Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of communications, and discloses a communication method and a communication apparatus. The method comprises: a first device receives first indication information from a second device, and then the first device sends a first message to the second device. A protocol stack used for sending the first message is related to the first indication information. The first indication information indicates that the first device is required or allowed to send a message by using a first protocol stack, or the first indication information indicates that the first device is required or allowed to send the first message by using the first protocol stack. On the basis of the method, the selection of a more suitable protocol stack for communication by a device is facilitated, thereby increasing the success rate of message transmission.

Description

Communication method and communication device

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on March 21, 2024, with application number 202410331224.4 and application name “Communication Method and Communication Device”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

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

[0003] In a communication system, the channel for data exchange between two communication devices is called an interface. For example, the Xn interface is the interface between base stations, and the Uu interface is the interface between a base station and user equipment (UE). Multiple protocol stacks can be used to send data on the interface. For example, the Xn interface can use the control plane (CP) protocol stack and the user plane (UP) protocol stack. Typically, signaling messages are sent using the CP protocol stack, and service data is sent using the UP protocol stack. In some special cases, such as when the CP is overloaded, some signaling messages can also be sent using the UP protocol stack to avoid congestion.

[0004] When the interface between device 1 and device 2 supports multiple protocol stacks, device 1 can select one of these stacks to send a message. However, when device 2 receives the message, it may fail to receive the message due to various factors, such as excessive load on the corresponding protocol stack or device 2's inherent support for the stack. Therefore, how to select the appropriate protocol stack for communication between two devices is a pressing technical issue. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and a communication device, which are conducive to the device selecting a more appropriate protocol stack for communication, thereby improving the success rate of message transmission.

[0006] In the first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, wherein the method can be executed by a first device, where the first device can refer to the first device itself, or to a processor, module, chip, or chip system in the first device that implements the method, and the method includes: receiving first indication information from a second device, and then sending a first message to the second device, the protocol stack used for sending the first message is related to the first indication information, the first indication information indicates that the first device is required or allowed to use the first protocol stack to send the message, or the first indication information indicates that the first device is required or allowed to use the first protocol stack to send the first message.

[0007] Based on the method described in the first aspect, the second device sends the first indication information so that the first device knows which messages are required or allowed to be transmitted using the first protocol stack, so that the protocol stack can be reasonably selected when transmitting these messages. This is beneficial to avoid the second device from being unable to correctly receive messages, and is beneficial to the first device selecting a more suitable protocol stack for communication, thereby improving the success rate of message transmission.

[0008] In a possible implementation, the first indication information indicates that the first device is required to use the first protocol stack to send a message, or the first indication information indicates that the first device is required to use the first protocol stack to send a first message; the protocol stack used to send the first message is the first protocol stack.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the first indication information indicates that the first device is allowed to use the first protocol stack to send a message, or the first indication information indicates that the first device is allowed to use the first protocol stack to send a first message; the protocol stack used to send the first message is the first protocol stack or the second protocol stack.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the first indication information indicates that the first device is required or allowed to use the first protocol stack to send the first message; the first indication information includes an identifier of the first message. The first message identifier facilitates the first device to determine which messages are required or allowed to be sent using the first protocol stack.

[0011] In one possible implementation, before receiving the first indication information from the second device, the method further includes: sending second indication information to the second device, where the second indication information indicates that the first device supports sending messages using the first protocol stack. It is understandable that the second device knows whether the first device has the ability to support the first protocol stack through the second indication information, thereby being able to make a more reasonable decision on whether to send the first indication information, thereby avoiding a situation where the first device does not support the first protocol stack, but the second device requires or allows the first device to send messages or first messages using the first protocol stack.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the first protocol stack is a user plane protocol stack.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the second protocol stack is a control plane protocol stack.

[0014] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method, wherein the method can be executed by a second device, where the second device can refer to the second device itself, or a processor, module, chip, or chip system that implements the method in the second device, and the method includes: sending first indication information to a first device, and then receiving a first message from the first device, wherein the protocol stack used by the first message is related to the first indication information. The first indication information indicates that the first device is required or allowed to use the first protocol stack to send the message, or the first indication information indicates that the first device is required or allowed to use the first protocol stack to send the first message.

[0015] In a possible implementation, before sending the first indication information to the first device, the method further includes: receiving second indication information from the first device, where the second indication information indicates that the first device supports sending messages using the first protocol stack.

[0016] In one possible implementation, first indication information is sent to the first device, specifically implemented as follows: when a first condition is met, the first indication information is sent to the first device; the first condition includes one or more of the following conditions: the first device supports the use of the first protocol stack to transmit messages; or, the transmission load corresponding to the first protocol stack on the interface between the first device and the second device is less than a first threshold; or, the transmission load corresponding to the second protocol stack on the interface between the first device and the second device is greater than a second threshold; or, the computational load corresponding to the first protocol stack of the second device is less than a third threshold; or, the computational load corresponding to the second protocol stack of the second device is greater than a fourth threshold. Based on this implementation, when the first condition is met, the second device sends the first indication information to the first device, requesting or allowing the first device to use the first protocol stack to send a message or the first message, thereby reducing the transmission load and computational load corresponding to the second protocol stack of the second device.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the first protocol stack is a user plane protocol stack.

[0018] In a possible implementation, the second protocol stack is a control plane protocol stack.

[0019] On the third aspect, the present application provides a communication method, wherein the method can be executed by a first device, where the first device can refer to the first device itself, or to a processor, module, chip, or chip system that implements the method in the first device, and the method includes: receiving auxiliary information from the second device, and then determining whether to use the first protocol stack to send a first message to the second device based on the auxiliary information; wherein the auxiliary information includes one or more of the following information: capability information, the capability information includes whether the second device supports the use of the first protocol stack to transmit messages; or, the transmission load corresponding to the first protocol stack on the interface between the first device and the second device; or, the transmission load corresponding to the second protocol stack on the interface between the first device and the second device; or, the computational load corresponding to the first protocol stack of the second device; or, the computational load corresponding to the second protocol stack of the second device.

[0020] Based on the method described in the third aspect, the auxiliary information enables the first device to understand information such as the capabilities of the second device, the transmission load of the interface, and the computing load of device 2, thereby making a reasonable decision on whether to use the first protocol stack to transmit messages to device 2, thereby preventing device 2 from failing to correctly receive the message. This facilitates the first device to select a more appropriate protocol stack for communication, thereby improving the success rate of message transmission.

[0021] In one possible implementation, whether to use the first protocol stack to send the first message to the second device is determined based on auxiliary information. The specific implementation method is: when the second condition is met, the first protocol stack is used to send the first message to the second device; the second condition includes one or more of the following conditions: the second device supports the use of the first protocol stack to transmit messages; or, the transmission load corresponding to the first protocol stack on the interface between the first device and the second device is less than the first threshold; or, the transmission load corresponding to the second protocol stack on the interface between the first device and the second device is greater than the second threshold; or, the computational load corresponding to the first protocol stack of the second device is less than the third threshold; or, the computational load corresponding to the second protocol stack of the second device is greater than the fourth threshold; or, the size of the first message is greater than the fifth threshold.

