxiliary information of the first access network device and the second access network device; in another implementation, the second transmission indication information instructs the UPF to determine the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the data of the first PDU session based on the transmission auxiliary information of the first access network device and the second access network device, or to determine the transmission parameters at the granularity of the first PDU session, and different data streams with the same transmission mode correspond to the same transmission parameters. That is to say, the second indication information may indicate the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of one or more data streams (such as the first data stream, or the first data stream and the second data stream) in the first PDU session. In this case, the one or more data streams can be indicated in combination with the identifier of the data stream; or the second indication information may also indicate the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of each data stream in the first PDU session. The transmission modes of different data streams may be different, and the transmission parameters corresponding to different data streams with the same transmission mode may be different; or the second indication information may indicate the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the data of the first PDU session based on the granularity of the first PDU session, and different data streams with the same transmission mode correspond to the same transmission parameters.

[0172] Optionally, the second transmission indication information may be an access network assistance indicator (AN-assistance indicator) or a radio access network assistance indicator (RAN-assistance indicator). The transmission parameter corresponding to the offload transmission mode indicates the offload ratio of the data of the first PDU session on the transmission paths corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device, and the transmission parameter corresponding to the path selection transmission mode indicates the target transmission path of the data of the first PDU session, and the target transmission path is one of the two transmission paths corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device.

[0173] Optionally, when the transmission mode is a redundant transmission mode, that is, the first transmission indication information indicates that the transmission mode of the data of the first PDU session is a redundant transmission mode, the second transmission indication information instructs the UPF to determine whether to enable or stop the redundant transmission mode to transmit the data of the first PDU session based on the transmission auxiliary information of the first access network device and the second access network device. Taking the data of the first PDU session as the first data stream in the first PDU session as an example, when the transmission reliability in the transmission auxiliary information is poor, the UPF turns on the redundant transmission mode for the first data stream. When the transmission reliability in the transmission auxiliary information is good, the UPF turns off or stops the redundant transmission mode for the first data stream.

[0174] Optionally, the SMF may also send diversion rules or transmission path selection rules to the UPF. The diversion rules indicate the correspondence between the transmission auxiliary information and the diversion ratio. The transmission path selection rules indicate how to select the target transmission path based on the transmission auxiliary information. Exemplarily, if the transmission mode indicated by the first transmission indication information is the diversion transmission mode, the SMF sends the diversion rules to the UPF; if the transmission mode indicated by the first transmission indication information is the path selection transmission mode, the SMF sends the path selection rules to the UPF. Optionally, the diversion rules or transmission path selection rules may be sent through a separate message, or may be sent together with the transmission indication information through one message.

[0175] Optionally, when the SMF determines that the transmission path corresponding to the first access network device and the transmission path corresponding to the second access network device are associated with the first PDU session of the terminal, the SMF sends transmission indication information to the UPF.

[0176] Step 605: The first access network device and the second access network device respectively send transmission auxiliary information to the UPF.

[0177] Optionally, after receiving the reporting indication information, the first access network device may periodically send transmission assistance information. Similarly, after receiving the reporting indication information, the second access network device may periodically send transmission assistance information. This allows the UPF to promptly adjust transmission parameters based on the received transmission assistance information, such as promptly adjusting the diversion ratio of the data of the first PDU session on the transmission paths corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device, or promptly adjusting the target transmission path of the data of the first PDU session, thereby improving transmission decision performance and, in turn, improving transmission performance.

[0178] If in steps 603a and 603b, the SMF sends reporting frequency indication information to the first access network device and the second access network device, the first access network device and the second access network device may send transmission auxiliary information according to the reporting frequency indicated by the received reporting frequency indication information.

[0179] Optionally, the first access network device and the second access network device may send transmission assistance information to the UPF through an N3 tunnel. The N3 tunnel uses access network (AN) tunnel information (Tunnel Info) and core network (CN) tunnel information (Tunnel Info) as tunnel addresses. The UPF may determine which access network device the received transmission assistance information comes from based on the tunnel address of the transmission assistance information.

[0180] Step 606: The UPF determines the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission method of the data of the first PDU session based on the received transmission assistance information.

[0181] Optionally, the UPF may determine the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the data of the first PDU session based on the received transmission auxiliary information when receiving the transmission indication information. The UPF may also determine the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the data of the first PDU session based on the received transmission auxiliary information after receiving the transmission auxiliary information sent by the first access network device and the second access network device. This application is not limited to this.

[0182] The first PDU session includes at least one data stream, and the at least one data stream includes a first data stream; the data of the first PDU session includes the first data stream.

[0183] In one possible implementation, the UPF determines the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the first data stream in the first PDU session. That is, the UPF may determine the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of a data stream in the first PDU session. Optionally, the UPF may be instructed to determine the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the data stream in the first PDU session through a data stream identifier.

[0184] In another possible implementation, the UPF separately determines the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission modes of the multiple data streams in the first PDU session. That is, the UPF can determine the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission modes of the multiple data streams in the first PDU session, and different data streams with the same transmission mode may have different transmission parameters. Optionally, the data stream identifier can be used to indicate to the UPF which data streams in the first PDU session have transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode. For example, the first PDU session includes the first data stream and the second data stream of the diversion transmission mode, and the UPF determines the diversion ratio of the first data stream to be the first diversion ratio, and determines the diversion ratio of the second data stream to be the second diversion ratio. For another example, the first PDU session includes the first data stream and the second data stream of the path selection transmission mode, and the UPF determines the target transmission path of the first data stream to be the first transmission path corresponding to the first access network device, and determines the target transmission path of the second data stream to be the second transmission path corresponding to the second access network device.

[0185] In another possible implementation, the UPF determines the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the data of the first PDU session at the PDU session granularity. In other words, the UPF can determine the same transmission parameters for data streams with the same transmission mode. For example, the first PDU session includes the first data stream and the second data stream in the diversion transmission mode, and the UPF determines the first diversion ratio, and the first data stream and the second data stream are both transmitted on different transmission paths according to the first diversion ratio. For another example, the first PDU session includes the first data stream and the second data stream in the path selection transmission mode, and the UPF determines the first target transmission path, and the first data stream and the second data stream are both transmitted through the first target transmission path.

[0186] In one possible implementation, if the transmission mode indicated by the first transmission indication information received in step 604 is a diversion transmission mode, then in step 606, the UPF determines the diversion ratio of the data of the first PDU session on the transmission path corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device based on the received transmission auxiliary information; if the transmission mode indicated by the first transmission indication information received in step 604 is a diversion path selection mode, then in step 606, the UPF determines the target transmission path of the data of the first PDU session based on the received transmission auxiliary information, and the target transmission path is one of the transmission path corresponding to the first access network device and the transmission path corresponding to the second access network device.

[0187] For example, taking the offload transmission mode as an example, if the UPF determines based on the received transmission auxiliary information that the signal status of the first access network device is better, the load is lower, or the air interface transmission delay is lower, a higher offload ratio can be allocated to the transmission path corresponding to the first access network device, so that the UPF can send more data to the N3 tunnel corresponding to the first access network node. If the UPF determines based on the received transmission auxiliary information that the transmission rate of the first access network device is greater than the transmission rate of the second access network device, a higher offload ratio can be allocated to the transmission path corresponding to the first access network device.

[0188] In one possible implementation, the UPF may determine the diversion ratio of the data of the first PDU session on the transmission paths corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device based on the received transmission auxiliary information and diversion rules; or, the UPF may determine the target transmission path of the data of the first PDU session based on the received transmission auxiliary information and path selection rules. The diversion rule indicates the correspondence between the transmission auxiliary information and the diversion ratio. The transmission path selection rule indicates how to select the target transmission path based on the transmission auxiliary information.

[0189] In one possible implementation, the UPF determines transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode for the data of the first PDU session based on the received transmission assistance information and the terminal's capability information. The terminal's capability information indicates the terminal's air interface transmission capabilities between the first access network device and the second access network device. Air interface transmission capabilities may include multi-antenna capability, bandwidth capability, transmit power capability, etc. For example, using the offload transmission mode as an example, if the UPF determines based on the terminal's capability information that the air interface capability between the terminal and the first access network device is stronger than the air interface capability between the terminal and the second access network device, a first percentage value may be allocated to the transmission path corresponding to the first access network device, and a second percentage value may be allocated to the transmission path corresponding to the second access network device, where the first percentage value is greater than the second percentage value, and the sum of the first percentage value and the second percentage value is equal to 1. Taking the path selection transmission mode as another example, if the UPF determines based on the terminal's capability information that the air interface capability between the terminal and the first access network device is stronger than the air interface capability between the terminal and the second access network device, the transmission path corresponding to the first access network device is more likely to be determined as the target transmission path.

[0190] Optionally, the SMF may send the capability information of the terminal to the UPF. Optionally, the terminal may send its capability information to the AMF, and the AMF may send the capability information to the SMF.

[0191] In one possible implementation, the UPF determines the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the data of the first PDU session based on the received transmission assistance information and the capability information of the first access network device and the capability information of the second access network device. The capability information of the first access network device may be multi-antenna capability, bandwidth capability, transmit power capability, transmission rate capability, or supported access technology type. The access technology type may be 5G new radio (NR), 5G new radio (satellite), or future communication network. For example, taking the offload transmission mode as an example, if the UPF determines that the capability of the first access network device is stronger than that of the second access network device based on the capability information of the first access network device and the capability information of the second access network device, a first percentage value may be allocated to the transmission path corresponding to the first access network device, and a second percentage value may be allocated to the transmission path corresponding to the second access network device, where the first percentage value is greater than the second percentage value, and the sum of the first percentage value and the second percentage value is equal to 1. The AMF obtains the capability information of the first access network device and the capability information of the second access network device respectively through the interface between the AMF and the first access network device and the second access network device. In step 602, AMF sends the capability information of the first access network device and the capability information of the second access network device to SMF. In step 604, SMF sends the capability information of the first access network device and the capability information of the second access network device to UPF.

[0192] In one possible implementation, the UPF determines the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the data of the first PDU session based on the received auxiliary information and measurement information. The measurement information may include measurement information obtained based on RTT measurement and / or measurement information obtained based on PER measurement. Exemplarily, the UPF may perform RTT measurement to obtain the round-trip delay between the terminal and the terminal, and perform PER measurement to obtain the packet error rate between the terminal. The UPF then determines the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the data of the first PDU session based on the received transmission auxiliary information and the measured round-trip delay and / or packet error rate.

[0193] It can be understood that the UPF can determine the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission method of the data of the first PDU session based on the received transmission auxiliary information, combined with at least one of the capability information, measurement information, capability information of the first access network device, and capability information of the second access network device of the above-mentioned terminal.

[0194] Optionally, when the transmission mode is a redundant transmission mode, step 606 is replaced by: when the UPF receives the transmission indication information, the UPF determines to adopt the redundant transmission mode to transmit the data of the first PDU session based on the received transmission auxiliary information. Exemplarily, if the signal status of the first access network device and the signal status of the second access network device are both poor, it is determined to adopt the redundant transmission mode to transmit the data of the first PDU session. Exemplarily, if the transmission reliability between the first access network device and the terminal and the transmission reliability between the second access network device and the terminal are both poor, it is determined to adopt the redundant transmission mode to transmit the data of the first PDU session. Taking the data of the first PDU session as the first data stream in the first PDU session as an example, when the transmission reliability in the transmission auxiliary information is poor, the UPF determines to turn on the redundant transmission mode to transmit the first data stream. When the transmission reliability in the transmission auxiliary information is good, the UPF determines to turn off or stop the redundant transmission mode to transmit the first data stream.

[0195] Step 607: The UPF transmits the data of the first PDU session according to the determined transmission parameters.

[0196] UPF can offload and transmit the data of the first PDU session on the downlink transmission path corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device according to the offload ratio indicated by the transmission parameter corresponding to the offload transmission mode, or transmit the data of the first PDU session on the target downlink transmission path according to the target downlink transmission path indicated by the transmission parameter corresponding to the path selection transmission mode.

[0197] In the diversion transmission mode, in a possible implementation method, the UPF transmits data according to the diversion ratio at the granularity of the session. That is, the UPF transmits each data stream (or QoS stream) in the first PDU session on multiple transmission paths according to the same diversion ratio. Accordingly, in step 606, the UPF determines a diversion ratio for all data streams in the first PDU session based on the received transmission auxiliary information. The diversion ratio is the diversion ratio of each data stream on the transmission path corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device. In step 607, the UPF performs diversion transmission on the downlink transmission path corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device according to the diversion ratio for each data stream contained in the first PDU session.

