Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The embodiments of the present application relate to the technical field of communications. Provided are a communication method and apparatus. The method comprises: a first communication apparatus receiving first path-related information transmitted by means of a first path, and adjusting (or determining) a first service processing strategy corresponding to a first service according to the first path-related information. Since the first path is a path for transmitting a service stream, the first communication apparatus can acquire the first path-related information earlier, so that the first communication apparatus can adjust the first service processing strategy in a more timely manner.

Description

Communication method and device

[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 22, 2023, with application number 202311571175.3 and application name “A Communication Method and Device”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

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

[0004] In artificial intelligence (AI) services (such as cloud gaming, virtual reality (VR), etc.), terminal devices and application servers can collaboratively perform AI tasks to implement AI services. The terminal device can run an application (APP), and the terminal device can access the application server through the application and the network in turn. The radio access network (RAN) in the network can decide the task splitting point between the terminal device and the cloud server based on dynamic quality of service (QoS / QoS) switching. The quality of service profile (QoS Profile) (or service quality parameter set) can be used to describe the communication QoS requirements of different task splitting points. In this way, the network side can determine the QoS file and notify the application layer of the terminal device or the application layer of the application server of the information of the determined QoS file to instruct the application layer to perform tasks according to the task splitting point corresponding to the QoS file.

[0005] The fifth generation system (5 thThe 5GS (5G generation system) introduces an alternative quality of service (alternative Qos) mechanism. Under the alternative quality of service mechanism, in addition to the normal Qos profile, one or more alternative Qos profiles can be provided for the Qos flow. When the RAN cannot meet the communication Qos requirements indicated by the normal Qos profile of the Qos flow, a corresponding alternative Qos profile can be selected from one or more alternative Qos Profiles to provide services for the corresponding Qos flow, and the selected alternative Qos profile index can be notified to the AF and the terminal device. In this way, the application layer corresponding to the terminal device and the AF can adjust the corresponding service processing strategy (for example, indicating the allocation of tasks for processing the service). The network selects a suitable alternative Qos Profile based on the communication status, the resource status (such as computing power) of the terminal device, and the resource status of the application server and indicates it to the application. The application adjusts the service processing strategy based on the alternative Qos profile. On the one hand, the resource status of terminal devices and application servers changes in real time, and the network may not be able to perceive the node computing power status in a timely manner; on the other hand, the network needs to indicate the alternative QoS configuration file to the application server through the core network, which makes the process of indicating the alternative QoS configuration file more cumbersome and makes it impossible for the application server to adjust the service processing strategy in a timely manner. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and apparatus for improving the timeliness of adjusting a service processing strategy.

[0007] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. The method can be executed by a first communication device, which can be, for example, a terminal device, a software or hardware module (such as a chip) in a terminal device, an application server, a software module or hardware module (such as a chip) in an application server, a computing execution entity (CEF), a software module or hardware module (such as a chip) in a CEF, a terminal device and a CEF in combination, or a terminal device and an application server in combination, etc., and the present application does not limit this. The method includes: receiving first associated information transmitted via a first path, and determining a first service processing strategy corresponding to a first service based on the first associated information. The first path is a path for transmitting a first service flow between the first communication device and the second communication device, and the first associated information includes experienced quality of service information and / or service feature information. The experienced quality of service information indicates the actual transmission parameters of the first service flow within a historical period, the service feature information indicates the attributes of the first service corresponding to the first service flow, and the first service processing strategy indicates the processing method of the first service.

[0008] It should be understood that the duration value of the historical duration can be arbitrary. For example, the historical duration can be any time length before the current moment, for example, it can be a time length from the start moment of generating the first business flow to the current moment, and there is no specific limitation on this. The first accompanying information in the embodiment of the present application is transmitted via the first path for transmitting the first business flow, which can be understood as the first accompanying information multiplexing the path for transmitting the first business flow, or it can be understood as the path for transmitting the first business flow and the path for transmitting the first accompanying information are the same. For example, the first accompanying information can be carried in at least one of the one or more data packets of the first business flow for transmission, or the first accompanying information multiplexes the first path, but is transmitted separately from at least one data packet. The transmission paths of the first business flow and the first accompanying information are the same, but the method of transmitting the first business flow (such as the transmission protocol) and the method of transmitting the first accompanying information (such as the transmission protocol) can be the same or different.

[0009] The first path may be a user-plane-based path (or referred to as a user-plane path). The first path may include multiple nodes through which the first service flow passes. The multiple nodes may include, for example, a first communication device and a second communication device. Of course, the multiple nodes may also include other devices, and this is not specifically limited. The first service processing strategy may be understood as a service processing strategy determined / selected / redetermined by the first service, and may include task allocation information and / or service indicator information, etc. The task allocation information is used to indicate the tasks assigned to the first communication device and / or the second communication device for processing the first service. The service indicator information is used to indicate the performance of implementing the first service.

[0010] The first communication device and the second communication device can be considered relative concepts. When the first communication device acts as a transmitter, the second communication device acts as a receiver. Alternatively, when a device in the first communication device acts as a transmitter, another device in the second communication device acts as a receiver. For example, if the first communication device is a terminal device, the second communication device can be an application server; or, if the first communication device is an application server, the first communication device can be a terminal device; or, if the first communication device is a terminal device, the second communication device can be a CEF; or, if the first communication device is a CEF, the first communication device can be a terminal device. Alternatively, the first communication device can include a terminal device and a CEF, while the second communication device can include a CEF and a terminal device. Alternatively, the first communication device can include a terminal device and an application server, while the second communication device can include an application server and a terminal device. Alternatively, the first communication device can be a terminal device, while the second communication device can be another terminal device.

[0011] In the embodiment of the present application, since the first communication device triggers the adjustment of the service processing strategy after obtaining the first accompanying information, the timing of adjusting the service processing strategy is earlier, and the first communication device can determine (or adjust) the service processing strategy by itself without the need for the control signaling of the access network device to trigger, so that the adjustment of the service processing strategy does not need to involve a large amount of signaling interaction, which simplifies the process of adjusting the service processing strategy and helps the first communication device to adjust the service processing strategy earlier. In short, the method provided in this embodiment is conducive to determining the service processing strategy more timely. Furthermore, the first communication device and the second communication device can more timely adopt the adjusted service processing strategy (or called the new service processing strategy) to process the service, which is conducive to improving the processing effect of the service. In addition, the accompanying information reflects the attributes of the service and / or the actual transmission status of the data, which makes the determined service processing strategy more in line with the actual situation of the service, which is conducive to improving the effect of subsequent processing of the service.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the first associated information may be multiplexed on the first path for separate transmission, that is, the first associated information and the first service flow are transmitted separately. Alternatively, the first associated information is carried in a data packet of the first service flow for transmission.

[0013] In the above embodiment, when the first associated information and the first service flow are transmitted separately, mutual interference between the first service flow and the first associated information can be reduced. If the first associated information is carried in a data packet of the first service flow, the first communication device can obtain the first associated information when receiving the first service flow, thereby reducing the number of interactions between the first communication device and the second communication device.

[0014] In one possible implementation, determining a first service processing strategy corresponding to a first service based on first associated information includes: determining first candidate quality of service configuration information based on the first associated information, and determining the first service processing strategy based on a first association relationship and the first candidate quality of service configuration information. The first candidate quality of service configuration information indicates one or more communication metrics that the first service flow must meet, the first association relationship indicates an association relationship between one or more candidate quality of service configuration information and one or more service processing strategies, the one or more candidate quality of service configuration information includes the first candidate quality of service configuration information, and the one or more service processing strategies include the first service processing strategy.

[0015] It should be understood that the first association relationship may also be pre-configured or pre-defined in the first communication device, or the first communication device may determine the first association relationship based on the first indication information, the first indication information is received by the first communication device from the third communication device, and the first indication information indicates the first association relationship, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application. Among them, the third communication device may be an access network device, a software or hardware module in an access network device, a device capable of implementing an access network device, a core network device, a software or hardware module in a core network device, a device capable of implementing a core network device, a task management function (TMF), a software or hardware module in a TMF, or a device capable of implementing a TMF function, which is not specifically limited.

[0016] In the above implementation, the first communication device can directly determine the first service processing strategy based on the first candidate QoS configuration information and the first association relationship, without the need for the first communication device to perform complex calculations, making the method of determining the first service processing strategy relatively simple.

[0017] In one possible implementation, before a first communication device receives first indication information from a third communication device, the first communication device may send a first request to the third communication device, where the first request is used to request determination of a service processing policy corresponding to the first service. The first request may indicate one or more alternative quality of service configuration information. In this manner, the first communication device may determine the first association relationship based on the one or more alternative quality of service configuration information. This implementation may be applicable when the first communication device includes a terminal device.

[0018] In the above implementation, the third communication device may obtain one or more candidate quality of service configuration information from the first communication device, and trigger the determination of the first association relationship, so that the third communication device can determine the first association relationship more specifically.

[0019] In one possible implementation, determining first candidate quality of service configuration information based on first associated information includes: determining the first candidate quality of service configuration information based on the first associated information and a second association relationship. The second association relationship includes an association relationship between one or more candidate quality of service configuration information and one or more associated information, and the one or more associated information includes the first associated information.

[0020] It should be understood that the second association relationship may be preconfigured or predefined in the first communication device, or the second association relationship may be determined by the first communication device based on the second indication information, and the second indication information may be received from the third communication device. The second indication information and the first indication information may be carried in the same message or in different messages, without specific limitation.

[0021] In the above-described embodiment, the first communication device can directly determine the first candidate QoS configuration information based on the first associated information and the second association relationship, eliminating the need for the first communication device to perform complex calculations. This simplifies the method for determining the first candidate QoS configuration information. Furthermore, the first associated information reflects the actual service situation. Therefore, using the first associated information to determine the first candidate QoS configuration information ensures that the actual service processing meets the requirements of the first candidate QoS configuration information, thereby ensuring the effectiveness of service execution.

[0022] In a possible implementation, determining a first business processing strategy corresponding to a first business based on first on-road information includes: determining the first business processing strategy based on the first on-road information and a third association relationship, wherein the third association relationship includes an indication of an association relationship between one or more on-road information and one or more business processing strategies, the one or more on-road information includes the first on-road information, and the one or more business processing strategies include the first business processing strategy.

[0023] It should be understood that the third association relationship may be preconfigured or predefined in the first communication device, or may be determined by the first communication device based on the third indication information, without limitation. The implementation of the third communication device may refer to the implementation of the third communication device discussed above, without limitation.

[0024] In the above implementation, the first communication device may directly determine the first service processing strategy according to the first associated information and the third association relationship. The method of determining the first service processing strategy is more direct.

[0025] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: adjusting the task of the first communication device for processing the first service based on the task allocation information; and / or the service indicator information includes at least one of the frame rate, bit rate or resolution corresponding to the first service, and the method further includes: adjusting at least one of the frame rate, bit rate or resolution corresponding to the first service based on the service indicator information.

[0026] In the above embodiment, the first communication device can timely adjust the content related to the service processing according to the service processing strategy, which can ensure timely adjustment of the service processing method and improve the effect of service processing.

[0027] In one possible implementation, the first alternative service quality configuration information includes resource requirement information of the task corresponding to the first service, and the resource requirement information is used to describe the resources required to process the task corresponding to the first service; the method also includes: determining whether the remaining resources of the first communication device and / or the second communication device meet the resources required to process the task corresponding to the first service.

[0028] In the above implementation, when selecting the first candidate QoS configuration information, whether the remaining resources of the first communication device and the second communication device can meet the requirements of the first candidate QoS configuration information is also considered, thereby ensuring smooth execution of the first service.

[0029] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. The method can be performed by a second communication device. For example, the second communication device can be a terminal device, or a software or hardware module in a terminal device, or a device capable of implementing the functions of a terminal device, or an application server, or a software or hardware module in an application server, or a device capable of implementing the functions of an application server, or a CEF, or a software or hardware module in a CEF, or a device capable of implementing the functions of a CEF, etc., without specific limitation. The method includes: sending first associated information through a first path, the first path being a path for transmitting a first service flow between a first communication device and a second communication device, the first associated information including experienced quality of service information and / or service feature information, the experienced quality of service information indicating the actual transmission parameters of the first service flow within a historical period, and the service feature information indicating the attributes of the first service corresponding to the first service flow. Optionally, the first associated information is used to determine a first service processing strategy, and the first service processing strategy indicates a processing method for the first service.

[0030] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving first information indicating first candidate quality of service configuration information; and determining a first service processing policy based on the first candidate quality of service configuration information and the first association relationship. The first association relationship may be obtained from a third communication device or the first communication device, or may be preconfigured in the second communication device, and this is not specifically limited.

[0031] In a possible implementation, the first associated information may be multiplexed on the first path for separate transmission, that is, the first associated information and the first service flow are transmitted separately. Alternatively, the first associated information may be carried in a data packet of the first service flow for transmission.

[0032] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: determining a first service processing strategy according to the first associated path information.

[0033] In one possible implementation, determining a first service processing strategy corresponding to a first service based on first associated information includes: determining first candidate quality of service configuration information based on the first associated information, and determining the first service processing strategy based on a first association relationship and the first candidate quality of service configuration information. The first candidate quality of service configuration information indicates one or more communication metrics that the first service flow must meet, the first association relationship indicates an association relationship between one or more candidate quality of service configuration information and one or more service processing strategies, the one or more candidate quality of service configuration information includes the first candidate quality of service configuration information, and the one or more service processing strategies include the first service processing strategy.

[0034] In one possible implementation, before a first communication device receives first indication information from a third communication device, the first communication device may send a first request to the third communication device, where the first request is used to request determination of a service processing policy corresponding to the first service. The first request may indicate one or more alternative quality of service configuration information. In this manner, the first communication device may determine the first association relationship based on the one or more alternative quality of service configuration information. This implementation may be applicable when the first communication device includes a terminal device.

[0035] In one possible implementation, determining first candidate quality of service configuration information based on first associated information includes: determining the first candidate quality of service configuration information based on the first associated information and a second association relationship. The second association relationship includes an association relationship between one or more candidate quality of service configuration information and one or more associated information, and the one or more associated information includes the first associated information.

[0036] In a possible implementation, determining a first business processing strategy corresponding to a first business based on first on-road information includes: determining the first business processing strategy based on the first on-road information and a third association relationship, wherein the third association relationship includes an indication of an association relationship between one or more on-road information and one or more business processing strategies, the one or more on-road information includes the first on-road information, and the one or more business processing strategies include the first business processing strategy.

[0037] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: adjusting the task of the first communication device for processing the first service based on the task allocation information; and / or the service indicator information includes at least one of the frame rate, bit rate or resolution corresponding to the first service, and the method further includes: adjusting at least one of the frame rate, bit rate or resolution corresponding to the first service based on the service indicator information.

[0038] In one possible implementation, the first alternative service quality configuration information includes resource requirement information of the task corresponding to the first service, and the resource requirement information is used to describe the resources required to process the task corresponding to the first service; the method also includes: determining whether the remaining resources of the first communication device and / or the second communication device meet the resources required to process the task corresponding to the first service.

[0039] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. The method can be performed by a third communication device. For example, the third communication device can be an access network device, or a software or hardware module in the access network device, or a device capable of implementing the functions of the access network device, or a core network device, or a software or hardware module in the core network device, or a device capable of implementing the functions of the core network device, or a task management function (TMF), or a software or hardware module in the TMF, or a device capable of implementing the TMF function, or a device including a terminal device function and a CEF function, or a device including a terminal device function and an application server function, etc., without specific limitation. The method includes: receiving one or more alternative service quality configuration information corresponding to a first service flow, the alternative service quality configuration information indicating one or more communication indicators that the first service flow needs to meet; sending first indication information, the first indication information indicating a first association relationship, the first association relationship indicating an association relationship between the one or more alternative service quality configuration information and one or more service processing policies, the one or more service processing policies including a first service processing policy, the first service processing policy indicating a processing method for a first service corresponding to the first service flow.

[0040] In a possible implementation, the first association relationship is determined based on network status information and one or more candidate quality of service configuration information; the network status information includes information on one or more communication indicators achieved or capable of being supported by the network.

[0041] In a possible implementation, the first association relationship is determined based on network status information, resource status information, and one or more candidate quality of service configuration information; the resource status information indicates resource usage of the first communication device and / or resource usage of the second communication device.

[0042] In a possible embodiment, the method also includes: sending a second indication information, the second indication information indicates a second association relationship, the second association relationship includes an association relationship between one or more alternative service quality configuration information and one or more accompanying information, the one or more accompanying information includes first accompanying information, the first accompanying information includes experienced service quality information and / or service characteristic information, the experienced service quality information indicates the actual transmission parameters of the first service flow within the historical duration, and the service characteristic information indicates the attributes of the first service.

[0043] In a fourth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method. The method can be performed by a fourth communication device. For example, the fourth communication device can be an access network device, or a software or hardware module in an access network device, or a device capable of implementing the functions of an access network device, or a core network device, or a software or hardware module in a core network device, or a device capable of implementing the functions of a core network device, without specific limitation. Optionally, the fourth communication device and the third communication device mentioned above can be the same or different, without specific limitation. The method includes: receiving first associated information, the first associated information is transmitted through a first path, the first path is a path for transmitting a first business flow between a second communication device and the first communication device, the first associated information includes experienced service quality information and / or business characteristic information, the experienced service quality information indicates actual transmission parameters of the first business flow within a historical duration, and the business characteristic information indicates attributes of a first business corresponding to the first business flow; based on the first associated information and a fourth association relationship, determining first alternative service quality configuration information, the first alternative service quality configuration information indicates one or more communication indicators that the first business flow needs to meet, the fourth association relationship includes an association relationship between one or more alternative service quality configuration information and one or more associated information, the one or more alternative service quality configuration information includes the first alternative service quality configuration information, and the one or more associated information includes the first associated information.

