Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of communications, and provides a communication method and apparatus. In the method, an application network element may request a core network element (such as a network exposure network element or a user plane network element) to send quality-of-service profile indication information to the application network element by means of a user plane path. Subsequently, the core network element may, on the basis of the request from the application network element, indicate to the application network element whether the quality-of-service profile indication information can be sent by means of the user plane path. By means of the above method, an application network element and a core network element can negotiate the sending method of quality-of-service profile indication information on the basis of requirements of the application network element, so that a radio access network node can determine the method for sending the indication information to the application network element.

Description

Communication method and apparatus

[0001] The present application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 202410875205.8, filed on June 29, 2024, and entitled "Communication method and apparatus", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

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

[0003] In a communication system, a radio access network (RAN) node can obtain a quality of service (QoS) profile according to a state of a network, and send corresponding indication information to an application network element to indicate the QoS profile. Subsequently, the application network element can determine a task scheduling result corresponding to the QoS profile, and perform a task according to the task scheduling result. In the above process, since the QoS profile is related to the task scheduling result, the quality of service provided by the network can meet the QoS requirement of the task, thereby guaranteeing the user experience.

[0004] At present, the RAN node can send the above indication information to the application network element in various ways, but which way the RAN node actually adopts to send the indication information is still a problem to be solved. SUMMARY

[0005] The present application provides a communication method and apparatus, which can enable the RAN node to determine which way to send the indication information of the quality of service configuration to the application network element.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present application adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a first network element in a core network. The first network element herein can refer to the first network element itself, or a processor, circuit, module, logic node, chip, or chip system in the first network element that implements the method. For example, the first network element can be a network exposure network element, a user plane network element, or a newly added core network network element.

[0008] The method comprises: receiving first information from an application network element, and sending second information to the application network element. The first information indicates indication information of quality of service configuration sent to the application network element through a user plane path. The second information is used to indicate that the indication information of quality of service configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path, or the second information is used to indicate that the indication information of quality of service configuration cannot be sent to the application network element through the user plane path.

[0009] Based on the method provided in the first aspect, whether the indication information of quality of service configuration is sent to the application network element through the user plane path can be negotiated between the first network element and the application network element based on the requirement of the application network element. Therefore, the method provided in the first aspect can enable the radio access network node to determine which way is used to send the indication information of quality of service configuration to the application network element.

[0010] In a possible implementation, the first information comprises one or more of the following: first indication information or identification information of at least one service flow. The first indication information is used to indicate the granularity of the indication information of quality of service configuration sent through the user plane path, and the at least one service flow is a service flow associated with the indication information of quality of service configuration sent through the user plane path.

[0011] Based on the possible implementation, if the first information comprises the first indication information, the first network element can determine the granularity of the indication information of quality of service configuration requested by the application network element to be sent through the user plane path. If the first information comprises the identification information of the at least one service flow, the first network element can determine which service flow associated with the indication information of quality of service configuration is requested by the application network element to be sent through the user plane path.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the second information comprises identification information of a first service flow, and the first service flow belongs to the at least one service flow. The second information is used to indicate that the indication information of quality of service configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path, comprising: the second information is used to indicate that the indication information of quality of service configuration associated with the first service flow can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path. The second information is used to indicate that the indication information of quality of service configuration cannot be sent to the application network element through the user plane path, comprising: the second information is used to indicate that the indication information of quality of service configuration associated with the first service flow cannot be sent to the application network element through the user plane path.

[0013] Based on the possible implementation, the application network element can determine that the indication information of quality of service configuration associated with the first service flow can be sent through the user plane path, or determine that the indication information of quality of service configuration associated with the first service flow cannot be sent through the user plane path.

[0014] In a possible implementation, the granularity of the indication information of the quality of service configuration sent through the user plane path is a quality of service flow or an Internet Protocol flow.

[0015] Based on the possible implementation, the first network element can determine to apply the network element request to the granularity of the quality of service flow, and send the indication information of the quality of service configuration through the user plane path. Alternatively, the first network element can determine to apply the network element request to the granularity of the Internet Protocol flow, and send the indication information of the quality of service configuration through the user plane path.

