Communication method and apparatus, and system

Abstract

The present application relates to a communication method and apparatus, and a system. A third core network element determines a first computing power resource on the basis of a delay threshold of a first computing task and a first delay. The first computing power resource is a computing power resource required by a computing node to process the first computing task, the delay threshold is related to an end-to-end delay requirement of the first computing task, and the first delay is a transmission delay of a message corresponding to the first computing task and transmitted between a terminal device and an access network element. The third core network element sends a first request, which is used to trigger a first computing node to use the first computing power resource to process the first computing task. In the embodiments of the present application, the sum of a processing delay of a first computing node and a transmission delay of a message (i.e. actual end-to-end delay) can meet an end-to-end delay requirement of a first computing task as much as possible, so that the efficiency of accessing the first computing task is improved, and the user experience is also improved.

Description

Communication method, device and system

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China on December 26, 2023, with application number 202311819274.9 and application name "A Communication Method, Device and System", the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

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

[0004] The current 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) system can enable UE to access the services processed by the computing node by establishing a connection for accessing the computing node. The computing node can be a service server. From the perspective of end-to-end (for example, user equipment (UE) is one end and the computing node is the other end), the service delay includes the transmission delay of the service message in the network (the transmission delay is, for example, a round-trip delay, which may include the uplink transmission delay and downlink transmission delay of the service message in the network), and the processing delay of the computing node that processes the service for the service. The transmission delay of the message in the network includes, for example, the transmission delay of the message between the UE and the computing node; taking the computing node as a service server as an example, the processing delay of the computing node is also called the server processing delay, and the processing delay can reflect the service quality of the server.

[0005] When some interference factors occur, such as network congestion, the transmission delay of packets in the network may increase, which may increase the end-to-end delay of the service, thereby affecting service access efficiency and reducing user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, device, and system for improving service access efficiency.

[0007] In a first aspect, a first communication method is provided, which can be executed by a core network network element, or by other devices including core network network element functions, or by a chip system (or, chip) or other functional module, and the chip system or functional module can realize the functions of the core network network element, and the chip system or functional module is, for example, arranged in the core network network element. The core network network element is, for example, a third core network network element. In the following description, the method is performed by the third core network element as an example. Optionally, the third core network element is, for example, a computing management function (CMF), or other core network elements that can realize similar functions. Optionally, for the steps executed by the third core network element, reference may be made to the steps executed by the CMF in the embodiment shown in any of Figures 2A, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 below. The method includes: determining a first computing power resource based on a delay threshold and a first delay of a first computing task, where the first computing power resource is the computing power resource required for a computing node to process the first computing task, the delay threshold is related to the end-to-end delay requirement of the first computing task, the end-to-end delay requirement is the delay requirement for transmitting and processing messages corresponding to the first computing task between a terminal device and a computing node, and the first delay is the transmission delay for transmitting messages corresponding to the first computing task between the terminal device and an access network element; and sending a first request, where the first request is used to trigger the first computing node to use the first computing power resource to process the first computing task.

[0008] The delay threshold is related to the end-to-end delay requirement. For example, one implementation method is to determine the delay threshold based on the end-to-end delay requirement. The embodiment of the present application can determine the first computing power resource based on the delay threshold of the first computing task and the first delay, which is equivalent to determining the computing power resource (first computing power resource) that the computing node should provide for the first computing task based on the end-to-end delay requirement and the transmission delay of the first computing task. If the first computing node processes the first computing task according to the first computing power resource, the sum of the processing delay of the first computing node and the transmission delay of the message (that is, the actual end-to-end delay) can meet the end-to-end delay requirement of the first computing task, thereby improving the access efficiency of the first computing task and improving the user experience.

[0009] In an optional implementation, the delay threshold is the end-to-end delay requirement. For example, the delay threshold may be greater than the end-to-end delay requirement, less than the end-to-end delay requirement, or equal to the end-to-end delay requirement. This document does not limit how to determine the delay threshold based on the end-to-end delay requirement.

[0010] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: determining the first computing node based on the first computing power resource. If the computing node has not yet been selected, the third core network element may select a computing node based on the first computing power resource, so that the selected computing node can provide the first computing power resource to ensure execution of the computing task.

[0011] In an optional embodiment, determining the first computing node based on the first computing power resource includes: sending a second request to the first core network network element, the second request being used to request discovery (or provision; or indication) of the computing node, the second request also including information about the first computing power resource; and receiving information about the first computing node from the first core network network element, the information about the first computing node including an identifier of the first computing node. For example, if the computing node is registered with the first core network network element, the third core network network element may request the first core network network element to discover the computing node. Alternatively, if the computing node is registered with the third core network network element, or the first core network network element sends the registration information of the computing node to the third core network network element, the computing node may also be determined by the third core network network element on its own.

[0012] In an optional embodiment, the information about the first computing node also includes information about the maximum computing power resources supported by the first computing node. After the third core network element learns the information about the maximum computing power resources supported by the first computing node, if the computing power resources used to process the first computing task change in the future, the third core network element can determine whether the first computing node can provide the changed computing power resources. If the capacity of the first computing node is insufficient to provide the changed computing power resources, the third core network element can also promptly reselect a computing node, etc., which helps to improve the processing efficiency of the computing task.

[0013] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: sending information about the first computing task to the access network element; and receiving first information from the access network element, wherein the first information includes information about the first delay. A third core network element may send the information about the first computing task to the access network element. The access network element may predict, based on the information about the first computing task, a delay in transmitting a message corresponding to the first computing task between the access network element and the terminal device, i.e., the first delay, so that the third core network element can obtain the first delay.

[0014] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: sending first time information to the access network element, wherein the first time information is used to indicate the time when the access network element determines the first delay. Alternatively, the access network element may determine the first time information on its own, or the first time information may be pre-configured in the access network element or pre-defined by a protocol, etc. If the access network element starts to predict the first delay when or after the first computing task starts to execute, the third core network element obtains the first delay and then requests the first computing node to provide corresponding computing resources to process the first computing task. During this process, the first computing task may have been executed for a period of time or may even have been completed. This strategy of adjusting computing resources is lagging and will affect the execution of the first computing task. Therefore, the access network element in the embodiment of the present application can use the first time information to predict the first delay in advance. For example, the first computing task may not start until the computing resources are adjusted, thereby reducing the impact on the first computing task.

[0015] In an optional embodiment, the first information is further used to indicate the effective duration of the first delay. The effective duration means that it is feasible to use the first delay within the effective duration. However, if the effective duration is exceeded, the first delay is invalid. If the third core network element needs to use the air interface delay (for example, to determine computing resources using the air interface delay), it may need to re-obtain the air interface delay. This method is conducive to improving the accuracy of the first delay.

[0016] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: receiving second information from a second core network network element, the second information including information about the first computing task and the end-to-end delay requirement of the first computing task; or sending a third request to a database network element, the third request being used to request information about the first computing task and the end-to-end delay requirement of the first computing task, and receiving information about the first computing task and the end-to-end delay requirement of the first computing task from the database network element. The information about the first computing task and the end-to-end delay requirement, etc., can come from the second core network network element, or from the database network element, or can be obtained in other ways, without limitation.

[0017] In an optional embodiment, the information of the first computing task includes one or more of the following: the maximum uplink data volume corresponding to the first computing task, the maximum downlink data volume corresponding to the first computing task, or the execution period of the first computing task. In addition, the information of the first computing task may also include other information, or the information of the first computing task may include other information instead of this information, without limitation.

[0018] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: receiving information about a second delay from the access network element, the second delay being the transmission delay of the message corresponding to the first computing task between the terminal device and the access network element, and the second delay being different from the first delay; determining a second computing power resource based on the delay threshold and the second delay, the second computing power resource being the computing power resource required for the computing node to process the first computing task; and sending a fourth request, the fourth request being used to trigger the second computing node to use the second computing power resource to process the first computing task. If the air interface delay changes, for example, from the first delay to the second delay, the access network element can inform the third core network element, and the third core network element can re-determine the computing power resource accordingly, so that the actual end-to-end delay of the first computing task can continue to meet the end-to-end delay requirements of the first computing task. The second computing node and the first computing node can be the same computing node, or different computing nodes.

[0019] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: if it is determined that the first computing node cannot provide the second computing resource, determining the second computing node based on the second computing resource. For example, if the first computing node can provide the second computing resource, the second computing node and the first computing node can be the same computing node; or, if the first computing node cannot provide the second computing resource, the second computing node and the first computing node can be different computing nodes, for example, the third core network element reselects the second computing node that can provide the second computing resource.

[0020] In an optional embodiment, the first computing node is a UPF, an access network element, or a service server. The second computing node is a UPF, an access network element, or a service server. The first computing node and the second computing node can be of the same type, for example, both are UPFs or both are service servers; or the first computing node and the second computing node can be of different types, for example, the first computing node is an access network element and the second computing node is a UPF or a service server.

[0021] In a second aspect, a second communication method is provided, which can be executed by a computing node, or by other devices including computing node functions, or by a chip system (or, chip) or other functional module, which can realize the functions of the computing node, and the chip system or functional module is, for example, set in the computing node. The computing node is, for example, a first computing node. The first computing node is, for example, a UPF, an access network element or a service server, or it can also be other network elements in the network. Optionally, for the steps performed by the computing node, reference may be made to the steps performed by the first computing node in the embodiment shown in any one of Figures 2A, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 below; or, for the steps performed by the computing node, reference may be made to the steps performed by the second computing node in the embodiment shown in any one of Figures 5 or 7 below. The method includes: receiving a first request, the first request being used to trigger the first computing node to use a first computing power resource to process a first computing task; and according to the first request, using the first computing power resource to process the first computing task.

[0022] In an optional embodiment, a fourth request is received, wherein the fourth request is used to trigger the first computing node to use second computing power resources to process the first computing task; the computing power resources scheduled for the first computing task are adjusted to the second computing power resources according to the fourth request; and the first computing task is processed using the second computing power resources.

[0023] In an optional implementation, the first computing node is a UPF, an access network element, or a service server.

[0024] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: sending a registration request, the registration request including an identifier of the first computing node and information about a maximum computing resource supported by the first computing node. For example, the first computing node may register with a second core network element or a third core network element, without limitation.

[0025] Regarding the technical effects brought about by the second aspect or various optional implementations, reference may be made to the introduction to the technical effects of the first aspect or corresponding implementations.

[0026] On the third aspect, a third communication method is provided, which can be executed by an access network network element, or by other devices including the functions of an access network network element, or by a chip system (or, chip) or other functional module, which can realize the functions of the access network network element, and the chip system or functional module is, for example, arranged in the access network network element. Optionally, the access network network element is, for example, a base station, or other network elements in the access network. Optionally, for the steps executed by the access network network element, reference may be made to the steps executed by the access network network element in the embodiment shown in any one of Figures 2A, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 below. The method includes: receiving information about a first computing task from a core network network element; determining a first delay, the first delay being the transmission delay for transmitting a message corresponding to the first computing task between a terminal device and the access network network element; and sending first information to the core network network element, the first information including information about the first delay.

[0027] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: receiving first time information from the core network element; and determining a first delay, including: determining the first delay at a time determined according to the first time information.

[0028] In an optional implementation, the first information is further used to indicate the effective duration of the first delay.

[0029] In an optional embodiment, a first request is received from the core network element, where the first request is used to trigger the access network element to use the first computing resource to process the first computing task. For example, if the access network element is a computing node, the first request may be received and the first computing resource may be provided to process the first computing task.

[0030] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: determining that the transmission delay of the message corresponding to the first computing task between the terminal device and the access network element is changed to a second delay; and sending information about the second delay to the core network element.

[0031] Regarding the technical effects brought about by the third aspect or various optional implementations, reference may be made to the introduction to the technical effects of the first aspect or corresponding implementations.

[0032] In a fourth aspect, a fourth communication method is provided, which can be executed by a core network network element, or by other devices including core network network element functions, or by a chip system (or, chip) or other functional module. The chip system or functional module can implement the functions of the core network network element, and the chip system or functional module is, for example, provided in the core network network element. The core network network element is, for example, a second core network network element. In the following description, the method is performed by the second core network element as an example. Optionally, the second core network element is, for example, a PCF or NEF, or other core network elements that can implement similar functions. Optionally, for the steps performed by the second core network element, reference may be made to the steps performed by the PCF in the embodiment shown in any one of Figures 2A, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 below, or reference may be made to the steps performed by the NEF in the embodiment shown in any one of Figures 2A, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 below. The method includes: receiving correspondence information between information of a first computing task and DNN and / or S-NSSAI, and receiving end-to-end delay requirements of the first computing task; determining second information based on the received information, the second information including the correspondence information and the end-to-end delay requirements; and sending the second information to a core network element.

[0033] Regarding the technical effects brought about by the fourth aspect or various optional implementations, reference may be made to the introduction to the technical effects of the first aspect or corresponding implementations.

[0034] A fifth aspect provides a communications device. The communications device may be the third core network element described in any one of the first to fourth aspects. The communications device possesses the functions of the third core network element. The communications device may be, for example, a third core network element, or a larger device including the third core network element, or a functional module within the third core network element, such as a baseband device or a system-on-chip. In one optional implementation, the communications device includes a baseband device and a radio frequency device. In another optional implementation, the communications device includes a processing unit (sometimes also referred to as a processing module) and a transceiver unit (sometimes also referred to as a transceiver module). The transceiver unit is capable of performing both transmitting and receiving functions. When the transceiver unit performs the transmitting function, it may be referred to as a transmitting unit (sometimes also referred to as a transmitting module); when the transceiver unit performs the receiving function, it may be referred to as a receiving unit (sometimes also referred to as a receiving module). The transmitting unit and the receiving unit may be the same functional module, referred to as the transceiver unit, which is capable of both transmitting and receiving functions. Alternatively, the transmitting unit and the receiving unit may be different functional modules, with the transceiver unit being a collective term for these functional modules.