[0044] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which may be the first communication device in the first aspect above, or a hardware module or software module in the first communication device, or a device having the functions of the first communication device. The communication device includes corresponding means (means) or modules for executing the first aspect or any possible implementation method above. For example, the communication device includes a processing module (sometimes also referred to as a processing unit), and a transceiver module (sometimes also referred to as a transceiver unit).

[0045] For example, the transceiver module is configured to receive first associated path information transmitted through a first path, and to determine a first service processing strategy corresponding to the first service based on the first associated path information and the processing module.

[0046] Optionally, the communication device may also execute the content of any possible implementation of the first aspect above, which are not listed here.

[0047] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which may be the second communication device in the second aspect above, or a hardware module or software module in the second communication device, or a device having the functions of a second communication device. The communication device includes corresponding means (means) or modules for executing the second aspect above or any possible implementation method. For example, the communication device includes a processing module (sometimes also referred to as a processing unit), and a transceiver module (sometimes also referred to as a transceiver unit).

[0048] For example, the transceiver module is used to send the first associated information under the control of the processing module.

[0049] Optionally, the communication device may also execute the content of any possible implementation of the second aspect above, which are not listed here.

[0050] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which may be the third communication device in the third aspect above, or a hardware module or software module in the third communication device, or a device having the functions of a third communication device. The communication device includes corresponding means (means) or modules for executing the third aspect or any possible implementation method above. For example, the communication device includes a processing module (sometimes also referred to as a processing unit), and a transceiver module (sometimes also referred to as a transceiver unit).

[0051] For example, the transceiver module is used to receive one or more candidate quality of service configuration information corresponding to the first service flow and send first indication information under the control of the processing module, where the first indication information indicates the first association relationship.

[0052] Optionally, the communication device may also execute the content of any possible implementation of the third aspect above, which are not listed here.

[0053] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which may be the fourth communication device in the fourth aspect above, or a hardware module or software module in the fourth communication device, or a device having the functions of the fourth communication device. The communication device includes corresponding means (means) or modules for executing the fourth aspect or any possible implementation method. For example, the communication device includes a processing module (sometimes also referred to as a processing unit), and a transceiver module (sometimes also referred to as a transceiver unit).

[0054] For example, the transceiver module is configured to receive first associated path information, and the processing module is configured to determine first candidate quality of service configuration information according to the first associated path information and the fourth association relationship.

[0055] Optionally, the communication device may also execute the content of any possible implementation of the fourth aspect above, which are not listed here.

[0056] In the ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, comprising a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor or send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device, and the processor is used to implement the method described in the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect or the fourth aspect or any possible embodiment through a logic circuit or executing code instructions.

[0057] In the specific implementation process, the communication device can be a chip, and the processor can be a transistor, a gate circuit, a trigger, and various logic circuits, etc. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific implementation method of the processor.

[0058] In one implementation, the communication device may be a wireless communication device, that is, a computer device that supports wireless communication functions. Specifically, the wireless communication device may be a terminal device such as a smartphone, or a wireless access network device such as a base station.

[0059] In another implementation, the communication device may be a component of a wireless communication device, such as an integrated circuit product such as a system chip or a communication chip. The system chip may also be referred to as a system on chip (SoC), or simply an SoC chip. The communication chip may include a baseband processing chip and a radio frequency processing chip. The baseband processing chip is sometimes also referred to as a modem or baseband chip. The radio frequency processing chip is sometimes also referred to as a radio frequency transceiver or radio frequency chip. In a physical implementation, some or all of the chips in the communication chip may be integrated within the SoC chip. For example, the baseband processing chip is integrated into the SoC chip, while the radio frequency processing chip is not integrated with the SoC chip. The interface circuit may be the radio frequency processing chip in the wireless communication device, and the processor may be the baseband processing chip in the wireless communication device. The interface circuit may be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, or related circuit on the chip or chip system. The processor may also be embodied as a processing circuit or a logic circuit.

[0060] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The communication device includes: a processor and a memory; the memory is used to store one or more computer programs, and the one or more computer programs include computer-executable instructions. When the communication device is running, the processor executes the one or more computer programs stored in the memory, so that the communication device performs the method described in the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect, or any possible embodiment.

[0061] Optionally, the communication device further includes other components, such as an antenna, an input / output module, an interface, etc. These components may be hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0062] In an eleventh aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a chip system. The chip system includes a processor and an interface. The processor is configured to call and execute instructions from the interface. When the processor executes the instructions, the method described in the first, second, third, or fourth aspects, or any possible embodiment, is implemented.

[0063] In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program or instruction, which, when executed, implements the method described in the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect, or any possible embodiment.

[0064] In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions. When the computer program product is executed on a computer, the method described in the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, or the fourth aspect or any possible embodiment is implemented.

[0065] Regarding the beneficial effects of any technical solution in the above-mentioned second to thirteenth aspects, reference can be made to the beneficial effects discussion of the corresponding technical solution in the first aspect, and the repeated parts will not be listed here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0066] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a scenario applicable to an embodiment of the present application;

[0067] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of another scenario applicable to the embodiment of the present application;

[0068] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a process for adjusting a business processing strategy;

[0069] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of another scenario applicable to the embodiment of the present application;

[0070] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of another scenario applicable to the embodiment of the present application;

[0071] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application;

[0072] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application;

[0073] FIG8 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application;

[0074] FIG9 is a schematic diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0075] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0076] FIG11 is a schematic diagram of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0077] FIG12 is a schematic diagram of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0078] FIG13 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0079] FIG14 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0080] FIG15 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0081] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the embodiments of the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0082] To facilitate understanding, some terms involved in the embodiments of this application are introduced below with examples.

[0083] 1. A service flow refers to the flow of data associated with a service. For example, if device A and device B collaborate to implement a service, the data packets related to that service transmitted between devices A and B constitute the service flow. After being filtered by the user plane function (UPF), the service flow is called a QoS flow. In other words, a QoS flow can be understood as the data flow corresponding to the service that meets certain conditions. In some cases, the terms service flow and QoS flow can be used interchangeably.

[0084] 2. QoS configuration information, which serves the service flow and describes one or more communication metrics that the service flow must meet. QoS configuration information may include communication-related information and computing-related information. Communication-related information, for example, may be used to describe the communication requirements that the service flow must meet and / or the communication requirements that the task corresponding to the first service must meet. Computation-related information, for example, may also be used to describe the computing requirements that the task corresponding to the first service must meet.

[0085] Communication-related information, for example, includes a QoS profile for a service flow. A QoS profile may indicate a QoS parameter (or parameter set) for a service flow, or may be understood as QoS configuration information used to indicate a QoS parameter (or parameter set) for a service flow. The QoS parameters for a service flow include at least one of a QoS profile index, a guaranteed flow bit rate (GFBR), a guaranteed flow bit rate (GBR), a packet delay budget (PDB), a packet error rate (PER), an uplink / downlink (UL / DL) channel status, or a maximum data burst volume (MDBV). In this case, GFBR, PDB, PER, UL / DL channel status, and MDBV may all be considered one or more communication metrics. It should be understood that in some cases (e.g., when the QoS configuration information only includes the QoS profile for a service flow), the QoS configuration information may also be referred to as a QoS profile, a QoS configuration parameter set, or a QoS parameter set.

[0086] Communication-related information may also include, for example, QoS parameters corresponding to a task. The QoS parameters corresponding to a task include the overall QoS parameters of the task and / or the QoS parameters of some or all of the multiple subtasks within the task. The QoS parameters of a subtask may include at least one of the throughput, input data rate, and output data rate of the subtask. In this case, the throughput, input data rate, and output data rate corresponding to the subtask may also belong to one or more communication indicators. The input / output data rate or throughput represents the communication QoS requirement for the input / output data of the task.

[0087] Computation-related information may, for example, describe resource requirement information. For example, the resource requirement information used to describe a task may include the overall resource requirement information for the task and / or the resource requirement information for some or all of the multiple subtasks included in the task. The overall resource requirement information for the task, including the resource requirement information for a subtask, may describe the resources required to implement the subtask. Resources, such as computing resources and / or storage resources, may specifically include at least one of resource quantity information, resource type information, or resource performance information required to implement the subtask. Resource type information describes the type of resource, such as whether the resource is a computing resource. Resource quantity information may be expressed as the number of hardware that provides the resource, such as 10 graphics processing units (GPUs). Resource performance information may, for example, indicate at least one of the required computing energy consumption (or computing energy consumption), computing latency (or computing latency), and computing accuracy (or computing accuracy).

[0088] Computing type refers to the type of physical hardware computing power required to execute a task. Computing types can be categorized by the hardware providing the computing power, such as central processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), neural network processing units (NNPUs), and tensor processing units (TPUs). Computing types can also be differentiated by specific business types, such as image / video recognition, compression, graphics rendering, AI training, AI inference, perception processing, high-performance computing, or offline big data analysis.

[0089] The input / output data throughput can represent the communication data volume requirement of the task input / output data. Optionally, the input / output data throughput can also represent the communication QoS parameters (5G QoS identifier) ​​defined by the new radio (NR), such as: UL / DL PDB (Packet Delay Budget Uplink / Downlink), GBR (Guarantee Bit Rate), and Maximum Data Burst Volume (MDBV).

[0090] The computational requirement refers to the amount of computing power required to perform the task, which can be expressed as the required processor computing power, such as how many operations per second the processor needs to perform or how many floating-point operations per second it needs to perform. Optionally, the computational requirement information can also include parameter requirements such as the model, memory, I / O speed, and main frequency of the hardware required to perform the task, such as how many hertz the main frequency needs to reach, how many IOPS (Input / Output Operations per Second, the number of read and write operations per second) bandwidth is required, and how many bytes of memory capacity is required. I / O read and write speed requirements and memory requirements can also be used as separate task QoS parameters.

[0091] The computational latency requirement refers to how long it takes to complete the task.

[0092] Computing energy consumption requirements refer to the amount of energy or power required to execute a task. For example, if some subtasks of a computing task are scheduled for execution on a terminal device, the computing power consumption parameter represents the total terminal device power consumption required for the task, including both the terminal device's transmit power consumption and the terminal device's computing power consumption. The terminal device computing power consumption can be the average computing power consumption of the terminal device over a long period of time, or the computing power consumption of the terminal device when completing a single process or within a short period of time, such as the computing power consumption of the terminal device processing each video frame, the computing power consumption of the terminal device calculating each subtask, or the average computing power consumption of the terminal device over a predefined period of time. The terminal device computing power consumption can also be converted into a corresponding terminal device computing energy consumption indicator, expressed in watts or joules.

[0093] Computational accuracy requirements refer to the error requirements between the calculation results and the accurate value or true value, for example, the accuracy requirement must not exceed 5%; computational accuracy can also refer to the accuracy of the inference / training results obtained using the AI ​​model / algorithm.

[0094] Alternative QoS configuration information is QoS configuration information that can be selected, or considered as candidate QoS configuration information. The content of the alternative QoS configuration information can refer to the content of the QoS configuration information. It should be understood that the alternative QoS configuration information also serves the service flow. Therefore, there is no substantial difference between the two concepts of alternative QoS configuration information and QoS configuration information, and they can be used interchangeably.

[0095] 3. RRC parameters, also known as RRC parameter groups, are used for air interface transmission. Examples include semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) parameters, configure grant (CG) resource parameters, and discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration parameters. Discontinuous reception is also known as discontinuous reception.

[0096] CG includes time domain resources and / or frequency domain resources, etc. Time domain resources may include, for example, a grant-free period (which may be called a CG period), and frequency domain resources may include, for example, the number of CGs, specifically the number of grant-free resource blocks (RBs). CG can be used for uplink transmission. The network side activates an uplink grant to the terminal device once. If the terminal device does not receive deactivation, it can always use the resources specified by the first uplink grant for uplink transmission. The terminal device can use these grant-free resources to send data on the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH). The NR protocol supports two types of CG resource configurations: one is to configure the time domain resources of CG through RRC signaling, including the period, offset, starting symbol and length of PUSCH, and number of repetitions of CG resources; the other is to configure the period and number of repetitions through RRC signaling (specifically, IE ConfiguredGrantConfig), and the remaining parameters are configured through downlink control information (DCI) signaling (IE ConfiguredGrantConfig), including indicating the activation and deactivation of uplink grant-free.

[0097] SPS is used to enable the same user to use the same time-frequency resources until they are released within a certain semi-static scheduling period (such as fixed at 20ms). For example, the downlink SPS parameters include a radio network temporary identifier (cs-RNTI), nrof hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ)-Processes, harq-ProcID-Offset, and periodicity. cs-RNTI is used to receive the RNTI for activating / deactivating / retransmitting DCI, nrof-HARQ-Processes is the number of HARQs that SPS can support, harq-ProID-Offset is used to determine the parameters for calculating the downlink SPS HARQ ID, and periodicity is the transmission period parameter of the downlink SPS. SPS parameters include, for example, the SPS period.

[0098] DRX is used for discontinuous reception of messages. After DRX is activated, the terminal device can suspend monitoring of the PDCCH and temporarily shut down the receiver when there is no service, thereby saving power. DRX configuration parameters include DRX entry and exit (such as DRX start offset selection), DRX cycle period (divided into long and short cycles), the number of subframes in the DRX cycle, and the number of repetitions of the DRX short cycle length (short cycle timer). DRX parameters include, for example, the DRX cycle.

[0099] 4. Network status information, also referred to as communication network status information, network status information, or communication network status information, refers to information about one or more communication indicators that the network can achieve or support, or can be information about one or more actual communication indicators of the network. The network status information includes at least one of the following: uplink / downlink channel status, modulation and coding scheme (MCS), number of physical resource blocks (PRBs), network guaranteed bit rate, network packet delay budget, current network packet error rate, network transmission rate, network guaranteed transmission data size, network channel status information, network buffer status report information, or network congestion status information. Accordingly, the one or more communication indicators that the network status information can achieve or support include at least one of uplink / downlink channel status, MCS, number of PRBs, guaranteed bit rate, packet delay budget, packet error rate, transmission rate, guaranteed transmission data size, channel status information, buffer status report information, or congestion status. The congestion status information may be information related to the queue length of data packets cached in the layer 1 or layer 2 protocol stack of the access network device, such as buffer status report (BSR) related information. It should be understood that the network status information at different times may be different, and the network status information involved in the embodiments of the present application may be measured or detected current or current network status information.

[0100] 5. Resource status information, used to indicate the device's resource usage. Since resources include multiple types of resources, resource status information can indicate the device's usage of multiple resources, such as the device's computing power status. The computing power status information can indicate at least one of computing power type information, computing power size information, and supported service type information.

[0101] The computing power type information can be categorized by physical hardware type, including at least one of CPU, GPU, NPU, or TPU. Optionally, the computing power type information can also include at least one of the hardware model, memory, or main frequency.

[0102] Computing power information can be directly expressed as the number of operations per second (OPS) or floating-point operations per second (FLOPS). Computing power information can also include: main frequency (in Hertz), I / O bandwidth (in Gbits / s or IOPS), thermal design power consumption (in watts), memory capacity (in bytes), and the probability of computational completion or computational error.

[0103] The supported service types refer to the service types supported by the device, for example, at least one of image and video rendering, AI training, AI reasoning, perception processing, high-performance computing, or big data offline analysis.

[0104] 6. Business processing strategy: This indicates how the business is processed. In other words, the business processing strategy indicates how to process the business or indicates some parameters related to processing the business. The business processing strategy specifically includes task allocation information and / or business indicator information.

[0105] Task allocation information may also be referred to as task assignment result information or task scheduling information, etc., which may indicate which devices execute which subtasks of the task, etc. The task belongs to part or all of the tasks that need to be performed to implement the business. Specifically, the task allocation information may include at least one of the task implementation mode, task splitting mode (task assigment) or subtask splitting mode (subtask assigment) (which may be referred to as the task allocation mode or scheduling mode). The task implementation mode indicates which devices implement the task, such as the end-cloud collaboration mode. The end-cloud collaboration mode can be regarded as a specific implementation of the task splitting mode. In the case where the terminal device and the application server collaborate to implement the task, the content of the task splitting mode and the end-cloud collaboration mode may be the same. The end-cloud collaboration mode or task splitting mode may indicate the task division mode between the terminal device and the cloud server. For example, the end-cloud collaboration mode or task splitting mode may indicate turning on or off reflection rendering, turning on or off dynamic diffuse global illumination (DDGI) rendering function, etc. The task splitting mode indicates the tasks that the device needs to perform. The subtask splitting mode indicates the subtasks that the device needs to perform. The task allocation information may specifically instruct the application server to turn on the DDGI or reflection rendering function, or the application server to turn off the DDGI or reflection rendering function, the application server to turn on the DDGI or reflection rendering function and the terminal device to turn off the execution of the DDGI or reflection rendering function, or the application server to turn off the DDGI or reflection rendering function and the terminal device to turn on the execution of the DDGI or reflection rendering function.

[0106] Optionally, the task allocation information also includes information about resources allocated to the task, such as the quantity and / or type of resources allocated to the task, etc. The information about resources allocated to the task includes information about resources allocated to various devices (or equipment) for implementing the service.

