Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application belongs to the technical field of communications. Provided are a communication method and apparatus, which are used to improve the intent execution efficiency and reduce the resource overheads. In the method, a first device may send, on the basis of a first request message and to a second device, first information which indicates whether respective estimated intent expectations obtained during the execution of a plurality of intent schemes used for implementing a first intent instance meet each of at least one intent expectation, and a plurality of identifiers corresponding to the plurality of intent schemes on a one-to-one basis; and the second device may determine, from among the plurality of intent schemes on the basis of the first information and the plurality of identifiers, an intent scheme which needs to be executed, and feed back a corresponding first identifier. In this way, the first device may directly determine, on the basis of the first identifier, the intent scheme which needs to be executed, and does not need to repeatedly adjust an intent execution scheme in order to meet each of the at least one intent expectation, such that the intent execution efficiency can be improved, and the resource overheads can be reduced.

Description

Communication method and device

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office on December 21, 2023, with application number 202311780601.4 and application name “Communication Method and Device,” the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communications, and in particular to a communication method and device. Background Art

[0003] Currently, a management service consumer (MnS Consumer) can send intents to a management service producer (MnS Producer) by calling an intent-driven management service interface. The MnS Producer then translates the intent into a specific execution strategy or intent execution plan, which is used to implement the intent. The MnS Producer then sends the execution plan to the network infrastructure and continuously monitors the network status during the intent execution process to ensure that the intent is achieved. If the intent sent by the MnS Consumer contains multiple intent expectations, the MnS Producer may need to adjust the intent execution plan multiple times to achieve these multiple intent expectations.

[0004] However, when the MnS Producer adjusts the intent execution scheme multiple times to achieve multiple intent expectations of the intent, the intent execution efficiency may be reduced and the resource overhead may be increased.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and apparatus for improving the efficiency of intent execution and reducing resource overhead.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this application adopts the following technical solutions:

[0008] In the first aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a first device, or by a chip or circuit configured in the first device, or by a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the first device. The method includes: the first device receives a first request message from the second device, sends first information and multiple identifiers to the second device, and receives the first identifier from the second device. The first request message is used to request the creation of a first intent instance, and the first intent instance includes at least one intent expectation; the first information is used to indicate whether the estimated intent expectations of multiple intent schemes when each is executed meet each of the at least one intent expectation, multiple intent schemes are used to realize the first intention instance, and multiple identifiers correspond one-to-one to the multiple intent schemes; the first identifier is used to indicate the intent scheme that needs to be executed, and the first identifier is one of the multiple identifiers.

[0009] Based on the method described in the first aspect and the second aspect below, the first device can, based on the first request message, send to the second device first information including whether the estimated intention expectations of multiple intention schemes for realizing the first intention instance when each is executed meet each of at least one intention expectation and multiple identifiers corresponding to the multiple intention schemes. The second device can determine the intention scheme that needs to be executed from the multiple intention schemes based on the first information and the multiple identifiers, and feedback the corresponding first identifier. In this way, the first device can directly determine the intention scheme that needs to be executed based on the first identifier, without having to adjust the intention execution scheme multiple times to achieve each of the at least one intention expectation, thereby improving the efficiency of intention execution and reducing resource overhead.

[0010] In a possible design scheme, the first information includes first indication information, and / or an expected value list. The first indication information is used to indicate whether the estimated intention expectations when multiple intention schemes are each executed meet each of at least one intention expectation; the expected value list is used to indicate the expected target values ​​of the estimated intention expectations when multiple intention schemes are each executed. In this way, the second device can directly determine whether the estimated intention expectations when each intention scheme is executed meet each of at least one intention expectation, as well as the expected target value of the estimated intention expectation, based on the first information, so that the second device can subsequently select the intention scheme to be executed, thereby improving the accuracy of the selected intention scheme to be executed.

[0011] Optionally, the first information also includes resource information and / or time information. The resource information indicates the amount of resources used to complete each of the multiple intent solutions; the time information indicates the time used to complete each of the multiple intent solutions. In this way, the second device can combine the resource information and / or time information corresponding to each intent solution to comprehensively select an intent solution that meets its needs, further improving the accuracy of the selected intent solution to be executed.

[0012] In one possible design, the first request message includes a first intent expression, which is used to request the creation of a first intent instance. That is, the first device can create the first intent instance based on the intent expectation, expected target, expected object, and the context of the intent, intent expectation, and expected target carried in the first intent expression.

[0013] In one possible design, before the first device sends the first information and multiple identifiers to the second device, the method described in the first aspect may further include: the first device generating multiple intent schemes based on the first intent instance. It is understood that the multiple intent schemes can be used to implement the first intent instance, such as satisfying all desired goals of the first intent instance, or satisfying some of the desired goals of the first intent instance, etc., so that the second device can subsequently select the intent scheme to be executed from the multiple pre-generated intent schemes.

[0014] In one possible design, the method of the first aspect further includes: the first device generating the first information based on multiple intent schemes. That is, the first device may obtain the first information directly by invoking internal services, such as perception, analysis, and decision-making components, based on the first intent instance. This reduces signaling overhead.

[0015] In a possible design scheme, the method described in the first aspect may also include: the first device sends a second request message to the third device, and receives the first information returned by the third device according to the second request message. The second request message includes multiple intention schemes, and the second request message is used to request to obtain the estimated intention expectations when each of the multiple intention schemes is executed. That is, the first device sends a second request message to a third device of a third party to request the third device to generate the first information, and receives the first information returned by the third device. The third device can be a digital twin system, a knowledge base or an artificial intelligence AI model with a pre-evaluation function. In this way, the accuracy of the first information can be improved.

[0016] Optionally, the second request message also includes an expectation list and / or expected object information. The expectation list is used to indicate at least one intention expectation; the expected object information is used to indicate the object that executes the first intention instance. In this way, the third device can pre-execute each intention scheme based on the expected object information, and based on the pre-execution results and the expectation list, determine in turn whether the estimated intention expectation of each intention scheme when it is executed satisfies each of the at least one intention expectation, so as to obtain the first information.

[0017] In one possible design scheme, the first device is the intent producer and the second device is the intent consumer, that is, the above-mentioned first device and second device can be applicable to the 3GPP architecture, so as to meet the needs in different scenarios.

[0018] In one possible design, the first device includes: a first functional entity, a second functional entity, and a first application, or in other words, the combination of the first functional entity, the second functional entity, and the first application can achieve the same function or role as the first device; the second device is the intent owner; the first device generates multiple intent solutions based on the first intent instance, including: the first application generates multiple intent solutions based on the first intent instance forwarded by the first functional entity through the second functional entity. It is understood that the first functional entity can be a Non-RT RIC, the second functional entity can be a Near-RT RIC, and the first application can be an extended application such as XAPP1. That is, the above-mentioned first and second devices can be applicable to the O-RAN architecture, thereby meeting the needs of different scenarios.

[0019] Optionally, the first device sending the second request message to the third device includes: the first application sending the second request message to the third device; and the first device receiving the first information returned by the third device in response to the second request message includes: the first functional entity receiving the first information forwarded from the third device via the second functional entity. The third device may be an extended application running on the second functional entity, such as XAPP2, to enable the first device to obtain the first information in the O-RAN architecture.

[0020] In one possible design, the method described in the first aspect may further include: the first device determining the first intent scheme based on the first identifier. That is, the first device may directly select the first intent scheme from multiple intent schemes based on the first identifier to avoid misidentification or erroneous recognition.

[0021] In one possible design, when at least two of the multiple intent solutions have an estimated expectation of intent when executed that satisfies each of the at least one expectation, the first intent solution is one of the at least two intent solutions. That is, the second device can select the first intent solution from the at least two intent solutions that satisfy each of the at least one expectation based on its own needs or preferences, thereby improving the accuracy of the selected intent solution to be executed.

[0022] In a possible design scheme, when there is no estimated intention expectation among multiple intention schemes that can satisfy each of at least one intention expectation when the intention scheme is executed, the method described in the first aspect may also include: the first device receives a second intention expression from the second device. The second intention expression is determined based on the estimated intention expectation of the first intention scheme. That is, the second device can select the first intention scheme from at least one intention scheme that can partially satisfy at least one intention expectation based on its own needs or preferences, so as to improve the accuracy of the selected intention scheme that needs to be executed.

[0023] Optionally, the method described in the first aspect may further include: the first device modifying the first intent instance based on the second intent expression. In this way, after the first device executes the first intent solution, it can satisfy the modified first intent instance, which can improve the efficiency of intent execution.

[0024] In the second aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a second device, or by a chip or circuit configured in the second device, or by a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the second device. The method includes: the second device sends a first request message to the first device, receives first information and multiple identifiers from the first device, determines the first identifier based on the first information and the multiple identifiers, and sends the first identifier to the first device. The first request message is used to request the creation of a first intent instance, and the first intent instance includes at least one intent expectation; the first information is used to indicate whether the estimated intent expectations of multiple intention schemes when each is executed meet each of the at least one intent expectation, and multiple intention schemes are used to realize the first intention instance, and multiple identifiers correspond one-to-one to multiple intention schemes.

[0025] In one possible design, the first information includes first indication information and / or an expected value list. The first indication information is used to indicate whether the estimated intention expectations when each of the multiple intention scenarios is executed meet each of the at least one intention expectation; and the expected value list is used to indicate the expected target values ​​of the estimated intention expectations when each of the multiple intention scenarios is executed.

[0026] Optionally, the first information further includes resource information and / or time information, wherein the resource information is used to indicate the amount of resources used to complete each of the multiple intention schemes; and the time information is used to indicate the time used to complete each of the multiple intention schemes.

[0027] In one possible design scheme, the first request message includes a first intent expression, and the first intent expression is used to request the creation of a first intent instance.

[0028] In one possible design scheme, the first identifier corresponds to the first intention scheme. When there are at least two intention schemes among multiple intention schemes and the estimated intention expectations when they are executed can meet each of the at least one intention expectation, the first intention scheme is one of the at least two intention schemes.

[0029] In one possible design scheme, the first identifier corresponds to the first intention scheme, and when there is no estimated intention expectation when any intention scheme is executed among multiple intention schemes that can satisfy each of at least one intention expectation, the method described in the second aspect may also include: the second device generates a second intention expression based on the estimated intention expectation of the first intention scheme, and sends the second intention expression to the first device for the first device to subsequently modify the first intention instance.

[0030] In one possible design, the first device is the intent producer and the second device is the intent consumer.

[0031] In one possible design scheme, the first device includes: a first functional entity, a second functional entity and a first application; the second device is the intention owner.

[0032] In addition, the relevant technical effects of the method described in the second aspect can also refer to the relevant introduction of the method described in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0033] According to a third aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a third device, or by a chip or circuit configured in the third device, or by a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the third device. The method includes: the third device receives a second request message from the first device, generates first information based on the second request message, and sends the first information to the first device. The second request message includes multiple intention schemes, and the second request message is used to request to obtain the estimated intention expectation when the intention scheme is executed; the first information is used to indicate whether the estimated intention expectation of the multiple intention schemes when each is executed meets each of the at least one intention expectation, and the multiple intention schemes are used to realize the first intention instance.

[0034] In a possible design solution, the second request message further includes an expectation list and / or expected object information, wherein the expectation list is used to indicate at least one intention expectation; and the expected object information is used to indicate the object that executes the first intention instance.

[0035] In one possible design scheme, the third device generates first information based on the second request message, including: the third device obtains the estimated intention expectations when multiple intention schemes are executed based on the expected object information, and generates the first information based on the estimated intention expectations and expectation list when each intention scheme is executed.

[0036] The relevant technical effects of the method described in the third aspect can also be referred to the relevant introduction of the method described in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0037] In a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a first device, or by a chip or circuit configured in the first device, or by a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the first device. The method includes: the first device receives a first request message from the second device, obtains first information based on the first request message, and determines a first intention scheme to be executed based on the policy information and the first information. The first request message is used to request the creation of a first intention instance, and the first intention instance includes at least one intention expectation; the first request message includes policy information, and the policy information is used to indicate a policy for selecting an intention scheme to be executed; the first information is used to indicate whether the estimated intention expectations of multiple intention schemes when each is executed meet each of at least one intention expectation, and multiple intention schemes are used to implement the first intention instance; the first intention scheme is one of multiple intention schemes.

[0038] Based on the method described in the fourth aspect, it can be known that the first device can directly select the first intention scheme from multiple intention schemes based on the policy information sent by the second device and the first information including whether the estimated intention expectations of multiple intention schemes for realizing the first intention instance meet each of at least one intention expectation when each is executed. In this way, the first device does not need to adjust the intention execution scheme multiple times to achieve each of at least one intention expectation, thereby improving the intention execution efficiency and reducing resource overhead.

[0039] In a possible design scheme, the policy information includes at least one of the following: resource policy information, time policy information, or priority policy information. Among them, the resource policy information is used to indicate the selection based on the amount of occupied resources; the time policy information is used to indicate the selection based on the execution time preset by the first intention instance, and the execution time is used to characterize the need to meet each of the at least one intention expectation within the execution time; the priority policy information is used to indicate the selection based on the priority order of each of the at least one intention expectation. In this way, the first device can determine the intention scheme that meets the needs and preferences of the second device based on the above-mentioned resource policy information, time policy information, or priority policy information, as well as the mutual combination of each policy, thereby improving the accuracy of the selected intention scheme that needs to be executed.

[0040] In a possible design scheme, the first device determines the first intention scheme to be executed based on the policy information and the first information, including: when there are at least two intention schemes among multiple intention schemes and the estimated intention expectation when they are executed can meet each of the at least one intention expectation, the first device determines the first intention scheme to be executed based on the policy information and the first information. The first intention scheme is one of the at least two intention schemes. That is, when there are at least two intention schemes and the estimated intention expectation when they are executed can meet each of the at least one intention expectation, the first device can select the intention scheme to be executed based on the policy information, without reporting the first information to the second device, and the second device then selects the intention scheme to be executed. The implementation is simple and can save signaling overhead.

[0041] In one possible design, the first device is the intent producer and the second device is the intent consumer.

[0042] In one possible design scheme, the first device includes: a first functional entity, a second functional entity and a first application; the second device is the intention owner.

[0043] In addition, the relevant technical effects of the method described in the fourth aspect can also refer to the relevant introduction of the method described in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0044] In a fifth aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a second device, or by a chip or circuit configured in the second device, or by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the second device. The method includes: the second device generates policy information and sends a first request message to the first device. The policy information is used to indicate a policy for selecting an intent scheme to be executed; the first request message is used to request the creation of a first intent instance, the first intent instance including at least one intent expectation; and the first request message includes policy information.

[0045] In one possible design, the policy information includes at least one of the following: resource policy information, time policy information, or priority policy information. Resource policy information indicates selection based on the amount of occupied resources; time policy information indicates selection based on the execution time preset for the first intent instance, where the execution time indicates that each of at least one intent expectation must be met within the execution time; and priority policy information indicates selection based on the priority order of each of at least one intent expectation.

[0046] In one possible design, the first device is the intent producer and the second device is the intent consumer.

[0047] In one possible design scheme, the first device includes: a first functional entity, a second functional entity and a first application; the second device is the intention owner.

[0048] In addition, the relevant technical effects of the method described in the fifth aspect can also refer to the relevant introductions of the methods described in the first and fourth aspects, and will not be repeated here.

[0049] In a sixth aspect, a communication method is provided, the method comprising: a first device executing the method described in the first aspect, and a second device executing the method described in the second aspect.

[0050] In addition, the technical effects of the method described in the sixth aspect can also refer to the technical effects of the methods described in the first to second aspects, and will not be repeated here.

[0051] In a seventh aspect, a communication method is provided, the method comprising: a first device executing the method described in the first aspect, a second device executing the method described in the second aspect, and a third device executing the method described in the third aspect.

[0052] In addition, the technical effects of the method described in the seventh aspect can also refer to the technical effects of the methods described in the first to third aspects, and will not be repeated here.

[0053] In an eighth aspect, a communication method is provided, the method comprising: a first device executing the method described in the fourth aspect, and a second device executing the method described in the fifth aspect.

[0054] In addition, the technical effects of the method described in aspect 8 can also refer to the technical effects of the methods described in aspects 4 to 5, and will not be repeated here.

[0055] In a ninth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a module for executing the method described in the first aspect, for example, a transceiver module and a processing module.

[0056] Among them, the transceiver module is used to receive a first request message from the second device, send the first information and multiple identifiers to the second device, and receive the first identifier from the second device. Among them, the first request message is used to request the creation of a first intention instance, and the first intention instance includes at least one intention expectation; the first information is used to indicate whether the estimated intention expectations of multiple intention schemes when each is executed meet each of the at least one intention expectation, multiple intention schemes are used to implement the first intention instance, and multiple identifiers correspond one-to-one to multiple intention schemes; the first identifier is used to indicate the intention scheme that needs to be executed, and the first identifier is one of the multiple identifiers.

[0057] In one possible design, the first information includes first indication information and / or an expected value list. The first indication information is used to indicate whether the estimated intention expectations when each of the multiple intention scenarios is executed meet each of the at least one intention expectation; and the expected value list is used to indicate the expected target values ​​of the estimated intention expectations when each of the multiple intention scenarios is executed.