[0035] In an optional embodiment, the processing unit is used to determine the first computing power resources based on the delay threshold and the first delay of the first computing task, where the first computing power resources are the computing power resources required for the computing node to process the first computing task, and the delay threshold is related to the end-to-end delay requirement of the first computing task, and the end-to-end delay requirement is the delay requirement for transmitting and processing the message corresponding to the first computing task between the terminal device and the computing node, and the first delay is the transmission delay for transmitting the message corresponding to the first computing task between the terminal device and the access network element; the transceiver unit (or, the sending unit) is used to send a first request, and the first request is used to trigger the first computing node to use the first computing power resources to process the first computing task.

[0036] In an optional embodiment, the communication device also includes a storage unit (sometimes also referred to as a storage module), and the processing unit is used to couple with the storage unit and execute the program or instructions in the storage unit, enabling the communication device to perform the functions of the third core network network element described in any one of the first to fourth aspects above.

[0037] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device may be the first computing node described in any one of the first to fourth aspects. The communication device has the functions of the first computing node. The communication device is, for example, a first computing node, or a larger device including a first computing node, or a functional module in the first computing node, such as a baseband device or a chip system. In an optional implementation, the communication device includes a baseband device and a radio frequency device. In another optional implementation, the communication device includes a processing unit (sometimes also referred to as a processing module) and a transceiver unit (sometimes also referred to as a transceiver module). For the implementation of the transceiver unit, reference may be made to the introduction of the fifth aspect.

[0038] In an optional embodiment, the transceiver unit (or, the receiving unit) is used to receive a first request, which is used to trigger the first computing node to use the first computing power resources to process the first computing task; the processing unit is used to use the first computing power resources to process the first computing task according to the first request.

[0039] In an optional embodiment, the communication device also includes a storage unit (sometimes also referred to as a storage module), and the processing unit is used to couple with the storage unit and execute the program or instructions in the storage unit, enabling the communication device to perform the function of the first computing node described in any one of the first to fourth aspects above.

[0040] In the seventh aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device may be the access network element described in any one of the first to fourth aspects. The communication device has the functions of the above-mentioned access network element. The communication device is, for example, an access network element, or a larger device including an access network element, or a functional module in an access network element, such as a baseband device or a chip system. In an optional implementation, the communication device includes a baseband device and a radio frequency device. In another optional implementation, the communication device includes a processing unit (sometimes also referred to as a processing module) and a transceiver unit (sometimes also referred to as a transceiver module). For the implementation of the transceiver unit, please refer to the introduction of the fifth aspect.

[0041] In an optional embodiment, the transceiver unit (or, the receiving unit) is used to receive information about a first computing task from a core network network element; the processing unit is used to determine a first delay, where the first delay is the transmission delay of a message corresponding to the first computing task between a terminal device and an access network network element; the transceiver unit (or, the sending unit) is used to send first information to the core network network element, where the first information includes information about the first delay.

[0042] In an optional embodiment, the communication device also includes a storage unit (sometimes also referred to as a storage module), and the processing unit is used to couple with the storage unit and execute the program or instructions in the storage unit, enabling the communication device to perform the functions of the access network network element described in any one of the first to fourth aspects above.

[0043] In an eighth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device may be the second core network element described in any one of the first to fourth aspects. The communication device has the functions of the second core network element. The communication device is, for example, a second core network element, or a larger device including a second core network element, or a functional module in a second core network element, such as a baseband device or a chip system. In an optional implementation, the communication device includes a baseband device and a radio frequency device. In another optional implementation, the communication device includes a processing unit (sometimes also referred to as a processing module) and a transceiver unit (sometimes also referred to as a transceiver module). For the implementation of the transceiver unit, reference may be made to the introduction of the fifth aspect.

[0044] In an optional embodiment, the transceiver unit (or, the receiving unit) is used to receive the correspondence information between the information of the first computing task and the DNN and / or S-NSSAI, and receive the end-to-end delay requirement of the first computing task; the processing unit is used to determine the second information based on the received information, and the second information includes the correspondence information and the end-to-end delay requirement; the transceiver unit (or, the sending unit) is used to send the second information to the core network network element.

[0045] In an optional embodiment, the communication device also includes a storage unit (sometimes also referred to as a storage module), and the processing unit is used to couple with the storage unit and execute the program or instructions in the storage unit, enabling the communication device to perform the functions of the second core network network element described in any one of the first to fourth aspects above.

[0046] In a ninth aspect, a communications device is provided. The communications device may be a third core network element, or a chip or chip system used in a third core network element. The communications device includes a communications interface and a processor, and optionally, a memory. The memory is configured to store a computer program. The processor is coupled to the memory and the communications interface. When the processor reads the computer program or instructions, the communications device executes the method performed by the third core network element in each of the aforementioned aspects.

[0047] In a tenth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device may be a first computing node, or a chip or chip system used in the first computing node. The communication device includes a communication interface and a processor, and optionally, a memory. The memory is used to store a computer program. The processor is coupled to the memory and the communication interface. When the processor reads the computer program or instructions, the communication device executes the method performed by the first computing node in the above aspects.

[0048] In an eleventh aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device may be an access network element, or a chip or chip system used in an access network element. The communication device includes a communication interface and a processor, and optionally, a memory. The memory is configured to store a computer program. The processor is coupled to the memory and the communication interface. When the processor reads the computer program or instructions, the communication device executes the method performed by the access network element in each of the above aspects.

[0049] In a twelfth aspect, a communications device is provided. The communications device may be a second core network element, or a chip or chip system used in the second core network element. The communications device includes a communications interface and a processor, and optionally, a memory. The memory is configured to store a computer program. The processor is coupled to the memory and the communications interface. When the processor reads the computer program or instructions, the communications device executes the method performed by the second core network element in each of the above aspects.

[0050] In a thirteenth aspect, a communications system is provided, comprising a third core network element and an access network element. The third core network element is configured to execute the method described in any of the first to fourth aspects, and the access network element is configured to execute the method described in any of the first to fourth aspects. For example, the third core network element may be implemented using the communications apparatus described in the fifth or ninth aspect, and the access network element may be implemented using the communications apparatus described in the seventh or eleventh aspect.

[0051] Optionally, the communication system may further include a first computing node. The first computing node is configured to execute the method described in any one of the first to fourth aspects. For example, the first computing node may be implemented by the communication device described in the sixth or tenth aspect.

[0052] Optionally, the communication system may further include a second core network element. The second core network element is configured to execute the method described in any one of the first to fourth aspects. For example, the second core network element may be implemented by the communication device described in the eighth or twelfth aspect.

[0053] In a fourteenth aspect, another communication system is provided, comprising a third core network element and a first computing node. The third core network element is configured to execute the method described in any of the first to fourth aspects, and the first computing node is configured to execute the method described in any of the first to fourth aspects. For example, the third core network element may be implemented using the communication device described in the fifth or ninth aspect, and the first computing node may be implemented using the communication device described in the sixth or tenth aspect.

[0054] Optionally, the communication system may further include an access network element. The access network element is configured to execute the method described in any one of the first to fourth aspects. For example, the access network element may be implemented by the communication device described in the seventh or eleventh aspect.

[0055] Optionally, the communication system may further include a second core network element. The second core network element is configured to execute the method described in any one of the first to fourth aspects. For example, the second core network element may be implemented by the communication device described in the eighth or twelfth aspect.

[0056] In the fifteenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which is used to store computer programs or instructions. When the computer-readable storage medium is executed, the method executed by the third core network element or access network element or the first computing node or the second core network element in the above aspects is implemented.

[0057] In a sixteenth aspect, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided, which, when executed on a computer, enables the methods described in the above aspects to be implemented.

[0058] In the seventeenth aspect, a chip system is provided, comprising a processor and an interface, wherein the processor is used to call and execute instructions from the interface so that the chip system implements the methods in the above aspects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] FIG1A is a schematic diagram of a 5G network based on a service-oriented architecture;

[0060] FIG1B is a schematic diagram of a 5G network based on a point-to-point interface;

[0061] Figures 2A, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 are flowcharts of several communication methods provided in embodiments of the present application;

[0062] 2B and 2C are schematic diagrams of several time delays in the embodiments of the present application;

[0063] FIG4 is a schematic diagram showing an access network element determining an air interface delay according to an advance prediction time in an embodiment of the present application;

[0064] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of end-to-end delay guarantee in an embodiment of the present application;

[0065] FIG11 is a schematic diagram of a device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0066] FIG12 is a schematic diagram of another device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0067] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the embodiments of the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0068] In the embodiments of the present application, the number of nouns, unless otherwise specified, means "singular noun or plural noun", that is, "one or more". "At least one" means one or more, and "plural" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A or B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B means: A or B. "At least one of the following items" or "one or more of them" and other similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c, or one or more of a, b, or c, means: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c. Each of a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0069] The ordinal numbers "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish multiple objects and are not used to limit the size, content, order, timing, priority, or importance of multiple objects. In addition, the numbering of the steps in the various embodiments introduced in the embodiments of this application is only to distinguish different steps and is not used to define the order between the steps. For example, S301 can occur before S301, or it can occur after S301, or it can also occur at the same time as S301.

[0070] Below, some terms or concepts in the embodiments of the present application are explained to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0071] (1) In the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities, which can be a fixed device, a mobile device, a handheld device (such as a mobile phone), a wearable device, a vehicle-mounted device, or a wireless device built into the above devices (such as a communication module, a modem, or a chip system, etc.). The terminal device is used to connect people, objects, machines, etc., and can be widely used in various scenarios, such as but not limited to the following scenarios: perception scenarios, cellular communications, device-to-device communication (D2D), vehicle to everything (V2X), machine-to-machine / machine-type communications (M2M / MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), industrial control, self-driving, remote medical, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wearable, smart transportation, smart city, drones, robots, indoor commercial scenarios (such as mobile phone screen projection, file sharing, mobile phone to VR glasses video transmission) and other scenarios. When the terminal device is applied to V2X, it can also be called a V2X device, for example, a smart car (or intelligent car), a digital car, an unmanned car (or driverless car or pilotless car or automobile), a self-driving car (or autonomous car), a pure electric vehicle (or battery EV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a range-extended EV (REEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), a new energy vehicle (new energy vehicle), or a roadside unit (RSU). The terminal device can also be a device used in D2D communication, such as an electricity meter or water meter.

[0072] In addition, in the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device can also be a terminal device in an IoT system. IoT is an important part of the future development of information technology. Its main technical feature is to connect objects to the network through communication technology, thereby realizing an intelligent network of human-machine interconnection and object-to-object interconnection.

[0073] The various terminal devices described above, if located on a vehicle (e.g., placed in or installed in a vehicle), can be considered as vehicle-mounted terminal devices, which are also referred to as on-board units (OBUs). The terminal device of the present application can also be an on-board module, on-board module, on-board component, on-board chip, or on-board unit built into a vehicle as one or more components or units, and the vehicle can implement the method of the present application through the built-in on-board module, on-board module, on-board component, on-board chip, or on-board unit.

[0074] The terminal device may sometimes be referred to as UE, terminal, access station, UE station, remote station, wireless communication device, or user equipment, etc.

[0075] In the embodiments of the present application, the communication device for implementing the terminal device function may be a terminal device, or may be a device capable of supporting the terminal device to implement the function, such as a chip system, which may be installed in the terminal device. In the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are described by taking the terminal device as an example in which the device for implementing the terminal device function is a terminal device. In addition, for ease of description, the terminal device in the embodiments of the present application is described by taking a UE as an example.

[0076] (2) The network devices in the embodiments of the present application include, for example, access network devices and / or core network devices. The access network device is a device with wireless transceiver functions, which is used to communicate with the terminal device. The access network device includes but is not limited to base stations (base transceiver station (BTS), Node B, eNodeB / eNB, or gNodeB / gNB), transmission reception points (TRP), base stations subsequently evolved from the third generation partnership project (3GPP), access nodes in wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) systems, wireless relay nodes, wireless backhaul nodes, etc. The base station can be: a macro base station, a micro base station, a pico base station, a small station, a relay station, etc. Multiple base stations can support networks with the same access technology, or they can support networks with different access technologies. The base station can include one or more co-station or non-co-station transmission and reception points. The access network device may also be a wireless controller, a centralized unit (CU), and / or a distributed unit (DU) in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. The access network device may also be a server, etc. For example, the network device in the vehicle to everything (V2X) technology may be a road side unit (RSU). The following description of the access network device takes a base station as an example. The base station can communicate with the terminal device, or communicate with the terminal device through a relay station. The terminal device can communicate with multiple base stations in different access technologies. The core network device is used to implement functions such as mobility management, data processing, session management, policy and billing. The names of the devices that implement the core network functions in systems with different access technologies may be different, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited to this. Taking the fifth generation (5G) mobile communication system as an example, the core network device includes: AMF, session management function (SMF), policy control function (PCF), or user plane function (UPF), etc.

[0077] In the CU-DU architecture, the access network equipment may include one or more logical network elements such as a centralized unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU). The CU and DU may be configured separately or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU may be included in a radio frequency device or radio frequency unit, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0078] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in an open radio access network (ORAN) system, CU may also be referred to as open (open, O)-CU, DU may also be referred to as O-DU, CU-CP may also be referred to as O-CU-CP, CU-UP may also be referred to as O-CU-UP, and RU may also be referred to as O-RU. For the convenience of description, the embodiments of the present application are described by taking CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU and RU as examples. Any of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0079] In the embodiments of the present application, the communication device for implementing the network device function may be a network device, or may be a device capable of supporting the network device to implement the function, such as a chip system, which may be installed in the network device. In the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are described by taking the network device as an example of the device for implementing the network device function being a network device.