[0107] Business indicator information refers to some performance that can be achieved by the business, including at least one of the bit rate, frame size, resolution, or frame rate of the business. The bit rate corresponding to the business can also be regarded as the bit rate corresponding to the business, for example, it can be the bit rate during the business flow corresponding to the business transmitted by the device, and / or the bit rate during the business flow corresponding to the business processed by the device (for example, the bit rate during the encoding and decoding of the business flow). The frame size, resolution, or frame rate can be, for example, the frame size, resolution, or frame rate of the picture presented in the process of implementing the business. For example, the frame rate is the frame rate corresponding to the picture presented in the process of implementing the business, and the unit of the frame rate can be the number of frames per second (frame per second, FPS).

[0108] 7. Protocol data unit (PDU) session is the carrier of PDU service. PDU session is used to connect the terminal device and the external data network (DN) to exchange service data packets. After a PDU session is established, a data transmission channel between the terminal device and the DN is established. The transmission process of the user plane tunnel of the PDU session includes processes such as the terminal device and the access network, the access network and the UPF, and the UPF-DN. The PDU session in 5G includes attributes such as single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI), data network name (DNN), PDU session type (type), service and session continuity mode (SSC Mode), PDU session ID, user plane security enforcement information, and at least one of the multi-access PDU connectivity service.

[0109] It should be understood that with the continuous evolution of the standards, the various terms involved above (such as alternative QoS configuration information, RRC parameters and service processing strategies, etc.) may also have other names, and the embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations on this.

[0110] In the embodiments of the present application, the number of nouns, unless otherwise specified, means "singular noun or plural noun", that is, "one or more". "At least one" means one or more, and "plural" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that there may be three relationships. 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. The character " / " generally indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B means: A or B. "At least one of the following items" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c means: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c, where a, b, c can be single or multiple.

[0111] Services may include AI services, which are services based on AI models. These services include cloud gaming, video rendering services such as VR, terminal visual cognition, and augmented reality / mixed reality (AR / MR). AI tasks involved in AI services include, for example, smartphones, cars, robots, and other terminal devices collecting user behavior data such as images, videos, gestures, and voice, as well as surrounding environment data, through sensors such as radar, cameras, controllers, and microphones. These devices then use AI models to perform operations such as voice or image recognition and video processing.

[0112] AI tasks can be deployed in terminal devices, but this approach has high requirements on the computing power of the terminal devices. AI tasks can also be deployed in application servers, but this also has high requirements on the bandwidth on the network side. To this end, a method for terminal devices and application servers to jointly deploy AI tasks is proposed. Please refer to Figure 1, which is a schematic diagram of a scenario applicable to an embodiment of the present application, or it can be regarded as a schematic diagram of a terminal device and an application server jointly deploying AI tasks. As shown in Figure 1, both the terminal device and the application server can be deployed with applications, and the applications in the terminal device and the application server can run AI models. Applications are used to provide services or corresponding functions for terminal devices, and can be installed and deployed by equipment manufacturers, operators or third parties. Applications can be applications, applets, sub-applications or web pages pre-installed in the device, etc., and this application does not limit this. The application server may include one or more physical servers or cloud servers, etc. The application server may also be called a cloud or cloud platform.

[0113] In the scenario of collaboratively deploying AI tasks, the terminal device can determine the intermediate calculation results based on the AI ​​model and send the intermediate calculation results to the application server. The application server obtains the final calculation results (such as the inference results of the AI ​​model) through the AI ​​model and feeds the final calculation results back to the terminal device.

[0114] A terminal device is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities that can also allow users to access the network. It has certain computing capabilities and can handle communication services such as AI and third-party application services such as AR. Terminal devices can be fixed devices, mobile devices, handheld devices, wearable devices, in-vehicle devices, or wireless devices built into any of the above devices (such as communication modules or chip systems). The terminal device is used to connect people, objects, machines, etc., and can be widely used in various scenarios, including but not limited to the following scenarios: cellular communications, device-to-device communications (D2D), vehicle to everything (V2X), machine-to-machine / machine-type communications (M2M / MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), industrial control, self-driving, remote medical, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wearable, smart transportation, smart city, drones, robots, etc. For example, the terminal device can be VR glasses, etc. The terminal device may sometimes be referred to as user equipment (UE), terminal, access station, UE station, remote station, wireless communication equipment, or user device, etc.

[0115] The following describes the process of transmitting data in the collaborative scenario of the terminal device and application server involved in Figure 1, in conjunction with the scenario diagram shown in Figure 2. In addition to illustrating the terminal device and application server, Figure 2 also illustrates the access network (such as the radio access network (RAN)) and the core network (CN). The terminal device can communicate with the application server through the access network and the core network in turn. The application server can be located in the DN after the user plane function of the core network, and interact with the user plane function of the core network through the N6 interface to provide computing services. The application server can be deployed with an application function (AF).

[0116] In Figure 2, applications can be deployed between the terminal device and the application server, and these applications can collaborate to implement AI tasks. For example, the terminal device uses an AI model to perform local rendering, such as rendering a foreground image, such as a person kicking a ball. The application server uses the AI ​​model to perform server-side rendering, rendering the background, such as a river, boats, and egrets. The application server transmits the rendered background to the terminal device via core network user plane functions and access networks, allowing the terminal device to output the final rendering results based on the background and foreground.

[0117] The access network may include one or more access network devices, which are devices with wireless transceiver functions and are used to communicate with terminal devices. Access network devices include but are not limited to base stations (BTS, Node B, eNodeB / eNB, or gNodeB / gNB) in the above-mentioned communication systems, transmission reception points (TRPs), base stations of subsequent evolution of 3GPP, access nodes in wireless fidelity (WiFi) systems, wireless relay nodes, wireless backhaul nodes, satellites or drones, etc. The base station may be: a macro base station, a micro base station, a pico base station, a small station, a relay station, etc. Multiple base stations can support the same access technology mentioned above, or they can support the different access technologies mentioned above. The base station may include one or more co-sited or non-co-sited transmission and reception points. The access network device may also be a wireless controller, a centralized unit (CU), also known as an aggregation unit, and / or a distributed unit (DU) in the cloud radio access network (C(R)AN) scenario. The access network device may also be a server, a wearable device, or an in-vehicle device. For example, the access network device in vehicle to everything (V2X) technology may be a road side unit (RSU). The following description of the access network device takes a base station as an example. The multiple access network devices in the communication system may be base stations of the same type or different types. The base station may communicate with the terminal device or communicate with the terminal device through a relay station. The terminal device may communicate with multiple base stations using different access technologies.

[0118] In a possible architecture of an access network device, the access network device includes a centralized unit (CU) and / or a distributed unit (DU). CU and DU can be understood as a division of the access network device from a logical functional perspective. Among them, CU and DU can be physically separated or deployed together, and this embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit this. A CU can be connected to a DU, or multiple DUs can share a CU. The division of CU and DU can be based on the protocol stack. One possible way is to deploy the RRC, service data adaptation protocol stack (SDAP) and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layers in the CU, and the remaining radio link control (RLC) layer, media access control (MAC) layer and physical layer in the DU. The embodiment of the present application does not completely limit the division of CU and DU according to the above-mentioned protocol stack method, and there can be other division methods, such as division according to service type.

[0119] Access network equipment may also refer to a centralized unit control plane (CU-CP) node or a centralized unit user plane (CU-UP) node, or include both the CU-CP and the CU-UP. The CU-CP is responsible for control plane functions, primarily including RRC and PDCP-C. PDCP-C is primarily responsible for encryption and decryption, integrity protection, and data transmission of control plane data. The CU-UP is responsible for user plane functions, primarily including SDAP and PDCP-U. SDAP is primarily responsible for processing core network data and mapping flows to bearers. PDCP-U is primarily responsible for encryption and decryption, integrity protection, header compression, sequence number maintenance, and data transmission of the data plane.

[0120] In different systems, CU (including CU-CP or CU-UP) or DU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meanings. For example, in an open radio access network (O-RAN) system, CU may also be referred to as O-CU (Open CU), DU may also be referred to as O-DU, CU-CP may also be referred to as O-CU-CP, and CU-UP may also be referred to as O-CU-UP.

[0121] The core network (CN) is used to implement at least one of the following functions: mobility management, data processing, session management, policy and billing. The names of the devices implementing core network functions may vary in systems with different access technologies, and this is not limited in the present embodiment. The core network may also include one or more access network devices, such as a session management function (SMF), a policy control function (PCF), and a UPF.

[0122] In one possible design, the terminal device may include an application layer and an access layer. The application layer may refer to the operating system or application of the terminal device, and the content of the application can be referred to in the previous text. The access stratum (AS) may refer to the RRC layer and the protocol layer below the RRC layer in the control plane protocol stack between the terminal device and the access network device. The AS is responsible for processing the interaction between the access network and the terminal device, or can be understood as a functional module for wireless communication between the terminal device and the access network device. The access layer may include the RRC layer, the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, the medium access control (MAC) layer, and the physical layer (PHY), etc.

[0123] The RRC layer is responsible for access network-related control plane processes. The PDCP layer is primarily responsible for Internet Protocol (IP) header compression, encryption, and integrity protection. The MAC layer is primarily responsible for logical channel multiplexing, hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) retransmissions, and scheduling-related functions. The PHY layer is primarily responsible for encoding, decoding, modulation, demodulation, and multi-antenna mapping.

[0124] It should be understood that in each embodiment of the present application, the device for realizing the function of a certain device may be a device, or it may be a software module or hardware module (such as a chip) that can support the device to realize the function. For example, the device for realizing the function of a terminal device may be a terminal device, or it may be a software module or hardware module (such as a chip) that can support the terminal device to realize the function. In the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are described by taking the device for realizing the function of a terminal device as an example of a terminal device. The device for realizing the function of an access network device may be an access network device, or it may be a software module or hardware module (such as a chip) that can support the access network device to realize the function. In the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are described by taking the device for realizing the function of a network as an example of an access network device.

[0125] It should be understood that the solution provided in the embodiments of the present application can not only be applied to collaborative computing between terminal devices and application servers, but can also be applied to scenarios of distributed processing of computing tasks, such as in home / industrial Internet of Things scenarios. For example, the computing tasks of the terminal device can be offloaded to multiple terminal devices or servers for distributed processing, that is, collaborative computing between terminal devices and terminal devices (or servers) to improve the computing power resource utilization of edge devices.

[0126] Since most AI tasks involve high-burst traffic, service processing strategies (such as task division methods or service traffic patterns) have different requirements for network transmission rate and transmission latency. Therefore, if the QoS configuration information corresponding to the AI ​​task changes, the service processing strategy (such as task division methods or service traffic patterns) needs to be adjusted accordingly so that the service processing strategy can adapt to the needs of the corresponding AI service.

[0127] The following describes a method for adjusting a service processing strategy in conjunction with the scenario shown in Figure 2. Referring to Figure 3, a flow chart of adjusting a service processing strategy is shown. Figure 3 illustrates steps S301 to S310, which are described below.

[0128] S301: The access network device determines a selected candidate QoS configuration file.

[0129] When the access network device cannot meet the communication indicators in the normal QoS profile of the QoS flow, an alternative QoS profile can be selected from one or more alternative QoS profiles, so that the selected alternative QoS profile can be used to provide services for the corresponding QoS flow in the future.

[0130] S302: The access network device sends the index of the candidate QoS configuration file to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the index of the candidate QoS configuration file from the access network device.

[0131] S303: The SMF sends the index of the candidate QoS configuration file to the PCF. Correspondingly, the PCF receives the index of the candidate QoS configuration file from the SMF.

[0132] S304: The PCF sends the index of the candidate QoS configuration file to the application server. Correspondingly, the application server receives the index of the candidate QoS configuration file from the PCF.

[0133] For example, the PCF may send an index of an alternative QoS profile to the AF deployed by the application server.

[0134] S305: The SMF sends the index of the candidate QoS configuration file to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the index of the candidate QoS configuration file from the SMF.

[0135] S306: The application server determines a service processing strategy.

[0136] S307: The application server sends the service processing policy to the PCF. Correspondingly, the PCF receives the service processing policy from the application server.

[0137] S308: PCF sends the service processing policy to SMF. Correspondingly, SMF receives the service processing policy from PCF.

[0138] S309: The SMF sends the service processing policy to the access network device. Correspondingly, the access network device receives the service processing policy from the SMF.

[0139] S310: The access network device sends a service processing policy to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the service processing policy from the access network device.

[0140] As can be seen from Figure 3, the access network device needs to notify the application server of the selected alternative QoS profile through control plane signaling before the application server can determine the service processing strategy. That is, the application server needs to start determining the service processing strategy after the QoS profile indicated by the control plane signaling is triggered, and the application server can notify the terminal device of the determined service processing strategy, that is, the timing of triggering the service processing strategy is relatively late. In addition, the path for the access network device to transmit the alternative QoS profile to the application server (specifically, the path includes: access network device → SMF → PCF → application server) and the path for the terminal device to receive the service processing strategy from the application server (specifically, the path includes: application server → PCF → SMF → access network device → terminal device) are relatively long, which undoubtedly makes the application server and terminal device adjust the service processing strategy later. Therefore, it can be seen that the timeliness of adjusting the service processing strategy needs to be improved.

[0141] In view of this, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, in which a first communication device (the explanation of the first communication device can refer to the explanation in the previous text and will not be repeated here) can receive accompanying information based on the path (such as the first path) used to transmit the service flow and determine the service processing strategy. Since the service flow is transmitted through the user plane path, this enables the first communication device to receive the accompanying information earlier, so that the first communication device triggers the determination (or adjustment) of the service processing strategy earlier, and the first communication device can directly determine the service processing strategy based on the accompanying information, which simplifies the process of triggering the service processing strategy and is conducive to the first communication device adjusting the service processing strategy earlier. In short, this method can improve the timeliness of adjusting the service processing strategy and is conducive to improving the efficiency of adjusting the service.

[0142] The communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to the scenario shown in Figure 1 or Figure 2 above. In addition, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application can also be applied to other possible scenarios. For example, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to long-term evolution technology (LTE), fifth-generation (5G) communication systems (such as new radio (NR) systems), or communication systems in future evolution processes, without specific limitation. The fifth-generation communication system is introduced below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0143] Please refer to Figure 4, which is a schematic diagram of another scenario applicable to the embodiments of the present application. Alternatively, Figure 4 can also be regarded as a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system, for example, a schematic diagram of the architecture of a 5G communication system. This scenario includes a terminal device, a core network (such as RAN), an access network, and an application server. Unlike Figure 2, Figure 4 also illustrates that the access network includes a task management function (TMF) and core network equipment, as well as the UPF included in the core network.

[0144] TMF is responsible for accepting requests and scheduling computing tasks. Figure 4 shows the deployment of TMF on the RAN side. In fact, there is no limit to the deployment method of TMF. For example, TMF can also be deployed independently from RAN and core network, or TMF can be embedded in the DU or CU of the access network equipment, or for example, deployed on the core network side, or TMF can also be an enhanced functional network element of the existing core network functional network element (such as SMF), etc. There is no specific limitation on this. The application server is used to provide computing services. It can be located in the DN after the core network user plane function. The application server can interact with the 5G communication system through the N6 interface for user plane application layer data.

[0145] As shown in Figure 4, applications are deployed on terminal devices. These devices can access application servers through these applications, collaborating with the application servers to implement services such as rendering. The terminal devices communicate with the application servers through the RAN and then the UPF. The RAN can communicate with the UPF through the NG3 interface.

[0146] Please refer to Figure 5, which is a schematic diagram of another scenario provided in an embodiment of the present application. Alternatively, Figure 5 can also be viewed as a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system. This scenario illustrates terminal equipment, access network equipment, TMF, UPF, and a computing execution entity (CEF). Unlike Figure 4, Figure 5 also illustrates the CEF.

[0147] The relevant content of terminal equipment, access network equipment, TMF and UPF can be referred to the content discussed in Figure 4 above and will not be listed here. CEF can be deployed in the application server of the data network, the mobile edge computing (MEC) platform, the UPF or the access network equipment, etc., without specific limitation.

[0148] As shown in Figure 5, both the terminal device and the CEF can be deployed with applications. The terminal device can access the CEF through the RAN and UPF in turn, thereby collaborating with the CEF to implement services.

[0149] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 6 illustrates a core network device, a terminal device, and an access network device. The terminal device involved in Figure 6 is, for example, the terminal device involved in Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 4, or Figure 5, the access network device is, for example, the access network device involved in Figure 2, Figure 4, or Figure 5, and the core network device is, for example, the core network element or core network device (such as UPF) shown in Figure 2, Figure 4, or Figure 5. Figure 6 also illustrates the structure of an access network device. Devices in the communication system are connected through interfaces (such as NG, Xn) or air interfaces.

[0150] The access network device can serve as a separate RAN node or include multiple RAN nodes, for example, a CU and a DU. Optionally, the CU can also be split into a CU-CP and a CU-UP. At least one of the access network device, the core network device, the CU in the access network device, the DU in the access network device, the CU-CP in the access network device, or the CU-UP in the access network device involved in Figure 6 can be regarded as an example of the network device involved in Figure 1.