[0058] Optionally, the first information further includes resource information and / or time information, wherein the resource information is used to indicate the amount of resources used to complete each of the multiple intention schemes; and the time information is used to indicate the time used to complete each of the multiple intention schemes.

[0059] In one possible design scheme, the first request message includes a first intent expression, and the first intent expression is used to request the creation of a first intent instance.

[0060] In one possible design scheme, before the first device sends the first information and multiple identifiers to the second device, the processing module is used to generate multiple intention schemes based on the first intention instance.

[0061] In one possible design scheme, the processing module is further used to generate first information according to multiple intention schemes.

[0062] In one possible design, the transceiver module is further configured to send a second request message to a third device and receive first information returned by the third device based on the second request message. The second request message includes multiple intent scenarios, and the second request message is configured to request estimated intent expectations when each of the multiple intent scenarios is executed.

[0063] Optionally, the second request message further includes an expectation list and / or expected object information, wherein the expectation list is used to indicate at least one intention expectation; and the expected object information is used to indicate an object for executing the first intention instance.

[0064] In a possible design solution, the processing module is further used to determine the first intention solution based on the first identifier.

[0065] In one possible design, when there are at least two intention schemes among multiple intention schemes whose estimated intention expectations when executed can satisfy each of at least one intention expectation, the first intention scheme is one of the at least two intention schemes.

[0066] In one possible design, when no intended solution among the multiple intended solutions has an estimated intended value that satisfies each of the at least one intended value when executed, the transceiver module is further configured to receive a second intended expression from a second device. The second intended expression is determined based on the estimated intended value of the first intended solution.

[0067] Optionally, the processing module is further used to modify the first intent instance according to the second intent expression.

[0068] Optionally, the transceiver module may include a sending module and a receiving module, wherein the sending module is used to implement the sending function of the communication device described in the ninth aspect, and the receiving module is used to implement the receiving function of the communication device described in the ninth aspect.

[0069] Optionally, the communication device described in the ninth aspect may further include a storage module, wherein the storage module stores a program or instruction. When the processing module executes the program or instruction, the communication device may execute the communication method described in the first aspect.

[0070] It should be noted that the communication device described in the ninth aspect can be a first device, or a chip (system) or other parts or components that can be set in the first device, or a device that includes the first device. The embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0071] In addition, the technical effects of the communication device described in the ninth aspect can refer to the technical effects of the communication method described in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0072] In a tenth aspect, a communication device is provided, which includes modules for executing the method described in the second aspect, such as a transceiver module and a processing module.

[0073] Among them, the transceiver module is used to send a first request message to the first device and receive first information and multiple identifiers from the first device. The processing module is used to determine the first identifier based on the first information and multiple identifiers. The transceiver module is also used to send the first identifier to the first device. Among them, the first request message is used to request the creation of a first intention instance, and the first intention instance includes at least one intention expectation; the first information is used to indicate whether the estimated intention expectations of multiple intention schemes when each is executed meet each of the at least one intention expectation, and multiple intention schemes are used to implement the first intention instance, and multiple identifiers correspond one-to-one to multiple intention schemes.

[0074] In one possible design, the first information includes first indication information and / or an expected value list. The first indication information is used to indicate whether the estimated intention expectations when each of the multiple intention scenarios is executed meet each of the at least one intention expectation; and the expected value list is used to indicate the expected target values ​​of the estimated intention expectations when each of the multiple intention scenarios is executed.

[0075] Optionally, the first information further includes resource information and / or time information, wherein the resource information is used to indicate the amount of resources used to complete each of the multiple intention schemes; and the time information is used to indicate the time used to complete each of the multiple intention schemes.

[0076] In one possible design scheme, the first request message includes a first intent expression, and the first intent expression is used to request the creation of a first intent instance.

[0077] In one possible design scheme, the first identifier corresponds to the first intention scheme. When there are at least two intention schemes among multiple intention schemes and the estimated intention expectations when they are executed can meet each of the at least one intention expectation, the first intention scheme is one of the at least two intention schemes.

[0078] In one possible design, the first identifier corresponds to a first intent solution, and when no intended solution among the multiple intent solutions has an estimated intended expectation that satisfies each of the at least one intended expectation when executed, the processing module is further configured to generate a second intent expression based on the estimated intended expectation of the first intent solution. The transceiver module is further configured to send the second intent expression to the first device.

[0079] Optionally, the transceiver module may include a sending module and a receiving module, wherein the sending module is used to implement the sending function of the communication device described in the tenth aspect, and the receiving module is used to implement the receiving function of the communication device described in the tenth aspect.

[0080] Optionally, the communication device described in the tenth aspect may further include a storage module, wherein the storage module stores a program or instruction. When the processing module executes the program or instruction, the communication device may execute the communication method described in the second aspect.

[0081] It should be noted that the communication device described in the tenth aspect can be a second device, or a chip (system) or other parts or components that can be set in the second device, or a device that includes a second device. The embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0082] In addition, the technical effects of the communication device described in the tenth aspect can refer to the technical effects of the communication method described in the second aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0083] In an eleventh aspect, a communication device is provided, which includes modules for executing the method described in the third aspect, for example, a transceiver module and a processing module.

[0084] The transceiver module is configured to receive a second request message from the first device. The processing module is configured to generate first information based on the second request message. The transceiver module is further configured to send the first information to the first device. The second request message includes multiple intent schemes, and the second request message is used to request the estimated intent expectations when the intent schemes are executed; the first information is used to indicate whether the estimated intent expectations when each of the multiple intent schemes is executed satisfies each of at least one intent expectation, and the multiple intent schemes are used to implement the first intent instance.

[0085] In a possible design solution, the second request message further includes an expectation list and / or expected object information, wherein the expectation list is used to indicate at least one intention expectation; and the expected object information is used to indicate the object that executes the first intention instance.

[0086] In one possible design scheme, the processing module is also used to obtain the estimated intention expectations when multiple intention schemes are each executed based on the expected object information, and generate the first information based on the estimated intention expectations and expectation list when each intention scheme is executed.

[0087] Optionally, the transceiver module may include a sending module and a receiving module, wherein the sending module is used to implement the sending function of the communication device described in the eleventh aspect, and the receiving module is used to implement the receiving function of the communication device described in the eleventh aspect.

[0088] Optionally, the communication device according to the eleventh aspect may further include a storage module, wherein the storage module stores a program or instruction. When the processing module executes the program or instruction, the communication device may execute the communication method according to the eleventh aspect.

[0089] It should be noted that the communication device described in the eleventh aspect can be a third device, or a chip (system) or other parts or components that can be set in a third device, or a device that includes a third device. The embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0090] In addition, the technical effects of the communication device described in the eleventh aspect can refer to the technical effects of the communication method described in the third aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0091] In a twelfth aspect, a communication device is provided, which includes modules for executing the method described in the fourth aspect, for example, a transceiver module and a processing module.

[0092] Among them, the transceiver module is used to receive a first request message from the second device. The processing module is used to obtain the first information according to the first request message. The transceiver module is also used to determine the first intention scheme that needs to be executed based on the policy information and the first information. Among them, the first request message is used to request the creation of a first intention instance, and the first intention instance includes at least one intention expectation; the first request message includes policy information, and the policy information is used to indicate the strategy for selecting the intention scheme to be executed; the first information is used to indicate whether the estimated intention expectations of multiple intention schemes when each is executed meet each of at least one intention expectation, and multiple intention schemes are used to implement the first intention instance; the first intention scheme is one of multiple intention schemes.

[0093] In one possible design, the policy information includes at least one of the following: resource policy information, time policy information, or priority policy information. Resource policy information indicates selection based on the amount of occupied resources; time policy information indicates selection based on the execution time preset for the first intent instance, where the execution time indicates that each of at least one intent expectation must be met within the execution time; and priority policy information indicates selection based on the priority order of each of at least one intent expectation.

[0094] In one possible design, when at least two of the multiple intention solutions have an estimated intention expectation that satisfies each of the at least one intention expectation when executed, the processing module is further configured to determine a first intention solution to be executed based on the policy information and the first information. The first intention solution is one of the at least two intention solutions.

[0095] Optionally, the transceiver module may include a sending module and a receiving module, wherein the sending module is used to implement the sending function of the communication device described in aspect 12, and the receiving module is used to implement the receiving function of the communication device described in aspect 12.

[0096] Optionally, the communication device described in the twelfth aspect may further include a storage module, wherein the storage module stores a program or instruction. When the processing module executes the program or instruction, the communication device may execute the communication method described in the fourth aspect.

[0097] It should be noted that the communication device described in the twelfth aspect can be a first device, or a chip (system) or other parts or components that can be set in the first device, or a device that includes the first device. The embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0098] In addition, the technical effects of the communication device described in the twelfth aspect can refer to the technical effects of the communication method described in the fourth aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0099] In a thirteenth aspect, a communication device is provided, which includes modules for executing the method described in the fifth aspect, such as a transceiver module and a processing module.

[0100] The processing module is configured to generate policy information. The transceiver module is configured to send a first request message to the first device. The policy information indicates a policy for selecting an intent solution to be executed. The first request message is configured to request creation of a first intent instance, the first intent instance including at least one intent expectation. The first request message includes the policy information.

[0101] In one possible design, the policy information includes at least one of the following: resource policy information, time policy information, or priority policy information. Resource policy information indicates selection based on the amount of occupied resources; time policy information indicates selection based on the execution time preset for the first intent instance, where the execution time indicates that each of at least one intent expectation must be met within the execution time; and priority policy information indicates selection based on the priority order of each of at least one intent expectation.

[0102] Optionally, the transceiver module may include a sending module and a receiving module, wherein the sending module is used to implement the sending function of the communication device described in the thirteenth aspect, and the receiving module is used to implement the receiving function of the communication device described in the thirteenth aspect.

[0103] Optionally, the communication device described in the seventh aspect may further include a storage module, wherein the storage module stores a program or instruction. When the processing module executes the program or instruction, the communication device can execute the communication method described in the fifth aspect.

[0104] It should be noted that the communication device described in the thirteenth aspect can be a second device, or a chip (system) or other parts or components that can be set in the second device, or a device that includes a second device. The embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0105] In addition, the technical effects of the communication device described in the thirteenth aspect can refer to the technical effects of the communication method described in the fifth aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0106] In a fourteenth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor configured to execute the method described in any possible implementation of the first to fifth aspects.

[0107] In one possible implementation, the communication device described in aspect 14 may further include a transceiver. The transceiver may be a transceiver circuit or an interface circuit. The transceiver may be used for the communication device described in aspect 14 to communicate with other communication devices.

[0108] In one possible implementation, the communication device described in aspect 14 may further include a memory. The memory may be integrated with the processor or provided separately. The memory may be used to store the computer program and / or data involved in the communication method described in any possible implementation of aspects 1 to 5.

[0109] In this embodiment, the communication device described in aspect 14 may be a first device, a second device, or a third device, or a chip (system) or other parts or components that may be provided in the first device, the second device, or the third device, or a device that includes the first device, the second device, or the third device.

[0110] In addition, the technical effects of the communication device described in the fourteenth aspect can refer to the technical effects of the communication method described in any possible implementation method from the first aspect to the fifth aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0111] In a fifteenth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes: a processor coupled to a memory, the processor being configured to execute a computer program stored in the memory, so that the communication device performs the communication method described in any possible implementation of the first to fifth aspects.

[0112] In one possible implementation, the communication device described in aspect 15 may further include a transceiver. The transceiver may be a transceiver circuit or an interface circuit. The transceiver may be used for the communication device described in aspect 15 to communicate with other communication devices.

[0113] In this embodiment, the communication device described in aspect 15 may be a device (such as a first device, a second device, or a third device), or a chip (system) or other parts or components that can be set in the device, or a device that includes the device.

[0114] In addition, the technical effects of the communication device described in the fifteenth aspect can refer to the technical effects of the communication method described in any possible implementation method from the first aspect to the fifth aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0115] In the sixteenth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor and a memory; the memory is used to store a computer program, and when the processor executes the computer program, the communication device executes the communication method described in any possible implementation method of the first to fifth aspects.

[0116] In one possible implementation, the communication device described in aspect 16 may further include a transceiver. The transceiver may be a transceiver circuit or an interface circuit. The transceiver may be used for the communication device described in aspect 16 to communicate with other communication devices.

[0117] In this embodiment, the communication device described in aspect 16 may be a device (such as a first device, a second device, or a third device), or a chip (system) or other parts or components that can be set in the device, or a device that includes the device.

[0118] In addition, the technical effects of the communication device described in the sixteenth aspect can refer to the technical effects of the communication method described in any possible implementation method from the first aspect to the fifth aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0119] In the seventeenth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor; the processor is used to couple with a memory, and after reading a computer program in the memory, execute the communication method as described in any possible implementation method of the first to fifth aspects according to the computer program.

[0120] In one possible implementation, the communication device described in aspect 17 may further include a transceiver. The transceiver may be a transceiver circuit or an interface circuit. The transceiver may be used for the communication device described in aspect 17 to communicate with other communication devices.

[0121] In this embodiment, the communication device described in aspect 17 may be a device (such as a first device, a second device, or a third device), or a chip (system) or other parts or components that can be set in the device, or a device that includes the device.

[0122] In addition, the technical effects of the communication device described in the seventeenth aspect can refer to the technical effects of the communication method described in any possible implementation method from the first aspect to the fifth aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0123] In an eighteenth aspect, a communication system is provided. The communication system includes the first device described in the first aspect and / or the second device described in the second aspect. Optionally, the communication system also includes the third device described in the third aspect.

[0124] In a nineteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes the first device described in the fourth aspect and / or the second device described in the fifth aspect.

[0125] In the twentieth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, comprising: a computer program or instructions; when the computer program or instructions are run on a computer, the computer executes the communication method described in any possible implementation method of the first to fifth aspects.

[0126] In the twenty-first aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising a computer program or instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the communication method described in any one of the possible implementations of the first to fifth aspects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0127] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0128] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a 3GPP architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0129] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of the O-RAN architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0130] FIG4 is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0131] FIG5 is a second flow chart of the communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0132] FIG6 is a third flow chart of the communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0133] FIG7 is a fourth flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0134] FIG8 is a fifth flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0135] FIG9 is a first structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0136] FIG10 is a second structural diagram of the communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0137] For ease of understanding, the technical terms involved in this embodiment are first introduced below.

[0138] 1. Intent

[0139] The current 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Service and System Aspectwork Group 5 (SA5) defines the traditional northbound interface (itf-N) of the network management system (NMS) using a comprehensive approach to modeling network resources and managing network objects. The NMS directly adds, deletes, modifies, and queries all southbound management objects through operations such as configuration management (CM), performance management (PM), and fault management (FM). This not only raises the management and maintenance threshold for operators but also exposes the differentiated implementations of equipment vendors, making interoperability difficult.

[0140] To reduce the management complexity of network infrastructure and improve O&M efficiency in multi-vendor scenarios, 3GPP SA5 initiated research on intent-driven management services (IDMS). The key approach can be summarized as follows: The NMS, acting as an intent consumer, retains only the intent model and transmits only intent expressions on the northbound interface, thus shielding the implementation details that differ among device vendors. Intents are expressed declaratively, allowing operators to simply declare the desired effect (what) through intent expressions without having to determine how to achieve it (how), thus lowering the operational barrier to entry. Upon receiving the intent expression, the equipment management system (EMS), the intent producer, must create an intent instance based on the intent expression. Specifically, the EMS translates the intent expression into network requirements and specific actions based on the network status, and then executes them to fulfill the intent.

[0141] The following is an introduction to the concepts related to intent.

[0142] Among them, intent: expectations for the system, including requirements, goals and constraints, only describes what needs to be achieved without explaining how to achieve it.

[0143] Intent expression: An expression used to carry intent. The expression includes the intent expectation, the expected target, the expected object, and the context of the intent, intent expectation, and expected target, and has specific syntax and semantics.

[0144] Intent instance: An object that instantiates an intent. For example, in the embodiments of this application, an intent can be replaced by an intent instance.

[0145] Intent conflict: When two intents cannot be satisfied simultaneously due to mutual exclusion, there is an intent conflict between the two intents. Intent conflicts can include one or more of syntax conflicts, operation conflicts, and effect conflicts.

[0146] A grammatical conflict may refer to a conflict between the intent expressions of two intents. For example, the intent expressions of two intents describe the same object, such as a cell or base station, and are mutually exclusive targets under the same effective conditions. For example, if the intent expression of one intent reflects the goal of increasing the cell downlink rate, and the intent expression of another intent reflects the goal of reducing the cell downlink rate, then there is a grammatical conflict between the two intents.

[0147] An operation conflict may refer to a conflict between two intents in the translated execution operation (intent operation), that is, the operations of the two intents cannot be executed at the same time. For example, the solutions corresponding to the two intents contain mutually exclusive operations on the same parameter and / or attribute of the same network element. For example, when the solution of intent #1 requires that the network configuration parameter A be increased, and the solution of intent #2 requires that the network configuration parameter A be decreased, there is an operation conflict between intent 1 and intent 2.