[0080] Computing power refers to the ability of a computer or other device to perform certain operations, typically measured by the speed of floating-point operations (FLOPS). Higher computing power means a computer or other device can process more data and faster, which in turn means it is more capable of completing complex computing tasks. Computing power resources can be understood as the resources used to achieve computing power. By increasing the computing power of computing nodes (such as business servers), processing latency can be reduced.

[0081] The central processing unit (CPU) is a crucial component in a computer system, used to execute various instructions and control the computer's operations. Located on the computer's motherboard, the CPU is one of the most important components of a computer, handling a large number of computational and calculation tasks. Generally speaking, CPUs are suited for general-purpose computing tasks. Currently, the peak floating-point performance of desktop-level CPUs is often around several hundred giga floating-point operations per second (GFLOPS), while high-end server-level CPUs can reach tera floating-point operations per second (TFLOPS).

[0082] A graphics processing unit (GPU) is a processor specifically designed for efficient image and graphics processing. It is a type of processor in a computer system that can perform parallel computing and is suitable for large-scale parallel processing tasks. Currently, GPUs are widely used in scientific computing, computer vision, deep learning, graphics rendering and other fields. Compared with CPUs, GPUs have more cores and higher memory bandwidth, and can process large amounts of data in a short period of time. Currently, the peak floating-point computing performance of high-end GPUs has exceeded 10 TFLOPS, and even reached tens of TFLOPS, making them an ideal choice for training deep learning models. For example, in terms of artificial intelligence (AI) task reasoning, the performance of GPUs is better than that of CPUs. For the same AI reasoning task, the reasoning time required using GPUs is shorter than that required using CPUs.

[0083] A neural processing unit (NPU) is a chip used for deep learning calculations. NPUs have become a popular technology in the field of artificial intelligence in recent years and are widely used in various AI applications, such as autonomous driving, facial recognition, and intelligent voice.

[0084] The CPU, GPU, NPU, etc. mentioned above can all be used as computing resources. In addition, other hardware resources and / or software resources in the business server can also be used as computing resources without restriction.

[0085] Please refer to Figure 1A, which is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture based on a service-oriented architecture, which is also a network architecture used in the embodiments of this application. The 5G network architecture shown in Figure 1A can include three parts: the UE part, the data network (DN), and the operator network part.

[0086] Among them, the operator network may include one or more of the following network elements: network exposure function (NEF) network element, policy control function (PCF) network element, unified data repository (UDR), network storage function (NRF) network element, application function (AF) network element, CMF network element, access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, SMF network element, (radio) access network (R)AN) or user plane function (UPF) network element, etc.

[0087] The operator network includes a radio access network and a core network. The UE accesses the core network through the (R)AN. The core network includes user plane network elements and control plane network elements. The user plane network elements of the core network include the UPF; the control plane network elements of the core network include at least one of the following network elements: AUSF, AMF, SMF, NSSF, NEF, NRF, UDM, PCF, or AF.

[0088] User plane network elements (e.g., UPF) are primarily responsible for packet forwarding, quality of service (QoS) control, and billing information statistics. Control plane network elements are primarily responsible for business process interaction, issuing packet forwarding policies and QoS control policies to the user plane, etc. In the embodiments of the present application, it is considered that devices such as sensors can access the core network through devices such as UE and (R)AN. Therefore, controllers connected to sensors and other devices in industrial Ethernet can perform industrial data communication on the user plane through UPF.

[0089] The core network control plane can adopt a service-based architecture. That is, the interaction between control plane network elements uses service calls, replacing the point-to-point communication method in the traditional architecture. In a service-based architecture, one control plane network element will open services to other control plane network elements for them to call. In point-to-point communication, the communication interface between control plane network elements will have a specific set of messages that can only be used by the control plane network elements at both ends of the interface during communication.

[0090] The functions of network elements in the core network are described as follows:

[0091] UPF supports all or part of the following functions: interconnecting protocol data unit (PDU) sessions with data networks, packet routing and forwarding (for example, supporting uplink classifier for forwarding traffic to the data network, supporting branching points to support multi-homed PDU sessions), or packet inspection.

[0092] The AMF manages UE access and mobility. It is responsible for maintaining UE status, managing UE reachability, forwarding non-mobility management (MM) and non-access-stratum (NAS) messages, and forwarding session management (SM) N2 messages.

[0093] The SMF, or UE Session Management, allocates and releases resources for UE sessions. These resources include session quality of service (QoS), session paths, and forwarding rules. The SMF is responsible for selecting or reselecting UPFs, allocating Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, and establishing, modifying, and releasing bearers.

[0094] NEF opens network functions to third parties in the form of northbound application programming interfaces (APIs).

[0095] NRF provides storage and selection functions for network function entity information for other network elements.

[0096] PCF, User Policy Management, is used to generate and manage user, session, and QoS flow processing policies.

[0097] AF (Application Management) provides application layer services to the UE. When providing services to the UE, AF has requirements for QoS (policy) and charging policies, and needs to notify the network. In addition, AF also needs to feedback application-related information from the core network.

[0098] The relevant interfaces between network element functions involved in the embodiments of this application include:

[0099] N1: Interface between UE and core network control plane.

[0100] N2: Communication interface between (R)AN and core network control plane.

[0101] N3: Communication interface between (R)AN and UPF, used to transmit user plane data.

[0102] N4: Communication interface between SMF and UPF, used by SMF to configure policies for UPF, etc.

[0103] N6: Communication port between UPF and DN.

[0104] Please refer to Figure 1B again, which is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture based on a point-to-point interface. This network architecture is another network architecture used in the embodiments of the present application. For the network elements in Figure 1B, please refer to the introduction to the relevant network elements in Figure 1A. The main difference between Figure 1B and Figure 1A is that the interfaces between the network elements in Figure 1B are point-to-point interfaces, rather than service-based interfaces.

[0105] Among them, Figure 1B takes the CMF as an independent network element as an example; or in other implementation methods, the CMF can also be merged with existing network elements, such as SMF or AMF. In addition, in Figure 1A or Figure 1B, the location of the CMF and the communication connection relationship between it and other network elements are only examples. For example, in addition to having a direct communication connection with the (R)AN, the CMF can also have a direct or indirect communication connection with other network elements, such as a direct or indirect communication connection with one or more network elements of UPF, AMF, SMF or PCF; or there may be no direct communication connection between the CMF and the (R)AN, but it must be forwarded through other network elements (such as AMF and other network elements). The embodiments of the present application do not limit the location of the CMF in the network and the communication connection relationship.

[0106] The method provided by the embodiment of the present application is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the various embodiments of this document, "computing tasks" can be understood as business or services. In the various embodiments of this document, a "business server" can be used to process computing tasks, such as a server that provides computing tasks. For example, the business server is a server located on an edge computing technology (mobile edge computing, MEC) platform, or it can be other servers. In the various embodiments of this document, CMF is, for example, a newly added network element within the network (not shown in Figures 1A and 1B), which is responsible for selecting or reselecting computing nodes, etc., and can also be responsible for determining the computing power resources that the computing nodes should provide; alternatively, CMF can also be SMF or AMF or access network network element with the computing power management function added; alternatively, CMF can also be a module in SMF or AMF or access network network element; alternatively, CMF can also have one or more functions of SMF, AMF and access network network element.

[0107] The various embodiments of this document may be applied to the network architecture shown in FIG1A or FIG1B. For example, the computing node (such as the first computing node or the second computing node, etc.) described in the various embodiments of this document may be the UPF in FIG1A or FIG1B, or may be a service server not shown in FIG1A or FIG1B, or may be an access network element in FIG1A or FIG1B, such as (R)AN; the third core network element described in the various embodiments of this document may be the CMF not shown in FIG1A or FIG1B, and the following text will take the CMF as an example for introduction, that is, the "CMF" in the following text may be replaced by the "third core network element"; the second core network element described in the various embodiments of this document may be the PCF or NEF in FIG1A or FIG1B, and the following text will take the PCF or NEF as an example for introduction, that is, the following text The "PCF" or "NEF" can be replaced by the "second core network network element"; the first core network network element described in each embodiment of this document can be the NRF in Figure 1A or Figure 1B, and the following text will take NRF as an example for introduction, that is, the "NRF" in the following text can be replaced by the "first core network network element"; the application function network element described in each embodiment of this document is, for example, the AF in Figure 1A or Figure 1B, and the following text will take AF as an example for introduction, that is, the "AF" in the following text can be replaced by the "application function network element"; the storage network element described in each embodiment of this document (the database network element is taken as an example in the following text) is not shown in Figure 1A and Figure 1B. Optionally, the storage network element is, for example, a new network element in the core network, or it can also be implemented through UDR. In the drawings corresponding to the various embodiments of this application, all steps represented by dotted lines are optional steps.

[0108] An embodiment of the present application provides a first communication method. Please refer to Figure 2A, which is a flowchart of the method.

[0109] S201. The CMF determines a first computing resource based on a latency threshold and a first latency of a first computing task.

[0110] The delay threshold of the first computing task can be determined based on the end-to-end delay requirement of the first computing task, or the delay threshold can be related to the end-to-end delay requirement. The end-to-end delay requirement of the first computing task refers to the end-to-end delay between the UE and the computing node while satisfying the user experience. For example, the end-to-end delay requirement is the end-to-end delay requirement for the first computing task. During the message transmission process of the first computing task, when the end-to-end delay of the first computing task meets the end-to-end delay requirement of the first computing task (for example, the end-to-end delay of the first computing task is less than or equal to the end-to-end delay requirement of the first computing task), the network can provide a good user experience. Optionally, the user experience can be reflected by a mean opinion score (MOS). For example, MOS = 5 indicates a very good user experience; MOS = 4 indicates a good user experience, i.e., the user can perceive some service lag, but the service experience is not significantly affected; MOS = 3 indicates an average user experience, in which case the user's service experience is affected; MOS = 2 indicates a poor user experience; MOS = 1 indicates a very poor user experience, and so on. For example, if the end-to-end delay requirement of the first computing task is 20 milliseconds (ms), then the sum of the network's transmission delay for the message corresponding to the first computing task plus the computing node's processing delay for the first computing task can be less than or equal to 20ms. This helps ensure that the user experience is maintained at MOS=4 or MOS=5.

[0111] Optionally, the latency threshold of the first computing task may be less than the end-to-end latency requirement of the first computing task, or may be equal to the end-to-end latency requirement of the first computing task. The latency threshold being equal to the end-to-end latency requirement of the first computing task can also be understood as the latency threshold of the first computing task being the end-to-end latency requirement of the first computing task. For example, if the end-to-end latency requirement of the first computing task is 20ms, then the latency threshold of the first computing task may be equal to or less than 20ms.

[0112] The computing node can be used to process the first computing task. In this case, the computing node can be a general term and does not refer to a specific computing node used to process the first computing task. That is, it can be understood that the end-to-end delay requirement of the first computing task refers to the end-to-end delay between the UE and the computing node, and has nothing to do with which network element the computing node is. The end-to-end delay requirement can also be expressed as an end-to-end delay requirement indicator, which can be a numerical value or a value range. Among them, the end-to-end delay of the first computing task is the sum of the delays for transmitting and processing the message corresponding to the first computing task between the UE and the computing node. This can be understood as the end-to-end delay of the first computing task including the transmission delay and the processing delay, wherein the transmission delay includes the delay for transmitting the message corresponding to the first computing task between the UE and the computing node; the processing delay includes, for example, the delay for processing the message corresponding to the first computing task between the computing nodes. Among them, the computing node may have multiple implementation methods, and the computing node corresponding to the end-to-end delay will also be different. For example, if the computing node is a UPF, the end-to-end delay may be the delay of transmitting and processing the message corresponding to the first computing task between the UE and the UPF; or, if the computing node is a service server (or, the various embodiments of this document may also refer to the service server as an application server), the end-to-end delay may be the delay of transmitting and processing the message corresponding to the first computing task between the UE and the service server; or, if the computing node is an access network element, the end-to-end delay may be the delay of transmitting and processing the message corresponding to the first computing task between the UE and the access network element.

[0113] As previously mentioned, the end-to-end delay of the first computing task includes the transmission delay between the UE and the computing node that processes the first computing task. The transmission delay includes the transmission delay between the UE and the access network element, and if the computing node is not an access network element, the transmission delay also includes the transmission delay between the access network element and the computing node. For this, please refer to Figure 2B , where the transmission delay between the access network element and the computing node is referred to as transmission delay a. For example, the delay threshold of the first computing task minus the transmission delay a, and then minus the first delay, is the processing delay of the computing node for the first computing task. If the access network element is a computing node, the transmission delay can be the first delay. For this, please refer to Figure 2C , for example, the delay threshold of the first computing task minus the first delay is the processing delay of the computing node for the first computing task. Among them, the transmission delay (which may include uplink transmission delay and downlink transmission delay) of the message corresponding to the first computing task between the UE and the access network element is the first delay, which can also be called air interface delay or air interface transmission delay, etc.

[0114] The first computing power resource is the computing power resource required by the computing node to process the first computing task. That is, based on the delay threshold and the first delay, it can be determined that the computing node needs to provide the first computing power resource to process the first computing task so that the transmission and processing of the first computing task meet the delay threshold. Therefore, the CMF determines the first computing power resource based on the delay threshold and the first delay of the first computing task. For example, one determination method includes that the CMF can determine the processing delay of the computing node for the first computing task based on the delay threshold and the first delay of the first computing task (for example, if the access network element is a computing node, then the processing delay can be obtained by subtracting the first delay from the delay threshold; or if the access network element is not a computing node, then the processing delay can be obtained by subtracting the first delay from the delay threshold and the delay between the access network element and the computing node). The first computing power resource can be determined based on the processing delay. The first computing power resource includes, for example, one or more of the CPU resources, GPU resources, or NPU resources of the computing node, or includes other types of resources, without specific limitation.