[0016] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: sending, according to the first information, third information to a second network element in the core network, the third information indicating confirmation of whether the indication information of the quality of service configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path; receiving fourth information from the second network element, the fourth information being used to indicate that the indication information of the quality of service configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path, or the fourth information being used to indicate that the indication information of the quality of service configuration cannot be sent to the application network element through the user plane path; when the fourth information indicates that the indication information of the quality of service configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path, the second information is used to indicate that the indication information of the quality of service configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path; and when the fourth information indicates that the indication information of the quality of service configuration cannot be sent to the application network element through the user plane path, the second information is used to indicate that the indication information of the quality of service configuration cannot be sent to the application network element through the user plane path.

[0017] Based on the possible implementation, the first network element can request the second network element to confirm whether the indication information of the quality of service configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path.

[0018] In a possible implementation, the third information indicating confirmation of whether the indication information of the quality of service configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path includes: the third information indicating confirmation of whether a node on the user plane path can send the indication information of the quality of service configuration to the application network element.

[0019] Based on the possible implementation, the first network element can request the second network element to confirm whether a node on the user plane path can send the indication information of the quality of service configuration to the application network element.

[0020] In a possible implementation, the first information is carried in a subscription request message or a hypertext transfer protocol POST request message.

[0021] Based on the possible implementation, the first network element can receive the first information through the subscription request message or the hypertext transfer protocol POST request message.

[0022] In a possible implementation, the first information further indicates that the indication information of the quality of service configuration is sent to the terminal through air interface signaling.

[0023] Based on the possible implementation, the first network element and the application network element can further negotiate whether the indication information of the quality of service configuration is sent to the terminal through air interface signaling.

[0024] In a possible implementation, the first network element is a user plane network element, and the second information is used to indicate that the indication information of the quality of service configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path. The method further includes: receiving the indication information of the quality of service configuration associated with the first quality of service flow from the radio access network node; and sending the indication information of the quality of service configuration associated with the first Internet protocol flow to the application network element, the first quality of service flow and the first Internet protocol flow having a mapping relationship.

[0025] Based on the possible implementation, after the first network element receives the indication information of the quality of service configuration associated with the first quality of service flow, the first network element can map the first quality of service flow to the first Internet protocol flow to provide the indication information of the quality of service configuration associated with the first Internet protocol flow to the application network element.

[0026] In a possible implementation, the user plane path includes a user plane channel between the radio access network node and the user plane network element, and a user plane channel or an application program interface between the user plane network element and the application network element.

[0027] Based on the possible implementation, the first network element and the application network element can negotiate whether the indication information of the quality of service configuration can be sent through the user plane channel between the radio access network node and the user plane network element, and the user plane channel or the application program interface between the user plane network element and the application network element.

[0028] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by an application network element. The application network element can refer to the application network element itself, or a processor, circuit, module, logic node, chip, or chip system, etc. in the application network element that implements the method.

[0029] The method includes: sending first information to a first network element in a core network, and receiving second information from the first network element. The first information indicates that the indication information of the quality of service configuration is sent to the application network element through the user plane path. The second information is used to indicate that the indication information of the quality of service configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path, or the second information is used to indicate that the indication information of the quality of service configuration cannot be sent to the application network element through the user plane path.

[0030] Based on the method provided in the second aspect, the first network element and the application network element can negotiate whether to send the indication information of the quality of service configuration to the application network element through the user plane path based on the requirement of the application network element. Therefore, the method provided in the second aspect can enable the radio access network node to determine which way to send the indication information of the quality of service configuration to the application network element.

[0031] In a possible implementation, the first information includes one or more of the following: the first indication information or the identification information of the at least one service flow; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the granularity of the indication information of the quality of service configuration sent through the user plane path, and the at least one service flow is a service flow associated with the indication information of the quality of service configuration sent through the user plane path.

[0032] Based on the possible implementation, if the first information includes the first indication information, the granularity of the indication information of the quality of service configuration sent through the user plane path can be indicated to the first network element. If the first information includes the identification information of the at least one service flow, which service flow associated indication information of the quality of service configuration sent through the user plane path can be indicated to the first network element.

[0033] In a possible implementation, the second information includes the identification information of the first service flow, and the first service flow belongs to the at least one service flow; the second information is used to indicate that the indication information of the quality of service configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path, including: the second information is used to indicate that the indication information of the quality of service configuration associated with the first service flow can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path; the second information is used to indicate that the indication information of the quality of service configuration cannot be sent to the application network element through the user plane path, including: the second information is used to indicate that the indication information of the quality of service configuration associated with the first service flow cannot be sent to the application network element through the user plane path.