[0148] An effect conflict may refer to two intended operations being mutually exclusive in effect after translation.

[0149] Intent creation: Create a new intent instance in the intent system and create a corresponding intent context.

[0150] A1 interface: The interface between the non-real-time radio access network (RAN) intelligent controller (Non-RT RIC) and the near-real-time RAN intelligent controller (Near-RTRIC). It enables machine learning (ML) model management (such as ML model deployment and update), policy management, and rich information transmission.

[0151] E2 interface: The interface between Near-RT RIC and RAN functional network elements, enabling Near-RT RIC to control RAN functional network elements. RAN functional network elements can report performance data such as per-user equipment (Per-UE) and per-cell through the E2 interface.

[0152] E2 node: A logical node connected to the E2 interface. For new radio (NR) access, it includes the O-RAN central unit–control plane (O-CU-CP), the O-RAN central unit–user plane (O-CU-UP), and the O-RAN distributed unit (O-DU). For E-UTRA access, it includes the O-RAN evolved NodeB (O-eNB).

[0153] A1 policy: uses a declarative policy expression format to enable the Non-RT RIC in the service management and orchestration (SMO) framework to guide the functions in the Near-RTRIC to better implement RAN intent. The A1 policy can contain a policy type identifier (policyTypeId), a policy identifier (policyId), and a policy object (policyObject).

[0154] Among them, RAN intent can be a higher-level operational or business goal to be achieved by the radio access network, allowing operators to specify the service level agreement (SLA) that the RAN will achieve for all or a class of users in a given area over a period of time. policyTypeId can be a policy type identifier assigned by the owner of the policyType definition, consisting of a type name (TypeName) and a version (version), for example, ORAN_QoSTarget_2.0.0. policyId can be an identifier assigned by the Non-RT RIC when creating an A1 policy. policyObject can be an A1 policy representation in a lightweight data exchange (javascript object notation, JSON) format used as a payload in a policy process based on the hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), mainly including the scope of application of the A1 policy, the target of the A1 policy, and the resources of the A1 policy.

[0155] 2. Intent consumers and intention producers.

[0156] The intent consumer is the device that manages intents. Specifically, the intent consumer can generate an intent and send an intent expression to the intent producer to carry the intent. The intent can be the intent consumer's requirement for the network where the device executing the intent solution is located. For example, the intent can reflect the intent consumer's requirement for at least one key performance indicator (KPI) in the network where the device executing the intent solution is located.

[0157] An intent producer is a device that processes intents. Specifically, after receiving an intent expression from an intent consumer, the intent producer generates multiple solutions that can satisfy the intent and selects one solution for execution. The intent producer then sends the selected solution to the device that executes the intent, which then executes it.

[0158] Intent consumers and / or intent producers may be, but are not limited to, computing devices, servers, or network devices. For example, intent consumers may be business support systems (BSS), operations support systems (OSS), NMSs, IDMS Consumers, or MnS Consumers, without limitation.

[0159] The intent producer can be NMS, EMS, IDMS Producer or MnS Producer, etc., without limitation.

[0160] It should be understood that the intended consumer and the intended producer may also adopt other names as long as they have the same function, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0161] Currently, the intent processing capabilities supported by the MnS Producer in the IDMS include translating received intents into internal logic that needs to be executed, executing this complex internal logic to satisfy the intent, and finally reporting the intent execution results to the management service producer and consumer MnS Consumer. The MnS Consumer can send intents to the MnS Producer by calling the intent-driven management service interface. The MnS Producer can translate the intent into a specific execution strategy or intent execution plan to achieve the above intent. The MnS Producer will send the execution plan to the network infrastructure and continuously monitor the network status during the intent execution process to ensure the intent is achieved. If the intent sent by the MnS Consumer contains multiple intent expectations, the MnS Producer may need to adjust the intent execution plan multiple times to meet the multiple intent expectations.

[0162] In one scenario, the MnS Producer may find different intent execution solutions that can meet the intent expectations. One alternative intent execution solution may be better or more optimized in one aspect, while another alternative intent execution solution may be better in another aspect. For example, if the intent includes user experience expectations and energy saving expectations, one intent execution solution can achieve better energy saving while ensuring basic user experience; another intent execution solution can achieve basic energy saving while ensuring better user experience.

[0163] In other cases, the MnS Producer may not be able to find an intent execution solution that satisfies all intent expectations, but there may be alternative intent execution solutions that can achieve better results for some of the multiple intent expectations. For example, if the intent includes user experience expectations and energy saving expectations, some solutions can meet the user experience expectation, while other solutions can meet the energy saving expectation.

[0164] In the above two cases, the MnS Producer needs to adjust the intent execution plan multiple times to achieve the multiple intent expectations. However, this process requires the MnS Producer to perform multiple selections and calculations, and after multiple adjustments to the intent execution plan, it may still not be possible to select an intent execution plan that can meet the multiple intent expectations. Alternatively, the effect of the intent execution plan selected by the MnS Producer does not match the effect expected by the MnS Consumer, which may reduce the efficiency of intent execution and increase resource overhead.

[0165] In response to the above technical problems, the embodiments of the present application propose the following technical solutions to improve the efficiency of intent execution and reduce resource overhead.

[0166] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0167] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as wireless fidelity (WiFi) systems, vehicle to everything (V2X) communication systems, device-to-device (D2D) communication systems, 4G, such as long-term evolution (LTE) systems, world-wide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication systems, 5G, such as new radio (NR) systems, and future communication systems.

[0168] This application will present various aspects, embodiments, or features in the context of systems that may include multiple devices, components, modules, etc. It should be understood and appreciated that each system may include additional devices, components, modules, etc., and / or may not include all of the devices, components, modules, etc. discussed in conjunction with the figures. Furthermore, combinations of these aspects may also be used.

[0169] Additionally, in the embodiments of this application, words such as "exemplary" and "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described in this application as "exemplary" should not be construed as being preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of the word "exemplary" is intended to present concepts in a concrete manner.

[0170] In the embodiments of the present application, "information", "signal", "message", "channel" and "signaling" can sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that when the distinction between them is not emphasized, the meanings they intend to express are matched. "of", "corresponding, relevant" and "corresponding" can sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that when the distinction between them is not emphasized, the meanings they intend to express are matched. In addition, the " / " mentioned in the present application can be used to represent an "or" relationship. It can be understood that in the present application, "indication" can include direct indication, indirect indication, explicit indication and implicit indication. When describing a certain indication information as being used to indicate A, it can be understood that the indication information carries A, directly indicates A, or indirectly indicates A.

[0171] In this application, the information indicated by the indication information is referred to as the information to be indicated. In the specific implementation process, there are many ways to indicate the information to be indicated, such as but not limited to, the information to be indicated can be directly indicated, such as the information to be indicated itself or the index of the information to be indicated, etc., or the information to be indicated can be indirectly indicated by indicating other information, wherein there is an association between the other information and the information to be indicated. It is also possible to indicate only a part of the information to be indicated, while the other parts of the information to be indicated are known or agreed in advance. For example, the indication of specific information can also be achieved with the help of the arrangement order of each information agreed in advance (such as specified in the protocol), thereby reducing the indication overhead to a certain extent.

[0172] The information to be indicated can be sent as a whole or divided into multiple sub-information and sent separately. The transmission period and / or transmission timing of these sub-information can be the same or different. The specific transmission method is not limited in this application. The transmission period and / or transmission timing of these sub-information can be predefined, for example, according to a protocol, or can be configured by the transmitting device through sending configuration information to the receiving device.

[0173] The network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application. Ordinary technicians in this field will know that with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0174] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, a communication system applicable to the embodiments of the present application is first described in detail using the communication system shown in Figure 1 as an example. For example, Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system applicable to the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application.

[0175] As shown in Figure 1, the communication system mainly includes: a first device and a second device. Optionally, the communication system also includes a third device. It is understood that the "device" mentioned in the embodiments of the present application is only an exemplary expression, and "device" can also be replaced by any possible expression, such as "device", "module", etc., without limitation.

[0176] The communication system can be used in different communication system architectures, such as a 3GPP architecture or an open radio access network (O-RAN) architecture. Under different architectures, the first device and the second device can be different devices, which are introduced below.

[0177] The above-mentioned communication system can be applied to the 3GPP architecture. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the 3GPP architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 2, the above-mentioned first device can be an MnS producer (Producer), and the above-mentioned second device can be an MnS consumer (Consumer). The MnS Consumer can send the intent to the MnS Producer by calling the intent-driven management service (intent-driven Mns) interface. The MnS Producer can translate the intent into a specific execution strategy and send it to the network infrastructure, and continuously monitor the network status during the intent execution process to ensure the achievement of the intent.

[0178] In this architecture, the third device can be a third-party pre-assessment system or intention pre-assessment system (not shown in Figure 2), such as a digital twin system with pre-assessment capabilities, a knowledge base, or an artificial intelligence (AI) model, without limitation. It should be understood that the third device can also call on the perception, analysis, and decision-making modules within the second device to obtain relevant data, without limitation.

[0179] The above-mentioned communication system can also be applied to the O-RAN architecture. FIG3 is a schematic diagram of the O-RAN architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG3 , the above-mentioned second device can be the intention owner, and the intention owner can be equivalent to the above-mentioned intention consumer, and has the same functions or roles as the intention consumer, without limitation. The above-mentioned first device can include a first functional entity, a second functional entity and a first application; or in other words, the combination of the first functional entity, the second functional entity and the first application can achieve the same function or role as the above-mentioned first device. Among them, the first functional entity can be a Non-RT RIC, the second functional entity can be a Near-RT RIC, and the first application can be an extended application (XAPP), such as XAPP1.

[0180] Non-RT RIC is a functional module of the operator's centralized SMO framework. Its main functions are non-real-time (control loop latency > 1s) control and optimization of RAN elements and resources, AI / ML workflows (including model training and updates), and policy-based applications / functions.

[0181] Near-RT RIC is a component in the O-RAN architecture. Its main function is to provide near real-time (control loop latency >= 10ms and <1s) intelligent control and coordination in the RAN to support network automation and optimization. Near-RT RIC can be deployed independently on the cloud platform, or Near-RT RIC and SMO can be deployed in the same device, without limitation. XAPP is an application designed to run on the near real-time RAN intelligent controller. It may consist of one or more microservices, is independent of the near real-time RAN intelligent controller, and can be provided by any third party. The E2 interface can support direct association between XAPP and RAN functions.

[0182] The intent owner can send an intent to the Non-RT RIC. The Non-RT RIC translates the received intent into an A1 policy and sends it via the A1 interface to the Near-RT RIC, where it selects an appropriate XAPP for execution. For example, XAPP1 can convert the intent into an execution plan and send it to the E2 node via the E2 interface for execution (not shown in Figure 3). The Near-RT RIC can provide feedback on the execution results of the A1 policy to the Non-RT RIC (A1 policy feedback), and the Non-RT RIC can provide feedback on the execution results of the intent to the intent owner (intent feedback).

[0183] In this architecture, the third device can be another XAPP running on the Near-RT RIC that is different from XAPP1, such as XAPP2. XAPP2 can have pre-evaluation functions, such as services with network digital twin related functions, etc., without limitation.

[0184] It should be understood that the names of nodes, modules, devices or network elements in different scenarios or architectures or systems, as well as the names of communication interfaces between nodes, modules, devices or network elements are given as examples in the embodiments of the present application, and the possibility of name changes in future communication systems, scenarios or architectures is not excluded.

[0185] In this communication system, the first device can send to the second device, based on a first request message, first information including whether the estimated intention expectations of multiple intention schemes for realizing the first intention instance when each of them is executed meets each of at least one intention expectation and multiple identifiers corresponding to the multiple intention schemes. The second device can determine the intention scheme that needs to be executed from the multiple intention schemes based on the first information and the multiple identifiers, and feedback the corresponding first identifier. In this way, the first device can directly determine the intention scheme that needs to be executed based on the first identifier, without having to adjust the intention execution scheme multiple times to achieve each of the at least one intention expectation, thereby improving the efficiency of intention execution and reducing resource overhead.

[0186] It can be understood that the above Figures 1 to 3 are simplified schematic diagrams for ease of understanding, and the communication system may also include other devices, network elements, or functional entities, which are not drawn in Figures 1 to 3.

[0187] For ease of understanding, the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application will be specifically described below with reference to Figures 4 to 8.

[0188] For example, Figure 4 is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. The method can be applied to the above-mentioned communication system and involves interaction between a first device, a second device, and a third device.

[0189] Specifically, as shown in FIG4 , the process of the communication method is as follows:

[0190] S401: The second device sends a first request message to the first device. Correspondingly, the first device receives the first request message from the second device.

[0191] It is understood that the first device and the second device can be applicable to the 3GPP architecture shown in Figure 2 or the O-RAN architecture shown in Figure 3. The following describes the process of the second device sending the first request message to the first device using the following two cases as examples.

[0192] Case a: The first device and the second device may be applicable to the 3GPP architecture shown in FIG. 2 , that is, the first device may be an intent producer, and the second device may be an intent consumer.

[0193] The intent consumer sends a first request message to the intent producer. Correspondingly, the intent producer receives the first request message from the intent consumer.

[0194] Case b: The above-mentioned first device and second device can be applicable to the O-RAN architecture shown in Figure 3 above, that is, the first device can include a first functional entity, a second functional entity and a first application, and the second device can be the intent owner.

[0195] That is, the intention owner may send a first request message to the first functional entity. Correspondingly, the first functional entity receives the first request message from the intention owner.

[0196] Combining the above two situations, the first request message is introduced below.

[0197] The first request message can be used to request the creation of a first intent instance, which includes at least one intent expectation.

[0198] In one possible design scheme, the first request message includes a first intent expression, and the first intent expression is used to request the creation of a first intent instance.

[0199] The first intent expression may include at least one intended intent, at least one intended target, an intended object, and the context of the intent, intended intent, and intended target, with specific syntax and semantics. The at least one intended intent included in the first intent expression is the at least one intended intent included in the first intent instance.

[0200] It can be understood that an expression can include at least one intention expectation, and each intention expectation corresponds to at least one expected target. For example, assume that intention expression #1 includes intention expectation #1 and intention expectation #2. Intent expectation #1 can be to ensure the user experience, and the expected target corresponding to intention expectation #1 can be: the downlink rate of cell #1 is greater than or equal to A million bits per second (Mb / S); intention expectation #2 can be to save energy for cell #1, and the expected target corresponding to intention expectation #2 can be: the energy efficiency target of cell #1 (i.e., RANEnergyEfficiency) is greater than or equal to B megabits per joule (Mb / J), and the energy consumption target of cell #1 (i.e., RANEnergyConsumption) is less than or equal to C joules per second (J / S). That is, the first intention instance includes the above-mentioned intention expectation #1 and intention expectation #2. The expected object is cell #1, and cell #1 can provide services to users.

[0201] The first device may create a first intent instance and a corresponding intent context based on the first request message. It is understood that the first intent instance may be a business-related intent instance or an intent instance for network establishment, without limitation.

[0202] In combination with the above-mentioned first request message including the first intent expression, the first request message is specifically introduced in the following two cases.

[0203] Case 1: The first request message includes policy information.

[0204] The policy information may be used to indicate a policy for selecting an intent solution to be executed. That is, the second device generates policy information, and the policy information may be used to indicate a policy for selecting an intent solution to be executed. The policy information is described in detail below.

[0205] The policy information may include at least one of the following: resource policy information, time policy information, or priority policy information.

[0206] Resource policy information can be used to indicate selection based on the amount of occupied resources. Exemplarily, if the second device determines that other intents will be issued later or other intent instances need to be created, such as if the second device determines that there will be new business needs later, the resource policy information can be configured as low (or small) resource availability or low occupied resources. At this time, the first device can select an intent solution that occupies a low amount of resources and can meet the basic intent as the intent solution that needs to be executed. The satisfaction of the basic intent can be understood as being able to meet or achieve the target value of each expected target corresponding to each intention expectation included in the intent expression, such as the need to simultaneously meet the downlink rate of cell #1 equal to Amb / s, the energy efficiency target of cell #1 equal to B Mb / J, and the energy consumption target of cell #1 less than or equal to CJ / S. Assume that A can be equal to 5, B can be equal to 0.01, and C can be equal to 1000.

[0207] If the second device determines that no other intents will be issued subsequently or that no other intent instances need to be created, such as if the second device determines that there will be no new business needs subsequently, the resource policy information can be configured as a high (or more) amount of available resources or a high amount of occupied resources. The first device can select an intent solution that occupies a high amount of resources and can achieve a better effect as the intent solution that needs to be executed. The achieving of a better effect can be understood as being greater than or exceeding the target value of the expected target corresponding to each intention expectation included in the intent expression, such as the downlink rate of cell #1 is equal to 10Mb / s, the energy efficiency target of cell #1 is equal to 0.05Mb / J, and the energy consumption target of cell #1 is equal to 2000J / S. For another example, the downlink rate of cell #1 is guaranteed to be equal to 5Mb / s, the energy efficiency target of cell #1 is equal to 0.02Mb / J, and the energy consumption target of cell #1 is equal to 1500J / S, etc., without limitation.