[0198] In the offload transmission mode, in another possible implementation, the UPF transmits data according to the offload ratio at the granularity of the data stream in the PDU session. That is, different data streams in the first PDU session have their own offload ratios, and the offload ratios of different data streams may be different. Accordingly, in step 606, the UPF determines, based on the received transmission auxiliary information, the offload ratio of each data stream on the transmission path corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device for each data stream included in the first PDU session, and the offload ratios of different data streams may be different. In step 607, the UPF performs offload transmission on the downlink transmission path corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device according to the respective offload ratios for each data stream included in the first PDU session. For example, the first PDU session includes a first data stream and a second data stream, the offload ratio of the first data stream is a first offload ratio, and the offload ratio of the second data stream is a second offload ratio, and the first offload ratio and the second offload ratio are different. UPF transmits the first data stream on the transmission path corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device according to the first diversion ratio, and transmits the second data stream on the transmission path corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device according to the second diversion ratio.

[0199] In the path selection transmission mode, in one possible implementation, the UPF transmits data according to the target transmission path at the granularity of the session. That is, all data streams in the first PDU session are transmitted through the same target transmission path. Accordingly, in step 606, the UPF determines the target transmission path for the first PDU session (or for all data streams in the first PDU session) based on the received transmission auxiliary information. In step 607, the UPF transmits according to the target transmission path for the first PDU session (or for all data streams in the first PDU session), that is, all data streams in the first PDU session are transmitted on the target transmission path.

[0200] Under the path selection transmission mode, in another possible implementation, the UPF transmits data according to the target transmission path at the granularity of the data stream in the session. That is, each data stream in the first PDU session is transmitted through its own target transmission path. Accordingly, in step 606, the UPF determines the target transmission path of each data stream for each data stream in the first PDU session based on the received transmission auxiliary information, and the target transmission paths of different data streams may be different. In step 607, the UPF transmits each data stream in the first PDU session according to the target transmission path of each data stream. For example, the first PDU session includes a first data stream and a second data stream, and the target transmission path of the first data stream is the first path (the first path is the transmission path corresponding to the first access network device), and the target transmission path of the second data stream is the second path (the second path is the transmission path corresponding to the second access network device). The UPF transmits the first data stream on the first path and transmits the second data stream on the second path.

[0201] In one possible implementation, the above-mentioned "all data streams in the first PDU session" can be replaced by "one or more data streams specified in the first PDU session", that is, the UPF only determines the diversion ratio or target transmission path for part of the data streams in the first PDU session.

[0202] In one possible implementation, the SMF may instruct the UPF to use which of the above methods for data transmission, for example, instructing the UPF to transmit data according to the diversion ratio at the granularity of the session, or instructing the UPF to transmit data according to the diversion ratio at the granularity of the data flow in the PDU session, or instructing the UPF to transmit data according to the target transmission path at the granularity of the session, or instructing the UPF to transmit data according to the target transmission path at the granularity of the data flow in the session. Exemplarily, in step 604, the SMF may perform the above instruction through the first transmission indication information, or through the second transmission indication information, or through other indication information, and the embodiment of the present application is not limited to this.

[0203] In one possible implementation, the first PDU session includes a first data stream and a second data stream, the transmission mode of the first data stream is a diversion transmission mode, and the transmission mode of the second data stream is a path selection transmission mode. For the first data stream, the UPF transmits the first data stream through the transmission path corresponding to the first access network device and the transmission path corresponding to the second access network device according to the diversion ratio of the first data stream on the transmission path corresponding to the first access network device and the transmission path corresponding to the second access network device; for the second data stream, the UPF transmits the first data stream on the target transmission path corresponding to the second data stream. That is to say, if different data streams in the same PDU session use different transmission modes, the UPF performs different processing operations on different data streams. Accordingly, the transmission auxiliary information sent by the first access network device and the second access network device can be used to determine both the diversion ratio and the target transmission path.

[0204] Optionally, when the transmission mode is a redundant transmission mode, step 607 is replaced by: UPF transmits the data of the first PDU session according to whether to start or stop the redundant transmission mode. For example, when UPF determines to start the redundant transmission mode to transmit the data of the first PDU session, UPF transmits the data of the first PDU session on the transmission paths corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device respectively, that is, the same data is transmitted on the transmission paths corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device. Taking the data of the first PDU session as the first data stream in the first PDU session as an example, when UPF determines to start the redundant transmission mode to transmit the first data stream, UPF transmits the same data of the first data stream on the transmission paths corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device respectively.

[0205] It is understood that the timing relationship of the steps in the process shown in Figure 6 is only an example, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit the timing relationship of the steps. For example, in other examples, step 604 is performed before steps 603a and 603b, that is, the SMF first sends the transmission indication information to the UPF, and then sends the reporting indication information to the first access network device and the second access network device; or step 604, steps 603a and 603b are performed simultaneously, that is, the SMF simultaneously sends the transmission indication information to the UPF and sends the reporting indication information to the first access network device and the second access network device.

[0206] In the process shown in Figure 6 above, the UPF determines the offload ratio of PDU session data across different transmission paths in the offload transmission mode, or determines the target transmission path for PDU session data in the path selection transmission mode, based on the transmission auxiliary information sent by the access network device. Providing transmission auxiliary information to the UPF by the access network device can reduce latency, improve reliability, and enhance real-time performance, compared to the UPF performing PMF measurements to determine transmission performance between the UPF and the terminal, thereby improving decision-making performance.

[0207] Referring to Figure 7, a communication method is provided in an embodiment of the present application. In this method, when the first access network device and the second access network device are connected to different AMFs, the access network device sends transmission auxiliary information to the UPF according to the reporting indication information sent by the SMF, so that the UPF makes a data flow diversion ratio decision or a transmission path decision based on the transmission auxiliary information received from different access network devices.

[0208] As shown in Figure 7, the process may include the following steps:

[0209] Step 701: The terminal sends a PDU session establishment request message to the first AMF through the first access network device to request the establishment of a first PDU session; the terminal sends a PDU session establishment request message to the second AMF through the second access network device to request the establishment of a first PDU session.

[0210] This message includes an MA PDU request and the identifier of the first PDU session. The MA PDU request indicates that the data of the first PDU session is transmitted between at least two access network devices, or in other words, the MA PDU request indicates that the data of the first PDU session is transmitted on the transmission paths corresponding to at least two access network devices. In other words, when the terminal requests to establish the first PDU session, the following steps of the process shown in Figure 7 can be triggered.

[0211] Optionally, when the terminal requests to modify the first PDU session, the following steps of the process shown in Figure 7 may also be triggered. Accordingly, in this case, the PDU session establishment request message sent by the terminal may be replaced with a PDU session modification request message.

[0212] The above only exemplifies the following steps of the process shown in Figure 7 triggered by a PDU session establishment request message or a PDU session modification request message. It can be understood that the following steps may also be triggered by other messages or events, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0213] Steps 702a and 702b: The first AMF sends a PDU session context establishment request message to the SMF, which includes an MA PDU request, and the second AMF sends a PDU session context establishment request message to the SMF, which includes an MA PDU request.

[0214] Optionally, the PDU session context establishment request message may further include access type information and radio access technology (RAT) type information. The access type and RAT type are attributes of a wireless access device, and the combination of the access type and RAT type can identify the access network device. Optionally, the access type information indicates 3GPP access or non-3GPP access, and the RAT type information indicates NR access or future communication network access.

[0215] Optionally, the PDU session context request message may also include an identifier of the first PDU session.

[0216] Steps 703a and 703b: The SMF sends reporting indication information to the first access network device and the second access network device respectively.

[0217] Optionally, when determining that the transmission path corresponding to the first access network device and the transmission path corresponding to the second access network device are associated with the first PDU session of the terminal, the SMF sends reporting indication information to the first access network device and the second access network device respectively. Optionally, the SMF can determine, based on the access type information and RAT type information included in the received PDU session context establishment request message, that the data of the first PDU session of the terminal can be transmitted on the transmission path corresponding to the first access network device and the transmission path corresponding to the second access network device, or that the transmission path corresponding to the first access network device and the transmission path corresponding to the second access network device are associated with the first PDU session of the terminal.

[0218] The SMF may send reporting indication information to the first access network device through the first AMF and send reporting indication information to the second access network device through the second AMF. Optionally, the SMF may send a session container (N2 SM information) to the first access network device through the first AMF, the container including the reporting indication information; and the SMF may send a session container (N2 SM information) to the second access network device through the second AMF, the container including the reporting indication information. In one possible implementation, in step 702a, the first AMF may send the identifier of the first access network device associated with the identifier of the first PDU session to the SMF, and in step 702b, the second AMF may send the identifier of the second access network device associated with the identifier of the first PDU session to the SMF; thus, in step 703a, the SMF may send reporting indication information for sending to the first access network device to the first AMF, so that the first AMF sends the reporting indication information to the first access network device; in step 703b, the SMF may send reporting indication information for sending to the second access network device to the second AMF, so that the second AMF sends the reporting indication information to the second access network device. It should be understood that this application does not limit the specific implementation method of SMF sending reporting indication information to the first access network device through the first AMF, and sending reporting indication information to the second access network device through the second AMF.

[0219] In one possible implementation, the reporting indication information sent by the SMF to the first access network device and the second access network device may be the same, both used to indicate the sending of transmission auxiliary information. In another possible implementation, the reporting indication information sent by the SMF to the first access network device and the second access network device may be different. For example, the reporting indication information sent by the SMF to the first access network device indicates the first access network device to send transmission auxiliary information, and the reporting indication information sent by the SMF to the second access network device indicates the second access network device to send transmission auxiliary information. The transmission auxiliary information of the two access network devices indicates the transmission performance of the transmission paths corresponding to the two access network devices, wherein the transmission auxiliary information of the first access network device indicates the transmission performance of the transmission path corresponding to the first access network device, and the transmission auxiliary information of the second access network device indicates the performance of the transmission path corresponding to the second access network device.

[0220] Optionally, the reporting indication information further instructs the access network device to send the transmission assistance information to the UPF. For example, the reporting indication information may instruct the access network device to send the transmission assistance information for downlink transmission control, or indicate the identifier or address of the UPF, or indicate the type of target network element for the transmission assistance information, so that the access network device can determine to send the transmission assistance information to the UPF. Accordingly, the first access network device and the second access network device send the transmission assistance information to the UPF based on the received reporting indication information.

[0221] Optionally, the SMF may also send reporting frequency indication information to the first access network device, and the first access network device may send transmission assistance information to the UPF based on the reporting frequency indicated by the reporting frequency indication information. Similarly, the SMF may also send reporting frequency indication information to the second access network device, and the second access network device may send transmission assistance information to the UPF based on the reporting frequency indicated by the reporting frequency indication information. The reporting frequency indication information may specifically indicate the number of reports per second, or the number of reports per few seconds. Optionally, the reporting frequency indication information may be included in the reporting indication information or sent via a separate message.

[0222] Step 704: The SMF sends transmission indication information to the UPF, where the transmission indication information includes first transmission indication information, and the first transmission indication information indicates a transmission mode for data of the first PDU session, wherein the transmission mode is a split transmission mode, a path selection transmission mode, or a redundant transmission mode (or redundant transmission mode).

[0223] Optionally, the SMF may also send the diversion rule or path selection rule to the UPF. For example, if the first transmission indication information indicates that the data transmission mode of the first PDU session is the diversion transmission mode, the SMF sends the diversion rule to the UPF; if the first transmission indication information indicates that the data transmission mode of the first PDU session is the path selection transmission mode, the SMF sends the path selection rule to the UPF.

[0224] Step 705: The first access network device and the second access network device respectively send transmission auxiliary information to the UPF.

[0225] Step 706: The UPF determines the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission method of the data of the first PDU session based on the received transmission assistance information.

[0226] Step 707: The UPF transmits the data of the first PDU session according to the determined transmission parameters.

[0227] For the specific implementation of the above steps 704 to 707, please refer to the relevant description in the process shown in Figure 6.

