Communication method, and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and an apparatus, capable of reducing processing delay of data packets. In the method, a plurality of second modules used for implementing a radio link control (RLC) function are introduced at a transmitting end, and first data packets (i.e., PDUs of a first module) from an upper layer (the first module) may be distributed to the plurality of second modules for processing and transmission. Since the plurality of second modules are introduced to process and transmit the data packets from the upper layer in parallel, compared with a serial processing flow, processing delay can be reduced. In addition, the serial numbers of the plurality of first data packets are not repeated, i.e., the plurality of first data packets are not obtained by replicating a certain or some first data packets, and a second data packet (a data packet determined by a second module on the basis of a first data packet) corresponding to one first data packet is transmitted by means of one second module, i.e., the same second data packet will not be replicated to the plurality of second modules for transmission. That is to say, repeated operations such as replication are not involved in a data packet processing flow, thus further reducing processing delay.

Description

Communication method and apparatus

[0001] The present application claims priority from the Chinese patent application No. 202410840224.7 filed on June 25, 2024, and entitled "Communication method and apparatus", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Embodiments of the present application relate to the field of communication, in particular to a communication method and apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0003] In a mobile communication scenario, the user plane protocol stack of a terminal and a network device usually includes a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, a radio link control (RLC) layer, a media access link control (MAC) layer, and a physical (PHY) layer.

[0004] In a user plane data transmission process, downlink data of the network device is sequentially processed by the SDAP layer, the PDCP layer, the RLC layer, and the MAC layer, and then transmitted to the terminal through the physical layer; after the terminal receives the downlink data through the physical layer, each protocol layer is sequentially processed in the reverse order of the network device.

[0005] However, the current protocol stack processing flow has a large delay, which may not meet the delay requirement of high-speed low-latency services. SUMMARY

[0006] The present application provides a communication method and apparatus, which can reduce the data packet processing delay.

[0007] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be performed by a first communication device, or by a component of the first communication device, such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system of the first communication device, or by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first communication device. The first communication device can be an access network device or a terminal. The method includes: obtaining a plurality of first data packets, the first data packets being protocol data units (PDUs) of a first module, the plurality of first data packets having different sequence numbers; and sending a plurality of second data packets through N second modules corresponding to the first module, the plurality of second data packets being determined according to the plurality of first data packets, and a second data packet corresponding to a first data packet being sent through one of the N second modules. The second module is configured to implement a radio link control (RLC) function, the first module is an upper module of the second module, and N is a positive integer greater than 1.

[0008] Based on the scheme, the sending end introduces a plurality of second modules configured to implement the RLC function, so that the first data packets from the upper layer (the first module) can be distributed to the plurality of second modules for processing and sending. Since the plurality of second modules are introduced to process and send the data packets from the upper layer in parallel, compared with the traditional protocol stack serial processing procedure, the processing delay can be reduced, thereby meeting the high-rate low-latency service scenario. In addition, the sequence numbers of the plurality of first data packets are not repeated, i.e., the plurality of first data packets are not obtained by copying one or more first data packets, and a second data packet corresponding to a first data packet (a data packet determined by the second module according to the first data packet) is sent through one second module, i.e., the same second data packet will not be copied and sent to multiple second modules. That is, no copying or other repeated operations are involved in the data packet processing procedure, and compared with the copying mechanism, the processing delay can be further reduced.

[0009] In a possible design, each of the N second modules corresponds to a logical channel, different second modules correspond to different logical channels, or at least two of the N second modules correspond to one logical channel, or one of the N second modules corresponds to a plurality of logical channels. The logical channel is a channel between the second module and a third module, and the third module is a lower module of the second module.

[0010] Based on the possible design, the correspondence between the second module and the logical channel can be one-to-one, many-to-one, or one-to-many, so that the network can flexibly configure the correspondence between the second module and the logical channel based on the actual scenario, and improve the transmission flexibility.

[0011] In a possible design, each of the N second modules corresponds to a logical channel, and the sequence numbers of the second data packets sent by different second modules are different in the case that the logical channels corresponding to different second modules are different or in the case that there are at least two second modules in the N second modules and the at least two second modules correspond to one logical channel.

[0012] Based on this possible design, in the case that there are at least two second modules in the N second modules and the at least two second modules correspond to one logical channel, the second data packets sent by the at least two second modules at the sending end need to be combined at the receiving end by using one second module. One second module at the receiving end will discard the data packets with duplicate sequence numbers. Therefore, in the case that the second data packets sent by multiple second modules at the sending end can be combined at the receiving end by using one second module, limiting the sequence numbers of the second data packets sent by different second modules at the sending end to be different can avoid the receiving end receiving the second data packets with duplicate sequence numbers, thereby avoiding the receiving end discarding the valid second data packets, and further guaranteeing the quality of service.

[0013] In a possible design, the sequence number of the second data packet is the same as the sequence number of the first data packet corresponding to the second data packet.

[0014] Based on this possible design, the first communication device can directly set the sequence number of the second data packet sent by the first communication device to be the sequence number of the first data packet corresponding to the second data packet, the numbering rule is simple, easy to implement, and can reduce the implementation complexity of the first communication device.

[0015] In a possible design, the sequence number of the second data packet sent by the i th second module in the N second modules is the first parameter corresponding to the i th second module, the initial value of the first parameter corresponding to the i th second module is i-1, i=1, 2, …, N, and the method further includes: adding N to the first parameter corresponding to the i th second module.

[0016] Based on this possible design, the first communication device can flexibly number the second data packet based on the first parameter corresponding to the first communication device, which can be applicable to the scenario that the second module segments the first data packet, has high flexibility, and is applicable to a wide range of scenarios.

[0017] In a possible design, the sequence number of the second data packet sent by the i th second module of the N second modules is the first parameter corresponding to the i th second module, the i th second module corresponds to L value ranges, the first parameter corresponding to the i th second module is located in the L value ranges, i=1, 2, …, N, and L is a positive integer; the method further includes: in the case of TX_Next mod X=0, setting TX_Next as TX_Next+X·(N-1)+1; or in the case of TX_Next mod X≠0, setting TX_Next as TX_Next+1. Wherein, TX_Next is the first parameter corresponding to the i th second module, X is the length of the value range, and mod represents a modulo operation.

[0018] In a possible design, the sequence number of the second data packet sent by the i th second module of the N second modules is the first parameter corresponding to the i th second module, the i th second module corresponds to L value ranges, the first parameter corresponding to the i th second module is located in the L value ranges, i=1, 2, …, N, and L is a positive integer; the method further includes: in the case of TX_Next mod X=0, setting TX_Next as TX_Next+X·(N-1), or in the case of TX_Next mod X≠0, setting TX_Next as TX_Next; the method further includes: adding 1 to TX_Next. Wherein, TX_Next is the first parameter corresponding to the i th second module, X is the length of the value range, and mod represents a modulo operation.

[0019] Based on the above two possible designs, the first communication device can flexibly number the second data packet based on the first parameter and the value range corresponding to the first communication device, and can set the number of the second data packet sent by the second module in a certain value range, which has high flexibility. In addition, it can be applied to the scenario that the second module segments the first data packet, and has a wide application scenario.

[0020] In a possible design, in the case that one of the N second modules corresponds to multiple logical channels, the difference between the second parameter corresponding to the first logical channel and the second parameter corresponding to the second logical channel is less than a first threshold. Wherein, the first logical channel is a logical channel with the largest corresponding second parameter in the multiple logical channels, the second logical channel is a logical channel with the smallest corresponding second parameter in the multiple logical channels, and the second parameter is used to indicate the sending progress corresponding to the logical channel.

[0021] Based on this possible design, the sending end limits the difference between the sending progress of each logical channel corresponding to one second module to be less than a first threshold, which can keep the receiving window of the receiving end and the second module corresponding to each logical channel updated, thereby avoiding the receiving end discarding valid data packets and ensuring the quality of service.

[0022] In a possible design, the second parameter is used to indicate the sending progress of the logical channel, including: the second parameter is used to indicate the sequence number of the next second data packet to be sent corresponding to the logical channel, or the sequence number of the latest second data packet to be sent corresponding to the logical channel.

[0023] In a possible design, in a case where one of the N second modules corresponds to multiple logical channels, the number of the second data packets sent continuously through each of the multiple logical channels is less than the first threshold.

[0024] Based on the possible design, the sending end limits the number of the second data packets sent continuously on each logical channel corresponding to one second module to be less than the first threshold, so that the receiving end can keep updating the receiving window of the second module corresponding to each logical channel, thereby avoiding discarding of valid data packets by the receiving end and ensuring the quality of service.

[0025] In a possible design, in a case where one of the N second modules corresponds to multiple logical channels, at least one second data packet is sent on each logical channel corresponding to the second module within one sending window.

[0026] Based on the possible design, the sending end limits at least one second data packet to be sent on each logical channel corresponding to one second module within one sending window, so that the receiving end can keep updating the receiving window of the second module corresponding to each logical channel, thereby avoiding discarding of valid data packets by the receiving end and ensuring the quality of service.

[0027] In a possible design, the method further includes: receiving first configuration information, the first configuration information being used to configure the N second modules corresponding to the first module. In an example of the possible design, the first communication device is a terminal or an access network device, and the access network device is a distributed unit (DU).

[0028] In a possible design, the method further includes: sending first information, the first information being used to request sending of the multiple second data packets through the N second modules, or the first information indicating that the first communication device supports sending of the multiple second data packets through the N second modules. In an example of the possible design, the first communication device is a terminal or an access network device, and the access network device is a distributed unit (DU).

[0029] In a possible design, the method further includes: sending second information, the second information indicating the expected buffer size and / or the expected data rate corresponding to the N second modules respectively. In an example of the possible design, the first communication device is a terminal or an access network device, and the access network device is a distributed unit (DU).

[0030] In a possible design, the second information is used to determine a split strategy, and the split strategy is used to determine the first data packets submitted to each of the N second modules.

[0031] In a possible design, the method further includes: receiving a quality of service (QoS) parameter of a first QoS flow, the first data packets being data packets of the first QoS flow; and determining, according to the QoS parameter of the first QoS flow, the second data packets to be sent through the N second modules. In an example, in the possible design, the first communication device is an access network device, and the access network device is a base station or a distributed unit (DU).

[0032] In a possible design, the second module is an RLC entity; or, the second module is a processing unit, and the N second modules are deployed in one RLC entity; or, the second module is an RLC bearer.

[0033] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be performed by a second communication device, or by a component of the second communication device, such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system of the second communication device, or by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the function of the second communication device. The second communication device can be a terminal or an access network device. The method includes: receiving, by M second modules corresponding to a first module, a plurality of second data packets, the second module being configured to implement a radio link control (RLC) function, and M being a positive integer greater than 1; and submitting, to the first module, a plurality of first data packets, the plurality of first data packets being determined according to the plurality of second data packets, a second data packet corresponding to a first data packet being received by at least one of the M second modules, the first data packet being a protocol data unit (PDU) of the first module, the plurality of first data packets having different sequence numbers, and the first module being an upper module of the second module.

[0034] Based on this scheme, the receiving end introduces a plurality of second modules configured to implement the RLC function, so that the received data packets can be split to the plurality of second modules for processing and submitted to the upper layer (i.e., the first module). Since the plurality of second modules are introduced to process the received data packets in parallel, compared with the traditional protocol stack serial processing flow, the processing delay can be reduced, thereby meeting the high-rate low-latency service scenario.

[0035] In a possible design, each of the M second modules corresponds to one logical channel, different second modules correspond to different logical channels; or, one of the M second modules corresponds to a plurality of logical channels; or, at least two of the M second modules correspond to one logical channel. The logical channel is a channel between the second module and a third module, and the third module is a lower module of the second module.

[0036] In a possible design of the method, the method further includes: receiving second configuration information, where the second configuration information is used for configuring M second modules corresponding to the first module. In an example of the possible design, the first communication device is a terminal or an access network device, and the access network device is a distributed unit (DU).

[0037] In a possible design of the method, the method further includes: sending third information, where the third information is used for requesting to receive the plurality of second data packets through the M second modules, or the third information indicates that the second communication device supports receiving the plurality of second data packets through the M second modules. In an example of the possible design, the first communication device is a terminal or an access network device, and the access network device is a distributed unit (DU).

[0038] In a possible design of the method, the method further includes: sending first configuration information, where the first configuration information is used for configuring N second modules corresponding to the first module for the first communication device, and the N second modules are used for the first communication device to send the plurality of second data packets, and N is a positive integer greater than 1. In an example of the possible design, the first communication device is an access network device, and the access network device is a base station or a distributed unit (DU).

[0039] Any possible design of the second aspect can bring the technical effects as described in the corresponding or similar design of the first aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0040] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a first communication device, or a component of the first communication device, for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system of the first communication device, or a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the functions of the first communication device. The first communication device can be an access network device or a terminal. The method includes: obtaining a plurality of first data packets, where the first data packets are protocol data units (PDUs) of a first module, and the plurality of first data packets have different sequence numbers; and sending a plurality of second data packets through one second module corresponding to the first module, where the plurality of second data packets are determined according to the plurality of first data packets, and the second module corresponds to a plurality of logical channels. The second module is used to implement radio link control (RLC) functions, and the first module is an upper layer module of the second module.

[0041] Based on the scheme, the second module used to implement RLC functions of the sending end corresponds to a plurality of logical channels, so that the first data packets from the upper layer (the first module) can be submitted to the lower layer (for example, a MAC layer) through the plurality of logical channels after being processed by the second module, thereby reducing the transmission delay between the second module and the lower layer module, and reducing the overall data packet processing delay, and further meeting the high-rate and low-latency service scenario.

[0042] In a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be performed by a second communication device, or by a component of the second communication device, such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system of the second communication device, or by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the second communication device. The second communication device can be a terminal or an access network device. The method includes: receiving, by a second module corresponding to a first module, a plurality of second data packets, the second module being configured to implement a radio link control (RLC) function, the second module corresponding to a plurality of logical channels; and submitting, to the first module, a plurality of first data packets, the plurality of first data packets being determined according to the plurality of second data packets, the first data packets being protocol data units (PDUs) of the first module, the plurality of first data packets having different sequence numbers, and the first module being an upper module of the second module.

[0043] According to the scheme, the second module for implementing the RLC function of the receiving end corresponds to a plurality of logical channels, so that the data packets received by the lower module (such as the MAC layer) can be submitted to the second module through the plurality of logical channels, thereby reducing the transmission delay between the second module and the lower module, reducing the overall data packet processing delay, and thus meeting the high-rate low-latency service scenario.

[0044] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided, which is configured to implement various methods. The communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the methods, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the functions.

[0045] In some possible designs, the communication device can include a processing module and a transceiver module. The processing module can be configured to implement the processing functions in any of the aspects and any of the possible implementation manners. The transceiver module can include a receiving module and a sending module, which are configured to implement the receiving function and the sending function in any of the aspects and any of the possible implementation manners.

[0046] In some possible designs, the transceiver module can be composed of a transceiver circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver, or a communication interface.

[0047] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, which includes a processor and a memory. The memory is configured to store computer instructions, and when the processor executes the instructions, the communication device is configured to perform the method in any of the aspects and any of the possible designs.

[0048] In a seventh aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which comprises: a processor and a communication interface; the communication interface is configured to communicate with a module outside the communication apparatus; and the processor is configured to execute computer programs or instructions to enable the communication apparatus to perform the method described in any of the aspects above and any possible design thereof.

[0049] In an eighth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which comprises: at least one processor; and the processor is configured to execute computer programs or instructions stored in a memory to enable the communication apparatus to perform the method described in any of the aspects above and any possible design thereof. The memory can be coupled with the processor, or can be independent of the processor.

