Communication method and apparatus, terminal device, access network device, and chip

Abstract

Provided in the embodiments of the present application are communication methods and apparatus, a terminal device, an access network device, and a chip, which are applied to the technical field of communications. In the embodiments of the present application, when successfully receiving a first data packet unit group, a terminal device can send first information to an access network device, the first information being used for indicating that the terminal device has successfully received the first data packet unit group. Thus, the access network device stops sending to the terminal device remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group, so that data packets sent by the access network device are reduced, saving air interface resources and resources of a transmission network.

Description

A communication method and device, terminal equipment, access network equipment and chip

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on December 5, 2023, with application number 202311663516.X and application name “A communication method and device, terminal equipment, access network equipment and chip”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus, terminal equipment, access network equipment, and chip. Background Art

[0003] With the rise of high-traffic services such as video and gaming, the requirements for managing network transmission resources are becoming increasingly stringent. Communication systems require the transmission of large numbers of data packets when transmitting certain services, and different services may have different reliability requirements. For some services, the receiving end can guarantee service delivery after receiving a certain number or percentage of data packets, thus allowing for the discarding of some data packets. However, in this case, the sending end may still send all the data packets, resulting in a waste of air interface and transmission network resources. Therefore, appropriate methods are needed to conserve air interface and transmission network resources and optimize the data transmission process. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present application provides a communication method and apparatus, a terminal device, an access network device and a chip, which can send first information to the access network device when the terminal device successfully receives a first data packet unit group, so that the access network device stops sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the terminal device.

[0005] In a first aspect, a communication method of the present application is applied to a terminal device, the method comprising:

[0006] Acquire multiple data packets, where the multiple data packets are part of the data packets in the first data packet unit group;

[0007] Sending first information, where the first information includes an identifier of the first data packet unit group, and the first information is used to indicate that the terminal device has successfully received the first data packet unit group.

[0008] In the present application, when a terminal device successfully receives a first data packet unit group, it sends a first message to an access network device, indicating that the terminal device has successfully received the first data packet unit group, thereby causing the access network device to stop sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the terminal device. In this way, the access network device reduces the transmission of data packets and saves resources of the transmission network.

[0009] In a second aspect, a communication method of the present application is applied to an access network device, the method comprising:

[0010] Sending a plurality of data packets to the terminal device, wherein the plurality of data packets are part of the data packets in the first data packet unit group;

[0011] receiving first information, where the first information includes an identifier of the first data packet unit group, and the first information is used to indicate that the terminal device has successfully received the first data packet unit group;

[0012] Stop sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the terminal device.

[0013] In the present application, the access network device receives the first information, and thus stops sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the terminal device. In this way, the access network device reduces the sending of data packets and saves transmission network resources.

[0014] A third aspect is a communication method of the present application, applied to a terminal device, the method comprising:

[0015] Sending a plurality of data packets to the access network device, wherein the plurality of data packets are part of the data packets in the first data packet unit group;

[0016] receiving first information from the access network device, where the first information includes an identifier of the first data packet unit group, and the first information is used to indicate that the access network device has successfully received the first data packet unit group;

[0017] Stop sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the access network device.

[0018] A fourth aspect is a communication method of the present application, applied to an access network device, the method comprising:

[0019] Acquire multiple data packets, where the multiple data packets are part of the data packets in the first data packet unit group;

[0020] Sending first information, where the first information includes an identifier of the first data packet unit group, and the first information is used to indicate that the access network device has successfully received the first data packet unit group.

[0021] A fifth aspect is a communication device of the present application, comprising:

[0022] a receiving unit, configured to obtain a plurality of data packets, wherein the plurality of data packets are part of the data packets in the first data packet unit group;

[0023] A sending unit is used to send first information, where the first information includes an identifier of the first data packet unit group, and the first information is used to indicate that the terminal device has successfully received the first data packet unit group.

[0024] A sixth aspect is a communication device of the present application, comprising:

[0025] a receiving unit, configured to receive first information, where the first information includes an identifier of the first data packet unit group, and the first information is used to indicate that the terminal device has successfully received the first data packet unit group;

[0026] Sending unit, used for:

[0027] Sending a plurality of data packets to the terminal device, wherein the plurality of data packets are part of the data packets in the first data packet unit group;

[0028] Stop sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the terminal device.

[0029] A seventh aspect is a communication device of the present application, comprising:

[0030] a receiving unit, configured to receive first information from an access network device, wherein the first information includes an identifier of the first data packet unit group, and the first information is used to indicate that the access network device has successfully received the first data packet unit group;

[0031] Sending unit, used for:

[0032] Sending a plurality of data packets to the access network device, wherein the plurality of data packets are part of the data packets in the first data packet unit group;

[0033] Stop sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the access network device.

[0034] In an eighth aspect, a communication device of the present application is provided, comprising:

[0035] a receiving unit, configured to obtain a plurality of data packets, wherein the plurality of data packets are part of the data packets in the first data packet unit group;

[0036] A sending unit is used to send first information, where the first information includes an identifier of the first data packet unit group, and the first information is used to indicate that the access network device has successfully received the first data packet unit group.

[0037] In the ninth aspect, the steps in the methods designed in the first and third aspects are applied to a terminal device or in a terminal device.

[0038] In the tenth aspect, the steps in the methods designed in the second and fourth aspects are applied to access network equipment or in access network equipment.

[0039] The eleventh aspect is a terminal device of the present application, comprising a processor, a memory, and a computer program or instructions stored on the memory, wherein the processor executes the computer program or instructions to implement the steps in the methods designed in the first and third aspects above.

[0040] The twelfth aspect is an access network device of the present application, comprising a processor, a memory, and a computer program or instructions stored on the memory, wherein the processor executes the computer program or instructions to implement the steps in the methods designed in the second and fourth aspects above.

[0041] The thirteenth aspect is a chip of the present application, comprising a processor, wherein the processor executes the steps in the method designed in the above-mentioned first aspect, second aspect, third aspect or fourth aspect.

[0042] The fourteenth aspect is a chip module of the present application, comprising a transceiver component and a chip, wherein the chip comprises a processor, wherein the processor executes the steps in the method designed in the above-mentioned first aspect, second aspect, third aspect or fourth aspect.

[0043] The fifteenth aspect is a computer-readable storage medium of the present application, which stores a computer program or instruction, and when the computer program or instruction is executed, it implements the steps in the method designed in the first aspect, second aspect, third aspect or fourth aspect.

[0044] The sixteenth aspect is a computer program product of the present application, comprising a computer program or instructions, wherein when the computer program or instructions are executed, the steps in the method designed in the above-mentioned first aspect, second aspect, third aspect or fourth aspect are implemented.

[0045] The seventeenth aspect is a communication system of the present application, comprising the terminal device in the eleventh aspect and the access network device in the twelfth aspect.

[0046] The beneficial effects brought about by the technical solutions of the second to seventeenth aspects can be referred to the technical effects brought about by the technical solution of the first aspect, and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] The following is a brief introduction to the drawings used in describing the embodiments.

[0048] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0049] FIG2 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of another network architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of another network architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0053] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of another network architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0054] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of another network architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0055] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of another network architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0056] FIG9 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0057] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of another network architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0058] FIG11 is a schematic diagram of another network architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0059] FIG12 is a schematic diagram of another network architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0060] FIG13 is a schematic diagram of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0061] FIG14 is a schematic diagram of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0062] FIG15 is a schematic diagram of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0063] FIG16 is a schematic diagram of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0064] FIG17 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0065] FIG18 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0066] FIG19 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0067] FIG20 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0068] FIG21 is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0069] Figure 22 is a structural diagram of an access network device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0070] The following is an illustrative introduction to some of the terms in the embodiments of this application.

[0071] 1. Communication system

[0072] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: global system for mobile communications (GSM), general packet radio service (GPRS), long term evolution (LTE) system, advanced long term evolution (LTE-A) system, evolved universal terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA) system, new radio (NR) system, evolved system of NR system, LTE on unlicensed spectrum (LTE-U) system, NR on unlicensed spectrum (NR-based access to unlicensed spectrum, NR-U) system, non-terrestrial networks (NTN) system, universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), wireless local area networks (WLAN), wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), 6th generation (6G) communication system or other communication systems.

[0073] It should be noted that the number of connections supported by traditional communication systems is limited and easy to implement. However, with the development of communication technology, communication systems can not only support traditional communication systems, but also support device-to-device (D2D) communication, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) communication, etc. Therefore, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to the above-mentioned communication systems.

[0074] In addition, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to beamforming (beamforming), carrier aggregation (CA), dual connectivity (DC) or standalone (SA) deployment scenarios, etc.

[0075] Since the embodiments of the present application are described in conjunction with terminal devices, access network devices, and core network devices, the following will specifically describe the terminal devices, access network devices, and core network devices involved. In some scenarios, access network devices, core network devices, etc. may also be referred to as network devices.

[0076] 2. Terminal equipment

[0077] In the embodiments of the present application, a terminal device may be a device with transceiver functions, and may also be referred to as a terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), remote terminal equipment (remote UE), relay device (relay UE), access terminal equipment, user unit, user station, mobile station, remote station, user terminal equipment, intelligent terminal equipment, wireless communication equipment, user agent, or user device. It should be noted that a relay device is a terminal device that can provide relay forwarding services for other terminal devices (including remote terminal devices).

[0078] In some possible implementations, the terminal device can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld, wearable or vehicle-mounted; can be deployed on the water surface (such as ships, etc.); can be deployed in the air (such as airplanes, balloons and satellites, etc.).

[0079] In some possible implementations, the terminal device may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in unmanned autonomous driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical care, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, or a wireless terminal device in a smart home, etc.

[0080] In addition, the terminal device can also be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication function, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a terminal device in a next-generation communication system (such as an NR communication system, a 6G communication system), or a terminal device in a future evolved public land mobile communication network (PLMN), etc., without specific limitation.

[0081] In some possible implementations, the terminal device may include a device with wireless communication functionality, such as a chip system, a chip, or a chip module. For example, the chip system may include a chip and may also include other discrete devices.

[0082] 3. Terminal device identification

[0083] In an embodiment of the present application, a terminal device may be identified by a terminal device identifier. For example, the terminal device identifier may include a global unique temporary identifier (GUTI), a subscription permanent identifier (SUPI), or a user concealed identifier (SUCI).

[0084] 4. Access network equipment

[0085] Access network equipment can be a device with transceiver functions used to communicate with terminal devices. For example, access network equipment can be responsible for radio resource management (RRM), quality of service (QoS) management, data compression and encryption, data transmission and reception, etc. on the air interface side.

[0086] The access network device may be referred to as a radio access network (RAN) device or an access network element, etc. The access network device may support at least one wireless communication technology, such as LTE, NR, etc.

[0087] In some possible implementations, the access network device may be a base station (BS) in a communication system or a device deployed in a radio access network (RAN) for providing wireless communication functions. For example, an evolved node B (eNB or eNodeB) in an LTE communication system, a next generation evolved node B (ng-eNB) in an NR communication system, a next generation node B (gNB) in an NR communication system, a master node (MN) in a dual-connection architecture, a second node or secondary node (SN) in a dual-connection architecture, etc., without specific limitation.

[0088] In some possible implementations, the access network device may include a device that provides wireless communication functionality for the terminal device, such as a chip system, a chip, or a chip module. For example, the chip system may include a chip, or may include other discrete devices.