[0115] The embodiment of the present application assumes that the transmission delay between the access network element and the computing node can be a fixed value. For example, the transmission delay between the access network element and the computing node (such as UPF or service server, etc.) can be guaranteed to remain basically unchanged through a deterministic transmission mechanism, which can be regarded as a known quantity. Then the sum of the first delay and the known quantity is the transmission delay between the UE and the computing node that processes the first computing task, for example, the transmission delay b. The delay threshold of the first computing task minus the transmission delay b is the processing delay of the computing node for the first computing task. Based on the processing delay, it can be determined how much computing power resources the computing node needs to provide, or it can be understood that the computing node provides the first computing power resources to process the first computing task, so that the end-to-end delay of the first computing task can meet the delay threshold, for example, the end-to-end delay of the first computing task is less than or equal to the delay threshold. The delay threshold is determined based on the theoretical end-to-end delay of the first computing task. This is equivalent to ensuring that the actual end-to-end delay of the first computing task can meet the theoretical end-to-end delay, which is equivalent to ensuring that the transmission and processing of the first computing task can meet the delay requirements of the first computing task, thereby ensuring the transmission and processing efficiency of the first computing task as much as possible and improving the user experience.

[0116] S202. CMF sends a first request.

[0117] A first request can trigger the first computing node to use the first computing resource to process the first computing task. For example, the first request includes information about the first computing resource. The process of a computing node using computing resources to process a computing task can also be considered a computing process. The first request can ultimately reach the first computing node, or the content included in the first request (e.g., information about the first computing resource) can reach the first computing node. The CMF can send the first request to the first computing node without requiring other network elements to relay it; alternatively, the CMF can send the first request to another network element, which then sends the information about the first computing resource to the first computing node. The other network element may transparently transmit the first request, or the other network element may parse the first request and then send the information about the first computing resource therein to the first computing node. After receiving the first request or the content included in the first request (e.g., information about the first computing resource), the first computing node can provide the first computing resource to process the first computing task.

[0118] The first computing node is, for example, a computing node for processing the first computing task. The first computing node is not a general term, but refers to a specific computing node for processing the first computing task. For example, the first computing node is a computing node selected by the CMF. The first computing node is, for example, a computing node that can provide the first computing power resource. For example, after the CMF determines the first computing power resource, it can select a computing node that can provide the first computing power resource, such as selecting the first computing node. The CMF can send the first request directly to the first computing node, or it can send the first request to the first computing node through other network elements. Figure 2A takes the example of the first request arriving at the first computing node. The first computing node can receive the first request directly from the CMF, or receive the first request from the CMF through other network elements.

[0119] The embodiment of the present application can determine the first computing power resource based on the delay threshold of the first computing task and the first delay, which is equivalent to determining the computing power resource (first computing power resource) that the computing node should provide for the first computing task based on the end-to-end delay and transmission delay of the first computing task. The first computing node processes the first computing task according to the first computing power resource, and then the sum of the processing delay of the first computing node and the transmission delay of the message (that is, the actual end-to-end delay) can meet the end-to-end delay requirement of the first computing task, thereby improving the access efficiency of the first computing task and improving the user experience.

[0120] As previously mentioned, the computing nodes described herein can be implemented in a variety of ways. Depending on the computing node, the implementation process may vary during specific execution. Given this, the following text will use multiple method embodiments to describe the solution provided by the embodiment shown in FIG2A . It should be understood that each of the method embodiments described below is a different implementation of the embodiment shown in FIG2A .

[0121] The embodiment of the present application provides a second communication method, as shown in Figure 3, which is a flow chart of the method. In this method, the computing node is an UPF as an example.

[0122] S301: AF sends information A. Correspondingly, PCF receives information A.

[0123] Information A, for example, includes first correspondence information, where the first correspondence information is, for example, correspondence information between a data network name (DNN) and / or single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI) and information of a first computing task; or, information A may include the first correspondence information, and the end-to-end delay requirement of the first computing task. The "correspondence" in this document may also be referred to as a mapping relationship or an association relationship, etc. Optionally, information A may include at least one set of correspondence information and the end-to-end delay requirement of at least one computing task, wherein a set of correspondence information represents the correspondence between DNN and / or S-NSSAI and information of a computing task, and the at least one computing task is, for example, a computing task involved in the at least one set of correspondence information. The at least one computing task may be all or part of the computing tasks supported by AF. The at least one computing task includes a first computing task, wherein the DNNs corresponding to different computing tasks are the same or different; the S-NSSAIs corresponding to different computing tasks are the same or different. For the end-to-end delay requirement, reference may be made to the introduction of the embodiment shown in Figure 2A.

[0124] There are several possible implementation scenarios for how information A includes the above-mentioned content.

[0125] Case 1: Information A includes information about a correspondence between the DNN and / or S-NSSAI and information about the first computing task, where the information about the first computing task may indicate an end-to-end latency requirement of the first computing task.

[0126] Case 2: Information A includes information about the correspondence between the DNN and / or S-NSSAI and the information of the first computing task, as well as the end-to-end latency requirement of the first computing task. In this case, the information of the first computing task does not include the end-to-end latency requirement of the first computing task.

[0127] This article mainly takes Case 2 as an example in the introduction.

[0128] The computing task information is implemented, for example, in the form of a business model. The business model of a computing task may include one or more of the following information: the maximum uplink data volume corresponding to the computing task, the maximum downlink data volume corresponding to the computing task, or the execution period of the computing task. For example, the information of the first computing task is implemented in the form of a business model. The business model may include one or more of the following information: the maximum uplink data volume corresponding to the first computing task, the maximum downlink data volume corresponding to the first computing task, or the execution period of the first computing task.

[0129] Alternatively, the computing task information may be implemented not in the form of a business model, but in the form of a list, for example, including one or more of the following information: the maximum uplink data volume corresponding to the computing task, the maximum downlink data volume corresponding to the computing task, or the execution period of the computing task. Alternatively, the computing task information may be implemented in other ways, which are not limited thereto.

[0130] For example, the AF sends information A to the NEF, and the NEF then sends information A to the PCF. For example, the NEF can transparently transmit information A to the PCF.

[0131] S302: The PCF determines second information according to the information A. The second information may also be called policy information, or may have other names.

[0132] The second information may include (or indicate) the aforementioned at least one set of correspondence information, and the at least one set of correspondence information is used for one or more protocol data unit (PDU) sessions. For example, the computing task corresponding to the at least one set of correspondences is transmitted through the one or more PDU sessions. In addition, the second information may also include the end-to-end delay requirement of the computing task corresponding to the at least one set of correspondences. For example, the set of correspondence information included in the second information is the correspondence information between the DNN and / or S-NSSAI and the information of the first computing task. The second information may also include (or indicate) the end-to-end delay requirement of the first computing task.

[0133] Optionally, the PCF may determine a policy and charging control (PCC) rule based on information A, where the PCC rule may include (or indicate) correspondence information between the DNN and / or S-NSSAI and the information of the first computing task, and include (or indicate) the end-to-end delay requirement of the first computing task. The PCC rule may include the second information.

[0134] For example, the number of the PCC rules may be one or more, each of which may correspond to a PDU session, then the second information (for example, including at least one set of correspondence information mentioned above) may be included in the one or more PCC rules, and one of the PCC rules may include all or part of the correspondence information in the second information. For example, one of the one or more PCC rules may include (or indicate) K groups of correspondence information in the at least one set of correspondence information mentioned above, and the K groups of correspondence information are used for the PDU session corresponding to the PCC rule, for example, the computing task corresponding to the K groups of correspondence is transmitted through the PDU session, and K is a positive integer. In addition, the PCC rule may also include the end-to-end delay requirement of the computing task corresponding to the K groups of correspondence. For example, the first PCC rule among the one or more PCC rules includes (or indicates) the correspondence information between the DNN and / or S-NSSAI and the information of the first computing task, and includes (or indicates) the end-to-end delay requirement of the first computing task.

[0135] S303: The PCF sends the second information to the CMF. Correspondingly, the CMF receives the second information from the PCF.

[0136] Optionally, the CMF may send a request to the PCF to request information about the computing task, or request PCC rules, or request information about the correspondence between the DNN and / or S-NSSAI and the computing task information. Based on the request, the PCF may send the second information to the CMF. This method enables the PCF to send the second information to the CMF when the CMF needs it, so as to reduce the transmission of redundant information. Alternatively, the CMF may subscribe to the computing task information, or subscribe to PCC rules, or subscribe to information about the correspondence between the DNN and / or S-NSSAI and the computing task information from the PCF. Based on the subscription of the CMF, the PCF may send the second information to the CMF after obtaining the second information. In the subscription mode, the CMF only needs to send a subscription message without having to send multiple requests (for example, in the case of no subscription, the CMF may send requests separately for different computing tasks), which can save signaling overhead. Alternatively, the PCF may also actively send the second information to the CMF. For example, after obtaining the second information, the PCF may send the second information to the CMF without the CMF sending a request or the CMF performing a subscription, thereby saving signaling overhead.

[0137] Alternatively, a storage network element may be set up, for example, a storage network element is a database network element. Each embodiment of this document takes a database network element as an example. The database network element may store at least one set of corresponding relationship information and the end-to-end delay requirement of at least one computing task. For example, the AF may store the at least one set of corresponding relationship information and the end-to-end delay requirement of at least one computing task in the database network element. For an introduction to the at least one set of corresponding relationship information and at least one computing task, please refer to the previous text. If a database network element is set up, the CMF may send a third request to the database network element to request the information of the corresponding computing task and the end-to-end delay requirement of the computing task, etc. The database network element may send the information of the corresponding computing task and the end-to-end delay requirement of the computing task to the CMF according to the third request. In this case, S301 to S303 may not need to be executed, so S301 to S303 are optional steps.

[0138] S304: The UE sends a request A to the CMF. Accordingly, the CMF receives the request A from the UE.

[0139] The request A is, for example, a session establishment request message, which can be used to request the establishment of a PDU session, which is equivalent to the UE initiating a session establishment process; or, the request A can also be other messages, which are not specifically limited. The request A includes, for example, the DNN and / or S-NSSAI corresponding to the PDU session. Optionally, if the request A is a session establishment request message, the request A may also include an identifier of the PDU session requested to be established (PDU session ID).

[0140] Optionally, the UE may send the request A to the AMF through the access network element; after receiving the request A, the AMF may select an SMF according to the DNN and / or S-NSSAI included in the request A, and send the request A to the selected SMF; after receiving the request A, the SMF may select a CMF according to the DNN and / or S-NSSAI included in the request A, and send the request A to the CMF.

[0141] Alternatively, the UE may send request A to the AMF through the access network element; after receiving request A, the AMF may select a CMF based on the DNN and / or S-NSSAI included in request A, and send request A to the CMF.

[0142] Alternatively, the UE may also send request A directly to the CMF through the access network element.

[0143] This embodiment of the present application does not limit the manner in which the UE sends request A to the CMF.

[0144] S305. The CMF sends information about the first computing task to the access network element.

[0145] After the CMF receives request A, based on the DNN and / or S-NSSAI included in request A, it can determine the correspondence information including the DNN and / or S-NSSAI from the second information (the correspondence information is, for example, the correspondence information between the DNN and / or S-NSSAI and the computing task). For example, the CMF can determine M groups of correspondence information, where M is a positive integer. Each group of correspondence information in the M groups of correspondence information is the correspondence between the DNN and / or S-NSSAI and the information of the computing task, except that the computing tasks in different groups of correspondence information are different. The first computing task is, for example, any one of the M computing tasks corresponding to the M groups of correspondence information. The CMF can adopt a similar processing method for the M computing tasks. The embodiment of the present application will be introduced by taking the first computing task as an example.

[0146] The CMF sends information about the first computing task to the access network element, which is used by the access network element to predict (or determine) the air interface transmission delay of the first computing task based on the information of the first computing task, that is, to predict the first delay. For example, the access network element can predict the first delay based on factors such as the channel quality between the UE and the access network element and the information of the first computing task. Optionally, the CMF can also send first time information to the access network element. The first time information can also be called predicted time information, or can have other names, and this document does not limit the names. The first time information can indicate the time when the access network element determines the first delay, or indicate the time when the access network element starts to determine the first delay. For example, refer to Figure 4, which is a schematic diagram of the access network element predicting the air interface delay, where the horizontal axis represents time. In Figure 4, the UE will start executing computing task 1 at time t1 (computing task 1 is shown as the diagonal rectangular box in Figure 4, and this example takes computing task 1 as a periodic service). If the access network element starts predicting the air interface delay at time t1 or after time t1, and sends the predicted air interface delay to the CMF, the CMF will then determine the computing power resources based on this and instruct the computing node to provide the computing power resources. Then, when the computing node adjusts the computing power resources to the computing power resources suitable for computing task 1, computing task 1 may have been executed for a period of time or even completed. It can be seen that because the access network element's prediction time is too late, the computing power resources for computing task 1 are not adjusted in time, which may lead to problems such as insufficient computing power resources for computing task 1. Therefore, in an embodiment of the present application, the access network element can predict the air interface delay of computing task 1 before computing task 1 starts. For example, the access network element starts predicting the air interface delay of computing task 1 at time t2 shown in Figure 4, where time t2 is earlier than time t1, and time t2 (or the time difference between time t2 and time t1) can be determined based on the first time information. The access network element sends the predicted air interface delay to the CMF, and the CMF determines the computing power resources based on this and instructs the computing node to provide the computing power resources. When the computing node adjusts the computing power resources to the computing power resources suitable for computing task 1 and the current network conditions, computing task 1 may not have started to execute (Figure 4 takes this as an example) or has just started to execute. Then, when executing computing task 1, the computing node provides the computing power resources suitable for computing task 1 and the current network conditions, so that the end-to-end delay of computing task 1 can meet the requirements and the processing efficiency of computing task 1 can be improved.