[0050] In a ninth aspect, a communication apparatus (for example, the communication apparatus can be a chip or a chip system) is provided, which comprises a processor configured to implement the functions involved in any of the aspects above and any possible design thereof.

[0051] In some possible designs, the communication apparatus comprises a memory configured to store necessary program instructions and data.

[0052] In some possible designs, when the apparatus is a chip system, the apparatus can be composed of a chip, or can comprise a chip and other discrete devices.

[0053] In the eighth aspect, the communication apparatus can be the first communication apparatus in the first aspect or the third aspect, or a device (for example, a chip or a chip system) comprised in the first communication apparatus; or the communication apparatus can be the second communication apparatus in the second aspect or the fourth aspect, or a device (for example, a chip or a chip system) comprised in the second communication apparatus.

[0054] In a tenth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which can be the first communication apparatus, or a module or unit (for example, a chip, or a chip system, or a circuit) corresponding to the first communication apparatus in executing the method / operation / step / action described in the first aspect or the third aspect, or a module or unit capable of being used with the first communication apparatus; or the communication apparatus can be the second communication apparatus, or a module or unit (for example, a chip, or a chip system, or a circuit) corresponding to the second communication apparatus in executing the method / operation / step / action described in the second aspect or the fourth aspect, or a module or unit capable of being used with the second communication apparatus.

[0055] It can be understood that, when the communication apparatus in any of the fifth aspect to the tenth aspect is a chip, the sending action / function of the communication apparatus can be understood as outputting information, and the receiving action / function of the communication apparatus can be understood as inputting information.

[0056] In a eleventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program or instructions, when executed on a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the method of any one of the above aspects and any possible design thereof.

[0057] In a twelfth aspect, a computer program product is provided, which contains instructions, when executed on a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the method of any one of the above aspects and any possible design thereof.

[0058] In a thirteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes a first communication device and a second communication device. The first communication device is configured to implement the method of the first aspect or the third aspect and any possible design thereof, and the second communication device is configured to implement the method of the second aspect or the fourth aspect and any possible design thereof.

[0059] The technical effects brought by any one of the designs of the fifth aspect to the thirteenth aspect can be referred to the technical effects brought by different designs of the first aspect or the second aspect, which will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0060] Fig. 1 is a structure diagram of a radio access network side protocol stack provided by the present application;

[0061] Fig. 2 is a structure diagram of an RLC layer provided by the present application;

[0062] Fig. 3 is a principle diagram of PDCP duplication provided by the present application;

[0063] Fig. 4 is a structure diagram of a communication system provided by the present application;

[0064] Fig. 5 is a structure diagram of an O-RAN system provided by the present application;

[0065] Fig. 6 is a protocol layer architecture diagram of a CU-DU provided by the present application;

[0066] Fig. 7 is another protocol layer architecture diagram of a CU-DU provided by the present application;

[0067] Fig. 8 is a protocol layer architecture diagram of an access network device in an O-RAN system provided by the present application;

[0068] Fig. 9 is a flow diagram of a communication method provided by the present application;

[0069] Fig. 10 is a corresponding relationship diagram of a sending end data packet provided by the present application;

[0070] Fig. 11 is a corresponding relationship diagram of a receiving end data packet provided by the present application;

[0071] FIGS. 12-16 are schematic diagrams of the correspondence between the RLC entities and logical channels of the transmitting end and the receiving end according to the present application;

[0072] FIGS. 17-19 are flowcharts of the communication method according to the present application;

[0073] FIGS. 20-23 are schematic diagrams of the structure of the protocol stack of the transmitting end and the receiving end according to the present application;

[0074] FIGS. 24-26 are schematic diagrams of the structure of the communication apparatus according to the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0075] In the description of the present application, unless otherwise specified, " / " means that the objects before and after the " / " are in an "or" relationship, for example, A / B can mean A or B; "and / or" in the present application is only a description of the association relationship of the associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B, which can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural.

[0076] In the description of the present application, unless otherwise specified, "multiple" means two or more than two. "At least one of the following" or the like means any combination of the items, including any combination of single item or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, or a-b-c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0077] In addition, in order to facilitate the clear description of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, "first", "second", and the like are used to distinguish the same items or similar items with basically the same function and effect. Those skilled in the art can understand that "first", "second", and the like do not limit the quantity and execution order, and "first", "second", and the like do not necessarily mean different.

[0078] In the embodiments of the present application, the words "exemplary" or "for example" are used to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any embodiment or design presented as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of the present application should not be interpreted as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design solutions. Rather, the use of "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present relevant concepts in a specific manner, which is convenient for understanding.

[0079] It can be understood that the "embodiments" mentioned throughout the specification mean that the specific features, structures or characteristics related to the embodiments are included in at least one embodiment of the present application. Therefore, the various embodiments throughout the specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. In addition, these specific features, structures or characteristics can be combined in one or more embodiments in any suitable manner. It can be understood that in various embodiments of the present application, the size of the sequence number of each process does not mean the order of execution, and the execution order of each process should be determined according to its function and inherent logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0080] It can be understood that in the present application, "…", "if" and "when" all refer to the corresponding processing under certain objective conditions, not limited by time, and do not require judgment actions when implementing, nor mean that there are other limitations.

[0081] It can be understood that some optional features in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented independently in some scenarios without relying on other features, such as the scheme currently based on, to solve the corresponding technical problems and achieve the corresponding effects. In some scenarios, it can also be combined with other features according to demand. Correspondingly, the devices given in the embodiments of the present application can also realize these features or functions, which will not be described here.

[0082] In the present application, except for special description, the same or similar parts of each embodiment can be mutually referred. In various embodiments of the present application, if there is no special description and logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be mutually referred, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship. The implementation modes of the present application described below do not constitute a limitation on the protection scope of the present application.

[0083] In order to facilitate the understanding of the technical scheme of the embodiments of the present application, first, a brief introduction of the related technology of the present application is given as follows.

[0084] 1. Radio access network side protocol stack:

[0085] The protocol stack at the side of the radio access network can be divided into a user plane protocol stack and a control plane protocol stack. The user plane protocol stack can include a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, a radio link control (RLC) layer, a media access control (MAC) layer, and a physical (PHY) layer, and the like. Among them, the physical layer belongs to the first layer (also referred to as layer 1, L1), the MAC layer, the RLC layer, the PDCP layer, and the SDAP layer belong to the second layer (also referred to as layer 2, L2). In addition, the radio resource control (RRC) layer of the control plane belongs to the third layer (also referred to as layer 3, L3).

[0086] As shown in FIG. 1, in the user plane protocol stack, the SDAP layer is above the PDCP layer, the PDCP layer is above the RLC layer, the RLC layer is above the MAC layer, and the MAC layer is above the physical layer. For downlink transmission, downlink data first reaches the SDAP layer of the access network device, is transmitted to the corresponding PDCP layer after mapping by the SDAP layer, is transmitted to the RLC layer and the MAC layer after processing by the PDCP layer, and is sent from the physical layer after corresponding processing, and is transmitted to the terminal side through the air interface. The terminal receives the data packet through the air interface, and sequentially performs corresponding processing on the data packet in the reverse order of the access network device. Among them, the processing of the data packet by each protocol layer is implemented by the multifunctional entity corresponding to the protocol layer, for example, the processing of the PDCP layer is implemented by the corresponding PDCP layer entity.

[0087] Generally, the service provided by layer 2 for transmitting user data between the terminal and the access network device can be referred to as a radio bearer (RB). For example, the service for transmitting user data between the terminal and the access network device can be implemented by each protocol layer belonging to layer 2. That is, the processing of the data packet by each protocol layer can be figuratively combined and referred to as a radio bearer, and each data packet in the radio bearer needs to pass through the processing of each protocol layer of layer 2.

[0088] For example, each radio bearer configuration includes a PDCP entity, and is associated with an RLC entity, and one RLC entity corresponds to one logical channel. The logical channel can be understood as a channel between the RLC layer and the MAC layer.

[0089] Currently, for data processing in a single quality of service (QoS) flow, data of the QoS flow is sequentially processed in series after being mapped to a data radio bearer (DRB) at an SDAP layer, and then passing through a PDCP layer, an RLC layer, a MAC layer, and a PHY layer.

[0090] 2. RLC layer:

[0091] For example, functions of the RLC layer (referred to as RLC functions) include at least one of the following:

[0092] a) transmitting upper layer protocol data units (PDUs): including pass-through, and transmission after packetization / packetization;

[0093] b) segmenting / reassembling RLC service data units (SDUs): the RLC layer at the sending end can segment RLC SDUs, and the RLC layer at the receiving end can reassemble segmented RLC SDUs;

[0094] c) re-segmenting RLC SDU segments: when a certain RLC SDU segment needs to be retransmitted, re-segmenting processing of the RLC SDU segment can be required;

[0095] d) duplicate packet detection;

[0096] e) RLC SDU discard: when the PDCP layer instructs the RLC layer to discard a specific RLC SDU, the RLC layer triggers RLC SDU discard processing;

[0097] f) RLC re-establishment: in a handover process, the RRC layer can require the RLC layer to re-establish;

[0098] g) error correction through automatic repeat request (ARQ);

[0099] h) protocol error detection.

[0100] Generally, the working modes of the RLC layer include a transparent mode (TM), an unacknowledged mode (UM), and an acknowledged mode (AM).

[0101] The TM corresponds to a TM RLC entity, referred to as a TM entity. In this mode, the RLC layer does not perform any processing, and only provides a pass-through function of data.

[0102] UM corresponds to a UM RLC entity, referred to as a UM entity. In this mode, the RLC layer provides all RLC functions except retransmission and re-segmentation. Since there is no retransmission function even if a data packet is transmitted incorrectly in this mode, this mode provides an unreliable transmission service.

[0103] AM corresponds to an AM RLC entity, referred to as an AM entity. In this mode, all RLC functions, including the ARQ function, are provided. Since detection and retransmission are possible, this mode provides a reliable transmission service.

[0104] An exemplary structure of the RLC layer can be as shown in FIG. 2. A channel between the RLC entity and the upper layer (PDCP) entity is referred to as an RLC channel, and a channel between the RLC entity and the lower layer (MAC) entity is referred to as a logical channel. There are three modes of data transmission, TM, UM, and AM, and based on the data transmission mode, the RLC entity is divided into a TM RLC entity, a UM RLC entity, and an AM RLC entity.

[0105] In wireless communication, after a terminal enters an RRC connected state, when there is a service to be transmitted, an access network device configures a radio bearer for the terminal for service transmission. The configuration of the radio bearer includes configuration information of the RLC, and according to the QoS requirement of the service, the RLC layer can be configured as one of three working modes of TM, UM, and AM.

[0106] For the UM mode, if a certain RLC SDU is not segmented when being transmitted, there is no need to add the sequence number (SN) of the RLC layer in the header of the RLC PDU composed of the complete RLC SDU; if the RLC SDU is segmented when being transmitted, the SN of the RLC layer needs to be added in the header of the RLC PDU composed of the RLC SDU segments. This is because for the RLC PDU composed of the complete RLC SDU, the RLC layer of the receiving end can directly deliver the RLC PDU to the upper layer after receiving the RLC PDU, without reading the SN of the RLC layer. However, for the RLC PDU composed of the RLC SDU segments, the receiving end needs to recombine the RLC PDU according to the SN in the header of the RLC PDU to obtain the complete RLC SDU and deliver the complete RLC SDU to the upper layer.

[0107] In addition, for the AM mode, the SN of the RLC layer needs to be added in the header of the RLC PDU regardless of whether the RLC SDU is segmented when being transmitted. This is because error detection and retransmission are needed in the AM mode.

[0108] RLC PDUs can be divided into RLC data PDUs and RLC control PDUs. RLC data PDUs can be further divided into TM data (transparent mode data, TMD) PDUs, UM data (unacknowledged mode data, UMD) PDUs, and AM data (acknowledged mode data, AMD) PDUs. TMD PDUs are used for transmitting upper-layer PDUs from TM RLC entities, UMD PDUs are used for transmitting upper-layer PDUs from UM RLC entities, and AMD PDUs are used for transmitting upper-layer PDUs from AM RLC entities.

[0109] RLC control PDUs include STATUS PDUs. The AM RLC entity on the receiving side notifies its peer AM RLC entity via the STATUS PDU that the RLC data PDU has been successfully received, or notifies it of the detected loss of the RLC data PDU.

[0110] 3. PDCP duplication:

[0111] In 5th generation (5G) terrestrial cellular wireless communication systems, the PDCP (PDulent Data Conversion Protocol) replication mechanism was introduced. As shown in Figure 3, in the PDCP replication mechanism, the PDCP layer copies data packets multiple times and transmits them through multiple paths (such as 2, 3, or 4 RLC entities) (Figure 3 illustrates this using two RLC entities as an example). Using the PDCP replication mechanism ensures that multiple identical data packets are transmitted between the terminal and access network equipment through different paths and carriers. If one copy of the data is lost or fails to transmit, but another copy transmits successfully, the data transmission is considered successful, greatly improving the reliability of data transmission. Currently, the PDCP replication mechanism is mainly based on the following two architectures:

[0112] PDCP retransmission based on carrier aggregation (CA), also known as CA retransmission, can be understood as a terminal and an access network device repeatedly transmitting data using different carriers as different paths.

[0113] PDCP retransmission based on dual connectivity (DC), also known as DC retransmission, can be understood as the terminal and two access network devices using different connections as different paths for repeated transmission.

[0114] In order to improve the reliability of data transmission, in the PDCP duplication technology, the PDCP duplicates data into two copies, which are transmitted on two RLC entities respectively, and the total RLC traffic is twice the PDCP. It can be understood that after the current PDCP duplication mechanism is activated, both RLC entities transmit all PDCP PDUs.

[0115] With the development of mobile communication systems, users have an increasing demand for high-rate low-latency services. For example, in the report on the network architecture and targets of the evolution of the international mobile telecommunications (IMT), it is disclosed that the target peak rate of future mobile communication systems is considered to be 50, 100, and 200 gigabits per second (Gbit / s), and the air interface latency target is 0.1-1 millisecond (ms).

[0116] That is, for future networks, there will be high-rate low-latency service scenarios that require faster user plane processing efficiency to reduce the processing latency of the user plane. However, the current serial processing of the user plane protocol stack has a large processing latency, which cannot meet the latency requirements of high-rate low-latency services.

[0117] Based on this, the present application provides a communication method, in which multiple second modules for implementing RLC functions are introduced at the sending end, and the first data packets from the upper layer (first module) can be distributed to multiple second modules for processing and sending. Since multiple second modules are introduced to process and send the data packets from the upper layer in parallel, compared with the traditional protocol stack serial processing flow, the processing latency can be reduced to meet the high-rate low-latency service scenario. In addition, the sequence numbers of the multiple first data packets are not repeated, that is, the multiple first data packets are not obtained by duplicating one or more first data packets, and the second data packet (the data packet determined by the first data packet according to the second module) corresponding to a first data packet is sent by one second module, that is, the same second data packet will not be duplicated and sent by multiple second modules. That is, there is no duplication and other repeated operations in the data packet processing flow, which can further reduce the processing latency compared with the duplication mechanism.

[0118] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, which can be a third generation partnership project (3GPP) communication system, for example, a long term evolution (LTE) system, a 4th generation (4G) system, a new radio (NR) system, a 5G system, a system of mixed networking of LTE and 5G, a non-terrestrial network (NTN), a device-to-device (D2D) communication system, a vehicle to everything (V2X) communication system, a machine-type communication (MTC) system, an internet of things (IOT) system, or other future communication systems. The communication system can also be a non-3GPP communication system, which is not limited.

[0119] It should be noted that the above-mentioned communication system to which the present application is applied is only an example, and the communication system to which the present application is applied is not limited thereto. The communication system provided by the present application does not cause any limitation to the solutions of the present application. Here, it is uniformly stated that the following will not be described in detail.