[0022] When the second device supports the use of the first protocol stack to transmit messages, it is beneficial for the first device to avoid using the first protocol stack to send messages when the second device does not support the first protocol stack. When the transmission load corresponding to the first protocol stack on the interface between the first device and the second device is less than the first threshold, using the first protocol stack to send messages will not have a significant impact on the transmission load corresponding to the first protocol stack. When the transmission load corresponding to the second protocol stack on the interface between the first device and the second device is greater than the second threshold, using the first protocol stack to send messages is beneficial to reducing the transmission load corresponding to the second protocol stack. When the computational load corresponding to the first protocol stack of the second device is less than the third threshold, using the first protocol stack to send messages will not have a significant impact on the computational load corresponding to the first protocol stack. When the computational load corresponding to the second protocol stack of the second device is greater than the fourth threshold, using the first protocol stack to send messages is beneficial to reducing the computational load corresponding to the second protocol stack. When the size of the first message is greater than the fifth threshold, since a larger message will cause a larger computational load, using the first protocol stack to send the first message is beneficial to reducing the computational load corresponding to the second protocol stack.

[0023] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: when the second condition is not met, sending the first message to the second device using the second protocol stack.

[0024] In a possible implementation, the first protocol stack is a user plane protocol stack, and the second protocol stack is a control plane protocol stack.

[0025] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, wherein the communication device may also be a chip system. The communication device may execute the method described in any one of the first to third aspects and their possible implementations. The functions of the communication device may be implemented by hardware, or the corresponding software may be implemented by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the above functions. The unit or module may be software and / or hardware. The operations and beneficial effects performed by the communication device can refer to the methods and beneficial effects described in any one of the first to third aspects and their possible implementations above, and the repeated parts will not be repeated.

[0026] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which includes a processor. When the processor calls a computer program in a memory, the method described in the first aspect or the second aspect is executed.

[0027] In a possible implementation, the communication device further includes a memory, and the memory and the processor are coupled to each other. Optionally, the memory and the processor are integrated together.

[0028] In a possible implementation, the communication device further includes a transceiver, which is used to send and receive data and / or signaling.

[0029] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which includes a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor or send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device, and the processor executes the method described in any one of the first to third aspects and their possible implementation methods through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

[0030] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a chip, which includes a processor, and the processor is configured to enable the chip to execute the method in the above-mentioned first to third aspects or any possible implementation thereof.

[0031] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed by a communication device, the method described in any one of the first to third aspects and their possible implementation methods is executed.

[0032] In the ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program or computer program product, including code or instructions. When the code or instructions are run on a computer, the computer executes the method described in any one of the first to third aspects and their possible implementation methods.

[0033] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which includes the above-mentioned communication device for executing the above-mentioned first aspect and its possible implementation methods and the communication device for executing the above-mentioned second aspect and its possible implementation methods. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0035] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of an interface in a 5G network provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0036] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of an interface in an O-RAN provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0037] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a protocol stack structure of an Xn interface provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0038] FIG5 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0039] FIG6 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0040] FIG7 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0041] FIG8 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0042] FIG9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the chip provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] The terms "first" and "second" and the like in the specification, claims, and drawings of this application are used to distinguish between different objects, not to describe a particular order. Furthermore, the terms "including" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus comprising a series of steps or elements is not limited to the listed steps or elements, but may optionally include steps or elements not listed, or may optionally include other steps or elements inherent to the process, method, product, or apparatus.

[0044] References herein to "embodiments" mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments may be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The appearance of this phrase in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor does it constitute an independent or alternative embodiment that is mutually exclusive of other embodiments. It is understood, both explicitly and implicitly, by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.

[0045] In this application, "at least one (item)" refers to one or more, "more than one" refers to two or more, "at least two (items)" refers to two or three and more than three, and "and / or" is used to describe the corresponding relationship of associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, "A and / or B" can mean: only A exists, only B exists, and A and B exist at the same time, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following items" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b or c can mean: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c", where a, b, c can be single or multiple.

[0046] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the system architecture of the method provided in the embodiments of the present application is briefly described below. It is understood that the system architecture described in the embodiments of the present application is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application.

[0047] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as satellite communication systems and traditional mobile communication systems. The satellite communication system can be integrated with a traditional mobile communication system (i.e., a terrestrial communication system). Communication systems include, for example, wireless local area network (WLAN) communication systems, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) systems, long term evolution (LTE) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems, fifth generation (5G) systems or new radio (NR), and other future communication systems, such as sixth generation (6G) systems, and communication systems that support the integration of multiple wireless technologies. For example, it can also be applied to systems where non-terrestrial networks (NTN) such as drones, satellite communication systems, and high altitude platform stations (HAPS) communications integrate terrestrial mobile communication networks.

[0048] FIG1 is an example of a communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application. The communication system includes at least one network device and at least one terminal device. FIG1 uses a network device and multiple terminal devices as an example. These multiple terminal devices can be cellular phones, smart phones, laptops, handheld communication devices, handheld computing devices, satellite radio devices, global positioning systems, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and / or any other suitable devices for communicating on a wireless communication system, and can all be connected to the network device. The terminal device can communicate with the network device or other terminal devices. Of course, the number of terminal devices and network devices in FIG1 is only an example, and can also be fewer or more.

[0049] FIG1 is an example of a communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application. The communication system includes at least one network device and at least one terminal device. FIG1 uses a network device and multiple terminal devices as an example. These multiple terminal devices can be cellular phones, smart phones, laptops, handheld communication devices, handheld computing devices, satellite radio devices, global positioning systems, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and / or any other suitable devices for communicating on a wireless communication system, and can all be connected to the network device. These multiple terminal devices can all communicate with the network device, and in addition, terminal devices can also communicate with each other. Of course, the number of terminal devices and network devices in FIG1 is only an example, and can also be less or more.

[0050] The terminal device involved in the embodiments of the present application, which may also be referred to as a terminal, is an entity on the user side for receiving or transmitting signals. The terminal device can be a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to the user, for example, a handheld device with wireless connection function, a vehicle-mounted device, etc. The terminal device can also be other processing devices connected to a wireless modem. The terminal device can communicate with a radio access network (RAN). The terminal device can also be called a wireless terminal, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a remote station, an access point, a remote terminal, an access terminal, a user terminal, a user agent, a user device, or a UE, etc. The terminal device can be a mobile terminal, such as a mobile phone (or "cellular" phone) and a computer with a mobile terminal, for example, a portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer-built-in or vehicle-mounted mobile device, which exchanges voice and / or data with a radio access network. For example, the terminal device may also be a personal communication service (PCS) phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), etc. Common terminal devices include, for example, mobile phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MIDs), and wearable devices such as smart watches, smart bracelets, and pedometers, but the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

[0051] The embodiments of this application do not limit the device form factor of the terminal device. The device used to implement the functions of the terminal device can be the terminal device; it can also be a device that supports the terminal device to implement the functions, such as a chip system. The device can be installed in the terminal device or used in conjunction with the terminal device. In the embodiments of this application, the chip system can be composed of a chip or include a chip and other discrete components.

[0052] A network device is an entity on the network side that is used to send signals, receive signals, or both send and receive signals. A network device can be a device deployed in a radio access network (RAN) to provide wireless communication functions for terminals.