[0151] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 7, the communication system includes a RAN intelligent controller (RIC), a terminal device, a core network device, and an access network device. The terminal device involved in Figure 7 is, for example, the terminal device involved in Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 4, Figure 5, or Figure 6, the access network device is, for example, the access network device involved in Figure 2, Figure 4, Figure 5, or Figure 6, and the core network device is, for example, the core network element (such as UPF) shown in Figure 2, Figure 4, or Figure 5, or the core network device shown in Figure 6. The access network device involved in Figure 7 can be regarded as an access network device under an O-RAN architecture. RIC includes a near-real-time RIC (near-RT RIC) and a non-real-time RIC (non-RT RIC). The non-real-time RIC mainly processes non-real-time information, such as data that is not sensitive to delay, and the delay of this data can be in seconds. The real-time RIC primarily processes near-real-time information, such as latency-sensitive data with a latency of tens of milliseconds. Optionally, the near-real-time RIC and non-real-time RIC can each be configured as a separate network element.

[0152] The near real-time RIC can obtain network-side and / or terminal device information from access network devices (e.g., at least one of CU, DU, and RU) and / or terminal devices. The access network devices involved in FIG7 are, for example, the access network devices involved in FIG2, FIG4, FIG5, or FIG6.

[0153] Optionally, the near-real-time RIC can process this information and send the results to the RAN node and / or terminal device. Optionally, the processing results can be exchanged between the CU and DU, and / or between the DU and RU. For example, the near-real-time RIC can submit the processing results to the DU, which then sends them to the RU.

[0154] The non-real-time RIC can obtain network-side and / or terminal-side information from the wireless access device (e.g., at least one of the CU, DU, and RU) and / or the terminal device. Optionally, the non-real-time RIC can also process this information and send the processing results to the RAN node and / or the terminal device. Optionally, the processing results can be exchanged between the CU and DU, and / or between the DU and RU. For example, the non-real-time RIC can submit the processing results to the DU, which then sends them to the RU.

[0155] The near-real-time RIC and non-real-time RIC can also be set up as separate network elements. Optionally, the near-real-time RIC and non-real-time RIC can also be part of other devices. For example, the near-real-time RIC is set up in access network equipment (e.g., CU, DU), while the non-real-time RIC is set up in OAM, cloud server, core network equipment, or other network equipment.

[0156] Figure 8 is a structural diagram of a communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application. The access network device involved in Figure 8 can be regarded as another access network device under an O-RAN architecture. Relative to Figure 7, the CU is separated into CU-CP and CU-UP in Figure 8. The relevant contents of the terminal device and the core network device shown in Figure 8 can refer to the contents of the terminal device and the core network device discussed in Figure 7 above, and the repeated parts will not be repeated. The terminal device involved in Figure 8 is, for example, the terminal device involved in Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 6 or Figure 7, the access network device is, for example, the access network device involved in Figure 2, Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 6 or Figure 7, and the core network device is, for example, the core network element (such as UPF) shown in Figure 2, Figure 4 or Figure 5, or the core network device shown in Figure 6.

[0157] The following describes the methods provided by the embodiments of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings corresponding to the various embodiments of the present application, all steps indicated by dashed lines are optional steps. The first communication device involved in the various embodiments of the present application is a terminal device, a software module or hardware module in the terminal device, an application server or CEF, a software module or hardware module in the application server or CEF, a terminal device and an application server, or a terminal device and a CEF, etc. Alternatively, the second communication device involved in the various embodiments of the present application is an application server or CEF, a software module or hardware module in the application server or CEF, etc., a terminal device, a software module or hardware module in the terminal device, an application server and a terminal device, or a CEF and a terminal device, etc. The third communication device involved in the various embodiments of the present application is, for example, an access network device, a TMF, a software or hardware module in the access network device, or a software or hardware module in the TMF, etc. The fourth communication device involved in the various embodiments of the present application is, for example, an access network device, a software or hardware module in the access network device, a core network device, a software or hardware module in the core network device, etc. The third communication device and the fourth communication device may be the same or different. The terminal devices mentioned in the various embodiments of the present application may be, for example, any of the terminal devices in Figures 1, 2, 4, 5 to 8 above, the application server may be, for example, the application server involved in Figures 1, 2 or 4, or may be a CEF, for example, the CEF involved in Figure 5, the TMF may be, for example, the TMF involved in Figure 4 or 5, the access network device may be, for example, any of the access network devices involved in Figures 2, 4 to 8, and the UPF may be, for example, the UPF involved in Figures 2, 4, or 5 above.

[0158] However, if the technical solutions provided in the various embodiments of the present application are applied to other communication systems, the name and / or function of the device may change, and there is no limitation on this.

[0159] Please refer to Figure 9, which is a schematic diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 9 includes two steps, S901 and S902, which are described below.

[0160] S901: A second communication device sends first associated information to a first communication device. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the first associated information from the second communication device.

[0161] The first associated information includes experienced service quality information and / or service feature information. Of course, the first associated information may also include other information in addition to service quality information and / or service feature information, which is not specifically limited. The experienced service quality information indicates the actual transmission parameters of the first service flow within the historical duration. For example, it may specifically indicate the actual transmission parameters of at least one data packet among the one or more data packets corresponding to the first service flow within the historical duration. This at least one data packet may be a historical data packet before the first associated information is sent, or it may be the first data packet used to carry the first associated information, etc. The historical duration may be a period of time (or a time period) before the current moment. In some cases, the historical duration may also be described as a historical time period. For example, the historical duration may be a period of time between the moment when the first service flow is started to be received and the current moment, or it may be a period of time between the moment when the first service flow is started to be generated and the current moment, or it may be any period of time (or time period) between the moment when the first service flow is started to be generated and the current moment. This embodiment of the present application does not limit this. The first service flow corresponds to the first service. One or more data packets may include business data related to the first business, such as execution data for executing computing tasks related to the first business. For example, the first business may be a rendering business, and the business data may be data for generating a rendering image.

[0162] The following takes the actual transmission parameters of a data packet within a historical period as an example to introduce.

[0163] The actual transmission parameters of a data packet within a historical time period may include, for example, the transmission delay (or duration) experienced by the data packet (also referred to as the experienced transmission delay), and / or the data transmission rate experienced by the data packet. The transmission delay experienced by a data packet may include the sum of the transmission delays experienced by the data packet, and may be at least one of the average transmission delays experienced by the data packet within a unit time period, the average transmission delays experienced by at least one data packet, or the sum of the transmission delays experienced by at least one data packet (or may be described as the cumulative result of the transmission delays detected for at least one data packet). The data transmission rate experienced by a data packet may also be at least one of the average transmission rate of the data packet, the maximum transmission rate of the data packet, the minimum transmission rate of the data packet, the average transmission rate of at least one data packet, the maximum transmission rate of at least one data packet, or the average transmission rate of at least one data packet.

[0164] It should be understood that as the historical duration changes, the actual transmission parameter values ​​of a data packet within the historical duration may change continuously, for example, as the transmission process of the data packet changes. For example, the first associated information includes the transmission delay experienced by the data packet D1, and the first associated information is carried in the data packet D1, and the data packet A passes through the terminal device, the access network device, the UPF, and the CEF in sequence. Then, the transmission delay experienced by the data packet D1 indicated by the first associated information may be 0 milliseconds (ms) at the terminal device, 10 ms at the access network device, 20 ms at the CEF, and so on.

[0165] The service characteristic information indicates the attributes (or characteristics) of the first service corresponding to the first service flow, for example, it may specifically indicate the importance (or priority) of the first service and / or the importance (or priority) of a data packet, etc. Optionally, the service characteristic information may also indicate the type of the first service, etc. It should be understood that since the transmitted data packets are constantly changing, the importance of a data packet or a service may remain unchanged or may change. The importance of a data packet may be related to the importance corresponding to the service result presented by the data packet. For example, if a data packet corresponds to a key frame in a rendered video, then the importance of the data packet is relatively high. For another example, if a data packet corresponds to an ordinary frame in a rendered video, then the importance of the data packet is relatively low.

[0166] Similarly, when at least one data packet is composed of multiple data packets, the first associated information can be considered as the cumulative result of the associated information corresponding to these multiple data packets. It should be understood that the embodiments of the present application are described in terms of the first associated information. In fact, the first associated information can also have other names, and the embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit the name of the first associated information.

[0167] In one possible implementation, the first associated information may be transmitted multiplexed over the first path. In other words, the second communication device uses the first path to transmit the first associated information and the first service flow, respectively. The first path may be a user plane path between the first communication device and the second communication device, wherein the first path may be alternatively described as a user plane path between the first communication device and the second communication device. The first path may indicate two nodes, the first communication device and the second communication device, and may also indicate other nodes between the first communication device and the second communication device (such as an access network device and / or UPF, etc.), without specific limitation.

[0168] Exemplarily, part or all of one or more data packets of the first service flow are transmitted through the first path, and the second communication device can reuse the first path to send the first associated information to the first communication device separately.

[0169] Optionally, the second communication device may periodically transmit the first associated information, or the second communication device may transmit the first associated information under certain conditions. For example, the certain condition may be that the communication quality change value is greater than the first change value. The first change value may be preconfigured or predefined in the second communication device. This is not specifically limited. To facilitate identification of which data packets' actual transmission parameters, etc., are indicated by the first associated information, the first associated information may carry an identifier for at least one data packet.

[0170] In this embodiment, the transmission mode of the first associated information and the transmission mode of the data packet corresponding to the first service flow can be different or the same. The transmission mode includes, for example, a transmission protocol.

[0171] For example, the second communication device may transmit one or more data packets via a transport layer protocol such as real-time transport protocol (RTP), quick user datagram protocol internet connections (QUIC), or real-time transport control protocol (RTCP). Alternatively, the second communication device may transmit the first associated information via RTP, QUIC, or RTCP.

[0172] In the above embodiment, since the first service flow and the first associated information are transmitted separately, the mutual influence between the two can be reduced, which is conducive to improving the reliability of the exchange of the first associated information between the first communication device and the second communication device.

[0173] In another possible implementation, the first associated information is carried in at least one data packet of the one or more data packets of the first service flow, which is equivalent to the second communication device transmitting the first associated information and the data packet of the first service flow simultaneously.

[0174] Exemplarily, the second communication device may periodically carry the first on-path information in at least one data packet, or the second communication device may carry the first on-path information in each data packet in at least one data packet, or the second communication device may carry the first on-path information in a data packet to be sent when the communication quality change value is greater than the first change value. There is no specific limitation on this.

[0175] In the case where the first associated information can be a data packet carried in the first service flow, the number of interactions between the first communication device and the second communication device can be reduced. Moreover, since data is transmitted in real time between the first communication device and the second communication device, the first associated information is carried in the first data, which can also increase the timeliness with which the second communication device obtains the first associated information.

[0176] In this implementation manner, the transmission mode of the first associated information and the transmission mode of the data packet corresponding to the first service flow may be the same.

[0177] In one possible design, the second communication device may transmit at least one data packet via a transport layer protocol such as RTP, QUIC, or RTCP. In this case, the first associated information may optionally be carried in an RTP, QUIC, or RTCP header used to transmit the at least one data packet. This can relatively reduce transmission overhead and facilitate the first communication device to obtain the first associated information earlier based on the RTP, QUIC, or RTCP header.

[0178] The following describes, in different implementations of the first communication device and the second communication device, how the content of the first associated information is transmitted.

[0179] In case 1, if the first communication device is a terminal device and the second communication device is an application server or CEF, the application server or CEF can send first associated information to the terminal device. Accordingly, the terminal device can receive the first associated information from the application server or CEF. In this case, the application server or CEF can send the first associated information directly to the terminal device, or the application server or CEF can send the first associated information to the terminal device via the UPF and the RAN in sequence. This embodiment of the present application does not limit the nodes traversed by the path for sending the first associated information, that is, it does not limit the specific nodes traversed by the first path. The implementation of the terminal device, application server, and CEF can refer to the content discussed above and will not be listed here. In case 2, the first path (or the user plane path between the first communication device and the second communication device) can include (or sequentially include) the transmission path between the terminal device and the access network device (such as the Uu interface transmission path between the terminal device and the access network device), the transmission path between the access network device and the UPF (such as the NG3 interface transmission path between the access network device and the UPF), and the transmission path between the UPF and the application service (such as the N6 interface transmission path between the UPF and the application service).

[0180] Case 2: If the first communication device is an application server or CEF, and the second communication device is a terminal device, then the terminal device can send the first associated information to the application server or CEF. Correspondingly, the application server or CEF can receive the first associated information from the terminal device. In this case, the terminal device can send the first associated information directly to the application server or CEF, or the terminal device can send the first associated information to the application server or CEF through the RAN and UPF in sequence. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the nodes through which the terminal device sends the first associated information, that is, it does not limit the specific nodes through which the first path passes. In case 1, the first path (or the user plane path between the first communication device and the second communication device) may include (or include in sequence) the transmission path between the application server and the UPF (such as the N6 interface transmission path between the application service and the UPF), the transmission path between the UPF and the access network device (such as the NG3 interface transmission path between the UPF and the access network device), and the transmission path between the access network device and the terminal device (such as the Uu interface transmission path between the access network device and the terminal device).

[0181] S902: The first communication device determines a first service processing strategy according to the first associated channel information.

[0182] The first business processing policy can be regarded as a business processing policy of the first business that is (re)selected, an updated business processing policy of the first business, or an adjusted business processing policy of the first business. The first business processing policy indicates the processing method of the first business, specifically including business indicator information and / or task allocation information of the first business. Business indicator information refers to some performance that can be achieved by the first business. Task allocation information may indicate tasks assigned to the first communication device and / or to the second communication device, specifically including at least one subtask included in the first task assigned to the first communication device and / or at least one subtask included in the first task assigned to the second communication device, etc. The first task is at least one task for implementing the first business, and the first task can be divided into multiple subtasks. For example, the first business processing policy may instruct CEF to turn on DDGI or reflection rendering function, CEF to turn off DDGI or reflection rendering function, CEF to turn on DDGI or reflection rendering function and the terminal device to turn off execution of DDGI or reflection rendering function, or CEF to turn off DDGI or reflection rendering function and the terminal device to turn on execution of DDGI or reflection rendering function.

[0183] There are multiple ways for the first communication device to determine the first service processing strategy according to the first associated information, which will be described below in conjunction with the way shown in A1 or A2.

[0184] A1. The first communication device determines first candidate quality of service configuration information according to the first associated channel information, and determines a first service processing strategy according to the first candidate quality of service configuration information.

[0185] The first alternative Qos configuration information may be one of the one or more alternative Qos configuration information of the first business flow, and may be regarded as the Qos configuration information selected by the first business flow, the updated Qos configuration information or the adjusted Qos configuration information. The first alternative Qos configuration information indicates one or more communication indicators that the first business flow needs to meet. The first alternative Qos configuration information may, for example, include an alternative Qos configuration file for the first business flow, and the content of the alternative Qos configuration file for the first business flow may refer to the content discussed above. Optionally, the first alternative Qos configuration information also includes alternative Qos parameters and / or resource requirement information corresponding to each of the multiple subtasks corresponding to the first task.

[0186] The following first introduces the manner in which the first communication device involved in A1 determines the first candidate QoS configuration information according to the first associated path information.

[0187] Exemplarily, the first communication device may obtain the first alternative QoS configuration information from the access network device. Alternatively, the first communication device may determine the first alternative QoS configuration information based on the first associated information and the second association relationship. For example, the first communication device may determine the alternative QoS configuration information that matches the first associated information in the second association relationship as the first alternative QoS configuration information. The second association relationship may be preconfigured or predefined in the first communication device, for example, preconfigured in the first communication device through a protocol, or may be received by the first communication device from other devices, such as a third communication device.

[0188] The second association relationship indicates an association relationship between one or more associated information and one or more alternative QoS configuration information. For example, the second association relationship includes an association relationship between one or more associated information and identifiers of one or more alternative QoS configuration information, or an association relationship between one or more identifiers of associated information and one or more alternative QoS configuration information, or an association relationship between one or more identifiers of associated information and identifiers of one or more alternative QoS configuration information, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific form of the second association relationship.

[0189] It should be understood that one or more on-path information in the second association relationship and one or more alternative Qos configuration information may be a one-to-one correspondence, for example, each on-path information in the one or more on-path information in the second association relationship is associated with one alternative Qos configuration information in the one or more alternative Qos configuration information. Alternatively, one or more on-path information in the second association relationship and one or more alternative Qos configuration information may be a many-to-one relationship, for example, multiple on-path information in the one or more on-path information in the second association relationship are associated with one alternative Qos configuration information in the one or more alternative Qos configuration information. Alternatively, one or more on-path information in the second association relationship and one or more alternative Qos configuration information include both a one-to-one correspondence and a many-to-one relationship, and there is no specific limitation on this.

[0190] An identifier of one of the one or more identifiers of associated information may be an index or number assigned to an associated information, or may be the value of some or all of the actual transmission parameters in the actual transmission parameters indicated by an associated information, or may be the value range to which the value of some or all of the actual transmission parameters in the actual transmission parameters indicated by an associated information belongs, or may be the index corresponding to the value range to which the value of some or all of the actual transmission parameters in the actual transmission parameters indicated by an associated information belongs, or may be the value of the importance of the data indicated by an associated information. The embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0191] The identifier of one of the one or more identifiers of alternative QoS configuration information may be at least one of an identifier / index of a service flow corresponding to an alternative QoS configuration information, an index / identifier of an alternative QoS configuration information, or an identifier / index of at least one communication indicator among one or more communication indicators indicated by an alternative QoS configuration information. The identifier of the service flow may be a combination of at least one of a data radio bearer identifier (DRB ID), a logical channel identifier (LCID), a session ID, or a service flow ID mapped to the air interface where the service flow is located. The session is, for example, a PDU session. The identifier / index of at least one communication indicator may be a value of at least one communication indicator, a value range to which the value of at least one communication indicator belongs, a number or a sequence number, etc., and this is not limited. One of the alternative QoS configuration information may include information related to communication and / or information related to calculation, and the identifier of one of the alternative QoS configuration information may be represented by the content indicated by the information related to communication or the content indicated by the information related to calculation included in the alternative QoS configuration information. The information related to communication may include, for example, input / output data throughput, PDB or GBR, and other QoS. The information related to computing may include, for example, at least one of computing type, computing load requirement, computing energy consumption requirement, or computing latency requirement.