[0120] FIG. 4 shows a possible, non-limiting system diagram. As shown in FIG. 4, the communication system 40 includes a radio access network (RAN) 400 and a core network (CN) 500. The RAN 400 includes at least one access network device (e.g., 410a and 410b in FIG. 4, collectively referred to as 410) and at least one terminal (e.g., 420a-420j in FIG. 4, collectively referred to as 420). Other access network devices, such as wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices (not shown in FIG. 4), etc. can also be included in the RAN 400. The terminal 420 is connected to the access network device 410 in a wireless manner. The access network device 410 is connected to the core network 500 in a wireless or wired manner. The core network device in the core network 500 and the access network device 410 in the RAN 400 can be different physical devices respectively, or can be the same physical device integrated with the logical functions of the core network and the logical functions of the wireless access network.

[0121] The RAN 400 can be a 3GPP related cellular system, e.g., a 4G, 5G mobile communication system, or a future evolution system. The RAN 400 can also be an open RAN (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system. The RAN 400 can also be a communication system that combines two or more of the above systems.

[0122] A terminal can also be referred to as a terminal device, a UE, a mobile station, a mobile terminal, etc. The terminal can be widely applied to various scenarios, e.g., D2D, V2X communication, MTC, IoT, virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, remote medical treatment, smart power grid, smart home, smart office, smart wear, smart transportation, smart city, etc. The terminal can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a wearable device, a vehicle, a drone, a helicopter, an airplane, a ship, a robot, a mechanical arm, a smart home device, etc. Embodiments of the present application do not limit the device form of the terminal.

[0123] The access network devices 410, which can also be referred to as RAN nodes, RAN entities or access nodes, etc., form part of the communication system 400 and help terminals to access the wireless access. The access network devices 410 in the communication system 400 can be nodes of the same type or nodes of different types. In some scenarios, the roles of the access network devices 410 and the terminals 420 are relative, e.g., the network element 420i in FIG. 4 can be a helicopter or a drone, which can be configured as a mobile base station. For a terminal 420j accessing the RAN 400 through the network element 420i, the network element 420i is a base station. But for the base station 410a, the network element 420i is a terminal. The access network devices 410 and the terminals 420 are sometimes collectively referred to as communication apparatuses, e.g., the network elements 410a and 410b in FIG. 4 can be understood as communication apparatuses with base station functions, and the network elements 420a-420j can be understood as communication apparatuses with terminal functions.

[0124] In a possible scenario, the access network device can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a TRP, a next generation NodeB (gNB), a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system, etc. The access network device can be a macro base station (such as 410a in FIG. 4), a micro base station or an indoor station (such as 410b in FIG. 4), a relay node or a donor node, or a wireless controller in a CRAN scenario. Optionally, the access network device can also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle or a vehicle-mounted device, etc. For example, the access network device in vehicle to everything (V2X) technology can be a road side unit (RSU). All or part of the functions of the access network device in this application can also be implemented by software functions running on hardware, or by virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (such as a cloud platform). The access network device in this application can also be a logical node, a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the access network device.

[0125] In another possible scenario, multiple access network devices cooperate to assist a terminal to implement wireless access, and different access network devices respectively implement part of the functions of a base station. For example, the access network device can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU), etc. The CU and the DU can be separately arranged, or can be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna processing unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0126] The CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU can also have different names in different systems, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in the ORAN system, the CU can also be referred to as O-CU (open CU), the DU can also be referred to as O-DU, the CU-CP can also be referred to as O-CU-CP, the CU-UP can also be referred to as O-CU-UP, and the RU can also be referred to as O-RU. For the convenience of description, the CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU and RU are taken as examples for description in this application. Any one 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.

[0127] For example, as shown in FIG. 5, it is a possible and non-limiting schematic diagram of an O-RAN system. The CU, DU and RU cooperate to assist the terminal to implement wireless access. The CU, DU and RU can be included in the access network device, and the CU and DU can be included in the BBU of the access network device.

[0128] Referring to FIG. 5, the access network device communicates with the core network device through a backhaul link and communicates with the terminal through an air interface. Specifically, the BBU of the access network device communicates with the core network device through the backhaul link, and the RU of the access network device communicates with at least one terminal device through the air interface. The BBU communicates with at least one RU through a front-haul link, and the CU communicates with at least one DU through a mid-haul link. The BBU and the RU can be co-located or not co-located.

[0129] As a possible implementation, the CU and the DU respectively implement part of the protocol layer functions of the access network device, for example, part of the protocol layer functions are implemented in the CU, and the remaining part or all of the protocol layer functions are implemented in the DU, and the CU can control one or more DUs.

[0130] For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the CU can deploy the RRC layer, the SDAP layer and the PDCP layer, or in other words, the CU can be understood as a logical node carrying the RRC layer, the SDAP layer and the PDCP layer of the access network device. Therefore, the CU has the processing capability of the RRC, PDCP and SDAP layers, and of course, the CU can also implement or carry other control functions. The DU can deploy the RLC layer, the MAC layer and the PHY layer, or in other words, the DU can be understood as a logical node carrying the RLC layer, the MAC layer and the PHY layer, so that the DU has the processing capability of the RLC, MAC and PHY layers, and of course, the DU can also implement or carry other functions.

[0131] Optionally, the CU is connected with network nodes such as core network nodes through some interfaces, which can be N2 interface and the like. In addition, the CU can also implement part of the functions of the core network. The CU (e.g. PDCP layer and higher layer) is connected with the DU (e.g. RLC layer and lower layer) through some interfaces, which can be F1 interface and the like. In some examples, these interfaces (e.g. F1 interface) can provide control plane (C-Plane) and user plane (U-Plane) functions (e.g. interface management, system information management, UE context management, RRC message transmission, and the like). For example, F1 supports control plane functions through F1-C and supports user plane functions through F1-U.

[0132] In an example, the CU can include CU-CP and CU-UP. As shown in FIG. 7, the CU-CP can be understood as a logical node carrying RRC layer and control plane part of PDCP (PDCP-C), used to implement the control plane function of the CU, and the CU-CP can communicate with the DU through F1-C. The CU-UP can be understood as a logical node carrying SDAP layer and user plane part of PDCP (PDCP-U), used to implement the user plane function of the CU, and the CU-UP can communicate with the DU through F1-U.

[0133] The CU-CP can interact with network elements in the core network for implementing control plane functions, which can be access and mobility function network elements, such as AMF network elements in the 5G system. The CU-UP can interact with network elements in the core network for implementing user plane functions, which can be UPF network elements for example.

[0134] The above function division of the CU and the DU is only an example and does not constitute a limitation on the CU and the DU. In addition, the CU and the DU can also be configured as needed to have the functions. For example, the CU or the DU can be configured as a node having more protocol layer functions, or the CU or the DU can be configured as a node having part of the processing functions of the protocol layer. For example, part of the functions of the RLC layer and the functions of the protocol layer above the RLC layer are arranged in the CU, and the remaining functions of the RLC layer and the functions of the protocol layer below the RLC layer are arranged in the DU. For another example, the functions of the CU or the DU can be divided according to the service type or other system requirements, for example, according to the delay, the functions that need to meet the delay requirement are arranged in the DU, and the functions that do not need to meet the delay requirement are arranged in the CU.

[0135] For example, in some examples, the CU can not carry the PDCP layer, i.e., only carry the RRC layer. The CU-CP can not carry the PDCP-C, the CU-UP can not carry the PDCP-U, or there can be no CU-UP. In some other examples, the DU can not carry the RLC layer. In addition, there can be no CU and only DU.

[0136] As one possible implementation, the DU and the RU can cooperate to jointly implement the functions of the PHY layer. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the DU can deploy the RLC layer, the MAC layer, and the higher physical layer (Higher PHY). The RU can deploy the lower physical layer (Lower PHY) and the radio frequency (RF) processing functions. The DU can control at least one RU, and the DU and the RU can communicate through a fronthaul interface. The DU and the RU can be co-located or not co-located.

[0137] The higher physical layer is closer to the MAC layer, and the functions of the higher physical layer can include at least one of the following: forward error correction (FEC) encoding / decoding, scrambling / descrambling, modulation / demodulation, etc. The lower physical layer is closer to the radio frequency side, and the functions of the lower physical layer can include at least one of the following: fast Fourier transform (FFT), inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT), digital beamforming, and filtering, etc.

[0138] Referring to FIG. 8, the DU and the RU interact control plane information and user plane information through a lower-layer split control user synchronization (LLS-CUS) interface via a lower-layer split. The LLS-CUS interface can include an LLS-C interface (for providing a control plane C-Plane) and an LLS-U interface (for providing a user plane U-Plane). In addition, the DU and the RU interact management information through an LLS-M interface via a lower-layer split, and the LLS-M interface provides a management plane (M-Plane). For example, the control plane C-Plane refers to real-time control between the DU and the RU, and the management plane M-Plane refers to non-real-time management operations between the DU and the RU.

[0139] The above functional division of the DU and the RU is merely an example and does not limit the DU and the RU. The functions of the DU and the RU can be configured in multiple ways according to design. For example, the DU is configured to implement baseband functions, and the RU is configured to implement radio frequency functions, and the like.

[0140] In the above, the PDCP layer is located at the access network side (for example, the PDCP layer is located in the CU) as an example for description, and in the future, the PDCP layer can also be located at the core network side, for example, the function of the PDCP layer is implemented by the core network element. That is, it can be considered that the PDCP layer is located in a network device, which can be an access network device or a core network device, and is not limited.

[0141] As a possible implementation, the O-RAN system can also include a non-real time RAN intelligent controller (Non-RT RIC or NRT RIC) and / or a near-real time RAN intelligent controller (Near-RT RIC or nRT RIC).

[0142] The Non-RT RIC is used to implement non-real time intelligent management of the RAN, can implement artificial intelligence (AI) / machine learning (ML) including model training and model updating, and guide applications / functions in the Near-RT RIC based on a policy. The Near-RT RIC is used to implement near-real time intelligent management of the RAN, and implements near-real time control and optimization of modules and resources of the O-RAN through data collection and related operations on the E2 interface. The E2 interface can be understood as an open interface between two nodes (or endpoints).

[0143] It should be noted that the communication system described in the embodiments of the present application is for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and does not limit the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application. It can be known by those skilled in the art that with the evolution of network architecture and the appearance of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0144] The communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application is described below by taking the interaction between a terminal and an access network device as an example in the system shown in FIG. 4. It should be noted that the names of messages, parameters, and information between devices in the following embodiments of the present application are only examples, and other names can also be used in other embodiments, and the method provided by the present application does not make a specific limitation on this.

[0145] It can be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, each device can perform some or all of the steps in the embodiments of the present application, and these steps or operations are only examples, and the embodiments of the present application can also perform other operations or variations of various operations. In addition, each step can be performed in a different order as presented in the embodiments of the present application, and it is possible that not all operations in the embodiments of the present application are performed.

[0146] It can be understood that the terminal and the access network device are taken as an example of the execution subject of the interaction in the present application, but the present application does not limit the execution subject of the interaction. For example, the method performed by the terminal in the present application can also be performed by a module (such as a chip, a chip system, or a processor) applied to the terminal, and can also be implemented by a logical node, a logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the terminal function; the method performed by the access network device can also be performed by a module (such as a chip, a chip system, or a processor) applied to the access network device, and can also be implemented by a logical node, a logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the access network device function.

[0147] The communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application is described below. As shown in FIG. 9, the communication method can include the following steps:

[0148] S901, the first communication device acquires a plurality of first data packets. Wherein, the first data packet is the PDU of the first module, and the sequence numbers of the plurality of first data packets are different.

[0149] Wherein, the first communication device is a data sending end. Illustratively, the first communication device can be an access network device or a network device, such as a base station or a DU or an O-DU; or the first communication device can be a terminal.

[0150] Wherein, the first module is an upper module of the second module, and the second module is used to implement the RLC function. For example, in the case where the second module is used to implement the RLC function, the first module is used to implement the PDCP function.

[0151] As a possible implementation, the RLC function includes transmitting the upper layer PDU, i.e., transmitting the PDU of the first module, such as sending or submitting the PDU of the first module received from the first module.

[0152] Optionally, the RLC function can further include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: segmentation / reassembly of RLC SDUs, re-segmentation of RLC SDU segments, duplicate packet detection, RLC SDU discard, RLC re-establishment, error correction through ARQ, protocol error detection. It can be understood that the second module in the present application can also implement new RLC functions evolved in the future as the standard evolves. Exemplarily, the second module can be an RLC entity, or can be a processing unit (also referred to as an RLC processing unit), or can be an RLC bearer.

[0153] As a possible implementation, regarding the upper layer module and the lower layer module, at the sending end, the upper layer module processes the data packet before the lower layer module, and the upper layer module delivers the processed data packet to the lower layer module for processing; at the receiving end, the lower layer module processes the data packet before the upper layer module, and the lower layer module delivers the processed data packet to the upper layer module for processing.

[0154] Among them, the data packet delivered by the upper layer module to the lower layer module is the PDU of the upper layer module and the SDU of the lower layer module. For example, taking the first module as a PDCP entity and the second module as an RLC entity as an example, the first data packet obtained by the first communication device is a PDCP PDU, and after the first data packet is delivered to the RLC entity, the first data packet is an RLC SDU for the RLC entity.

[0155] As a possible implementation, the sequence number of the first data packet refers to the sequence number of the first data packet in the first module, for example, the sequence number of the first data packet is a PDCP SN. The sequence numbers of the plurality of first data packets are different, which can be understood as: there is no data packet with the same sequence number in the plurality of first data packets, or the plurality of first data packets are not obtained by copying one or more first data packets by the first module, or the plurality of first data packets are obtained according to a plurality of upper layer data packets, for example, the upper layer data packet can be a SDAP PDU, and the plurality of first data packets and the plurality of upper layer data packets correspond one by one.

[0156] Exemplarily, assuming that the first module of the first communication device receives 10 SDAP PDUs (i.e. 10 PDCP SDUs) from the upper layer module (such as the SDAP module) of the first module, the first module processes PDCP SDU 1 to obtain PDCP PDU 1, processes PDCP SDU 2 to obtain PDCP PDU 2, and so on, and processes PDCP SDU 10 to obtain PDCP PDU 10, then the number of the plurality of first data packets is 10, specifically PDCP PDU 1, PDCP PDU 2, …, PDCP PDU 9, PDCP PDU 10.

[0157] As a possible implementation, the first communication device is a base station or a terminal, and the first communication device obtaining the plurality of first data packets can include: a first module of the first communication device generating the plurality of first data packets.

[0158] As another possible implementation, the first communication device is a DU / O-DU, and if the protocol stack structure of the CU-DU is as shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. 7 or FIG. 8, the first communication device obtaining the plurality of first data packets can include: the first communication device receiving the plurality of first data packets from the CU / O-CU. Exemplarily, the plurality of first data packets are transmitted through the F1 interface between the CU and the DU.

[0159] S902, the first communication device sends the plurality of second data packets through the N second modules corresponding to the first module. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the plurality of second data packets through the M second modules corresponding to the first module.

[0160] Exemplarily, the first communication device is an access network device or a network device, and the second communication device can be a terminal; or the first communication device is a terminal, and the second communication device can be an access network device; or the first communication device is a terminal, and the second communication device can also be another terminal.

[0161] It can be understood that the first communication device and the second communication device can each have the first module, the first communication device can have more than or equal to N second modules, and the second communication device can have more than or equal to M second modules. N is a positive integer, and M is a positive integer. The values of N and M can be the same or different, but N and M cannot be 1 at the same time.

[0162] Optionally, for the first communication device, the first module and the N second modules of the first communication device belong to the same radio bearer; for the second communication device, the first module and the M second modules of the second communication device belong to the same radio bearer. For both sides of communication, the first module and the N second modules of the first communication device, and the first module and the M second modules of the second communication device belong to the same radio bearer.