[0053] In one possible scenario, a network device may be a device with base station functionality, such as an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmitting and receiving point (TRP), a transmitting point (TP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB), a next-generation base station in a 6G mobile communication system, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, or a non-terrestrial network device, i.e., a device that can be deployed on a high-altitude platform or satellite. A network device may be a transmission reception point (TRP), a base station, or various forms of control nodes, such as a network controller or wireless controller. Specifically, network devices can include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations (also known as small cells) in heterogeneous network (HetNet) scenarios, relay stations, access points (APs), radio network controllers (RNCs), node Bs (NBs), base station controllers (BSCs), base transceiver stations (BTSs), home base stations (e.g., home evolved node Bs, or home node Bs, HNBs), baseband units (BBUs) and remote radio units (RRUs) in distributed base station scenarios, transmission points (TRPs), transmitting points (TPs), mobile switching centers, and the like. They can also be base station antenna panels. A control node can connect to multiple base stations and configure resources for multiple terminals covered by multiple base stations. In systems using different wireless access technologies, the names of devices with base station functionality may vary. For example, it can be a gNB in ​​5G, or a network-side device in a network after 5G, or a network device in a future evolved public land mobile (communication) network (public land mobile network, PLMN) network, or a device that performs base station functions in device-to-device (D2D) communication, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, and vehicle network communication, etc. This application does not limit the specific name of the network device.The network equipment can also be an open access network (open RAN, O-RAN or ORAN), a baseband pool (BBU pool) and RRU under a cloud radio access network (CRAN), etc.

[0054] In one possible scenario, multiple network devices collaborate to assist the terminal in achieving wireless access, and different network devices respectively implement part of the functions of the base station. For example, the network device may include 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 set separately, or may be 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). It is understandable that the network device may be a CU node, a DU node, or a device including a CU node and a DU node. In addition, the CU may be divided into a network device in the access network RAN, or the CU may be divided into a network device in the core network CN, without limitation here.

[0055] 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 the ORAN system, CU may also be called the open network architecture distributed unit (O-RAN Central Unit, O-CU), DU may also be called the open network architecture distributed unit (O-RAN Distributed Unit, O-DU), CU-CP may also be called the open network architecture centralized unit control plane (O-RAN Central Unit Control Plane, O-CU-CP), CU-UP may also be called the open network architecture centralized unit user plane (O-RAN Central Unit User Plane, O-CU-UP), and RU may also be called the open network architecture (O-RAN Radio Unit, O-RU). Any of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in this application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0056] In the embodiments of the present application, the form of the network device is not limited. The device used to implement the function of the network device can be a network device; it can also be a device that can support the network device to implement the function, such as a chip system. The device can be installed in the network device or used in conjunction with the network device.

[0057] In a communication system, the channel for data exchange between two communication devices is called an interface.

[0058] For example, as shown in Figure 2, a 5G communication system includes devices such as UEs, base stations, and a core network. Base stations are divided into CUs and DUs. This communication system includes the Uu interface, the NG interface, the Xn interface, and the F1 interface. The Uu interface is the interface between the base station and the UE. The NG interface is the interface between the base station and the core network. The Xn interface is the interface between base stations. The F1 interface is the interface between the CU and the DU.

[0059] For another example, as shown in Figure 3, O-RAN includes devices such as Service Management and Orchestration (SMO), Non-Real-Time Radio Access Network Intelligent Controller (Non-RT RIC), Near-Real-Time Radio Access Network Intelligent Controller (Near-RT RIC), O-CU-CP, O-CU-UP, O-DU, and O-RAN evolved NodeB (O-eNB). The communication system includes an O1 interface, an A1 interface, and an E2 interface. The O1 interface is the interface between the SMO and Near-RT RIC, O-CU-CP, O-CU-UP, O-DU, and O-eNB; the A1 interface is the interface between the Non-RT RIC and Near-RT RIC; and the E2 interface is the interface between the Near-RT RIC and O-CU-CP, O-CU-UP, O-DU, and O-eNB.

[0060] Multiple protocol stacks can be used on an interface for data transmission. For example, the Xn interface uses a dual protocol stack: a control plane protocol stack and a user plane protocol stack. As shown in Figure 4, the control plane protocol stack includes Layer 1 (L1) protocol, Layer 2 (L2) protocol, Internet Protocol (IP), Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP), and Xn Application Protocol (XnAP). The user plane protocol stack includes Layer 1 protocol, Layer 2 protocol, IP protocol, User Datagram Protocol (UDP), and General Packet Radio Service Tunnelling Protocol-User Plane (GTP-U). Typically, signaling messages (referred to as messages) are transmitted using the control plane protocol stack, while service data is transmitted using the UP protocol stack. In special circumstances (such as when the control plane is overloaded), some messages can also be transmitted using the user plane protocol stack to avoid message transmission congestion.

[0061] When the interface between a first device and a second device supports multiple protocol stacks, the first device can select one of these stacks to send a message based on its specific needs. However, when the second device receives the message, it may fail to receive the message due to various factors, such as excessive load on the protocol stack or a lack of support for the protocol stack on device 2. Therefore, how to select the appropriate protocol stack for communication between two devices is a pressing technical issue.

[0062] In order to improve the reliability of data transmission, an embodiment of the present application proposes a communication method, as shown in Figure 5, which includes steps 501 to 502. The execution subjects corresponding to the method shown in Figure 5 are the first device and the second device, or the execution subjects of the method shown in Figure 5 can be the chip in the first device and the chip in the second device. Figure 5 is illustrated using the first device and the second device as an example. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the execution subject of the communication method. Among them:

[0063] 501. The second device sends first indication information to the first device. Correspondingly, the first device receives the first indication information from the second device. The first indication information indicates that the first device is required or allowed to use the first protocol stack to send a message, or the first indication information indicates that the first device is required or allowed to use the first protocol stack to send a first message.

[0064] 502. Send a first message, where a protocol stack used to send the first message is related to the first indication information.

[0065] In an embodiment of the present application, the first device and the second device may be any device with communication functions, such as BS, CU, DU, UE, non-real-time RIC, near real-time RIC, O-CU-CP, O-CU-UP, O-DU, O-eNB, etc., and the embodiment of the present application does not limit this. The interface between the first device and the second device may support multiple protocol stacks. In an embodiment of the present application, the interface between the first device and the second device may support the first protocol stack and the second protocol stack, and when the first device sends a message to the second device, the second protocol stack is used by default as an example. Optionally, the first protocol stack is a control plane protocol stack, and the second protocol stack is a user plane protocol stack. When the first device sends a message to the second device, the second protocol stack is used by default. It can be understood that when the first device does not receive the first indication information, the first device uses the second protocol stack to send the message. The first indication information can have the following multiple indications:

[0066] 1. The first indication information indicates that the first device is required to use the first protocol stack to send a message.

[0067] It is understandable that the second device, through the first indication information, instructs the first device to use the first protocol stack to send messages. After receiving the first indication information, the first device does not need to make a decision and each message is sent using the first protocol stack. In this case, the protocol stack used by the first device to send the first message is the first protocol stack.

[0068] Among them, the first indication information does not indicate which messages require to be sent using the first protocol stack, that is, it is assumed that the first indication information is for all messages sent by the first device to the second device, or it can also be assumed that the first indication information is for pre-agreed messages (for example, certain types of messages specified in the standard, or messages configured by the network administrator on the first device and the second device, or messages agreed upon by the first device and the second device through signaling interaction before step 501).