[0034] Based on the possible implementation, the application network element can determine that the indication information of the quality of service configuration associated with the first service flow can be sent through the user plane path, or determine that the indication information of the quality of service configuration associated with the first service flow cannot be sent through the user plane path.

[0035] In a possible implementation, the granularity of the indication information of the quality of service configuration sent through the user plane path is a quality of service flow or an Internet protocol flow.

[0036] Based on the possible implementation, the application network element can request to send the indication information of the quality of service configuration through the user plane path with the granularity of a quality of service flow. Alternatively, the application network element can request to send the indication information of the quality of service configuration through the user plane path with the granularity of an Internet protocol flow.

[0037] In a possible implementation, the first information is carried in a subscription request message or a hypertext transfer protocol POST request message.

[0038] Based on the above possible implementation, the application network element can send the first information through a subscription request message or a hypertext transfer protocol POST request message.

[0039] In a possible implementation, the first information further indicates indication information of sending the quality of service configuration to the terminal through air interface signaling.

[0040] Based on the above possible implementation, the first network element and the application network element can further negotiate whether to send the indication information of the quality of service configuration to the terminal through air interface signaling.

[0041] In a possible implementation, the first network element is a user plane network element or a network exposure network element.

[0042] Based on the above possible implementation, the application network element can negotiate with the user plane network element or the network exposure network element whether to send the indication information of the quality of service configuration to the application network element through the user plane path.

[0043] In a possible implementation, the user plane path includes a user plane channel between a radio access network node and the user plane network element, and a user plane channel or an application program interface between the user plane network element and the application network element.

[0044] Based on the above possible implementation, the first network element and the application network element can negotiate whether the indication information of the quality of service configuration can be sent through the user plane channel between the radio access network node and the user plane network element, and the user plane channel or the application program interface between the user plane network element and the application network element.

[0045] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a second network element in a core network. The second network element herein can refer to the second network element itself, or a processor, circuit, module, logic node, chip, or chip system, etc. in the second network element that implements the method. For example, the second network element is a session management network element, or a newly added core network element, etc.

[0046] The method comprises: receiving third information from a first network element in the core network, the third information indicating indication information indicating whether the service quality configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path; sending fifth information to a third network element according to the third information, the fifth information indicating indication information indicating that the third network element sends the service quality configuration to the application network element through the user plane path; receiving sixth information from the third network element, the sixth information being used for indicating that the third network element can send the indication information of the service quality configuration to the application network element through the user plane path, or the sixth information being used for indicating that the third network element cannot send the indication information of the service quality configuration to the application network element through the user plane path; sending seventh information to a fourth network element according to the third information, the seventh information indicating indication information indicating that the fourth network element sends the service quality configuration to the application network element through the user plane path; receiving eighth information from the fourth network element, the eighth information being used for indicating that the fourth network element can send the indication information of the service quality configuration to the application network element through the user plane path, or the eighth information being used for indicating that the fourth network element cannot send the indication information of the service quality configuration to the application network element through the user plane path; and sending fourth information to the first network element according to the sixth information and the eighth information, the fourth information being used for indicating that the indication information of the service quality configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path, or the fourth information being used for indicating that the indication information of the service quality configuration cannot be sent to the application network element through the user plane path.

[0047] Based on the method provided in the third aspect, the second network element can negotiate with the third network element and the fourth network element respectively whether the indication information of the service quality configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path based on the indication of the first network element, and indicate the negotiation result to the first network element, so that the first network element informs the application network element of the negotiation result.

[0048] In a possible implementation, the third information comprises one or more of the following: second indication information or identification information of at least one service flow; wherein the second indication information is used for indicating granularity of the indication information of the service quality configuration sent through the user plane path, and the at least one service flow is a service flow associated with the indication information of the service quality configuration sent through the user plane path.

[0049] Based on the possible implementation, if the third information comprises the second indication information, the second network element can determine granularity of the indication information of the service quality configuration requested by the application network element to be sent through the user plane path. If the third information comprises the identification information of the at least one service flow, the second network element can determine which service flow associated indication information of the service quality configuration is requested by the application network element to be sent through the user plane path.