[0192] Please refer to Table 1 below for an example of a second association relationship provided in an embodiment of the present application. Table 1 illustrates the value range of the transmission delay X experienced by the data packet, including the associated information indicated by the second association relationship, and the value of the PDB, including the alternative QoS configuration information.

[0193] Table 1

[0194] As shown in the second association relationship in Table 1 above, if the associated information indicates that the transmission delay X experienced by the data packet is less than or equal to 5ms, then the associated information corresponds to the alternative QoS configuration information 1, and the PDB corresponding to the alternative QoS configuration information 1 is 20ms; if the associated information indicates that the transmission delay X experienced by the data packet is less than 5ms and less than or equal to 15ms, then the associated information corresponds to the alternative QoS configuration information 2, and the PDB corresponding to the alternative QoS configuration information 2 is 10ms; if the associated information indicates that the transmission delay X experienced by the data packet is greater than 15ms and less than or equal to 20ms, then the associated information corresponds to the alternative QoS configuration information 3, and the PDB corresponding to the alternative QoS configuration information 3 is 5ms. For example, if the first communication device determines that the transmission delay X experienced by the data packet indicated by the first associated information is 8ms, then the first communication device can determine the alternative QoS configuration information 1 as the first alternative QoS configuration information. In this way, while ensuring the data packet transmission delay requirements, the network resources occupied by the data packet are minimized.

[0195] Please refer to Table 2 below for an example of a second association relationship provided in an embodiment of the present application. Table 2 illustrates an example in which the associated information indicated by the second association relationship includes the value range of the transmission delay X experienced by the data packet, and the alternative QoS configuration information includes the calculation delay requirement.

[0196] Table 2

[0197] As shown in the second association relationship in Table 2 above, if the associated information indicates that the transmission delay X experienced by the data packet is less than or equal to 20ms, then the associated information corresponds to the alternative Qos configuration information 1, and the calculation delay requirement corresponding to the alternative Qos configuration information 1 is 20ms. If the associated information indicates that the transmission delay X experienced by the data packet is greater than 20ms, then the associated information corresponds to the alternative Qos configuration information 2, and the calculation delay requirement corresponding to the alternative Qos configuration information 2 is 10ms. For example, the first communication device determines that the transmission delay X experienced by the data packet indicated by the first associated information is 15ms, then the first communication device can determine the alternative Qos configuration information 1 as the first alternative Qos configuration information. Under the premise of satisfying the delay constraint of the data packet from end (such as terminal equipment) to end (such as CEF), the computing resources occupied by the data packet are minimized.

[0198] Please refer to Table 3 below, which is an example of a second association relationship provided in an embodiment of the present application. Table 3 illustrates an example in which the associated information indicated by the second association relationship includes the importance of the data packet, and the alternative QoS configuration information includes the PDB.

[0199] Table 3

[0200] In the second association shown in Table 3 above, if the importance of a data packet is low, the PDB indicated by the alternative QoS configuration information is 15ms; if the importance of a data packet is medium, the PDB indicated by the alternative QoS configuration information is 10ms; and if the importance of a data packet is high, the PDB indicated by the alternative QoS configuration information is 5ms. For example, if the first communication device detects that the importance of a data packet is low, it can select the alternative QoS configuration information with a PDB of 5ms. This meets the latency requirement for data packet transmission and reduces the network resource usage of the data packet.

[0201] Please refer to Table 4 below, which is an example of a second association relationship provided in an embodiment of the present application. Table 4 illustrates an example in which the associated information indicated by the second association relationship includes the importance of the data packet, and the alternative QoS configuration information includes the calculation delay requirement.

[0202] Table 4

[0203] In the second association shown in Table 4 above, if the importance of a data packet is low, the calculation delay requirement indicated by the alternative QoS configuration information is 30ms; if the importance of a data packet is medium, the calculation delay requirement indicated by the alternative QoS configuration information is 20ms; and if the importance of a data packet is high, the calculation delay requirement indicated by the alternative QoS configuration information is 10ms. For example, if the first communication device detects that the importance of a data packet is low, it can select the alternative QoS configuration information with a calculation delay requirement of 30ms. In this way, while satisfying the end-to-end delay constraint of unimportant data packets, the computing resources occupied by the data packet are minimized.

[0204] Of course, Tables 1 to 4 above are examples of the second association relationship and do not actually limit the content and form of the second association relationship. In addition, Tables 1 to 4 present the second association relationship in a tabular form. In fact, the second association relationship can also take a variety of forms, such as functional relationships or other forms, and no specific limitation is made to this. In addition, the association relationships involved in the various embodiments of this application can also be referred to as corresponding relationships or relationships, etc., and no specific limitation is made to this.

[0205] In one possible implementation, when matching the second association relationship with the first associated information, in the second association relationship, the associated information corresponding to the alternative Qos configuration information in descending order of priority is matched with the first associated information. In this way, alternative Qos configuration information with a higher priority can be preferentially screened out. The priority of one or more alternative Qos configuration information may be preconfigured or predefined in the first communication device, for example, it may be preconfigured in the first communication device through a protocol, or it may be determined based on second indication information, and the second indication information indicates the second association relationship. The second indication information may, for example, be received by the first communication device from other devices (such as an access network device). For example, the second association relationship is in the form of a table, and the alternative Qos configuration information indicated first in the table has a higher priority than the alternative Qos configuration information indicated later in the table.

[0206] In one possible implementation, the first communication device further determines that the first alternative QoS configuration information matches the network status information. In other words, the first alternative QoS configuration information can be determined based on the first associated information, the second association relationship, and the network status information. It can be understood that the first alternative QoS configuration information can match the network status information, or the first alternative QoS configuration information can satisfy the network status information.

[0207] The fact that the first alternative QoS configuration information can match the network status information can be understood as the network status information being able to reach or satisfy the first alternative QoS configuration information. For example, some or all of the one or more communication indicators corresponding to the network status information can satisfy some or all of the one or more communication indicators indicated by the first alternative QoS configuration information.

[0208] Exemplarily, the one or more communication indicators indicated by the network status information include GFBR, PDB, and PER, and the one or more communication indicators indicated by the first alternative QoS configuration information include GFBR, PDB, and PER. The first alternative QoS configuration information can match the network status information, and the GFBR indicated by the network communication status can be greater than or equal to the GFBR indicated by the first alternative QoS configuration information, the PDB indicated by the network communication status can be less than or equal to the PDB indicated by the first alternative QoS configuration information, and the PER indicated by the network communication status can be less than or equal to the PER indicated by the first alternative QoS configuration information.

[0209] For example, if Alternative QoS Configuration Information 1 indicates a packet error rate of 0.5%, the first communications device determines that the current packet error rate indicated by the network status information is 0.45%. Because the packet error rate indicated by the network status information is less than the packet error rate indicated by Alternative QoS Configuration Information 1, the first communications device may determine that Alternative QoS Configuration Information 1 matches the network status information.

[0210] In a possible implementation, the first communication device further determines that the first alternative QoS configuration information matches the resource status information of the first communication device and / or the second communication device. In other words, the first alternative QoS configuration information can be determined based on the first accompanying information, the second association relationship and the resource status information. It can be understood that the first alternative QoS configuration information can match the resource status information, or the first alternative QoS configuration information can satisfy the resource status information. The resource status information can indicate the resource usage of the first communication device and / or the second communication device, so the first communication device can determine the information (such as quantity and / or type) of the remaining resources that can be used by the first communication device and / or the second communication device based on the resource status information. The first alternative QoS configuration information can indicate the resource requirement information of the task corresponding to the first service, for example, it can indicate the quantity and / or type of resources required for the task corresponding to the first service.

[0211] The matching of the first alternative QoS configuration information and the resource status information can be understood as the remaining resource information of the first communication device and / or the second communication device can reach or satisfy the first alternative QoS configuration information. For example, the number of resources remaining in the first communication device and / or the second communication device can be greater than or equal to the number of resources required for the first service indicated by the first alternative QoS configuration information, and / or the type of resources remaining in the first communication device and / or the second communication device includes the type of resources required for the first service indicated by the first alternative QoS configuration information.

[0212] It should be understood that the first candidate QoS configuration information may also match the network status information and the resource status information of the first communication device and / or the second communication device, and this is not specifically limited.

[0213] After the first communication device determines the first candidate QoS configuration information according to the first associated information, the first communication device may determine the first service processing strategy according to the first candidate QoS configuration information.

[0214] Exemplarily, the first communication device may determine the first service processing strategy based on the first alternative QoS configuration information and the first association relationship. For example, the first communication device may determine the service processing strategy that matches the first alternative QoS configuration information in the first association relationship as the first service processing strategy. The first association relationship may be pre-configured or pre-defined in the first communication device, for example, pre-configured in the first communication device through a protocol, or may be determined based on a first indication information, and the first indication information may be received by the first communication device from other devices, and the first indication information indicates the first association relationship. The other device may be, for example, a third communication device or a second communication device, and the third communication device may be, for example, an access network device, a TMF, a software or hardware module in an access network device, or a software or hardware module in a TMF, etc., and no specific limitation is made to this. The implementation method of the access network device or TMF may refer to the above text and will not be listed here.

[0215] The first association relationship indicates the association relationship between one or more alternative QoS configuration information and one or more business processing policies. For example, the first association relationship includes the association relationship between one or more alternative QoS configuration information and the identifiers of one or more business processing policies, or includes the association relationship between the identifiers of one or more alternative QoS configuration information and one or more business processing policies, or includes the association relationship between the identifiers of one or more alternative QoS configuration information and the identifiers of one or more business processing policies. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific content of the first association relationship. Among them, the content of the identifiers of one or more alternative QoS configuration information can refer to the content of the previous text, and the repeated parts are not listed again. It should be understood that the one or more alternative QoS configuration information and one or more business processing policies in the first association relationship can be a one-to-one correspondence, or a many-to-one relationship, or include a one-to-one correspondence and a many-to-one relationship, and there is no specific limitation on this. One of the alternative QoS configuration information may include multiple pieces of information, and the identifier of one of the alternative QoS configuration information may be represented by the content indicated by the information related to the calculation included in an alternative QoS configuration information.

[0216] For example, please refer to Table 5 below, which is an example of a first association relationship provided in an embodiment of the present application. Table 5 illustrates an example in which the alternative QoS configuration information indicated by the first association relationship includes a calculation delay requirement, and the service processing strategy includes a processing strategy of the first communication device and / or the second communication device for the service.

[0217] Table 5

[0218] As shown in Table 5 above, if the alternative QoS configuration information is 1 and the alternative QoS configuration information indicates that the calculation delay requirement is 10ms, then the corresponding service policy indicates that DDGI is disabled; if the alternative QoS configuration information is 2 and the alternative QoS configuration information indicates that the calculation delay requirement is 20ms, then the corresponding service policy indicates that the service policy remains unchanged; if the alternative QoS configuration information is 3 and the alternative QoS configuration information indicates that the calculation delay requirement is 30ms, then the corresponding service policy indicates that DDGI is enabled. For example, if the first communication device determines that the first alternative QoS configuration is alternative QoS configuration information 1, then the first communication device may determine that the service processing policy indicates that DDGI is disabled.

[0219] For example, please refer to Table 6 below, which is an example of a first association relationship provided in an embodiment of the present application. Table 5 is an example of an alternative QoS configuration information indicated by the first association relationship including a calculation delay requirement, and a service processing strategy including a processing strategy of the first communication device and the second communication device for the service.

[0220] Table 6

[0221] As shown in Table 6 above, if the alternative QoS configuration information is 1 and the alternative QoS configuration information indicates that the calculation delay requirement is 30ms, then the corresponding service policy instructs the first communication device to enable DDGI and the second communication device to disable DDGI. If the alternative QoS configuration information is 2 and the alternative QoS configuration information indicates that the calculation delay requirement is 20ms, then the corresponding service policy instructs the first communication device to disable DDGI and the second communication device to disable DDGI. For example, if the first communication device determines that the first alternative QoS configuration is alternative QoS configuration information 2, then the first communication device may determine that the service processing policy instructs the first communication device and the second communication device to disable DDGI.

[0222] It should be understood that Table 5 and Table 6 above are examples of the first association relationship, and do not actually limit the specific form of the first association relationship. For example, the first association relationship may also be represented by a function or other forms.

[0223] A2. The first communication device determines the first service processing strategy based on the first associated information and the third association relationship. For example, the first communication device can determine the service processing strategy that matches the first associated information in the third association relationship as the first service processing strategy. The third association relationship can be pre-configured or pre-defined in the first communication device, for example, pre-configured in the first communication device through a protocol, or it can also be received by the first communication device from other devices, such as a third communication device, and the third communication device can be, for example, an access network device, a TMF, a software or hardware module in an access network device, or a software or hardware module in a TMF, etc., and no specific limitation is made to this. The implementation method of the access network device or TMF can be referred to the above and will not be listed here.

[0224] The third association relationship indicates the association relationship between one or more on-road information and one or more business processing policies. For example, the third association relationship includes the association relationship between one or more on-road information and the identifiers of one or more business processing policies, or includes the association relationship between one or more identifiers of on-road information and one or more business processing policies, or includes the association relationship between one or more identifiers of on-road information and the identifiers of one or more business processing policies. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific content of the first association relationship. It should be understood that the one or more on-road information and one or more business processing policies in the first association relationship can be a one-to-one relationship, or a many-to-one relationship, or include a one-to-one relationship and a many-to-one relationship, and no specific limitation is made to this.

[0225] In a possible implementation, the third association relationship may further indicate an association relationship between one or more associated information and one or more QoS configuration information. The association relationship between one or more associated information and one or more QoS configuration information may refer to the content of the second association relationship above, and the repeated parts will not be repeated.

[0226] Please refer to Table 7 below for an example of a third association relationship provided in an embodiment of the present application. Table 6 illustrates an example in which the associated information indicated by the third association relationship includes the transmission delay X experienced by the data packet, and the service processing strategy includes the processing strategy of the first communication device and / or the second communication device for the service.

[0227] Table 7

[0228] As shown in Table 7 above, if the associated information indicates that the calculation delay requirement X is less than or equal to 20ms, the corresponding service policy indicates that DDGI is disabled. If the associated information indicates that the calculation delay requirement X is greater than 20ms, for example, if the first communications device determines, based on the first associated information, that the transmission delay experienced by the data packet is 30ms, the first communications device may determine that the service processing policy indicates that DDGI is enabled.

[0229] Please refer to Table 8 below, which is an example of a third association relationship provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0230] Table 8

[0231] As shown in Table 8 above, if the associated information indicates that the importance of the data packet is low, the corresponding service policy indicates that DDGI is disabled; if the associated information indicates that the importance of the data packet is medium, the corresponding service policy indicates that the service processing policy remains unchanged; if the associated information indicates that the importance of the data packet is high, the corresponding service policy indicates that DDGI is enabled. For example, if the first communications device determines that the importance of the data packet is medium based on the first associated information, the first communications device may determine that the service processing policy indicates that the service processing policy remains unchanged.

[0232] It should be understood that Table 7 and Table 8 above are examples of the third association relationship, and do not actually limit the specific form of the third association relationship. For example, the third association relationship may also be represented by a function or other forms.

[0233] Optionally, the first communication device may adjust the manner of processing the first service based on the first service processing strategy.

[0234] For example, if the first service processing policy includes task allocation information, the first communications device may adjust its task for processing the first service. And / or, if the first service processing policy includes service indicator information, and the service indicator information includes at least one of the frame rate, bit rate, or resolution corresponding to the first service, the first communications device may adjust at least one of the frame rate, bit rate, or resolution corresponding to the first service based on the service indicator information.

[0235] For example, if the task assignment information included in the first service processing policy instructs the first communications device to disable DDGI, the first communications device may disable DDGI based on the task assignment information. Alternatively, if the service indicator information included in the first service processing policy indicates a frame rate of 30 FPS, the first communications device may adjust the frame rate to 30 FPS based on the service indicator information.

[0236] In one possible implementation, if the first service processing policy also indicates information about resources allocated to the first task, the first communication device may adjust the resources allocated to the first task based on the information about resources allocated to the first task. In another possible implementation, the first communication device may determine (or adjust) information about resources allocated to the first task based on the first alternative QoS configuration information, so that the determined information about resources allocated to the first task can meet the requirements corresponding to the first alternative QoS configuration information.

[0237] For example, the first candidate QoS configuration information indicates that the computing delay requirement is 10ms (ie, the computing delay requirement is relatively high). In this case, the first communication device can add 5 CPUs for the first task to reduce the delay in processing the first task.

[0238] When the first service requires collaborative processing by the first communication device and the second communication device, the second communication device may also adjust the processing method of the first service. The following describes how the second communication device adjusts the processing method of the first service in conjunction with any of the methods shown in B1 to B3.