[0147] Optionally, the CMF may further send indication information to the access network element, where the indication information may instruct the access network element to provide a transmission delay for a message corresponding to the first computing task transmitted between the UE and the access network element. Alternatively, the CMF may not need to send the indication information to the access network element. Upon receiving information about the first computing task, the access network element may determine to provide the CMF with a transmission delay for a message corresponding to the first computing task transmitted between the UE and the access network element.

[0148] The CMF may send the above information (e.g., information about the first computing task; or information about the first computing task, as well as the first time information and / or indication information) to the access network element in different ways. For example, the CMF may send the above information to the SMF, which may send the above information to the AMF, which may then send the above information to the access network element. Alternatively, the CMF may send the above information to the AMF, which may then send the above information to the access network element. Alternatively, the CMF may send the above information directly to the access network element without being transferred through other network elements.

[0149] S306: The access network element sends the first information to the CMF. Correspondingly, the CMF receives the first information from the access network element.

[0150] The first information, for example, includes (or indicates) a first delay. After the access network network element receives the information described in S305 (for example, information about the first computing task; or information about the first computing task, as well as the first time information and / or indication information), it can predict the delay required for the first computing task to be transmitted over the air interface, that is, predict the transmission delay of the first computing task between the UE and the access network network element. For example, the access network network element can predict the delay required for the first computing task to be transmitted over the air interface based on factors such as the channel quality between the UE and the access network network element and the information about the first computing task. If the access network network element receives the first time information, the access network network element can start predicting the transmission delay of the first computing task between the UE and the access network network element at the time indicated by the first time information.

[0151] Optionally, the access network element can also determine the effective duration of the first delay (or called the effective usage duration or usage duration, etc., with no restriction on the name). The effective duration can indicate the validity period of the first delay. For example, the CMF can start timing from the receipt of the first delay and end timing when the first duration is reached. Within the first duration, the CMF can determine the computing power resources based on the first delay, and if the first duration is exceeded, the CMF can no longer use the first delay to determine the computing power resources. At this time, if the computing power resources are to be determined, for example, the CMF can re-request the access network element to provide the delay required for the first computing task to be transmitted over the air interface. Through this effective duration, the changes in the channel can be taken into account, so that the computing power resources determined by the CMF are more accurate.

[0152] Optionally, the first information may include (or indicate) the effective duration of the first delay. For example, if the access network element has not determined the effective duration, the first information includes the first delay but does not include the effective duration; or if the access network element has determined the effective duration, the first information may include the first delay and the effective duration.

[0153] The access network element may send the first information to the CMF in various ways. For example, the access network element may send the first information to the AMF, which may send the first information to the SMF, which may then send the first information to the CMF. Alternatively, the access network element may send the first information to the AMF, which may then send the first information to the CMF. Alternatively, the access network element may send the first information directly to the CMF without being relayed through other network elements.

[0154] S307. The CMF determines a first computing resource based on the latency threshold of the first computing task and the first latency.

[0155] For example, the CMF may determine the delay threshold of the first computing task based on the second information; or, if the CMF does not receive the second information, but the database network element stores the correspondence information between the computing task information and the DNN and / or S-NSSAI, as well as the end-to-end delay requirements of the computing task, the CMF may request the database network element for the end-to-end delay requirements of the first computing task. For example, the CMF may send a request B to the database network element. Request B may include a DNN and / or S-NSSAI, which may come from request A, or may be determined by the CMF in other ways. After receiving request B, the database network element may determine the corresponding computing task based on the DNN and / or S-NSSAI. For example, the determined computing task includes the first computing task. The database network element may send the determined end-to-end delay requirements of the computing task to the CMF, so that the CMF obtains the end-to-end delay requirements of these computing tasks. Optionally, CMF requests the end-to-end delay requirement of the first computing task from the database network element, which may occur in S307, or before S307, or after S304, and there is no restriction on this. Optionally, the database network element may send the determined end-to-end delay requirement of the computing task to the CMF, and send the correspondence information between the DNN and / or S-NSSAI and the computing task information; or, the database network element may send the determined end-to-end delay requirement of the computing task to the CMF, and send the computing task information corresponding to the DNN and / or S-NSSAI. CMF can determine the delay threshold of the first computing task based on the end-to-end delay requirement of the first computing task. In addition, CMF obtains the first delay from the access network network element, and CMF can determine the first computing power resource based on the delay threshold of the first computing task and the first delay. Optionally, the delay between the access network element and the UPF (e.g., the third delay) may be known to the CMF. The CMF may then determine the first computing resource based on the delay threshold of the first computing task, the third delay, and the first delay. For example, the processing delay corresponding to the first computing resource = the delay threshold of the first computing task - the third delay - the first delay.

[0156] Alternatively, the CMF may not need to obtain the first delay from the access network element. For example, the CMF may determine the first delay independently, or may determine the first delay through other means. For example, the access network element may have already sent the first delay to the CMF in advance, or the CMF may be able to obtain information such as the channel quality between the access network element and the UE, and then, combined with the information of the first computing task, the CMF may determine the first delay independently. Therefore, S305 and S306 are optional steps.

[0157] The CMF may not necessarily determine the end-to-end latency requirement of the first computing task based on the second information or through a database network element. For example, the end-to-end latency requirement of the first computing task may be predefined by a protocol or preconfigured in the CMF, or the CMF may obtain the end-to-end latency requirement of the first computing task through other means. Therefore, from this perspective, steps S301 to S303 are optional.

[0158] In addition, the CMF needs to execute S307. One trigger condition is receiving a request from the UE (for example, request A). Alternatively, there may be other trigger conditions. For example, the CMF may periodically determine the first computing resource corresponding to the first computing task without receiving a request from the UE. Therefore, S304 is an optional step.

[0159] S307 may be the same step as S201 shown in FIG. 2A . For more implementation details of S307 , reference may be made to S201 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A .

[0160] S308: The CMF sends a second request to the NRF. Correspondingly, the NRF receives the second request.

[0161] The second request can be used to request the discovery of the UPF. In addition, the second request may also include information about the first computing power resource. After receiving the second request, the NRF may determine the UPF based on the information about the first computing power resource. For example, in addition to the information about the first computing power resource, the second request also includes other information, such as the location information of the UE, etc., then the NRF may determine the UPF based on factors such as the location information of the UE and the information about the first computing power resource. For example, the NRF determines the first UPF, the first UPF can support the first computing power resource, or the first UPF can provide the first computing power resource.

[0162] S309: The NRF sends the first UPF information to the CMF. Correspondingly, the CMF receives the first UPF information.

[0163] The information of the first UPF includes, for example, an identifier of the first UPF, an ID of the first UPF, and / or address information of the first UPF, such as an Internet Protocol (IP) address of the first UPF.

[0164] Optionally, the information of the first UPF may also include information of the maximum computing power resources supported by the first UPF.

[0165] S308 and S309 are based on the example of the CMF requesting the NRF to discover the UPF. For example, if the UPF is registered with the NRF, and the NRF stores the UPF's registration information, the CMF can select the UPF. Alternatively, if the UPF is registered with the CMF, or the NRF sends the UPF's registration information to the CMF, or the CMF obtains the UPF's information through other means, the CMF can select the UPF on its own, and S308 and S309 do not need to be executed. Alternatively, the UPF may have already been selected and no further selection is required, in which case S308 and S309 do not need to be executed. Therefore, S308 and S309 are optional steps.

[0166] S310: The CMF sends a first request to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the first request from the CMF.

[0167] For example, if the CMF receives Request A from the UE, and Request A is a session establishment request message, then the first request is, for example, a session establishment request. Alternatively, if Request A is another message, or if the CMF does not receive Request A from the UE, then the first request may be implemented in other ways. The first request may include, for example, information about the first computing resource and information about the first UPF. Optionally, if the first request is a session establishment request, the first request may also include the ID of the PDU session requested to be established.

[0168] After receiving the first request, the SMF can determine the first UPF based on the information about the first UPF and send a request C to the first UPF. For example, if request C is the first request, the SMF may not process the first request and transparently pass it to the UPF. Alternatively, request C is not the first request, but the content included in request C may be determined based on the first request. For example, the SMF may process the first request and send the content (such as information about the first computing resource) to the UPF. For this purpose, please refer to S310 in Figure 3. Request C may include information about the first computing resource (S310 in Figure 3 is used as an example). After receiving the information about the first computing resource, the first UPF may instantiate the first computing resource and perform other processing, thereby providing the first computing resource for the first computing task. Optionally, the first UPF may also send a response A to the SMF. Accordingly, the SMF receives the response A. Response A may include, for example, the N3 CN tunnel information allocated by the first UPF.

[0169] Alternatively, if request C is a session establishment request message, the first UPF may also allocate N3 core network (CN) tunnel information, which may be used to transmit user plane data packets via the N3 interface between the access network element and the first UPF.

[0170] S310 may be the same step as S202 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A .

[0171] Through the above steps, the first UPF can process the first computing task according to the first computing power resources, and the sum of the processing delay of the first UPF and the transmission delay of the message (that is, the actual end-to-end delay) can meet the end-to-end delay requirements of the first computing task, thereby improving the access efficiency of the first computing task and improving the user experience.

[0172] Optionally, the embodiment of the present application may further include the following S311 to S315. In the introduction of the following steps, it is mainly taken that both the first request and the request C are session establishment request messages as an example.

[0173] S311. The CMF sends an N2 message to the access network element. Correspondingly, the access network element receives the N2 message from the CMF. For example, the N2 message is referred to as N2 message A.

[0174] The N2 message A may include the N3 CN tunnel information allocated by the first UPF, and may also include a response B, where the response B is, for example, a session establishment accept message to be sent to the UE.

[0175] S312: The access network element sends a session establishment accept message to the UE. Correspondingly, the UE receives the session establishment accept message.

[0176] S313. The access network element sends an N2 message to the CMF. Accordingly, the CMF receives the N2 message. For example, the N2 message is referred to as N2 message B. The N2 message B, for example, includes N3 CN tunnel information allocated by the access network element. The N3 CN tunnel information can be used to transmit user plane data packets over the N3 interface between the access network element and the first UPF.

[0177] S314: The CMF sends a session establishment request message to the first UPF. Correspondingly, the first UPF receives the session establishment request message.

[0178] For example, the CMF sends the session establishment request message to the SMF, and the SMF then sends the session establishment request message to the first UPF. The session establishment request message may include N3 CN tunnel information allocated by the access network element.

[0179] At this point, the UE's PDU session establishment process ends and the PDU session establishment is completed.

[0180] S315. The UE sends a message corresponding to the first computing task. Correspondingly, the first UPF receives the message, which is, for example, a data message.

[0181] The UE may send a message corresponding to the first computing task through the PDU session. After receiving the message, the first UPF may use the first computing resource to process the message. Optionally, the first UPF may also send a processing result of the message to the UE.

[0182] Because the channel quality of the air interface may change at any time, the air interface delay may also change. In an embodiment of the present application, if the air interface delay changes, the CMF can re-determine the computing resources. For example, the access network element can determine in real time the transmission delay of the message corresponding to the first computing task transmitted between the UE and the access network element, or can periodically determine the transmission delay of the message corresponding to the first computing task transmitted between the UE and the access network element. If the access network element determines that the transmission delay has changed, for example, from the first delay to the second delay (the second delay is different from the first delay), the access network element can send the second delay to the CMF; or, if the access network element determines that the transmission delay has changed, for example, from the first delay to the second delay, and the difference between the second delay and the first delay is greater than the first threshold, or the second delay is greater than the second threshold, the access network element can send the second delay to the CMF. The first threshold and / or the second threshold can be predefined by the protocol, or preconfigured in the access network element, or set by the access network element itself. After the CMF receives the second delay, it can determine the computing power resources based on the delay threshold of the first computing task and the second delay, for example, the second computing power resources are determined (optionally, the CMF can determine the second computing power resources based on the delay threshold of the first computing task, the second delay and the third delay). Then the CMF can send information about the second computing power resources to trigger the first UPF to use the second computing power resources to process the first computing task. This is equivalent to repeating the above steps S306, S307, S310, etc. Or, for example, if the CMF learns the information about the maximum computing power resources supported by the first UPF, then if the second computing power resources are the computing power resources that the first UPF can provide, the CMF can repeat S310 and trigger the first UPF to use the second computing power resources to process the first computing task by sending information about the second computing power resources; or, if the first UPF cannot provide the second computing power resources, for example, the second computing power resources are greater than the maximum computing power resources supported by the first UPF, then the CMF can trigger the reselection of the UPF. This process will be introduced in the next embodiment.

[0183] The CMF in the embodiment of the present application can determine the first computing power resource based on the delay threshold of the first computing task and the first delay, which is equivalent to determining the computing power resource (first computing power resource) that the computing node should provide for the first computing task based on the end-to-end delay and transmission delay of the first computing task. If the first UPF processes the first computing task according to the first computing power resource, the sum of the processing delay of the first UPF and the transmission delay of the message (i.e., the actual end-to-end delay) can meet the end-to-end delay requirement of the first computing task, thereby improving the access efficiency of the first computing task and improving the user experience.