[0050] In a possible implementation, the sixth information comprises identification information of a second service flow, the second service flow belonging to the at least one service flow; the sixth information is used to indicate indication information that the third network element can send service quality configuration to the application network element through a user plane path, comprising: the sixth information is used to indicate indication information that the third network element can send service quality configuration associated with the second service flow to the application network element through the user plane path; the sixth information is used to indicate indication information that the third network element cannot send service quality configuration to the application network element through the user plane path, comprising: the sixth information is used to indicate indication information that the third network element cannot send service quality configuration associated with the second service flow to the application network element through the user plane path.

[0051] Based on the possible implementation, the second network element can determine indication information that the third network element can send service quality configuration associated with the second service flow through the user plane path, or determine indication information that the third network element cannot send service quality configuration associated with the second service flow through the user plane path.

[0052] In a possible implementation, the eighth information comprises identification information of a third service flow, the third service flow belonging to the at least one service flow; the eighth information is used to indicate indication information that the fourth network element can send service quality configuration to the application network element through a user plane path, comprising: the eighth information is used to indicate indication information that the fourth network element can send service quality configuration associated with the third service flow to the application network element through the user plane path; the eighth information is used to indicate indication information that the fourth network element cannot send service quality configuration to the application network element through the user plane path, comprising: the eighth information is used to indicate indication information that the fourth network element cannot send service quality configuration associated with the third service flow to the application network element through the user plane path.

[0053] Based on the possible implementation, the second network element can determine indication information that the fourth network element can send service quality configuration associated with the third service flow through the user plane path, or determine indication information that the fourth network element cannot send service quality configuration associated with the third service flow through the user plane path.

[0054] In a possible implementation, the seventh information is sent to the fourth network element according to the third information, comprising: in the case that the sixth information is used to indicate indication information that the third network element can send service quality configuration to the application network element through the user plane path, the seventh information is sent to the fourth network element according to the third information.

[0055] Based on the possible implementation, signaling overhead can be saved.

[0056] In a possible implementation, the third network element is a radio access network node, and the fourth network element is a user plane network element; or the third network element is a user plane network element, and the fourth network element is a radio access network node.

[0057] Based on the possible implementation, the second network element can negotiate, based on the indication of the first network element, with the radio access network node and the user plane network element respectively whether the indication information of the quality of service configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path.

[0058] In a possible implementation, the user plane path includes a user plane channel between the radio access network node and the user plane network element, and a user plane channel or an application program interface between the user plane network element and the application network element.

[0059] Based on the possible implementation, the first network element can instruct the second network element to confirm whether the indication information of the quality of service configuration can be sent through the user plane channel between the radio access network node and the user plane network element, and the user plane channel or the application program interface between the user plane network element and the application network element.

[0060] In a fourth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided for implementing the method in the first aspect. The communication apparatus can be the first network element in the first aspect. The communication apparatus includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the modules, units, or means for implementing the method. The modules, units, or means can be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0061] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus can include a processing module and an interface module. The processing module can be configured to perform the processing functions in the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect. The processing module can be a processor, for example. The interface module, which can also be referred to as an interface unit, can be configured to perform the sending and / or receiving functions in the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect. The interface module can be implemented by an interface circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver, or a communication interface.

[0062] In a possible implementation, the processing module can be configured to control the interface module to receive first information from the application network element, the first information indicating that the indication information of the quality of service configuration is sent to the application network element through the user plane path; and the processing module can be further configured to control the interface module to send second information to the application network element, the second information indicating that the indication information of the quality of service configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path, or the second information indicating that the indication information of the quality of service configuration cannot be sent to the application network element through the user plane path.

[0063] In a possible implementation, the first information comprises one or more of the following: first indication information or identification information of the at least one service flow; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the granularity of the indication information of the quality of service configuration sent through the user plane path, and the at least one service flow is a service flow associated with the indication information of the quality of service configuration sent through the user plane path.

[0064] In a possible implementation, the second information comprises identification information of a first service flow, and the first service flow belongs to the at least one service flow; the second information is used to indicate that the indication information of the quality of service configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path, comprising: the second information is used to indicate that the indication information of the quality of service configuration associated with the first service flow can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path; the second information is used to indicate that the indication information of the quality of service configuration cannot be sent to the application network element through the user plane path, comprising: the second information is used to indicate that the indication information of the quality of service configuration associated with the first service flow cannot be sent to the application network element through the user plane path.

[0065] In a possible implementation, the granularity of the indication information of the quality of service configuration sent through the user plane path is a quality of service flow or an Internet protocol flow.