[0163] Exemplarily, in the case where the second module is a processing unit, the N processing units of the first communication device can be deployed in one RLC entity, and of course, can also be deployed in multiple RLC entities; the M processing units of the second communication device can be deployed in one RLC entity, or can also be deployed in multiple RLC entities, which is not limited.

[0164] The second data packets are determined according to the first data packets. The second data packet corresponding to a first data packet is transmitted by one of the N second modules.

[0165] In one possible implementation, the number of the second data packets is greater than or equal to the number of the first data packets.

[0166] In one possible implementation, the number of the second data packets is greater than or equal to the number of the first data packets.

[0167] In one possible implementation, the number of the second data packets is greater than or equal to the number of the first data packets.

[0168] In one possible implementation, the number of the second data packets is greater than or equal to the number of the first data packets.

[0169] In one possible implementation, the number of the second data packets is greater than or equal to the number of the first data packets.

[0170] In one possible implementation, the number of the second data packets is greater than or equal to the number of the first data packets.

[0171] In a possible implementation, the first communication apparatus sends the plurality of second data packets to the third module through the N second modules corresponding to the first module. It can be understood that the plurality of second data packets are submitted to the third module through the N second modules corresponding to the first module. The third module is a lower module of the second module, for example, the third module is a module for implementing a MAC function, such as a MAC entity.

[0172] For example, the communication channel between the second module and the third module can be referred to as a logical channel. Of course, the communication channel can also have other names, which are not limited in the present application. In addition, the communication channel is referred to as a logical channel in the following embodiments of the present application.

[0173] Correspondingly, the second communication apparatus receives the plurality of second data packets through the M second modules corresponding to the first module. It can be understood that the M second modules of the second communication apparatus receive the plurality of second data packets submitted by the third module of the second communication apparatus.

[0174] As a possible implementation, after the plurality of second data packets are submitted to the third module through the N second modules, the plurality of second data packets can be processed by the third module and finally sent to the second communication apparatus through the air interface. The second communication apparatus receives the data packet through the air interface, and after the data packet is processed by the third module of the second communication apparatus, the data packet is submitted to the M second modules of the second communication apparatus. For the second communication apparatus, the second data packet corresponding to one first data packet is received by at least one of the M second modules.

[0175] In a possible implementation, before step S902, the plurality of first data packets can be distributed to the N second modules of the first communication apparatus.

[0176] As a possible implementation, when the first communication apparatus is a base station or a terminal, the first module of the first communication apparatus generates the plurality of first data packets, and in addition, the first module can determine which first data packets are submitted to each of the N second modules. For example, taking N equal to 2 as an example, the first module can submit the first P first data packets to the second module 1 and the remaining first data packets to the second module 2.

[0177] As another possible implementation, when the first communication apparatus is a DU / O-DU, if the protocol stack structure of the CU-DU is as shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. 7 or FIG. 8, the CU / O-CU can determine which first data packets are submitted to each of the N second modules of the first communication apparatus.

[0178] S903, the second communication device submits the plurality of first data packets to the first module. For example, the M second modules of the second communication device submit the plurality of first data packets to the first module of the second communication device. For example, each second module submits the first data packet corresponding to the second data packet received by the second module to the first module.

[0179] The plurality of first data packets are determined according to the plurality of second data packets. The number of the plurality of first data packets is less than or equal to the number of the plurality of second data packets. For example, in the case that no first data packet is segmented by the first communication device in step S902, the number of the first data packets is equal to the number of the second data packets; in the case that some first data packets are segmented by the first communication device in step S902, the number of the first data packets is less than the number of the second data packets.

[0180] For example, based on the example shown in (a) of FIG. 10, as shown in (a) of FIG. 11, the second module 1 of the second communication device receives the second data packet 1 and the second data packet 3, and submits the first data packet 1 corresponding to the second data packet 1 and the first data packet 3 corresponding to the second data packet 3 to the first module; the second module 2 receives the second data packet 2, and submits the first data packet 2 corresponding to the second data packet 2 to the first module. Based on the example shown in (b) of FIG. 10, as shown in (b) of FIG. 11, the second module 1 of the second communication device receives the second data packet 1 and the second data packet 2, and submits the first data packet 1 corresponding to the second data packet 1 and the second data packet 2 to the first module; the second module 2 receives the second data packet 3, the second data packet 4, and the second data packet 5, and submits the first data packet 2 corresponding to the second data packet 3 and the first data packet 3 corresponding to the second data packet 4 and the second data packet 5 to the first module.

[0181] The sequence numbers of the plurality of first data packets are different, which can be referred to the description of the plurality of first data packets in step S901, and will not be repeated here.

[0182] The second data packet corresponding to one data packet is received by at least one of the M second modules, which will be described in subsequent embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0183] Based on the above scheme, a plurality of second modules for implementing the RLC function are introduced, so that the first data packet from the upper layer can be processed and transmitted in parallel through the plurality of second modules. Since the plurality of second modules are introduced to process and transmit the data packet from the upper layer in parallel, compared with the traditional protocol stack serial processing flow, the processing delay can be reduced, thereby meeting the high-rate low-latency service scenario. In addition, the sequence numbers of the plurality of first data packets of the first module are not repeated, that is, the plurality of first data packets are not obtained by copying one or more first data packets, and the second data packet corresponding to one first data packet (the data packet determined by the first data packet according to the first data packet) is transmitted through one second module, that is, the same second data packet will not be copied and transmitted through a plurality of second modules. That is, no repeated operations such as copying are involved in the data packet processing flow, and compared with the copying mechanism, the processing delay can be further reduced.

[0184] In a possible implementation, for the first communication device, the correspondence between the N second modules and the logical channels can include: each of the N second modules corresponds to one logical channel, and different second modules correspond to different logical channels; or, there are at least two second modules in the N second modules, and the at least two second modules correspond to one logical channel; or, there is one second module in the N second modules, and the one second module corresponds to a plurality of logical channels.

[0185] In a possible implementation, for the second communication device, the correspondence between the M second modules and the logical channels can include: each of the M second modules corresponds to one logical channel, and different second modules correspond to different logical channels; or, there is one second module in the M second modules, and the one second module corresponds to a plurality of logical channels; or, there are at least two second modules in the M second modules, and the at least two second modules correspond to one logical channel.

[0186] In a possible implementation, in combination of the first communication device and the second communication device, the size relationship between N and M, and the correspondence between the second modules and the logical channels, there can be three scenarios as follows:

[0187] Scenario one, N is equal to M, that is, the same number of second modules are used (or take effect) at the sending end and the receiving end.

[0188] In the scenario, N is greater than or equal to 2, for example, N is equal to 2 or N is equal to 3. Similarly, M is greater than or equal to 2, and the value of M is the same as that of N. Alternatively, N is greater than or equal to 3; or N is greater than or equal to 4, and the value of N is not limited in the present application.

[0189] Each of the N second modules of the first communication device corresponds to one logical channel, and different second modules correspond to different logical channels. Correspondingly, each of the M second modules of the second communication device corresponds to one logical channel, and different second modules correspond to different logical channels.

[0190] For example, when N is equal to 2, the second module is an RLC entity, the first module is a PDCP entity, and the third module is a MAC entity, as shown in (a) of FIG. 12, the first communication device includes RLC entity 1 and RLC entity 2. RLC entity 1 corresponds to logical channel 1, and the logical channel identification (LCID) of logical channel 1 is 1. RLC entity 2 corresponds to logical channel 2, and the LCID of logical channel 2 is 2. The second communication device includes RLC entity A and RLC entity B. RLC entity A corresponds to logical channel 1 (the LCID of logical channel 1 is 1), and RLC entity B corresponds to logical channel 2 (the LCID of logical channel 2 is 2).

[0191] Alternatively, when N is equal to 3, the second module is an RLC entity, the first module is a PDCP entity, and the third module is a MAC entity, as shown in (b) of FIG. 12, the first communication device includes RLC entity 1, RLC entity 2, and RLC entity 3, which correspond to logical channel 1, logical channel 2, and logical channel 3, respectively. The second communication device includes RLC entity A, RLC entity B, and RLC entity C, which correspond to logical channel 1, logical channel 2, and logical channel 3, respectively.

[0192] Alternatively, when N is equal to 4, the second module is an RLC entity, the first module is a PDCP entity, and the third module is a MAC entity, as shown in (b) of FIG. 12, the first communication device includes RLC entity 1, RLC entity 2, RLC entity 3, and RLC entity 4, which correspond to logical channel 1, logical channel 2, logical channel 3, and logical channel 4, respectively. The second communication device includes RLC entity A, RLC entity B, RLC entity C, and RLC entity D, which correspond to logical channel 1, logical channel 2, logical channel 3, and logical channel 4, respectively.

[0193] Alternatively, when N is equal to 5, the second module is an RLC entity, the first module is a PDCP entity, and the third module is a MAC entity, as shown in (b) of FIG. 12, the first communication device includes RLC entity 1, RLC entity 2, RLC entity 3, RLC entity 4, and RLC entity 5, which correspond to logical channel 1, logical channel 2, logical channel 3, logical channel 4, and logical channel 5, respectively. The second communication device includes RLC entity A, RLC entity B, RLC entity C, RLC entity D, and RLC entity E, which correspond to logical channel 1, logical channel 2, logical channel 3, logical channel 4, and logical channel 5, respectively.

[0194] Based on the scheme, when N is large, for example, N is greater than or equal to 3, or N is greater than or equal to 4, the efficiency of parallel processing can be further increased, the processing efficiency in a large number of service scenarios can be improved, and the processing delay can be reduced.

[0195] As a possible implementation, the N second modules of the first communication device submit different second data packets to the third module of the first communication device through respective corresponding logical channels. After receiving the multiple second data packets, the third module of the second communication device submits the second data to the corresponding second modules through the multiple logical channels.

[0196] For example, based on the example shown in FIG. 12, the RLC entity 1 of the first communication device submits a part of the second data packets to the MAC entity through the logical channel 1, and the RLC entity 2 submits another part of the second data packets to the MAC entity through the logical channel 2. After obtaining the multiple second data packets, the MAC entity of the second communication device submits a part of the second data packets to the RLC entity A through the logical channel 1, and submits another part of the second data packets to the RLC entity B through the logical channel 2.

[0197] As a possible implementation, the M second modules of the second communication device maintain respective receiving windows, and after the first module of the second communication device receives the multiple second data packets from the M second modules, the first module performs unified window management and performs functions such as decompression and decryption. Therefore, in this scenario, the numbering function of the first data packet and the numbering function of the second data packet can respectively use the numbering functions of the current PDCP layer and RLC layer, for example, the second data packets sent by each second module can be numbered in the manner of sequentially adding 1.

[0198] Scenario two, N is greater than M, that is, the number of second modules used (or effective) by the sending end is greater than the number of second modules used (or effective) by the receiving end.

[0199] In this scenario two, N is greater than or equal to 2, and M is less than N. In addition, in this scenario, the correspondence between the second module and the logical channel can have the following two cases:

[0200] Case one, each of the N second modules of the first communication device corresponds to a logical channel, and the logical channels corresponding to different second modules are different. Among the M second modules of the second communication device, there is one second module, and the one second module corresponds to multiple logical channels.

[0201] For example, as shown in (a) of FIG. 13, when N equals 2, M equals 1, the second module is an RLC entity, the first module is a PDCP entity, and the third module is a MAC entity, the first communication device includes RLC entity 1 and RLC entity 2, and RLC entity 1 corresponds to logical channel 1 and RLC entity 2 corresponds to logical channel 2. The second communication device includes RLC entity A, and RLC entity A corresponds to logical channel 1 and logical channel 2.

[0202] Alternatively, as shown in (b) of FIG. 13, when N equals 3, M equals 2, the second module is an RLC entity, the first module is a PDCP entity, and the third module is a MAC entity, the first communication device includes RLC entity 1, RLC entity 2, and RLC entity 3, and RLC entity 1, RLC entity 2, and RLC entity 3 correspond to logical channel 1, logical channel 2, and logical channel 3, respectively. The second communication device includes RLC entity A and RLC entity B, and RLC entity A corresponds to logical channel 1 and logical channel 2, and RLC entity B corresponds to logical channel 3.

[0203] Case two: there are at least two second modules in the N second modules of the first communication device, and the at least two second modules correspond to one logical channel. Each of the M second modules of the second communication device corresponds to one logical channel, and different second modules correspond to different logical channels.

[0204] For example, as shown in (a) of FIG. 14, when N equals 2, M equals 1, the second module is an RLC entity, the first module is a PDCP entity, and the third module is a MAC entity, the first communication device includes RLC entity 1 and RLC entity 2, and RLC entity 1 and RLC entity 2 both correspond to logical channel 1. The second communication device includes RLC entity A, and RLC entity A corresponds to logical channel 1.

[0205] Alternatively, as shown in (b) of FIG. 14, when N equals 3, M equals 2, the second module is an RLC entity, the first module is a PDCP entity, and the third module is a MAC entity, the first communication device includes RLC entity 1, RLC entity 2, and RLC entity 3, and RLC entity 1 and RLC entity 2 correspond to logical channel 1, and RLC entity 3 corresponds to logical channel 2. The second communication device includes RLC entity A and RLC entity B, and RLC entity A corresponds to logical channel 1, and RLC entity B corresponds to logical channel 2.

[0206] Scenario three: N is less than M, that is, the number of second modules used (or effective) by the sending end is less than the number of second modules used (or effective) by the receiving end.

[0207] In this scenario three, N is greater than or equal to 1, and M is greater than N. In addition, in this scenario, the correspondence between the second module and the logical channel can have the following two cases:

[0208] Case A, each of the N second modules of the first communication device corresponds to one logical channel, and different second modules correspond to different logical channels. There are at least two second modules in the M second modules of the second communication device, and the at least two second modules correspond to one logical channel.

[0209] For example, taking N equal to 2, M equal to 3, the second module being an RLC entity, the first module being a PDCP entity, and the third module being a MAC entity as an example, as shown in FIG. 15, the first communication device includes RLC entity 1 and RLC entity 2, RLC entity 1 corresponds to logical channel 1, and RLC entity 2 corresponds to logical channel 2. The second communication device includes RLC entity A, RLC entity B, and RLC entity C, RLC entity A and RLC entity B correspond to logical channel 1, and RLC entity C corresponds to logical channel 2.

[0210] Case B, there is one second module in the N second modules of the first communication device, and the one second module corresponds to multiple logical channels. Each of the M second modules of the second communication device corresponds to one logical channel, and different second modules correspond to different logical channels.

[0211] For example, taking N equal to 1, M equal to 2, the second module being an RLC entity, the first module being a PDCP entity, and the third module being a MAC entity as an example, as shown in (a) of FIG. 16, the first communication device includes RLC entity 1, and RLC entity 1 corresponds to logical channel 1 and logical channel 2. The second communication device includes RLC entity A and RLC entity B, RLC entity A corresponds to logical channel 1, and RLC entity B corresponds to logical channel 2.

[0212] Alternatively, taking N equal to 2, M equal to 3, the second module being an RLC entity, the first module being a PDCP entity, and the third module being a MAC entity as an example, as shown in (b) of FIG. 16, the first communication device includes RLC entity 1 and RLC entity 2, RLC entity 1 corresponds to logical channel 1 and logical channel 2, and RLC entity 2 corresponds to logical channel 3. The second communication device includes RLC entity A, RLC entity B, and RLC entity C, which correspond to logical channel 1, logical channel 2, and logical channel 3, respectively.

[0213] It can be understood that the examples shown in FIGS. 12-16 above are only used for taking N and M equal to 1, 2, and 3 as an example for description, and in actual application, N and M can also have other values, and the method of the embodiments of the present application is still used in the case of taking other values of N and M.