[0184] As previously mentioned, if the first UPF cannot provide the second computing resource, the CMF can trigger the reselection of a UPF. Therefore, this embodiment of the present application provides a third communication method to illustrate this process. See Figure 5 for a flowchart of this method. In this method, the UPF is used as an example.

[0185] Optionally, after executing the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the embodiment shown in Figure 5 may be executed. The embodiment shown in Figure 5 is an optional embodiment as a whole, so each step therein can be regarded as an optional step and is represented by a solid line in Figure 5.

[0186] S501: The CMF sends a request D to the NRF. Correspondingly, the NRF receives the request D.

[0187] Request D can be used to request the discovery of the UPF. In addition, Request D may also include information about the second computing resource. After receiving Request D, the NRF may determine the UPF based on the information about the second computing resource. For example, in addition to the information about the second computing resource, Request D also includes other information, such as the location information of the UE, etc. The NRF may determine the UPF based on factors such as the location information of the UE and the information about the second computing resource. For example, if the NRF determines the second UPF, the second UPF may support the second computing resource, or the second UPF may provide the second computing resource.

[0188] For example, if the CMF determines that a computing node requires a second computing resource to process a first computing task, but determines that the first UPF cannot provide the second computing resource, S501 may be executed. Optionally, the CMF may determine the second computing resource based on a new latency from an access network element. For example, the access network element may determine the transmission latency of messages corresponding to the first computing task between the UE and the access network element in real time, or may periodically determine the transmission latency of messages corresponding to the first computing task between the UE and the access network element. If the access network element determines that the transmission latency has changed, for example, from the first latency to the second latency, the access network element may send the second latency to the CMF. After receiving the second latency, the CMF may determine a computing resource based on the latency threshold of the first computing task and the second latency, for example, determining the second computing resource. (Alternatively, the CMF may determine the second computing resource based on the latency threshold of the first computing task, the second latency, and a third latency. For the third latency, see the embodiment shown in FIG3 .) Alternatively, the CMF may determine the second computing resource in other ways, which are not limited to this.

[0189] Optionally, if the CMF has learned the maximum computing power resources supported by the first UPF, for example, if the CMF has learned the maximum computing power resources supported by the first UPF through S309 in the embodiment shown in FIG3 , the CMF may determine whether the first UPF can provide the second computing power resources. For example, if the first UPF cannot provide the second computing power resources, for example, if the second computing power resources are greater than the maximum computing power resources supported by the first UPF, the CMF may trigger reselection of the UPF, for example, by executing S501.

[0190] S502: The NRF sends the second UPF information to the CMF. Correspondingly, the CMF receives the second UPF information.

[0191] The information of the second UPF includes, for example, an identifier of the second UPF, which includes, for example, an ID of the second UPF, and / or address information of the second UPF, such as an IP address of the second UPF.

[0192] Optionally, the information of the second UPF may also include information of the maximum computing power resources supported by the second UPF.

[0193] S501 and S502 are based on the example of CMF requesting NRF to discover UPF. For example, UPF is registered with NRF, and NRF stores the registration information of UPF, so CMF can select UPF. Alternatively, if UPF is registered with CMF, or NRF sends the registration information of UPF to CMF, or CMF obtains the information of UPF through other means (for example, CMF has previously requested NRF to discover UPF, thereby obtaining some registration information of UPF or information about the maximum computing resources supported by UPF), then CMF can also select UPF by itself, and S501 and S502 do not need to be executed. Alternatively, UPF may have already been selected and does not need to be selected again, and S501 and S502 do not need to be executed.

[0194] S503: The CMF sends a fourth request to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the fourth request from the CMF.

[0195] The fourth request may be, for example, a session modification request message, which may be used to request migration of the PDU session to the second UPF; alternatively, the fourth request may be another message. The fourth request may include information about the second computing resource and information about the second UPF. Optionally, the fourth request may also include an ID for the PDU session.

[0196] After receiving the fourth request, the SMF can determine the second UPF based on the information about the second UPF and send a request E to the second UPF. Request E can be, for example, the fourth request, or a request determined based on the fourth request. Request E can include information about the second computing resource. After receiving the information about the second computing resource, the second UPF can instantiate the second computing resource, thereby providing the second computing resource for the first computing task. Optionally, the second UPF can also send a response C to the SMF. In response, the SMF receives the response C. This response C, for example, includes the N3 CN tunnel information allocated by the second UPF.

[0197] Alternatively, if the fourth request is a session modification request message, the second UPF may further allocate N3 CN tunnel information, which may be used to transmit user plane data packets via the N3 interface between the access network element and the second UPF.

[0198] Through the above steps, the second UPF can process the first computing task according to the second computing power resources, then the sum of the processing delay of the second UPF and the transmission delay of the message (that is, the actual end-to-end delay) can meet the end-to-end delay requirements of the first computing task, thereby improving the access efficiency of the first computing task and improving the user experience.

[0199] S504: The CMF sends an N2 message to the access network element. Correspondingly, the access network element receives the N2 message from the CMF. For example, the N2 message is referred to as N2 message C.

[0200] The N2 message C may include the N3 CN tunnel information allocated by the second UPF, and may also include a response D, where the response D is, for example, a session modification request message to be sent to the UE.

[0201] S505: The access network element sends a session modification request message to the UE. Correspondingly, the UE receives the session modification request message.

[0202] S506. The access network element sends an N2 message to the CMF. Accordingly, the CMF receives the N2 message. For example, the N2 message is referred to as N2 message D. The N2 message D includes, for example, N3 CN tunnel information allocated by the access network element. The N3 CN tunnel information can be used to transmit user plane data packets over the N3 interface between the access network element and the second UPF.

[0203] S507: The CMF sends a session establishment request message to the second UPF. Correspondingly, the second UPF receives the session establishment request message.

[0204] For example, the CMF sends the session establishment request message to the SMF, and the SMF then sends the session establishment request message to the first UPF. The session establishment request message may include N3 CN tunnel information allocated by the access network element.

[0205] At this point, the UE's PDU session modification process ends.

[0206] S508: The UE sends a message corresponding to the first computing task. Correspondingly, the second UPF receives the message, which is, for example, a data message.

[0207] The UE may send a message corresponding to the first computing task through the modified PDU session. After receiving the message, the second UPF may use the second computing resource to process the message. Optionally, the second UPF may also send a processing result of the message to the UE.

[0208] In an embodiment of the present application, if the air interface delay between the UE and the access network element changes, the CMF can determine the second computing power resource based on the delay threshold of the first computing task and the changed air interface delay (second delay), which is equivalent to still determining the computing power resource (second computing power resource) that the computing node should provide for the first computing task based on the end-to-end delay and transmission delay of the first computing task. And if the original computing node (first UPF) cannot provide the newly determined computing power resource, the computing node (second UPF) can be reselected, and the second UPF can process the first computing task according to the second computing power resource. Then the sum of the processing delay of the second UPF and the transmission delay of the message (that is, the actual end-to-end delay) can meet the end-to-end delay requirement of the first computing task, thereby improving the access efficiency of the first computing task and improving the user experience.

[0209] In the embodiments shown in Figures 3 and 5 , the computing node is a UPF. Alternatively, the computing node may be a service server. This embodiment of the present application provides a fourth communication method. See Figure 6 for a flowchart of this method. In this method, the computing node is a service server.

[0210] S601: AF sends information A. Correspondingly, PCF receives information A.

[0211] For more details about S601 , please refer to S301 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 .

[0212] S602. PCF determines second information based on information A.

[0213] For more details about S602 , please refer to S302 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 .

[0214] S603: The PCF sends the second information to the CMF. Correspondingly, the CMF receives the second information from the PCF.

[0215] For more details about S603 , please refer to S303 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 .

[0216] S604: The UE sends a request A to the CMF. Accordingly, the CMF receives the request A from the UE.

[0217] For more details about S604 , please refer to S304 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 .

[0218] S605. The CMF sends information about the first computing task to the access network element.

[0219] For more details about S605 , please refer to S305 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 .

[0220] S606: The access network element sends the first information to the CMF. Correspondingly, the CMF receives the first information from the access network element.

[0221] For more details about S606 , please refer to S306 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 .

[0222] S607. The CMF determines a first computing resource based on the latency threshold of the first computing task and the first latency.

[0223] Optionally, the latency between the access network element and the service server (e.g., the fourth latency) may be known to the CMF. The CMF may then determine the first computing resource based on the latency threshold of the first computing task, the fourth latency, and the first latency. For example, the processing latency corresponding to the first computing resource = the latency threshold of the first computing task - the fourth latency - the first latency.

[0224] For more details about S607 , please refer to S307 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 .

[0225] S608: The CMF sends a second request to the NRF. Correspondingly, the NRF receives the second request.

[0226] For more details about S608 , please refer to S308 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 .

[0227] S609: The NRF sends the information of the first service server to the CMF. Correspondingly, the CMF receives the information of the first service server.

[0228] The information of the first service server includes, for example, an identifier of the first service server, which includes, for example, an ID of the first service server and / or address information of the first service server, such as an IP address of the first service server.

[0229] Optionally, the information of the first business server may further include information of maximum computing resources supported by the first business server.

[0230] S608 and S609 are based on the example of CMF requesting NRF to discover the business server. For example, the business server is registered with NRF (the business server can send registration information to AF, and AF then registers the business server with NRF through NEF), and NRF stores the registration information of the business server, so CMF can select the business server. Alternatively, if the business server is registered with CMF, or NRF sends the registration information of the business server to CMF, or CMF obtains the information of the business server through other means, then CMF can also select the business server by itself, and S608 and S609 do not need to be executed. Alternatively, the business server may have been selected and does not need to be selected again, and S608 and S609 do not need to be executed. Therefore, S608 and S609 are optional steps.

[0231] S610: The CMF sends a first request to the first service server. Correspondingly, the first service server receives the first request from the CMF.

[0232] For example, the CMF may send the first request to the AF, and the AF may then send the first request to the first service server. Alternatively, it may be understood that the CMF sends the first request to the first service server through the AF.

[0233] The first request, for example, includes information about the first computing resource. Upon receiving the information about the first computing resource, the first service server can instantiate the first computing resource, thereby providing the first computing resource for the first computing task. Optionally, the first service server can also send a response to the CMF via the AF.

[0234] S610 may be the same step as S202 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A .

[0235] S611. A user plane transmission path is established between the access network element and the UPF.

[0236] For example, the SMF may select the UPF based on the IP address of the first service server. The SMF may establish an N4 session with the selected UPF, and the SMF may send the address of the UPF to the access network element, so that the access network element and the UPF may establish a user plane transmission path.

[0237] At this point, the UE's PDU session establishment process ends and the PDU session establishment is completed.

[0238] S612: The UE sends a message corresponding to the first computing task. Correspondingly, the first service server receives the message, which is, for example, a data message.

[0239] The UE may send a message corresponding to the first computing task through the PDU session. After receiving the message, the first service server may use the first computing resource to process the message. Optionally, the first service server may also send a processing result of the message to the UE.

[0240] Because the channel quality of the air interface may change at any time, the air interface delay may also change. In an embodiment of the present application, if the air interface delay changes, the CMF can re-determine the computing power resources. For example, the access network element can determine in real time the transmission delay of the message corresponding to the first computing task transmitted between the UE and the access network element, or can periodically determine the transmission delay of the message corresponding to the first computing task transmitted between the UE and the access network element. If the access network element determines that the transmission delay has changed, for example, from the first delay to the second delay, the access network element can send the second delay to the CMF. After receiving the second delay, the CMF can determine the computing power resources based on the delay threshold of the first computing task and the second delay, for example, the second computing power resources are determined (optionally, the CMF can determine the second computing power resources based on the delay threshold of the first computing task, the fourth delay and the second delay). The CMF can then send information about the second computing power resources to trigger the first service server to use the second computing power resources to process the first computing task. Equivalently, the above steps S606, S607, S610, etc. can be repeatedly performed. Or, for example, the CMF obtains information about the maximum computing power resources supported by the first business server. Then, if the second computing power resources are computing power resources that the first business server can provide, the CMF can repeat S610 and trigger the first business server to use the second computing power resources to process the first computing task by sending information about the second computing power resources; or, if the first business server cannot provide the second computing power resources, for example, the second computing power resources are greater than the maximum computing power resources supported by the first business server, the CMF can trigger the reselection of the business server. This process will be introduced in the next embodiment.

[0241] The CMF in the embodiment of the present application can determine the first computing power resource based on the delay threshold of the first computing task and the first delay, which is equivalent to determining the computing power resource (first computing power resource) that the computing node should provide for the first computing task based on the end-to-end delay and transmission delay of the first computing task. The first business server processes the first computing task according to the first computing power resource, and the sum of the processing delay of the first business server and the transmission delay of the message (that is, the actual end-to-end delay) can meet the end-to-end delay requirement of the first computing task, thereby improving the access efficiency of the first computing task and improving the user experience.

[0242] As previously mentioned, if the first service server cannot provide the second computing resource, the CMF can trigger the reselection of the service server. Therefore, this embodiment of the present application provides a fifth communication method to illustrate this process. See Figure 7 for a flowchart of this method. In this method, the computing node is used as an example of a service server.

[0243] Optionally, after executing the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the embodiment shown in Figure 7 may be executed. The embodiment shown in Figure 7 is an optional embodiment as a whole, so each step therein can be regarded as an optional step and is represented by a solid line in Figure 7.

[0244] S701: The CMF sends a request D to the NRF. Accordingly, the NRF receives the request D.

[0245] Request D may be used to request discovery of a service server. Request D may also include information about the second computing resource. For more information about S701, refer to S501 in the embodiment shown in FIG5 . "UPF" in S501 may be replaced with "service server."