[0089] In some possible implementations, the access network device may be any one of the multiple sites that perform coherent collaborative transmission with the terminal device, or other sites outside the multiple sites, or other devices that perform network communication with the terminal device, and there is no specific limitation on this. Among them, the coherent joint transmission of multiple sites can be the joint coherent transmission of multiple sites, or different data belonging to the same physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) are sent from different sites to the terminal device, or multiple sites are virtualized into one site for transmission. The names with the same meaning specified in other standards are also applicable to this application, that is, this application does not limit the names of these parameters. The sites in the coherent joint transmission of multiple sites can be remote radio heads (RRHs), transmission and reception points (TRPs), network equipment, etc., and there is no specific limitation on this.

[0090] In some possible implementations, the access network device may be any one of the multiple sites that perform incoherent collaborative transmission with the terminal device, or other sites outside the multiple sites, or other devices that perform network communication with the terminal device, and there is no specific limitation on this. Among them, multi-site incoherent joint transmission can be multiple-site joint incoherent transmission, or different data belonging to the same PDSCH are sent from different sites to the terminal device, or different data belonging to the same PDSCH are sent from different sites to the terminal device. Names with the same meaning specified in other standards also apply to this application, that is, this application does not limit the names of these parameters. The sites in the multi-site incoherent joint transmission can be RRH, TRP, network equipment, etc., and there is no specific limitation on this.

[0091] In some possible implementations, the access network device may be an independent node to implement the functions of the above-mentioned base station, and the access network device may include two or more independent nodes to implement the functions of the above-mentioned base station. For example, the access network device includes a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), such as a gNB-CU and a gNB-DU. Furthermore, in other embodiments of the present application, the access network device may also include an active antenna unit (AAU). The CU implements part of the functions of the network device, and the DU implements another part of the functions of the network device. For example, the CU is responsible for processing non-real-time protocols and services, and implements the functions of the radio resource control (RRC) layer, the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, and the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer. The DU is responsible for processing physical layer protocols and real-time services, and implements the functions of the radio link control (RLC) layer, the medium access control (MAC) layer, and the physical (PHY) layer. In addition, the AAU can implement some physical layer processing functions, RF processing, and related functions of the active antenna. Because RRC layer information ultimately becomes PHY layer information, or is converted from PHY layer information, in this network deployment, higher-layer signaling (such as RRC signaling) can be considered to be sent by the DU, or sent jointly by the DU and AAU. It is understood that the access network device may include at least one of the CU, DU, and AAU.

[0092] In some possible implementations, the access network device may be mobile, such as a mobile device. Alternatively, the access network device may be a satellite or a balloon station. For example, the satellite may be a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite, a medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite, a geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite, a high elliptical orbit (HEO) satellite, etc. Alternatively, the access network device may be a base station located on land or in water.

[0093] In some possible implementations, an access network device may provide services for a cell, and a terminal device in the cell may communicate with the access network device using transmission resources (e.g., spectrum resources). The cell may be a macro cell, a small cell, a metro cell, a micro cell, a pico cell, or a femto cell.

[0094] In some possible implementations, the access network device may also communicate with an Internet Protocol (IP) network, such as the Internet, a private IP network, or other data networks.

[0095] The following is an introduction to some access network equipment.

[0096] 5. Access network equipment identification

[0097] In an embodiment of the present application, the access network device may be identified by an access network device identifier.

[0098] For example, the access network device identifier can be used to indicate that the access network device is eNodeB, ng-eNB, gNB, MN or SN, etc.

[0099] It should be noted that, since the access network device can correspond to a cell or a TA, when the terminal device receives a data packet, it can determine which access network device sent the data packet.

[0100] 6. Master Node MN

[0101] When a terminal is connected to multiple nodes simultaneously, the node responsible for providing the control plane link with the core network element is called a master node (MN). The group of serving cells within the MN can be called a master cell group (MCG). When a terminal device has a data transmission and reception relationship with the MN, the existence of radio resources between the terminal device and the MN can also be called MCG radio resources. The MN can contain multiple cells.

[0102] 7. Secondary Node SN

[0103] When a terminal is connected to multiple nodes simultaneously, the node that does not provide a control plane link with the core network element is called a secondary node (SN). A group of serving cells within an SN is called a secondary cell group (SCG). When a terminal device sends and receives data to and from an SN, and radio resources exist between the terminal device and the SN, these resources are also called SCG radio resources. An SN can contain multiple cells.

[0104] 8. Core network equipment

[0105] In the embodiment of the present application, the core network is composed of core network elements, which can also be called core network devices, and are network elements deployed in the core network, such as core network control plane elements or core network user plane elements.

[0106] In some possible implementations, the core network may be an evolved packet core (EPC), a 5G core network (5th generation core network), or a new core network in a future communication system. For example, the core network device may be an access and mobility management function (AMF) that implements functions such as mobility management, a user plane function (UPF) that provides functions such as packet routing and forwarding and QoS (quality of service) management, or a session management function (SMF) that provides functions such as session management, IP address allocation and management.

[0107] For another example, the core network device can be a mobility management entity (MME) that provides functions such as mobility management and gateway selection, a serving gateway (S-GW) that provides functions such as data packet forwarding, or a PDN gateway (P-GW) that provides functions such as terminal address allocation and rate control.

[0108] For example, for multicast broadcast service (MBS), the core network may include several new network elements to implement functions such as data packet forwarding, MBS conference management, QoS management, and transmission mode switching (switching between unicast and multicast / broadcast transmission modes).

[0109] In some possible implementations, the core network device may include a device that provides wireless communication functionality for the terminal device, such as a chip system, a chip, or a chip module. For example, the chip system may include a chip, or may include other discrete devices.

[0110] In some possible implementations, the core network device may communicate with an Internet Protocol (IP) network, such as the Internet, a private IP network, or other data networks.

[0111] 9. Uplink communication

[0112] In this application, uplink communication, also known as uplink transmission, refers to one-way communication from a terminal device to an access network device. The communication link used for uplink communication is called an uplink. Data transmitted on the uplink is called uplink data. The transmission direction of uplink data is the uplink direction.

[0113] 10. Downlink communication

[0114] In this application, downlink communication, also referred to as downlink transmission, refers to one-way communication from an access network device to a terminal device. The communication link used for downlink communication is the uplink. Data transmitted on the downlink is downlink data. The transmission direction of downlink data is the downlink direction.

[0115] 11. Packet data unit set (PDU set)

[0116] A PDU set contains multiple packet data units (PDUs), each of which is configured with QoS parameters, such as the packet delay budget (PDB), which defines the upper limit of packet transmission delay. Each PDU set can also be configured with a packet data unit set delay budget (PSDB), which defines the upper limit of the PDU set transmission delay.

[0117] Data packet unit groups are widely used for streaming data transmission, such as data transmission in scenarios such as extended reality (XR), video on demand, video calls, live broadcasts, and games.

[0118] 12. Extended Reality

[0119] Extended reality (XR) technology fuses the physical and virtual environments, providing users with a fully immersive virtual experience and promising broad application prospects. XR technology encompasses virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR).

[0120] Services transmitted based on XR technology can be called XR services. The data of XR services are usually high-definition real-time video data, which has the characteristics of large data volume and high transmission delay requirements, and has high requirements for network transmission capabilities.

[0121] XR data can be divided into data bursts and packet data unit sets (PDU sets). A data burst can contain one or more PDU sets.

[0122] In some communication scenarios, when the application layer does not need all packets, it supports partial packet discarding. In scenarios where packet discarding is supported, the sender of the packet is aware that the packet is no longer needed, which can reduce network resource consumption.

[0123] In view of this, the present application provides a communication method in which, upon receiving a sufficient number of data packets in a data packet unit group, a receiving end generates an indication message and provides it to the transmitting end of the data packet unit group, indicating that the receiving end has successfully received the data packet unit group. Upon receiving the indication message, the transmitting end of the data packet unit group can stop sending the remaining data packets in the data packet unit group to the receiving end. This can save air interface resources and transmission network resources, thereby increasing network capacity.

[0124] The present application is applicable to 5G communication systems, 4G (4th generation) communication systems, and various future communication systems, such as 6G (6th generation) and 7G (7th generation). In specific implementations, the present application is also applicable to other network architectures, including but not limited to terrestrial communication network architectures, non-terrestrial communication network architectures, relay network architectures, dual-link architectures, and vehicle-to-everything communication architectures.

[0125] The following is an introduction to the system architecture used in the embodiments of this application. It should be noted that the system architecture and business scenarios described in this application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of this application and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by this application. It is understood by those skilled in the art that with the evolution of the system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided by this application are equally applicable to similar technical problems.

[0126] For example, see Figure 1, which is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 10 may include a terminal device 101A, a terminal device 101B, a terminal device 101C, an access network device 102A, an access network device 102B, an access network device 102C, a relay device 103, and a core network device 104.

[0127] An interface, which can be an air interface, exists between a terminal device and an access network device. A terminal device can connect to one or more access network devices. For example, terminal device 101A in FIG1 can connect to both access network device 102A and access network device 102B. An access network device can connect to and manage multiple terminal devices. For example, access network device 102B in FIG1 can connect to both terminal device 101A and terminal device 101B.

[0128] In some possible implementations, there is an interface between access network devices, which can be an X2 interface (4G system), an Xn interface (5G system), or other types of interfaces, such as the connection between access network device 102A and access network device 102B in Figure 1.

[0129] In some possible implementations, there is an interface between the access network device and the core network device, which can be an S1 interface (4G system), NG interface (5G system) and other types of interfaces. For example, in Figure 1, the core network device 104 is connected to the access network device 102A, the access network device 102B and the access network device 102C respectively.

[0130] Optionally, the terminal device may also access the access network device through a relay device. For example, the terminal device 101C in FIG. 1 may access the access network device 102C through the relay device 103 .

[0131] Optionally, there is an interface between the terminal devices, and the interface may be a PC5, Wireless Fidelity (WIFI) or other type interface.

[0132] In combination with the above content, the communication method of the embodiment of the present application is introduced as an example below.

[0133] Please refer to Figure 2, which is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. Optionally, the method can be applied to a communication system, for example, the communication system shown in Figure 1.

[0134] The communication method shown in Figure 2 may include multiple steps from step S201 to step S203. It should be understood that for the convenience of description, this application describes the steps from step S201 to step S203 in this order, and is not intended to limit the execution to the above order. The embodiments of this application do not limit the order of execution, execution time, number of executions, etc. of the above one or more steps. Steps S201 to step S203 are as follows:

[0135] Step S201: The access network device sends multiple data packets to the terminal device.

[0136] Correspondingly, the terminal device obtains multiple data packets.

[0137] The access network device is a network device with communication capabilities, and specifically may be a base station, a chip, a chip module, or a communication module, etc. It is understandable that the access network device sends multiple data packets to the terminal device, and accordingly, the access network device may obtain multiple data packets.

[0138] The terminal device may be a UE. Please refer to Figure 3, which is a schematic diagram of a network architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 3, the UE is connected to a base station, and the base station obtains multiple data packets from a core network device and then sends the multiple data packets to the UE. Correspondingly, the UE can obtain multiple data packets.

[0139] The plurality of data packets belong to a first data packet unit group (also referred to as a first PDU set) and are part of the data packets in the first data packet unit group, wherein the first data packet unit group may be one data packet unit group or multiple data packet unit groups.