[0228] It can be understood that the timing relationship of each step in the process shown in Figure 7 is only an example, and the embodiment of the present application does not limit the timing relationship of each step.

[0229] Referring to Figure 8, a communication method is provided in an embodiment of the present application. In this method, when a first access network device and a second access network device are connected to the same AMF, the access network device sends transmission auxiliary information to the terminal according to the reporting indication information sent by the SMF, so that the terminal makes a data flow diversion ratio decision or a transmission path decision based on the transmission auxiliary information received from different access network devices.

[0230] As shown in FIG8 , the process may include the following steps:

[0231] Step 801: The terminal sends a PDU session establishment request message to the AMF through the first access network device and the second access network device respectively, requesting to establish a first PDU session.

[0232] For the specific implementation of this step, please refer to step 601 in Figure 6.

[0233] Step 802: The AMF sends a PDU session context establishment request message to the SMF, including an MA PDU request. Optionally, the PDU session context establishment request message may also include an identifier of the first PDU session.

[0234] For the specific implementation of this step, please refer to step 602 in Figure 6.

[0235] Steps 803a and 803b: The SMF sends reporting indication information to the first access network device and the second access network device respectively.

[0236] For the specific implementation of this step, please refer to steps 603a and 603b in Figure 6.

[0237] In one possible implementation, the reporting indication information instructs the access network device to send the transmission assistance information to the terminal. For example, the reporting indication information may instruct the access network device to send the transmission assistance information for uplink transmission control, or may indicate the terminal's identifier, or may indicate the type of target device for the transmission assistance information, so that the access network device can determine whether to send the transmission assistance information to the terminal. Accordingly, the first access network device and the second access network device send the transmission assistance information to the terminal based on the received reporting indication information.

[0238] Step 804: The SMF sends transmission indication information to the terminal, wherein the transmission indication information includes first transmission indication information, and the first transmission indication information indicates a transmission mode of data of the first PDU session, wherein the transmission mode is a split transmission mode, a path selection transmission mode, or a redundant transmission mode.

[0239] The specific implementation of this step can refer to step 604 in Figure 6, that is, the specific implementation of step 804 can be obtained by replacing the UPF in step 604 with the terminal.

[0240] Steps 805a and 805b: the first access network device and the second access network device respectively send transmission auxiliary information to the terminal.

[0241] Optionally, the first access network device and the second access network device may send the transmission assistance information to the terminal through an RRC message.

[0242] The specific implementation of this step can refer to step 605 in FIG. 6 , that is, the specific implementation of step 805 can be obtained by replacing the UPF in step 605 with the terminal.

[0243] Step 806: The terminal determines the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the data of the first PDU session according to the received transmission assistance information.

[0244] In this step, the terminal determines the specific implementation method of the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission method of the data of the first PDU session based on the received transmission auxiliary information. Please refer to Figure 6 for the specific implementation method of the UPF determining the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission method of the data of the first PDU session based on the received transmission auxiliary information.

[0245] Step 807: The terminal transmits the data of the first PDU session according to the determined transmission parameters.

[0246] The terminal can offload and transmit the data of the first PDU session on the uplink transmission path corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device according to the offload ratio indicated by the transmission parameter corresponding to the offload transmission mode, or transmit the data of the first PDU session on the target uplink transmission path according to the target uplink transmission path indicated by the transmission parameter corresponding to the path selection transmission mode.

[0247] In one possible implementation, the terminal can transmit data at the granularity of a session, according to the split ratio or target transmission path, or at the granularity of the data flow in the PDU session, according to the split ratio or target transmission path. The specific implementation is similar to the operation of the UPF in the process shown in Figure 6 and will not be repeated here.

[0248] Optionally, when the transmission mode is a redundant transmission mode, step 807 is replaced by: the terminal transmits the data of the first PDU session according to whether to start or stop the redundant transmission mode. For example, when the terminal determines to start the redundant transmission mode to transmit the data of the first PDU session, the terminal transmits the data of the first PDU session on the transmission paths corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device respectively, that is, the same data is transmitted on the transmission paths corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device. Taking the data of the first PDU session as the first data stream in the first PDU session as an example, when the terminal determines to start the redundant transmission mode to transmit the first data stream, the terminal transmits the same data of the first data stream on the transmission paths corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device respectively.

[0249] It can be understood that the timing relationship of each step in the process shown in Figure 8 is only an example, and the embodiment of the present application does not limit the timing relationship of each step.

[0250] Referring to Figure 9, a communication method is provided in an embodiment of the present application. In this method, when a first access network device and a second access network device are connected to different AMFs, the access network device sends transmission auxiliary information to the terminal according to the reporting indication information sent by the SMF, so that the terminal makes a data flow diversion ratio decision or a transmission path decision based on the transmission auxiliary information received from different access network devices.

[0251] As shown in FIG9 , the process may include the following steps:

[0252] Step 901: The terminal sends a PDU session establishment request message to the first AMF through the first access network device to request the establishment of a first PDU session; the terminal sends a PDU session establishment request message to the second AMF through the second access network device to request the establishment of a first PDU session.

[0253] For the specific implementation of this step, please refer to step 701 in Figure 7.

[0254] Steps 902a and 902b: The first AMF sends a PDU session context establishment request message to the SMF, which includes an MA PDU request and access type indication information, and the second AMF sends a PDU session context establishment request message to the SMF, which includes an MA PDU request.

[0255] For the specific implementation of this step, please refer to step 702 in Figure 7.

[0256] Steps 903a and 903b: The SMF sends reporting indication information to the first access network device and the second access network device respectively.

[0257] The specific implementation of this step can refer to steps 703a and 703b in Figure 7, that is, replacing the UPF in steps 703a and 703b with the terminal can obtain the specific implementation of steps 903a and 903b.

[0258] Step 904: The SMF sends transmission indication information to the terminal, wherein the transmission indication information includes first transmission indication information, and the first transmission indication information indicates a transmission mode of data of the first PDU session, wherein the transmission mode is a split transmission mode, a path selection transmission mode, or a redundant transmission mode.

[0259] For the specific implementation of this step, please refer to step 804 in Figure 8.

[0260] Steps 905a and 905b: the first access network device and the second access network device respectively send transmission auxiliary information to the terminal.

[0261] For the specific implementation of this step, please refer to steps 805a and 805b in Figure 8.

[0262] Step 906: The terminal determines the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the data of the first PDU session according to the received transmission assistance information.

[0263] For the specific implementation of this step, please refer to step 806 in Figure 8.

[0264] Step 907: The terminal transmits the data of the first PDU session according to the determined transmission parameters.

[0265] For the specific implementation of this step, please refer to step 807 in Figure 8.

[0266] It can be understood that the timing relationship of each step in the process shown in Figure 9 is only an example, and the embodiment of the present application does not limit the timing relationship of each step.

[0267] In some embodiments of the present application, N access network devices may send their respective transmission assistance information to a session management function entity in a core network. The session management function entity may determine a data diversion ratio or a target transmission path for the data based on the transmission assistance information of the N access network devices, and indicate the determined diversion ratio or target transmission path to a first device, so that the first device can control data transmission based on the diversion ratio or target transmission path. The first device may include a terminal and / or a user plane function entity.

[0268] The above method is described below with reference to Figures 10 and 11. In the processes shown in Figures 10 and 11, the terminal is connected to the user plane functional entity through N access network devices, or the terminal has transmission paths corresponding to N access network devices, or the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices are associated with a session of the terminal (such as the first PDU session). Figure 10 describes the process in which the session management functional entity determines the data diversion ratio or the target transmission path of the data based on the transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices when N access network devices are connected to the same access and mobility management functional entity; Figure 11 describes the process in which the session management functional entity determines the data diversion ratio or the target transmission path of the data based on the transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices when N access network devices are connected to different access and mobility management functional entities.

[0269] To simplify the description, the processes shown in Figures 10 and 11 are based on the system architecture shown in Figure 1. For example, the control plane network function entities include the SMF and AMF, the user plane function entity is the UPF, and the number of access network devices N = 2, that is, the access network devices include the first access network device and the second access network device. In the processes shown in Figures 10 and 11, the terminal is connected to the UPF through the first access network device and the second access network device, or the terminal has two transmission paths corresponding to the access network devices, or the transmission paths corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device are associated with the terminal's first PDU session, or the first PDU session is established on the first access network device and the second access network device. The SMF is used to manage the terminal's first PDU session, and the UPF, the first access network device, and the second access network device are used to transmit data for the first PDU session.

[0270] See Figure 10, which shows a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. In this method, when the first access network device and the second access network device are connected to the same AMF, the SMF makes a data flow splitting ratio decision or a transmission path decision based on the transmission auxiliary information sent by the access network device.

[0271] As shown in Figure 10, the process may include the following steps:

[0272] Step 1001: The terminal sends a PDU session establishment request message to the AMF through the first access network device and the second access network device respectively, requesting to establish a first PDU session.

[0273] For the specific implementation of this step, please refer to step 601 in Figure 6.

[0274] Step 1002: AMF sends a PDU session context establishment request message to SMF, which includes an MA PDU request and optionally an identifier of the first PDU session.

[0275] For the specific implementation of this step, please refer to step 602 in Figure 6.

[0276] Steps 1003a and 1003b: The SMF sends reporting indication information to the first access network device and the second access network device respectively.

[0277] For the specific implementation of this step, please refer to steps 603a and 603b in Figure 6.

[0278] In one possible implementation, the reporting indication information sent by the SMF to the first access network device instructs the first access network device to send transmission auxiliary information to the SMF, and the reporting indication information sent by the SMF to the second access network device instructs the second access network device to send transmission auxiliary information to the SMF.

[0279] Step 1004a: SMF sends transmission indication information to UPF, where the transmission indication information includes third transmission indication information, and the third transmission indication information indicates the transmission of data of the first PDU session according to the received transmission parameters.

[0280] In one possible implementation, the transmission indication information further includes fourth transmission indication information, where the fourth transmission indication information indicates a transmission mode of data of the first PDU session, such as indicating that the transmission mode of the first PDU session is a diversion transmission mode, a path selection transmission mode, or a redundant transmission mode. The type of transmission mode can be referred to above and will not be repeated here.

[0281] Exemplarily, the first PDU session includes at least one data stream, the at least one data stream includes a first data stream, and the data of the first PDU session includes the first data stream. Accordingly, the fourth transmission indication information may indicate a transmission mode of the first data stream of the first PDU session.

[0282] As another example, the first PDU session includes multiple data streams, and the fourth transmission indication information can indicate the transmission modes of the multiple data streams. The transmission modes of the multiple data streams may be the same or different. For example, the first transmission indication information indicates that the first data stream in the first PDU session is a diversion transmission mode, and indicates that the second data stream in the first PDU session is a path selection transmission mode. This application is not limited.

[0283] In one possible implementation, when the transmission mode is a redundant transmission mode, that is, the fourth transmission indication information indicates that the transmission mode of the data of the first PDU session is a redundant transmission mode, the third transmission indication information indicates to enable or stop the redundant transmission mode to transmit the data of the first PDU session according to the transmission parameters corresponding to the received redundant transmission mode.

[0284] In a possible implementation, the third transmission indication information indicates that the first data stream in the first PDU session is transmitted according to the received transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the first data stream.

[0285] In another possible implementation, the third transmission indication information indicates that, for multiple data streams (for example, each data stream) in the first PDU session, transmission is performed according to transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of each data stream in the multiple data streams.

[0286] In another possible implementation, the third transmission indication information indicates that each data stream in the first PDU session is transmitted according to the received transmission parameters with the PDU session as the granularity. For example, the transmission mode of all data streams in the first PDU session is the path selection transmission mode, and the transmission parameters received by the UPF indicate a target transmission path, then all data streams in the first PDU session are transmitted through the target transmission path. For another example, the transmission mode of all data streams in the first PDU session is the diversion transmission mode, and the transmission parameters received by the UPF indicate a diversion ratio, then all data streams in the first PDU session are transmitted on different transmission paths according to the diversion ratio. For another example, the first PDU session includes M data streams in the diversion transmission mode and N data streams in the path selection transmission mode, and the transmission parameters received by the UPF include an indication of a target transmission path and a diversion ratio, then the M data streams in the first PDU session are all transmitted on different transmission paths according to the diversion ratio, and the N data streams in the first PDU session are all transmitted through the target transmission path.