[0214] Based on the above three scenarios, the correspondence between the second modules and the logical channels can be one-to-one, many-to-one or one-to-many, so that the network can flexibly configure the correspondence between the second modules and the logical channels based on the actual scenario, and improve the transmission flexibility.

[0215] In a possible implementation, for the first communication device, each of the N second modules corresponds to one logical channel, in the case that different second modules correspond to different logical channels, or in the case that there are at least two second modules in the N second modules, the at least two second modules correspond to one logical channel, the sequence numbers of the second data packets sent by different second modules are different.

[0216] It can be understood that, in the embodiments of the present application, the sequence number of the second data packet refers to the sequence number of the second data packet in the second module, such as the SN of the RLC layer. In addition, the scheme described in the implementation example can be applied to the scenario where the second module is configured in AM mode, and of course, the scheme can also be applied to other scenarios. The present application does not specifically limit the scenario, and the AM mode scenario described by way of example does not cause any limitation to the scheme.

[0217] As a possible implementation, for the first communication device, each of the N second modules corresponds to one logical channel, different second modules correspond to different logical channels, and in the case that there is one second module in the M second modules of the second communication device, the one second module corresponds to multiple logical channels (i.e. the case one of the above scenario two, as shown in the example of FIG. 13), the sequence numbers of the second data packets sent by different second modules are different. For example, based on the example shown in (a) of FIG. 13, the sequence numbers of the second data packets sent by the RLC entity 1 of the first communication device are different from the sequence numbers of the second data packets sent by the RLC entity 2, or in other words, there is no overlap.

[0218] In addition, in the above scenarios, for example, in the example shown in FIG. 12, the sequence numbers of the second data packets sent by different RLC entities of the first communication device can be different or the same, which is not limited.

[0219] As another possible implementation, for the first communication device, there are at least two second modules in the N second modules, the at least two second modules correspond to one logical channel, and for the second communication device, each of the M second modules corresponds to one logical channel, in the case that different second modules correspond to different logical channels (i.e. the case two of the above scenario two, as shown in the example of FIG. 14), the sequence numbers of the second data packets sent by different second modules are different, or the sequence numbers of the second data packets sent by the at least two second modules are different.

[0220] For example, based on the example shown in (a) of FIG. 14, RLC entity 1 and RLC entity 2 correspond to the same logical channel 1, the sequence number of the second data packet sent by the first communication device through RLC entity 1 is different from the sequence number of the second data packet sent through RLC entity 2. Alternatively, based on the example shown in (b) of FIG. 14, the sequence number of the second data packet sent by the first communication device through RLC entity 1, the sequence number of the second data packet sent through RLC entity 2, and the sequence number of the second data packet sent through RLC entity 3 are all different; or the sequence number of the second data packet sent by the first communication device through RLC entity 1 is different from the sequence number of the second data packet sent through RLC entity 2, and the sequence number of the second data packet sent through RLC entity 3 can be the same as the sequence numbers of the second data packets sent through the other two RLC entities.

[0221] Based on this embodiment, in the case one and case two of scenario two described above, the second data packets sent by the sending end through multiple second modules need to be merged and processed by one second module at the receiving end. For one second module at the receiving end, after receiving a data packet, the sequence number of the data packet is read, and it is determined whether the data packet corresponding to the sequence number has been received before. If it has been received, the data packet will be discarded. That is, for the received repeated sequence number, the second module will discard the corresponding data packet. Therefore, in the case where the second data packets sent by the sending end through multiple second modules need to be merged and processed by one second module at the receiving end, limiting the sequence numbers of the second data packets sent by the sending end through different second modules to be different can avoid the receiving end receiving the second data packets with repeated sequence numbers, thereby avoiding the receiving end discarding the valid second data packets, and further ensuring the service quality.

[0222] As a possible implementation, the first communication device can implement the sequence numbers of the second data packets sent through different second modules to be different in the following four ways:

[0223] In the first way, the sequence number of the second data packet is set to be the same as the sequence number of the first data packet corresponding to the second data packet.

[0224] For example, this first way can be applied to the scenario where the second module does not segment the first data packet. The first data packet corresponding to the second data packet is the first data packet used to generate the second data packet. For example, based on the example shown in (a) of FIG. 10, the sequence number of the second data packet 1 is the same as the sequence number of the first data packet 1, the sequence number of the second data packet 2 is the same as the sequence number of the first data packet 2, and the sequence number of the second data packet 3 is the same as the sequence number of the first data packet 3.

[0225] As a possible implementation, the first module can submit the first data packet to the N second modules of the first communication device based on a certain rule. For example, when N equals 2, the first module submits the first data packet with even sequence number to RLC entity 1 and submits the first data packet with odd sequence number to RLC entity 2; or, the first module submits the first data packet with sequence number of 0-9, 20-29, 40-49, … to RLC entity 1 and submits the first data packet with sequence number of 10-19, 30-39, 50-59, … to RLC entity 2.

[0226] As a possible implementation, the first module can instruct the second module of the first communication device to set the sequence number of the second data packet as the sequence number of the corresponding first data packet. Alternatively, the protocol can define that the sequence number of the second data packet is set as the sequence number of the corresponding first data packet at the sending end, without limitation.

[0227] Based on the first mode, the second module of the first communication device can directly set the sequence number of the second data packet sent by the second module as the sequence number of the first data packet corresponding to the second data packet, which is simple in numbering rule and easy to implement, and can reduce the implementation complexity of the first communication device.

[0228] In the second mode, the sequence number of the second data packet sent by the i-th second module of the N second modules is the first parameter corresponding to the i-th second module. The initial value of the first parameter corresponding to the i-th second module is i-1, i = 1, 2, …, N. In addition, after the sequence number of the current second data packet is set, the first parameter corresponding to the i-th second module is added by N.

[0229] That is, for each SDU of the second module (i.e., the first data packet) received from the first module, the i-th second module of the N second modules:

[0230] sets the sequence number of the PDU of the second module (i.e., the second data packet) corresponding to the SDU of the second module as the first parameter of the second module;

[0231] adds N to the first parameter of the second module.

[0232] For example, the first parameter corresponding to the i-th second module is used to indicate the sending progress of the i-th second module, for example, the first parameter corresponding to the i-th second module is the sequence number TX_Next of the next second data packet sent by the i-th second module.

[0233] For example, when N equals 2, the second module is an RLC entity, the initial value of the first parameter corresponding to the first RLC entity (denoted as RLC entity 1) is 0, the initial value of the first parameter corresponding to the second RLC entity (denoted as RLC entity 2) is 1, the sequence number of the second data packet sent by the RLC entity 1 can be 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, etc., and the sequence number of the second data packet sent by the RLC entity 2 can be 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, etc.

[0234] Alternatively, when N equals 3, the second module is an RLC entity, the initial value of the first parameter corresponding to the first RLC entity (denoted as RLC entity 1) is 0, the initial value of the first parameter corresponding to the second RLC entity (denoted as RLC entity 2) is 1, and the initial value of the first parameter corresponding to the third RLC entity (denoted as RLC entity 3) is 2. The sequence number of the second data packet sent by the RLC entity 1 can be 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, etc., the sequence number of the second data packet sent by the RLC entity 2 can be 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, etc., and the sequence number of the second data packet sent by the RLC entity 3 can be 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, etc.

[0235] Based on the second mode, the second module of the first communication device can flexibly number the second data packet based on the first parameter corresponding thereto, which can be applicable to the scenario where the second module segments the first data packet, has high flexibility, and is suitable for a wide range of scenarios.

[0236] In the third mode, the sequence number of the second data packet sent by the i-th second module of the N second modules is the first parameter corresponding to the i-th second module, the i-th second module corresponds to L value ranges, the first parameter corresponding to the i-th second module is located in the L value ranges, i = 1, 2, …, N, and L is a positive integer. The first parameter can refer to the related description in the second mode, which will not be repeated here.

[0237] In a possible implementation, the value range corresponding to each second module can be predefined by a protocol or configured by an access network device, which is not limited. The value ranges corresponding to different second modules are different, but the number of value ranges corresponding to each second module is the same, for example, each second module corresponds to 10 value ranges.

[0238] In a possible implementation, the lengths of different value ranges are the same. For the L value ranges corresponding to the same second module, the difference between the minimum value of the subsequent value range and the maximum value of the previous value range is X+1, or the difference between the maximum value of the subsequent value range and the maximum value of the previous value range is 2X, where X is the length of the value range.

[0239] For example, taking N equals to 2, the second module is an RLC entity, and X=10 as an example, the value range corresponding to the first RLC entity 1 can include 1-10, 21-30, 41-50, and the value range corresponding to the second RLC entity can include 11-20, 31-40, 51-60. For the first RLC entity 1, the difference between the minimum value 21 of the latter value range and the maximum value 10 of the former value range is 11, and the difference between the maximum value 30 of the latter value range and the maximum value 10 of the former value range is 20.

[0240] Alternatively, taking the value range corresponding to the first RLC entity 1 as 0-9, 20-29, 40-49, and the value range corresponding to the second RLC entity as 10-19, 30-39, 50-59 as an example, for the first RLC entity 1, the difference between the minimum value 20 of the latter value range and the maximum value 9 of the former value range is 11, and the difference between the maximum value 29 of the latter value range and the maximum value 9 of the former value range is 20.

[0241] In a possible implementation, the product of the length of the value range and N is less than a first threshold, which can be, for example, AM_Window_Size. The minimum value in the value range corresponding to the N second modules can be 1 or 0.

[0242] As a possible implementation, in the case where the minimum value in the value range corresponding to the N second modules is 1, after the sequence number of the current second data packet is set, if the first parameter corresponding to the i-th second module modulo the length of the value range is equal to 0, the first parameter corresponding to the i-th second module is set (or updated) to TX_Next+X·(N-1)+1; if the first parameter corresponding to the i-th second module modulo the length of the value range is not equal to 0, the first parameter corresponding to the i-th second module is set to TX_Next+1, that is, the first parameter is incremented by 1. Wherein, TX_Next represents the first parameter, and X is the length of the value range.

[0243] That is, for each second module SDU (i.e., first data packet) received from the first module, the i-th second module in the N second modules:

[0244] sets the sequence number of the second module PDU (i.e., second data packet) corresponding to the second module SDU to the first parameter of the second module;

[0245] TX_Next mod X=0, TX_Next is set to TX_Next+X·(N-1)+1; or

[0246] In the case of TX_Next mod X≠0, TX_Next is set to TX_Next+1.

[0247] TX_Next represents the first parameter corresponding to the i-th second module, X is the length of the numerical range, and mod represents the modulo (or remainder) operation.

[0248] For example, when N is equal to 2 and the second module is an RLC entity, the first RLC entity (denoted as RLC entity 1) can be pre-configured or defined to correspond to a numerical range of 1-10, 21-30, 41-50, and the second RLC entity (denoted as RLC entity 2) can be pre-configured or defined to correspond to a numerical range of 11-20, 31-40, 51-60. The length of the numerical range X=10. For the RLC entity 1, assuming that the current first parameter TX_Next=9, since TX_Next mod 10≠0, the first parameter is updated to TX_Next+1=10. When the first parameter TX_Next=10, since TX_Next mod 10=0, the first parameter is updated to TX_Next+X·(N-1)+1=10+10·(2-1)+1=21.

[0249] As another possible implementation, in the case that the minimum value in the numerical range corresponding to the N second modules is 0, for each SDU (i.e., first data packet) of the second module received from the first module, the i-th second module of the N second modules:

[0250] sets the sequence number of the PDU (i.e., second data packet) of the second module corresponding to the SDU of the second module to the first parameter of the second module;

[0251] In the case of TX_Next mod(X-1)=0, TX_Next is set to TX_Next+X·(N-1)+1; or,

[0252] In the case of TX_Next mod(X-1)≠0, TX_Next is set to TX_Next+1.

[0253] For example, taking the case of N equals 2 and the second module being an RLC entity, the value range corresponding to RLC entity 1 can be preconfigured or defined as 0-9, 20-29, 40-49, and the value range corresponding to RLC entity 2 can be preconfigured or defined as 10-19, 30-39, 50-59. The length of the value range X = 10. For RLC entity 1, assuming the current first parameter TX_Next = 8, since TX_Next mod (10-1) ≠ 0, the first parameter is updated to TX_Next + 1 = 9. When the first parameter TX_Next = 9, since TX_Next mod (10-1) = 0, the first parameter is updated to TX_Next + X·(N-1) + 1 = 9 + 10·(2-1) + 1 = 20.

[0254] The fourth mode is similar to the third mode, except that:

[0255] In the case where the minimum value in the value range corresponding to the N second modules is 1, the i-th second module of the N second modules, for each second module SDU (i.e., first data packet) received from the first module, sets the sequence number of the PDU (i.e., second data packet) of the second module corresponding to the second module SDU to the first parameter of the second module.

[0256] In the case where the minimum value in the value range corresponding to the N second modules is 1, the i-th second module of the N second modules, for each second module SDU (i.e., first data packet) received from the first module, sets the sequence number of the PDU (i.e., second data packet) of the second module corresponding to the second module SDU to the first parameter of the second module.

[0257] In the case where TX_Next mod X = 0, TX_Next is set to TX_Next + X·(N-1), and in the case where TX_Next mod X ≠ 0, TX_Next is set to TX_Next.

[0258] TX_Next is incremented by 1.

[0259] In the case where the minimum value in the value range corresponding to the N second modules is 0, the i-th second module of the N second modules, for each second module SDU (i.e., first data packet) received from the first module, sets the sequence number of the PDU (i.e., second data packet) of the second module corresponding to the second module SDU to the first parameter of the second module.

[0260] In the case where the minimum value in the value range corresponding to the N second modules is 0, the i-th second module of the N second modules, for each second module SDU (i.e., first data packet) received from the first module, sets the sequence number of the PDU (i.e., second data packet) of the second module corresponding to the second module SDU to the first parameter of the second module.

[0261] In the case where TX_Next mod (X-1) = 0, TX_Next is set to TX_Next + X·(N-1), and in the case where TX_Next mod (X-1) ≠ 0, TX_Next is set to TX_Next.

[0262] TX_Next is incremented by 1.

[0263] That is, the update of the first parameter is split into two steps in the fourth mode, and the remaining related implementations can refer to the related description in the third mode described above, which will not be described here.

[0264] Based on the third mode and the fourth mode described above, the second module of the first communication device can flexibly number the second data packets based on the corresponding first parameter and the numerical range, and the number of the second data packets sent by the second module can be set within certain numerical ranges, which has high flexibility. In addition, it can be applied to the scenario where the second module segments the first data packets, and has a wide range of applications.

[0265] In a possible implementation, for the first communication device, in the case where one of the N second modules corresponds to multiple logical channels, the second module needs to control the sending progress. Specifically, in the N second modules of the first communication device, one of the second modules corresponds to multiple logical channels, and each of the M second modules of the second communication device corresponds to one logical channel. In the case where different second modules correspond to different logical channels (i.e., the case B of the third scenario described above, as shown in the example of FIG. 16), the second module of the first communication device needs to control the sending progress.

[0266] As a possible implementation, the sending progress control corresponding to the second module can include that in one sending window, at least one second data packet is sent on each logical channel corresponding to the second module. That is, in one sending window, at least one second data packet is sent through each logical channel corresponding to the second module.

[0267] For example, based on the example shown in (a) or (b) of FIG. 16, taking the size of the sending window as 100 for example, in the 100 second data packets sent (or submitted) by the RLC entity 1 of the first communication device to the MAC entity, at least one second data packet is sent through the logical channel 1, and at least one second data packet is sent through the logical channel 2.