[0140] For example, an access network device and a terminal device are performing XR service data transmission. The access network device sends a data packet unit group to the terminal, illustratively identified by id1. This data packet unit group can be considered the first data packet unit group. This data packet unit group contains 80 data packets, and the access network device sends 40 of these data packets to the terminal device. In this case, these 40 data packets can be considered the aforementioned "multiple data packets."

[0141] As another example, when performing data transmission for XR services with a terminal device, the access network device sends multiple data packet unit groups to the terminal, whose identifiers are exemplarily id1, id2, and id3, respectively. These three data packet unit groups can be regarded as the first data packet unit group. Among them, data packet unit group id1 contains 80 data packets, data packet unit group id2 contains 100 data packets, and data packet unit group id3 includes 110 data packets. Among the data packets sent by the access network device to the terminal device, the number of data packets belonging to data packet unit groups id1, id2, and id3 are 50, 60, and 70, respectively. These data packets can be regarded as the aforementioned "multiple data packets."

[0142] In some possible scenarios, such as dual-link scenarios, a terminal device can connect to more than one access network device. For example, if a terminal device is connected to two base stations, and the base stations need to send multiple data packets to the terminal device, they can do so in various ways: one of the two base stations sends the multiple data packets, or both base stations send a portion of the data packets. Conversely, the terminal device can receive multiple data packets from the base stations in various ways: receiving multiple data packets from one of the two base stations, or receiving portions of multiple data packets sent by both base stations.

[0143] The following uses the example of a terminal device as a UE, one base station as an MN, and another base station as an SN to list three possible implementation methods for the base station to send multiple data packets and the terminal device to obtain multiple data packets:

[0144] Implementation method one, MN sends multiple data packets to UE. Correspondingly, UE receives multiple data packets from MN. For example, please refer to Figure 4, which is a schematic diagram of another network architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 4, for UE, there are wireless resources between it and MN, that is, there are MCG wireless resources, and MN sends multiple data packets in the first data packet unit group to UE through the MCG wireless resources. Correspondingly, UE receives multiple data packets from MN through the MCG wireless resources.

[0145] Implementation method two: MN sends a first data packet to UE, MN sends a second data packet to SN, and SN forwards the second data packet to UE. Correspondingly, UE receives the first data packet from MN, and UE receives the second data packet from SN. Among them, the multiple data packets include a first data packet and a second data packet, and the first data packet and the second data packet each contain at least one data packet. In one case, there are no duplicate data packets between the first data packet and the second data packet; in another case, such as replicated transmission, there may be duplicate data packets between the first data packet and the second data packet. At this time, for the UE, the UE and the primary node MN and the secondary node SN have wireless resources at the same time, that is, MCG wireless resources and SCG wireless resources exist at the same time, also known as split bearer, which indicates that the data is diverted or replicated at a certain node.

[0146] For example, please refer to Figure 5, which is a schematic diagram of another network architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 5, the MN sends a first data packet to the UE via the MCG wireless resource, and the SN forwards a second data packet to the UE via the SCG wireless resource. Correspondingly, the UE receives the first data packet from the MN via the MCG wireless resource, and the UE receives the second data packet from the SN via the SCG wireless resource.

[0147] Implementation method three, MN sends multiple data packets to SN, and SN forwards the multiple data packets to UE. Correspondingly, UE receives multiple data packets from SN. For example, please refer to Figure 6, which is a schematic diagram of another network architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 6, for UE, there are wireless resources between it and SN, that is, there are SCG wireless resources, and SN forwards multiple data packets to UE through SCG wireless resources. Correspondingly, UE receives multiple data packets from SN through SCG wireless resources. It should be noted that Figure 6 corresponds to the scenario of SCG wireless resources and the user plane link of data to the core network terminates at MN (that is, MN terminted bearer).

[0148] In some possible situations, the connection relationship between the terminal device and the access network device may change. For example, the access network device includes a first base station (also referred to as a source base station, including a source cell) and a second base station (also referred to as a target base station, including a target cell). The terminal device moves and switches from accessing the first base station to accessing the second base station. At this time, the access network device sends multiple data packets to the terminal device in the following ways: the first base station sends multiple data packets to the terminal device or the first base station sends a part of the data packets to the terminal device, and after the switch, the second base station sends another part of the data packets to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device obtains multiple data packets in the following ways: receiving multiple data packets from the first base station or receiving a part of the data packets from the first base station, and receiving another part of the data packets from the second base station after the switch.

[0149] The following describes two possible scenarios in which a base station sends multiple data packets:

[0150] In case one, the first base station sends multiple data packets to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives multiple data packets from the first base station. Exemplarily, before the terminal device switches from accessing the first base station to accessing the second base station, the first base station sends multiple data packets to the terminal device. Exemplarily, please refer to Figure 7, which is a schematic diagram of another network architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 7, before the terminal device switches from accessing the source base station to accessing the target base station, the source base station sends multiple data packets to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives multiple data packets from the source base station.

[0151] In the second case, the first base station sends a third data packet to the terminal device, and after the terminal device switches from accessing the source base station to accessing the second base station, the second base station sends a fourth data packet to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the third data packet from the first base station, and after the terminal device switches from accessing the source base station to accessing the second base station, the terminal device receives the fourth data packet from the second base station. Among them, the multiple data packets include a third data packet and a fourth data packet, and the third data packet and the fourth data packet each contain at least one data packet, and there is no duplicate data packet between the third data packet and the fourth data packet. For example, please refer to Figure 8, which is a schematic diagram of another network architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 8, before the terminal device switches from accessing the source base station to accessing the target base station, the source base station sends a third data packet to the terminal device, and after the terminal device switches from accessing the source base station to accessing the target base station, the target base station sends a fourth data packet to the terminal device. Correspondingly, before the terminal device switches from accessing the source base station to accessing the target base station, the terminal device receives the third data packet from the source base station, and after the terminal device switches from accessing the source base station to accessing the target base station, the terminal device receives the fourth data packet from the target base station.

[0152] Step S202: The terminal device sends the first information.

[0153] Correspondingly, the access network device receives the first information.

[0154] The first information includes an identifier of the first data packet unit group, and the first information is used to indicate that the terminal device has successfully received the first data packet unit group. Exemplarily, the first information includes a first field and an identifier of the first data packet unit group, wherein the first field can take different values ​​to indicate the terminal device's reception of the first data packet unit group. For example, the length of the first field is 1 bit. When the first field takes a value of 1, it indicates that the first data packet unit group has been successfully received. When the first field takes a value of 0, it indicates that the first data packet unit group has not been successfully received.

[0155] As another example, the first information is signaling in a special format or a predefined format. The aforementioned format can indicate that a data packet unit group has been successfully received. A field in the signaling can contain an identifier of the first data packet unit group, thereby determining which data packet unit groups have been successfully received by the terminal device based on the identifier of the first data packet unit group carried in the field. For example, when the terminal device successfully receives the first data packet unit group, the information in the special format or the predefined format is sent to the access network device to indicate that the terminal device has successfully received the first data packet unit group.

[0156] In some possible implementations, the application layer supports discarding some packets when not all packets are needed. At the receiving end, if a sufficient number of packets are received, the remaining packets in the PDU set may not be received.

[0157] As a possible implementation, when the terminal device receives the first PDU set, it can determine whether the first PDU set is successfully received according to the number of received data packets.

[0158] Exemplarily, the terminal device can determine whether the PDU set has been successfully received based on the number of received data packets and the number of all data packets in the first PDU set. For example, if the number of received data packets and the number of all data packets in the first PDU set are greater than a threshold, the first PDU set is considered to be successfully received. Optionally, the threshold is pre-set, and the threshold can be related to a PDU set integrated handling indication (PSIHI). For example, the threshold is 75%, the total number of data packets in the first PDU set is 150, and the terminal device has received 120. At this time, the received data packets account for 80% of the total number of data packets in the first PDU set, which is greater than the threshold. It can be considered that the first PDU set has been successfully received.

[0159] As a possible implementation, when the terminal device receives the first PDU set, the application layer notifies the communication layer of the terminal device that the first PDU set has been successfully received. The application layer may determine that the first PDU set has been successfully received by decoding or other means.

[0160] In some possible implementations, a terminal device is connected to an access network device. Upon successfully receiving a first PDU set, the terminal device may send a first message to the access network device, instructing the access network device not to continue sending the remaining data packets in the first PDU set. Accordingly, the access network device receives the first message.

[0161] In some possible scenarios, such as a dual-link scenario, a terminal device can be connected to more than one access network device. For example, the terminal device is connected to two base stations, and the terminal device sends the first information to the base station in the following multiple ways: the UE sends the first information to one of the two base stations, sends the first information to both base stations, or sends the first information to one of the base stations, and the base station forwards the information to the other base station. The following takes the terminal device as UE, one base station as MN, and the other base station as SN as an example to list three possible implementation methods of the terminal device sending the first information:

[0162] In implementation method 1, the UE sends the first information to the MN. Correspondingly, the MN receives the first information from the UE. For example, as shown in FIG4 , when the UE successfully receives the first PDU set, the UE directly sends the first information to the MN, indicating that the MN does not need to continue to send the remaining data packets in the first PDU set to the UE. Correspondingly, the MN receives the first information from the UE.

[0163] Implementation method 2: UE sends the first information to MN, and at the same time, UE sends the first information to SN. Accordingly, MN receives the first information from UE, and at the same time, SN receives the first information from UE. For example, as shown in FIG5 , when UE successfully receives the first PDU set, it sends the first information to MN, and at the same time, it may also send the first information to SN. Correspondingly, MN receives the first information from UE, so that MN does not need to continue to send the remaining data packets in the first PDU set to UE, and at the same time, SN receives the first information from UE, so that SN does not need to continue to send the remaining data packets in the first PDU set to UE.

[0164] In implementation method three, the UE sends the first information to the SN. Accordingly, the SN receives the first information from the UE. For example, upon successfully receiving the first PDU set, the UE directly sends the first information to the SN. Accordingly, the SN receives the first information from the UE, thereby eliminating the need for the SN to continue sending the remaining data packets in the first PDU set to the UE.

[0165] Furthermore, when the UE sends the first information to the SN, the SN may send the second information to the MN. Accordingly, the MN receives the second information. The second information includes an identifier of the first data packet unit group, and the second information is used to indicate that the terminal device has successfully received the first data packet unit group. Optionally, the second information may be signaling between base stations, such as a message of the Xn port. For example, as shown in FIG6 , when the UE successfully receives the first PDU set, the UE sends the first information to the SN, indicating that the SN does not need to continue to send the remaining data packets in the first PDU set to the UE. Furthermore, the SN sends the second information to the MN. Accordingly, the MN receives the second information, so that the MN does not need to continue to send the remaining data packets in the first PDU set to the SN.

[0166] In some possible scenarios, the connection relationship between the terminal device and the access network device may change. For example, the access network device includes a first base station (also referred to as a source base station) and a second base station (also referred to as a target base station). The terminal device moves and switches from accessing the first base station to accessing the second base station. During this switching process, the terminal device may successfully receive the first PDU set. At this time, the terminal device sends the first information to the access network device in the following ways: the terminal device sends the first information to the first base station or the terminal device sends the first information to the second base station. Correspondingly, the access network device receives the first information from the terminal device in the following ways: the first base station receives the first information from the terminal device or the second base station receives the first information from the terminal device.