[0287] In one possible implementation, the SMF may obtain the transmission mode information of the data of the first PDU session from the PCF, and then configure the transmission mode of the data of the first PDU session to the UPF through the transmission indication information.

[0288] Optionally, the PCF or SMF determines the transmission mode of the data of the first PDU session based on the data requirements of the first PDU session. For example, if the data of the first PDU session includes a first data stream, and if the transmission rate requirement of the first data stream is high, the transmission mode of the first data stream is determined to be a split transmission mode; if the transmission reliability requirement of the first data stream is high, the transmission mode of the first data stream is determined to be a redundant transmission mode.

[0289] Optionally, when the SMF determines that the transmission path corresponding to the first access network device and the transmission path corresponding to the second access network device are associated with the first PDU session of the terminal, the SMF sends transmission indication information to the UPF. For the specific implementation method of the SMF determining whether the transmission path corresponding to the first access network device and the transmission path corresponding to the second access network device are associated with the first PDU session of the terminal, please refer to the relevant content in the previous text.

[0290] Step 1004b: The SMF sends transmission indication information to the terminal, where the transmission indication information includes third transmission indication information, and the third transmission indication information indicates that the data of the first PDU session is to be transmitted according to the received transmission parameters.

[0291] Optionally, the transmission indication information also includes fourth transmission indication information, and the fourth transmission indication information indicates the transmission mode of the data of the first PDU session, such as indicating that the transmission mode of the first PDU session is a diversion transmission mode or a path selection transmission mode or a redundant transmission mode.

[0292] The meaning and function of the third transmission indication information and the fourth transmission indication information are similar to the corresponding transmission indication information in the above step 1004a.

[0293] Optionally, the SMF may obtain the transmission mode information of the data of the first PDU session from the PCF, and then configure the transmission mode of the data of the first PDU session to the terminal through the transmission indication information.

[0294] Optionally, when the SMF determines that the transmission path corresponding to the first access network device and the transmission path corresponding to the second access network device are associated with the first PDU session of the terminal, the SMF sends transmission indication information to the terminal.

[0295] Step 1005: The first access network device and the second access network device respectively send transmission auxiliary information to the SMF.

[0296] The specific implementation of this step can refer to step 605 in Figure 6, except that the first access network device and the second access network device send the transmission auxiliary information to the SMF.

[0297] Step 1006: The SMF determines the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission method of the data of the first PDU session based on the received transmission auxiliary information.

[0298] In this step, the SMF determines the specific implementation method of the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the data of the first PDU session based on the received transmission auxiliary information. Please refer to Figure 6 for the specific implementation method of the UPF determining the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the data of the first PDU session based on the received transmission auxiliary information.

[0299] Optionally, the SMF may determine the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the data of the first PDU session in the downlink direction, and / or the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the data of the first PDU session in the uplink direction based on the received transmission auxiliary information. Among them, the diversion ratio corresponding to the diversion transmission mode of the data of the first PDU session in the downlink direction may be the same as the diversion ratio corresponding to the diversion transmission mode of the data of the first PDU session in the uplink direction, and of course may be different; the target transmission path corresponding to the path selection transmission mode of the data of the first PDU session in the downlink direction may be the same as the target transmission path corresponding to the path selection transmission mode of the data of the first PDU session in the uplink direction, and of course may be different.

[0300] Step 1007a: The SMF sends the determined transmission parameters to the UPF.

[0301] Optionally, the SMF sends the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission method of the data of the first PDU session in the downlink direction to the UPF.

[0302] Step 1007b: The SMF sends the determined transmission parameters to the terminal.

[0303] Optionally, the SMF sends transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission method of data of the first PDU session in the uplink direction to the terminal.

[0304] Step 1008: The terminal and / or UPF transmits the data of the first PDU session according to the received transmission parameters.

[0305] In this step, the specific implementation method in which the terminal transmits the data of the first PDU session according to the received transmission parameters can be referred to the relevant description in 8, and the specific implementation method in which the UPF transmits the data of the first PDU session according to the received transmission parameters can be referred to the relevant description in 6.

[0306] Based on the above process, in one possible implementation, step 1004b and step 1007b can be omitted, that is, the SMF only instructs the UPF to transmit data according to the received transmission parameters, and sends the transmission parameters to the UPF; in another possible implementation, step 1004a and step 1007a can be omitted, that is, the SMF only instructs the terminal to transmit data according to the received transmission parameters, and sends the transmission parameters to the terminal.

[0307] It can be understood that the timing relationship of each step in the process shown in Figure 10 is only an example, and the embodiment of the present application does not limit the timing relationship of each step.

[0308] Referring to Figure 11, a communication method is provided in an embodiment of the present application. In this method, when the first access network device and the second access network device are connected to different AMFs, the SMF makes a data flow splitting ratio decision or a transmission path decision based on the transmission auxiliary information sent by the access network device.

[0309] As shown in Figure 11, the process may include the following steps:

[0310] Step 1101: The terminal sends a PDU session establishment request message to the first AMF through the first access network device to request the establishment of a first PDU session; the terminal sends a PDU session establishment request message to the second AMF through the second access network device to request the establishment of a first PDU session.

[0311] For the specific implementation of this step, please refer to step 701 in Figure 7.

[0312] Steps 1102a and 1102b: The first AMF sends a PDU session context establishment request message to the SMF, which includes an MA PDU request, and the second AMF sends a PDU session context establishment request message to the SMF, which includes an MA PDU request.

[0313] For the specific implementation of this step, please refer to steps 702a and 702b in Figure 7.

[0314] Steps 1103a and 1103b: The SMF sends reporting indication information to the first access network device and the second access network device respectively.

[0315] For the specific implementation of this step, please refer to steps 1003a and 1003b in Figure 10.

[0316] Step 1104a: SMF sends transmission indication information to UPF, where the transmission indication information includes third transmission indication information, and the third transmission indication information indicates the transmission of data of the first PDU session according to the received transmission parameters.

[0317] Step 1104b: The SMF sends transmission indication information to the terminal, where the transmission indication information includes third transmission indication information, and the third transmission indication information indicates that the data of the first PDU session is to be transmitted according to the received transmission parameters.

[0318] Step 1105: The first access network device and the second access network device respectively send transmission auxiliary information to the SMF.

[0319] Step 1106: The SMF determines the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission method of the data of the first PDU session based on the received transmission auxiliary information.

[0320] Step 1107a: The SMF sends the determined transmission parameters to the UPF.

[0321] Step 1107b: The SMF sends the determined transmission parameters to the terminal.

[0322] Step 1108: The terminal and / or UPF transmits the data of the first PDU session according to the received transmission parameters.

[0323] For the specific implementation of the above steps 1103a and 1103b, steps 1104a and 1104b, step 1105, step 1106, steps 1107a and 1107b, and step 1108, please refer to the specific implementation of the relevant steps in Figure 10.

[0324] Based on the above process, in one possible implementation, step 1104b and step 1107b can be omitted, that is, the SMF only instructs the UPF to transmit data according to the received transmission parameters, and sends the transmission parameters to the UPF; in another possible implementation, step 1104a and step 1107a can be omitted, that is, the SMF only instructs the terminal to transmit data according to the received transmission parameters, and sends the transmission parameters to the terminal.

[0325] It can be understood that the timing relationship of each step in the process shown in Figure 11 is only an example, and the embodiment of the present application does not limit the timing relationship of each step.

[0326] In some embodiments of the present application, a session management function entity may instruct a first access network device among N access network devices to determine a data split ratio or a target transmission path for the data based on transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices, and indicate the determined split ratio and target transmission path to the first device, or forward the determined split ratio and target transmission path to the first device through the session management function entity, so that the first device can perform data transmission based on the received split ratio or target transmission path. The first device may include a terminal and / or a user plane function entity.

[0327] The above method is described below with reference to Figures 12, 13, 14, and 15. In the processes shown in Figures 12, 13, 14, and 15, the terminal is connected to the user plane functional entity through N access network devices, or the terminal has transmission paths corresponding to N access network devices, or the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices are associated with a session of the terminal (for example, the first PDU session). Figure 12 describes a process in which, for downlink transmission, the first access network device determines the data diversion ratio or the target transmission path of the data based on the transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices when N access network devices are connected to the same access and mobility management functional entity; Figure 13 describes a process in which, for downlink transmission, the first access network device determines the data diversion ratio or the target transmission path of the data based on the transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices when N access network devices are connected to different access and mobility management functional entities; Figure 14 describes a process in which, for uplink transmission, the first access network device determines the data diversion ratio or the target transmission path of the data based on the transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices when N access network devices are connected to the same access and mobility management functional entity; Figure 15 describes a process in which, for uplink transmission, the first access network device determines the data diversion ratio or the target transmission path of the data based on the transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices when N access network devices are connected to different access and mobility management functional entities.

[0328] To simplify the description, the processes shown in Figures 12, 13, 14, and 15 are based on the system architecture shown in Figure 1. The examples are as follows: the control plane network function entities include the SMF and AMF, the user plane function entity is the UPF, and the number of access network devices N = 2, i.e., the access network devices include a first access network device and a second access network device. In the processes shown in Figures 12, 13, 14, and 15, the terminal is connected to the UPF through the first access network device and the second access network device. In other words, the terminal has transmission paths corresponding to two access network devices, or the transmission paths corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device are associated with the terminal's first PDU session, or the first PDU session is established on the first access network device and the second access network device. The SMF is responsible for managing the terminal's first PDU session, and the UPF, the first access network device, and the second access network device are responsible for transmitting data for the first PDU session.

[0329] Referring to Figure 12, a communication method is provided in an embodiment of the present application. In this method, when a first access network device and a second access network device are connected to the same AMF, for downlink transmission, the first access network device makes a data flow splitting ratio decision or a transmission path decision based on the transmission auxiliary information of the first access network device and the second access network device.

[0330] As shown in Figure 12, the process may include the following steps:

[0331] Step 1201: The terminal sends a PDU session establishment request message to the AMF through the first access network device and the second access network device respectively, requesting to establish a first PDU session.

[0332] For the specific implementation of this step, please refer to the relevant steps in Figure 6.

[0333] Step 1202: AMF sends a PDU session context establishment request message to SMF, which includes an MA PDU request.

[0334] Optionally, the PDU session context establishment request message may further include multiple access indication information, wherein the multiple access indication information indicates dual radio access type (dual radio access), or indicates that the terminal accesses through dual access type, for example, the multiple access indication information indicates that the terminal accesses through 3GPP access and non-3GPP access respectively, and for another example, the multiple access type indication information indicates that the terminal accesses through two 3GPP accesses or dual 3GPP access types. For example, when the AMF receives PDU session establishment requests for the first PDU session from two access network devices respectively, the PDU session context establishment request message includes multiple access indication information. For the case of two access network devices, the multiple access indication information indicates dual radio access type or dual 3GPP access type or dual 3GPP access type.

[0335] Optionally, the AMF may send the identifiers (e.g., cell identifiers) or device addresses of the first access network device and the second access network device to the SMF. Accordingly, in subsequent steps, the SMF determines to which access network device the first indication information is sent, or to which access network device the transmission parameters are requested. Optionally, an access network device with a smaller identifier value or address value may be selected, or an access network device may be selected based on other factors, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0336] Optionally, the AMF may select the first access network device to provide transmission parameters and send the identifier or address of the second access network device to the SMF.

[0337] Optionally, the PDU session context establishment request message may further include an identifier of the first PDU session.

[0338] Step 1203: SMF sends a first indication message to the first access network device, where the first indication message instructs the first access network device to determine the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission method of the data of the first session, or in other words, the first indication message indicates the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission method requested for the data of the first session.

[0339] In one possible implementation, the first indication information instructs the first access network device to determine the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the first data stream in the first PDU session. That is, the first indication information may instruct the first access network device to determine the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of a data stream in the first PDU session. Optionally, the first access network device may be instructed to determine the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the data stream in the first PDU session through a data stream identifier.