[0208] It can be understood that the above resources may include resource blocks (RBs), transmission bandwidth, frequency bands, central processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), or memory, etc., without limitation.

[0209] The time strategy information can be used to indicate the selection based on the preset execution time (or execution tolerance time) of the first intention instance. The execution time is used to characterize the need to meet each of at least one intention expectation within the execution time. That is, when the intention plan is executed, all intention expectations in the intention expression need to be met at the same time within the execution time, or in other words, the target value of each expected target corresponding to all intention expectations in the intention expression must be met at the same time. For example, if the execution time is 30 minutes, then within 30 minutes of the second device sending the first intention expression, the intention plan executed by the first device needs to achieve the effect of satisfying the downlink rate of cell #1 being greater than or equal to 5Mb / s, the energy efficiency target of cell #1 being greater than or equal to 0.01Mb / J, and the energy consumption target of cell #1 being less than or equal to 1000J / S.

[0210] If the above-mentioned first request message includes the execution time, that is, the second device issues the execution time, then the time policy information can be configured as time-sensitive, and the first device can select the intention plan that meets the basic intention in a short time as the intention plan that needs to be executed. Meeting the basic intention in a short time can be understood as being able to simultaneously meet all the intention expectations and the target value of each expected target corresponding to each of them within a time less than or equal to the execution time. For example, the intention plan can be achieved after 20 minutes of execution: the downlink rate of cell #1 is equal to 5Mb / s, the energy efficiency target of cell #1 is equal to 0.01Mb / J, and the energy consumption target of cell #1 is equal to 1000J / S.

[0211] If the above-mentioned first request message does not include the execution time, that is, the second device does not send the execution time, then the time policy information can be configured as time-insensitive, and the first device can select the intention plan that meets the requirements of a longer time and can achieve better results as the intention plan that needs to be executed. Meeting the requirements of a longer time and achieving better results can be understood as selecting an execution time that is longer and can meet or exceed the target value of each expected target corresponding to all intention expectations. For example, when the intention plan is executed for 45 minutes, the following effects can be achieved: the downlink rate of cell #1 is equal to 25Mb / s, the energy efficiency target of cell #1 is equal to 0.07Mb / J, and the energy consumption target of cell #1 is equal to 500J / S, without limitation.

[0212] Priority policy information can be used to indicate the selection based on the priority order of each intent expectation in at least one intent expectation. It can be understood that each intent expectation corresponds to a priority. For example, the first device can use the order in which the intent expectations are sent as the priority corresponding to each intent expectation. For example, the second device first sends intent expectation #1, and then the second device sends intent expectation #2. In this case, the priority of intent expectation #1 is higher than that of intent expectation #2. The priority policy information can be configured to protect high-priority intent expectations. Then, the second device can, according to the priority order of each intent expectation, use the intent solution that achieves better results with the high-priority intent expectation as the intent solution that needs to be executed.

[0213] It can be understood that the above-mentioned resource policy information, time policy information, and priority policy information can be used in combination. The implementation principle is similar to the implementation process of the above-mentioned first device using the above-mentioned resource policy information alone to select the intention scheme to be executed, or the first device using the above-mentioned time policy information alone to select the intention scheme to be executed, or the first device using the above-mentioned priority policy information alone to select the intention scheme to be executed. You can refer to it for understanding and will not elaborate on it. If the second device configuration policy information is: low amount of resources occupied, time-sensitive, and guarantees high-priority intention expectations, then the first device can select the intention scheme that has a low amount of resources occupied and a high-priority intention expectation to achieve a better effect within the execution time as the intention scheme that needs to be executed.

[0214] It can be understood that in the above situation a, the intent producer can store the policy information for subsequent selection of the intent plan to be executed; in the above situation b, the first functional entity can send the policy information to the second functional entity, and the second functional entity stores the policy information for subsequent selection of the intent plan to be executed after intent production.

[0215] It should be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, "intention scheme", "intention execution scheme", "execution scheme", etc. can be interchangeable and will not be elaborated on later.

[0216] Case 2: The first request message does not include policy information.

[0217] That is, the second device does not send policy information to the first device.

[0218] It can be understood that the naming of the above-mentioned first request message is only an example, and the first request message can also be replaced with any other possible names, such as first request, request message #1, etc., without limitation.

[0219] S402: The first device obtains first information according to the first request message.

[0220] It is understood that before introducing the first information, in a possible design solution, before the first device sends the first information and the multiple identifiers to the second device, the method further includes:

[0221] The first device generates multiple intent solutions based on the first intent instance.

[0222] The details are introduced below.

[0223] (1) Based on the above situation a, the intent producer can translate the first intent instance into multiple intent solutions. The intent solution can represent the internal logic or command sequence that needs to be executed. The multiple intent solutions can be used to implement the first intent instance, or in other words, the multiple intent solutions are used to implement the intent expectation corresponding to the first intent instance. For example, the intent producer can generate intent solution #1, intent solution #2, and intent solution #3 based on the above intent instance #1.

[0224] (2) Based on the above situation b, the first application can generate multiple intent solutions based on the first intent instance forwarded by the first functional entity through the second functional entity.

[0225] For example, the first functional entity can generate an A1 policy based on the first intent instance. The A1 policy is a declarative policy expression and can include policyTypeId, policyId, and policyObject. The policyObject can include the scope of application of the A1 policy, the target of the A1 policy, and the resources of the A1 policy. For detailed descriptions, please refer to the introduction to the technical terminology section above and will not be repeated here.

[0226] The first functional entity can send the A1 policy to the second functional entity. The second functional entity can send the A1 policy to an appropriate application, such as the first application, based on the content of the A1 policy. The first application can translate the A1 policy to generate multiple intent solutions, which can be control messages to the E2 node.

[0227] It can be understood that the embodiment of the present application is introduced based on the situation where the first device generates multiple intention schemes, and will not be elaborated later.

[0228] The first device may call an internal service or an external service to obtain the first information. The following takes the following two methods as examples to specifically introduce the implementation process of the first device obtaining the first information.

[0229] Method 1: The first device generates first information according to multiple intent schemes.

[0230] (1) Based on the above situation a, the intent producer can generate first information based on multiple intent schemes. Exemplarily, the intent producer can obtain the first information by calling internal services, such as perception, analysis, decision-making and other components, to pre-evaluate the estimated intent expectations of multiple intent schemes. The first information can be used to indicate whether the estimated intent expectations when each of the multiple intent schemes is executed meet each of the at least one intent expectation. The details are described below.

[0231] In one possible design solution, the first information includes first indication information and / or an expected value list.

[0232] Among them, the first indication information can be used to indicate whether the estimated intention expectations when multiple intention schemes are each executed meet each of the at least one intention expectation. The satisfaction of each of the at least one intention expectation can be understood as the need to simultaneously meet all the intention expectations in the first intention instance, or the need to simultaneously meet each expected target corresponding to all the intention expectations in the first intention instance, such as, each expected target corresponding to multiple estimated intention expectations when the intention scheme is executed can meet each expected target in the first intention instance.

[0233] That is, the first indication information can indicate the intention satisfaction of each intention scheme. The first indication information can include multiple sub-indication information, each of which can correspond to one intention scheme. For example, the first indication information can include sub-indication information #1, sub-indication information #2, and sub-indication information #3. Sub-indication information #1 can be used to indicate whether the estimated intention expectation when scheme #1 is executed satisfies each of at least one intention expectation; sub-indication information #2 can be used to indicate whether the estimated intention expectation when scheme #2 is executed satisfies each of at least one intention expectation; and sub-indication information #3 can be used to indicate whether the estimated intention expectation when scheme #3 is executed satisfies each of at least one intention expectation.

[0234] For example, suppose that the estimated intention expectation #1 when the intention plan #1 is executed is: the downlink rate of cell #1 is equal to 10Mb / s, and the estimated intention expectation #2 when the intention plan #1 is executed is: the energy efficiency target of cell #1 is equal to 0.02Mb / J and the energy consumption target of cell #1 is equal to 1200J / S. At this time, the intention plan #1 cannot meet the expected target of the intention expectation #2, then the sub-indication information #1 can indicate that the estimated intention expectation when the schematic plan #1 is executed cannot meet each of the at least one intention expectation; the estimated intention expectation #1 when the intention plan #2 is executed is: the downlink rate of cell #1 is equal to 3Mb / s, and the estimated intention expectation #2 when the intention plan #2 is executed is: the energy efficiency target of cell #1 is equal to 0.005Mb / J and the energy consumption target of cell #1 is equal to 900 J / S, at this time, intention plan #2 cannot meet the expected goals of intention expectation #1 and intention expectation #2, then sub-indication information #2 may refer to the estimated intention expectation when schematic plan #2 is executed cannot meet each of at least one intention expectation; suppose the estimated intention expectation #1 when intention plan #3 is executed is: the downlink rate of cell #1 is equal to 15Mb / s, the estimated intention expectation #2 when intention plan #3 is executed is: the energy efficiency target of cell #1 is equal to 0.05Mb / J and the energy consumption target of cell #1 is equal to 500J / S, at this time, intention plan #3 can simultaneously meet the expected goals corresponding to intention expectation #1 and intention expectation #2, then sub-indication information #3 may refer to the estimated intention expectation when schematic plan #3 is executed can meet each of at least one intention expectation.

[0235] It can be understood that the naming of the above-mentioned first indication information is only an example, and the first indication information can also be replaced by any other possible naming, such as the intention satisfaction status of the intention scheme, indication information #1, etc., without limitation.

[0236] The expected value list can be used to indicate the expected target values ​​of the estimated intention expectations when multiple intention schemes are each executed, and the expected target values ​​of the estimated intention expectations can include the optimal expected target value corresponding to each estimated expectation. The optimal expected target value can represent the expected target value that the second device or the third device tries its best to achieve when evaluating the intention scheme. It can be a value that the scheme can try its best to achieve when the expected target value cannot be achieved, such as the downlink rate of cell #1 is equal to 9Mb / s. It can also be a value that the scheme can try its best to achieve when the expected target value can be achieved, such as the downlink rate of cell #1 is equal to 15Mb / s. It can also include the minimum value that can meet the expected target, for example, the expected target value of cell #1 is greater than or equal to 10Mb / s, and its minimum value is 10Mb / s, which is not limited.

[0237] The expected value list may include the optimal expected target value of the expected target corresponding to each estimated intention expectation when each scheme is executed, for example, the expected value list may include multiple sub-expected value lists, each sub-expected value list may correspond to an intention scheme. It should be noted that the optimal expected target value may be greater than the expected target value corresponding to the first intention instance, such as the downlink rate of cell #1 is equal to 15Mb / s, etc., or the optimal expected target value may also be less than the expected target value corresponding to the first intention instance, such as the energy efficiency target of cell #1 is equal to 0.05Mb / J, etc., without limitation.

[0238] For example, the expected value list may include sub-expected value list #1, sub-expected value list #2, and sub-expected value list #3, where sub-expected value list #1 may refer to the expected target value of the estimated intention when schematic solution #1 is executed, sub-expected value list #2 may refer to the expected target value of the estimated intention when schematic solution #2 is executed, and sub-expected value list #3 may refer to the expected target value of the estimated intention when schematic solution #3 is executed. For example, sub-expected value list #1 may include a downlink rate equal to 10 Mb / s, an energy efficiency target equal to 0.02 Mb / J, and an energy consumption target equal to 1200 J / S; sub-expected value list #2 may include a downlink rate equal to 3 Mb / s, an energy efficiency target equal to 0.005 Mb / J, and an energy consumption target equal to 900 J / S; and sub-expected value list #3 may include a downlink rate equal to 15 Mb / s, an energy efficiency target equal to 0.05 Mb / J, and an energy consumption target equal to 500 J / S.

[0239] It can be understood that the expected value list can mark the expected goals that have not been achieved, such as the sub-expected value list #1 can mark the target of the energy consumption target of cell #1 being less than or equal to 0.01Mb / S that has not been achieved; the sub-expected value list #2 can mark the target of the downlink rate being greater than or equal to 3Mb / s and the energy consumption target being greater than or equal to 0.01Mb / S that have not been achieved, so as to be used for the subsequent second device to select the solution to be executed.

[0240] It is understandable that the naming of the above-mentioned expected value list is only an example, and the expected value list can also be replaced by any other possible naming, such as the optimal performance value list of the intended expected target, etc., without limitation.

[0241] Optionally, the first information further includes resource information and / or time information.

[0242] The resource information may be used to indicate the amount of resources used to complete each of the multiple intent schemes. The amount of resources used to complete each of the multiple intent schemes may be: the amount of resources used or occupied when each intent scheme is executed and the expected target of each intent of the intent scheme reaches the optimal expected target value. The resource information may include multiple sub-resource times, each of which may correspond to one intent scheme.

[0243] For example, the resource information may include sub-resource information #1, sub-resource information #2 and sub-resource information #3, where sub-resource information #1 may indicate the amount of resources used to complete intent solution #1, sub-resource information #2 may indicate the amount of resources used to complete intent solution #2, and sub-resource information #3 may indicate the amount of resources used to complete intent solution #3. Assume that when the above-mentioned intention plan #1 is executed, the downlink rate of cell #1 is equal to 10Mb / s, the energy efficiency target of cell #1 is equal to 0.02Mb / J, and the energy consumption target of cell #1 is equal to 1200J / S, and 15RBs need to be occupied, then the sub-resource information #1 can be 15RBs; suppose that when the above-mentioned intention plan #2 is executed, the downlink rate of cell #1 is equal to 3Mb / s, the energy efficiency target of cell #1 is equal to 0.005Mb / J, and the energy consumption target of cell #1 is equal to 900J / S, and 10RBs need to be occupied, then the sub-resource information #2 can be 10RBs; suppose that when the above-mentioned intention plan #3 is executed, the downlink rate of cell #1 is equal to 15Mb / s, the energy efficiency target of cell #1 is equal to 0.02Mb / J, and the energy consumption target of cell #1 is equal to 500J / S, and 30RBs need to be occupied, then the sub-resource information #3 can be 30RBs.

[0244] It is understandable that the above naming of resource information is only an example, and the resource information can also be replaced with any other possible naming, such as resource usage, etc., without limitation.

[0245] The time information can be used to indicate the time used to complete each of the multiple intention schemes. The time used to complete each of the multiple intention schemes can be: when each intention scheme is executed, the time used when the expected target of each intention of the intention scheme reaches the optimal expected target value. The time information can include multiple sub-time information, and each sub-time information can correspond to one intention scheme.

[0246] For example, the time information may include sub-time information #1, sub-time information #2 and sub-time information #3, where sub-time information #1 may indicate the time used to complete intention scheme #1, sub-time information #2 may indicate the time used to complete intention scheme #2, and sub-time information #3 may indicate the time used to complete intention scheme #3. Assume that when the above-mentioned intention plan #1 is executed, it takes 35 minutes to achieve the downlink rate of cell #1 equal to 10Mb / s, the energy efficiency target of cell #1 equal to 0.02Mb / J, and the energy consumption target of cell #1 equal to 1200J / S, then the sub-time information #1 can be 35 minutes; suppose that when the above-mentioned intention plan #2 is executed, it takes 25 minutes to achieve the downlink rate of cell #1 equal to 3Mb / s, the energy efficiency target of cell #1 equal to 0.005Mb / J, and the energy consumption target of cell #1 equal to 900J / S, then the sub-time information #2 can be 25 minutes; suppose that when the above-mentioned intention plan #3 is executed, it takes 55 minutes to achieve: the downlink rate of cell #1 equal to 15Mb / s, the energy efficiency target of cell #1 equal to 0.02Mb / J, and the energy consumption target of cell #1 equal to 500J / S, then the sub-time information #3 can be 55 minutes.

[0247] It can be understood that each of the multiple intent schemes corresponds to a sub-first information, and each sub-first information includes corresponding sub-indication information, sub-expected value list, sub-resource information, and sub-time information. For example, the above-mentioned first information includes sub-first information #1, sub-first information #2, and sub-first information 3. Sub-first information #1 corresponds to intent scheme #1, sub-first information #2 corresponds to intent scheme #2, and sub-first information #3 corresponds to intent scheme #3. That is, sub-first information #1 may include: sub-indication information #1, sub-expected value list #1, sub-resource information #1, and sub-time information #1; sub-first information #2 may include: sub-indication information #2, sub-expected value list #2, sub-resource information #2, and sub-time information #2; sub-first information #3 may include: sub-indication information 3, sub-expected value list #3, sub-resource information #3, and sub-time information #3.