[0069] Optionally, the first indication information may be an enumeration type, for example, the optional value is {required, not required}; it may also be a Boolean type, for example, a value of "True" indicates requirement, and a value of "False" indicates not required; of course, the first indication information may also be of other types, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0070] 2. The first indication information indicates that the first device is allowed to send messages using the first protocol stack.

[0071] It is understood that the second device indicates through the first indication information that it allows the first device to use the first protocol stack to send messages. After receiving the first indication information, the first device can use either the second protocol stack or the first protocol stack when sending messages. In other words, the first device needs to decide whether to use the first protocol stack or the second protocol stack to send messages.

[0072] Among them, the first indication information does not indicate which messages are allowed to be sent using the first protocol stack. The message can be all messages sent by the first device to the second device, or it can be a pre-agreed message (for example, certain types of messages specified in the standard, or messages configured by the network administrator on the first device and the second device, or it can be a message agreed upon in advance by the first device and the second device through signaling interaction before step 501).

[0073] Optionally, the first indication information may be an enumeration type, for example, the optional value is {allow, disallow}; it may also be a Boolean type, for example, a value of "True" indicates allowance, and a value of "False" indicates disallowance; of course, the first indication information may also be of other types, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0074] In this case, before the first device sends the first message, it needs to decide whether to use the first protocol stack or the second protocol stack to send the first message. For example, the first device determines whether the corresponding conditions are met. If the corresponding conditions are met, the first device uses the first protocol stack to send the first message to the second device. If the corresponding conditions are not met, the first device uses the second protocol stack to send the first message to the second device.

[0075] Optionally, the condition may include one or more of the following conditions:

[0076] 1. The first device supports message transmission using the first protocol stack.

[0077] 2. The transmission load corresponding to the first protocol stack on the interface between the first device and the second device is less than a first threshold.

[0078] 3. The transmission load corresponding to the second protocol stack on the interface between the first device and the second device is greater than a second threshold.

[0079] 4. The computing load corresponding to the first protocol stack of the first device is less than a third threshold.

[0080] 5. The computing load corresponding to the second protocol stack of the first device is greater than a fourth threshold.

[0081] 6. The size of the first message is greater than the fifth threshold.

[0082] Of course, the condition may also be other conditions, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited to this.

[0083] The transmission load of the first protocol stack (second protocol stack) on the interface described above refers to the load generated by transmitting messages on the interface using the first protocol stack (second protocol stack). The transmission load can have any of the following meanings:

[0084] (1) Message transmission rate, including the average transmission rate and maximum transmission rate of the message. For example, the average transmission rate of the message transmitted on the interface using the first protocol stack (the second protocol stack) is 1 Gbit / s;

[0085] (2) Transmission resources consumed by message transmission, including the bandwidth consumed by message transmission, the number of resource blocks (RBs), etc. For example, the bandwidth occupied by messages transmitted using the first protocol stack (second protocol stack) on the interface is 100 MHz.

[0086] (3) The ratio of transmission resources consumed by message transmission to total transmission resources. Total transmission resources refer to the total transmission resources available on the interface for messages transmitted using the first protocol stack (second protocol stack). For example, if the total bandwidth available on the interface for the first protocol stack (second protocol stack) is 200 MHz, and messages transmitted using the first protocol stack (second protocol stack) occupy 100 MHz, then the occupancy ratio is 50%.

[0087] Of course, the transmission load may also have other meanings, which are not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0088] The computational load corresponding to the first protocol stack (second protocol stack) of the device refers to the computational load generated by the device receiving and processing messages transmitted using the first protocol stack (second protocol stack). The computational load can have one of the following meanings:

[0089] (1) Consumed computing resources, such as the number of instructions executed per second, the number of floating-point operations executed per second, the number of hash operations executed per second, etc. For example, receiving and processing messages transmitted using the first protocol stack (the second protocol stack) on a device requires executing 10 9 floating-point operations.

[0090] (2) The proportion of computing resources consumed to total computing resources. The above-mentioned “total computing resources” refers to the total computing resources available on the device for receiving and processing messages transmitted using the first protocol stack (second protocol stack). For example, the computing resources available on the device for the first protocol stack (second protocol stack) are 2×10 9 floating point operations per second, while 10 9 floating-point operations, the occupancy rate is 50%.

[0091] Of course, computing load may also have other meanings, which are not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0092] 3. The first indication information indicates that the first device is required to use the first protocol stack to send the first message.

[0093] It can be understood that the second device instructs the first device to use the first protocol stack to send the first message through the first indication information. After receiving the first indication information, the first device does not need to make a decision and directly uses the first protocol stack to send the first message.

[0094] The first indication information indicates that the first message is required to be sent using the first protocol stack, and does not indicate other messages. Therefore, for messages other than the first message, such as the second message, the first device still defaults to sending the second protocol stack.

[0095] Optionally, the first indication information includes an identifier of the first message, and the first device can determine which messages need to be sent using the first protocol stack based on the identifier. For example, the identifier of the second message is different from the identifier included in the first indication information, and the first device uses the second protocol stack to send the second message. For another example, the identifier of the first message is the same as the identifier included in the first indication information, and the first device uses the first protocol stack to send the first message.

[0096] The message identifier can be in one of the following forms:

[0097] 1. The name of the message, in string format, for example, "Radio Resource Control (RRC) Setup Request (RRCsetup)".

[0098] 2. The message number, in integer format, for example "10".

[0099] 3. The message type consists of two parts: the procedure code of the process to which the message belongs and the type of message within the process. The procedure code is an integer, for example, 0 to 255; the type is an enumeration, for example, with the possible values ​​of {Initial message, Successful result, Unsuccessful result}.

[0100] The message identifier may also be in other forms, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0101] 4. The first indication information indicates that the first device is allowed to send the first message using the first protocol stack.

[0102] It is understood that the second device, through the first indication information, indicates that it allows the first device to use the first protocol stack to send the first message. After receiving the first indication information, the first device may use either the second protocol stack or the first protocol stack when sending the first message. In other words, the first device needs to decide whether to use the first protocol stack or the second protocol stack to send the first message.

[0103] The first indication information indicates that the first message is allowed to be sent using the first protocol stack, and does not indicate other messages. Therefore, for messages other than the first message, such as the second message, the first device still uses the second protocol stack to send by default.

[0104] Optionally, the first indication information includes an identifier of the first message, and the first device can determine which messages need to be sent using the first protocol stack based on the identifier. For example, the identifier of the second message is different from the identifier included in the first indication information, and the first device uses the second protocol stack to send the second message. For another example, the identifier of the first message is the same as the identifier included in the first indication information, and the first device uses the first protocol stack to send the first message.

[0105] The message identifier can be in one of the following forms:

[0106] 1. The name of the message, in string format, for example, "RRCsetup".

[0107] 2. The message number, in integer format, for example "10".

[0108] 3. The message type consists of two parts: the process code of the process to which the message belongs and the type of the message within the process. The process code is an integer, for example, 0 to 255; the type is an enumeration, for example, the optional values ​​are {initiate message, successful result, unsuccessful result}.