[0066] In a possible implementation, the processing module is further configured to control the interface module to send, to a second network element in the core network, third information according to the first information, the third information indicating confirmation of whether the indication information of the quality of service configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path; the processing module is further configured to control the interface module to receive fourth information from the second network element, the fourth information being used to indicate that the indication information of the quality of service configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path, or the fourth information being used to indicate that the indication information of the quality of service configuration cannot be sent to the application network element through the user plane path; when the fourth information indicates that the indication information of the quality of service configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path, the second information is used to indicate that the indication information of the quality of service configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path; when the fourth information indicates that the indication information of the quality of service configuration cannot be sent to the application network element through the user plane path, the second information is used to indicate that the indication information of the quality of service configuration cannot be sent to the application network element through the user plane path.

[0067] In a possible implementation, the third information indicating confirmation of whether the indication information of the quality of service configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path comprises: the third information indicating confirmation of whether a node on the user plane path can send the indication information of the quality of service configuration to the application network element.

[0068] In a possible implementation, the first information is carried in a subscription request message or a hypertext transfer protocol POST request message.

[0069] In a possible implementation, the first information further indicates indication information of sending the quality of service configuration to the terminal through air interface signaling.

[0070] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus is a user plane network element or a network exposure network element.

[0071] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus is a user plane network element, the second information is used to indicate indication information of being able to send the quality of service configuration to the application network element through a user plane path, the processing module is further configured to control the interface module to receive indication information of the quality of service configuration of a first quality of service flow from a radio access network node; and the processing module is further configured to control the interface module to send indication information of the quality of service configuration of a first Internet protocol flow to the application network element, the first quality of service flow and the first Internet protocol flow having a mapping relationship.

[0072] In a possible implementation, the user plane path includes a user plane channel between the radio access network node and the user plane network element, and a user plane channel or an application program interface between the user plane network element and the application network element.

[0073] In a fifth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided for implementing the method in the second aspect. The communication apparatus can be the application network element in the second aspect. The communication apparatus includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the method, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions.

[0074] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus can include a processing module and an interface module. The processing module can be used to implement the processing functions in the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof. The processing module can be, for example, a processor. The interface module, which can also be referred to as an interface unit, is used to implement the sending and / or receiving functions in the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof. The interface module can be composed of an interface circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver, or a communication interface.

[0075] In a possible implementation, the processing module is configured to control the interface module to send first information to a first network element in the core network, the first information indicating indication information of a quality of service configuration sent to the communication device through a user plane path; and the processing module is further configured to control the interface module to receive second information from the first network element, the second information indicating indication information of a quality of service configuration that can be sent to the communication device through a user plane path, or the second information indicating indication information of a quality of service configuration that cannot be sent to the communication device through a user plane path.

[0076] In a possible implementation, the first information includes one or more of the following: first indication information or identification information of at least one service flow; the first indication information is used to indicate granularity of indication information of a quality of service configuration sent through a user plane path, and the at least one service flow is a service flow associated with the indication information of the quality of service configuration sent through the user plane path.

[0077] In a possible implementation, the second information includes identification information of a first service flow, the first service flow belonging to the at least one service flow; the second information indicating indication information of a quality of service configuration that can be sent to the communication device through a user plane path includes: the second information indicating indication information of a quality of service configuration associated with the first service flow that can be sent to the communication device through a user plane path; and the second information indicating indication information of a quality of service configuration that cannot be sent to the communication device through a user plane path includes: the second information indicating indication information of a quality of service configuration associated with the first service flow that cannot be sent to the communication device through a user plane path.

[0078] In a possible implementation, granularity of the indication information of the quality of service configuration sent through the user plane path is a quality of service flow or an Internet protocol flow.

[0079] In a possible implementation, the first information is carried in a subscription request message or a hypertext transfer protocol POST request message.

[0080] In a possible implementation, the first information further indicates indication information of a quality of service configuration sent to a terminal through air interface signaling.

[0081] In a possible implementation, the first network element is a user plane network element or a network exposure network element.

[0082] In a possible implementation, the user plane path includes a user plane channel between a radio access network node and a user plane network element, and a user plane channel or an application program interface between the user plane network element and the communication device.

[0083] In a sixth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided for implementing the method in the third aspect. The communication apparatus can be the second network element in the third aspect. The communication apparatus comprises modules, units, or means corresponding to the method, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or by a combination of hardware and software. The hardware or software comprises one or more modules or units corresponding to the functions described above.