[0167] The following describes two possible designs for sending the first message:

[0168] Design one, the terminal device sends the first information to the first base station. Correspondingly, the first base station receives the first information from the terminal device. For example, before the terminal device switches from accessing the first base station to accessing the second base station, the terminal device sends the first information to the first base station. As shown in Figure 7, before the terminal device switches from accessing the source base station to accessing the target base station, when the terminal device successfully receives the first PDU set, the terminal device sends the first information to the source base station. Correspondingly, before the terminal device switches from accessing the source base station to accessing the target base station, the source base station receives the first information from the terminal device, so that the source base station does not need to continue to send the remaining data packets in the first PDU set to the terminal device. It should be noted that before the first base station receives the first information, the first base station needs to forward the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the second base station, and the remaining data packets include the data packets that were not successfully sent by the first base station.

[0169] Furthermore, when the first base station generates downlink sequence number status information during a handover between a terminal device accessing a first base station and a second base station, the downlink sequence number status information indicates a PDCP PDU counter (hereinafter referred to as a PDCP counter) (HFN+SN) of a next packet data convergence protocol data packet to be allocated in a data radio bearer (DRB). The downlink sequence number status information is sent by the first base station to the second base station during the handover process. The PDCP PDU counter may be represented by a combination of a hyper frame number (HFN) and a PDCP sequence number (PDCP SN).

[0170] The terminal device does not send the first information to the first base station, but in a subsequent handover process, that is, before successfully switching to the second base station, the terminal device sends the first information to the first base station. In this case, after the terminal device switches from accessing the first base station to accessing the second base station, the first base station may further send third information to the second base station, where the third information includes an identifier of the first data packet unit group, and the third information is used to indicate that the terminal device has successfully received the first data packet unit group.

[0171] Correspondingly, after the terminal device switches from accessing the first base station to accessing the second base station, the second base station receives the third information from the first base station, so that the second base station does not need to continue to send the remaining data packets in the first PDU set to the terminal device. The third information can be a notification sent by the first base station through CP (Xn port message) or UP (GTPU header indication of data forwarding data). As shown in Figure 7, after the terminal device switches from accessing the source base station to accessing the target base station, the source base station sends the third information to the target base station, and the target base station receives the third information from the first base station, so that the target base station does not need to continue to send the remaining data packets in the first PDU set to the terminal device.

[0172] Design two, the terminal device sends the first information to the second base station. Correspondingly, the second base station receives the first information from the terminal device. For example, after the terminal device switches from accessing the first base station to accessing the second base station, the terminal device sends the first information to the second base station. Correspondingly, the second base station receives the first information from the terminal device. Exemplarily, as shown in Figure 8, before the terminal device switches from accessing the source base station to accessing the target base station, the terminal device receives the third data packet from the source base station, and the terminal device does not successfully receive the first PDU set at this time. After the terminal device switches from accessing the source base station to accessing the target base station, the terminal device receives the fourth data packet from the target base station. When the terminal device successfully receives the first PDU set, the terminal device sends the first information to the target base station. Correspondingly, the target base station receives the first information from the terminal device, so that the target base station does not need to continue to send the remaining data packets in the first PDU set to the terminal device.

[0173] Furthermore, the first information also includes a first sequence number, which is the maximum packet data convergence protocol sequence number PDCP SN / PDCP counter corresponding to the multiple data packets. Each of the multiple data packets includes a PDCP SN / PDCP counter, and when the terminal device sends the first information, it can simultaneously send the maximum PDCP SN / PDCP counter corresponding to the multiple data packets, that is, the first sequence number, to the access network device. It should be noted that the first sequence number is used to instruct the access network device to allocate PDCP SN / PDCP counter in the subsequent process of sending data packets. Optionally, the aforementioned second information may include the first sequence number. Another possible implementation method is that the third information includes updated downlink sequence number status information, that is, the first base station updates the downlink sequence number status information based on the received first information, and sends it to the second base station.

[0174] Step S203: The access network device stops sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the terminal device.

[0175] In some possible implementations, after receiving the first information, the access network device stops sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the terminal device. Alternatively, after receiving the first information, the access network device discards the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group.

[0176] The embodiments of the present application are introduced by taking the access network device as a base station as an example.

[0177] In some possible scenarios, such as a dual-link scenario, a terminal device can be connected to more than one access network device. For example, the terminal device is connected to two base stations. At this time, if the base station needs to send multiple data packets to the terminal device, there are multiple ways as follows: one of the two connected base stations sends multiple data packets or the two base stations each send a part of the data packets. Accordingly, there are also multiple ways for the base station to stop sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the terminal device. Taking the terminal device as UE, one base station as MN, and the other base station as SN as an example, the base station stopping sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the terminal device is introduced.

[0178] In some possible implementations, both the MN and the SN stop sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the terminal device upon receiving the first information from the terminal device. For example, with respect to Figures 4 and 5 , when the MN receives the first information from the terminal device, the MN stops sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the terminal device. Thus, when the terminal device has successfully received the first data packet unit group, the MN stops sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the terminal device, thereby reducing the number of data packets sent by the MN and saving air interface resources of the transmission network.

[0179] For example, in Figures 5 and 6, when the SN receives the first information from the terminal device, the SN stops sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the terminal device. In this way, when the terminal device has successfully received the first data packet unit group, the SN stops sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the terminal device, thereby reducing the number of data packets sent by the SN and saving air interface resources of the transmission network.

[0180] Furthermore, with respect to FIG6 , when the MN receives the second information from the SN, the MN stops sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the SN. Thus, when the terminal device has successfully received the first data packet unit group, the MN stops sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the SN, thereby reducing the number of data packets sent on the Xn interface and conserving air interface resources of the transmission network.

[0181] In some possible situations, the connection relationship between the terminal device and the access network device may change. For example, the access network device includes a first base station (also referred to as a source base station) and a second base station (also referred to as a target base station). The terminal device moves and switches from accessing the first base station to accessing the second base station. At this time, the access network device sends multiple data packets to the terminal device. There may be multiple ways as follows: the first base station sends multiple data packets or the first base station sends a part of the data packets, and the second base station sends the other part of the data packets after switching. Accordingly, there may be multiple ways for the base station to stop sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the terminal device. The following introduces several possible implementation methods for the base station to stop sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the terminal device.

[0182] Implementation method one, the first base station stops sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the terminal device. For example, before the terminal device switches from accessing the first base station to accessing the second base station, the first base station receives the first information from the terminal device, and the first base station stops sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the terminal device. As shown in Figure 7, before the terminal device switches from accessing the source base station to accessing the target base station, the source base station receives the first information from the terminal device, so that the source base station stops sending the remaining data packets in the first PDU set to the terminal device. In this way, when the terminal device has successfully received the first data packet unit group, the first base station stops sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the terminal device, so that the first base station reduces the sending of data packets and saves the air interface resources of the transmission network. The first base station stops sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the second base station, so that the first base station reduces the forwarding of data packets to the second base station.

[0183] Furthermore, after the terminal device switches from accessing the first base station to accessing the second base station, the second base station receives the third information from the first base station, and the second base station stops sending the remaining data packets in the first PDU set to the terminal device. As shown in Figure 7, after the terminal device switches from accessing the source base station to accessing the target base station, the source base station sends the third information to the target base station, and the target base station receives the third information from the first base station, and the target base station stops sending the remaining data packets in the first PDU set to the terminal device. In this way, when the terminal device has successfully received the first data packet unit group, after the terminal device switches from accessing the first base station to accessing the second base station, the second base station can stop sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the terminal device, thereby reducing the sending of data packets, saving air interface resources and transmission network resources, and improving network capacity.

[0184] Implementation method two, the second base station stops sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the terminal device. For example, after the terminal device switches from accessing the first base station to accessing the second base station, the second base station receives the first information from the terminal device, and the second base station stops sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the terminal device. Exemplarily, as shown in Figure 8, after the terminal device switches from accessing the source base station to accessing the target base station, the target base station receives the first information from the terminal device, so that the target base station stops sending the remaining data packets in the first PDU set to the terminal device. In this way, when the terminal device has successfully received the first data packet unit group, the second base station stops sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the terminal device, so that the second base station reduces the sending of data packets and saves the air interface resources of the transmission network.

[0185] In some possible implementations, the access network device is connected to a core network device (such as AMF, SMF or UPF), and the access network device receives multiple data packets from the core network device. The access network device can also send a fourth message to the core network device. The fourth message includes an identifier of the first data packet unit group, and the fourth message is used to indicate that the terminal device has successfully received the first data packet unit group. Furthermore, the fourth message also includes a data packet session identifier (PDU session id) and a quality of service flow identifier (QoS flow id). The core network device can receive the fourth message and stop sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the access network device, so that the core network device reduces the sending of data packets and saves the air interface resources of the transmission network.

[0186] It should be noted that, for a terminal device, for a data packet unit group that has been successfully received, the terminal device may discard the remaining data packets in the data packet unit group that are subsequently received. When the terminal device sends the first information or sends the PDCP status information, the terminal device considers that the data packet unit group has been successfully received.

[0187] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, after receiving the first data packet unit group, the terminal device sends the first information to the access network device. The access network device receives the first information and stops sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the terminal device, thereby reducing the sending of data packets and saving air interface resources of the transmission network.

[0188] The above is an exemplary introduction to the communication method of the present application using the example of a terminal device receiving downlink data. The following is an exemplary introduction to the communication method of the present application using the example of a terminal device sending uplink data.

[0189] Please refer to Figure 9, which is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. Optionally, the method can be applied to a communication system, for example, the communication system shown in Figure 1.

[0190] The communication method shown in Figure 9 may include multiple steps from step S901 to step S903. It should be understood that for the convenience of description, this application describes the steps from step S901 to step S903 in this order, and is not intended to limit the execution to the above order. The embodiment of this application does not limit the order of execution, execution time, number of executions, etc. of the above one or more steps. Steps S901 to step S903 are as follows:

[0191] Step S901: The terminal device sends multiple data packets to the access network device.

[0192] Correspondingly, the access network device obtains multiple data packets.

[0193] In some possible implementations, the terminal device needs to send a data packet to the network device, for example, the terminal device sends multiple data packets to the access network device.

[0194] In the embodiment of the present application, the terminal device may be a UE, and the access network device may be a base station. Exemplarily, the UE is connected to the base station, and the UE sends multiple data packets to the base station. Correspondingly, the base station obtains the multiple data packets.

[0195] In some possible situations, the connection relationship between the terminal device and the access network device may change. For example, the access network device includes a first base station (also referred to as a source base station) and a second base station (also referred to as a target base station). The terminal device moves and switches from accessing the first base station to accessing the second base station. At this time, the terminal device sends multiple data packets to the access network device in the following ways: sending multiple data packets to the first base station or sending a part of the data packets to the first base station, and sending another part of the data packets to the second base station after switching. Correspondingly, the access network device obtains multiple data packets in the following ways: the first base station receives multiple data packets from the terminal device or the first base station receives a part of the data packets from the terminal device, and the second base station receives another part of the data packets from the terminal device after switching.

[0196] The following describes two possible implementations of a terminal device sending multiple data packets to a base station:

[0197] Implementation method one, the terminal device sends multiple data packets to the first base station. Correspondingly, the first base station receives multiple data packets from the terminal device. Exemplarily, before the terminal device switches from accessing the first base station to accessing the second base station, the terminal device sends multiple data packets to the first base station. Exemplarily, please refer to Figure 10, which is a schematic diagram of another network architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application. Please refer to Figure 11, which is a schematic diagram of another network architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figures 10 and 11, before the terminal device switches from accessing the source base station to accessing the target base station, the terminal device sends multiple data packets to the source base station. Correspondingly, the source base station receives multiple data packets from the terminal device. Optionally, the source base station directly sends these multiple data packets to the core network network element UPF, or the source base station sends these multiple data packets to the target base station, and the target base station sends these multiple data packets to the core network network element UPF.