[0239] B1. The second communication device may independently determine a first service processing strategy and adjust the processing method of the first service based on the first service processing strategy. The details of how the second communication device adjusts the processing method of the first service based on the first associated information can be found in the preceding description of how the first communication device adjusts the processing method of the first service, and any repetitions are omitted.

[0240] Exemplarily, the manner in which the second communication device determines the first service processing strategy can refer to the manner in which the first communication device determines the first service processing strategy, and the repetitions are not listed again. In addition, the second communication device can also determine the first service processing strategy based on the first alternative QoS configuration information from the first communication device and based on the first alternative QoS configuration information. Optionally, the first communication device can send the first information to the second communication device through the application layer, and the first information may include an identifier (or index) of the first alternative QoS configuration information. The first information can also be sent to the second communication device through the access network device and UPF, etc., and there is no specific limitation on this.

[0241] For example, the second communication device may determine the first service processing policy based on the first alternative QoS configuration information and the first association relationship. The content of the first association relationship may refer to the content of the first association relationship described above. Furthermore, the second communication device may be preconfigured or predefined with the first association relationship, or may obtain the first association relationship from the first communication device or the third communication device, without specific limitation.

[0242] Taking the first association relationship, such as the first association relationship shown in Table 5 above, the first communication device is a terminal device, and the second communication device is CEF as an example, the terminal device selects the alternative QoS configuration information (i.e., alternative Qos configuration information 2) with a calculation delay requirement of 20ms, then the terminal device can notify CEF of the alternative Qos configuration information 2 through the first information. CEF determines that the business processing strategy corresponding to the alternative Qos configuration information 2 is to enable the DDGI rendering function for CEF based on the first association relationship shown in Table 6 above. Accordingly, CEF can enable the DDGI rendering function.

[0243] B2. The second communication device may receive the second information from the first communication device and determine the first service processing strategy.

[0244] After the first communication device determines the first service processing strategy, it may send second information to the second communication device. The second information indicates the first service processing strategy and may, for example, include an identifier for the first service processing strategy. The first communication device may send the second information to the second communication device via the application layer, or via access network equipment, a UPF, or the like, without specific limitation. In this manner, the second communication device may also adjust the processing method for the first service based on the first service processing strategy. The details of how the second communication device adjusts the processing method for the first service can be found in the previous description of how the first communication device adjusts the processing method for the first service, and any repetitions are omitted.

[0245] For example, the first service processing policy includes task allocation information instructing the first communication device to enable DDGI and the second communication device to disable DDGI. Then the first communication device sends second information to the second communication device, and the second information instructs the first communication device to enable DDGI and the second communication device to disable DDGI.

[0246] B3. After determining the first service processing strategy, the first communication device may determine the adjustments required by the second communication device and send a third message to the second communication device. The third message indicates the adjustments required. Unlike the second message, the third message directly instructs the second communication device on the required adjustments. The method for the first communication device to send the third message is similar to the method for sending the second message described above, and any repetitions are omitted. Thus, after receiving the third message, the second communication device can directly adjust its handling of the first service, thereby improving the efficiency of the second communication device in adjusting its handling of the first service.

[0247] For example, the task allocation information included in the first service processing policy instructs the first communication device to enable DDGI and the second communication device to disable DDGI. Then the first communication device sends third information to the second communication device, and the third information instructs the second communication device to disable DDGI.

[0248] In the embodiments of the present application, the first communication device can quickly and flexibly adjust the service processing strategy based on the first associated information, thereby ensuring effective service processing and reducing the number of instances where the first and second communication devices exchange ineffective data to process services, thereby conserving resources. Furthermore, the first communication device can determine the first service processing strategy in a variety of ways, enriching the methods for determining service processing strategies.

[0249] The following describes the communication method shown in FIG. 9 , taking as an example a first communication device being a CEF, a second communication device being a terminal device, a third communication device being a TMF, and a fourth communication device being an access network device, and the first associated information including experienced quality of service information. Please refer to FIG. 10 , which is a schematic diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. FIG. 10 includes steps S1001 to S1011, which are described below.

[0250] S1001: The terminal device sends a first request to the TMF. Correspondingly, the TMF receives the first request from the terminal device.

[0251] The first request may also be referred to as a computing service request. In one possible design, the first request may carry computing service identification information and / or one or more alternative QoS configuration information corresponding to the first task. The one or more alternative QoS configuration information includes at least one alternative QoS configuration information corresponding to the first service flow. In another possible design, when the first request does not carry one or more alternative QoS configuration information, the TMF may negotiate with the core network function (such as PCF) to obtain one or more alternative QoS configuration information based on the service identification information of the computing service request.

[0252] It should be understood that S1001 is an example of TMF obtaining one or more alternative QoS configuration information from the terminal device. In fact, TMF can also be pre-configured or pre-defined with one or more alternative QoS configuration information. That is to say, S1001 is an optional step, indicated by a dotted line in Figure 10.

[0253] S1002: The access network device sends network status information to the TMF. Correspondingly, the TMF receives the network status information from the access network device.

[0254] FIG10 is an example of a TMF receiving network status information from an access network device. In practice, the TMF may also determine network status information on its own, and this is not specifically limited. The content of the network status information may also refer to the content of the network status information described above and will not be listed here.

[0255] S1003: CEF sends resource status information to TMF. Correspondingly, TMF receives the resource status information from CEF.

[0256] The resource status information in S1003 may indicate the resource usage of the CEF, and optionally, may also indicate the resource status information of the terminal device. The content of the resource status information may refer to the content of the resource status information discussed above, and the repeated parts will not be listed again.

[0257] It should be understood that the TMF may not need the network status information and the resource status information. In this case, S1002 and S1003 are optional steps, which are indicated by dotted lines in FIG10 .

[0258] S1004: The TMF sends a first indication message to the CEF. Accordingly, the CEF receives the first indication message from the TMF. The first indication message may indicate a first association relationship. The contents of the first indication message and the first association relationship can be referred to above in FIG. 9 , respectively, and are not further detailed here.

[0259] Exemplarily, the first association relationship satisfies a first rule, or TMF may determine the first association relationship based on the first rule. The first rule, for example, indicates that a service processing policy matches or satisfies alternative QoS configuration information. In this case, it can be understood that TMF determines the first association relationship based on one or more alternative QoS configuration information and the first rule.

[0260] For example, if the alternative QoS configuration information indicates a high computational latency requirement, the TMF determines a service processing policy. This policy may direct one or more subtasks with low input / output data volumes or relatively relaxed transmission latency requirements to be scheduled to the CEF, while scheduling one or more subtasks with high input / output data volumes or strict transmission latency requirements to the terminal device. This ensures that the corresponding transmission latency requirements of the service processing policy are met and reduces the network resource usage of data packets.

[0261] If the alternative QoS configuration information indicates a low computational latency requirement, the TMF can determine a service processing policy that schedules one or more subtasks with high computational load or strict computational latency requirements to the CEF, and one or more subtasks with low computational load or loose computational latency requirements to the terminal device. This determines the service processing policy that satisfies the requirements of the alternative QoS configuration information. Alternatively, the first association relationship can refer to the examples in Tables 5 and 6 above and is not listed here.

[0262] In one possible implementation, the first rule further indicates that the service processing policy satisfies network status information and / or resource status information. In this way, end-to-end service experience indicators are achieved. In this case, it can be understood that the TMF determines the first association based on one or more alternative QoS configuration information, network status information, and resource status information.

[0263] For example, when the alternative QoS configuration information indicates a high computational latency requirement, and the network status information indicates a poor network and a high remaining resource requirement on the terminal device, the TMF determines a service processing policy. This service processing policy may direct one or more subtasks with small input / output data volumes or loose transmission latency requirements to be scheduled to the CEF, and one or more subtasks with large input / output data volumes or strict transmission latency requirements to be scheduled to the terminal device. This ensures that the corresponding transmission latency requirements of the service processing policy are met.

[0264] When the alternative QoS configuration information indicates a low computational latency requirement, and the network status information indicates a good current network and few remaining resources on the terminal device, the TMF can determine a service processing strategy that indicates that one or more subtasks with high computational load or strict computational latency requirements can be scheduled to the CEF, and one or more subtasks with low computational load or loose computational latency requirements can be scheduled to the terminal device. In this way, the determined service processing strategy can meet the requirements of the alternative QoS quality information. Optionally, the first association relationship can refer to the examples in Tables 3 and 4 above, and the repeated parts are not listed here.

[0265] It should be understood that there are many ways for TMF to determine the first association relationship. For example, the first association relationship may be pre-configured or pre-defined in TMF, or may be received by TMF from other devices. This embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit this.

[0266] S1005: The TMF sends a second indication message to the CEF. Accordingly, the CEF receives the second indication message from the TMF. The second indication message may indicate a second association relationship. The contents of the second indication message and the second association relationship can be referred to above in FIG. 9 , respectively, and are not further detailed here.

[0267] The second association relationship may satisfy the second rule, or may be described as the TMF determining the second association relationship based on the second rule. The second rule may indicate that the associated information and the corresponding alternative QoS configuration information may be mutually complementary, thereby enabling the service to achieve end-to-end latency guarantees and relatively reducing the network resource usage of data packets.

[0268] For example, the second rule can be specifically described as follows: if the transmission delay experienced by the associated information is relatively short (i.e., strict), then it can be determined that the PDB required by the alternative QoS configuration information associated with the associated information can be larger (i.e., looser). Conversely, if the transmission delay experienced by the associated information is relatively long (i.e., looser), then it can be determined that the PDB required by the alternative QoS configuration information associated with the associated information can be smaller (i.e., stricter).

[0269] It should be understood that there are many ways for TMF to determine the second association relationship. For example, the second association relationship can also be pre-configured or pre-defined in TMF, or can also be received by TMF from other devices. This embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit this.

[0270] S1006: The TMF sends fourth indication information to the access network device. Correspondingly, the access network device receives the fourth indication information from the TMF. The fourth indication information indicates a fourth association relationship.

[0271] The fourth association relationship indicates an association relationship between one or more associated information and one or more alternative QoS configuration information. For example, the fourth association relationship includes an association relationship between one or more associated information and identifiers of one or more alternative QoS configuration information, or an association relationship between one or more identifiers of associated information and one or more alternative QoS configuration information, or an association relationship between one or more identifiers of associated information and identifiers of one or more alternative QoS configuration information, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific form of the fourth association relationship.

[0272] It should be understood that one or more on-path information in the fourth association relationship and one or more alternative Qos configuration information may be a one-to-one correspondence, for example, each on-path information in the one or more on-path information in the fourth association relationship is associated with one alternative Qos configuration information in the one or more alternative Qos configuration information. Alternatively, one or more on-path information in the fourth association relationship and one or more alternative Qos configuration information may be a many-to-one relationship, for example, multiple on-path information in the one or more on-path information in the fourth association relationship are associated with one alternative Qos configuration information in the one or more alternative Qos configuration information. Alternatively, one or more on-path information in the fourth association relationship and one or more alternative Qos configuration information include both a one-to-one correspondence and a many-to-one relationship, and no specific limitation is made to this.

[0273] The content of the identifier of one or more accompanying information may refer to the content of the identifier of one or more accompanying information discussed above, and the repeated parts will not be listed again.

[0274] The content of the identifiers of one or more alternative QoS configuration information may also refer to the content of the identifiers of one or more alternative QoS configuration information discussed above, and any repetitions are not listed here. One of the alternative QoS configuration information may include multiple pieces of information. The identifier of one of the alternative QoS configuration information in the fourth association relationship may be represented by the content indicated by the communication-related information in the multiple alternative QoS configuration information. The content indicated by the communication-related information may include QoS such as input / output data rate throughput, PDB, or GBR.

[0275] In one possible design, the fourth association relationship may be the same as the second association relationship. In this case, the specific content of the fourth association relationship may refer to the content of the second association relationship described above, and examples of the fourth association relationship may refer to the examples shown in Tables 1 to 4 described above. Alternatively, the fourth association relationship is different from the second association relationship. For example, the identifiers of one or more alternative QoS configuration information in the second association relationship are represented by the content indicated by the information related to calculation, while the identifiers of one or more alternative QoS configuration information in the fourth association relationship are represented by the content indicated by the information related to communication.

[0276] It should be understood that the fourth association relationship may be in the form of a table, and may actually be in other forms. For example, the fourth association relationship may also be represented by a function or other forms, which is not limited.

[0277] S1007: The terminal device sends first associated information to the CEF. Accordingly, the CEF receives the first associated information from the terminal device. The content of the first associated information can be found in the discussion of FIG. 9 above, and any repetitions are omitted. FIG. 10 illustrates an example in which the first associated information includes experienced quality of service information.

[0278] S1008: The access network device determines first candidate QoS configuration information according to the first associated channel information and the fourth association relationship.

[0279] The first associated information is transmitted via the first path, and the first path may also indicate the access network device. That is, the first associated information also passes through the access network device. Therefore, the access network device may determine the first candidate QoS configuration information based on the first associated information and the fourth association relationship. For example, the access network device may determine the candidate QoS configuration information in the fourth association relationship that matches the first associated information as the first QoS configuration information.

[0280] For example, if the access network device detects that the first associated information indicates that the transmission delay experienced by a certain data packet is greater than a first threshold, then the access network device can select alternative QoS configuration information with a smaller PDB to reduce the end-to-end delay of the data packet; if the access network device detects that the first associated information indicates that the transmission delay experienced by a certain data packet is less than a second threshold, the access network device can select a larger alternative QoS configuration information to reduce the network resource occupation of the data packet while trying to meet the end-to-end delay requirements of the data. In one possible implementation, the access network device can notify the terminal device of the selected first alternative QoS configuration information through air interface signaling.

[0281] Optionally, after the access network device determines the first alternative QoS configuration information, it may determine the first RRC parameter based on the first alternative QoS configuration information. For example, the access network device may determine the RRC parameter based on the fifth association relationship and the first alternative QoS configuration information. The fifth association relationship indicates an association relationship between one or more alternative QoS configuration information and one or more RRC parameters. The one or more alternative QoS configuration information may include the first alternative QoS configuration information, and the one or more RRC parameters may include the first RRC parameter.

[0282] In one possible design, the access network device may indicate the determined first RRC parameter to the terminal device through the fifth indication information, so that the terminal device and the access network device can promptly use the first RRC parameter for air interface interaction. There are multiple ways for the access network device to send the fifth indication information to the terminal device, which are described in the following examples.

[0283] 1. The access network device may directly send the fifth indication information to the terminal device.

[0284] The structure of the access network device is different, the module for determining the first alternative QoS configuration information is different, and the implementation method of the fifth indication information is different. Therefore, the process of transmitting the fifth indication information within the access network device may also be different. The following examples are introduced with reference to the situations shown in C1 to C4.

[0285] The access network device is a device with a CU / DU separation architecture. The CU of the access network device determines the first alternative QoS configuration information, and the fifth indication information can be carried in the DCI or MAC CE. Then the CU can notify the DU of the fifth indication information through the F1 interface.

[0286] The access network device is a device with a CU / DU separation architecture. The DU of the access network device determines the first alternative QoS configuration information, and the fifth indication information can be carried in the RRC message or PDCP control PDU. Then the DU can notify the CU of the fifth indication information through the F1 interface.

[0287] In the case where the CU of the access network device is further separated into CU-CP and CU-UP, the CU-CP determines the first alternative QoS configuration information, and the fifth indication information can be carried in the PDCP control PDU, then the CU-CP needs to further tell the CU-UP the indication information.

[0288] The access network device is an O-RAN architecture device, the nrt-RIC determines the first alternative QoS configuration information, and the fifth indication information can be carried in the DCI or MAC CE, then the nrt-RIC can notify the DU of the fifth indication information through the E2 interface.

[0289] The access network device is an O-RAN architecture device, the nrt-RIC determines the first alternative QoS configuration information, and the fifth indication information can be carried in the RRC message or PDCP control PDU, then the nrt-RIC can notify the CU of the fifth indication information. If the CU is further separated into CU-CP and CU-UP, the nrt-RIC can notify the CU-CP or CU-UP of the fifth indication information respectively, and then the CU-CP or CU-UP carries the fifth indication information through the RRC message or PDCP control PDU respectively.

[0290] 2. The access network device may also send the fifth indication information to the terminal device through 5GC control.

[0291] Exemplarily, the access network device may carry the fifth indication information through a PDU session resource notification message. For example, the current QoS parameter set index information element (current QoS parameters set index IE) in the PDU session resource notification message carries the fifth indication information. The access network device may send the PDU session resource notification message carrying the fifth indication information to the SMF through the AMF. The SMF may carry the fifth indication information through NAS signaling and send the NAS signaling to the terminal device. Optionally, the SMF may forward the fifth indication information to the PCF, and the PCF may send the fifth indication information to the AF of the application server.

[0292] 3. The access network device may notify the terminal device of the fifth indication information by means of user plane portability.

[0293] Exemplarily, the access network device may carry the selected fifth indication information through one or more GPRS tunneling protocol user plane part (GTP-U) headers of uplink data via the NG3 interface, and notify the UPF of the GPRS tunneling protocol user plane part header carrying the fifth indication information. The one or more uplink data are uplink data of a QoS flow that supports the alternative QoS configuration information, or are dummy uplink data generated by the access network device to transmit the fifth indication information, which is not limited to this.