[0109] The message identifier may also be in other forms, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0110] In this case, before the first device sends the first message, it needs to decide whether to use the first protocol stack or the second protocol stack to send the first message. For example, the first device determines whether the corresponding conditions are met. If the corresponding conditions are met, the first device uses the first protocol stack to send the first message to the second device. If the corresponding conditions are not met, the first device uses the second protocol stack to send the first message to the second device.

[0111] Optionally, the condition may include one or more of the following conditions:

[0112] 1. The first device supports message transmission using the first protocol stack.

[0113] 2. The transmission load corresponding to the first protocol stack on the interface between the first device and the second device is less than a first threshold.

[0114] 3. The transmission load corresponding to the second protocol stack on the interface between the first device and the second device is greater than a second threshold.

[0115] 4. The computing load corresponding to the first protocol stack of the first device is less than a third threshold.

[0116] 5. The computing load corresponding to the second protocol stack of the first device is greater than a fourth threshold.

[0117] 6. The size of the first message is greater than the fifth threshold.

[0118] Among them, the meaning of the transmission load is the same as the meaning of the transmission load described in the above instruction 2, and the meaning of the calculation load is the same as the meaning of the calculation load described in the above instruction 2. Please refer to the above description, and the embodiment of this application will not be repeated here.

[0119] Based on the method described in the embodiment of the present application, the second device sends the first indication information to enable the first device to know which messages are required or allowed to be transmitted using the first protocol stack, so that the protocol stack can be reasonably selected when transmitting these messages, avoiding the second device from being unable to correctly receive the message, which is beneficial for the first device to select a more suitable protocol stack for communication, thereby improving the success rate of message transmission.

[0120] In a possible implementation, the second device needs to decide whether to send the first indication information. For example, the second device needs to determine whether the first condition is currently met. If the first condition is met, the second device sends the first indication information to the first device.

[0121] Optionally, the first condition may include one or more of the following conditions:

[0122] 1. The first device supports message transmission using the first protocol stack.

[0123] 2. The transmission load corresponding to the first protocol stack on the interface between the first device and the second device is less than a first threshold.

[0124] 3. The transmission load corresponding to the second protocol stack on the interface between the first device and the second device is greater than a second threshold.

[0125] 4. The computing load corresponding to the first protocol stack of the second device is less than a third threshold.

[0126] 5. The computing load corresponding to the second protocol stack of the second device is greater than a fourth threshold.

[0127] Among them, the meaning of transmission load is the same as the meaning of transmission load described above, and the meaning of computation load is the same as the meaning of computation load described above. Please refer to the above description, and the embodiments of this application will not be described in detail here. It can be understood that when the first condition is met, the second device sends the first indication information to the first device, requiring or allowing the first device to use the first protocol stack to send a message or the first message, thereby reducing the transmission load and computation load corresponding to the second protocol stack of the second device.

[0128] Further optionally, the second device may indicate different information through the first indication information according to different situations. Taking the transmission load corresponding to the first protocol stack on the interface between the first device and the second device as an example:

[0129] When the transmission load corresponding to the second protocol stack on the interface between the first device and the second device is greater than a threshold value 1 (e.g., 70%), the second device may send first indication information, which requires or allows the first device to use the first protocol stack to transmit all messages between the first device and the second device. It is understandable that the current transmission load corresponding to the second protocol stack is too large, and using the first protocol stack to send messages reduces the transmission load corresponding to the second protocol stack.

[0130] When the transmission load corresponding to the second protocol stack on the interface between the first device and the second device is greater than a threshold value 2 (e.g., 50%) and less than a threshold value 1, the second device may send a first indication message, which may request or allow the first device to use the first protocol stack to transmit a first message (the first message may be a message with a size greater than a preset threshold). It is understood that the transmission load corresponding to the second protocol stack is currently large but less than threshold value 1. Therefore, only some messages may be sent using the first protocol stack, thereby reducing the transmission load of the second protocol stack.

[0131] When the transmission load corresponding to the second protocol stack on the interface between the first device and the second device is less than a threshold value of 1, the second device does not need to send the first indication information, that is, it does not require or allow the first device to transmit any messages using the first protocol stack. It is understandable that the transmission load corresponding to the second protocol stack is currently small, so it is not necessary to use the first protocol stack to send messages.

[0132] In this implementation, the second device needs to decide whether to require or allow the first device to use the first protocol stack to send a message or the first message. Therefore, the second device needs to have strong computing and processing capabilities. Therefore, it is suitable for scenarios where the second device has strong functions, for example, the second device is a network device and the first device is a terminal device.

[0133] Further optionally, in order to enable the second device to know whether the first device supports the first protocol stack, before executing step 501, the method also includes: the first device sends a second indication message to the second device, and correspondingly, the second device receives the second indication message from the first device, and the second indication message indicates that the first device supports the use of the first protocol stack to send messages. Optionally, the first indication message can be an enumeration type, for example, the optional value is {support, not support}; or, it can also be a Boolean type, for example, the value of "True" indicates support, and the value of "False" indicates non-support; or, it can also be other types. It can be understood that the second device knows whether the first device has the ability to support the first protocol stack through the second indication message, so that it can make a more reasonable decision whether to send the first indication message, avoiding the situation where the first device does not support the first protocol stack, and the second device requires or allows the first device to use the first protocol stack to send messages or first messages.

[0134] In order to improve the reliability of data transmission, an embodiment of the present application proposes a communication method, as shown in Figure 6, which includes steps 601 to 602. The execution subjects corresponding to the method shown in Figure 6 are the first device and the second device, or the execution subjects of the method shown in Figure 6 can be the chip in the first device and the chip in the second device. Figure 6 is illustrated using the first device and the second device as an example. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the execution subject of the communication method. Among them:

[0135] 601. The second device sends auxiliary information to the first device. Correspondingly, the first device receives the auxiliary information from the second device.

[0136] 602. The first device determines, based on the auxiliary information, whether to use the first protocol stack to send a first message to the second device.

[0137] In an embodiment of the present application, the first device and the second device may be any device with a communication function, such as a BS, a CU, a DU, a UE, a non-real-time RIC, a near real-time RIC, an O-CU-CP, an O-CU-UP, an O-DU, an O-eNB, etc., and the embodiment of the present application is not limited to this. The interface between the first device and the second device may support multiple protocol stacks. In an embodiment of the present application, the interface between the first device and the second device may support a first protocol stack and a second protocol stack. Optionally, the first protocol stack is a control plane protocol stack, and the second protocol stack is a user plane protocol stack.

[0138] The auxiliary information includes one or more of the following:

[0139] 1. Capability information, including whether the second device supports message transmission using the first protocol stack. Optionally, this indication information can be an enumeration type, such as {supported, not supported}; or a Boolean type, such as "True" indicating support and "False" indicating not support; or other types.

[0140] 2. The transmission load corresponding to the first protocol stack on the interface between the first device and the second device.

[0141] 3. The transmission load corresponding to the second protocol stack on the interface between the first device and the second device.

[0142] 4. The computing load corresponding to the first protocol stack of the second device.

[0143] 5. The computing load corresponding to the second protocol stack of the second device.