[0198] In a second implementation method, a terminal device sends a fifth data packet to the first base station. After the terminal device switches from accessing the source base station to accessing the second base station, the terminal device sends a sixth data packet to the second base station. Correspondingly, the first base station receives the fifth data packet from the terminal device. After the terminal device switches from accessing the source base station to accessing the second base station, the second base station receives the sixth data packet from the terminal device. The multiple data packets include a fifth data packet and a sixth data packet, each of which contains at least one data packet. In one scenario, there are no duplicate data packets between the fifth and sixth data packets. In another scenario, such as replicated transmission, there may be duplicate data packets between the fifth and sixth data packets.

[0199] For example, please refer to Figure 12, which is a schematic diagram of another network architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 12, before the terminal device switches from accessing the source base station to accessing the target base station, the terminal device sends a fifth data packet to the source base station, and after the terminal device switches from accessing the source base station to accessing the target base station, the terminal device sends a sixth data packet to the target base station. Correspondingly, before the terminal device switches from accessing the source base station to accessing the target base station, the source base station receives the fifth data packet from the terminal device, and after the terminal device switches from accessing the source base station to accessing the target base station, the target base station receives the sixth data packet from the terminal device. Optionally, the source base station sends the fifth data packet from the terminal device to the target base station, and the target base station sends the fifth data packet and the sixth data packet from the terminal device to the core network network element UPF together.

[0200] Step S902: The access network device sends first information.

[0201] Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first information from the access network device.

[0202] The first information includes an identifier of the first data packet unit group, and the first information is used to indicate that the access network device has successfully received the first data packet unit group.

[0203] In some possible implementations, the application layer supports discarding some packets when not all packets are needed. At the receiving end, if a sufficient number of packets are received, the remaining packets in the PDU set may not be received.

[0204] As a possible implementation, when the access network device receives the first PDU set, it can determine whether the first PDU set is successfully received based on the number of received data packets. For details on how to determine whether the first PDU set is successfully received, refer to the relevant description in the aforementioned step S203.

[0205] In some possible implementations, the terminal device is connected to an access network device. When the access network device receives the first PDU set, it can send first information to the terminal device to instruct the terminal device not to continue sending the remaining data packets in the first PDU set.

[0206] In some possible scenarios, the connection relationship between the terminal device and the access network device may change. For example, the access network device includes a first base station (also referred to as a source base station) and a second base station (also referred to as a target base station). The terminal device moves and switches from accessing the first base station to accessing the second base station. During this switching process, the access network device may successfully receive the first PDU set. At this time, the access network device sends the first information to the terminal device in the following ways: the first base station sends the first information to the terminal device or the second base station sends the first information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first information from the access network device in the following ways: the terminal device receives the first information from the first base station or the terminal device receives the first information from the second base station.

[0207] The following describes the two implementation methods of sending the first information:

[0208] Implementation method one, the first base station sends the first information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first information from the first base station. For example, before the terminal device switches from accessing the first base station to accessing the second base station, the first base station sends the first information to the terminal device. As shown in Figure 10, before the terminal device switches from accessing the source base station to accessing the target base station, when the source base station successfully receives the first PDU set, the source base station sends the first information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first information from the source base station, so that the terminal device does not need to continue to send the remaining data packets in the first PDU set to the source base station. Optionally, before the first base station sends the first information, the first base station needs to forward multiple data packets from the terminal device to the second base station, and the remaining data packets include data packets that the terminal device has not successfully sent.

[0209] Implementation method 2: The first base station sends the fifth information to the second base station, and the second base station sends the first information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first information from the second base station. Exemplarily, if during the process of the terminal device switching from accessing the first base station to accessing the second base station, the first base station generates the sequence number status information, the first base station fails to successfully receive the first data packet unit group, but in the subsequent switching process, that is, before successfully switching to the second base station, the first base station successfully receives the first data packet unit group. In this case, the first base station cannot send the first information to the terminal device. At this time, the first base station can send the fifth information to the second base station after the terminal device switches from accessing the first base station to accessing the second base station. The fifth information includes the identifier of the first data packet unit group, and the fifth information is used to indicate that the access network device has successfully received the first data packet unit group. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first information from the second base station. The fifth information can be a notification sent by the first base station through CP (Xn interface message) or through UP. UP refers to the GPRS tunneling protocol (general packet radio service tunneling protocol user plane, GTPU) header indication of data forwarding data.

[0210] For uplink data transmission, the sequence number status information is used to indicate the reception status of the uplink data packet, that is, whether the reception is successful, including the sequence number of the first data packet that was not successfully received and the reception status of subsequent data packets.

[0211] Furthermore, the fifth information may be updated sequence number status information. After successfully receiving the first data packet unit group, the first base station updates the aforementioned sequence number status information and sends the updated sequence number status information to the second base station.

[0212] Exemplarily, as shown in FIG11 , after the terminal device switches from accessing the source base station to accessing the target base station, the source base station sends fifth information to the target base station. Further, after the target base station receives the fifth information, the target base station sends first information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first information, thereby stopping the terminal device from sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the second base station.

[0213] Implementation method three, the second base station sends the first information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first information from the second base station. For example, after the terminal device switches from accessing the first base station to accessing the second base station, the second base station sends the first information to the terminal device. Exemplarily, as shown in Figure 12, before the terminal device switches from accessing the source base station to accessing the target base station, the source base station receives the fifth data packet from the terminal device, and the access network device does not successfully receive the first PDU set at this time. After the terminal device switches from accessing the source base station to accessing the target base station, the target base station receives the fourth data packet from the terminal device. When the access network device successfully receives the first PDU set, the target base station sends the first information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first information, and thus the terminal device stops sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the second base station.

[0214] Furthermore, the first information also includes a first serial number, and the first serial number is described in the aforementioned step S203. Optionally, the fifth information may also include the first serial number.

[0215] Step S903: The terminal device stops sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the access network device.

[0216] In some possible implementations, after receiving the first information, the terminal device stops sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the access network device. Alternatively, after receiving the first information, the terminal device discards the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group.

[0217] In some possible situations, the connection relationship between the terminal device and the access network device may change. For example, the access network device includes a first base station (also referred to as a source base station) and a second base station (also referred to as a target base station). The terminal device moves and switches from accessing the first base station to accessing the second base station. At this time, the terminal device sends multiple data packets to the access network device. There may be multiple ways as follows: the terminal device sends multiple data packets to the first base station or the terminal device sends a part of the data packets to the first base station, and after the switch, the terminal device sends another part of the data packets to the second base station. Correspondingly, there may be multiple ways for the terminal device to stop sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the base station. The following introduces several possible implementation methods for the terminal device to stop sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the base station.

[0218] Implementation method one, the terminal device stops sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the first base station. As shown in Figure 10, before the terminal device switches from accessing the source base station to accessing the target base station, the terminal device receives the first information from the first base station, so that the terminal device stops sending the remaining data packets in the first PDU set to the source base station. In this way, when the first base station has successfully received the first data packet unit group, the terminal device stops sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the first base station, so that the terminal device reduces the sending of data packets, saves air interface resources and transmission network resources, and improves the capacity of the network.

[0219] Implementation method two: the second base station stops sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the terminal device.

[0220] Exemplarily, as shown in Figure 11, after the target base station receives the fifth information, the target base station sends the first information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first information, so that the terminal device stops sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the second base station. In this way, when the first base station has successfully received the first data packet unit group, the first base station sends the fifth information to the second base station, and the second base station sends the first information to the terminal device, so that the terminal device stops sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the second base station, thereby reducing the transmission of data packets by the terminal device, saving air interface resources and transmission network resources, and improving network capacity.

[0221] Implementation method three: the second base station stops sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the terminal device.

[0222] For example, as shown in Figure 12, the target base station successfully receives the first data packet unit group and sends the first information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first information, so that the terminal device stops sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the second base station. In this way, when the second base station has successfully received the first data packet unit group, the second base station sends the first information to the terminal device, so that the terminal device stops sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the second base station, thereby reducing the transmission of data packets by the terminal device, saving air interface resources and transmission network resources, and improving network capacity.

[0223] In the embodiment shown in Figure 9, after receiving the first data packet unit group, the access network device sends the first information to the terminal device. The terminal device receives the first information and stops sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the access network device, thereby reducing the sending of data packets by the terminal device and saving air interface resources of the transmission network.

[0224] Figures 2 and 9 above provide multiple possible implementations. Below, in conjunction with Figures 13, 14, 15, and 16, we provide an exemplary introduction to possible implementations of the present application. It should be understood that any logic or terminology not explained below can be found in the introduction to Figures 2 and 9 above.

[0225] In one possible embodiment, a terminal device is connected to a mobile network (MN) and a network service (SN). In a downlink data scenario, the MN and the SN each send multiple data packets in a first data packet unit group to the terminal device. After receiving multiple data packets in the first data packet unit group, the terminal device sends first information to the MN and the SN, respectively, to indicate that the terminal device has successfully received the first data packet unit group. The MN and the SN may stop sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the terminal device. Optionally, this embodiment is applied to a split DRB scenario.

[0226] Please refer to Figure 13, which is a schematic diagram of another communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 13, the communication method includes one or more steps from step S1301 to step S1308, which are as follows:

[0227] Step S1301: The MN sends a second data packet to the SN. Correspondingly, the SN receives the second data packet from the MN.

[0228] Step S1302: The SN sends a second data packet to the terminal device.

[0229] Step S1303: The MN sends a first data packet to the terminal device.

[0230] Step S1304: The terminal device sends first information to the MN.

[0231] The first information includes an identifier of the first data packet unit group, and the first information is used to indicate that the terminal device has successfully received the first data packet unit group. Furthermore, the first information also includes a maximum PDCP SN corresponding to the data packet successfully received by the terminal device.

[0232] Step S1305: The terminal device sends the first information to the SN.

[0233] Optionally, the method shown in FIG13 further includes step S1306. The details are as follows:

[0234] Step S1306: The SN sends the second information to the MN.

[0235] The second information includes an identifier of the first data packet unit group, and the second information is used to indicate that the terminal device has successfully received the first data packet unit group.

[0236] Step S1307: The MN stops sending the remaining data packets of the first data packet unit group.

[0237] Step S1308: The SN stops sending the remaining data packets of the first data packet unit group.

[0238] In the embodiment shown in Figure 13, when the terminal device has successfully received the first data packet unit group, the terminal device sends a first message to MN and SN, so that MN and SN stop sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the terminal device, thereby reducing the sending of data packets and saving the air interface resources of the transmission network.

[0239] In a possible embodiment, the terminal device is connected to the MN and the SN. In a downlink data scenario, the MN first sends multiple data packets to the SN, and the SN sends the multiple data packets to the terminal device. After receiving some of the data packets in the first data packet unit group, the terminal device sends a first message to the SN to indicate that the terminal device has successfully received the first data packet unit group. The SN can stop sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group. Furthermore, the SN sends a second message to the MN to indicate that the first data packet unit group has been successfully received, at which point the MN can stop sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the SN. Optionally, this embodiment is applied to a scenario where the SCG wireless resources are used and the user plane link of the data to the core network terminates at the MN (i.e., the MN terminted bearer).