[0340] In another possible implementation, the first indication information instructs the first access network device to separately determine the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission modes of multiple data streams in the first PDU session. That is, the first indication information may instruct the first access network device to determine the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission modes of the multiple data streams in the first PDU session. Different data streams with the same transmission mode may have different transmission parameters. Optionally, the first access network device may be instructed, via a data stream identifier, to determine which data streams in the first PDU session have transmission parameters corresponding to their transmission modes. For example, the first PDU session includes a first data stream and a second data stream using a split transmission mode. Based on the first indication information, the first access network device determines the split ratio for the first data stream to be a first split ratio and the split ratio for the second data stream to be a second split ratio. For another example, the first PDU session includes a first data stream and a second data stream using a path selection transmission mode. Based on the first indication information, the first access network device determines the target transmission path for the first data stream to be the first transmission path corresponding to the first access network device and determines the target transmission path for the second data stream to be the second transmission path corresponding to the second access network device.

[0341] In another possible implementation, the first indication information instructs the first access network device to determine the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the data of the first PDU session at the PDU session granularity. In other words, the first indication information instructs to determine the same transmission parameters for data streams with the same transmission mode. For example, the first PDU session includes a first data stream and a second data stream in a diversion transmission mode. According to the first indication information, the first access network device determines a first diversion ratio, and the first data stream and the second data stream are both transmitted on different transmission paths according to the first diversion ratio. For another example, the first PDU session includes a first data stream and a second data stream in a path selection transmission mode. According to the first indication information, the first access network device determines a first target transmission path, and the first data stream and the second data stream are both transmitted through the first target transmission path.

[0342] Optionally, when the SMF determines that the transmission path corresponding to the first access network device and the transmission path corresponding to the second access network device are associated with the first PDU session of the terminal, the SMF sends a first indication message to the first access network device. For the specific implementation method of the SMF determining whether the transmission path corresponding to the first access network device and the transmission path corresponding to the second access network device are associated with the first PDU session of the terminal, please refer to the relevant content in the previous text.

[0343] Optionally, the SMF may also send the identifier or address of the second access network device to the first access network device, so that the first access network device can interact with the second access network device and obtain the transmission auxiliary information of the second access network device. Optionally, the SMF may obtain the identifier or address of the second access network device from the AMF, or the AMF may send the identifier or address of the second access network device to the SMF. In other embodiments, the terminal or the AMF may also send the identifier or address of the second access network device to the first access network device.

[0344] Optionally, the SMF may also send reporting frequency indication information to the first access network device, so that the first access network device can instruct the second access network device to send transmission auxiliary information to the first access network device according to the reporting frequency indicated by the reporting frequency indication information. The reporting frequency indication information may specifically indicate the number of reports per second, or the number of reports per second.

[0345] Optionally, the first indication information further instructs the first access network device to send the transmission parameters to the UPF. Optionally, the SMF may instruct the first access network device to send the transmission parameters to the UPF through another indication information, such as the second indication information.

[0346] In one possible implementation, the SMF sends a session container (N2 SM information) to the first access network device through the AMF. The container includes the first indication information and may optionally include reporting frequency indication information. Optionally, the container may also include an identifier of the second access network device (such as a Cell ID, i.e., a cell identifier).

[0347] Step 1204: SMF sends transmission indication information to UPF, where the transmission indication information includes fifth transmission indication information, and the fifth transmission indication information instructs UPF to transmit data of the first PDU session according to the transmission parameters.

[0348] In a possible implementation, the fifth transmission indication information indicates that the first data stream in the first PDU session is transmitted according to the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the first data stream.

[0349] In another possible implementation, the fifth transmission indication information indicates that, for multiple data streams (for example, each data stream) in the first PDU session, transmission is performed according to transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of each data stream in the multiple data streams.

[0350] In another possible implementation, the fifth transmission indication information indicates that each data stream in the first PDU session is transmitted according to the transmission parameters with the PDU session as the granularity. For example, the transmission mode of all data streams in the first PDU session is the path selection transmission mode, and the transmission parameters received by the UPF indicate a target transmission path, then all data streams in the first PDU session are transmitted through the target transmission path. For another example, the transmission mode of all data streams in the first PDU session is the diversion transmission mode, and the transmission parameters received by the UPF indicate a diversion ratio, then all data streams in the first PDU session are transmitted on different transmission paths according to the diversion ratio. For another example, the first PDU session includes M data streams in the diversion transmission mode and N data streams in the path selection transmission mode, and the transmission parameters received by the UPF include an indication of a target transmission path and a diversion ratio, then the M data streams in the first PDU session are all transmitted on different transmission paths according to the diversion ratio, and the N data streams in the first PDU session are all transmitted through the target transmission path.

[0351] Optionally, the transmission indication information further includes sixth transmission indication information, and the sixth transmission indication information indicates a transmission method of data of the first PDU session.

[0352] Exemplarily, the first PDU session includes at least one data stream, the at least one data stream includes a first data stream, and the data of the first PDU session includes the first data stream. Accordingly, the sixth transmission indication information may indicate a transmission mode of the first data stream of the first PDU session.

[0353] As another example, the first PDU session includes multiple data streams, and the sixth transmission indication information can indicate the transmission modes of the multiple data streams. The transmission modes of the multiple data streams may be the same or different. For example, the first transmission indication information indicates that the first data stream in the first PDU session is a diversion transmission mode, and indicates that the second data stream in the first PDU session is a path selection transmission mode. This application is not limited.

[0354] In one possible implementation, when the transmission mode is a redundant transmission mode, that is, the sixth transmission indication information indicates that the transmission mode of the data of the first PDU session is a redundant transmission mode, the fifth transmission indication information indicates to enable or stop the redundant transmission mode to transmit the data of the first PDU session according to the transmission parameters corresponding to the received redundant transmission mode.

[0355] Optionally, the SMF may obtain the transmission mode information of the data of the first PDU session from the PCF, and then configure the transmission mode of the data of the first PDU session to the UPF through the sixth transmission indication information.

[0356] Optionally, the PCF or SMF determines the transmission mode of the data of the first PDU session based on the data requirements of the first PDU session. For example, if the data of the first PDU session includes a first data stream, and if the transmission rate requirement of the first data stream is high, the transmission mode of the first data stream is determined to be a split transmission mode; if the transmission reliability requirement of the first data stream is high, the transmission mode of the first data stream is determined to be a redundant transmission mode.

[0357] Optionally, the SMF may also send a diversion rule or a transmission path selection rule to the UPF. For the relevant description of the diversion rule and the transmission path selection rule, please refer to the relevant content in the previous text.

[0358] Step 1205: The first access network device determines the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the data of the first PDU session based on the transmission auxiliary information of the first access network device and the second access network device.

[0359] If the transmission mode is a diversion transmission mode, the first access network device determines the diversion ratio of the data of the first PDU session on the transmission path corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device based on the transmission auxiliary information of the first access network device and the second access network device; if the transmission mode is a path selection transmission mode, the first access network device determines the target transmission path of the data of the first PDU session based on the transmission auxiliary information of the first access network device and the second access network device.

[0360] In one possible implementation, a first access network device determines transmission parameters corresponding to a transmission mode of a first data stream in a first PDU session. That is, the first access network device may determine transmission parameters corresponding to a transmission mode of a data stream in the first PDU session. Optionally, a data stream identifier may be used to indicate to the first access network device which data stream in the first PDU session has the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode.

[0361] In another possible implementation, the first access network device determines the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission modes of the multiple data streams in the first PDU session respectively. That is, the first access network device can determine the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission modes of the multiple data streams in the first PDU session, and different data streams with the same transmission mode may have different transmission parameters. Optionally, the data stream identifier can be used to indicate to the first access network device which data streams in the first PDU session have transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode. For example, the first PDU session includes the first data stream and the second data stream of the diversion transmission mode, and the first access network device determines the diversion ratio of the first data stream to be the first diversion ratio, and determines the diversion ratio of the second data stream to be the second diversion ratio. For another example, the first PDU session includes the first data stream and the second data stream of the path selection transmission mode, and the UPF determines the target transmission path of the first data stream to be the first transmission path corresponding to the first access network device, and determines the target transmission path of the second data stream to be the second transmission path corresponding to the second access network device.

[0362] In another possible implementation, the first access network device determines the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the data of the first PDU session at the PDU session granularity. In other words, the first access network device can determine the same transmission parameters for data streams with the same transmission mode. For example, the first PDU session includes a first data stream and a second data stream in a diversion transmission mode, the first access network device determines a first diversion ratio, and the first data stream and the second data stream are both transmitted on different transmission paths according to the first diversion ratio. For another example, the first PDU session includes a first data stream and a second data stream in a path selection transmission mode, the first access network device determines a first target transmission path, and the first data stream and the second data stream are both transmitted through the first target transmission path.

[0363] Optionally, the first access network device may obtain transmission auxiliary information from the second access network device based on an identifier or address of the second access network device. The identifier or address of the second access network device may be sent by the SMF to the first access network device, or by the AMF to the first access network device, or by the terminal to the first access network device.

[0364] Optionally, the first access network device may instruct the second access network device to send transmission auxiliary information according to the reporting frequency indication information sent by the SMF.

[0365] Optionally, the first access network device determines transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of data of the first PDU session based on transmission auxiliary information of the first access network device and the second access network device and capability information of the terminal, wherein the capability information of the terminal indicates the air interface transmission capability of the terminal on the first access network device and the second access network device.

[0366] In another embodiment, when the number of access network devices is N (N is an integer greater than 2), the first access network device obtains transmission assistance information of other devices among the N access network devices except the first access network device, and determines the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission method of the data of the first PDU session based on the transmission assistance and the first access network device's own transmission assistance information.

[0367] Optionally, when the transmission mode is a redundant transmission mode, step 1205 is replaced by: the first access network device determines to adopt a redundant transmission mode to transmit the data of the first PDU session based on the transmission auxiliary information. Exemplarily, if the signal status of the first access network device and the signal status of the second access network device are both poor, it is determined to adopt a redundant transmission mode to transmit the data of the first PDU session. Exemplarily, if the transmission reliability between the first access network device and the terminal and the transmission reliability between the second access network device and the terminal are both poor, it is determined to adopt a redundant transmission mode to transmit the data of the first PDU session. Taking the data of the first PDU session as the first data stream in the first PDU session as an example, when the transmission reliability in the transmission auxiliary information is poor, the first access network device determines to turn on the redundant transmission mode to transmit the first data stream. When the transmission reliability in the transmission auxiliary information is good, the first access network device determines to turn off or stop the redundant transmission mode to transmit the first data stream.

[0368] Step 1206: The first access network device sends the transmission parameters to the UPF.

[0369] Step 1207: The UPF transmits the data of the first PDU session according to the determined transmission parameters. For specific implementation methods, please refer to the relevant content above.

[0370] In one possible implementation, after receiving the transmission parameters, the UPF can determine new transmission parameters based on the transmission parameters and measurement information, or adjust the received transmission parameters, such as adjusting the offload ratio or re-determining the target transmission path, and then transmit data based on the new or adjusted transmission parameters. Optionally, the measurement information may include measurement information obtained based on RTT measurement and / or PER measurement. This can further improve the reliability of decision-making.

[0371] Optionally, the SMF may instruct the UPF to determine new transmission parameters or adjust received transmission parameters based on the transmission parameters and measurement information. That is, the transmission parameters determined by the first access network device are recommended transmission parameters, and the UPF may use the recommended transmission parameters in combination with other considerations to determine its own transmission parameters for data transmission. Accordingly, the fifth transmission indication information may be understood as being used to instruct the UPF to transmit data for the first PDU session according to the recommended transmission parameters.

[0372] Optionally, when the transmission mode is a redundant transmission mode, the UPF enables or stops transmitting the data of the first PDU session using the redundant transmission mode according to the received transmission parameters corresponding to the redundant transmission mode.

[0373] It can be understood that the timing relationship of each step in the process shown in Figure 12 is only an example, and the embodiment of the present application does not limit the timing relationship of each step.

[0374] In another embodiment, the first access network device sends the transmission parameters to the SMF, and the SMF sends the transmission parameters to the UPF, and the other steps are similar to those in Figure 12. Optionally, the first indication information sent by the SMF to the first access network device also instructs the first access network device to send the transmission parameters to the SMF, or the SMF may also instruct the first access network device to send the transmission parameters to the SMF through second indication information.

[0375] In the process shown in Figure 12 above, the first access network device determines the diversion ratio of the PDU session data on different transmission paths in the diversion transmission mode, or determines the target transmission path of the PDU session data in the path selection transmission mode, based on the transmission auxiliary information of the first access network device and the other access network devices. Because the access network device obtains the transmission auxiliary information through negotiation, compared with the UPF performing PMF measurements to obtain the transmission performance between the UPF and the terminal, it can reduce latency, improve reliability, and enhance real-time performance, thereby improving decision-making performance.