[0294] The structures of access network devices are different, the modules for determining the first candidate QoS configuration information are different, and the implementation methods of the fifth indication information are different. Therefore, the process of transmitting the fifth indication information within the access network device may also be different. An example is given below.

[0295] If the access network device belongs to a CU / DU separated access network device architecture, and the first QoS configuration information is determined by the DU, the DU may notify the CU of the first indication information through the F1 interface.

[0296] If the CU is further separated into CU-CP and CU-UP, the CU-CP needs to further notify the CU-UP of the first indication information, or the DU needs to notify the CU-UP of the first indication information through the F1-u interface (for example, the first indication information is carried in the GTP-u header of the uplink data on the F1-u interface).

[0297] If the access network device is an O-RAN architecture access network device and the first indication information is determined by the nrt-RIC, the nrt-RIC may notify the CU of the first indication information. If the CU is further separated into a CU-CP and a CU-UP, the nrt-RIC needs to notify the CU-UP of the first indication information.

[0298] It should be understood that S1006 and S1008 can be used as an independent embodiment. In this case, all steps except S1006 and S1008 in FIG10 can be used as optional steps.

[0299] S1009: The TMF sends a third indication message to the CEF. In response, the CEF receives the third indication message from the TMF. The third indication message indicates a third association relationship. The third association relationship and the third indication message are described in FIG9 , respectively. Any repetition is omitted.

[0300] It should be understood that S1009, S1004 and S1005 are two alternative solutions. In other words, in the actual implementation process, either step S1009 is executed or steps S1004 and S1005 are executed. These steps are indicated by dotted lines in Figure 10.

[0301] In one possible implementation, the first alternative QoS configuration information also matches the network status information. That is, the access network device can determine the first alternative QoS configuration information based on the first associated information, the fourth association relationship, and the network status information. The content of the first alternative QoS configuration information also matching the network status information can refer to the discussion of the first alternative QoS configuration information also matching the network status information in FIG9 above, and the content of the access network device determining that the first alternative QoS configuration information also matches the network status information can also refer to the discussion of the access network device determining that the first alternative QoS configuration information also matches the network status information in FIG9 above. Repetitive parts are not listed again.

[0302] In one possible implementation, the first communication device further determines that the first alternative QoS configuration information matches the resource status information of the first communication device and / or the second communication device. That is, the access network device can determine the first alternative QoS configuration information based on the first associated information, the fourth association relationship, and the resource status information of the first communication device and / or the second communication device. The content of the first alternative QoS configuration information also matching the resource status information of the first communication device and / or the second communication device can refer to the content of the first alternative QoS configuration information also matching the resource status information of the first communication device and / or the second communication device discussed in FIG9 above, and the content of the access network device determining that the first alternative QoS configuration information also matches the resource status information of the first communication device and / or the second communication device can also refer to the content of the access network device determining that the first alternative QoS configuration information also matches the resource status information of the first communication device and / or the second communication device discussed in FIG9 above. The repeated parts are not listed again.

[0303] It should be understood that the first candidate QoS configuration information may also match the network status information and the resource status information of the first communication device and / or the second communication device, and this is not specifically limited.

[0304] S1010. The CEF determines a first service processing strategy according to the first associated channel information, the first association relationship, and the second association relationship.

[0305] For example, the CEF can determine, from the first association relationship, the alternative QoS configuration information that matches the first associated information (i.e., the first alternative QoS configuration information), based on the first associated information, and determine, from the second association relationship, a service processing policy that matches the first alternative QoS configuration information, based on the first alternative QoS configuration information, thereby obtaining the first service processing policy. The content of determining the first service processing policy in S1010 can refer to the content of determining the first service processing policy discussed in A1 of FIG. 9 above, and the repeated parts are not listed here.

[0306] S1011. The CEF determines a first service processing strategy according to the first associated channel information and the third association relationship.

[0307] The content of determining the first service processing strategy in S1011 can refer to the content of determining the first service processing strategy discussed in A2 of FIG. 9 , and the repeated parts are not listed again.

[0308] It should be understood that when S1004 and S1005 are executed, step S1010 may be executed. When S1008 is executed, step S1011 may be executed. In other words, S1010 and S1011 are two alternative steps, which are indicated by dotted lines in FIG10 .

[0309] In a possible implementation, after the CEF determines the first service processing policy, the CEF may further adjust the manner in which the CEF processes the first service based on the first service processing policy.

[0310] In the embodiments of the present application, the CEF can quickly and flexibly adjust the service processing policy based on the first associated information, ensuring the effectiveness and quality of the coordinated adjustment of the service processing policy by the terminal device and the CEF. Furthermore, the access network device can quickly and flexibly select appropriate alternative QoS configuration information based on the first associated information, ensuring the effectiveness of air interface interaction between the terminal device and the access network device.

[0311] The following describes the communication method shown in FIG. 9 , taking as an example a first communication device being a terminal device, a second communication device being a CEF, a third communication device being a TMF, and a fourth communication device being an access network device, and the first associated information including experienced quality of service information. Please refer to FIG. 11 , which is a schematic diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. FIG. 11 includes steps S1101 to S1111, which are described below.

[0312] S1101: The terminal device sends a first request to the TMF. Correspondingly, the TMF receives the first request from the terminal device.

[0313] The content of the first request can refer to the content of the first request discussed in Figure 10 above, and the repeated parts are not listed again.

[0314] It should be understood that S1101 is an example of TMF obtaining one or more alternative QoS configuration information from the terminal device. In fact, TMF can also be pre-configured or pre-defined with one or more alternative QoS configuration information. That is to say, S1101 is an optional step, indicated by a dotted line in Figure 10.

[0315] S1102: The access network device sends network status information to the TMF. Correspondingly, the TMF receives the network status information from the access network device.

[0316] The content of the network status information can refer to the content of the network status information discussed in FIG. 10 above, and the repeated parts are not listed again.

[0317] S1103: The terminal device sends resource status information to the TMF. Correspondingly, the TMF receives the resource status information from the terminal device.

[0318] The content of the resource status information can refer to the content of the resource status information discussed in Figure 10 above, and the repeated parts are not listed again.

[0319] It should be understood that the TMF may not need the network status information and the resource status information. In this case, S1102 and S1103 are optional steps, which are indicated by dotted lines in FIG11 .

[0320] S1104: TMF sends first indication information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first indication information from TMF. The content of the first indication information can refer to the content of the first indication information discussed in FIG. 10 above, and the repeated parts are not listed here.

[0321] S1105: The TMF sends a second instruction message to the terminal device. The terminal device receives the second instruction message from the TMF. The content of the second instruction message can refer to the content of the second instruction message discussed in FIG. 10 above, and the repeated parts are not listed here.

[0322] S1106: The TMF sends a fourth indication message to the access network device. Accordingly, the access network device receives the fourth indication message from the TMF. The content of the fourth indication message can refer to the content of the fourth indication message discussed in FIG. 10 above, and the repeated parts are not listed here.

[0323] S1107: The CEF sends the first associated information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first associated information from the CEF. The content of the first associated information can refer to the content of the first associated information in FIG. 9 above, and the repeated parts are not listed here.

[0324] S1108: The access network device determines first candidate QoS configuration information according to the first associated channel information and the fourth association relationship.

[0325] The content of the fourth association relationship can refer to the content of the fourth association relationship discussed in Figure 10 above, and any repetitions are not listed here. The manner in which the access network device determines the first alternative QoS configuration information can refer to the content discussed above, and any repetitions are not listed here. Optionally, the access network device may further determine a first RRC parameter based on the first alternative QoS configuration information. Optionally, the first RRC parameter may further be indicated to the terminal device.

[0326] It should be understood that S1106 and S1108 can be used as an independent embodiment. In this case, all steps except S1106 and S1108 in FIG11 can be used as optional steps.

[0327] In one possible implementation, the first alternative QoS configuration information also matches the network status information. That is, the access network device can determine the first alternative QoS configuration information based on the first associated information, the fourth association relationship, and the network status information. The content of the first alternative QoS configuration information also matching the network status information can refer to the discussion of the first alternative QoS configuration information also matching the network status information in FIG9 above, and the content of the access network device determining that the first alternative QoS configuration information also matches the network status information can also refer to the discussion of the access network device determining that the first alternative QoS configuration information also matches the network status information in FIG9 above. Repetitive parts are not listed again.

[0328] In one possible implementation, the first communication device further determines that the first alternative QoS configuration information matches the resource status information of the first communication device and / or the second communication device. That is, the access network device can determine the first alternative QoS configuration information based on the first associated information, the fourth association relationship, and the resource status information of the first communication device and / or the second communication device. The content of the first alternative QoS configuration information also matching the resource status information of the first communication device and / or the second communication device can refer to the content of the first alternative QoS configuration information also matching the resource status information of the first communication device and / or the second communication device discussed in FIG9 above, and the content of the access network device determining that the first alternative QoS configuration information also matches the resource status information of the first communication device and / or the second communication device can also refer to the content of the access network device determining that the first alternative QoS configuration information also matches the resource status information of the first communication device and / or the second communication device discussed in FIG9 above. The repeated parts are not listed again.

[0329] It should be understood that the first candidate QoS configuration information may also match the network status information and the resource status information of the first communication device and / or the second communication device, and this is not specifically limited.

[0330] S1109: The TMF sends third indication information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the third indication information from the TMF.

[0331] It should be understood that S1109, S1104 and S1105 are two alternative solutions. In other words, in the actual implementation process, either step S1109 is executed or steps S1104 and S1105 are executed. These steps are indicated by dotted lines in Figure 11.

[0332] S1110. The terminal device determines a first service processing strategy according to the first associated information, the first association relationship, and the second association relationship.

[0333] In this case, the terminal device may determine the first candidate QoS configuration information based on the first associated information and the second association relationship, and determine the first service processing strategy based on the first candidate QoS configuration information and the first association relationship. The content of S1110 executed by the terminal device may refer to the content of determining the first service processing strategy in A1 discussed in FIG. 9 above, and any repetitions are omitted.

[0334] Optionally, the terminal device may further determine the first RRC parameter based on the first alternative QoS configuration information. The content of the first RRC parameter determined by the terminal device may refer to the content of the first RRC parameter determined by the access network device discussed in FIG. 10 above, and any repetitions are not listed here. Of course, if the access network device indicates the first RRC parameter to the terminal device, then the terminal device does not need to determine the first RRC parameter on its own.

[0335] S1111: The terminal device determines the first service processing strategy based on the first associated information and the third association relationship. The content of S1111 executed by the terminal device can refer to the content of determining the first service processing strategy in A2 discussed in FIG9 above, and the repeated parts are not listed here.

[0336] In one possible implementation, if the third association relationship also indicates the relationship between one or more associated information and one or more alternative QoS configuration information, then the terminal device can determine the first alternative QoS configuration information based on the third association relationship and the first associated information, and determine the first RRC parameter based on the first alternative QoS configuration information.

[0337] It should be understood that when S1104 and S1105 are executed, step S1110 may be executed. When S1108 is executed, step S1111 may be executed. That is, S1110 and S1111 are two alternative steps, which are indicated by dotted lines in FIG11 .

[0338] In a possible implementation, after the CEF determines the first service processing policy, the CEF may further adjust the manner in which the CEF processes the first service based on the first service processing policy.

[0339] In the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device can quickly and flexibly adjust the service processing policy based on the first associated information, ensuring the effectiveness and quality of the coordinated adjustment of the service processing policy by the terminal device and the CEF. In addition, the access network device can quickly and flexibly select appropriate alternative QoS configuration information based on the first associated information, ensuring the effectiveness of air interface interaction between the terminal device and the access network device.

[0340] The following describes the communication method shown in FIG. 9 , taking as an example a first communication device including a terminal device and a CEF, a second communication device correspondingly including a CEF and a terminal device, a third communication device being a TMF, a fourth communication device being an access network device, and the first associated information including service feature information. Please refer to FIG. 12 , which is a schematic diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. FIG. 12 includes steps S1201 through S1211, which are described below.

[0341] S1201: The terminal device sends a first request to the TMF. Correspondingly, the TMF receives the first request from the terminal device. The content of the first request can refer to the content of the first request discussed in FIG. 10 above, and the repeated parts are not listed here.

[0342] It should be understood that S1201 is an example of TMF obtaining one or more alternative QoS configuration information from the terminal device. In fact, TMF can also be pre-configured or pre-defined with one or more alternative QoS configuration information. That is to say, S1201 is an optional step, indicated by a dotted line in Figure 12.

[0343] S1202: The access network device sends network status information to the TMF. Correspondingly, the TMF receives the network status information from the access network device.

[0344] The content of the network status information can refer to the content of the network status information discussed in FIG. 10 above, and the repeated parts are not listed again.

[0345] S1203: The terminal device and the CEF send resource status information to the TMF respectively. Correspondingly, the TMF receives the resource status information from the terminal device and the CEF respectively.

[0346] The content of the resource status information can refer to the content of the resource status information discussed in Figure 10 above, and the repeated parts are not listed again.

[0347] S1203 may specifically include two steps, S1203a and S1203b. S1203a is the terminal device sending resource status information to the TMF. Accordingly, the TMF receives the resource status information from the terminal device. S1203b is the CEF sending resource status information to the TMF. Accordingly, the TMF receives the resource status information from the CEF.

[0348] It should be understood that the TMF may not need the network status information and the resource status information. In this case, S1202 and S1203 are optional steps, which are indicated by dotted lines in FIG12 .

[0349] S1204: The TMF sends first indication information to the terminal device and the CEF, respectively. Accordingly, the terminal device and the CEF receive the first indication information from the TMF, respectively. The content of the first indication information can refer to the content of the first indication information discussed in FIG. 10 above, and the repeated parts are not listed here.

[0350] S1204 may specifically include two steps, S1204a and S1204b. S1204a is when the TMF sends the first indication information to the terminal device. Accordingly, the terminal device receives the first indication information from the TMF. S1204b is when the TMF sends the first indication information to the CEF. Accordingly, the CEF receives the first indication information from the TMF.

[0351] S1205: The TMF sends a second indication message to the terminal device and the CEF respectively. The terminal device and the CEF respectively receive the second indication message from the TMF. The content of the second indication message can refer to the content of the second indication message discussed in FIG. 10 above, and the repeated parts are not listed here.

[0352] Optionally, S1205 may specifically include two steps, S1205a and S1205b. S1205a is when the TMF sends the second indication information to the terminal device. Accordingly, the terminal device receives the second indication information from the TMF. S1205b is when the TMF sends the second indication information to the CEF. Accordingly, the CEF receives the second indication information from the TMF.

[0353] S1206: The TMF sends a fourth indication message to the access network device. Accordingly, the access network device receives the fourth indication message from the TMF. The content of the fourth indication message can refer to the content of the fourth indication message discussed in FIG. 10 above, and the repeated parts are not listed here.

[0354] S1207. The CEF and the terminal device exchange first channel associated information.

[0355] Exemplarily, the CEF sends first associated information to the terminal device. For example, the CEF may carry the first associated information in a data packet of the first service flow (such as a downlink data packet) and send it to the terminal device, and the terminal device sends the first associated information to the CEF. For example, the terminal device may carry the first associated information in a data packet of the first service flow (such as an uplink data packet) and send it to the CEF. The content of the first associated information can refer to the content of the first associated information in Figure 9 above, and the repeated parts are not listed here. The first associated information may include service feature information. The content of the service feature information can refer to the content of the service feature information discussed in Figure 9 above, and is not listed here.

[0356] S1208: The access network device determines first candidate QoS configuration information according to the first associated channel information and the fourth association relationship.

[0357] The content of the fourth association relationship can refer to the content of the fourth association relationship discussed in Figure 10 above, and the repeated parts are not listed here. Among them, the way the access network device determines the first candidate QoS configuration information can refer to the content discussed above, and the repeated parts are not listed here.

[0358] It should be understood that S1206 and S1208 can be used as an independent embodiment. In this case, all steps except S1206 and S1208 in FIG12 can be used as optional steps.

[0359] S1209: The TMF sends third indication information to the terminal device and the CEF respectively. Correspondingly, the terminal device and the CEF respectively receive the third indication information from the TMF.

[0360] S1209 may specifically include two steps, S1209a and S1209b. S1209a is when the TMF sends the third indication information to the terminal device. Accordingly, the terminal device receives the third indication information from the TMF. S1209b is when the TMF sends the third indication information to the CEF. Accordingly, the CEF receives the third indication information from the TMF.

[0361] It should be understood that S1209, S1204 and S1205 are two alternative solutions. In other words, in the actual implementation process, either step S1209 is executed or steps S1204 and S1205 are executed. These steps are indicated by dotted lines in Figure 12.

[0362] S1210: The terminal device and the CEF determine a first service processing strategy according to the first associated channel information, the first association relationship, and the second association relationship respectively.

[0363] S1210 may specifically include two steps, S1210a and S1210b. S1210a involves the terminal device determining a first service processing policy based on the first associated information, the first association, and the second association. S1210b involves the CEF determining the first service processing policy based on the first associated information, the first association, and the second association. The execution of S1210 may refer to the determination of the first service processing policy in step A1 discussed above in FIG. 9 , and any repetitions are omitted.

[0364] S1211: The terminal device determines a first service processing strategy based on the first associated information and the third association relationship. The content of S1211 can refer to the content of determining the first service processing strategy in A2 discussed in FIG9 above, and the repeated parts are not listed here.

[0365] S1211 may specifically include two steps, S1211a and S1211b. S1211a is the terminal device determining the first service processing strategy based on the first associated information and the third association relationship. S1211b is the CEF determining the first service processing strategy based on the first associated information and the third association relationship.