[0268] Based on the sending progress control, the difference between the second parameter corresponding to the first logical channel and the second parameter corresponding to the second logical channel is less than a first threshold at the same time. The first logical channel is the logical channel corresponding to the maximum second parameter among the multiple logical channels corresponding to the second module, and the second logical channel is the logical channel corresponding to the minimum second parameter among the multiple logical channels corresponding to the second module. The second parameter is used to indicate the sending progress of the logical channel. For example, the sending progress of the logical channel can be embodied by the sequence number of the next sent second data packet corresponding to the logical channel, or can be embodied by the sequence number of the latest sent second data packet corresponding to the logical channel.

[0269] Alternatively, based on the sending progress control, the number of the second data packets sent by the second module continuously through each of the plurality of logical channels corresponding to the second module is less than a first threshold. Exemplarily, the first threshold can be the length of the sending window, which can be AM_Window_Size for example.

[0270] Based on the embodiment, in the case B of the scenario three, the second data packets sent by the second module at the sending end are processed by the plurality of second modules at the receiving end, that is, the plurality of second modules at the receiving end each maintain a receiving window thereof. For a second module at the receiving end, after receiving a data packet, the sequence number of the data packet is read, and if the sequence number is outside the receiving window, the corresponding data packet is discarded. That is, for the received data packet outside the receiving window, the second module at the receiving end will discard the data packet. Generally, the size of the receiving window is the same as the size of the sending window. If the number of the second data packets sent by the second module continuously through the logical channel 1 at the sending end is greater than the first threshold (such as the window size), the maximum value of the receiving window corresponding to the logical channel 2 at the receiving end is less than the sequence number of the second data packet to be sent currently, and when the second data packet is sent through the logical channel 2 subsequently, the second module corresponding to the logical channel 2 at the receiving end will discard the second data packet.

[0271] Exemplarily, taking the window size (such as AM_Window_Size) as 100, one second module 1 at the sending end corresponding to the logical channel 1 and the logical channel 2, the second module A corresponding to the logical channel 1 and the second module B corresponding to the logical channel 2 at the receiving end, and the receiving window of the second module at the receiving end being [RX_Next, RX_Next+AM_Window_Size) are taken as examples, that is, RX_Next<=SN<RX_Next+AM_Window_Size is considered that the data packet corresponding to the SN is inside the receiving window. Assuming that the initial value of RX_Next is 0 and RX_Next is the sequence number of the latest received data packet plus 1, if no progress control is performed, the following table 1 can occur.

[0272] Table 1

[0273] Based on the example shown in table 1, the number of the second data packets sent by the second module continuously through the logical channel 1 at the sending end is greater than AM_Window_Size, which causes the receiving window of the RLC entity B at the receiving end to be not updated all the time, so that when the second data packet with the sequence number 102 is sent through the logical channel 2 at the sending end, the RLC entity B at the receiving end judges that the SN is outside the receiving window maintained by the RLC entity B, and then discards the data packet with the SN 102, resulting in packet loss.

[0274] Based on the above progress control, assuming that the second data packet with the SN 3 is sent through the logical channel 2 at the sending end, the receiving and sending situation is shown in table 2.

[0275] Table 2

[0276] Based on Table 2, in the case that the sending end performs sending progress control on each logical channel corresponding to a second module, the receiving end can keep updating the receiving window of the second module corresponding to each logical channel, thereby avoiding discarding of valid data packets by the receiving end and ensuring service quality.

[0277] In a possible implementation, each of the N second modules of the first communication device corresponds to a logical channel, and different second modules correspond to different logical channels. In the case that there are at least two second modules in the M second modules of the second communication device, the at least two second modules correspond to one logical channel (i.e., scenario three, case A), at the receiving end, the third module can deliver the second data packets to the second module corresponding to the logical channel through the logical channel according to a default rule.

[0278] For example, based on the example shown in FIG. 15, the MAC entity of the second communication device can deliver the second data packets to the RLC entity A and the RLC entity B through the logical channel 1 in turn, for example, the first second data packet received by the MAC entity is delivered to the RLC entity A through the logical channel 1, the second second data packet is delivered to the RLC entity B through the logical channel 1, the third second data packet is delivered to the RLC entity A through the logical channel 1, the fourth second data packet is delivered to the RLC entity B through the logical channel 1, and so on.

[0279] Alternatively, in the case of scenario three, case A, the MAC entity can add indication information in the MAC packet header after the second data packet sent by the RLC entity 1 of the first communication device is delivered to the MAC entity, the indication information can indicate whether the second data packet needs to be delivered to the RLC entity A or the RLC entity B corresponding to the logical channel 1 at the receiving end. The MAC entity of the second communication device can deliver the second data packet to the RLC entity according to the indication information in the MAC packet header after receiving the data packet.

[0280] The above describes the transmission of the data packet of the user plane. The transmission of the data packet of the user plane can be configured through control plane signaling, and the configuration related to the above transmission is described below.

[0281] In a possible implementation, in the case that the first communication device is a terminal and the second communication device is an access network device (such as a base station or a DU), as shown in FIG. 17, the communication method can include the following steps:

[0282] S1701, the access network device sends first configuration information to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the first configuration information from the access network device.

[0283] The first configuration information is used to configure N second modules corresponding to the first module. Further, the first configuration information is also used to configure a logical channel corresponding to each of the N second modules.

[0284] As a possible implementation, the first configuration information can be a bearer configuration of the terminal. The configuration of each second module can be carried in an RLC-bearerConfig information element in the first configuration information. For example, the first configuration information includes N RLC-bearerConfigs, which are used to configure the N second modules.

[0285] As a possible implementation, the RLC-bearerConfig information element can include a logicalChannelIdentity information element, which can carry a logical channel identity corresponding to the second module. The RLC-bearerConfig information element can also include an RLC-Config information element, which can be used to configure the mode (such as TM, AM, UM) of the second module, etc.

[0286] As a possible implementation, when the access network device is the receiving end, the access network device can know the number M of the second modules of the receiving end, and thus can configure N second modules of the terminal based on the number M of the second modules of the receiving end. For example, the terminal is configured with the same number of second modules, i.e., scenario one described above, M RLC-Config information elements are carried in the first configuration information, one logical channel is configured in each RLC-bearerConfig information element, and the logical channels configured in different RLC-bearer information elements are different.

[0287] Alternatively, the terminal is configured with more than M second modules, i.e., scenario two described above. For example, more than M RLC-bearerConfig information elements are carried in the first configuration information, one logical channel is configured in each RLC-bearerConfig information element, and the logical channels configured in different RLC-bearer information elements are different (i.e., case one of scenario two described above), or the same logical channel is configured in at least two RLC-bearer configurations (i.e., case two of scenario two described above).

[0288] Alternatively, the terminal is configured with less than M second modules, i.e., scenario three described above. For example, less than M RLC-bearerConfig information elements are carried in the first configuration information, one logical channel is configured in each RLC-bearerConfig information element, and the logical channels configured in different RLC-bearer information elements are different (i.e., case A of scenario three described above), or multiple logical channels are configured in one RLC-bearer configuration (i.e., case B of scenario three described above).

[0289] As a possible implementation, in the case that the access network device is a DU, the first configuration information can be sent by the CU to the DU, or can be generated by the DU, without limitation.

[0290] As a possible implementation, in the case that the access network device is a DU, the DU further receives second configuration information from the CU, the second configuration information being used to configure M second modules corresponding to the first module of the DU. Further, the second configuration information is further used to configure a logical channel corresponding to each of the M second modules.

[0291] Optionally, before receiving the second configuration information, the DU can send third information to the CU, the third information being used to request receiving a plurality of second data packets through the M second modules (or it can be understood that the third information is used to request receiving data packets through the RLC parallelization scheme), or indicating that the DU supports receiving a plurality of second data packets through the M second modules (or it can be understood that the third information is used to indicate that the DU supports the RLC parallelization scheme). Illustratively, after receiving the third information, the CU can determine the second configuration information according to the third information.

[0292] S1702, the terminal performs data packet transmission with the access network device according to the first configuration information.

[0293] As a possible implementation, the terminal sends a plurality of second data packets corresponding to a plurality of first data packets obtained by the terminal through the N second modules configured by the first configuration information. Further, according to the correspondence between the second module and the logical channel configured by the first configuration information, the data packet of the second module is submitted to the third module through the logical channel corresponding to the second module.

[0294] In addition, in the case that the first configuration information configures one logical channel corresponding to each of the N second modules, and the logical channels corresponding to different second modules are different, or in the case that the first configuration information configures one logical channel corresponding to at least two of the N second modules, the terminal determines that the sequence numbers of the second data packets sent through different second modules are different. The implementation of determining the sequence number of the second data packet sent by each second module can refer to the above-mentioned ways one to four, which will not be described here again.

[0295] Or, in the case that the first configuration information configures one second module of the N second modules corresponding to a plurality of logical channels, the terminal performs transmission progress control corresponding to the second module. The specific implementation of the transmission progress control can refer to the foregoing related description, which will not be described here again.

[0296] Optionally, before step S1701, the terminal can send first information to the access network device, and the access network device receives the first information. The first information can be used to request sending multiple second data packets through N second modules (or can be understood as the first information being used to request sending data packets through an RLC parallelization scheme), or the first information can be used to indicate that the terminal supports sending multiple second data packets through N second modules (or can be understood as the first information being used to indicate that the terminal supports an RLC parallelization scheme). The RLC parallelization scheme can be understood as the above-mentioned scheme in which the sending end sends multiple upper-layer PDUs (i.e., multiple second data packets) through N second modules.

[0297] In this scenario, in step S1701, the access network device determines the first configuration information based on the first information, or can be understood as the access network device determining the first configuration information based on triggering of the first information.

[0298] In the method shown in FIG. 17, the terminal can perform specific implementation of data packet transmission, and details are as described above with reference to related descriptions in the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be described herein again.

[0299] In another possible implementation, in the case where the first communication device is a DU and the second communication device is a terminal, as shown in FIG. 18, the communication method can include the following steps.

[0300] S1801, the core network device sends QoS parameters of a first QoS flow to a CU. Correspondingly, the CU receives the QoS parameters of the first QoS flow from the core network device. The first data packet and the second data packet are data packets of the first QoS flow.

[0301] S1802, the CU determines, according to the QoS parameters of the first QoS flow, that multiple second data packets are to be sent through N second modules.

[0302] As a possible implementation, the CU determines that the multiple second data packets are to be sent through N second modules, which can also be understood as: the CU determines to perform or use an RLC parallelization scheme for data transmission.

[0303] Optionally, before step S1802, the DU can also send first information to the CU. The first information can be used to request sending multiple second data packets through N second modules (or can be understood as the first information being used to request sending data packets through an RLC parallelization scheme), or the first information can be used to indicate that the DU supports sending multiple second data packets through N second modules (or can be understood as the first information being used to indicate that the DU supports an RLC parallelization scheme). In this scenario, in step S1802, the CU determines, according to the QoS parameters of the first QoS flow and the first information, that the multiple second data packets are to be sent through N second modules.

[0304] It should be noted that the steps S1801 and S1802 are optional steps, i.e., the steps S1801 and / or S1802 can not be performed, and the step S1803 is directly performed.

[0305] S1803, the CU sends the first configuration information to the DU. Correspondingly, the DU receives the first configuration information from the CU.

[0306] The first configuration information is used to configure N second modules corresponding to the first module. Further, the first configuration information is also used to configure a logical channel corresponding to each of the N second modules. The first configuration information can refer to the related description in the step S1701, and will not be described here again.

[0307] S1804, N tunnels are established between the CU and the DU.

[0308] The tunnel is a tunnel between the first module in the CU and the second module in the DU. Each of the N tunnels corresponds to a second module in the DU.

[0309] It should be noted that the step S1803 and the step S1804 do not have a strict execution order. The step S1803 can be performed first, and then the step S1804 is performed. Alternatively, the step S1804 can be performed first, and then the step S1803 is performed. Alternatively, the step S1803 and the step S1804 can be performed at the same time, which is not limited.

[0310] As one possible implementation, after the step S1804, the CU sends a plurality of first data packets to the DU through the N tunnels. The plurality of first data packets can be sent to the corresponding second module through different tunnels according to a splitting strategy. The splitting strategy can be understood as a strategy for determining the first data packet sent (or submitted) to each of the N second modules.

[0311] For example, the DU can send second information to the CU, the second information indicating a desired buffer size and / or a desired data rate corresponding to each of the N second modules. The CU can determine a splitting strategy based on the second information, and send a plurality of first data packets to the DU according to the splitting strategy.

[0312] S1805, the DU performs data packet transmission with the terminal according to the first configuration information. For details, refer to the related description in the step S1702, which will not be described here again.

[0313] In the scheme shown in FIG. 18, the CU determines to perform the RLC parallelization scheme. In addition, the present disclosure also provides a communication method, which can be determined by the DU to perform the RLC parallelization scheme. As shown in FIG. 19, the communication method can include the following steps:

[0314] In S1901, the core network device sends the QoS parameter of the first QoS flow to the CU. Correspondingly, the CU receives the QoS parameter of the first QoS flow from the core network device. The first data packet and the second data packet are data packets of the first QoS flow.

[0315] In S1902, the CU sends the QoS parameter of the first QoS flow to the DU. Correspondingly, the DU receives the QoS parameter of the first QoS flow from the CU.

[0316] In S1903, the DU determines to send the plurality of second data packets through the N second modules according to the QoS parameter of the first QoS flow.

[0317] As a possible implementation, the DU determines to send the plurality of second data packets through the N second modules according to the QoS parameter of the first QoS flow and the capability of the DU (e.g., the DU supports the RLC parallelization scheme). For details, reference can be made to the related description in S1802, which will not be repeated here.

[0318] It should be noted that the above steps S1901-S1903 are optional steps, that is, steps S1901-S1903 can not be performed, and the DU directly performs the following step S1904 to establish the N tunnels.

[0319] In S1904, the DU and the CU establish N tunnels.

[0320] As an example, the step S1904 can be initiated by the DU. For details, reference can be made to the related description in S1804, which will not be repeated here.

[0321] In S1905, the CU sends the first configuration information to the DU. Correspondingly, the DU receives the first configuration information from the CU.

[0322] As a possible implementation, after establishing the N tunnels, the CU determines that the DU needs to send the plurality of second data packets through the N second modules, and thus the CU can determine and send the first configuration information to the DU to configure the N second modules. For details, reference can be made to the related description in S1701, which will not be repeated here.

[0323] In S1906, the DU performs data packet transmission with the terminal according to the first configuration information. For details, reference can be made to the related description in S1702, which will not be repeated here.

[0324] As a possible implementation, before step S1906, the CU sends the plurality of first data packets to the DU through the N channels. The plurality of first data packets can be sent to the corresponding second modules through different channels according to the splitting strategy. For details, refer to the above description of the splitting strategy and the second information, which will not be repeated here.

[0325] In a possible implementation, in the method shown in FIG. 18 and FIG. 19, the DU further sends second configuration information to the terminal, and the terminal receives the second configuration information. The second configuration information is used to configure the M second modules corresponding to the first module of the terminal. Further, the second configuration information is used to configure the logical channel corresponding to each of the M second modules. For details of the implementation of the second configuration information, refer to the above description of the first configuration information, which will not be repeated here. The second configuration information sent by the DU to the terminal can be received by the DU from the CU, or can be generated by the DU, which is not limited.

[0326] Optionally, before receiving the second configuration information, the terminal can send third information to the DU or the CU. The third information can be used to request to receive the plurality of second data packets through the M second modules (or it can be understood that the third information is used to request to receive the data packets through the RLC parallelization scheme), or indicate that the terminal supports to receive the plurality of second data packets through the M second modules (or it can be understood that the third information is used to indicate that the terminal supports the RLC parallelization scheme). For example, after receiving the third information, the DU or the CU can determine the second configuration information according to the third information.