[0376] Referring to Figure 13, a communication method is provided in an embodiment of the present application. In this method, when a first access network device and a second access network device are connected to different AMFs, for downlink transmission, the first access network device makes a data flow splitting ratio decision or a transmission path decision based on the transmission auxiliary information of the first access network device and the second access network device.

[0377] As shown in Figure 13, the process may include the following steps:

[0378] Step 1301: The terminal sends a PDU session establishment request message to the first AMF through the first access network device to request the establishment of a first PDU session; the terminal sends a PDU session establishment request message to the second AMF through the second access network device to request the establishment of a first PDU session.

[0379] Steps 1302a and 1302b: The first AMF sends a PDU session context establishment request message to the SMF, which includes an MA PDU request, and the second AMF sends a PDU session context establishment request message to the SMF, which includes an MA PDU request.

[0380] Step 1303: SMF sends a first indication message to the first access network device, wherein the first indication message instructs the first access network device to determine the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission method of the data of the first session, or in other words, the first indication message indicates the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission method of the data requested for the first session.

[0381] Step 1304: SMF sends transmission indication information to UPF, where the transmission indication information includes fifth transmission indication information, and the fifth transmission indication information instructs UPF to transmit data of the first PDU session according to the transmission parameters.

[0382] Step 1305: The first access network device determines the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the data of the first PDU session according to the transmission auxiliary information of the first access network device and the second access network device.

[0383] Step 1306: The first access network device sends the transmission parameters to the UPF.

[0384] Step 1307: The UPF transmits the data of the first PDU session according to the determined transmission parameters. For the specific implementation, please refer to the relevant content above.

[0385] In the process shown in FIG13 above, step 1301, step 1302a and step 1302b may refer to the implementation of the relevant steps in FIG7; and step 1303 to step 1307 may refer to the implementation of the relevant steps in FIG12.

[0386] It can be understood that the timing relationship of each step in the process shown in Figure 13 is only an example, and the embodiment of the present application does not limit the timing relationship of each step.

[0387] In another embodiment, the first access network device sends the transmission parameters to the SMF, and the SMF sends the transmission parameters to the UPF, and the other steps are similar to those in Figure 13. Optionally, the first indication information sent by the SMF to the first access network device also instructs the first access network device to send the transmission parameters to the SMF, or the SMF may also instruct the first access network device to send the transmission parameters to the SMF through second indication information.

[0388] Referring to Figure 14, a communication method is provided in an embodiment of the present application. In this method, when a first access network device and a second access network device are connected to the same AMF, for uplink transmission, the first access network device makes a data flow splitting ratio decision or a transmission path decision based on the transmission auxiliary information of the first access network device and the second access network device.

[0389] As shown in Figure 14, the process may include the following steps:

[0390] Step 1401: The terminal sends a PDU session establishment request message to the AMF through the first access network device and the second access network device respectively, requesting to establish a first PDU session.

[0391] Step 1402: AMF sends a PDU session context establishment request message to SMF, which includes an MA PDU request.

[0392] Step 1403: SMF sends a first indication message to the first access network device, where the first indication message instructs the first access network device to determine the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission method of the data of the first session, or in other words, the first indication message indicates the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission method of the data of the first session.

[0393] Optionally, the SMF may also send the identifier or address of the second access network device to the first access network device, report frequency indication information, etc.

[0394] Step 1404: The SMF sends transmission indication information to the terminal, where the transmission indication information includes fifth transmission indication information, and the fifth transmission indication information instructs the terminal to transmit data of the first PDU session according to the transmission parameters.

[0395] Step 1405: The first access network device determines the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission method of the data of the first PDU session based on the transmission auxiliary information of the first access network device and the second access network device.

[0396] Step 1406: The first access network device sends the transmission parameters to the terminal.

[0397] Step 1407: The terminal transmits the data of the first PDU session according to the determined transmission parameters.

[0398] The steps in the process shown in Figure 14 above can refer to the relevant steps in the process shown in Figure 12, the difference is that the "UPF" in Figure 12 is replaced by "terminal", so that the terminal performs uplink transmission according to the transmission parameters determined by the first access network.

[0399] It can be understood that the timing relationship of each step in the process shown in Figure 14 is only an example, and the embodiment of the present application does not limit the timing relationship of each step.

[0400] In another embodiment, the first access network device sends the transmission parameters to the SMF, and the SMF sends the transmission parameters to the UPF, and the other steps are similar to those in Figure 14. Optionally, the first indication information sent by the SMF to the first access network device also instructs the first access network device to send the transmission parameters to the SMF, or the SMF may also instruct the first access network device to send the transmission parameters to the SMF through second indication information.

[0401] Referring to Figure 15 , a communication method is provided in an embodiment of the present application. In this method, when a first access network device and a second access network device are connected to different AMFs, for uplink transmission, the first access network device makes a data flow splitting ratio decision or a transmission path decision based on the transmission auxiliary information of the first access network device and the second access network device.

[0402] As shown in Figure 15, the process may include the following steps:

[0403] Step 1501: The terminal sends a PDU session establishment request message to the first AMF through the first access network device to request the establishment of a first PDU session; the terminal sends a PDU session establishment request message to the second AMF through the second access network device to request the establishment of a first PDU session.

[0404] Steps 1502a and 1502b: The first AMF sends a PDU session context establishment request message to the SMF, which includes an MA PDU request, and the second AMF sends a PDU session context establishment request message to the SMF, which includes an MA PDU request.

[0405] Step 1503: SMF sends a first indication message to the first access network device, wherein the first indication message instructs the first access network device to determine the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission method of the data of the first session, or in other words, the first indication message indicates the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission method of the data requested for the first session.

[0406] Step 1504: The SMF sends transmission indication information to the terminal, where the transmission indication information includes fifth transmission indication information, and the fifth transmission indication information instructs the UPF to transmit data of the first PDU session according to the transmission parameters.

[0407] Step 1505: The first access network device determines the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the data of the first PDU session based on the transmission auxiliary information of the first access network device and the second access network device.

[0408] Step 1506: The first access network device sends the transmission parameters to the terminal.

[0409] Step 1507: The terminal transmits the data of the first PDU session according to the determined transmission parameters. For specific implementation methods, please refer to the relevant content above.

[0410] The steps of the process shown in Figure 15 above can refer to the relevant steps in the process shown in Figure 13, the difference is that the "UPF" in Figure 13 is replaced by "terminal", so that the terminal performs uplink transmission according to the transmission parameters determined by the first access network.

[0411] It can be understood that the timing relationship of each step in the process shown in Figure 15 is only an example, and the embodiment of the present application does not limit the timing relationship of each step.

[0412] In another embodiment, the first access network device sends the transmission parameters to the SMF, and the SMF sends the transmission parameters to the UPF, and the other steps are similar to those in Figure 15. Optionally, the first indication information sent by the SMF to the first access network device also instructs the first access network device to send the transmission parameters to the SMF, or the SMF may also instruct the first access network device to send the transmission parameters to the SMF through second indication information.

[0413] It is understood that in order to implement the functions in the above embodiments, the network devices and terminal devices include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should readily appreciate that, in combination with the units and method steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed in this application, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or in a manner driven by computer software depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0414] Figures 16 and 17 are schematic diagrams of possible communication devices provided in embodiments of the present application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiments, thereby also achieving the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments.

[0415] As shown in Figure 16, the communication device 1600 includes a processing unit 1610 and a transceiver unit 1620. The communication device 1600 is used to implement the functions of the terminal or network device in the method embodiment shown in any of Figures 6 to 15 above.

[0416] When the communication device 1600 is used to implement the functions of the user plane function entity in the method embodiment shown in Figure 6 or Figure 7: the transceiver unit 1620 is used to receive transmission indication information from the session management function entity, the transmission indication information includes first transmission indication information, the first transmission indication information indicates the transmission mode of the data of the first session; wherein the transmission mode is a diversion transmission mode or a path selection transmission mode, the first device includes a terminal and / or a user plane function entity, the session management function entity is used to manage the first session of the terminal, and the user plane function entity is used to transmit the data of the first session. The transceiver unit 1620 is also used to receive transmission assistance information from N access network devices, the transmission assistance information of the N access network devices indicates the transmission performance of the transmission path corresponding to the N access network devices, N is a positive integer greater than 1; the N access network devices are used to transmit the data of the first session. The processing unit 1610 is used to determine the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the data of the first session based on the transmission auxiliary information when the transceiver unit 1620 receives the transmission indication information. The transmission parameters corresponding to the diversion transmission mode indicate the diversion ratio of the data of the first session on the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices. The transmission parameters corresponding to the path selection transmission mode indicate the target transmission path of the data of the first session, and the target transmission path is one of the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices.

[0417] When the communication device 1600 is used to implement the functions of the terminal in the method embodiment shown in Figure 8 or Figure 9: the transceiver unit 1620 is used to receive transmission indication information from the session management function entity, the transmission indication information includes first transmission indication information, the first transmission indication information indicates the transmission mode of the data of the first session; wherein the transmission mode is a diversion transmission mode or a path selection transmission mode, the first device includes a terminal and / or a user plane function entity, the session management function entity is used to manage the first session of the terminal, and the user plane function entity is used to transmit the data of the first session. The transceiver unit 1620 is also used to receive transmission assistance information from N access network devices, the transmission assistance information of the N access network devices indicates the transmission performance of the transmission path corresponding to the N access network devices, where N is a positive integer greater than 1; the N access network devices are used to transmit the data of the first session. The processing unit 1610 is used to determine the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the data of the first session based on the transmission auxiliary information when the transceiver unit 1620 receives the transmission indication information. The transmission parameters corresponding to the diversion transmission mode indicate the diversion ratio of the data of the first session on the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices. The transmission parameters corresponding to the path selection transmission mode indicate the target transmission path of the data of the first session, and the target transmission path is one of the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices.

[0418] When the communication device 1600 is used to implement the function of the session management function entity in the method embodiment shown in Figure 6, Figure 7, Figure 8 or Figure 9: The processing unit 1610 is used to send reporting indication information to N access network devices through the transceiver unit 1620, and the reporting indication information sent to the first access network device indicates that the first access network device sends transmission auxiliary information to the first device, the first access network device is one of the N access network devices, and the transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices indicates the transmission performance of the transmission path corresponding to the N access network devices, and the first device includes a terminal and / or a user plane function entity, N is a positive integer greater than 1; wherein, the session management function entity is used to manage the first session of the terminal, and the N access network devices and the user plane function entity are used to transmit data of the first session. The processing unit 1610 also sends transmission indication information to the first device through the transceiver unit 1620, and the transmission indication information includes second transmission indication information, and the second transmission indication information indicates that the first device determines the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the data of the first session based on the transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices. The transmission mode is a diversion transmission mode or a path selection transmission mode. The transmission parameters corresponding to the diversion transmission mode indicate the diversion ratio of the data of the first session on the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices. The transmission parameters corresponding to the path selection transmission mode indicate the target transmission path of the data of the first session, and the target transmission path is one of the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices.

[0419] When the communication device 1600 is used to implement the function of the access network device in the method embodiment shown in Figure 6, Figure 7, Figure 8 or Figure 9: the transceiver unit 1620 is used to receive reporting indication information from the session management function entity; the processing unit 1610 is used to send transmission auxiliary information to the session management function entity or the first device according to the reporting indication information, and the transmission auxiliary information indicates the transmission performance of the transmission path corresponding to the first access network device, and the first device includes a terminal and / or a user plane function entity; wherein the session management function entity is used to manage the first session of the terminal, and the first access network device and the user plane function entity are used to transmit data of the first session.

[0420] When the communication device 1600 is used to implement the functions of the user plane function entity in the method embodiment shown in Figure 10 or Figure 11: the transceiver unit 1620 is used to receive transmission parameters corresponding to a transmission mode from a session management function entity, where the transmission mode is a split transmission mode or a path selection transmission mode, the transmission parameters corresponding to the split transmission mode indicate a split ratio of data of a first session on transmission paths corresponding to N access network devices, the transmission parameters corresponding to the path selection transmission mode indicate a target transmission path for data of the first session, the target transmission path being one of the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices, the transmission parameters being determined based on transmission assistance information of the N access network devices, the transmission assistance information of the N access network devices indicating transmission performance of the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices, the first device including a terminal and / or a user plane function entity, where N is a positive integer; wherein the session management function entity is used to manage the first session of the terminal, and the N access network devices and the user plane function entity are used to transmit data of the first session; and the processing unit 1610 is used to transmit data of the first session according to the transmission parameters.