[0144] The transmission load of the first protocol stack (or second protocol stack) on the interface described above refers to the load generated by transmitting messages on the interface using the first protocol stack (or second protocol stack). The term "transmission load" can have any of the following meanings:

[0145] (1) Message transmission rate, including the average transmission rate and maximum transmission rate of messages. For example, the average transmission rate of messages transmitted on the interface using the first protocol stack is 1 Gbit / s;

[0146] (2) Transmission resources consumed by message transmission, including bandwidth size and number of RBs consumed by message transmission. For example, the bandwidth occupied by messages transmitted on the interface using the first protocol stack (or the second protocol stack) is 100 MHz.

[0147] (3) The ratio of transmission resources consumed by message transmission to total transmission resources. The above-mentioned "total transmission resources" refers to the total transmission resources available on the interface for messages transmitted using the first protocol stack (or the second protocol stack). For example, if the total bandwidth available on the interface for the first protocol stack (or the second protocol stack) is 200 MHz, and messages transmitted using the first protocol stack (or the second protocol stack) occupy 100 MHz, then the occupancy ratio is 50%.

[0148] Of course, "transmission load" may also have other meanings, which are not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0149] The transmission load of the first protocol stack (second protocol stack) on the interface described above refers to the load generated by transmitting messages on the interface using the first protocol stack (second protocol stack). The transmission load can have any of the following meanings:

[0150] (1) Message transmission rate, including the average transmission rate and maximum transmission rate of the message. For example, the average transmission rate of the message transmitted on the interface using the first protocol stack (the second protocol stack) is 1 Gbit / s;

[0151] (2) Transmission resources consumed by message transmission, including bandwidth size and number of RBs consumed by message transmission. For example, the bandwidth occupied by messages transmitted on the interface using the first protocol stack (second protocol stack) is 100 MHz.

[0152] (3) The ratio of transmission resources consumed by message transmission to total transmission resources. Total transmission resources refer to the total transmission resources available on the interface for messages transmitted using the first protocol stack (second protocol stack). For example, if the total bandwidth available on the interface for the first protocol stack (second protocol stack) is 200 MHz, and messages transmitted using the first protocol stack (second protocol stack) occupy 100 MHz, then the occupancy ratio is 50%.

[0153] Of course, the transmission load may also have other meanings, which are not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0154] The computational load corresponding to the first protocol stack (second protocol stack) of the device refers to the computational load generated by the device receiving and processing messages transmitted using the first protocol stack (second protocol stack). The computational load can have one of the following meanings:

[0155] (1) Consumed computing resources, such as the number of instructions executed per second, the number of floating-point operations executed per second, the number of hash operations executed per second, etc. For example, receiving and processing messages transmitted using the first protocol stack (the second protocol stack) on a device requires executing 10 9 floating-point operations.

[0156] (2) The proportion of computing resources consumed to total computing resources. The above-mentioned “total computing resources” refers to the total computing resources available on the device for receiving and processing messages transmitted using the first protocol stack (second protocol stack). For example, the computing resources available on the device for the first protocol stack (second protocol stack) are 2×10 9 floating point operations per second, while 10 9 floating-point operations, the occupancy rate is 50%.

[0157] Of course, computing load may also have other meanings, which are not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0158] In summary, auxiliary information enables the first device to understand the capabilities of the second device, the transmission load of the interface, the computational load of device 2, and other information, allowing it to make a reasonable decision on whether to use the first protocol stack to transmit messages to the second device, thus preventing the second device from failing to correctly receive the message. This helps the first device select a more appropriate protocol stack for communication, thereby improving the success rate of message transmission.

[0159] In one possible implementation, the first device needs to decide whether the second condition is currently met. If the second condition is met, the first device uses the first protocol stack to send the first message to the second device. If the second condition is not met, the first device uses the second protocol stack to send the first message to the second device.

[0160] The second condition includes one or more of the following conditions:

[0161] 1. The second device supports message transmission using the first protocol stack.

[0162] 2. The transmission load corresponding to the first protocol stack on the interface between the first device and the second device is less than a first threshold;

[0163] 3. The transmission load corresponding to the second protocol stack on the interface between the first device and the second device is greater than a second threshold.

[0164] 4. The computing load corresponding to the first protocol stack of the second device is less than a third threshold.

[0165] 5. The computing load corresponding to the second protocol stack of the second device is greater than a fourth threshold.

[0166] 6. The size of the first message is greater than the fifth threshold.

[0167] Of course, the second condition may also be other conditions, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0168] When the above condition 1 is met, it is beneficial for the first device to avoid using the first protocol stack to send messages when the second device does not support the first protocol stack. When the above condition 2 is met, the transmission load corresponding to the first protocol stack on the interface between the first and second devices is relatively small. Using the first protocol stack to send messages will not have a significant impact on the transmission load corresponding to the first protocol stack. When the above condition 3 is met, the transmission load corresponding to the second protocol stack on the interface between the first and second devices is relatively large. Using the first protocol stack to send messages will help reduce the transmission load corresponding to the second protocol stack. When the above condition 4 is met, the computational load corresponding to the first protocol stack of the second device is relatively small. Using the first protocol stack to send messages will not have a significant impact on the computational load corresponding to the first protocol stack. When the above condition 5 is met, the computational load corresponding to the second protocol stack of the second device is relatively large. Using the first protocol stack to send messages will help reduce the computational load corresponding to the second protocol stack. When the above condition 6 is met, since larger messages will cause a larger computational load, using the first protocol stack to send the first message will help reduce the computational load corresponding to the second protocol stack.

[0169] To implement the various functions of the methods provided in the embodiments of the present application, the first device and the second device may each include hardware structures and / or software modules, and implement the aforementioned functions in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules. Whether a particular one of the aforementioned functions is implemented in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0170] Please refer to Figure 7, which shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device can be a first device or a second device. In one possible implementation, the communication device can include a module or unit corresponding to the method / operation / step / action performed by the first device or the second device in the above method embodiment. The module or unit can be a hardware circuit, software, or a combination of hardware circuit and software.

[0171] The communication device shown in Figure 7 may include a communication unit 701 and a processing unit 702. The processing unit 702 is configured to perform data processing. The communication unit 701 integrates a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. The communication unit 701 may also be referred to as a transceiver unit. Alternatively, the communication unit 701 may be split into a receiving unit and a transmitting unit.

[0172] The communication device shown in Figure 7 may be the first device, or a device that can be used in conjunction with the first device. The communication device may also be a chip system.

[0173] This apparatus can be used to perform some or all of the functions of the first device in the method embodiment described in FIG5 . Specifically, the communication unit 701 is configured to receive first indication information from a second device, where the first indication information indicates that the first device is required or permitted to use a first protocol stack to send a message, or the first indication information indicates that the first device is required or permitted to use a first protocol stack to send a first message. The communication unit 701 is further configured to send a first message to the second device, where the protocol stack used to send the first message is related to the first indication information.

[0174] In a possible implementation, the first indication information indicates that the first device is required to use the first protocol stack to send a message, or the first indication information indicates that the first device is required to use the first protocol stack to send a first message; the protocol stack used to send the first message is the first protocol stack.

[0175] In one possible implementation, the first indication information indicates that the first device is allowed to use the first protocol stack to send a message, or the first indication information indicates that the first device is allowed to use the first protocol stack to send a first message; the protocol stack used to send the first message is the first protocol stack or the second protocol stack.

[0176] In a possible implementation, the first indication information indicates that the first device is required or allowed to use the first protocol stack to send the first message; the first indication information includes an identifier of the first message.