[0240] Please refer to Figure 14, which is a schematic diagram of another communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 14, the communication method includes one or more steps from step S1401 to step S1406, which are as follows:

[0241] Step S1401: MN sends multiple data packets to SN.

[0242] Step S1402: The SN sends multiple data packets to the terminal device.

[0243] Step S1403: The terminal device sends the first information to the SN.

[0244] The first information includes an identifier of the first data packet unit group, and the second information is used to indicate that the terminal device has successfully received the first data packet unit group.

[0245] Optionally, the method shown in FIG14 further includes step S1404. The details are as follows:

[0246] Step S1404: The SN sends the second information to the MN.

[0247] The second information includes an identifier of the first data packet unit group, and the second information is used to indicate that the terminal device has successfully received the first data packet unit group.

[0248] Step S1405: SN stops sending the remaining data packets of the first data packet unit group.

[0249] Step S1406: The MN stops sending the remaining data packets of the first data packet unit group.

[0250] In the embodiment shown in Figure 14, when the terminal device has successfully received the first data packet unit group, the terminal device sends a first message to the SN, and the SN stops sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the terminal device, thereby reducing the sending of data packets and saving the air interface resources of the transmission network.

[0251] In a possible embodiment, during the data packet transmission process, the terminal device may undergo a connection change, for example, switching from connecting to the first base station to connecting to the second base station. If the data of the first data packet unit group is successfully received before the switch, the terminal sends the first information to the first base station. Optionally, if the first information is received after the first base station prepares for the switch, the first base station can send a third information to the second base station to indicate that the first data packet unit group is successfully received by the terminal device, so that the second base station stops sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit to the terminal device. Optionally, this embodiment is applied to the switching scenario in downlink data.

[0252] Please refer to Figure 15, which is a schematic diagram of another communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 15, the communication method includes one or more steps from step S1501 to step S1505, which are as follows:

[0253] Step S1501: The first base station sends multiple data packets to the terminal device.

[0254] Step S1502: the first base station sends handover preparation information to the second base station, and forwards the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the second base station.

[0255] The remaining data packets include data packets that were not successfully sent by the first base station.

[0256] Step S1503: The terminal device sends first information to the first base station.

[0257] The first information includes an identifier of the first data packet unit group, and the first information is used to indicate that the terminal device has successfully received the first data packet unit group. Furthermore, the first information includes a maximum PDCP SN corresponding to the data packet received by the terminal device.

[0258] Step S1504: The first base station sends third information to the second base station.

[0259] The third information includes an identifier of the first data packet unit group, and the third information is used to indicate that the terminal device has successfully received the first data packet unit group.

[0260] Step S1505: The second base station stops sending the remaining data packets of the first data packet unit group.

[0261] In the embodiment shown in Figure 15, when the terminal device has successfully received the first data packet unit group during the switching process, the terminal device sends the first information to the first base station, and the first base station sends the third information to the second base station, so that the second base station stops sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the terminal device, thereby reducing the sending of data packets, saving air interface resources and transmission network resources, and improving network capacity.

[0262] In one possible embodiment, in a scenario of uplink data transmission, a connection change may occur in a terminal device, for example, switching from connecting to a first base station to connecting to a second base station. If the data of the first data packet unit group is successfully received after handover preparation, the first base station may send fifth information to the second base station to indicate that the first data packet unit group has been successfully received by the first base station, so that the second base station sends the first information to the terminal device, and the terminal device stops sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit to the second base station. Optionally, this embodiment is applied to a handover scenario in uplink data.

[0263] Please refer to Figure 16, which is a schematic diagram of another communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 16, the communication method includes one or more steps from step S1601 to step S1605, which are as follows:

[0264] Step S1601: The terminal device sends multiple data packets to the first base station.

[0265] Step S1602: The first base station sends switching preparation information to the second base station, and forwards multiple data packets from the terminal device to the second base station.

[0266] Step S1603: The first base station sends fifth information to the second base station.

[0267] The fifth information includes an identifier of the first data packet unit group, and the fifth information is used to indicate that the terminal device has successfully received the first data packet unit group.

[0268] Step S1604: The second base station sends the first information to the terminal device.

[0269] The first information includes an identifier of the first data packet unit group, and the first information is used to indicate that the second base station has successfully received the first data packet unit group.

[0270] Step S1605: The terminal device stops sending the remaining data packets of the first data packet unit group.

[0271] In the embodiment shown in Figure 16, when the first base station has successfully received the first data packet unit group during the switching process, the first base station sends the fifth information to the second base station, and the second base station sends the first information to the terminal device, so that the terminal device stops sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the second base station, thereby reducing the sending of data packets, saving air interface resources and transmission network resources, and improving network capacity.

[0272] The above describes in detail the method of the embodiment of the present application. The following provides an apparatus of the embodiment of the present application.

[0273] Please refer to Figure 17, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 170 may include a receiving unit 1701 and a sending unit 1702. The communication device 170 is used to implement the aforementioned communication method, such as the communication method in the embodiment shown in Figure 2.

[0274] It should be noted that the division of the above multiple units is merely a logical division based on function and does not limit the specific structure of the communication device 170. In a specific implementation, some functional modules may be subdivided into more small functional modules, and some functional modules may be combined into one functional module.

[0275] In some possible implementations, the receiving unit 1701 and the sending unit 1702 may be module units for processing signals, data, information, etc., and there is no specific limitation on this.

[0276] In some possible implementations, the communication device 170 may further include a storage unit for storing computer program codes or instructions executed by the communication device 170. The storage unit may be a memory.

[0277] In some possible implementations, the communication device 170 may be a chip or a chip module.

[0278] In some possible implementations, the receiving unit 1701 and the sending unit 1702 may be integrated into other units.

[0279] For example, the receiving unit 1701 and the sending unit 1702 may be integrated into a communication unit, which may be a communication interface, a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, or the like.

[0280] For another example, receiving unit 1701 and transmitting unit 1702 may be integrated into a processing unit. The processing unit may be a processor or controller, such as a baseband processor, baseband chip, CPU, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, transistor logic device, hardware component, or any combination thereof. It may implement or execute the various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of this application. The processing unit may also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, and the like.

[0281] In some possible implementations, the receiving unit 1701 and the sending unit 1702 are configured to perform any step performed by the network device / chip / chip module in the above method embodiments, such as sending or receiving data transmission, as described in detail below.

[0282] In a possible implementation, the receiving unit 1701 is configured to obtain a plurality of data packets, where the plurality of data packets are part of the data packets in the first data packet unit group;

[0283] The sending unit 1702 is used to send first information, where the first information includes an identifier of the first data packet unit group, and the first information is used to indicate that the terminal device has successfully received the first data packet unit group.

[0284] In a possible implementation, the first information further includes a first sequence number, where the first sequence number is a maximum Packet Data Convergence Protocol Sequence Number (PDCP SN) corresponding to the multiple data packets.

[0285] In a possible implementation, the receiving unit 1701 is further configured to:

[0286] Receiving a first data packet from a master node MN;

[0287] A second data packet is received from the secondary node SN.

[0288] In a possible implementation, the receiving unit 1701 is further configured to receive multiple data packets from the master node MN.

[0289] In a possible implementation, the receiving unit 1701 is further configured to receive multiple data packets from the secondary node SN, where the multiple data packets are sent from the primary node MN to the SN.

[0290] In a possible implementation, the sending unit 1702 is further configured to send the first information to the MN.

[0291] In a possible implementation, the sending unit 1702 is further configured to send the first information to the SN.

[0292] In a possible implementation, the receiving unit 1701 is further configured to receive multiple data packets sent by the first base station;

[0293] The sending unit 1702 is further configured to send first information to the first base station before the terminal device switches from accessing the first base station to accessing the second base station.

[0294] In a possible implementation, the receiving unit 1701 is further configured to:

[0295] receiving a third data packet from the first base station; and receiving a fourth data packet from the second base station after the terminal device switches from accessing the first base station to accessing the second base station;

[0296] The sending unit 1702 is further configured to send the first information to the second base station.

[0297] 18 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 180 may include a receiving unit 1801 and a sending unit 1802. The communication device 180 is used to implement the aforementioned communication method, such as the communication method in the embodiment shown in FIG2.

[0298] It should be noted that the division of the above multiple units is merely a logical division based on function and does not limit the specific structure of the communication device 180. In a specific implementation, some functional modules may be subdivided into more small functional modules, and some functional modules may be combined into one functional module.

[0299] In some possible implementations, the receiving unit 1801 and the sending unit 1802 may be module units for processing signals, data, information, etc., and there is no specific limitation on this.

[0300] In some possible implementations, the communication device 180 may further include a storage unit for storing computer program codes or instructions executed by the communication device 180. The storage unit may be a memory.

[0301] In some possible implementations, the communication device 180 may be a chip or a chip module.

[0302] In some possible implementations, the receiving unit 1801 and the sending unit 1802 may be integrated into other units.

[0303] For example, the receiving unit 1801 and the sending unit 1802 may be integrated into a communication unit, which may be a communication interface, a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, or the like.

[0304] For another example, receiving unit 1801 and transmitting unit 1802 may be integrated into a processing unit. The processing unit may be a processor or controller, such as a baseband processor, baseband chip, CPU, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, transistor logic device, hardware component, or any combination thereof. It may implement or execute the various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of this application. The processing unit may also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, and the like.

[0305] In some possible implementations, the receiving unit 1801 and the sending unit 1802 are configured to perform any step performed by the network device / chip / chip module in the above method embodiments, such as sending or receiving data transmission, as described in detail below.

[0306] In a possible implementation, the receiving unit 1801 is configured to receive first information, where the first information includes an identifier of a first data packet unit group, and the first information is used to indicate that the terminal device successfully receives the first data packet unit group;

[0307] The sending unit 1802 is configured to:

[0308] Sending a plurality of data packets to the terminal device, where the plurality of data packets are part of the data packets in the first data packet unit group;

[0309] Stop sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the terminal device.

[0310] In a possible implementation, the first information further includes a first sequence number, where the first sequence number is a maximum Packet Data Convergence Protocol Sequence Number (PDCP SN) corresponding to the multiple data packets.

[0311] In a possible implementation, the access network device includes a master node MN and a secondary node SN, the multiple data packets include a first data packet and a second data packet, and the sending unit 1802 is further configured to:

[0312] Sending a first data packet to a terminal device;

[0313] The second data packet is forwarded to the terminal device.

[0314] In a possible implementation, the access network device includes a master node MN, and the sending unit 1802 is further configured to send multiple data packets to the terminal device.

[0315] In a possible implementation, the sending unit 1802 is further configured to:

[0316] Send multiple data packets to SN;

[0317] Forward multiple data packets to the terminal device.

[0318] In a possible implementation, the receiving unit 1801 is further configured to receive first information from a terminal device.

[0319] In a possible implementation, the receiving unit 1801 is further configured to receive second information from the SN, where the second information includes an identifier of the first data packet unit group, and the second information is configured to indicate that the terminal device has successfully received the first data packet unit group.

[0320] In a possible implementation, the sending unit 1802 is further configured to stop sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the terminal device.

[0321] In a possible implementation, the sending unit 1802 is further configured to stop sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the SN.

[0322] In a possible implementation, before receiving the first information, the sending unit 1802 is further configured to forward the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the second base station, where the remaining data packets include data packets that were not successfully sent by the first base station.