[0421] When the communication device 1600 is used to implement the functions of a terminal in the method embodiment shown in Figure 10 or Figure 11: the transceiver unit 1620 is used to receive transmission parameters corresponding to a transmission mode from a session management function entity, where the transmission mode is a split transmission mode or a path selection transmission mode, the transmission parameters corresponding to the split transmission mode indicate a split ratio of data of a first session on transmission paths corresponding to N access network devices, the transmission parameters corresponding to the path selection transmission mode indicate a target transmission path for data of the first session, the target transmission path being one of the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices, the transmission parameters are determined based on transmission assistance information of the N access network devices, the transmission assistance information of the N access network devices indicating transmission performance of the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices, the first device includes a terminal and / or a user plane function entity, and N is a positive integer; wherein the session management function entity is used to manage the first session of the terminal, and the N access network devices and the user plane function entity are used to transmit data of the first session; and the processing unit 1610 is used to transmit data of the first session according to the transmission parameters.

[0422] When the communication device 1600 is used to implement the function of the session management function entity in the method embodiment shown in Figure 10 or Figure 11: the processing unit 1610 sends reporting instruction information to N access network devices through the transceiver unit, the reporting instruction information instructing the N access network devices to send transmission assistance information to a first device, the transmission assistance information of the N access network devices indicating the performance of the transmission path corresponding to the N access network devices, the first device including a terminal and / or a user plane function entity, N being a positive integer greater than 1; wherein the session management function entity is used to manage a first session of the terminal, and the N access network devices and the user plane function entity are used to transmit data for the first session. The transceiver unit 1620 is further used to receive transmission assistance information from the N access network devices. The processing unit 1610 is further configured to determine, based on the transmission assistance information, transmission parameters corresponding to a transmission mode for the data of the first session, where the transmission mode is a split transmission mode or a path selection transmission mode. The transmission parameters corresponding to the split transmission mode indicate a split ratio of the data of the first session on the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices. The transmission parameters corresponding to the path selection transmission mode indicate a target transmission path for the data of the first session, where the target transmission path is one of the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices. The session management function entity sends the transmission parameters to the first device.

[0423] When the communication device 1600 is used to implement the functions of the user plane function entity in the method embodiment shown in Figure 12 or Figure 13: the transceiver unit 1620 is used to receive transmission indication information from the control plane function entity, where the transmission indication information includes fifth transmission indication information, and the fifth transmission indication information instructs the first device to transmit data of the first session according to the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode; the first device receives transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode from the first access network device, where the transmission mode is a split transmission mode or a path transmission mode, the transmission parameters corresponding to the split transmission mode indicate the split ratio of data on the transmission paths corresponding to N access network devices, and the transmission parameters corresponding to the path selection transmission mode indicate the target transmission path of the data, where the target transmission path is one of the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices, the first device includes a terminal and / or a user plane function entity, the session management function entity is used to manage the first session of the terminal, and the N access network devices and the user plane function entity are used to transmit data of the first session; the processing unit 1610 is used to transmit data of the first session according to the transmission parameters.

[0424] When the communication device 1600 is used to implement the function of the terminal in the method embodiment shown in Figure 14 or Figure 15: the transceiver unit 1620 is used to receive transmission indication information from the control plane function entity, the transmission indication information includes fifth transmission indication information, and the fifth transmission indication information instructs the first device to transmit data of the first session according to the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode; the first device receives the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode from the first access network device, the transmission mode is a split transmission mode or a path transmission mode, the transmission parameters corresponding to the split transmission mode indicate the split ratio of data on the transmission paths corresponding to N access network devices, the transmission parameters corresponding to the path selection transmission mode indicate the target transmission path of the data, and the target transmission path is one of the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices. The first device includes a terminal and / or a user plane function entity, the session management function entity is used to manage the first session of the terminal, and the N access network devices and the user plane function entity are used to transmit data of the first session; the processing unit 1610 is used to transmit the data of the first session according to the transmission parameters.

[0425] When the communication device 1600 is used to implement the function of the session management function entity in the method embodiment shown in Figure 12, Figure 13, Figure 14 or Figure 15: the processing unit 1610 is used to send first indication information to the first access network device among the N access network devices through the transceiver unit 1620, and the first indication information instructs the first access network device to determine the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the data of the first session, and the transmission mode is the offload transmission mode or the path selection transmission mode, and the transmission parameters corresponding to the offload transmission mode indicate the offload ratio of the data of the first session on the transmission path corresponding to the N access network devices, and the transmission parameters corresponding to the path selection transmission mode indicate the target transmission path of the data of the first session, and the target transmission path is the transmission path of the N access network devices. one of the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices, the transmission parameter is determined according to the transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices, the transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices indicates the transmission performance of the transmission path corresponding to the N access network devices, and N is a positive integer greater than 1; the processing unit 1610 sends transmission indication information to the first device through the transceiver unit 1620, the transmission indication information includes fifth transmission indication information, the fifth transmission indication information instructs the first device to transmit data of the first session according to the transmission parameter, the first device includes a terminal and / or a user plane function entity, the session management function entity is used to manage the first session of the terminal, and the N access network devices and the user plane function entity are used to transmit data of the first session.

[0426] When the communication device 1600 is used to implement the function of the access network device in the method embodiment shown in Figures 12, 13, 14 or 15: the transceiver unit is used to receive first indication information from the session management function entity, the first indication information instructs the first access network device to determine the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the data of the first session, the transmission mode is a diversion transmission mode or a path selection transmission mode, the transmission parameters corresponding to the diversion transmission mode indicate the diversion ratio of the data of the first session on the transmission paths corresponding to N access network devices including the first access network device, the transmission parameters corresponding to the path selection transmission mode indicate the target transmission path of the data of the first session, and the target transmission path is the N One of the transmission paths corresponding to the access network device, N is a positive integer greater than 1; the first access network device determines the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the data of the first session based on the transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices, and the transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices indicates the transmission performance of the transmission path corresponding to the N access network devices; the processing unit 1610 is used to send the transmission parameters to the first device or the control plane functional entity through the transceiver unit 1620, and the first device includes a terminal and / or a user plane functional entity; wherein the session management functional entity is used to manage the first session of the terminal, and the N access network devices and the user plane functional entity are used to transmit the data of the first session.

[0427] A more detailed description of the processing unit 1610 and the transceiver unit 1620 can be directly obtained by referring to the relevant description of the method embodiment shown in the relevant drawings, and is not repeated here.

[0428] As shown in Figure 17, communication device 1700 includes a processor 1710 and an interface circuit 1720. Processor 1710 and interface circuit 1720 are coupled to each other. It is understood that interface circuit 1720 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, communication device 1700 may also include a memory 1730 for storing instructions executed by processor 1710, input data required by processor 1710 to execute instructions, or data generated by processor 1710 after executing instructions.

[0429] When the communication device 1700 is used to implement the methods shown in Figures 6 to 15, the processor 1710 is used to implement the functions of the above-mentioned processing unit 1610, and the interface circuit 1720 is used to implement the functions of the above-mentioned transceiver unit 1620.

[0430] When the communication device is a chip used in a terminal device, the terminal chip implements the functions of the terminal device in the above method embodiments. The terminal chip receives information from other modules in the terminal device (such as a radio frequency module or antenna), and the information is sent by the network device to the terminal; or the terminal chip sends information to other modules in the terminal device (such as a radio frequency module or antenna), and the information is sent by the terminal device to the network device.

[0431] When the above-mentioned communication device is a module applied to a network device, the network device module implements the functions of the network device in the above-mentioned method embodiment. The network device module receives information from other modules in the network device (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna), and the information is sent by the terminal to the network device; or the network device module sends information to other modules in the network device (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna), and the information is sent by the network device to the terminal. The network device module here can be a baseband chip of the network device, or it can be a DU or other module. The DU here can be a DU under the open radio access network (O-RAN) architecture.

[0432] It is understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application may be a central processing unit (CPU), or may be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0433] This application provides another example of a communication device, which includes at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one processor and the at least one memory being coupled together, the at least one memory being used to store instructions. When the instructions are executed by the at least one processor, the communication device performs the method in the above-described embodiment. Taking a communication device including a processor and a memory as an example, as shown in FIG17 , a communication device 1700 includes a processor 1710 and a memory 1730. The processor 1710 and the memory 1730 are coupled together, and the memory 1730 stores instructions. When the instructions stored in the memory 1730 are executed by the processor 1710, the communication device 1700 performs the method performed by the terminal device or network device in the above-described embodiment.

[0434] The method steps in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in hardware or in software instructions that can be executed by a processor. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, and the software modules can be stored in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, registers, hard disk, mobile hard disk, CD-ROM or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. The storage medium can also be an integral part of the processor. The processor and storage medium can be located in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC can be located in a network device or a terminal. The processor and storage medium can also exist in a network device or a terminal as discrete components.

[0435] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented using software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are performed in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user device, or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program or instructions may be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired or wireless means. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium may be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape; an optical medium, such as a digital video disk; or a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state drive. The computer-readable storage medium may be a volatile or nonvolatile storage medium, or may include both volatile and nonvolatile types of storage media.

[0436] In the various embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

[0437] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the text description of this application, the character " / " generally indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in an "or" relationship; in the formula of this application, the character " / " indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in a "division" relationship. "Including at least one of A, B and C" can mean: including A; including B; including C; including A and B; including A and C; including B and C; including A, B and C.

[0438] It is understood that the various numbers used in the embodiments of this application are merely for ease of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the sequence numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not necessarily imply a specific order of execution; the order of execution of the processes should be determined by their functions and inherent logic.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The first device receives transmission indication information from a session management function entity, where the transmission indication information includes first transmission indication information, where the first transmission indication information indicates a transmission mode of data of a first session; wherein the transmission mode is a split transmission mode or a path selection transmission mode, the first device includes a terminal and / or a user plane function entity, the session management function entity is used to manage the first session of the terminal, and the user plane function entity is used to transmit data of the first session; The first device receives transmission auxiliary information from N access network devices, where the transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices indicates transmission performance of transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices, where N is a positive integer greater than 1; the N access network devices are used to transmit data of the first session; When the first device receives the transmission indication information, the first device determines the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the data of the first session based on the transmission auxiliary information, the transmission parameters corresponding to the diversion transmission mode indicate the diversion ratio of the data of the first session on the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices, and the transmission parameters corresponding to the path selection transmission mode indicate the target transmission path of the data of the first session, and the target transmission path is one of the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The transmission indication information also includes second transmission indication information, where the second transmission indication information indicates transmission parameters corresponding to a transmission method for data of the first session determined according to transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices.

3. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: The first session includes at least one data stream, and the at least one data stream includes a first data stream; the data of the first session includes the first data stream.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: Also includes: The first device receives a traffic diversion rule from the session management function entity, where the traffic diversion rule indicates a corresponding relationship between transmission auxiliary information and a traffic diversion ratio; The first device determines, according to the transmission auxiliary information, a transmission parameter corresponding to the transmission mode of the data of the first session, including: the first device determines, according to the received transmission auxiliary information and the diversion rule, a diversion ratio of the data of the first session on the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices; or The first device receives a path selection rule from the session management function entity; the first device determines the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission method of the data of the first session based on the transmission auxiliary information, including: the first device determines the target transmission path of the data of the first session based on the received transmission auxiliary information and the transmission path selection rule.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The first device determines, according to the transmission auxiliary information, a transmission parameter corresponding to a transmission mode of data of the first session, including: The first device determines the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission method of the data of the first session based on the transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices and the capability information of the terminal; wherein the capability information of the terminal indicates the air interface transmission capability of the terminal at the N access network devices.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The first device is the user plane functional entity, and the method further includes: The user plane function entity receives the capability information of the terminal from the session management function entity.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The user plane function entity performs offload transmission on the downlink transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices according to the offload ratio indicated by the transmission parameter corresponding to the offload transmission mode, or transmits the data of the first session on the target downlink transmission path according to the target downlink transmission path indicated by the transmission parameter corresponding to the path selection transmission mode; or The terminal transmits the data of the first session on the downlink transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices according to the diversion ratio indicated by the transmission parameters corresponding to the first transmission mode, or transmits the data of the first session on the target uplink transmission path according to the target uplink transmission path indicated by the transmission parameters corresponding to the second transmission mode.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The N access network devices include N radio access network RAN ​​devices; or The N access network devices include N non-3rd Generation Partnership Project 3GPP interworking function N3IWF devices; or The N access network devices include N untrusted non-3GPP gateway function TNGF devices; or The N access network devices include at least one RAN device and at least one N3IWF device; or The N access network devices include at least one RAN device and at least one TNGF device; or The N access network devices include at least one N3IWF device and at least one TNGF device.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The N access network devices include a first access network device, and the transmission auxiliary information of the first access network device includes one or more of the following information: Signal state information measured by the first access network device, the signal state information indicating a signal state between the first access network device and the terminal; Signal status information received by the first access network device from the terminal, the signal status information indicating a signal status between the first access network device and the terminal; load information of the first access network device; An air interface transmission delay between the first access network device and the terminal; The transmission rate between the first access network device and the terminal; Transmission reliability information between the first access network device and the terminal.

10. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The session management function entity sends reporting indication information to N access network devices, and the reporting indication information sent to the first access network device indicates that the first access network device sends transmission auxiliary information to the first device, the first access network device is one of the N access network devices, and the transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices indicates the transmission performance of the transmission path corresponding to the N access network devices, and the first device includes a terminal and / or a user plane function entity, and N is a positive integer greater than 1; wherein the session management function entity is used to manage a first session of the terminal, and the N access network devices and the user plane function entity are used to transmit data of the first session; The session management function entity sends transmission indication information to the first device, the transmission indication information includes second transmission indication information, the second transmission indication information indicates that the first device determines the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission mode of the data of the first session according to the transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices, the transmission mode is a diversion transmission mode or a path selection transmission mode, the transmission parameters corresponding to the diversion transmission mode indicate the diversion ratio of the data of the first session on the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices, and the transmission parameters corresponding to the path selection transmission mode indicate the target transmission path of the data of the first session, and the target transmission path is one of the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The transmission indication information also includes first transmission indication information, where the first transmission indication information indicates a transmission method for data of the first session.

12. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 11, characterized in that: The first session includes at least one data stream, and the at least one data stream includes a first data stream; the data of the first session includes the first data stream.

13. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that: Also includes: The session management function entity sends a diversion rule or a transmission path selection rule to the first device, where the diversion rule indicates a corresponding relationship between transmission auxiliary information and a diversion ratio.

14. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that: Also includes: The session management function entity sends the capability information of the terminal to the user plane function entity, where the capability information of the terminal indicates the air interface transmission capability of the terminal on the N access network devices.

15. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that: Before the session management function entity sends the reporting indication information to the N access network devices, the method further includes: The session management function entity determines that the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices are associated with the first session of the terminal.

16. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 15, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The session management function entity sends reporting frequency indication information to the N access network devices, where the reporting frequency indication information indicates a sending frequency of transmission auxiliary information.

17. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 16, characterized in that: The N access network devices include N radio access network RAN ​​devices; or The N access network devices include N non-3rd Generation Partnership Project 3GPP interworking function N3IWF devices; or The N access network devices include N untrusted non-3GPP gateway function TNGF devices; or The N access network devices include at least one RAN device and at least one N3IWF device; or The N access network devices include at least one RAN device and at least one TNGF device; or The N access network devices include at least one N3IWF device and at least one TNGF device.

18. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 17, characterized in that: The N access network devices include a first access network device, and the transmission auxiliary information of the first access network device includes one or more of the following information: Signal state information measured by the first access network device, the signal state information indicating a signal state between the first access network device and the terminal; Signal status information received by the first access network device from the terminal, the signal status information indicating a signal status between the first access network device and the terminal; load information of the first access network device; An air interface transmission delay between the first access network device and the terminal; The transmission rate between the first access network device and the terminal; Transmission reliability information between the first access network device and the terminal.

19. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The first access network device receives reporting indication information from the session management function entity; The first access network device sends transmission assistance information to the session management function entity or the first device according to the reporting indication information, where the transmission assistance information indicates the transmission performance of the transmission path corresponding to the first access network device, and the first device includes a terminal and / or a user plane function entity; The session management function entity is used to manage the first session of the terminal, and the first access network device and the user plane function entity are used to transmit data of the first session.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein: The reporting indication information further indicates that the first access network device sends the transmission assistance information to the session management function entity; or, The reporting indication information further instructs the first access network device to send the transmission assistance information to the first device.

21. The method according to any one of claims 19-20, characterized in that Also includes: The first access network device receives reporting frequency indication information from the network function entity; The first access network device sends transmission assistance information to the session management function entity or the first device according to the reporting indication information, including: The first access network device sends transmission assistance information to the session management function entity or the first device according to the reporting frequency indicated by the reporting frequency indication information.

22. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that: The transmission assistance information includes one or more of the following information: Signal state information measured by the first access network device, the signal state information indicating a signal state between the first access network device and the terminal; Signal status information received by the first access network device from the terminal, the signal status information indicating a signal status between the first access network device and the terminal; load information of the first access network device; An air interface transmission delay between the first access network device and the terminal; The transmission rate between the first access network device and the terminal; Transmission reliability information between the first access network device and the terminal.

23. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 22, characterized in that: The first access network device is a radio access network RAN ​​device, or a non-3rd Generation Partnership Project 3GPP interworking function N3IWF device, or a non-3GPP gateway function TNGF device.

24. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The session management function entity sends reporting indication information to N access network devices, wherein the reporting indication information instructs the N access network devices to send transmission auxiliary information to the session management function entity, and the transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices indicates the performance of the transmission path corresponding to the N access network devices, where N is a positive integer greater than 1; The session management function entity receives transmission auxiliary information from the N access network devices; The session management function entity determines, according to the transmission auxiliary information, a transmission parameter corresponding to a transmission mode of data of a first session of the terminal, where the transmission mode is a split transmission mode or a path selection transmission mode, and the transmission parameter corresponding to the split transmission mode indicates a split ratio of the data of the first session on the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices, and the transmission parameter corresponding to the path selection transmission mode indicates a target transmission path of the data of the first session, and the target transmission path is one of the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices; The session management function entity sends the transmission parameter to the first device; The first device includes the terminal and / or the user plane function entity, the session management function entity is used to manage the first session, and the N access network devices and the user plane function entity are used to transmit data of the first session.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein: The first session includes at least one data stream, and the at least one data stream includes a first data stream; the data of the first session includes the first data stream.

26. The method according to any one of claims 24-25, characterized in that Also includes: The session management function entity sends transmission indication information to the first device, where the transmission indication information includes third transmission indication information, and the third transmission indication information instructs the first device to transmit data of the first session according to the transmission parameter.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein: The transmission indication information also includes fourth transmission indication information, and the fourth transmission indication information indicates a transmission method of data of the first session.

28. The method according to any one of claims 24 to 27, characterized in that Also includes: The session management function entity sends reporting frequency indication information to the N access network devices, where the reporting frequency indication information indicates a sending frequency of transmission auxiliary information.

29. The method according to any one of claims 24 to 28, characterized in that The session management function entity determines, according to the transmission auxiliary information, a transmission parameter corresponding to a transmission mode of data of a first session of the terminal, including: The session management function entity determines, according to the transmission auxiliary information and the diversion rule, transmission parameters corresponding to the diversion transmission mode of the data of the first session; or, The session management function entity determines the transmission parameters corresponding to the path selection transmission mode of the data of the first session according to the transmission auxiliary information and the path selection rule.

30. The method according to any one of claims 24 to 28, characterized in that The session management function entity determines, according to the transmission auxiliary information, a transmission parameter corresponding to a transmission mode of data of a first session of the terminal, including: The session management function entity determines the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission method of the data of the first session according to the transmission auxiliary information and the capability information of the terminal; wherein the capability information of the terminal indicates the air interface transmission capability of the terminal at the N access network devices.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein: Also includes: The session management function entity receives the capability information from the terminal.

32. The method according to any one of claims 24 to 31, characterized in that Before the session management function entity sends the reporting indication information to the N access network devices, the method further includes: The session management function entity determines that the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices are associated with the first session of the terminal.

33. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The first device receives a transmission parameter corresponding to a transmission mode from a session management function entity, where the transmission mode is a shunting transmission mode or a path selection transmission mode, and the transmission parameter corresponding to the shunting transmission mode indicates a shunting ratio of data of the first session on transmission paths corresponding to N access network devices, and the transmission parameter corresponding to the path selection transmission mode indicates a target transmission path of data of the first session, and the target transmission path is one of the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices. The transmission parameter is determined according to transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices, and the transmission auxiliary information of the N access network devices indicates transmission performance of the transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices. The first device includes a terminal and / or a user plane function entity, and N is a positive integer; wherein the session management function entity is used to manage the first session of the terminal, and the N access network devices and the user plane function entity are used to transmit data of the first session; The first device transmits data of the first session according to the transmission parameter.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein: Also includes: The first device receives transmission indication information from the session management function entity, where the transmission indication information includes third transmission indication information, and the third transmission indication information instructs the first device to transmit data of the first session according to the transmission parameter.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein: The transmission indication information also includes fourth transmission indication information, and the fourth transmission indication information indicates a transmission method of data of the first session.

36. The method according to any one of claims 33 to 35, characterized in that The first session includes at least one data stream, and the at least one data stream includes a first data stream; the data of the first session includes the first data stream.

37. The method according to any one of claims 33 to 36, characterized in that The first device transmits data of the first session according to the transmission parameter, including: The user plane function entity distributes the data of the first session according to the split ratio indicated by the transmission parameter corresponding to the first transmission mode. performing offload transmission on the downlink transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices, or transmitting the data of the first session on the target downlink transmission path according to the target downlink transmission path indicated by the transmission parameter corresponding to the second transmission mode; or The terminal transmits the data of the first session on the downlink transmission paths corresponding to the N access network devices according to the diversion ratio indicated by the transmission parameters corresponding to the first transmission mode, or transmits the data of the first session on the target uplink transmission path according to the target uplink transmission path indicated by the transmission parameters corresponding to the second transmission mode.

38. A communication device, characterized in that: Comprising a unit or module for executing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, or comprising a unit or module for executing the method as described in any one of claims 10 to 18, or comprising a unit or module for executing the method as described in any one of claims 19 to 23, or comprising a unit or module for executing the method as described in any one of claims 24 to 32, or comprising a unit or module for executing the method as described in any one of claims 33 to 37.

39. A communication device, characterized in that: include: One or more processors are configured to execute the method of any one of claims 1-9, or the method of any one of claims 10-18, or the method of any one of claims 19-23, or the method of any one of claims 24-32, or the method of any one of claims 33-37.

40. A communication system, characterized in that: include: A first device implementing a method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, a session management function entity implementing a method as described in any one of claims 10 to 18, and a first access network device implementing a method as described in any one of claims 19 to 23; or the communication system includes a session management function entity implementing a method as described in any one of claims 24 to 32, and a first device implementing a method as described in any one of claims 33 to 37.

41. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed by the communication device, it implements the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, or implements the method as described in any one of claims 10 to 18, or implements the method as described in any one of claims 19 to 23, or implements the method as described in any one of claims 24 to 32, or implements the method as described in any one of claims 33 to 37.

42. A chip system, characterized in that: include: a memory for storing computer programs; a processor; When the processor calls and runs the computer program from the memory, the communication device equipped with the chip system executes the method described in any one of claims 1 to 9, or executes the method described in any one of claims 10 to 18, or executes the method described in any one of claims 19 to 23, or executes the method described in any one of claims 24 to 32, or executes the method described in any one of claims 33 to 37.

43. A computer program product, characterized in that When the computer program product is called by a computer, the computer executes the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, or the method as described in any one of claims 10 to 18, or the method as described in any one of claims 19 to 23, or the method as described in any one of claims 24 to 32, or the method as described in any one of claims 33 to 37.

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