[0177] In a possible implementation, before the communication unit 701 receives the first indication information from the second device, the communication unit 701 is further configured to send second indication information to the second device, where the second indication information indicates that the first device supports sending messages using the first protocol stack.

[0178] In a possible implementation, the first protocol stack is a user plane protocol stack.

[0179] In a possible implementation, the second protocol stack is a control plane protocol stack.

[0180] The apparatus can be used to perform some or all of the functions of the first device in the method embodiment described in FIG6 , wherein: a communication unit 701 is used to receive auxiliary information from a second device; a processing unit 702 is used to determine, based on the auxiliary information, whether to use the first protocol stack to send a first message to the second device; wherein the auxiliary information includes one or more of the following information: capability information, including whether the second device supports using the first protocol stack to transmit messages; or, the transmission load corresponding to the first protocol stack on the interface between the first device and the second device; or, the transmission load corresponding to the second protocol stack on the interface between the first device and the second device; or, the computation load corresponding to the first protocol stack of the second device; or, the computation load corresponding to the second protocol stack of the second device.

[0181] In one possible implementation, the processing unit 702 determines whether to use the first protocol stack to send the first message to the second device based on the auxiliary information, and is specifically used to: when the second condition is met, send the first message to the second device through the communication unit 701 using the first protocol stack; the second condition includes one or more of the following conditions: the second device supports the use of the first protocol stack to transmit messages; or, the transmission load corresponding to the first protocol stack on the interface between the first device and the second device is less than the first threshold; or, the transmission load corresponding to the second protocol stack on the interface between the first device and the second device is greater than the second threshold; or, the computational load corresponding to the first protocol stack of the second device is less than the third threshold; or, the computational load corresponding to the second protocol stack of the second device is greater than the fourth threshold; or, the size of the first message is greater than the fifth threshold.

[0182] In a possible implementation, the processing unit 702 is further configured to send the first message to the second device by using the second protocol stack through the communication unit 70 when the second condition is not met.

[0183] In a possible implementation, the first protocol stack is a user plane protocol stack, and the second protocol stack is a control plane protocol stack.

[0184] The communication device shown in Figure 7 can be a second device, or a device that can be used in combination with the second device. The communication device can also be a chip system. The device can be used to perform some or all of the functions of the second device in the method embodiment described in Figure 5 above. The communication unit 701 is used to send a first indication message to the first device, the first indication message indicates that the first device is required or allowed to use the first protocol stack to send a message, or the first indication message indicates that the first device is required or allowed to use the first protocol stack to send a first message; the communication unit 701 is also used to receive a first message from the first device, and the protocol stack used by the first message is related to the first indication message.

[0185] In a possible implementation, before the communication unit 701 sends the first indication information to the first device, the communication unit 701 is further configured to receive second indication information from the first device, where the second indication information indicates that the first device supports sending messages using the first protocol stack.

[0186] In one possible implementation, when the communication unit 701 sends the first indication information to the first device, it is specifically used to: send the first indication information to the first device when the first condition is met; the first condition includes one or more of the following conditions: the first device supports the use of the first protocol stack to transmit messages; or, the transmission load corresponding to the first protocol stack on the interface between the first device and the second device is less than the first threshold; or, the transmission load corresponding to the second protocol stack on the interface between the first device and the second device is greater than the second threshold; or, the computational load corresponding to the first protocol stack of the second device is less than the third threshold; or, the computational load corresponding to the second protocol stack of the second device is greater than the fourth threshold.

[0187] In a possible implementation, the first protocol stack is a user plane protocol stack.

[0188] In a possible implementation, the second protocol stack is a control plane protocol stack.

[0189] Figure 8 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device. The communication device 800 can be the first device in the above method embodiment, or can be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the first device in implementing the above method. The communication device can be used to implement the method described in the above method embodiment. For details, please refer to the description of the above method embodiment.

[0190] Alternatively, the communication device 800 may be the second device in the above method embodiment, or may be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the second device to implement the above method. The communication device may be used to implement the method described in the above method embodiment, and details may be found in the description of the above method embodiment.

[0191] Alternatively, the communication device 800 may be the third terminal device in the above method embodiment, or may be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the third terminal device to implement the above method. The communication device may be used to implement the method described in the above method embodiment. For details, please refer to the description of the above method embodiment.

[0192] The communication device 800 may include one or more processors 801. The processor 801 may be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor. For example, it may be a baseband processor or a central processing unit (CPU). The baseband processor may be used to process communication protocols and communication data, while the CPU may be used to control a communication device (e.g., a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal, a terminal chip, a DU or a CU), execute software programs, and process data in the software programs.

[0193] Optionally, the communication device 800 may include one or more memories 802, on which instructions 804 may be stored. The instructions may be executed on the processor 801, causing the communication device 800 to perform the method described in the above method embodiment. Optionally, the memory 802 may also store data. The processor 801 and memory 802 may be provided separately or integrated together.

[0194] Optionally, the communication device 800 may further include a transceiver 805 and an antenna 806. The transceiver 805 may be referred to as a transceiver unit, a transceiver, or a transceiver circuit, etc., and is configured to implement transceiver functions. The transceiver 805 may include a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver may be referred to as a receiver or a receiving circuit, etc., and is configured to implement a receiving function; the transmitter may be referred to as a transmitter or a transmitting circuit, etc., and is configured to implement a transmitting function.

[0195] The communication device 800 is a first device: the processor 801 is used to perform the data processing operation of the first device in the above method embodiment. The transceiver 805 is used to perform the data receiving and sending operation of the first device in the above method embodiment.

[0196] Alternatively, the communication apparatus 800 is a second device: the processor 801 is configured to execute the data processing operation of the second device in the above method embodiment. The transceiver 805 is configured to execute the data transceiver operation of the second device in the above method embodiment.

[0197] Alternatively, the communication device 800 is a third terminal device: the processor 801 is configured to execute the data processing operation of the third terminal device in the above method embodiment. The transceiver 805 is configured to execute the data transceiver operation of the third terminal device in the above method embodiment.

[0198] In another possible design, processor 801 may include a transceiver for implementing receiving and transmitting functions. For example, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit, an interface, or an interface circuit. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit for implementing the receiving and transmitting functions may be separate or integrated. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be used for reading and writing code / data, or the transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be used for transmitting or delivering signals.

[0199] In another possible design, processor 801 may optionally store instructions 803. Instructions 803, when executed on processor 801, may cause communication device 800 to perform the method described in the above method embodiment. Instructions 803 may be fixed in processor 801. In this case, processor 801 may be implemented by hardware.

[0200] In another possible design, the communication device 800 may include a circuit that can implement the functions of sending, receiving, or communicating in the aforementioned method embodiments. The processor and transceiver described in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented on an integrated circuit (IC), an analog IC, a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), a mixed signal IC, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a printed circuit board (PCB), an electronic device, etc.

[0201] The communication device described in the above embodiments may be a terminal device or a network device, but the scope of the communication device described in the embodiments of the present application is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device may not be limited to FIG8. The communication device may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be:

[0202] (1) An independent integrated circuit (IC), or chip, or chip system or subsystem;

[0203] (2) A set of one or more ICs, optionally including a storage component for storing data and instructions;

[0204] (3) ASIC, such as modem (Mobile Station Modem, MSM);

[0205] (4) Modules that can be embedded in other devices;

[0206] (5) Receivers, terminals, smart terminals, cellular phones, wireless devices, handheld devices, mobile units, vehicle-mounted devices, network devices, cloud devices, artificial intelligence devices, etc.;

[0207] (6)Others, etc.