[0323] In a possible implementation, after receiving the first information, the sending unit 1802 is further used to send third information to the second base station, where the third information includes an identifier of the first data packet unit group, and the third information is used to indicate that the terminal device has successfully received the first data packet unit group.

[0324] In a possible implementation, the access network device further includes a second base station, and the sending unit 1802 is further configured to stop sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the terminal device.

[0325] In a possible implementation, the sending unit 1802 is also used to send fourth information to the core network device, where the fourth information includes an identifier of the first data packet unit group. The fourth information is used to indicate that the terminal device has successfully received the first data packet unit group. The fourth information also includes a data packet session identifier and a service quality flow identifier.

[0326] Please refer to Figure 19, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 190 may include a receiving unit 1901 and a sending unit 1902. The communication device 190 is used to implement the aforementioned communication method, such as the communication method in the embodiment shown in Figure 9.

[0327] It should be noted that the division of the above multiple units is merely a logical division based on function and does not limit the specific structure of the communication device 190. In a specific implementation, some functional modules may be subdivided into more small functional modules, and some functional modules may be combined into one functional module.

[0328] In some possible implementations, the receiving unit 1901 and the sending unit 1902 may be module units for processing signals, data, information, etc., and there is no specific limitation on this.

[0329] In some possible implementations, the communication device 190 may further include a storage unit for storing computer program codes or instructions executed by the communication device 190. The storage unit may be a memory.

[0330] In some possible implementations, the communication device 190 may be a chip or a chip module.

[0331] In some possible implementations, the receiving unit 1901 and the sending unit 1902 may be integrated into other units.

[0332] For example, the receiving unit 1901 and the sending unit 1902 may be integrated into a communication unit, which may be a communication interface, a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, or the like.

[0333] For another example, receiving unit 1901 and transmitting unit 1902 may be integrated into a processing unit. The processing unit may be a processor or controller, such as a baseband processor, baseband chip, CPU, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, transistor logic device, hardware component, or any combination thereof. It may implement or execute the various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of this application. The processing unit may also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, and the like.

[0334] In some possible implementations, the receiving unit 1901 and the sending unit 1902 are configured to perform any step performed by the network device / chip / chip module in the above method embodiments, such as sending or receiving data transmission, as described in detail below.

[0335] In a possible implementation, the receiving unit 1901 is configured to receive first information from an access network device, where the first information includes an identifier of a first data packet unit group, and the first information is used to indicate that the access network device has successfully received the first data packet unit group;

[0336] The sending unit 1902 is configured to:

[0337] Sending a plurality of data packets to the access network device, where the plurality of data packets are part of the data packets in the first data packet unit group;

[0338] Stop sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the access network device.

[0339] In a possible implementation, the first information further includes a first sequence number, where the first sequence number is a maximum Packet Data Convergence Protocol Sequence Number (PDCP SN) corresponding to the multiple data packets.

[0340] In a possible implementation, the sending unit 1902 is further configured to send multiple data packets to the first base station;

[0341] The receiving unit 1901 is further configured to receive first information from the second base station after the terminal device switches from accessing the first base station to accessing the second base station;

[0342] The sending unit 1902 is further used to stop sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the second base station, where the remaining data packets include data packets that were not successfully sent by the terminal device.

[0343] 20 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 200 may include a receiving unit 2001 and a sending unit 2002. The communication device 200 is used to implement the aforementioned communication method, such as the communication method in the embodiment shown in FIG9.

[0344] It should be noted that the division of the above multiple units is merely a logical division based on function and does not limit the specific structure of the communication device 200. In a specific implementation, some functional modules may be subdivided into more small functional modules, and some functional modules may be combined into one functional module.

[0345] In some possible implementations, the receiving unit 2001 and the sending unit 2002 may be module units for processing signals, data, information, etc., and there is no specific limitation on this.

[0346] In some possible implementations, the communication device 200 may further include a storage unit for storing computer program codes or instructions executed by the communication device 200. The storage unit may be a memory.

[0347] In some possible implementations, the communication device 200 may be a chip or a chip module.

[0348] In some possible implementations, the receiving unit 2001 and the sending unit 2002 may be integrated into other units.

[0349] For example, the receiving unit 2001 and the sending unit 2002 may be integrated into a communication unit, wherein the communication unit may be a communication interface, a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, etc.

[0350] For another example, the receiving unit 2001 and the transmitting unit 2002 can be integrated into a processing unit. The processing unit can be a processor or controller, such as a baseband processor, baseband chip, CPU, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, transistor logic device, hardware component, or any combination thereof. It can implement or execute the various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of this application. The processing unit can also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, and the like.

[0351] In some possible implementations, the receiving unit 2001 and the sending unit 2002 are configured to execute any step performed by the network device / chip / chip module in the above method embodiments, such as sending or receiving data transmission, as described in detail below.

[0352] In a possible implementation, the receiving unit 2001 is configured to obtain a plurality of data packets, where the plurality of data packets are part of the data packets in the first data packet unit group;

[0353] The sending unit 2002 is configured to send first information, where the first information includes an identifier of a first data packet unit group, and the first information is configured to indicate that the access network device has successfully received the first data packet unit group.

[0354] In a possible implementation, the first information further includes a first sequence number, where the first sequence number is a maximum Packet Data Convergence Protocol Sequence Number (PDCP SN) corresponding to the multiple data packets.

[0355] In a possible implementation, the receiving unit 2001 is further configured to receive multiple data packets from a terminal device;

[0356] Before sending the first information, the sending unit 2002 is further configured to forward multiple data packets from the terminal device to the second base station.

[0357] In a possible implementation, the sending unit 2002 is further configured to:

[0358] After the terminal device switches from accessing the first base station to accessing the second base station, sending second information to the second base station, the second information including an identifier of the first data packet unit group, and the second information is used to indicate that the terminal device has successfully received the first data packet unit group;

[0359] Sending first information to the terminal device.

[0360] In a possible implementation, the receiving unit 2001 is further configured to receive second information sent by the first base station.

[0361] Please refer to Figure 21, which is a structural diagram of a terminal device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0362] A terminal device is a device with communication capabilities. The device here can be a physical device, such as a server (such as a rack server), a host, etc., or it can be a virtual device, such as a virtual machine, a container, etc.

[0363] As shown in Figure 21, terminal device 210 includes: a processor 2101, a memory 2102, and one or more programs, and may include a communication interface 2103. It should be understood that this application does not limit the number of processors and memories in terminal device 210.

[0364] Processor 2101 is a module for performing calculations and may include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a microprocessor (MP), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller unit (MCU), or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of the above program.

[0365] The memory 2102 is used to provide storage space, which can optionally store application data, user data, operating systems, and computer programs. The memory 2102 may include, but is not limited to, read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, random access memory (RAM) or other types of dynamic storage devices that can store information and instructions, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disk storage, optical disk storage (including compact discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital versatile discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer.

[0366] The memory 2102 may exist independently and be connected to the processor 2101 via a bus. The memory 2102 may also be integrated with the processor 2101.

[0367] The communication interface 2103 is used to provide information input or output for the at least one processor. And / or, the communication interface 2103 can be used to receive data sent externally and / or send data to the outside. The communication interface 2103 can be a wired link interface such as an Ethernet cable, or a wireless link (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, general wireless transmission and other wireless communication technologies, etc.) interface. Optionally, the communication interface 2103 can also include a transmitter (such as a radio frequency transmitter, antenna, etc.) coupled to the interface, or a receiver, etc.

[0368] In an embodiment of the present application, the one or more programs are stored in the memory 2102 in the form of program code and are configured to be executed by the processor 2101. The program includes instructions for implementing the steps in the aforementioned communication method. For example, the communication method shown in Figure 2, Figure 9, Figure 13, Figure 14, Figure 15 or Figure 16. That is, the memory 2102 stores executable instructions, and the processor 2101 executes the executable instructions to implement the aforementioned communication method, such as the communication method in the embodiment of Figure 2, Figure 9, Figure 13, Figure 14, Figure 15 or Figure 16. That is, the memory 2102 stores instructions for executing the communication method.

[0369] Alternatively, the memory 2102 stores executable instructions, and the processor 2101 executes the executable instructions to respectively implement the functions of one or more units (or devices) in the aforementioned receiving unit and sending unit, thereby realizing the communication method.

[0370] Please refer to Figure 22, which is a structural diagram of an access network device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0371] Access network devices are devices with communication capabilities. The devices here can be physical devices, such as servers (such as rack servers), hosts, etc., or they can be virtual devices, such as virtual machines, containers, etc.

[0372] As shown in Figure 22, the access network device 220 includes: a processor 2201, a memory 2202, and one or more programs, which may include a communication interface 2203. It should be understood that this application does not limit the number of processors and memories in the access network device 220.

[0373] The processor 2201 is a module for performing calculations and may include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a microprocessor (MP), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller unit (MCU), or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of the above program.

[0374] The memory 2202 is used to provide storage space, which can optionally store application data, user data, operating systems, and computer programs. The memory 2202 may include, but is not limited to, read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, random access memory (RAM) or other types of dynamic storage devices that can store information and instructions, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disk storage, optical disk storage (including compact discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital versatile discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer.

[0375] The memory 2202 may exist independently and be connected to the processor 2201 via a bus. The memory 2202 may also be integrated with the processor 2201.

[0376] The communication interface 2203 is used to provide information input or output for the at least one processor. And / or, the communication interface 2203 can be used to receive data sent externally and / or send data to the outside. The communication interface 2203 can be a wired link interface such as an Ethernet cable, or a wireless link (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, general wireless transmission and other wireless communication technologies, etc.) interface. Optionally, the communication interface 2203 can also include a transmitter (such as a radio frequency transmitter, antenna, etc.) coupled to the interface, or a receiver, etc.

[0377] In an embodiment of the present application, the one or more programs are stored in the memory 2202 in the form of program code and are configured to be executed by the processor 2201. The program includes instructions for implementing the steps in the aforementioned communication method. For example, the communication method shown in Figure 2, Figure 9, Figure 13, Figure 14, Figure 15 or Figure 16. That is, the memory 2202 stores executable instructions, and the processor 2201 executes the executable instructions to implement the aforementioned communication method, such as the communication method in the embodiment shown in Figure 2, Figure 9, Figure 13, Figure 14, Figure 15 or Figure 16. That is, the memory 2202 stores instructions for executing the communication method.

[0378] Alternatively, the memory 2202 stores executable instructions, and the processor 2201 executes the executable instructions to respectively implement the functions of one or more units (or devices) in the aforementioned receiving unit and sending unit, thereby realizing the communication method.

[0379] In some possible implementations, the above method embodiments may be applied to or within a terminal device. That is, the execution subject of the above method embodiments may be a terminal device, a chip, a chip module, or a module, etc., without specific limitation.

[0380] In some possible implementations, the above method embodiments may be applied to or within a network device. That is, the execution subject of the above method embodiments may be a network device, a chip, a chip module, or a module, etc., without specific limitation.

[0381] An embodiment of the present application also provides a chip, including a processor, a memory, and a computer program or instructions stored in the memory, wherein the processor executes the computer program or instructions to implement the steps described in the above method embodiment.

[0382] An embodiment of the present application also provides a chip module, including a transceiver component and a chip, wherein the chip includes a processor, a memory, and a computer program or instructions stored on the memory, wherein the processor executes the computer program or instructions to implement the steps described in the above method embodiment.