[0246] S702: The NRF sends information about the second service server to the CMF. Correspondingly, the CMF receives the information about the second service server.

[0247] The information of the second service server includes, for example, an identifier of the second service server, which includes, for example, an ID of the second service server and / or address information of the second service server, such as an IP address of the second service server.

[0248] Optionally, the information of the second business server may further include information of maximum computing resources supported by the second business server.

[0249] S701 and S702 are based on the example of the CMF requesting the NRF to discover a service server. For example, if the service server is registered with the NRF, and the NRF stores the service server's registration information, the CMF can select the service server. Alternatively, if the service server is registered with the CMF, or the NRF sends the service server's registration information to the CMF, or the CMF obtains the service server's information through other means, the CMF can also select the service server on its own, and S701 and S702 do not need to be executed. Alternatively, the service server may have already been selected and does not need to be selected again, and S701 and S702 do not need to be executed.

[0250] S703: The CMF sends a fourth request to the second service server. Correspondingly, the second service server receives the fourth request from the CMF.

[0251] For example, the CMF may send the fourth request to the AF, and the AF may then send the fourth request to the second service server. Alternatively, it may be understood that the CMF sends the fourth request to the second service server through the AF.

[0252] The fourth request, for example, includes information about the second computing resource. Upon receiving the information about the second computing resource, the second service server can instantiate the second computing resource, thereby providing the second computing resource for the first computing task. Optionally, the first service server can also send a response to the CMF via the AF.

[0253] S704: The CMF sends the IP address of the second service server to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the IP address of the second service server.

[0254] S705. SMF selects UPF according to the IP address of the second service server.

[0255] If the SMF determines that the service server has changed, it can select a new UPF based on the IP address of the second service server. For example, the SMF can send a request to the NRF to discover the new UPF. The SMF can update the user plane transmission path between the access network element and the new UPF based on the information of the new UPF.

[0256] Afterwards, the UE may send a message corresponding to the first computing task. Accordingly, the second service server receives the message and may use the second computing resource to process the message. Optionally, the second service server may also send a processing result of the message to the UE. The message may be, for example, a data message.

[0257] In an embodiment of the present application, if the air interface delay between the UE and the access network element changes, the CMF can determine the second computing power resource based on the delay threshold of the first computing task and the changed air interface delay (second delay), which is equivalent to still determining the computing power resource (second computing power resource) that the computing node should provide for the first computing task based on the end-to-end delay and transmission delay of the first computing task. And if the original computing node (first business server) cannot provide the newly determined computing power resource, the computing node (second business server) can be reselected. The second business server can process the first computing task according to the second computing power resource. Then the sum of the processing delay of the second business server and the transmission delay of the message (that is, the actual end-to-end delay) can meet the end-to-end delay requirement of the first computing task, thereby improving the access efficiency of the first computing task and improving the user experience.

[0258] In the aforementioned embodiments, the computing node is an UPF or service server. Alternatively, the computing node may be an access network element. This embodiment of the present application provides a sixth communication method. See Figure 8 for a flowchart of this method. In this method, the computing node is an access network element.

[0259] S801: AF sends information A. Correspondingly, PCF receives information A.

[0260] For more details about S801 , please refer to S301 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 .

[0261] S802. PCF determines second information based on information A.

[0262] For more details about S802 , please refer to S302 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 .

[0263] S803: The PCF sends the second information to the CMF. Correspondingly, the CMF receives the second information from the PCF.

[0264] For more details about S803 , please refer to S303 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 .

[0265] S804: The UE sends a request A to the CMF. Accordingly, the CMF receives the request A from the UE.

[0266] For more details about S804 , please refer to S304 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 .

[0267] S805. The CMF sends information about the first computing task to the access network element.

[0268] For more details about S805 , please refer to S305 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 .

[0269] S806: The access network element sends the first information to the CMF. Correspondingly, the CMF receives the first information from the access network element.

[0270] For more details about S806 , please refer to S306 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 .

[0271] S807. The CMF determines a first computing resource based on the latency threshold of the first computing task and the first latency.

[0272] For example, the processing delay corresponding to the first computing resource = the delay threshold of the first computing task - the first delay.

[0273] For more details about S807 , please refer to S307 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 .

[0274] S808: The CMF sends a first request to the access network element. Correspondingly, the access network element receives the first request from the CMF.

[0275] The first request, for example, includes information about the first computing resource. Upon receiving the information about the first computing resource, the access network element can instantiate the first computing resource, thereby providing the first computing resource for the first computing task. Optionally, the access network element can also send a response to the CMF.

[0276] The CMF may send the first request to the access network element in various ways. For example, the CMF may send the first request to the SMF, which may send the above information to the AMF, which may then send the first request to the access network element. Alternatively, the CMF may send the first request to the AMF, which may then send the first request to the access network element. Alternatively, the CMF may send the first request directly to the access network element without being relayed through other network elements.

[0277] At this point, the UE's PDU session establishment process ends and the PDU session establishment is completed.

[0278] S809: The UE sends a message corresponding to the first computing task. Correspondingly, the access network element receives the message, which is, for example, a data message.

[0279] The UE may send a message corresponding to the first computing task through the PDU session. After receiving the message, the access network element may use the first computing resource to process the message. Optionally, the access network element may also send a processing result of the message to the UE.

[0280] Because the channel quality of the air interface may change at any time, the air interface delay may also change. In an embodiment of the present application, if the air interface delay changes, the CMF can re-determine the computing power resources. For example, the access network network element can determine in real time the transmission delay of the message corresponding to the first computing task transmitted between the UE and the access network network element, or can periodically determine the transmission delay of the message corresponding to the first computing task transmitted between the UE and the access network network element. If the access network network element determines that the transmission delay has changed, for example, from the first delay to the second delay, the access network network element can send the second delay to the CMF. After receiving the second delay, the CMF can determine the computing power resources based on the delay threshold of the first computing task and the second delay, for example, determine the second computing power resources. The CMF can then send information about the second computing power resources to trigger the access network network element to use the second computing power resources to process the first computing task. Equivalently, the above steps S806, S807, S808, etc. can be repeatedly executed.

[0281] The CMF in the embodiment of the present application can determine the first computing power resource based on the delay threshold of the first computing task and the first delay, which is equivalent to determining the computing power resource (first computing power resource) that the computing node should provide for the first computing task based on the end-to-end delay and transmission delay of the first computing task. The access network element processes the first computing task according to the first computing power resource, and the sum of the processing delay of the access network element and the transmission delay of the message (that is, the actual end-to-end delay) can meet the end-to-end delay requirement of the first computing task, thereby improving the access efficiency of the first computing task and improving the user experience. Moreover, if the air interface delay between the UE and the access network element changes, the CMF can determine the second computing power resource based on the delay threshold of the first computing task and the changed air interface delay (second delay), which is equivalent to still determining the computing power resource (second computing power resource) that the computing node should provide for the first computing task based on the end-to-end delay and transmission delay of the first computing task, so that the processing of the access network element can still meet the end-to-end delay requirement.

[0282] The embodiment of the present application provides a seventh communication method, as shown in Figure 9, which is a flow chart of the method. In this method, the computing node is an access network element as an example.

[0283] S901: AF sends information A. Correspondingly, PCF receives information A.

[0284] For more details about S901 , please refer to S301 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 .

[0285] S902. PCF determines second information based on information A.

[0286] For more details about S902 , please refer to S302 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 .

[0287] S903: The PCF sends the second information to the CMF. Correspondingly, the CMF receives the second information from the PCF.

[0288] For more details about S903 , please refer to S303 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 .

[0289] S904: The UE sends a request A to the CMF. Accordingly, the CMF receives the request A from the UE.

[0290] The request A, for example, is a session establishment request message, which can be used to request the establishment of a PDU session, which is equivalent to the UE initiating the session establishment process; alternatively, the request A can also be other messages, without specific limitation. The request A, for example, includes the DNN and / or S-NSSAI corresponding to the PDU session. Optionally, if the request A is a session establishment request message, the request A can also include an identifier of the PDU session requested to be established.

[0291] For more details about S904 , please refer to S304 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 .

[0292] S905: The CMF sends information about the first computing task and the delay threshold of the first computing task to the access network element. Alternatively, the CMF may send information about the first computing task and the end-to-end delay requirement of the first computing task to the access network element, and the access network element determines the delay threshold of the first computing task based on the end-to-end delay requirement.

[0293] For an introduction to concepts such as the information of the first computing task, the end-to-end delay requirement, and the delay threshold, reference may be made to the relevant introduction to the embodiment shown in FIG3 .

[0294] Optionally, the CMF may also send the first time information to the access network element. For more details about S905, such as the sending method and information sent by the CMF, please refer to S305 of the embodiment shown in FIG3 .

[0295] S906. The access network element determines a first computing power resource according to the delay threshold of the first computing task and the first delay.

[0296] After receiving the information described in S905 (e.g., information about the first computing task; or information about the first computing task and the first time information), the access network element may predict the delay required for the first computing task to be transmitted over the air interface, that is, predict the transmission delay of the first computing task between the UE and the access network element, for example, the transmission delay being the first delay. If the access network element receives the first time information, the access network element may begin predicting the transmission delay of the first computing task between the UE and the access network element at the time indicated by the first time information.

[0297] In the embodiments of the present application, the computing resources can be determined by the access network element, without the need for the CMF to make a decision. After the access network element determines the computing resources, it can directly provide the computing resources, which reduces the interaction process between the access network element and the CMF, saves signaling overhead, and improves the efficiency of determining computing resources.

[0298] Optionally, the access network element may send information about the first computing power resource to the CMF to inform the CMF that the access network element provides the first computing power resource for the first computing task.

[0299] S907: The UE sends a message corresponding to the first computing task. Correspondingly, the access network element receives the message, which is, for example, a data message.

[0300] For example, if request A in S904 is a session establishment request message, then before S907, the PDU session requested by the session request message is established. The UE can send a message corresponding to the first computing task through the established PDU session. After receiving the message, the access network element can use the first computing resource to process the message. Optionally, the access network element can also send the processing result of the message to the UE.

[0301] In an embodiment of the present application, if the air interface delay changes, the access network network element can re-determine the computing power resources. For example, the access network network element can determine in real time the transmission delay of the message corresponding to the first computing task transmitted between the UE and the access network network element, or can periodically determine the transmission delay of the message corresponding to the first computing task transmitted between the UE and the access network network element. If the access network network element determines that the transmission delay has changed, for example, from the first delay to the second delay, the access network network element can determine the computing power resources based on the delay threshold of the first computing task and the second delay. For example, if the second computing power resources are determined, the access network network element uses the second computing power resources to process the first computing task. This is equivalent to repeating the above-mentioned steps S906 and others.

[0302] Alternatively, after determining the second computing power resource, it may be determined whether the access network element can provide the second computing power resource, for example, determining whether the second computing power resource is greater than the maximum computing power resource of the access network element. If the second computing power resource is a computing power resource that the access network element can provide, the access network element may use the second computing power resource to process the first computing task; alternatively, if the access network element cannot provide the second computing power resource, for example, the second computing power resource is greater than the maximum computing power resource supported by the access network element, the access network element may send a fifth request to the CMF to request the CMF to reselect a computing node.

[0303] Optionally, the fifth request may include information about the second computing power resource. After receiving the fifth request, the CMF may reselect the computing node, for example, the CMF may select the UPF as the computing node, or select the service server as the computing node, or may select other network elements as the computing node. The CMF may request the NRF to assist in selecting the computing node, or may select the computing node on its own. For this, please refer to the introduction of the aforementioned method embodiments. After selecting the computing node, the CMF may send a fourth request, which may be sent directly to the new computing node, or indirectly to the new computing node. Depending on the computing node, the sending method of the fourth request may also be different. For this, please refer to the introduction of the aforementioned method embodiments. The fourth request, for example, includes information about the second computing resource. After receiving the information about the second computing power resource, the new computing node may instantiate the second computing power resource and perform other processing, thereby providing the second computing power resource for the first computing task. Optionally, the new computing node may also send a response message to the CMF.

[0304] The access network element in the embodiment of the present application can determine the first computing power resource based on the delay threshold of the first computing task and the first delay, which is equivalent to determining the computing power resource (first computing power resource) that the computing node should provide for the first computing task based on the end-to-end delay and transmission delay of the first computing task. If the access network network element processes the first computing task according to the first computing power resource, the sum of the processing delay of the access network network element and the transmission delay of the message (that is, the actual end-to-end delay) can meet the end-to-end delay requirement of the first computing task, thereby improving the access efficiency of the first computing task and improving the user experience. The computing power resources are determined by the access network network element, and the access network network element is also the provider of computing power resources, which reduces the participation of the core network, can save signaling overhead, and can also improve the efficiency of determining computing power resources. Moreover, if the air interface delay between the UE and the access network element changes, the access network element can determine the second computing power resource based on the delay threshold of the first computing task and the changed air interface delay (second delay), which is equivalent to still determining the computing power resource (second computing power resource) that the computing node should provide for the first computing task based on the end-to-end delay and transmission delay of the first computing task, so that the processing of the new computing node can still meet the end-to-end delay requirements. In addition, if the second computing power resource exceeds the capacity of the access network element, the CMF can also select a new computing node, and there is no restriction on the type of computing node, which improves the flexibility of selection.