[0208] In the case where the communication device can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the chip structure diagram shown in Figure 9. The chip shown in Figure 9 includes a processor 901 and an interface 902. Optionally, it may also include a memory 903. The number of processors 901 can be one or more, and the number of interfaces 902 can be multiple.

[0209] In one design, for a case where the chip is used to implement the function of the first device in the embodiments of the present application:

[0210] The interface 902 is used to input or output signals;

[0211] The processor 901 is configured to execute the data processing operation of the first device in the above method embodiment.

[0212] In another design, for the case where the chip is used to implement the function of the second device in the embodiment of the present application:

[0213] The interface 902 is used to input or output signals;

[0214] The processor 901 is configured to execute the data processing operation of the second device in the above method embodiment.

[0215] In another design, for the case where the chip is used to implement the functions of the third terminal device in the embodiments of the present application:

[0216] The interface 902 is used to input or output signals;

[0217] The processor 901 is configured to execute the data processing operation of the third terminal device in the above method embodiment.

[0218] It is understandable that some optional features in the embodiments of the present application may, in certain scenarios, be implemented independently of other features, such as the solution on which they are currently based, to solve corresponding technical problems and achieve corresponding effects. They may also be combined with other features in certain scenarios as needed. Accordingly, the communication device provided in the embodiments of the present application may also implement these features or functions accordingly, which will not be described in detail here.

[0219] It should be understood that the processor in the embodiment of the present application can be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. During implementation, each step of the above method embodiment can be completed by an integrated logic circuit of hardware in the processor or instructions in the form of software. The above processor can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an ASIC, a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component.

[0220] It is understood that the memory in the embodiments of the present application may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), synchronous link DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct RAM bus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory of the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0221] The present application also provides a computer-readable medium for storing computer software instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implement the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0222] The present application also provides a computer program product for storing computer software instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0223] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are generated. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may 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 may 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 may 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 integrated therein. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a high-density digital video disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (eg, a solid state drive (SSD)).

[0224] In the above embodiments, the description of each embodiment has its own focus. For parts that are not described in detail in a certain embodiment, reference can be made to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: Receiving first indication information from a second device, where the first indication information indicates that the first device is required or allowed to use a first protocol stack to send a message, or the first indication information indicates that the first device is required or allowed to use the first protocol stack to send a first message; A first message is sent to the second device, where a protocol stack used for sending the first message is related to the first indication information.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first indication information indicates that the first device is required to use the first protocol stack to send a message, or the first indication information indicates that the first device is required to use the first protocol stack to send a first message; the protocol stack used to send the first message is the first protocol stack.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first indication information indicates that the first device is allowed to use the first protocol stack to send a message, or the first indication information indicates that the first device is allowed to use the first protocol stack to send a first message; the protocol stack used to send the first message is the first protocol stack or the second protocol stack.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The first indication information indicates that the first device is required or allowed to use the first protocol stack to send the first message; the first indication information includes an identifier of the first message.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that Before receiving the first indication information from the second device, the method further includes: Second indication information is sent to the second device, where the second indication information indicates that the first device supports sending messages using the first protocol stack.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The first protocol stack is a user plane protocol stack.

7. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The second protocol stack is a control plane protocol stack.

8. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: Sending first indication information to a first device, where the first indication information indicates that the first device is required or allowed to use a first protocol stack to send a message, or the first indication information indicates that the first device is required or allowed to use the first protocol stack to send a first message; A first message is received from the first device, where a protocol stack adopted by the first message is related to the first indication information.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that Before sending the first indication information to the first device, the method further includes: Second indication information is received from the first device, where the second indication information indicates that the first device supports sending messages using a first protocol stack.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The sending the first indication information to the first device includes: When the first condition is met, sending first indication information to the first device; The first condition includes one or more of the following conditions: The first device supports transmitting messages using a first protocol stack; or The transmission load corresponding to the first protocol stack on the interface between the first device and the second device is less than a first threshold; or The transmission load corresponding to the second protocol stack on the interface between the first device and the second device is greater than a second threshold; or, the computing load corresponding to the first protocol stack of the second device is less than a third threshold; or, A computing load corresponding to the second protocol stack of the second device is greater than a fourth threshold.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that The first protocol stack is a user plane protocol stack.

12. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The second protocol stack is a control plane protocol stack.

13. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: receiving auxiliary information from a second device; determining, based on the auxiliary information, whether to use a first protocol stack to send a first message to the second device; The auxiliary information includes one or more of the following information: Capability information, the capability information including whether the second device supports the use of the first protocol stack to transmit messages; or, The transmission load corresponding to the first protocol stack on the interface between the first device and the second device; or The transmission load corresponding to the second protocol stack on the interface between the first device and the second device; or The computing load corresponding to the first protocol stack of the second device; or A computing load corresponding to the second protocol stack of the second device.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The determining, based on the auxiliary information, whether to use the first protocol stack to send the first message to the second device includes: When the first condition is met, sending a first message to the second device using the first protocol stack; The first condition includes one or more of the following conditions: The second device supports the use of the first protocol stack to transmit messages; or, The transmission load corresponding to the first protocol stack on the interface between the first device and the second device is less than a first threshold; or, The transmission load corresponding to the second protocol stack on the interface between the first device and the second device is greater than a second threshold; or, the computing load corresponding to the first protocol stack of the second device is less than a third threshold; or, The computing load corresponding to the second protocol stack of the second device is greater than a fourth threshold; or, The size of the first message is greater than a fifth threshold.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The method further comprises: If the first condition is not met, the first message is sent to the second device using a second protocol stack.

16. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that The first protocol stack is a user plane protocol stack, and the second protocol stack is a control plane protocol stack.

17. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device includes a unit for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, or the communication device includes a unit for executing the method according to any one of claims 8 to 12, or the communication device includes a unit for executing the method according to any one of claims 13 to 16.

18. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a processor configured to execute a computer program or instruction stored in a memory to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, or to implement the method according to any one of claims 8 to 12, or to implement the method according to any one of claims 13 to 16.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The communication device further includes a memory, and the memory and the processor are coupled to each other.

20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that The communication device further includes a transceiver, and the transceiver is used to transmit and receive data and / or signaling.

21. A communication device, comprising a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device, and the processor causes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 to be executed, or causes the method according to any one of claims 8 to 12 to be executed, or causes the method according to any one of claims 13 to 16 to be executed through a logic circuit or execution code instructions.

22. A chip, characterized in that: The chip includes a processor, and the processor is configured to enable the chip to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, or implement the method according to any one of claims 8 to 12, or implement the method according to any one of claims 13 to 16.

23. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The storage medium stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed by the communication device, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is executed, or the method according to any one of claims 8 to 12 is executed, or the method according to any one of claims 13 to 16 is executed.

24. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product comprises codes or instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, or the method according to any one of claims 8 to 12, or the method according to any one of claims 13 to 16.

25. A communication system, characterized in that: The communication system includes a communication device for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and a communication device for executing the method according to any one of claims 8 to 12.

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