[0383] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions, which implements the steps described in the above method embodiment when executed.

[0384] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, including a computer program or instructions, which implement the steps described in the above method embodiment when executed.

[0385] An embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system, including the above-mentioned terminal device and network device.

[0386] It should be noted that, for the above-mentioned various embodiments, for the sake of simplicity of description, they are all expressed as a series of action combinations. Those skilled in the art should know that this application is not limited by the order of the actions described, because some steps in the embodiments of the present application can be performed in other orders or simultaneously. In addition, those skilled in the art should also know that the embodiments described in the specification are all preferred embodiments, and the actions, steps, modules or units involved are not necessarily required by the embodiments of the present application.

[0387] In the above embodiments, the embodiments of the present application have different focuses on the description of each embodiment. For parts that are not described in detail in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

[0388] The steps of the method or algorithm described in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in hardware or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, which can be stored in RAM, flash memory, ROM, EPROM, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), registers, hard disks, mobile hard disks, CD-ROMs, 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. Of course, 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 terminal device or a management device. Of course, the processor and storage medium can also be present in a terminal device or a management device as discrete components.

[0389] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in one or more of the above examples, the functions described in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, they can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) method. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrated therein. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a digital video disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (eg, a solid state disk (SSD)).

[0390] The modules / units included in the devices and products described in the above embodiments may be software modules / units, hardware modules / units, or partly software modules / units and partly hardware modules / units. For example, for the devices and products applied to or integrated in the chip, the modules / units included therein may all be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits, or at least part of the modules / units may be implemented in the form of software programs, which run on the processor integrated inside the chip, and the remaining (if any) modules / units may be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits; for the devices and products applied to or integrated in the chip module, the modules / units included therein may all be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits, and different modules / units may be located in the same component (such as chip, circuit module, etc.) or different components of the chip module, or at least part of the modules / units may be It is implemented in the form of a software program, which runs on the processor integrated inside the chip module, and the remaining (if any) modules / units can be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits; for various devices and products applied to or integrated in the terminal equipment, the various modules / units contained therein can be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits, and different modules / units can be located in the same component (for example, chip, circuit module, etc.) or different components in the terminal equipment, or, at least some modules / units can be implemented in the form of a software program, which runs on the processor integrated inside the terminal equipment, and the remaining (if any) modules / units can be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits.

[0391] It should be understood that the terms "first," "second," and the like in the embodiments of the present application are used to distinguish between different objects, rather than to describe a specific order. In addition, the terms "including," "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, software, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may also include steps or units that are not listed, or may include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices.

[0392] The term "embodiment" as used in the embodiments of this application means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in conjunction with the embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various locations in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor does it refer to independent or alternative embodiments that are mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It is understood, both explicitly and implicitly, by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.

[0393] In the embodiments of the present application, "and / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B can represent the following three situations: A exists alone; A and B exist at the same time; B exists alone. Among them, A and B can be singular or plural. In the embodiments of the present application, the symbol " / " can indicate that the previous and subsequent associated objects are in an "or" relationship. In addition, the symbol " / " can also represent a division sign, that is, performing a division operation. For example, A / B can mean A divided by B.

[0394] In the embodiments of the present application, "at least one item" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items or plural items, and refers to one or more, and multiple refers to two or more. For example, at least one item (item) of a, b, or c can represent the following seven situations: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, a, b, and c. Among them, each of a, b, and c can be an element or a set containing one or more elements.

[0395] In the embodiments of this application, "equal to" can be used in conjunction with "greater than" and is applicable to the technical solution adopted when "greater than" is used, and can also be used in conjunction with "less than" and is applicable to the technical solution adopted when "less than" is used. When "equal to" is used in conjunction with "greater than", it should not be used in conjunction with "less than"; when "equal to" is used in conjunction with "less than", it should not be used in conjunction with "greater than".

[0396] In the embodiments of the present application, the terms "of", "corresponding / relevant", "corresponding", and "indicated" may sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that when the distinction is not emphasized, the meanings they intend to express are consistent.

[0397] The "connection" in the embodiments of the present application refers to various connection methods such as direct connection or indirect connection to achieve communication between devices, and there is no limitation on this.

[0398] The “network” in the embodiments of the present application can be expressed as the same concept as the “system”, and the communication system is the communication network.

[0399] In the embodiments of the present application, "sending" can be expressed as the same concept as "reporting".

[0400] The specific implementation methods described above further illustrate the purpose, technical solutions and beneficial effects of the embodiments of the present application. It should be understood that the above description is only a specific implementation method of the embodiments of the present application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the embodiments of the present application. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made on the basis of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application should be included in the scope of protection of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a terminal device, the method comprises: Acquire multiple data packets, where the multiple data packets are part of the data packets in the first data packet unit group; Sending first information, wherein the first information includes an identifier of the first data packet unit group, and the first information is used to indicate that the terminal device has successfully received the first data packet unit group.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first information further includes a first sequence number, where the first sequence number is a maximum packet data convergence protocol sequence number PDCP SN corresponding to the multiple data packets.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The acquiring of multiple data packets comprises: receiving multiple data packets from a master node MN, or, The acquiring of the plurality of data packets comprises: receiving the plurality of data packets from the secondary node SN, the plurality of data packets being sent from the primary node MN to the SN; or, The multiple data packets include a first data packet and a second data packet, and acquiring the multiple data packets includes: Receiving a first data packet from a master node MN; A second data packet is received from the secondary node SN.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The sending of the first information comprises: Sending first information to the MN; or, Sending first information to the SN.

5. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to access network equipment, the method comprises: Sending a plurality of data packets to a terminal device, wherein the plurality of data packets are part of the data packets in the first data packet unit group; receiving first information, the first information including an identifier of the first data packet unit group, the first information being used to indicate that the terminal device successfully receives the first data packet unit group; Stop sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the terminal device.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The first information further includes a first sequence number, where the first sequence number is a maximum packet data convergence protocol sequence number PDCP SN corresponding to the multiple data packets.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: The access network device includes a master node MN, and the sending of multiple data packets to the terminal device includes: the MN sending the multiple data packets to the terminal device; or, The access network device includes a master node MN and a slave node SN, and the sending of multiple data packets to the terminal device includes: The MN sends the multiple data packets to the SN; The SN forwards the multiple data packets to the terminal device; or, The access network device includes a master node MN and a slave node SN, and the multiple data packets include a first data packet and a second data packet. The sending of multiple data packets to the terminal device includes: The MN sends the first data packet to the terminal device; The MN sends the second data packet to the SN; The SN forwards the second data packet to the terminal device.

8. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: The receiving of the first information comprises: The SN receives first information from the terminal device; The method further comprises: The MN receives second information from the SN, where the second information includes an identifier of the first data packet unit group, and the second information is used to indicate that the terminal device successfully receives the first data packet unit group.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The stopping of sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the terminal device includes: The SN stops sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the terminal device.

10. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The stopping of sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the terminal device includes: The MN stops sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the terminal device.

11. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The stopping of sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the terminal device includes: The MN stops sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the SN.

12. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: The access network device includes a first base station, Before receiving the first information, the method further includes: The first base station forwards the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the second base station, wherein the remaining data packets include data packets that are not successfully sent by the first base station; After receiving the first information, the method further includes: The first base station sends third information to the second base station, where the third information includes an identifier of the first data packet unit group, and the third information is used to indicate that the terminal device has successfully received the first data packet unit group.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The access network device further includes the second base station, and the stopping of sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the terminal device includes: The second base station stops sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the terminal device.

14. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 13, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Send fourth information to the core network device, the fourth information including the identifier of the first data packet unit group, the fourth information is used to indicate that the terminal device has successfully received the first data packet unit group, and the fourth information also includes a data packet session identifier and a service quality flow identifier.

15. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a terminal device, the method comprises: Sending a plurality of data packets to the access network device, wherein the plurality of data packets are part of the data packets in the first data packet unit group; receiving first information from the access network device, the first information including an identifier of the first data packet unit group, the first information being used to indicate that the access network device successfully receives the first data packet unit group; Stop sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the access network device.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The first information further includes a first sequence number, where the first sequence number is a maximum packet data convergence protocol sequence number PDCP SN corresponding to the multiple data packets.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that The sending a plurality of data packets to the access network device comprises: Sending the multiple data packets to the first base station; The receiving first information from the access network device includes: After the terminal device switches from accessing the first base station to accessing the second base station, receiving first information from the second base station; The stopping of sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the access network device includes: Stop sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the second base station, wherein the remaining data packets include data packets that were not successfully sent by the terminal device.

18. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to access network equipment, the method comprises: Acquire multiple data packets, where the multiple data packets are part of the data packets in the first data packet unit group; Sending first information, wherein the first information includes an identifier of the first data packet unit group, and the first information is used to indicate that the access network device has successfully received the first data packet unit group.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The first information further includes a first sequence number, where the first sequence number is a maximum packet data convergence protocol sequence number PDCP SN corresponding to the multiple data packets.

20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that The access network device includes a first base station; The obtaining of multiple data packets comprises: The first base station receives the multiple data packets from the terminal device; Before sending the first information, the method further includes: The first base station forwards the multiple data packets from the terminal device to the second base station.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that The access network device further includes the second base station, The sending of the first information includes: After the terminal device switches from accessing the first base station to accessing the second base station, the first base station sends second information to the second base station, where the second information includes an identifier of the first data packet unit group, and the second information is used to indicate that the terminal device successfully receives the first data packet unit group; The second base station sends first information to the terminal device.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that The method further comprises: The second base station receives second information sent by the first base station.

23. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device comprises: A receiving unit, configured to obtain a plurality of data packets, wherein the plurality of data packets are part of the data packets in the first data packet unit group; A sending unit is used to send first information, where the first information includes an identifier of the first data packet unit group, and the first information is used to indicate that the terminal device has successfully received the first data packet unit group.

24. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device comprises: A receiving unit, configured to receive first information, wherein the first information includes an identifier of the first data packet unit group, and the first information is used to indicate that the terminal device successfully receives the first data packet unit group; A sending unit, used to: Sending a plurality of data packets to a terminal device, wherein the plurality of data packets are part of the data packets in the first data packet unit group; Stop sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the terminal device.

25. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device comprises: A receiving unit, configured to receive first information from an access network device, wherein the first information includes an identifier of the first data packet unit group, and the first information is used to indicate that the access network device successfully receives the first data packet unit group; A sending unit, used to: Sending a plurality of data packets to the access network device, wherein the plurality of data packets are part of the data packets in the first data packet unit group; Stop sending the remaining data packets in the first data packet unit group to the access network device.

26. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device comprises: A receiving unit, configured to obtain a plurality of data packets, wherein the plurality of data packets are part of the data packets in the first data packet unit group; A sending unit is used to send first information, where the first information includes an identifier of the first data packet unit group, and the first information is used to indicate that the access network device successfully receives the first data packet unit group.

27. A terminal device comprising a processor, a memory and a computer program or instruction stored in the memory, characterized in that: The processor executes the computer program or instructions to implement the steps of the method of any one of claims 1-4 and 15-17.

28. An access network device, comprising a processor, a memory, and a computer program or instruction stored in the memory, characterized in that: The processor executes the computer program or instructions to implement the steps of the method of any one of claims 5-14 and 18-22.

29. A chip, characterized in that: The chip comprises a processor, and the processor is used to execute the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1-22.

30. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium is used to store a computer program, wherein the computer program comprises instructions for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 22.

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