[0248] That is, sub-first information #1 may include: the estimated intention expectation when intention solution #1 is executed cannot meet each of the at least one intention expectation; the downlink rate is equal to 10 Mb / s, the energy efficiency target is equal to 0.02 Mb / J, and the energy consumption target is equal to 1200 J / S; 15 RBs; 35 minutes. Sub-first information #2 may include: the estimated intention expectation when intention solution #2 is executed cannot meet each of the at least one intention expectation; the downlink rate is equal to 3 Mb / s, the energy efficiency target is equal to 0.005 Mb / J, and the energy consumption target is equal to 900 J / S; 10 RBs; 25 minutes. Sub-first information #3 may include: the estimated intention expectation when intention solution #3 is executed can meet each of the at least one intention expectation; the downlink rate is equal to 15 Mb / s, the energy efficiency target is equal to 0.05 Mb / J, and the energy consumption target is equal to 500 J / S; 30 RBs; 55 minutes.

[0249] It can be understood that the naming of the above time information is only an example, and the time information can also be replaced with any other possible naming, such as intended execution time, etc., without limitation.

[0250] Mode 2: The first device sends a second request message to the third device. Correspondingly, the third device receives the second request message from the first device.

[0251] The third device generates first information according to the second request message.

[0252] The third device obtains, based on the expected object information, an estimated intention expectation when each of the plurality of intention schemes is executed;

[0253] The third device generates first information according to the estimated intention expectations and the expectation list when each intention scheme is executed.

[0254] The third device sends the first information to the first device. Correspondingly, the first device receives the first information returned by the third device according to the second request message.

[0255] The details are introduced below.

[0256] (1) Based on the above scenario (a), the third device can be a third-party pre-assessment system or intention pre-assessment system, such as a digital twin system with pre-assessment capabilities, a knowledge base, or an AI model, without limitation. For ease of understanding, the third device is described below using the intention pre-assessment system as an example.

[0257] The second request message may include multiple intention schemes, and the second request message is used to request the estimated intention expectations when each of the multiple intention schemes is executed. For example, the third request message may include intention scheme #1, intention scheme #2, and intention scheme #3. The second request message may be used to request the estimated intention expectations when intention scheme #1 is executed, the estimated intention expectations when intention scheme #2 is executed, and the estimated intention expectations when intention scheme #3 is executed.

[0258] Optionally, the second request message may further include a desired list and / or desired object information.

[0259] The expectation list can be used to indicate at least one intention expectation, or in other words, the expectation list can indicate all intention expectations of the first intention instance, or in other words, the expectation list can indicate all expected targets of the first intention instance, such as the expectation list can include: the downlink rate of cell #1 is greater than or equal to 5Mb / s, the energy efficiency target of cell #1 is greater than or equal to 0.01Mb / J and the energy consumption target of cell #1 is less than or equal to 1000J / S.

[0260] The expected object information can be used to indicate the object that executes the first intent instance, such as cell #1 mentioned above. At this time, the intent pre-assessment system can obtain relevant network configuration information and network and service indicator statistics based on the expected object information and the expected list, evaluate each intent solution, obtain the first information, and feed the first information back to the intent producer.

[0261] (2) Based on the above situation b, the first device sends a second request message to the third device, including:

[0262] The first application sends a second request message to the third device; correspondingly, the third device receives the second request message from the first application.

[0263] The first device receives the first information returned by the third device according to the second request message, including:

[0264] The first functional entity receives first information forwarded by the third device through the second functional entity.

[0265] Among them, the third device can be a different application from the first application running on the second functional entity, such as a second application, and the second application can have a pre-evaluation function. In this case, the second request message can include an A1 policy target list and object information. The A1 policy target list corresponds to the above-mentioned expectation list, or in other words, the A1 policy target list and the expectation list can be converted into each other, and the object information corresponds to the above-mentioned expected object information. The object information can be the executed E2 node information. The second application can obtain relevant network configuration information and network and business indicator statistics based on the object information, evaluate each intention scheme to obtain estimated information, and the estimated information can include: indication information #1, A1 policy target list, resource information #1 and time information #1.

[0266] Indication #1 can be used to indicate whether the estimated A1 strategy objectives, when each of the multiple intent scenarios is executed, satisfy each of the A1 strategy objectives. "Satisfying each of the A1 strategy objectives" is understood to mean satisfying each of the A1 strategy objectives simultaneously. It is understood that Indication #1 is similar to the first indication information described above and can be used as a reference for understanding, without further elaboration.

[0267] The A1 strategy target list can be used to indicate the estimated A1 strategy target values ​​when multiple intent scenarios are each executed. The expected target values ​​expected by the estimated intent may include the optimal expected target value corresponding to each estimated A1 strategy target value. It is understood that the A1 strategy target list is similar to the expected value list described above and can be used as a reference for understanding, so it is not further described.

[0268] It can be understood that resource information #1 is similar to the above resource information, and time information #1 is similar to the above time information. You can refer to it for understanding and will not elaborate on it.

[0269] The second application may send the estimated information to the second functional entity, the second functional entity may forward the estimated information to the first functional entity, and the first functional entity may convert the estimated information into corresponding first information.

[0270] In combination with the above-mentioned approach 2, optionally, the above-mentioned method further includes: the third device sending multiple identifiers to the first device. Correspondingly, the first device receives the multiple identifiers from the second device.

[0271] Among them, multiple identifiers correspond one-to-one to multiple intent schemes, that is, one identifier is used to indicate one intent scheme, and one intent scheme corresponds to one sub-first information. Therefore, multiple identifiers correspond one-to-one to multiple sub-first information. For example, the multiple identifiers are: a first identifier, a second identifier, and a third identifier. Assume that the first identifier corresponds to intent scheme #1, the second identifier corresponds to intent scheme #2, and the third identifier corresponds to intent scheme #3. Then, the first identifier, intent scheme #1, and sub-first information #1 can correspond to each other; the second identifier, intent scheme #2, and sub-first information #2 can correspond to each other; and the third identifier, intent scheme #3, and sub-first information #3 can correspond to each other.

[0272] It is understood that in the embodiments of the present application, "identifier," "intent identifier," "scheme identifier," "intent scheme identifier," etc. can be interchangeable, and further description is omitted. It is understood that the naming of the first information described above is merely an example, and the first information can also be replaced with any other possible naming, such as intended expectation information, without limitation.

[0273] S403: The first device determines a first intention solution to be executed according to the policy information and the first information.

[0274] It should be noted that this step is implemented based on the above-mentioned situation 1, that is, when the first request message includes policy information, the first device can determine the first intention scheme to be executed based on the policy information and the first information.

[0275] For example, the first device may determine, based on parameters of each sub-information in the first information, whether among the multiple intent scenarios, an estimated intent expectation when the intent scenario is executed can satisfy each of the at least one intent expectation.

[0276] (1) If there is only one intention scheme among multiple intention schemes whose estimated intention expectation when executed can meet each intention expectation of at least one intention expectation, the first device can directly select the intention scheme as the intention scheme that needs to be executed subsequently, such as the first intention scheme.

[0277] For example, based on the above situation a, if the intention producer determines based on the first information that only one of the multiple intention schemes has an estimated intention expectation when it is executed that can satisfy each of the at least one intention expectation, then the intention producer may determine the intention scheme as the first intention scheme.

[0278] Based on the above situation b, if the second functional entity determines based on the estimated information that only one of the multiple intention schemes has the estimated A1 strategy goal that can meet every goal of the A1 strategy when it is executed, then the second functional entity can directly determine the intention scheme as the first intention scheme.

[0279] (2) If there are at least two intention solutions among the multiple intention solutions whose estimated intention expectations when executed can satisfy each of the at least one intention expectation, the first device may select one of the at least two intention solutions as the first intention solution based on the policy information. That is, the first intention solution is one of the at least two intention solutions.

[0280] Exemplarily, based on the above situation a, if the intention producer determines based on the first information that there are at least two intention schemes among multiple intention schemes whose estimated intention expectations when executed can meet each of at least one intention expectation, then the intention producer can select one intention scheme from the at least two intention schemes as the first intention scheme based on the strategy information.

[0281] It can be understood that the specific implementation process of this process can refer to the relevant introduction of the following step S507a, which will not be repeated here.

[0282] Based on the above situation b, if the second functional entity judges based on the estimated information that there are at least two intentions in multiple intention schemes whose estimated goals of the A1 strategy can meet each goal of the A1 strategy when they are executed, then the second functional entity can select one intention scheme from the at least two intention schemes as the first intention scheme based on the policy information.

[0283] It can be understood that the specific implementation process of this process can refer to the introduction in the following steps S711a1-S711a2, which will not be repeated here.

[0284] (3) If there is no estimated intention expectation among the multiple intention schemes that can meet each of the at least one intention expectation when the intention scheme is executed, the first device can send the first information to the second device, so that the second device can subsequently determine the intention scheme to be executed based on the first information. The specific introduction of this process can be referred to the relevant introduction in the following step S404, which will not be repeated here.

[0285] S404: The first device sends first information and multiple identifiers to the second device.

[0286] It should be noted that this step is implemented based on the above-mentioned situation 1, and there is no estimated intention expectation among multiple intention schemes when the intention scheme is executed that can meet each of at least one intention expectation, or, this step is implemented based on the above-mentioned situation 2.

[0287] Based on the above situation a, the intention producer can send the first information and multiple identifiers to the intention consumer, and the multiple identifiers can correspond one-to-one to the multiple sub-first information in the first information.

[0288] Based on the above situation b, the first functional entity can translate the estimated information to obtain the first information, and send the first information and multiple identifiers to the intended owner. The multiple identifiers can correspond one-to-one to the multiple sub-first information in the first information.

[0289] S405: The second device determines the first identifier according to the first information and multiple identifiers.

[0290] The following is a detailed introduction using the following situation as an example.

[0291] Case 3: Based on the above case 1, that is, the second device configures policy information to the first device, but the first device determines that there is no intention scheme among the multiple intention schemes whose estimated intention expectation when executed can meet each of the at least one intention expectation. At this time, there is an intention scheme among the multiple intention schemes whose estimated intention expectation when executed can partially meet each of the at least one intention expectation. The second device can select the intention scheme to be executed from the multiple intention schemes that can partially meet the intention expectation according to its own intention expectation preference. For example, the second device can determine the optimal value of each expected target in the sub-first information corresponding to the first identifier according to its own intention expectation preference, which is more in line with its own intention expectation preference. The second device can determine the first identifier.

[0292] It can be understood that if the second device stores policy information, the second device can also combine its own intention expectation preferences and policy information to select the intention scheme to be executed. The implementation principle is similar to the following steps S507b1-S07b5 or the following steps S711b1-S711b8. You can refer to it for understanding and will not elaborate on it.

[0293] Case 4: Based on the above case 2, that is, the second device has not configured policy information to the first device. The second device can determine, based on the first information, whether there is an estimated intention expectation in multiple intention schemes when the intention scheme is executed that can meet each of at least one intention expectation.

[0294] (1) If there are at least two intention schemes among multiple intention schemes whose estimated intention expectations when executed can satisfy each of the at least one intention expectation, the second device can select the intention scheme to be executed from the at least two intention schemes based on its own intention expectation preference. If the second device determines that the optimal value of each expected target in the sub-first information corresponding to the first identifier is more consistent with its own intention expectation preference, the second device determines the first identifier. It can be understood that the first identifier corresponds to the first intention scheme, so the first intention scheme can be one of the at least two intention schemes.

[0295] It can be understood that if the second device stores policy information, the second device can also combine its own intention expectation preferences and policy information to select the intention scheme to be executed. The implementation principle is similar to the following steps S608a1-S608a2 or the following steps S813a1-S813a4. You can refer to it for understanding and will not elaborate on it.

[0296] (2) If there is no estimated intention expectation among multiple intention schemes that can satisfy each of at least one intention expectation when the intention scheme is executed, the second device can select the intention scheme to be executed from the multiple intention schemes that can partially satisfy the intention expectation based on its own intention expectation preference. For example, the second device can determine the optimal value of each expected target in the sub-first information corresponding to the first identifier based on its own intention expectation preference, which is more in line with its own intention expectation preference, and then the second device can determine the first identifier.

[0297] It can be understood that if the second device stores policy information, the second device can also combine its own intention expectation preferences and policy information to select the intention scheme to be executed. The implementation principle is similar to the following steps S608b1-S608b4 or S813b1-S813b6. You can refer to it for understanding and will not elaborate on it.

[0298] S406: The second device sends the first identifier to the first device. Correspondingly, the first device receives the first identifier from the second device.

[0299] The first device may determine, based on the first identifier, that the first intent solution among the multiple intent solutions is the intent solution to be executed. For example, if the first identifier is identifier #1, the first device may determine, based on identifier #1, that intent solution #3 is the intent solution to be executed.

[0300] The details are introduced below.

[0301] (1) Based on the above situation a, the intention consumer can send a first identifier to the intention producer for the intention producer to determine the first intention scheme. After the intention producer determines the first intention scheme, the intention producer can execute the first intention scheme. For example, the intention producer can send a corresponding control message to the desired object according to the internal logic or command sequence corresponding to the first intention production scheme. The implementation process of this process can refer to the implementation process of the intention producer executing the intention scheme in the prior art and will not be repeated here.

[0302] (2) Based on the above situation b, the intention owner can send the first identifier to the first functional entity, the first functional entity forwards the first identifier to the second functional entity, and the second functional entity then forwards the first identifier to the first application, so that the first application can determine the first intention scheme. After the first application determines the first intention scheme, the first application can execute the first intention scheme. For example, the first application can send a corresponding control message to the corresponding E2 node based on the control message to the E2 node in the first intention scheme. The implementation process of this process can refer to the implementation process of the extended application execution intention scheme in the prior art, and will not be repeated here.

[0303] In summary, the first device can send to the second device, based on the first request message, first information including whether the estimated intention expectations of multiple intention schemes for realizing the first intention instance when each of them is executed meets each of at least one intention expectation, and multiple identifiers corresponding to the multiple intention schemes. The second device can determine the intention scheme that needs to be executed from the multiple intention schemes based on the first information and the multiple identifiers, and feedback the corresponding first identifier. In this way, the first device can directly determine the intention scheme that needs to be executed based on the first identifier, without the need to adjust the intention execution scheme multiple times to achieve each of the at least one intention expectation, thereby improving the intention execution efficiency and reducing resource overhead.

[0304] In combination with the above embodiment, optionally, the first identifier corresponds to the first intention scheme, and when no estimated intention expectation when any intention scheme is executed among the multiple intention schemes can satisfy each intention expectation of the at least one intention expectation, the above method further includes:

[0305] The second device generates a second intention expression according to the estimated intention expectation of the first intention scheme.

[0306] The second device sends the second intent expression to the first device. Correspondingly, the first device receives the second intent expression from the second device.

[0307] That is, the second intention expression is determined based on the estimated intention expectation of the first intention solution.

[0308] It can be understood that in the above case 3 or case 4 (2), the second device can modify the first intention expression according to the sub-expected value list in the sub-first information corresponding to the first identifier to obtain the second intention expression.

[0309] For example, the second device can modify the target value of the expected target of the intention expectation that is not met by the first intention scheme in the first intention expression to be equal to or less than the value of the expected target in the corresponding sub-expected value list, so that the first intention scheme can meet the intention expectation of the modified intention expression. For example, assuming that the first intention scheme is the above-mentioned intention scheme #1, the sub-first information #1 corresponding to the intention scheme #1 includes: the estimated intention expectation when the intention scheme #1 is executed cannot meet each of the at least one intention expectation; the downlink rate is equal to 10Mb / s, the energy efficiency target is equal to 0.02Mb / S and the energy consumption target is equal to 1200J / S; 15RB; 35 minutes, then the second device can modify the energy consumption target of cell #1 in the intention expectation #2 in the first intention expression to be less than or equal to 1000J / S to: the energy consumption target of cell #1 is less than or equal to 1200J / S, or less than or equal to 1500J / S, etc., without limitation. For ease of understanding, taking the energy consumption target of cell #1 being less than or equal to 1200J / S as an example, the second intention expression may include: intention expectation #1 and intention expectation #2. Intent expectation #1 can be to ensure the user experience, and the expected target corresponding to intention expectation #1 can be: the downlink rate of cell #1 is greater than or equal to 5Mb / S; intention expectation #2 can be to save energy for cell #1, and the expected target corresponding to intention expectation #2 can be: the energy efficiency target of cell #1 is greater than or equal to 0.01Mb / J, and the energy consumption target of cell #1 is less than or equal to 1200J / S. Based on the above situation a, the intention consumer can generate a second intention expression based on the estimated intention expectation of the first intention scheme, and send the second intention expression to the intention producer.

[0310] Based on the above situation b, the intent owner can generate a second intent expression based on the estimated intention expectation of the first intention scheme, and send the second intent expression to the first functional entity. The first functional entity forwards the second intent expression to the second functional entity, and the second functional entity forwards the second intent expression to the first application.

[0311] Optionally, before the first device executes the first intention scheme, the method further includes:

[0312] The first device modifies the first intent instance according to the second intent expression.

[0313] Based on the above situation a, the intent producer can modify the first intent instance according to the second intent expression so that when the intent producer subsequently executes the first intent solution, it can meet the requirements of the intent instance issued by the intent consumer.

[0314] Based on the above situation b, the first application can modify the first intent instance according to the second intent expression so that the first application can meet the requirements of the intent instance issued by the intent consumer when subsequently executing the first intent solution.