[0327] As a possible implementation, when the DU or the CU is the sending end, the number N of the second modules of the sending end can be known, so that the M second modules of the receiving end (i.e. the terminal) can be configured based on the number N of the second modules of the sending end. For example, the same number of second modules is configured for the terminal, i.e. the above scenario one. For example, N RLC configuration information elements are carried in the second configuration information, one logical channel is configured in each RLC bearer configuration information element, and the logical channels configured in different RLC bearer configuration information elements are different.

[0328] Or, less than N second modules are configured for the terminal, i.e. the above scenario two. For example, less than N RLC bearer configuration information elements are carried in the second configuration information, a plurality of logical channels are configured in one RLC bearer configuration information element (i.e. case one of the above scenario two), or one logical channel is configured in each RLC bearer configuration information element, and the logical channels configured in different RLC bearer configuration information elements are different (i.e. case two of the above scenario two).

[0329] Or, more than N second modules are configured for the terminal, i.e. the above-mentioned scenario three. For example, more than N RLC bearer configuration information elements are carried in the second configuration information, the same logical channel is configured in at least two RLC bearer configuration information elements (i.e. the above-mentioned scenario three case A), or one logical channel is configured in each RLC bearer configuration information element, and the logical channels configured in different RLC bearer configuration information elements are different (i.e. the above-mentioned scenario three case B).

[0330] In a possible implementation, in the case that the first communication device is an access network device (such as a base station) and the second communication device is a terminal, the base station can send the second configuration information to the terminal. Optionally, the terminal can send the third information to the base station before receiving the second configuration information. For details, refer to the foregoing related description, which will not be repeated here.

[0331] The above-mentioned method embodiments can be applied to various implementation forms of the second module, for example, can be applied to the case that the second module is an RLC entity, a processing unit or an RLC bearer. In addition, in the case that the second module is a processing unit, the N second modules of the first communication device can be deployed in the same RLC entity, and the RLC entity corresponds to one logical channel. The M second modules of the second communication device can be deployed in the same RLC entity, and the RLC entity corresponds to one logical channel.

[0332] That is to say, at the sending end, the multiple second modules (i.e. processing units) in the RLC entity of the first communication device process different first data packets in parallel, and after obtaining multiple second data packets, the multiple second data packets are submitted to the MAC entity through one logical channel, and then transmitted to the second communication device through the air interface.

[0333] As a possible implementation, at the sending end, as shown in (a) of FIG. 20, the second data packets can be numbered by a numbering module, and then packaged by different second modules and transmitted by the second modules. The numbering module can also have other names, such as a shunting module or a fourth module, as long as the module can realize the numbering function, and the application does not make specific limitation on the name of the module.

[0334] Or, as shown in (b) of FIG. 20, each second module can independently number and package data packets, and the sequence numbers of the second data packets determined by different second modules can be the same or different.

[0335] As a possible implementation, after the data packets are transmitted to the second communication device through the air interface, the second communication device can process the data packets in the following three ways:

[0336] Method A: The second communication device processes the received data packets according to the current protocol stack processing flow.

[0337] Exemplarily, as shown in (a) of FIG. 21, the RLC entity of the second communication device can not be modified. In addition, in the manner A, the sequence numbers of the second data packets sent by the first communication device through different second modules are different.

[0338] In the manner B, the second communication device receives multiple second data packets through M second modules, and the M second modules perform unified reception window management. In the manner B, the sequence numbers of the second data packets sent by the first communication device through different second modules can be the same or different, which is not limited.

[0339] Exemplarily, taking M equal to 2 as an example, as shown in (b) of FIG. 21, the RLC entity of the second communication device splits the second data packets received from the logical channel to two second modules for unpacking processing, and then performs reception window management through a unified window management module.

[0340] In the manner C, the second communication device receives multiple second data packets through M second modules, and the M second modules perform reception window management respectively.

[0341] In the manner C, the sequence numbers of the second data packets sent by the first communication device through different second modules can be the same or different, which is not limited.

[0342] Exemplarily, taking M equal to 2 as an example, as shown in (c) of FIG. 21, the RLC entity of the second communication device splits the second data packets received from the logical channel to two second modules for unpacking processing, and then performs reception window management through a corresponding window management module respectively. The window management module can be included in the second module or located outside the second module, which is not limited.

[0343] As a possible implementation, in the manner C, the first communication device needs to perform sending progress control when sending the second data packets through multiple second modules, so as to avoid that the corresponding reception window of a certain second module of the second communication device is not updated all the time, thereby causing packet loss. The implementation of the sending progress control can refer to the related description above, which will not be described herein again.

[0344] As a possible implementation, in the manners B and C above, the RLC entity of the second communication device can split the second data packets received from the logical channel to different second modules based on a default rule. For example, the first second data packet received is split to the second module 1, the second second data packet is split to the second module 2, the third second data packet is split to the second module 1, the fourth second data packet is split to the second module 2, and so on.

[0345] As another possible implementation, in the above-mentioned manner B and manner C, the second data packet sent by the first communication apparatus through the RLC entity can be added with indication information in the MAC header by the MAC entity after being submitted to the MAC entity, and the indication information can indicate which second module the second data packet needs to be shunted to at the receiving end. After receiving the data packet, the MAC entity of the second communication apparatus can instruct the RLC entity to shunt the second data packet to the corresponding second module according to the indication information in the MAC header.

[0346] The above-mentioned second module is a processing unit, and the RLC entity with multiple second modules deployed thereon corresponds to one logical channel. In addition, the RLC entity can also correspond to multiple logical channels. For example, as shown in FIG. 22, the RLC entity of the first communication apparatus can be deployed with two second modules (logical channel 1 and logical channel 2 second module 1 and second module 2) corresponding to two logical channels (for example, logical channel 1 and logical channel 2). Correspondingly, as shown in FIG. 23, the RLC entity of the second communication apparatus can also correspond to two logical channels (for example, logical channel 1 and logical channel 2). The remaining descriptions of FIG. 22 and FIG. 23 can refer to the related descriptions of FIG. 20 and FIG. 21, which will not be repeated here.

[0347] As a possible implementation, in the case that the RLC entity is deployed with multiple second modules corresponding to multiple logical channels, the multiple second modules can correspond to the multiple logical channels one by one. For example, for the first communication apparatus, the second data packet processed by the second module 1 can be submitted to the MAC layer through the logical channel 1, and the second data packet processed by the second module 2 can be submitted to the MAC layer through the logical channel 2; for the second communication apparatus, in the above-mentioned manner B and manner C, the RLC entity shunts the second data packet received through the logical channel 1 to the second module 1, and shunts the second data packet received through the logical channel 2 to the second module 2.

[0348] As a possible implementation, in the case that the RLC entity of the terminal corresponds to multiple logical channels, the network side can send configuration information to the terminal to configure the multiple logical channels corresponding to the RLC entity. The implementation of the configuration information can refer to the related description of the above-mentioned first configuration information, which will not be repeated here.

[0349] Other related implementations of the second module as a processing unit can refer to the detailed description in the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0350] In a possible implementation, for the method embodiments described above, in a CU-DU architecture or an ORAN system, the functions of the access network device interacting with the terminal can be implemented by the DU or O-DU. The information sent by the access network device to the terminal can be generated by the DU or O-DU, or can be generated by the CU or O-CU and sent to the DU or O-DU. The functions of the access network device interacting with the core network can be implemented by the CU or O-CU. The processing functions of the access network device can be implemented by the CU or O-CU, or can be implemented by the DU or O-DU, or can be implemented jointly by the CU and the DU (or the O-CU and the O-DU), without limitation.

[0351] The above describes the method provided by the present application, and the present application further provides a communication apparatus for implementing the functions described in the above method embodiments.

[0352] It can be understood that, to implement the above functions, the communication apparatus includes hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the functions. Those skilled in the art can easily realize that, in combination with the units and algorithm steps of the examples described in the embodiments disclosed in the present application, the present application can be realized in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is realized in the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present application.

[0353] The embodiments of the present application can divide the functions of the communication apparatus according to the above method embodiments, for example, each function module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be realized in the form of hardware or software function module. It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiments of the present application is illustrative, and is only a logical function division. There can be another division manner in actual implementation.

[0354] FIG. 24 shows a structural schematic diagram of a communication apparatus 240. The communication apparatus 240 includes a processing module 2401 and a transceiver module 2402. The communication apparatus 240 can be used to implement the functions of the first communication apparatus or the second communication apparatus.

[0355] In some embodiments, the communication apparatus 240 can further include a storage module (not shown in FIG. 24) for storing program instructions and data.

[0356] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2402, which can also be referred to as a transceiver unit, is configured to implement transmit and / or receive functionality. The transceiver module 2402 can be constituted by a transceiver circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver module, or a communication interface.

[0357] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2402 can include a receiving module and a transmitting module for performing the receiving and transmitting steps of the method embodiments performed by the first communication device or the second communication device, respectively, and / or for supporting other processes related to the techniques described herein; and the processing module 2401 can be configured to perform the processing steps of the method embodiments performed by the first communication device or the second communication device, and / or for supporting other processes related to the techniques described herein.

[0358] When the communication device 240 is configured to implement the functions of the first communication device:

[0359] The processing module 2401 is configured to obtain a plurality of first data packets, wherein the first data packets are protocol data units (PDUs) of a first module, and the plurality of first data packets have different sequence numbers; and the transceiver module 2402 is configured to send a plurality of second data packets to N second modules corresponding to the first module, wherein the plurality of second data packets are determined according to the plurality of first data packets, and a second data packet corresponding to one first data packet is sent by one second module of the N second modules. The second module is configured to implement radio link control (RLC) functions, the first module is an upper module of the second module, and N is a positive integer greater than 1.

[0360] Optionally, each second module of the N second modules corresponds to one logical channel, and different second modules correspond to different logical channels; or there are at least two second modules in the N second modules, and the at least two second modules correspond to one logical channel; or there is one second module in the N second modules, and the one second module corresponds to a plurality of logical channels. The logical channel is a channel between the second module and a third module, and the third module is a lower module of the second module.

[0361] Optionally, in the case that each second module of the N second modules corresponds to one logical channel, and different second modules correspond to different logical channels, or in the case that there are at least two second modules in the N second modules, and the at least two second modules correspond to one logical channel, the sequence numbers of the second data packets sent by different second modules are different.

[0362] Optionally, the sequence number of the second data packet is the same as the sequence number of the first data packet corresponding to the second data packet.

[0363] Optionally, the sequence number of the second data packet sent by the i th second module in the N second modules is a first parameter corresponding to the i th second module, and an initial value of the first parameter corresponding to the i th second module is i-1, i=1, 2, …, N; the processing module 2401 is further configured to add N to the first parameter corresponding to the i th second module.

[0364] Optionally, the sequence number of the second data packet sent by the i th second module in the N second modules is a first parameter corresponding to the i th second module, the i th second module corresponds to L value ranges, the first parameter corresponding to the i th second module is located in the L value ranges, i=1, 2, …, N, and L is a positive integer; the processing module 2401 is further configured to, in a case where TX_Next mod X=0, set TX_Next as TX_Next+X·(N-1)+1, or in a case where TX_Next mod X≠0, set TX_Next as TX_Next+1. Wherein, TX_Next is the first parameter corresponding to the i th second module, X is the length of the value range, and mod represents a modulo operation.

[0365] Optionally, the sequence number of the second data packet sent by the i th second module in the N second modules is a first parameter corresponding to the i th second module, the i th second module corresponds to L value ranges, the first parameter corresponding to the i th second module is located in the L value ranges, i=1, 2, …, N, and L is a positive integer; the processing module 2401 is further configured to, in a case where TX_Next mod X=0, set TX_Next as TX_Next+X·(N-1), or in a case where TX_Next mod X≠0, set TX_Next as TX_Next; the processing module 2401 is further configured to add 1 to TX_Next. Wherein, TX_Next is the first parameter corresponding to the i th second module, X is the length of the value range, and mod represents a modulo operation.

[0366] Optionally, in a case where one second module in the N second modules corresponds to multiple logical channels, a difference between the second parameter corresponding to the first logical channel and the second parameter corresponding to the second logical channel is less than a first threshold. Wherein, the first logical channel is a logical channel corresponding to the largest second parameter in the multiple logical channels, the second logical channel is a logical channel corresponding to the smallest second parameter in the multiple logical channels, and the second parameter is used to indicate a sending progress corresponding to the logical channel.

[0367] Optionally, the second parameter used to indicate the sending progress corresponding to the logical channel comprises: the second parameter used to indicate the sequence number of the next sent second data packet corresponding to the logical channel, or used to indicate the sequence number of the latest sent second data packet corresponding to the logical channel.

[0368] Optionally, in a case that one of the N second modules corresponds to multiple logical channels, a number of the second data packets sent through each of the multiple logical channels is less than the first threshold.

[0369] Optionally, the transceiver 2402 is further configured to receive first configuration information, the first configuration information being used to configure the N second modules corresponding to the first module.

[0370] Optionally, the transceiver 2402 is further configured to send first information, the first information being used to request sending the multiple second data packets through the N second modules, or the first information indicating that the first communication device supports sending the multiple second data packets through the N second modules.

[0371] Optionally, the transceiver 2402 is further configured to send second information, the second information indicating expected buffer size and / or expected data rate corresponding to each of the N second modules.

[0372] Optionally, the second information is used to determine a split strategy, the split strategy being used to determine the first data packets submitted to each of the N second modules.

[0373] Optionally, the transceiver 2402 is further configured to receive a quality of service (QoS) parameter of a first QoS flow, the first data packets being data packets of the first QoS flow; and the processing module 2401 is further configured to determine the multiple second data packets sent through the N second modules according to the QoS parameter of the first QoS flow.

[0374] In a case that the communication device 240 is used to implement functions of a second communication device:

[0375] The transceiver 2402 is configured to receive the multiple second data packets through the M second modules corresponding to the first module, the second module being used to implement a radio link control (RLC) function, and M being a positive integer greater than 1; and the processing module 2401 is configured to submit the multiple first data packets to the first module, the multiple first data packets being determined according to the multiple second data packets, a second data packet corresponding to one first data packet being received through at least one second module of the M second modules, the first data packet being a protocol data unit (PDU) of the first module, the multiple first data packets having different sequence numbers, and the first module being an upper module of the second module.

[0376] Optionally, each of the M second modules corresponds to one logical channel, different second modules correspond to different logical channels; or, there is one second module in the M second modules, and one second module corresponds to multiple logical channels; or, there are at least two second modules in the M second modules, and the at least two second modules correspond to one logical channel. The logical channel is a channel between the second module and a third module, and the third module is a lower module of the second module.

[0377] Optionally, the transceiver module 2402 is further configured to receive second configuration information, the second configuration information being used to configure the M second modules corresponding to the first module.

[0378] Optionally, the transceiver module 2402 is further configured to send third information, the third information being used to request to receive the multiple second data packets through the M second modules, or the third information indicating that the second communication device supports receiving the multiple second data packets through the M second modules.

[0379] Optionally, the transceiver module 2402 is further configured to send first configuration information, the first configuration information being used to configure the first communication device with the N second modules corresponding to the first module, the N second modules being used for the first communication device to send the multiple second data packets, and N being a positive integer greater than 1.

[0380] Wherein, all the related content of each step involved in the above method embodiments can be referred to the function description of the corresponding function module, which will not be repeated here.

[0381] In the present application, the communication device 240 can be in the form of an integrated manner to present various function modules. The "module" here can refer to a specific application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a circuit, a processor and a memory executing one or more software or firmware programs, an integrated logic circuit, and / or other devices that can provide the above functions.

[0382] In some embodiments, when the communication device 240 in FIG. 24 is a chip or a chip system, the function / implementation process of the transceiver module 2402 can be realized through the input / output interface (or communication interface) of the chip or chip system, and the function / implementation process of the processing module 2401 can be realized through the processor (or processing circuit) of the chip or chip system.