[0366] It should be understood that when S1204 and S1205 are executed, step S1210 may be executed. When S1208 is executed, step S1211 may be executed. That is, S1210 and S1211 are two alternative steps, which are indicated by dotted lines in FIG12 .

[0367] In a possible implementation, after the CEF determines the first service processing policy, the CEF and the terminal device may further adjust the manner in which the CEF processes the first service based on the first service processing policy.

[0368] In the embodiments of the present application, both the terminal device and the CEF can quickly and flexibly adjust service processing policies based on the service feature information included in the first associated information, thereby ensuring the effectiveness and quality of the coordinated adjustment of service processing policies by the terminal device and the CEF. Furthermore, the access network device can quickly and flexibly select appropriate alternative QoS configuration information based on the first associated information, thereby ensuring the effectiveness of air interface interaction between the terminal device and the access network device.

[0369] It is understood that, in order to implement the functions in the above embodiments, the base station and the terminal include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should readily appreciate that, in conjunction with the units and method steps of the various examples described in the embodiments disclosed in this application, this 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 computer software-driven hardware manner depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0370] An embodiment of the present application provides a structural diagram of a communication device. Please refer to Figure 13, which is a structural diagram of a communication device provided in the embodiment of the present application. Figure 13 is a structural diagram of a possible communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of the terminal device, access network device, CEF or TMF, etc. in the above-mentioned method embodiment, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects possessed by the above-mentioned method embodiment. In an embodiment of the present application, the communication device can be a terminal device as shown in any of Figures 1, 2, 4, 5 to 8, can be an access network device involved in any of Figures 2, 4-8, can be the TMF involved in Figure 5, can be the application server in Figure 4, can be the CEF in Figure 5, or can be a module (such as a chip) applied to a terminal device, access network device, TMF or CEF.

[0371] As shown in Figure 13, the communication device 1300 includes a processing module 1310 and a transceiver module 1320. The communication device 1300 is used to implement the functions of the first communication device or the second communication device in Figure 9, or can also implement the functions of the terminal device, TMF, access network device, or CEF in the method embodiments shown in Figures 10, 11, or 12.

[0372] In the first embodiment, the communication device 1300 is used to implement the function of the first communication device in the method embodiment shown in Figure 9, or can implement the function of the CEF in the method embodiment shown in Figure 10, or can implement the function of the terminal device in the embodiment shown in Figure 11, or can implement the function of the terminal device and / or CEF in the embodiment shown in Figure 12.

[0373] For example, the communication device 1300 is used to implement the function of the first communication device in the method embodiment shown in Figure 9. In this case, the transceiver module 1320 receives the first associated information and can determine the first service processing strategy based on the first associated information.

[0374] For another example, communication device 1300 is configured to implement the CEF functionality in the method embodiment shown in FIG10 . In this case, transceiver module 1320 may receive first associated information, and processing module 1310 may be configured to execute S1010 or S1011. Optionally, transceiver module 1320 may also be configured to send resource status information. Transceiver module 1320 may also be configured to receive first indication information and second indication information, or third indication information, etc.

[0375] For another example, communication device 1300 is configured to implement the functions of the terminal device in the method embodiment shown in FIG11 . In this case, transceiver module 1320 may receive first associated information, and processing module 1310 may execute S1110 and S1111. Optionally, transceiver module 1320 is further configured to send a first request and resource status information. Transceiver module 1320 may also be configured to receive first indication information and second indication information, or to receive third indication information, etc.

[0376] For another example, communication device 1300 is configured to implement the functions of the terminal device in the method embodiment shown in FIG12 . In this case, transceiver module 1320 may receive first associated information, and processing module 1310 may execute S1210a or S1211a. Optionally, transceiver module 1320 is further configured to send a first request and resource status information. Transceiver module 1320 may also be configured to receive first indication information and second indication information, or to receive third indication information, etc.

[0377] For another example, communication device 1300 is configured to implement the CEF functionality in the method embodiment shown in FIG12 . In this case, transceiver module 1320 may receive first associated information, and processing module 1310 may execute S1210b or S1211b. Optionally, transceiver module 1320 is further configured to send a first request and resource status information. Transceiver module 1320 may also be configured to receive first indication information and second indication information, or to receive third indication information, etc.

[0378] In the second embodiment, the communication device 1300 is used to implement the function of the second communication device in the method embodiment shown in Figure 9, or can implement the function of the terminal device in the method embodiment shown in Figure 10, or can implement the function of the CEF in the embodiment shown in Figure 11, or can implement the function of the CEF and / or terminal device in the embodiment shown in Figure 12.

[0379] For example, the communication device 1300 is configured to implement the functions of the second communication device in the method embodiment shown in FIG9 . In this case, the transceiver module 1320 sends the first associated information. Optionally, the processing module 1310 is further configured to determine a first service processing strategy based on the first associated information, or the transceiver module 1320 is configured to receive fourth indication information.

[0380] For another example, the communication device 1300 is configured to implement the functions of the terminal device in the method embodiment shown in FIG10 . In this case, the transceiver module 1320 may send the first associated information. Optionally, the processing module 1310 may be configured to determine the first service processing strategy based on the first associated information, or the transceiver module 1320 may be configured to receive the fourth indication information.

[0381] For another example, communication device 1300 is configured to implement the CEF functionality in the method embodiment shown in FIG11 . In this case, transceiver module 1320 may transmit first associated information. Optionally, processing module 1310 may determine a first service processing policy based on the first associated information, or transceiver module 1320 may receive fourth indication information. Optionally, transceiver module 1320 may also transmit resource status information. Transceiver module 1320 may also receive first indication information and second indication information, or third indication information, etc.

[0382] For another example, communication device 1300 is configured to implement the functions of the terminal device in the method embodiment shown in FIG12 . In this case, transceiver module 1320 may transmit first associated information. Processing module 1310 may execute S1210a or S1211a. Optionally, transceiver module 1320 is further configured to transmit a first request and resource status information. Transceiver module 1320 may also be configured to receive first indication information and second indication information, or to receive third indication information, etc.

[0383] For another example, communication device 1300 is configured to implement the CEF functionality in the method embodiment shown in FIG12 . In this case, transceiver module 1320 may receive first associated information. Alternatively, processing module 1310 may execute S1210b or S1211b. Alternatively, transceiver module 1320 may also receive resource status information. Transceiver module 1320 may also receive first indication information and second indication information, or third indication information, etc.

[0384] In a third embodiment, the communication device 1300 is used to implement the TMF function in any one of the method embodiments shown in FIG. 10 to FIG. 12 .

[0385] For example, the communication device 1300 is used to implement the TMF function in the method embodiment shown in FIG10 . In this case, the transceiver module 1320 can be used to send the first indication information and the second indication information, or to send the third indication information, under the control of the processing module 1310. Optionally, the transceiver module 1320 can also be used to send the first request, receive network status information, resource status information, and send the fourth indication information.

[0386] For another example, the communication device 1300 is used to implement the TMF function in the method embodiment shown in Figure 11. In this case, the transceiver module 1320 can be used to send the first indication information and the second indication information, or to send the third indication information under the control of the processing module 1310. Optionally, the transceiver module 1320 can also be used to send the first request, receive network status information, resource status information, and send the fourth indication information.

[0387] For another example, the communication device 1300 is used to implement the TMF function in the method embodiment shown in Figure 12. In this case, the transceiver module 1320 can be used to send the first indication information and the second indication information, or to send the third indication information under the control of the processing module 1310. Optionally, the transceiver module 1320 can also be used to send the first request, receive network status information, resource status information, and send the fourth indication information.

[0388] In a fourth embodiment, the communication apparatus 1300 is used to implement the functions of the access network device in any one of the method embodiments shown in FIG. 10 to FIG. 12 .

[0389] For example, the communication device 1300 is used to implement the function of the access network device in the method embodiment shown in Figure 10. In this case, the transceiver module 1320 can be used to receive the fourth indication information and determine the first alternative QoS configuration information based on the first associated information and the fourth association relationship.

[0390] For another example, the communication device 1300 is used to implement the function of the access network device in the method embodiment shown in Figure 11. In this case, the transceiver module 1320 can be used to receive the fourth indication information, and determine the first alternative Qos configuration information based on the first accompanying information and the fourth association relationship.

[0391] For another example, the communication device 1300 is used to implement the function of the access network device in the method embodiment shown in Figure 12. In this case, the transceiver module 1320 can be used to receive the fourth indication information, and determine the first alternative Qos configuration information based on the first accompanying information and the fourth association relationship.

[0392] The specific contents of the various information and steps involved can be referred to the contents discussed in Figures 9 to 11 above, and the repeated parts will not be listed again.

[0393] An embodiment of the present application provides a schematic structural diagram of a communication device. Please refer to Figure 14, which is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 14, a communication device 1400 includes a processor 1410 and an interface circuit 1420. The processor 1410 and the interface circuit 1420 are coupled to each other. It is understandable that the interface circuit 1420 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication device 1400 may further include a memory 1430 for storing instructions executed by the processor 1410 or storing input data required by the processor 1410 to execute instructions or storing data generated after the processor 1410 executes instructions.

[0394] When the communication device 1400 is used to implement any of the communication methods shown in FIG. 9 to FIG. 12 , the processor 1410 is used to implement the functions of the processing module 1310 , and the interface circuit 1420 is used to implement the functions of the transceiver module 1320 .

[0395] When the communication device is a chip used in a terminal device, the terminal device chip implements the functions of the terminal device in the above method embodiments. The terminal device chip receives information from other modules in the terminal device (such as a radio frequency module or antenna), and the information is sent by the access network device to the terminal device; or the terminal device chip sends information to other modules in the terminal device (such as a radio frequency module or antenna), and the information is sent by the terminal device to the access network device.

[0396] When the above-mentioned communication device is a module applied to an access network device, the access network device module implements the functions of the access network device in the above-mentioned method embodiment. The access network device module receives information from other modules in the access network device (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna), and the information is sent by the terminal device to the access network device; or, the access network device module sends information to other modules in the access network device (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna), and the information is sent by the access network device to the terminal device. The access network device module here can be a baseband chip of the access 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.

[0397] An embodiment of the present 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, the at least one memory being used to store instructions, and when the instructions are executed by the at least one processor, the communication device executes the method in the above embodiment. Taking a communication device including a processor and a memory as an example, as shown in the structural diagram of the communication device shown in Figure 15, as shown in Figure 15, the communication device 1500 includes a processor 1510 and a memory 1520. The processor 1510 and the memory 1520 are coupled, and the memory 1520 stores instructions. When the instructions stored in the memory 1520 are executed by the processor 1510, the communication device 1500 executes the method executed by the first communication device, the second communication device, the TMF or the access network device in the above embodiment.

[0398] It is understood that the processor involved in the various 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. In addition, the memory involved in the various embodiments of the present application may include volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM). The memory may also include non-volatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, hard disk drive (HDD) or solid state drive (SSD).

[0399] The method steps in each embodiment 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 base station or a terminal. The processor and storage medium can also exist in a base station or a terminal as discrete components.

[0400] 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.

[0401] An embodiment of the present application provides a chip system, comprising: a processor and an interface, wherein the processor is configured to call and execute instructions from the interface, and when the processor executes the instructions, implements any of the aforementioned communication methods, such as the communication methods shown in any of Figures 9 to 12 .

[0402] An embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which includes a first communication device and a second communication device. Optionally, the communication device also includes a third communication device and / or a fourth communication device. The first communication device and the second communication device can respectively implement the functions of the first communication device and the second communication device involved in any of the method embodiments shown in Figures 9 to 12 above, and the third communication device and the fourth communication device can respectively implement the functions of the third communication device and the fourth communication device involved in any of the embodiments shown in Figures 10 to 12 above.

[0403] An embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing computer programs or instructions, which, when executed, implements any of the communication methods described above, such as the communication method shown in any of Figures 9 to 12 .

[0404] An embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on a computer, implements any of the aforementioned communication methods, such as the communication method shown in any of FIG. 9 to FIG. 12 .

[0405] 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.

[0406] It should be understood that the various numbers used in the various 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: Applied to a first communication device, the method comprises: receiving first associated information, where the first associated information is transmitted via a first path, where the first path is a path for transmitting a first service flow between the first communication device and the second communication device, and the first associated information includes experienced quality of service information and / or service feature information, where the experienced quality of service information indicates actual transmission parameters of the first service flow within a historical duration, and the service feature information indicates attributes of a first service corresponding to the first service flow; A first service processing strategy corresponding to the first service is determined according to the first associated channel information, where the first service processing strategy indicates a processing method for the first service.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first associated path information is carried in a data packet of the first service flow.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Determining a first service processing strategy corresponding to the first service according to the first associated path information includes: Determine, according to the first associated path information, first candidate service quality configuration information, where the first candidate service quality configuration information indicates one or more communication indicators that the first service flow needs to meet; The first business processing strategy is determined based on a first association relationship and the first alternative service quality configuration information, wherein the first association relationship indicates an association relationship between one or more alternative service quality configuration information and one or more business processing strategies, the one or more alternative service quality configuration information include the first alternative service quality configuration information, and the one or more business processing strategies include the first business processing strategy.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The method further comprises: First indication information is received from a third communication device, where the first indication information indicates the first association relationship.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The method further comprises: A first request is sent to the third communication device, where the first request is used to request determination of a service processing policy corresponding to the first service, and the first request indicates the one or more candidate quality of service configuration information.

6. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that: Determining first candidate service quality configuration information according to the first associated path information includes: The first candidate service quality configuration information is determined according to the first associated information and a second association relationship, wherein the second association relationship includes an association relationship between the one or more candidate service quality configuration information and one or more associated information, and the one or more associated information includes the first associated information.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The method further comprises: Second indication information is received from a third communication device, where the second indication information indicates the second association relationship.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The first candidate service quality configuration information includes resource requirement information of a task corresponding to the first service, and the resource requirement information is used to describe resources required for processing the task corresponding to the first service; the method further includes: Determine whether remaining resources of the first communication device and / or the second communication device satisfy resources required for processing a task corresponding to the first service.

9. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Determining a first service processing strategy corresponding to the first service according to the first associated path information includes: The first business processing strategy is determined based on the first on-road information and a third association relationship, wherein the third association relationship includes an indication of an association relationship between one or more on-road information and one or more business processing strategies, the one or more on-road information includes the first on-road information, and the one or more business processing strategies include the first business processing strategy.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The method further comprises: Receive third indication information from a third communication device, where the third indication information indicates the third association relationship.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: The first service processing strategy includes task allocation information and / or service indicator information, wherein the task allocation information is used to indicate the task assigned to the first communication device and / or the second communication device for processing the first service, and the service indicator information is used to indicate the performance of implementing the first service.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The method further comprises: adjusting the task of the first communication device for processing the first service according to the task allocation information; and / or, The service indicator information includes at least one of a frame rate, a bit rate or a resolution corresponding to the first service. The method further includes: adjusting at least one of a frame rate, a bit rate or a resolution corresponding to the first service according to the service indicator information.

13. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a third communication device, the method includes: Receive one or more candidate quality of service configuration information corresponding to a first service flow, where the candidate quality of service configuration information indicates one or more communication indicators that the first service flow needs to meet; Send a first indication message, wherein the first indication message indicates a first association relationship, wherein the first association relationship indicates an association relationship between the one or more alternative quality of service configuration information and one or more business processing policies, wherein the one or more business processing policies include a first business processing policy, and the first business processing policy indicates a processing method for a first business corresponding to the first business flow.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The first association relationship is determined based on network status information, resource status information and one or more alternative service quality configuration information; the network status information includes information on one or more communication indicators that the network has achieved or can support, and the resource status information indicates the resource usage of the first communication device and / or the resource usage of the second communication device.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that The method further comprises: Send second indication information, wherein the second indication information indicates a second association relationship, wherein the second association relationship includes an association relationship between the one or more alternative service quality configuration information and one or more associated information, wherein the one or more associated information includes first associated information, and the first associated information includes experienced service quality information and / or service characteristic information, wherein the experienced service quality information indicates actual transmission parameters of the first service flow within a historical duration, and the service characteristic information indicates attributes of the first service.

16. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to the fourth communication device, the method further includes: receiving first associated information, where the first associated information is transmitted via a first path, where the first path is a path for transmitting a first service flow between the second communication device and the first communication device, and the first associated information includes experienced quality of service information and / or service feature information, where the experienced quality of service information indicates actual transmission parameters of the first service flow within a historical duration, and the service feature information indicates attributes of a first service corresponding to the first service flow; Based on the first associated information and a fourth association relationship, first alternative service quality configuration information is determined, wherein the first alternative service quality configuration information indicates one or more communication indicators that the first business flow needs to meet, and the fourth association relationship includes an association relationship between one or more alternative service quality configuration information and one or more associated information, wherein the one or more alternative service quality configuration information includes the first alternative service quality configuration information, and the one or more associated information includes the first associated information.

17. A communication device, characterized in that: include: A module for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12; A module for executing the method according to any one of claims 13 to 15; or, Module for performing the method of claim 16.

18. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor or send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device, and the processor is used to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, the method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, or the method according to claim 16 through a logic circuit or executing code instructions.

19. A computer program product comprising instructions, characterized in that When the instruction is executed by the communication device, the communication device executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, the method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, or the method according to claim 16.

20. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The storage medium stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed by the communication device, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, the method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, or the method according to claim 16 is implemented.

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