[0315] The above is combined with the method embodiments to comprehensively introduce the process of the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application. For ease of understanding, the above method is introduced below using the following four scenarios as examples.

[0316] Scenario 1: FIG5 is a second flow chart of the communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application, which mainly involves the interaction between the MnS Consumer (such as the second device mentioned above), the MnS Producer (such as the first device mentioned above), and the intention pre-assessment system (such as the third device mentioned above).

[0317] As shown in FIG5 , the method may include:

[0318] S501: The MnS consumer sends a create intent request message #1 to the MnS producer.

[0319] Intent creation request message #1 may include intent expression #a and solution selection strategy #a. Intent expression #a may be used to request the creation of intent instance #a. Intent expression #a may include intent expectation #a, intent expectation #b, and expected object #a. Intent expectation #a may include expected target #a1, and intent expectation #b may include expected target #b1 and expected target #b2. Assume that the priority of intent expectation #a is greater than the priority of intent expectation #b.

[0320] The solution selection strategy #a can be used by the MnS Producer to select the intent solution to be executed. The solution selection strategy #a can include priority strategy information #a and resource strategy information #a. The priority strategy information #a can be to ensure the high priority intent expectation, and the resource strategy information #a can be to ensure high resource availability.

[0321] S502, MnS Producer generates an intent solution.

[0322] MnS Producer can translate the received intent expression #a and generate an intent solution. The intent solution can represent the internal logic or command sequence to be executed and can be used to implement the first intent instance #a. For example, MnS Producer can generate intent solutions #a, #b, and #c based on intent expression #a.

[0323] S503 , the MnS Producer sends an intent pre-estimation request message #1 to the intent pre-estimation system.

[0324] Among them, the intention prediction request message #1 can include intention schemes (i.e., intention scheme #a, intention scheme #b and intention scheme #c), an intention expectation list (i.e., intention expectation #a and intention expectation #b; or, expected target #a1, expected target #b1 and expected target #b2), and expected object information (i.e., expected object #a).

[0325] It can be understood that step S503 is triggered when there are multiple intent execution schemes. That is, when the MnS Producer generates multiple intent schemes in the above step S502, the MnS Producer is triggered to execute step S503.

[0326] S504 : The intention pre-assessment system obtains intention pre-assessment information #1.

[0327] The intention pre-assessment system can obtain relevant network configuration information and network and business indicator statistics based on the expected object #a, and pre-assess the intention plan #a, intention plan #b and intention plan #c respectively to obtain intention pre-assessment information #1. The intention pre-assessment information #1 may include the intention satisfaction of each intention plan, the optimal expected target value of the expected target of the estimated intention expectation when each intention plan is executed, the amount of resources used when the expected target of each intention expectation reaches the optimal expected target value when each intention plan is executed, and the time used when the expected target of each intention expectation reaches the optimal expected target value when each intention plan is executed. The intention satisfaction of each intention plan can be: whether the intention expectation expected when each intention plan is executed can simultaneously meet the above-mentioned intention expectation #a and intention expectation #b, or whether the above-mentioned expected target #a1, expected target #b1 and expected target #b2 can be simultaneously met.

[0328] For example, intent pre-assessment information #1 may include sub-intent pre-assessment information #a, sub-intent pre-assessment information #b, and sub-intent pre-assessment information #c. Sub-intent pre-assessment information #a may include intent solution #a, intent satisfaction #a, expected target optimal performance value list #a, resource amount #a, and time #a; sub-intent pre-assessment information #b may include intent solution #b, intent satisfaction #b, expected target optimal performance value list #b, resource amount #b, and time #b; sub-intent pre-assessment information #c may include intent solution #c, intent satisfaction #c, expected target optimal performance value list #c, resource amount #c, and time #c.

[0329] S505 , the intention pre-assessment system sends the intention pre-assessment information #1 and the solution identifier to the MnS Producer.

[0330] The intent pre-evaluation system may send sub-intent pre-evaluation information #a, sub-intent pre-evaluation information #b, and sub-intent pre-evaluation information #c to the MnS Producer.

[0331] The number of intent identifiers corresponds one-to-one to the number of intent solutions. That is, the intent pre-assessment system can send three solution identifiers to the MnS Producer: solution identifier #a, solution identifier #b, and solution identifier #c. Solution identifier #a corresponds to intent solution #a and sub-intent pre-assessment information #a; solution identifier #b corresponds to intent solution #b and sub-intent pre-assessment information #b; and solution identifier #c corresponds to intent solution #c and sub-intent pre-assessment information #c.

[0332] S506: The MnS Producer determines the expected satisfaction of each intent solution.

[0333] If the expected intention expectation of the intention scheme can simultaneously satisfy the above-mentioned intention expectation #a and intention expectation #b, it can be characterized that the intention scheme can satisfy all intention expectations; otherwise, it can be characterized that the intention scheme cannot satisfy all intention expectations, for example, the expected intention expectation of the intention scheme can satisfy intention expectation #a or intention expectation #b, or the effect of achieving the expected intention expectation of the intention scheme does not satisfy intention expectation #a, and does not satisfy intention expectation #b, etc.

[0334] It can be understood that if there is only one intent plan among the above intent plans #a, intent plans #b and intent plans #c that can simultaneously meet intent expectations #a and intent expectations #b, such as intent plan #a, then the MnS Producer can directly select intent plan #a as the intent plan to be executed.

[0335] If there are at least two intention solutions among the above-mentioned intention solution #a, intention solution #b and intention solution #c that can simultaneously meet the intention expectation #a and the intention expectation #b, the MnS Producer is triggered to execute the following step S507a.

[0336] If none of the above-mentioned intention solutions #a, intention solution #b and intention solution #c can satisfy both the intention expectation #a and the intention expectation #b, the MnS Producer is triggered to execute the following step S507b1.

[0337] S507a, MnS Producer selects the intent scheme to be executed according to scheme selection strategy #1.

[0338] Assuming that the intention expectations of the above-mentioned intention scheme #a and intention scheme #c can simultaneously meet intention expectation #a and intention expectation #b, the MnS Producer can select the intention scheme to be executed based on the priority policy information #a and resource policy information #a.

[0339] For example, taking intention expectation #a as ensuring user experience, expected target #a1 as ensuring the downlink rate of cell #1 is greater than or equal to 10Mb / s; intention expectation #b is to save energy for cell #1, expected target #b1 is the energy efficiency target of cell #1 is greater than or equal to 0.01Mb / J, and expected target #b2 is the energy consumption target of cell #1 is less than or equal to 1000J / S. At this time, cell #1 is expected object #a.

[0340] Assume that the expected target optimal performance value list #a includes: downlink rate equal to 10Mb / s, energy efficiency target equal to 0.02Mb / J and energy consumption target equal to 900J / S, and resource #a is 30RB; the expected target optimal performance value list #c includes: downlink rate equal to 15Mb / s, energy efficiency target equal to 0.01Mb / J and energy consumption target equal to 500J / S, and resource #c is 50RB. In this case, the MnS Producer can choose an intention plan with high resource occupancy and high priority expectation to achieve a better intention, that is, the MnS Producer can choose the expected target #a1 to achieve a better intention plan, and the amount of resources occupied by intention plan #c is greater than the amount of resources occupied by intention plan #a, that is, the MnS Producer can select intention plan #c as the intention plan to be executed.

[0341] S507b1, MnS Producer sends pre-evaluation information #1 and solution identifier to MnS Consumer.

[0342] It can be understood that if there is no intention plan among the above-mentioned intention plan #a, intention plan #b and intention plan #c that can simultaneously meet the intention expectation #a and the intention expectation #b, then the unachieved expected goals can be marked in the above-mentioned expected target optimal performance value list #a, expected target optimal performance value list #b and expected target optimal performance value list #c.

[0343] For example, suppose the above-mentioned expected target optimal performance value list #a includes: downlink rate equal to 5Mb / s, energy efficiency target equal to 0.05Mb / J and energy consumption target equal to 1500J / S, and resource #a is 25RB. At this time, the expected target optimal performance value list #a can be marked as expected target #a1 and expected target #b2 are not achieved; the expected target optimal performance value list #b includes: downlink rate equal to 20Mb / s, energy efficiency target equal to 0.05Mb / J and energy consumption target equal to 1500J / S, and resource #b is 40RB. At this time, the expected target optimal performance value list #b can be marked as expected target #b2 is not achieved; the expected target optimal performance value list #c includes: downlink rate equal to 15Mb / s, energy efficiency target equal to 0.009Mb / J and energy consumption target equal to 950J / S, and resource #c is 35RB. At this time, the expected target optimal performance value list #c can be marked as expected target #b1 is not achieved.

[0344] S507b2, MnS Consumer selects the intent solution to be executed.

[0345] The MnS Consumer can select the intention scheme to be executed from the above-mentioned intention scheme #a, intention scheme #b, and intention scheme #c based on the scheme selection strategy #a and its own intention expectation preference. For example, if the MnS Consumer's intention expectation preference is a scheme with better energy-saving effect, the MnS Consumer can select intention scheme #b as the intention scheme to be executed based on the priority strategy information #a, resource strategy information #a, and intention expectation preference.

[0346] S507b3, MnS Consumer modifies intention expression #a.

[0347] The MnS consumer can modify intent expression #a based on the desired target optimal performance value list #b for intent solution #b selected in step S507b2. For example, the MnS consumer can modify desired target #b2 in intent expression #a to an energy consumption target less than or equal to 1500 J / S, thereby obtaining a modified intent expression #a, which can be recorded as intent expression #b.

[0348] S507b4, MnS Consumer sends intent expression #b and solution identifier #b to MnS Producer.

[0349] For example, the MnS Consumer may feedback to the MnS Producer that the intended solution to be executed is intended solution #b. For example, the Near-RT RIC may indicate intended solution b by feedback solution identifier #b.

[0350] S507b5, MnS Producer modifies intent instance #a according to intent expression #b.

[0351] S508, the MnS Producer executes the intention scheme that needs to be executed.

[0352] Regarding the above step S506 , the MnS Producer may execute the intention scheme #a.

[0353] It can be understood that step S507a and steps S507b1-S507b2 are parallel solutions to suit different situations. For the above step S507a, the MnS Producer can execute intention solution #c; for the above steps S507b1-S507b2, the MnS Producer can execute intention solution #b. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific implementation process of step S508.

[0354] Scenario 2: FIG6 is a flow chart of the communication method according to an embodiment of the present application, which mainly involves the interaction between the MnS Consumer (such as the second device), the MnS Producer (such as the first device), and the intention pre-assessment system (such as the third device).

[0355] As shown in FIG6 , the method may include:

[0356] S601: The MnS consumer sends a create intent request message #2 to the MnS producer.

[0357] Among them, the intent creation request message #2 can include the intent expression #a.

[0358] Intent expression #a can be used to request the creation of intent instance #a. Intent expression #a can include intent expectation #a, intent expectation #b, and expected object #a. Intent expectation #a can include expected target #a1, and intent expectation #b can include expected target #b1 and expected target #b2. Assume that the priority of intent expectation #a is greater than the priority of intent expectation #b.

[0359] S602, MnS Producer generates an intent plan.

[0360] MnS Producer generates intent solution #a, intent solution #b, and intent solution #c based on intent expression #a.

[0361] S603: The MnS Producer sends an intent pre-estimation request message #2 to the intent pre-estimation system.

[0362] Among them, the intention prediction request message #2 can include intention schemes (i.e., intention scheme #a, intention scheme #b and intention scheme #c), an intention expectation list (i.e., intention expectation #a and intention expectation #b; or, expected target #a1, expected target #b1 and expected target #b2), and expected object information (i.e., expected object #a).

[0363] S604: The intention pre-assessment system obtains pre-intention pre-assessment information #2.

[0364] The intention pre-assessment system can obtain relevant network configuration information and network and business indicator statistics based on the expected object #a, and pre-assess the intention plan #a, intention plan #b and intention plan #c to obtain intention pre-assessment information #2.

[0365] For example, intent pre-assessment information #2 may include sub-intent pre-assessment information #a, sub-intent pre-assessment information #b, and sub-intent pre-assessment information #c. Sub-intent pre-assessment information #a may include intent solution #a, intent satisfaction #a, expected target optimal performance value list #a, resource amount #a, and time #a; sub-intent pre-assessment information #b may include intent solution #b, intent satisfaction #b, expected target optimal performance value list #b, resource amount #b, and time #b; sub-intent pre-assessment information #c may include intent solution #c, intent satisfaction #c, expected target optimal performance value list #c, resource amount #c, and time #c.

[0366] S605 , the intention pre-assessment system sends the intention pre-assessment information #2 and the solution identifier to the MnS Producer.

[0367] The intent pre-evaluation system may send sub-intent pre-evaluation information #a, sub-intent pre-evaluation information #b, and sub-intent pre-evaluation information #c to the MnS Producer.

[0368] The number of intent identifiers corresponds one-to-one to the number of intent solutions. That is, the intent pre-assessment system sends three solution identifiers to the MnS Producer: solution identifier #a, solution identifier #b, and solution identifier #c. Solution identifier #a corresponds to intent solution #a and sub-intent pre-assessment information #a; solution identifier #b corresponds to intent solution #b and sub-intent pre-assessment information #b; and solution identifier #c corresponds to intent solution #c and sub-intent pre-assessment information #c.

[0369] It can be understood that if there is only one intent plan among the above intent plans #a, intent plans #b and intent plans #c that can simultaneously meet intent expectations #a and intent expectations #b, such as intent plan #a, then the MnS Producer can directly select intent plan #a as the intent plan to be executed.

[0370] It should be understood that the implementation process of steps S601-S605 is similar to the implementation process of the above steps S501-S505, which can be used as a reference for understanding and will not be described in detail.

[0371] S606: MnS Producer sends pre-evaluation information #2 and solution identifier to MnS Consumer.

[0372] It can be understood that if there is no intention plan among the above-mentioned intention plan #a, intention plan #b and intention plan #c that can simultaneously meet the intention expectation #a and the intention expectation #b, then the unachieved expected goals can be marked in the above-mentioned expected target optimal performance value list #a, expected target optimal performance value list #b and expected target optimal performance value list #c.

[0373] S607, the MnS Consumer determines the expected satisfaction of each intention solution.

[0374] If the expected intention expectation of the intention scheme can simultaneously satisfy the above-mentioned intention expectation #a and intention expectation #b, it can be characterized that the intention scheme can satisfy all intention expectations; otherwise, it can be characterized that the intention scheme cannot satisfy all intention expectations, for example, the expected intention expectation of the intention scheme can simultaneously satisfy intention expectation #a or intention expectation #b, or the expected intention expectation of the intention scheme does not satisfy intention expectation #a and intention expectation #b.

[0375] If there are at least two intention solutions among the above-mentioned intention solution #a, intention solution #b and intention solution #c that can simultaneously meet the intention expectation #a and the intention expectation #b, the MnS Producer is triggered to execute the following step S608a1.

[0376] If none of the above-mentioned intention solutions #a, intention solution #b and intention solution #c can satisfy both the intention expectation #a and the intention expectation #b, the MnS Producer is triggered to execute the following step S608b1.

[0377] S608a1, MnS Producer selects the intent scheme to be executed.

[0378] Assuming that the above-mentioned intention plan #a and intention plan #c can simultaneously meet the intention expectation #a and intention expectation #b, the MnS Producer can select the intention plan to be executed based on its own intention expectation preference.

[0379] For example, suppose that the expected target optimal performance value list #a includes: a downlink rate equal to 10 Mb / s, an energy efficiency target equal to 0.02 Mb / J, an energy consumption target equal to 900 J / S, and resource #a is 30 RBs; the expected target optimal performance value list #c includes: a downlink rate equal to 15 Mb / s, an energy efficiency target equal to 0.01 Mb / J, an energy consumption target equal to 500 J / S, and resource #c is 50 RBs. In this case, the MnS consumer can select the intention solution #c according to its own intention expectation preference. If the intention expectation preference is a solution with better energy saving effect, the MnS consumer can select the intention solution #c as the intention solution to be executed.

[0380] It is understandable that if the MnS Producer stores a solution selection strategy, such as solution selection strategy #a in step S601 above, the MnS Consumer can select the intent solution to be executed based on its own intended preferences and solution selection strategy #a. The implementation principle is similar to that of step S507b2 above, which can be referred to for understanding and will not be elaborated on.

[0381] S608a2, MnS Producer sends the solution identifier #c to MnS Producer.

[0382] S608b1, MnS Producer selects the intent scheme to be executed.

[0383] If there is no intention plan among the above intention plan #a, intention plan #b and intention plan #c that can simultaneously meet the intention expectation #a and the intention expectation #b, then the unachieved expected goals can be marked in the above expected target optimal performance value list #a, expected target optimal performance value list #b and expected target optimal performance value list #c.