[0305] Through any of the above embodiments, it is possible to achieve elastic adjustment of computing resources so that computing resources can meet end-to-end delay requirements. For example, refer to Figure 10, which is a schematic diagram of end-to-end delay guarantee. For example, from time t0 to time t1, the transmission delay of the first computing task is T1, and the CMF or access network element determines the processing delay of the computing node as T3 based on the delay threshold of the first computing task and T1. The CMF or access network element can determine the computing resources based on T3, such as the first computing resources. From time t1 to time t2, the transmission delay of the first computing task changes, for example, to T2. The CMF or access network element can re-determine the processing delay of the computing node as T4 based on the delay threshold of the first computing task and T2. The CMF or access network element can determine the computing resources based on T4, such as the second computing resources. It can be seen that even if the transmission delay changes, the CMF or access network element can re-determine the computing resources so that the transmission and processing of the first computing task can meet the end-to-end delay requirements.

[0306] Figure 11 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1100 may be the CMF or the circuit system of the CMF described in the embodiment shown in any one of Figures 2A, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9, for implementing the method corresponding to the CMF in the above method embodiment. Alternatively, the communication device 1100 may be the first computing node or the circuit system of the first computing node described in the embodiment shown in any one of Figures 2A, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9, for implementing the method corresponding to the first computing node in the above method embodiment. Alternatively, the communication device 1100 may be the second computing node or the circuit system of the second computing node described in the embodiment shown in any one of Figures 5 or 7, for implementing the method corresponding to the second computing node in the above method embodiment. Alternatively, the communication device 1100 may be the access network element or the circuit system of the access network element described in the embodiment shown in any one of Figures 2A, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9, for implementing the method corresponding to the access network element in the above method embodiment. Alternatively, the communication device 1100 may be the PCF or the circuit system of the PCF as described in any of the embodiments shown in Figures 2A, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9, for implementing the method corresponding to the PCF in the above-mentioned method embodiments. Alternatively, the communication device 1100 may be the NEF or the circuit system of the NEF as described in any of the embodiments shown in Figures 2A, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9, for implementing the method corresponding to the NEF in the above-mentioned method embodiments. For example, one circuit system is a chip system.

[0307] The communication device 1100 includes at least one processor 1101. Processor 1101 can be used for internal processing of the device to implement certain control processing functions. Optionally, processor 1101 includes instructions. Optionally, processor 1101 can store data. Optionally, different processors can be independent devices, located in different physical locations, or on different integrated circuits. Optionally, different processors can be integrated into one or more processors, for example, on one or more integrated circuits.

[0308] Optionally, the communication device 1100 includes one or more memories 1103 for storing instructions. Optionally, data may also be stored in the memories 1103. The processor and memory may be provided separately or integrated together.

[0309] Optionally, the communication device 1100 includes a communication line 1102 and at least one communication interface 1104. Since the memory 1103, the communication line 1102 and the communication interface 1104 are all optional, they are indicated by dotted lines in FIG11 .

[0310] Optionally, the communication device 1100 may further include a transceiver and / or an antenna. The transceiver may be used to send information to or receive information from other devices. The transceiver may be referred to as a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, an input / output interface, etc., and is used to implement the transceiver function of the communication device 1100 via an antenna. Optionally, the transceiver includes a transmitter and a receiver. For example, the transmitter may be used to generate a radio frequency signal from a baseband signal, and the receiver may be used to convert the radio frequency signal into a baseband signal.

[0311] The processor 1101 may include a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of the program of the present application.

[0312] The communication link 1102 may include a pathway for transmitting information between the aforementioned components.

[0313] The communication interface 1104 uses any transceiver or other device for communicating with other devices or communication networks, such as Ethernet, radio access network (RAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), wired access network, etc.

[0314] The memory 1103 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device that can store 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 that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory 1103 may exist independently and be connected to the processor 1101 via the communication line 1102. Alternatively, the memory 1103 may be integrated with the processor 1101.

[0315] The memory 1103 is used to store computer-executable instructions for executing the solution of the present application, and the execution is controlled by the processor 1101. The processor 1101 is used to execute the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 1103, thereby implementing the steps performed by the CMF or the first computing node or the second computing node or the access network element or the PCF or the NEF in the embodiment shown in any one of Figures 2A, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9.

[0316] Optionally, the computer-executable instructions in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as application code, which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0317] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the processor 1101 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 in FIG11 .

[0318] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the communication device 1100 may include multiple processors, such as the processor 1101 and the processor 1105 in FIG11 . Each of these processors may be a single-core (single-CPU) processor or a multi-core (multi-CPU) processor. The processor herein may refer to one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores for processing data (e.g., computer program instructions).

[0319] When the device shown in FIG11 is a chip, for example, a CMF chip, a first computing node chip, a second computing node chip, an access network element chip, a PCF chip, or a NEF chip, the chip includes a processor 1101 (and may also include a processor 1105), a communication line 1102, and a communication interface 1104. Optionally, the chip may include a memory 1103. Specifically, the communication interface 1104 may be an input interface, a pin, or a circuit. The memory 1103 may be a register, a cache, or the like. The processor 1101 and the processor 1105 may be a general-purpose CPU, a microprocessor, an ASIC, or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of the program of the communication method of any of the above embodiments.

[0320] In the embodiment of the present application, the functional modules of the device can be divided according to the above-mentioned method example. For example, each functional module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above-mentioned integrated module can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules. It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiment of the present application is schematic and is only a logical functional division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation. For example, in the case of dividing each functional module according to each function, Figure 12 shows a schematic diagram of a device. The device 1200 can be the first UE or the second UE involved in the above-mentioned method embodiments, or a chip in a CMF, a chip in a first computing node, a chip in a second computing node, a chip in an access network element, a chip in a PCF, or a chip in an NEF. The device 1200 includes a processing unit 1202 and a transceiver unit 1201.

[0321] It should be understood that the device 1200 can be used to implement the steps performed by the CMF or the first computing node or the second computing node or the access network element or the PCF or the NEF in the communication method of the embodiment of the present application. The relevant features can refer to the embodiments shown in any of Figures 2A, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0322] Optionally, the functions / implementation processes of the transceiver unit 1201 and the processing unit 1202 in FIG12 may be implemented by the processor 1101 in FIG11 calling computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 1103. Alternatively, the functions / implementation processes of the processing unit 1202 in FIG12 may be implemented by the processor 1101 in FIG11 calling computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 1103, and the functions / implementation processes of the transceiver unit 1201 in FIG12 may be implemented by the communication interface 1104 in FIG11.

[0323] Optionally, when the device 1200 is a chip or circuit, the functions / implementation processes of the transceiver unit 1201 may also be implemented via pins or circuits. Optionally, the transceiver unit 1201 may include a transmitting unit and / or a receiving unit, where the transmitting unit is configured to implement the transmitting function and the receiving unit is configured to implement the receiving function. Alternatively, the transceiver unit 1201 may be an integral module capable of implementing the transmitting function and / or the receiving function. Optionally, the transceiver unit 1201 may be implemented via a transceiver.

[0324] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed, the method performed by the CMF or the first computing node or the second computing node or the access network element or the PCF or the NEF in the above-mentioned method embodiment is implemented. In this way, the functions described in the above-mentioned embodiments can be implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application can be essentially or in other words, the part that contributes to 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, a server, or a network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The storage medium includes various media that can store program code, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0325] The present application also provides a computer program product, which includes: computer program code, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method executed by the CMF, the first computing node, the second computing node, the access network element, the PCF, or the NEF in any of the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0326] An embodiment of the present application also provides a processing device, including a processor and an interface; the processor is used to execute the method performed by the CMF or the first computing node or the second computing node or the access network element or the PCF or the NEF involved in any of the above method embodiments.

[0327] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When software is used for implementation, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the process or function described in the embodiment of the present application is generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server or data center to another website, computer, server or data center via a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) method. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrations. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk, a tape), an optical medium (e.g., a DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., a solid-state drive (SSD)).

[0328] The various illustrative logic units and circuits described in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented or operated by a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an ASIC, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor, and optionally, the general-purpose processor can also be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller or state machine. The processor can also be implemented by a combination of computing devices, such as a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a digital signal processor core, or any other similar configuration.

[0329] The steps of the methods or algorithms described in the embodiments of the present application can be directly embedded in hardware, software units executed by a processor, or a combination of the two. The software unit can be stored in RAM, flash memory, ROM, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), EEPROM, registers, hard disks, removable disks, CD-ROMs, or other storage media in any form known in the art. Exemplarily, the storage medium can be connected to the processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium can also be integrated into the processor. The processor and storage medium can be provided in an ASIC, which can be provided in a terminal device. Alternatively, the processor and storage medium can also be provided in different components in the terminal device.

[0330] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device so that a series of operating steps are executed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process, so that the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable device provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0331] The contents of the various embodiments of this application can refer to each other. If there is no special explanation and logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced to each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their internal logical relationships.

[0332] It is understood that in the embodiments of the present application, any one or more of the CMF, the first computing node, the second computing node, the access network element, the PCF, or the NEF may perform some or all of the steps in the embodiments of the present application. These steps or operations are merely examples. In the embodiments of the present application, other operations or variations of various operations may also be performed. In addition, the steps may be performed in a different order than those presented in the embodiments of the present application, and not all operations in the embodiments of the present application may need to be performed.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Determine a first computing resource according to a latency threshold of a first computing task and a first latency. The first computing resource is the computing resource required for a computing node to process the first computing task. The latency threshold is related to the end-to-end latency requirement of the first computing task. The end-to-end latency requirement is the latency requirement for transmitting and processing the message corresponding to the first computing task between a terminal device and the computing node. The first latency is the transmission latency of transmitting the message corresponding to the first computing task between the terminal device and an access network element. Send a first request, where the first request is used to trigger the first computing node to use the first computing resource to process the first computing task.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The latency threshold is the end-to-end latency requirement.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: Determine the first computing node according to the first computing resource.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein Determining the first computing node according to the first computing resource includes: Send a second request to a first core network element. The second request is used to request to discover a computing node, and the second request further includes information about the first computing resource. Receive the information of the first computing node from the first core network element. The information of the first computing node includes the identifier of the first computing node.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein The information of the first computing node further includes information about the maximum computing resource supported by the first computing node.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send the information of the first computing task to the access network element. Receive a first piece of information from the access network element. The first piece of information includes information about the first latency.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein The method further includes: Send first time information to the access network element. The first time information is used to instruct the access network element to determine the time of the first latency.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The first piece of information is further used to indicate the effective duration of the first latency.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive second information from a second core network element. The second information includes the information of the first computing task and the end-to-end latency requirement of the first computing task; or Send a third request to a database element. The third request is used to request the information of the first computing task and the end-to-end latency requirement of the first computing task, and receive the information of the first computing task and the end-to-end latency requirement of the first computing task from the database element.

10. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that, The information of the first computing task includes one or more of the following: the maximum uplink data volume corresponding to the first computing task, the maximum downlink data volume corresponding to the first computing task, or the execution period of the first computing task.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive information about a second latency from the access network element. The second latency is the transmission latency of transmitting the message corresponding to the first computing task between the terminal device and the access network element, and the second latency is different from the first latency. Determine a second computing resource according to the latency threshold and the second latency. The second computing resource is the computing resource required for a computing node to process the first computing task. Send a fourth request for triggering the second computing node to process the first computing task by using the second computing power resource.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein The method further includes: In the case that the first computing node cannot provide the second computing power resource, determining the second computing node according to the second computing power resource.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that The first computing node is a UPF, an access network element, or a service server.

14. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receiving a first request for triggering a first computing node to process a first computing task by using a first computing power resource; Processing the first computing task by using the first computing power resource according to the first request.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein The method further includes: Receiving a fourth request for triggering the first computing node to process the first computing task by using a second computing power resource; Adjusting the computing power resource scheduled for the first computing task to the second computing power resource according to the fourth request; Processing the first computing task by using the second computing power resource.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that The first computing node is a UPF, an access network element, or a service server.

17. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that The method further includes: Sending a registration request, where the registration request includes an identifier of the first computing node and information including the maximum computing power resource supported by the first computing node.

18. A communication method, characterized in that, Includes: Receiving information about a first computing task from a core network element; Determining a first delay, where the first delay is a transmission delay of a packet corresponding to the first computing task transmitted between a terminal device and an access network element; Sending first information to the core network element, where the first information includes information about the first delay.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein The method further includes: receiving first time information from the core network element; Determining the first delay includes: determining the first delay at a time determined according to the first time information.

20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that, The first information is further used to indicate a valid duration of the first delay.

21. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that The method further includes: Receiving a first request from the core network element, where the first request is for triggering the access network element to process the first computing task by using the first computing power resource.

22. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 21, characterized in that The method further includes: Determining that a transmission delay of a packet corresponding to the first computing task transmitted between the terminal device and the access network element changes to a second delay; Sending information about the second delay to the core network element.

23. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a processing unit and a transceiver unit, where the processing unit is coupled to the transceiver unit to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, or execute the method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, or execute the method according to any one of claims 18 to 22.

24. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a processor and a memory, where the memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor is used to execute the computer program stored on the memory, so that the communication device executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, or so that the communication device executes the method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, or so that the communication device executes the method according to any one of claims 18 to 22.

25. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium is used to store a computer program, which, when running on a computer, causes the computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, or causes the computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, or causes the computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 18 to 22.

26. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes a computer program, which, when running on a computer, causes the computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, or causes the computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, or causes the computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 18 to 22.

27. A chip system, characterized in that, The chip system includes: a processor and an interface, where the processor is used to call and run instructions from the interface, and when the processor executes the instructions, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13 is implemented, or the method according to any one of claims 14 to 17 is implemented, or the method according to any one of claims 18 to 22 is implemented.

28. A communication system, characterized in that, The communication system includes a third core network element and a first computing node, where the third core network element is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13; the first computing node is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 14 to 17.

29. The communication system according to claim 28, characterized in that, The communication system further includes an access network element, where the access network element is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 18 to 22.

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