[0383] Since the communication device 240 provided in the present embodiment can execute the above method, the technical effects it can obtain can be referred to the above method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0384] As a possible product form, the first communication device or the second communication device described in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented using one or more field programmable gate array (FPGA), programmable logic device (PLD), controller, state machine, gate logic, discrete hardware component, any other suitable circuit, or any combination of circuits capable of performing the various functions described throughout the present application.

[0385] As another possible product form, the first communication device or the second communication device described in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by a general bus architecture. For ease of illustration, refer to FIG. 25, which is a structural schematic diagram of a communication device 2500 provided by the embodiments of the present application, the communication device 2500 including a processor 2501 and a transceiver 2502. The communication device 2500 can be a first communication device, or a chip or chip system therein; or the communication device 2500 can be a second communication device, or a chip or module therein. FIG. 25 only shows the main components of the communication device 2500. In addition to the processor 2501 and the transceiver 2502, the communication device can further include a memory 2503, and an input output device (not shown in FIG. 25).

[0386] Optionally, the processor 2501 is mainly used for processing communication protocols and communication data, and controlling the entire communication device, executing software programs, processing data of the software programs, so as to implement the methods provided in the method embodiments described above. The memory 2503 is mainly used for storing software programs and data. The transceiver 2502 can include radio frequency circuit and antenna, the radio frequency circuit is mainly used for conversion between baseband signal and radio frequency signal and processing of the radio frequency signal. The antenna is mainly used for receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. The input output device, such as touch screen, display screen, keyboard, etc. is mainly used for receiving user input data and outputting data to the user.

[0387] Optionally, the processor 2501, the transceiver 2502, and the memory 2503 can be connected through a communication bus.

[0388] When the communication apparatus is powered on, the processor 2501 can read the software program in the memory 2503, execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When data needs to be transmitted wirelessly, the processor 2501 performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted, and outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency circuit. The radio frequency circuit performs radio frequency processing on the baseband signal, and transmits the radio frequency signal in the form of electromagnetic wave through the antenna. When data is transmitted to the communication apparatus, the radio frequency circuit receives the radio frequency signal through the antenna, converts the radio frequency signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor 2501. The processor 2501 converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0389] In another implementation, the radio frequency circuit and the antenna can be arranged independently of the processor that performs the baseband processing, for example, in a distributed scenario, the radio frequency circuit and the antenna can be arranged remotely from the communication apparatus.

[0390] In some embodiments, in a hardware implementation, those skilled in the art can conceive that the above-mentioned communication apparatus 240 can adopt the form of the communication apparatus 2500 shown in FIG. 25.

[0391] As an example, the functions / implementation processes of the processing module 2401 in FIG. 24 can be implemented by the processor 2501 in the communication apparatus 2500 shown in FIG. 25 invoking the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 2503. The functions / implementation processes of the transceiver module 2402 in FIG. 24 can be implemented by the transceiver 2502 in the communication apparatus 2500 shown in FIG. 25.

[0392] As another possible product form, the first communication apparatus or the second communication apparatus in the present application can adopt the constituent structure shown in FIG. 26, or include the components shown in FIG. 26. FIG. 26 is a constituent diagram of a communication apparatus 2600 provided in the present application. The communication apparatus 2600 can be the first communication apparatus or a chip or system on chip in the first communication apparatus; or can be the second communication apparatus or a chip or system on chip in the second communication apparatus.

[0393] As shown in FIG. 26, the communication apparatus 2600 includes at least one processor 2601, and at least one communication interface (only one communication interface 2604 is shown in FIG. 26 by way of example, and the processor 2601 is taken as an example for description). Optionally, the communication apparatus 2600 can further include a communication bus 2602 and a memory 2603.

[0394] The processor 2601 can be a general purpose central processing unit (CPU), a general purpose processor, a network processing unit (NP), a digital signal processing (DSP), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a PLD, or any combination thereof. The processor 2601 can also be other apparatuses with processing capabilities, such as a circuit, a device, or a software module, without limitation.

[0395] The communication bus 2602 is used to connect different components in the communication apparatus 2600, so that different components can communicate. The communication bus 2602 can be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, etc. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, only one thick line is shown in FIG. 26, but it does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0396] The communication interface 2604 is used for communication with other devices or communication networks. For example, the communication interface 2604 can be a module, a circuit, a transceiver, or any device capable of communication. Alternatively, the communication interface 2604 can also be an input / output interface in the processor 2601, used to realize the signal input and signal output of the processor.

[0397] The memory 2603 can be a device with storage function, used to store instructions and / or data. The instructions can be a computer program.

[0398] For example, the memory 2603 can be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that can store static information and / or instructions, or a random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device that can store information and / or instructions, or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), or other optical disk storage, optical disk storage (including compact disks, laser disks, optical disks, digital versatile disks, Blu-ray disks, etc.), magnetic disk storage medium, or other magnetic storage device, etc., without limitation.

[0399] It should be noted that the memory 2603 can exist independently of the processor 2601, or the memory 2603 can be integrated with the processor 2601. The memory 2603 can be located in the communication device 2600, or can be located outside the communication device 2600, without limitation. The processor 2601 can be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory 2603 to implement the methods provided by the embodiments described below.

[0400] Optionally, the processor 2601 and / or the memory 2603 can include an artificial intelligence (AI) module, and the AI module is configured to implement AI-related functions. The AI module can be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. For example, the AI module can include a radio access network intelligent controller (RIC) module. For example, the AI module can be a near-real-time RIC or a non-real-time RIC.

[0401] As an optional implementation, the communication device 2600 can further include an output device 2605 and an input device 2606. The output device 2605 is in communication with the processor 2601 and can display information in various ways. For example, the output device 2605 can be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display device, a cathode ray tube (CRT) display device, or a projector, etc. The input device 2606 is in communication with the processor 2601 and can receive user input in various ways. For example, the input device 2606 can be a mouse, a keyboard, a touch screen device, a sensor device, etc.

[0402] In some embodiments, in a hardware implementation, those skilled in the art can conceive that the communication device 240 shown in FIG. 24 can take the form of the communication device 2600 shown in FIG. 26.

[0403] As an example, the functions / implementation processes of the processing module 2401 in FIG. 24 can be implemented by the processor 2601 in the communication device 2600 in FIG. 26 invoking computer execution instructions stored in the memory 2603. The functions / implementation processes of the transceiver module 2402 in FIG. 24 can be implemented by the communication interface 2604 in the communication device 2600 in FIG. 26.

[0404] It should be noted that the structure shown in FIG. 26 does not constitute a specific limitation on the first communication device or the second communication device. For example, in some embodiments of the present application, the first communication device or the second communication device can include more or fewer components than those shown, or combine certain components, or split certain components, or different arrangement of components. The components shown can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0405] In some embodiments, the embodiments of the present application also provide a communication device, which includes a processor for implementing the method in any of the method embodiments described above.

[0406] As a possible implementation, the communication device further includes a memory. The memory is used to save necessary computer programs and data. The computer programs can include instructions, and the processor can invoke the instructions in the computer programs stored in the memory to instruct the communication device to execute the method in any of the method embodiments described above. Of course, the memory can also not be in the communication device.

[0407] As another possible implementation, the communication device further includes an interface circuit, which is a code / data read / write interface circuit, and the interface circuit is used to receive computer execution instructions (computer execution instructions are stored in the memory, which can be directly read from the memory or can pass through other devices) and transmit to the processor.

[0408] As yet another possible implementation, the communication device further includes a communication interface, which is used to communicate with modules outside the communication device.

[0409] It can be understood that the communication device can be a chip or a chip system. When the communication device is a chip system, it can be composed of a chip or can include a chip and other discrete devices, and the embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations on this.

[0410] The present application also provides a computer readable storage medium, which stores computer programs or instructions, and the computer programs or instructions are executed by a computer to realize the functions of any of the method embodiments described above.

[0411] The present application also provides a computer program product, which is executed by a computer to realize the functions of any of the method embodiments described above.

[0412] Those of ordinary skill in the art can understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be described here.

[0413] It can be understood that the system, apparatus and method described in the present application can also be implemented in other manners. For example, the apparatus embodiment described above is merely illustrative. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. There can be another division manner for the actual implementation. For example, a plurality of units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the displayed or discussed mutual couplings or direct couplings or communication connections can be indirect couplings or communication connections through some interfaces, devices or units, and can be in electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0414] The units described as separate components can or can not be physically separate, i.e., can be located in one place, or can be distributed on a plurality of network units. The components shown as units can or can not be physical units. Part or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the embodiment.

[0415] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application can be integrated into a processing unit, or each unit can be physically present separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0416] In the above embodiments, all or part can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented by a software program, all or part can be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer readable storage medium or transferred from one computer readable storage medium to another, for example, the computer instructions can be transferred from one website, computer, server or data center to another website, computer, server or data center through a wired (such as coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (such as infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) manner. The computer readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or include one or more data storage devices such as servers, data centers, etc. integrated with the medium. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (such as a DVD), or a semiconductor medium (such as a solid state drive (SSD)), etc. In the embodiments of the present application, the computer can include the apparatus described above.

[0417] Although this application has been described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, those skilled in the art, by reviewing the accompanying drawings, disclosure, and appended claims, will understand and implement other variations of the disclosed embodiments in carrying out the claimed application. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit can implement several functions listed in the claims. While different dependent claims may recite certain measures, this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to produce good results.

[0418] Although this application has been described in conjunction with specific features and embodiments, it is obvious that various modifications and combinations can be made thereto without departing from the scope of this application. Accordingly, this specification and drawings are merely illustrative descriptions of the application as defined by the appended claims, and are considered to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations, or equivalents within the scope of this application. Clearly, those skilled in the art can make various alterations and modifications to this application without departing from its scope. Thus, if such modifications and modifications fall within the scope of the claims and their equivalents, this application is also intended to include such modifications and modifications.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Acquire multiple first data packets, each of which is a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) of the first module, and the sequence numbers of the multiple first data packets are different; Multiple second data packets are sent through N second modules corresponding to the first module. The multiple second data packets are determined based on the multiple first data packets. A second data packet corresponding to a first data packet is sent through one of the N second modules. The second module is used to implement the Radio Link Control (RLC) function. The first module is the upper-layer module of the second module. N is a positive integer greater than 1.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the N second modules corresponds to a logical channel, and different second modules correspond to different logical channels; or... Of the N second modules, at least two exist, and each of the at least two second modules corresponds to a logical channel; or... One of the N second modules is a second module, and the one second module corresponds to multiple logical channels; The logical channel is the channel between the second module and the third module, and the third module is a lower-level module of the second module.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Each of the N second modules corresponds to a logical channel. If different second modules correspond to different logical channels, or if there are at least two second modules among the N second modules, and the at least two second modules correspond to one logical channel, the sequence numbers of the second data packets sent through different second modules will be different.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The sequence number of the second data packet is the same as the sequence number of the first data packet corresponding to the second data packet.

5. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The sequence number of the second data packet sent by the i-th second module among the N second modules is the first parameter corresponding to the i-th second module, and the initial value of the first parameter corresponding to the i-th second module is i-1, i = 1, 2, ..., N; The method further includes: Add N to the first parameter corresponding to the i-th second module.

6. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The sequence number of the second data packet sent by the i-th second module among the N second modules is the first parameter corresponding to the i-th second module. The i-th second module corresponds to L numerical ranges, and the first parameter corresponding to the i-th second module is located within the L numerical ranges, i = 1, 2, ..., N, where L is a positive integer. The method further includes: If TX_Next mod X = 0, set TX_Next to TX_Next + X·(N-1) + 1; or, If TX_Next mod X≠0, set TX_Next to TX_Next+1; Where TX_Next is the first parameter corresponding to the i-th second module, X is the length of the numerical range, and mod represents the modulo operation.

7. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The sequence number of the second data packet sent by the i-th second module among the N second modules is the first parameter corresponding to the i-th second module. The i-th second module corresponds to L numerical ranges, and the first parameter corresponding to the i-th second module is located within the L numerical ranges, i = 1, 2, ..., N, where L is a positive integer. The method further includes: If TX_Next mod X = 0, set TX_Next to TX_Next + X·(N-1); or if TX_Next mod X ≠ 0, set TX_Next to TX_Next. Increment TX_Next by 1; Wherein, TX_Next is the first parameter corresponding to the nth second module, X is the length of the numerical range, and mod represents the modulo operation.

8. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, In the case where one of the N second modules corresponds to multiple logical channels, the difference between the second parameter corresponding to the first logical channel and the second parameter corresponding to the second logical channel is less than the first threshold. Wherein, the first logical channel is the logical channel with the largest second parameter among the plurality of logical channels, the second logical channel is the logical channel with the smallest second parameter among the plurality of logical channels, and the second parameter is used to indicate the transmission progress corresponding to the logical channel.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The second parameter is used to indicate the transmission progress corresponding to the logical channel, including: The second parameter is used to indicate the sequence number of the next second data packet to be sent corresponding to the logical channel, or to indicate the sequence number of the latest second data packet to be sent corresponding to the logical channel.

10. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, In the case where one of the N second modules corresponds to multiple logical channels, the number of second data packets continuously sent through each of the multiple logical channels is less than a first threshold.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that, The method further includes: receiving first configuration information, wherein the first configuration information is used to configure the N second modules corresponding to the first module.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1-11, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a first message, the first message being used to request the transmission of the plurality of second data packets through N second modules, or the first message instructing the first communication device to support the transmission of the plurality of second data packets through N second modules.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1-12, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a second message, which indicates the expected buffer size and / or expected data rate for each of the N second modules.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The second information is used to determine a traffic splitting strategy, which is used to determine the first data packet to be delivered to each of the N second modules.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive QoS parameters of a first QoS flow, wherein the first data packet is a data packet of the first QoS flow; Based on the QoS parameters of the first QoS stream, it is determined whether the plurality of second data packets will be sent through the N second modules.

16. The method according to any one of claims 1-15, characterized in that, The first module and the N second modules belong to the same wireless bearer.

17. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Multiple second data packets are received through M second modules corresponding to the first module. The second modules are used to implement the Radio Link Control (RLC) function, where M is a positive integer greater than 1. Multiple first data packets are submitted to the first module. The multiple first data packets are determined based on the multiple second data packets. A second data packet corresponding to a first data packet is received by at least one of the M second modules. The first data packet is a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) of the first module. The multiple first data packets have different sequence numbers. The first module is an upper-layer module of the second module.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, Each of the M second modules corresponds to a logical channel, and different second modules correspond to different logical channels; or... One of the M second modules may correspond to multiple logical channels; or... Among the M second modules, there are at least two second modules, and the at least two second modules correspond to one logical channel; The logical channel is the channel between the second module and the third module, and the third module is a lower-level module of the second module.

19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that, The method further includes: receiving second configuration information, the second configuration information being used to configure the M second modules corresponding to the first module.

20. The method according to any one of claims 17-19, characterized in that, The method further includes: sending third information, the third information being used to request receiving the plurality of second data packets through M second modules, or the third information instructing the second communication device to support receiving the plurality of second data packets through M second modules.

21. The method according to any one of claims 17-20, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send first configuration information, which is used to configure N second modules corresponding to the first module to the first communication device. The N second modules are used by the first communication device to send the plurality of second data packets, where N is a positive integer greater than 1.

22. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a processor; the processor is configured to run a computer program or instructions to cause the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-16, or to cause the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 17-21.

23. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, A computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions or programs that, when executed on a computer, cause the method described in any one of claims 1-16 to be performed, or cause the method described in any one of claims 17-21 to be performed.

24. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes computer instructions; when some or all of the computer instructions are run on a computer, they cause the method of any one of claims 1-16 to be performed, or cause the method of any one of claims 17-21 to be performed.

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