[0384] For example, suppose the above-mentioned expected target optimal performance value list #a includes: downlink rate equal to 5Mb / s, energy efficiency target equal to 0.05Mb / J and energy consumption target equal to 1500J / S, and resource #a is 25RB. At this time, the expected target optimal performance value list #a can be marked as expected target #a1 and expected target #b2 are not achieved; the expected target optimal performance value list #b includes: downlink rate equal to 20Mb / s, energy efficiency target equal to 0.05Mb / J and energy consumption target equal to 1500J / S, and resource #b is 40RB. At this time, the expected target optimal performance value list #b can be marked as expected target #b2 is not achieved; the expected target optimal performance value list #c includes: downlink rate equal to 15Mb / s, energy efficiency target equal to 0.009Mb / J and energy consumption target equal to 950J / S, and resource #b is 35RB. At this time, the expected target optimal performance value list #c can be marked as expected target #b1 is not achieved.

[0385] The MnS Consumer can make preferences based on its own intention expectations. For example, if the intention expectation preference is a plan with better energy-saving effect, the MnS Consumer can select intention plan #b as the intention plan to be executed.

[0386] Similarly, if the MnS Producer stores a solution selection strategy, such as solution selection strategy #a in step S601 above, the MnS Consumer can select the intent solution to be executed based on its own intended preferences and solution selection strategy #a. The implementation principle is similar to that of step S507b2 above, which can be referred to for understanding and will not be elaborated on.

[0387] S608b2, MnS Consumer modifies intention expression #a.

[0388] The MnS consumer can modify intent expression #a based on the desired target optimal performance value list #b for intent solution #b selected in step S08b1. For example, the MnS consumer can modify desired target #b2 in intent expression #a to an energy consumption target less than or equal to 1500 J / S, thereby obtaining a modified intent expression #a, which can be recorded as intent expression #b.

[0389] S608b3, MnS Producer sends intent expression #b and solution identifier #b to MnS Producer.

[0390] S608b4, MnS Producer modifies intent instance #a according to intent expression #b.

[0391] S609, the MnS Producer executes the intended solution.

[0392] For step S605, the MnS Producer can execute intent solution #a. It is understood that steps S608a1-S608a2 and steps S608b1-S608b4 are parallel solutions to accommodate different situations. For steps S608a1-S608a2, the MnS Producer can execute intent solution #c; for steps S608b1-S608b4, the MnS Producer can execute intent solution #b. This embodiment of the application does not limit the specific implementation of step S609.

[0393] Scenario 3: Figure 7 is a flowchart diagram of the communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. It mainly involves the interaction between the intention owner (such as the above-mentioned second device), Non-RT RIC (such as the above-mentioned first functional entity), Near-RT RIC (such as the above-mentioned second functional entity), XAPP1 (such as the above-mentioned first application) and XAPP2 (such as the above-mentioned third device). It can be understood that Non-RT RIC, Near-RT RIC and XAPP1 together constitute the above-mentioned first device, and XAPP1 and XAPP2 are applications running on Near-RT RIC.

[0394] As shown in FIG7 , the method may include:

[0395] S701, the intent owner sends an intent creation request message #3 to the Non-RT RIC.

[0396] Intent creation request message #3 may include intent expression #a and solution selection strategy #a. Intent expression #a may be used to request the creation of intent instance #a. Intent expression #a may include intent expectation #a, intent expectation #b, and expected object #a. Intent expectation #a may include expected target #a1, and intent expectation #b may include expected target #b1 and expected target #b2. Assume that the priority of intent expectation #a is greater than the priority of intent expectation #b.

[0397] The solution selection strategy #a can be used by the MnS Producer to select the intent solution to be executed. The solution selection strategy #a can include priority strategy information #a and resource strategy information #a. The priority strategy information #a can be to ensure the high priority intent expectation, and the resource strategy information #a can be to ensure high resource availability.

[0398] S702: Non-RTRIC generates A1 strategy.

[0399] Non-RT RIC can generate an A1 policy based on the received intent expression #a. That is, Non-RT RIC can generate the corresponding A1 policy based on the intent expectation #a (desired target #a1), the intent expectation #b (desired target #b1 and desired target #b2), and the desired object #a.

[0400] Among them, the A1 policy is a declarative policy expression. The A1 policy can contain policyTypeId, policyId, and policyObject. For a detailed introduction, please refer to the introduction of the technical terminology section above.

[0401] S703: Non-RTRIC sends the A1 strategy and solution selection strategy #a to the Near-RT RIC.

[0402] S704: Near-RTRIC sends the A1 policy to XAPP1.

[0403] The Near-RT RIC may store the solution selection policy #a for subsequent selection of a solution to be executed. The Near-RT RIC may select a suitable XAPP, such as XAPP1, based on the content of the A1 policy and send the A1 policy to the XAPP1.

[0404] S705, XAPP1 generates an intent plan.

[0405] XAPP1 can translate the received A1 policy and generate an intent solution, which can be a control message to the E2 node. For example, XAPP1 can generate intent solution #a, intent solution #b, and intent solution #c based on the A1 policy.

[0406] S706 , XAPP1 sends a policy target estimation request message #1 to XAPP2 .

[0407] Among them, XAPP2 can be an application of a digital twin system, knowledge base or AI model with pre-evaluation function.

[0408] The policy target estimation request message #3 may include: intent schemes (ie, intent scheme #a, intent scheme #b, and intent scheme #c), an A1 policy target list, and A1 policy object information.

[0409] It can be understood that the above-mentioned policyObject can include the scope of application of the A1 policy, the target of the A1 policy and the resources of the A1 policy. The A1 policy target list is determined based on the target of the A1 policy and can include all policy targets of the A1 policy; the A1 policy object information includes the scope of application of the A1 policy, such as the A1 policy object information can be the executed E2 node information.

[0410] S707 , XAPP2 obtains policy pre-evaluation information #1.

[0411] The intention pre-assessment system can obtain relevant network configuration information and network and business indicator statistics based on the A1 policy object information, and pre-assess intention plan #a, intention plan #b and intention plan #c to obtain policy pre-assessment information #1.

[0412] Policy pre-assessment information #1 may include the A1 policy satisfaction status of each intention scheme, the optimal policy target value of the A1 policy when each intention scheme is executed, the amount of resources used when each policy target reaches the optimal policy target value when each intention scheme is executed, and the time taken for each policy target to reach the optimal policy target value when each intention scheme is executed. The A1 policy satisfaction status of each intention scheme can be: the expected policy target when each intention scheme is executed, and whether all policy targets of the A1 policy can be met simultaneously.

[0413] For example, policy pre-assessment information #1 may include sub-policy pre-assessment information #a, sub-policy pre-assessment information #b, and sub-policy pre-assessment information #c. Sub-policy pre-assessment information #a may include intent scenario #a, A1 policy satisfaction #a, policy target optimal performance value list #a, resource quantity #a, and time #a; sub-policy pre-assessment information #b may include intent scenario #b, A1 policy satisfaction #b, policy target optimal performance value list #b, resource quantity #b, and time #b; and sub-policy pre-assessment information #c may include intent scenario #c, A1 policy satisfaction #c, policy target optimal performance value list #c, resource quantity #c, and time #c.

[0414] S708 , XAPP2 sends the policy pre-evaluation information #1 and the solution identifier to Near-RTRIC.

[0415] XAPP2 may send sub-policy pre-evaluation information #a, sub-policy pre-evaluation information #b, and sub-policy pre-evaluation information #c to Near-RTRIC.

[0416] The number of scheme identifiers corresponds one-to-one to the number of the above-mentioned intended schemes. That is, XAPP2 sends three scheme identifiers to the Near-RT RIC: scheme identifier #a, scheme identifier #b, and scheme identifier #c. Scheme identifier #a corresponds to intended scheme #a and sub-strategy pre-assessment information #a; scheme identifier #b corresponds to intended scheme #b and sub-strategy pre-assessment information #b; and scheme identifier #c corresponds to intended scheme #c and sub-strategy pre-assessment information #c.

[0417] S709: Near-RTRIC handles the conflict.

[0418] Near-RTRIC can handle conflicts and eliminate intention solutions that affect the achievement of other A1 strategies.

[0419] S710, Near-RTRIC determines whether the A1 strategy of each intention solution is satisfied.

[0420] If the expected policy goals of the intention plan can meet all the policy goals of the A1 policy, it can be characterized that the intention plan can meet all the intention expectations; otherwise, it can be characterized that the intention plan cannot meet all the intention expectations, for example, the expected policy goals of the intention plan can only partially meet the policy goals of the A1 policy, or do not meet any policy goals of the A1 policy.

[0421] If there are at least two intention solutions among the above-mentioned intention solution #a, intention solution #b and intention solution #c that can meet all the policy goals of the A1 policy, Near-RTRIC is triggered to execute the following step S711a1.

[0422] If none of the above-mentioned intention solutions #a, intention solution #b and intention solution #c can meet all the policy objectives of the A1 policy, Near-RTRIC is triggered to execute the following step S711b1.

[0423] At S711a1, the Near-RT RIC selects the intention scheme to be executed according to the scheme selection strategy #a.

[0424] Assuming that the above-mentioned intention plan #a and intention plan #c can simultaneously meet all the policy goals of the A1 policy, then Near-RTRIC can select the intention plan to be executed based on the priority policy information #a and the resource policy information #a. For example, Near-RT RIC can select intention plan #c as the intention plan to be executed. Its implementation principle is similar to the above-mentioned step S507a. You can refer to it for understanding and will not elaborate on it.

[0425] S711a2, Near-RT RIC sends solution identifier #c to XAPP1.

[0426] Near-RTRIC can feedback the intention plan to be executed to XAPP1 as intention plan #c. For example, Near-RT RIC can refer to intention plan #c by feedback plan identifier #c.

[0427] S711b1, the Near-RTRIC sends the strategy pre-evaluation information #1 and the solution identifier to the Non-RT RIC.

[0428] S711b2, Non-RTRIC sends intent pre-evaluation information #1 and solution identifier to the intent owner.

[0429] Non-RT RIC can translate policy pre-assessment information #1 into corresponding intent pre-assessment information #1. That is, Non-RT RIC can translate sub-policy pre-assessment information #a into corresponding sub-intent pre-assessment information #a, sub-policy pre-assessment information #b into corresponding sub-intent pre-assessment information #b, and sub-policy pre-assessment information #c into corresponding sub-intent pre-assessment information #c.

[0430] Among them, the sub-intention pre-evaluation information #a may include intention plan #a, intention satisfaction situation #a, expected target optimal performance value list #a, resource amount #a and time #a; the sub-intention pre-evaluation information #b may include intention plan #b, intention satisfaction situation #b, expected target optimal performance value list #b, resource amount #b and time #b; the sub-intention pre-evaluation information #c may include intention plan #c, intention satisfaction situation #c, expected target optimal performance value list #c, resource amount #c and time #c.

[0431] It can be understood that if there is no intention plan among the above-mentioned intention plan #a, intention plan #b and intention plan #c that can simultaneously meet the intention expectation #a and the intention expectation #b, then the unachieved expected goals can be marked in the above-mentioned optimal performance value list #a, optimal performance value list #b and optimal performance value list #c.

[0432] S711b3, the intent owner selects the intent scheme to be executed.

[0433] The intention owner can select the intention plan that needs to be executed from the above intention plan #a, intention plan #b and intention plan #c based on the plan selection strategy #a and his own intention expectation preference. For example, if the intention owner's intention expectation preference is a plan with better energy-saving effect, the intention owner can combine the priority strategy information #a, resource strategy information #a and intention expectation preference to select intention plan #b as the intention plan that needs to be executed.

[0434] S711b4, the intent owner modifies the intent expression #a.

[0435] The intent owner may modify the intent expression #a according to the expected target optimal performance value list #b of the intent solution #b selected in the above step S711b3 to obtain a modified intent expression #a, which may be recorded as intent expression #b.

[0436] It can be understood that the implementation principle of this process is similar to that of the above step S507b3, which can be used as a reference for understanding and will not be described in detail.

[0437] S711b5, the intent owner sends the intent expression #b and solution identifier #b to the Non-RT RIC.

[0438] The intent owner can feedback the intent plan to be executed to the Non-RT RIC as intent plan #b. For example, the Near-RT RIC can refer to the intent plan #b by feedback plan identifier #b.

[0439] S711b6, Non-RTRIC modifies the A1 strategy according to the intent expression #b.

[0440] Non-RTRIC can modify the A1 strategy according to the intent expression #b to obtain a modified A1 strategy.

[0441] At S711b7, the Non-RTRIC sends the modified A1 strategy and solution identifier #b to the Near-RTRIC.

[0442] At S711b8, Near-RTRIC sends the modified A1 policy and solution identifier #b to XAPP1.

[0443] S712, XAPP1 executes the intention plan that needs to be executed.

[0444] It can be understood that steps S711a1-S711a2 and S711b1-S711b7 are parallel schemes to apply to different situations. For the above steps S711a1-S711a2, XAPP1 can execute intention scheme #c, such as, XAPP1 can send corresponding control information #c to the E2 node according to intention scheme #c; for example, for the above steps S711b1-S711b8, XAPP1 can execute intention scheme #b, such as, XAPP1 can send corresponding control information #b to the E2 node according to intention scheme #b.

[0445] It can be understood that the embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific implementation process of step S712.

[0446] Scenario 4: Figure 8 is a flowchart of the communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. It mainly involves the interaction between the intention owner (such as the above-mentioned second device), Non-RT RIC (such as the above-mentioned first functional entity), Near-RT RIC (such as the above-mentioned second functional entity), XAPP1 (such as the above-mentioned first application) and XAPP2 (such as the above-mentioned third device). It can be understood that Non-RT RIC, Near-RT RIC and XAPP1 together constitute the above-mentioned first device, and XAPP1 and XAPP2 are applications running on Near-RT RIC.

[0447] As shown in FIG8 , the method may include:

[0448] S801, the intent owner sends an intent creation request message #4 to the Non-RT RIC.

[0449] Intent creation request message #4 may include intent expression #a. Intent expression #a may be used to request the creation of intent instance #a. Intent expression #a may include intent expectation #a, intent expectation #b, and expected object #a. Intent expectation #a may include expected target #a1, and intent expectation #b may include expected target #b1 and expected target #b2. Assume that the priority of intent expectation #a is greater than the priority of intent expectation #b.

[0450] S802: Non-RTRIC generates A1 strategy.

[0451] Non-RT RIC can generate an A1 policy based on the received intent expression #a. That is, Non-RT RIC can generate the corresponding A1 policy based on the intent expectation #a (desired target #a1), the intent expectation #b (desired target #b1 and desired target #b2), and the desired object #a.

[0452] Among them, the A1 policy is a declarative policy expression. The A1 policy can contain policyTypeId, policyId, and policyObject. For a detailed introduction, please refer to the introduction of the technical terminology section above.

[0453] S803, Non-RTRIC sends A1 policy to Near-RT RIC.

[0454] S804, Near-RTRIC sends the A1 policy to XAPP1.

[0455] Near-RTRIC can select a suitable XAPP, such as XAPP1, according to the content of the A1 policy, and send the A1 policy to the XAPP1.

[0456] S805, XAPP1 generates an intent plan.

[0457] XAPP1 can translate the received A1 policy and generate an intent solution, which can be a control message to the E2 node. For example, XAPP1 can generate intent solution #a, intent solution #b, and intent solution #c based on the A1 policy.

[0458] S806 , XAPP1 sends a policy target estimation request message #2 to XAPP2 .

[0459] Among them, XAPP2 can be an application of a digital twin system, knowledge base or AI model with pre-evaluation function.

[0460] The policy target estimation request message #4 may include: intent schemes (ie, intent scheme #a, intent scheme #b, and intent scheme #c), an A1 policy target list, and A1 policy object information.

[0461] It can be understood that the above-mentioned policyObject can include the scope of application of the A1 policy, the target of the A1 policy and the resources of the A1 policy. The A1 policy target list is determined based on the target of the A1 policy and can include all policy targets of the A1 policy; the A1 policy object information includes the scope of application of the A1 policy, such as the A1 policy object information can be the executed E2 node information.

[0462] S807, XAPP2 obtains policy pre-evaluation information #2.

[0463] The intention pre-assessment system can obtain relevant network configuration information and network and business indicator statistics based on the A1 policy object information, and pre-assess intention plan #a, intention plan #b and intention plan #c to obtain policy pre-assessment information #2.

[0464] For example, policy pre-assessment information #2 may include sub-policy pre-assessment information #a, sub-policy pre-assessment information #b, and sub-policy pre-assessment information #c. Sub-policy pre-assessment information #a may include intent scenario #a, A1 policy satisfaction #a, policy target optimal performance value list #a, resource quantity #a, and time #a; sub-policy pre-assessment information #b may include intent scenario #b, A1 policy satisfaction #b, policy target optimal performance value list #b, resource quantity #b, and time #b; and sub-policy pre-assessment information #c may include intent scenario #c, A1 policy satisfaction #c, policy target optimal performance value list #c, resource quantity #c, and time #c.

[0465] S808 , XAPP2 sends policy pre-evaluation information #2 and solution identifier to the Near-RT RIC.

[0466] XAPP2 may send sub-policy pre-evaluation information #a, sub-policy pre-evaluation information #b, and sub-policy pre-evaluation information #c to the Near-RT RIC.

[0467] The number of scheme identifiers corresponds one-to-one to the number of the above-mentioned intended schemes. That is, XAPP2 sends three scheme identifiers to the Near-RT RIC: scheme identifier #a, scheme identifier #b, and scheme identifier #c. Scheme identifier #a corresponds to intended scheme #a and sub-strategy pre-assessment information #a; scheme identifier #b corresponds to intended scheme #b and sub-strategy pre-assessment information #b; and scheme identifier #c corresponds to intended scheme #c and sub-strategy pre-assessment information #c.

[0468] S809: Near-RT RIC handles the conflict.

[0469] Near-RT RIC can handle conflicts and eliminate intention solutions that affect the achievement of other A1 strategies.

[0470] S810 , the Near-RT RIC sends policy pre-evaluation information #1 and a solution identifier to the Non-RT RIC.

[0471] S811, the Non-RT RIC sends the intent pre-evaluation information #1 and the solution identifier to the intent owner.

[0472] The non-RT RIC can translate policy pre-assessment information #1 into the corresponding intent pre-assessment information #1. That is, the non-RT RIC can translate sub-policy pre-assessment information #a into the corresponding sub-intent pre-assessment information #a, sub-policy pre-assessment information #b into the corresponding sub-intent pre-assessment information #b, and sub-policy pre-assessment information #c into the corresponding sub-intent pre-assessment information #c.

[0473] Among them, the sub-intention pre-evaluation information #a may include intention plan #a, intention satisfaction situation #a, expected target optimal performance value list #a, resource amount #a and time #a; the sub-intention pre-evaluation information #b may include intention plan #b, intention satisfaction situation #b, expected target optimal performance value list #b, resource amount #b and time #b; the sub-intention pre-evaluation information #c may include intention plan #c, intention satisfaction situation #c, expected target optimal performance value list #c, resource amount #c and time #c.

[0474] S812, the intent owner determines the expected satisfaction of each intent solution.

[0475] If there are at least two intention schemes among the above-mentioned intention scheme #a, intention scheme #b and intention scheme #c that can simultaneously meet intention expectation #a and intention expectation #b, the intention owner is triggered to execute the following step S813a1.

[0476] If there is no intention plan among the above intention plan #a, intention plan #b and intention plan #c that can simultaneously meet intention expectation #a and intention expectation #b, the intention owner is triggered to execute the following step S813b1.

[0477] S813a1, the intent owner selects the intent scheme to be executed.

[0478] Assuming that the above-mentioned intention plan #a and intention plan #c can simultaneously meet intention expectation #a and intention expectation #b, the intention owner can choose the intention plan to be executed, such as intention plan #c, based on his or her own intention expectation preference.

[0479] It can be understood that if the intention owner stores a solution selection strategy, such as the solution selection strategy #a in the above step S601, the intention owner can combine his own intention expectation preference and solution selection strategy #a to select the intention solution to be executed. The implementation principle is similar to the above step S507b2, which can be used as a reference for understanding and will not be elaborated on.

[0480] S813a2, the intention owner sends the scheme identifier #c to the Non-RT RIC.

[0481] S813a3, the Non-RT RIC sends a solution identifier #c to the Near-RT RIC.

[0482] S813a4, Near-RT RIC sends solution identifier #c to XAPP1.

[0483] S813b1, the intent owner selects the intent scheme to be executed.

[0484] If there is no intention plan among the above intention plan #a, intention plan #b and intention plan #c that can simultaneously meet intention expectation #a and intention expectation #b, then the unachieved expected goals can be marked in the above expected target optimal performance value list #a, expected target optimal performance value list #b and expected target optimal performance value list #c.

[0485] The intention owner can select the intention plan to be executed from the above-mentioned intention plan #a, intention plan #b and intention plan #c according to his or her own intention expectation preference, such as plan identifier #b.

[0486] Similarly, if the intention owner stores a solution selection strategy, such as the solution selection strategy #a in the above step S601, the intention owner can combine his or her own intention expectation preference and solution selection strategy #a to select the intention solution to be executed. The implementation principle is similar to the above step S507b2, which can be used as a reference for understanding and will not be elaborated on.

[0487] S813b2, the intention owner modifies the intention expression #a.

[0488] The intent owner may modify the intent expression #a according to the expected target optimal performance value list #b of the intent solution #b selected in the above step S711b1 to obtain a modified intent expression #a, which may be recorded as intent expression #b.

[0489] It can be understood that the implementation principle of this process is similar to that of the above step S507b3, which can be used as a reference for understanding and will not be described in detail.

[0490] S813b3, the intent owner sends the intent expression #b and solution identifier #b to the Non-RTRIC.

[0491] S813b4, Non-RT RIC modifies the A1 strategy according to the intent expression #b.

[0492] S813b5, the Non-RT RIC sends the modified A1 strategy and solution identifier #b to the Near-RTRIC.

[0493] S813b6, Near-RT RIC sends the modified A1 policy and solution identifier #b to XAPP1.

[0494] S814, XAPP1 executes the intention plan that needs to be executed.

[0495] It can be understood that steps S813a1-S813a4 and S813b1-S813b6 are parallel schemes to apply to different situations. For the above steps S813a1-S813a4, XAPP1 can execute intention scheme #c, such as, XAPP1 can send corresponding control information #c to the E2 node according to intention scheme #c; for example, for the above steps S813b1-S813b6, XAPP1 can execute intention scheme #b, such as, XAPP1 can send corresponding control information #b to the E2 node according to intention scheme #b.

[0496] It can be understood that the embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific implementation process of step S814.

[0497] The communication method provided by this embodiment is described in detail above with reference to Figures 4 to 8. The communication device for executing the communication method provided by this embodiment is described in detail below with reference to Figures 9 and 10.

[0498] Figure 9 is a structural diagram of a communication device provided in this embodiment. As shown in Figure 9, the communication device 900 includes a transceiver module 901 and a processing module 902. For ease of description, Figure 9 only shows the main components of the communication device.

[0499] The transceiver module 901 is used to perform the transceiver function of the method shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 8 , and the processing module 902 is used to perform other functions of the method shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 8 except the transceiver function.

[0500] Optionally, the transceiver module 901 may include a sending module (not shown in FIG9 ) and a receiving module (not shown in FIG9 ). The sending module is used to implement the sending function of the communication device 900 , and the receiving module is used to implement the receiving function of the communication device 900 .

[0501] Optionally, the communication device 900 may further include a storage module (not shown in FIG. 9 ) storing a program or instruction. When the processing module 902 executes the program or instruction, the communication device 900 may perform the functions of the first device, the second device, or the third device in the methods shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 8 in the above method.

[0502] It can be understood that the communication device 900 can be a device (such as a first device, a second device, or a third device), or a chip (system) or other parts or components that can be set in the device, or a device that includes a device. The embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0503] In addition, the technical effects of the communication device 900 can refer to the technical effects of the communication method shown above, and will not be repeated here.

[0504] Figure 10 is a second structural diagram of a communication device provided in this embodiment. Exemplarily, the communication device may be a terminal or a network device, or a chip (system) or other component or assembly that can be provided in a terminal or a network device. As shown in Figure 10, the communication device 1000 may include a processor 1001. Optionally, the communication device 1000 may further include a memory 1002 and / or a transceiver 1003. The processor 1001 is coupled to the memory 1002 and the transceiver 1003, for example, by a communication bus.

[0505] The following is a detailed introduction to the various components of the communication device 1000 in conjunction with FIG10 :

[0506] The processor 1001 is the control center of the communication device 1000 and can be a single processor or a collective term for multiple processing elements. For example, the processor 1001 can be one or more central processing units (CPUs), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the present embodiment, such as one or more digital signal processors (DSPs) or one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

[0507] Optionally, the processor 1001 can execute various functions of the communication device 1000 by running or executing software programs stored in the memory 1002 and calling data stored in the memory 1002, such as executing the communication method shown in Figures 4 to 8 above.

[0508] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the processor 1001 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 shown in FIG10 .

[0509] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the communication device 1000 may also include multiple processors, such as the processor 1001 and the processor 1004 shown in FIG10 . Each of these processors may be a single-core processor (single-CPU) or a multi-core processor (multi-CPU). The processor herein may refer to one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores for processing data (e.g., computer program instructions).

[0510] The storage 1002 is used to store the software program for executing the solution of this embodiment, and the execution is controlled by the processor 1001. The specific implementation method can refer to the above method embodiment and will not be repeated here.

[0511] Alternatively, the memory 1002 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device capable of storing static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device capable of storing information and instructions, or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, an optical disc storage (including a compact disc, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc, Blu-ray disc, etc.), a magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and capable of being accessed by a computer, but not limited thereto. The memory 1002 may be integrated with the processor 1001 or exist independently and be coupled to the processor 1001 via an interface circuit (not shown in FIG. 10 ) of the communication device 1000, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment.

[0512] Transceiver 1003 is used for communication with other communication devices. For example, if communication device 1000 is a terminal, transceiver 1003 can be used to communicate with a network device or another terminal device. For another example, if communication device 1000 is a network device, transceiver 1003 can be used to communicate with a terminal or another network device.

[0513] Optionally, the transceiver 1003 may include a receiver and a transmitter (not shown separately in FIG10 ), wherein the receiver is used to implement a receiving function, and the transmitter is used to implement a sending function.

[0514] Optionally, the transceiver 1003 may be integrated with the processor 1001 or exist independently and be coupled to the processor 1001 via an interface circuit (not shown in FIG. 10 ) of the communication device 1000 , which is not specifically limited in this embodiment.

[0515] It is understandable that the structure of the communication device 1000 shown in FIG10 does not constitute a limitation on the communication device, and an actual communication device may include more or fewer components than shown in the figure, or combine certain components, or arrange the components differently.

[0516] In addition, the technical effects of the communication device 1000 can refer to the technical effects of the methods described in the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0517] It should be understood that the processor in this embodiment may be a central processing unit (CPU), and the processor may also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc.

[0518] It should also be understood that the memory in this embodiment can be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or can include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory can be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory can be a random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, many forms of random access memory (RAM) are available, such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct RAM bus RAM (DR RAM).

[0519] The above embodiments can be implemented in whole or in part through software, hardware (such as circuits), firmware, or any other combination. When implemented using software, the above embodiments 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 or computer programs. When the computer instructions or computer program are loaded or executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in this embodiment 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. 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 method (such as infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.). 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 contains a collection of one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (such as a floppy disk, hard disk, or tape), an optical medium (such as a DVD), or a semiconductor medium. The semiconductor medium can be a solid-state drive.

[0520] It should be understood that the term "and / or" as used herein simply describes a relationship between associated objects, indicating that three possible relationships exist. For example, "A and / or B" can represent: A alone, A and B together, or B alone. A and B can be singular or plural. Furthermore, the character " / " as used herein generally indicates an "or" relationship between the associated objects, but it may also indicate an "and / or" relationship. For specific understanding, please refer to the context.

[0521] In this embodiment, "at least one" means one or more, and "plurality" means two or more. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be single or plural.

[0522] It should be understood that in various embodiments, the size of the sequence numbers of the above processes does not mean the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of this embodiment.

[0523] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this embodiment.

[0524] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0525] In the several embodiments provided above, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For example, the division of the units is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0526] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of these units may be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0527] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0528] If the functions are implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this embodiment, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or the part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0529] The above description is merely a specific implementation of this embodiment, but the scope of protection of this embodiment is not limited thereto. Any modifications or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this embodiment should be included within the scope of protection of this embodiment. Therefore, the scope of protection of this embodiment should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The first device receives a first request message from the second device; wherein the first request message is used to request the creation of a first intent instance, and the first intent instance includes at least one intent expectation; The first device sends first information and multiple identifiers to the second device; wherein the first information is used to indicate whether the estimated intention expectations when multiple intention schemes are respectively executed meet each of the at least one intention expectation, the multiple intention schemes are used to implement the first intention instance, and the multiple identifiers correspond one-to-one to the multiple intention schemes; The first device receives a first identifier from the second device; wherein the first identifier is used to indicate an intended scheme to be executed, and the first identifier is one of the multiple identifiers.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first information includes first indication information, and / or an expected value list; wherein, the first indication information is used to indicate whether the estimated intention expectations when the multiple intention schemes are each executed meet each of the at least one intention expectation; the expected value list is used to indicate the expected target values ​​of the estimated intention expectations when the multiple intention schemes are each executed.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The first information also includes resource information and / or time information; wherein the resource information is used to indicate the amount of resources used to complete each of the multiple intention schemes; and the time information is used to indicate the time used to complete each of the multiple intention schemes.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The first request message includes a first intent expression, and the first intent expression is used to request the creation of the first intent instance.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that Before the first device sends the first information and the multiple identifiers to the second device, the method further includes: The first device generates the multiple intent schemes according to the first intent instance.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first device generates the first information according to the multiple intent schemes.

7. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first device sends a second request message to the third device; wherein the second request message includes the multiple intention schemes, and the second request message is used to request to obtain the estimated intention expectations when each of the multiple intention schemes is executed; The first device receives the first information returned by the third device according to the second request message.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The second request message also includes an expectation list, and / or expected object information; wherein the expectation list is used to indicate the at least one intention expectation; and the expected object information is used to indicate the object that executes the first intention instance.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first device determines a first intention scheme according to the first identifier.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that When there are at least two intention schemes among the multiple intention schemes, the estimated intention expectations when they are executed can satisfy each of the at least one intention expectation, the first intention scheme is one of the at least two intention schemes.

11. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that When no intention scheme among the multiple intention schemes exists and the estimated intention expectation when the intention scheme is executed can satisfy each intention expectation of the at least one intention expectation, the method further includes: The first device receives a second intent expression from the second device; wherein the second intent expression is determined according to the estimated intent expectation of the first intent scheme.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first device modifies the first intent instance according to the second intent expression.

13. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The second device sends a first request message to the first device; wherein the first request message is used to request the creation of a first intent instance, and the first intent instance includes at least one intent expectation; The second device receives first information and multiple identifiers from the first device; wherein the first information is used to indicate whether the estimated intention expectations when multiple intention schemes are respectively executed meet each of the at least one intention expectation, the multiple intention schemes are used to implement the first intention instance, and the multiple identifiers correspond one-to-one to the multiple intention schemes; The second device determines a first identifier according to the first information and a plurality of identifiers; The second device sends the first identifier to the first device.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The first information includes first indication information, and / or an expected value list; wherein, the first indication information is used to indicate whether the estimated intention expectations when the multiple intention schemes are each executed meet each of the at least one intention expectation; the expected value list is used to indicate the expected target values ​​of the estimated intention expectations when the multiple intention schemes are each executed.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The first information also includes resource information and / or time information; wherein the resource information is used to indicate the amount of resources used to complete each of the multiple intention schemes; and the time information is used to indicate the time used to complete each of the multiple intention schemes.

16. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that The first request message includes a first intent expression, and the first intent expression is used to request the creation of the first intent instance.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The first identifier corresponds to a first intention scheme, and when there are at least two intention schemes among the multiple intention schemes, the estimated intention expectations when they are executed can satisfy each of the at least one intention expectation, the first intention scheme is one of the at least two intention schemes.

18. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The first identifier corresponds to the first intention scheme, and when no estimated intention expectation when any intention scheme is executed among the multiple intention schemes can satisfy each of the at least one intention expectation, the method further includes: The second device generates a second intention expression according to the estimated intention expectation of the first intention scheme; The second device sends the second intent expression to the first device.

19. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The third device receives a second request message from the first device; wherein the second request message includes multiple intent schemes, and the second request message is used to request to obtain the estimated intent expectation when the multiple intent schemes are executed; The third device generates first information according to the second request message; wherein the first information is used to indicate whether the estimated intention expectations when multiple intention schemes are respectively executed meet each of the at least one intention expectation, and the multiple intention schemes are used to implement the first intention instance; The third device sends the first information to the first device.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that The second request message also includes an expectation list, and / or expected object information; wherein the expectation list is used to indicate the at least one intention expectation; and the expected object information is used to indicate the object that executes the first intention instance.

21. The method according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that The third device generates first information according to the second request message, including: The third device obtains, according to the expected object information, the estimated intention expectations when each of the multiple intention schemes is executed; The third device generates the first information according to the estimated intention expectations and the expectation list when each of the intention schemes is executed.

22. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The first device performs the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12; The second device performs the method according to any one of claims 13-18.

23. A communication device, characterized in that: The apparatus comprises: a module for executing the method as claimed in any one of claims 1-21.

24. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device comprises: a processor; when the processor executes computer instructions, the communication device executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 21.

25. A communication system, characterized in that: include: An apparatus for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, and / or an apparatus for performing the method according to any one of claims 13 to 18.

26. A communication chip, characterized in that: Instructions are stored therein, and when the chip runs on a communication device, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 21 is implemented.

27. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium comprises a computer program or instructions, and when the computer program or instructions are executed on a computer, the computer is caused to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 21.

28. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product comprises a computer program or instructions, and when the computer program or instructions are executed by a communication device, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 21 is executed.

Images