[0084] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus can include a processing module and an interface module. The processing module can be configured to implement the processing functions in the third aspect and any possible implementation thereof. The processing module can be, for example, a processor. The interface module, which can also be referred to as an interface unit, is configured to implement the sending and / or receiving functions in the third aspect and any possible implementation thereof. The interface module can be composed of an interface circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver, or a communication interface.

[0085] In a possible implementation, the processing module is configured to control the interface module to receive third information from the first network element in the core network, the third information indicating indication information indicating whether the service quality configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path; the processing module is further configured to control the interface module to send fifth information to the third network element according to the third information, the fifth information indicating indication information indicating that the third network element sends the service quality configuration to the application network element through the user plane path; the processing module is further configured to control the interface module to receive sixth information from the third network element, the sixth information indicating indication information indicating that the third network element can send the service quality configuration to the application network element through the user plane path, or the sixth information indicating indication information indicating that the third network element cannot send the service quality configuration to the application network element through the user plane path; the processing module is further configured to control the interface module to send seventh information to the fourth network element according to the third information, the seventh information indicating indication information indicating that the fourth network element sends the service quality configuration to the application network element through the user plane path; the processing module is further configured to control the interface module to receive eighth information from the fourth network element, the eighth information indicating indication information indicating that the fourth network element can send the service quality configuration to the application network element through the user plane path, or the eighth information indicating indication information indicating that the fourth network element cannot send the service quality configuration to the application network element through the user plane path; the processing module is further configured to control the interface module to send fourth information to the first network element according to the sixth information and the eighth information, the fourth information indicating indication information indicating that the service quality configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path, or the fourth information indicating indication information indicating that the service quality configuration cannot be sent to the application network element through the user plane path.

[0086] In a possible implementation, the third information comprises one or more of the following: second indication information or identification information of at least one service flow; the second indication information is used to indicate the granularity of the indication information of the quality of service configuration sent through the user plane path, and the at least one service flow is a service flow associated with the indication information of the quality of service configuration sent through the user plane path.

[0087] In a possible implementation, the sixth information comprises identification information of a second service flow, the second service flow belonging to the at least one service flow; and the sixth information is used to indicate that the third network element can send the indication information of the quality of service configuration to the application network element through the user plane path, comprising: the sixth information is used to indicate that the third network element can send the indication information of the quality of service configuration associated with the second service flow to the application network element through the user plane path; and the sixth information is used to indicate that the third network element cannot send the indication information of the quality of service configuration to the application network element through the user plane path, comprising: the sixth information is used to indicate that the third network element cannot send the indication information of the quality of service configuration associated with the second service flow to the application network element through the user plane path.

[0088] In a possible implementation, the eighth information comprises identification information of a third service flow, the third service flow belonging to the at least one service flow; and the eighth information is used to indicate that the fourth network element can send the indication information of the quality of service configuration to the application network element through the user plane path, comprising: the eighth information is used to indicate that the fourth network element can send the indication information of the quality of service configuration associated with the third service flow to the application network element through the user plane path; and the eighth information is used to indicate that the fourth network element cannot send the indication information of the quality of service configuration to the application network element through the user plane path, comprising: the eighth information is used to indicate that the fourth network element cannot send the indication information of the quality of service configuration associated with the third service flow to the application network element through the user plane path.

[0089] In a possible implementation, the processing module is specifically configured to control the interface module to send the seventh information to the fourth network element according to the third information in a case where the sixth information is used to indicate that the third network element can send the indication information of the quality of service configuration to the application network element through the user plane path.

[0090] In a possible implementation, the third network element is a radio access network node, and the fourth network element is a user plane network element; or the third network element is a user plane network element, and the fourth network element is a radio access network node.

[0091] In a possible implementation, the user plane path comprises a user plane channel between the radio access network node and the user plane network element, and a user plane channel or an application program interface between the user plane network element and the application network element.

[0092] In a seventh aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which comprises: a processor; and a memory, wherein the memory is configured to store a computer program (or computer executable instructions) for causing the communication apparatus to perform the method of any one of the above aspects when the computer program (or computer executable instructions) is executed by the processor. The communication apparatus can be the first network element of the first aspect; or the communication apparatus can be the application network element of the second aspect; or the communication apparatus can be the second network element of the third aspect. Optionally, the number of the processors can be one or more.

[0093] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus further comprises the memory.

[0094] In a possible implementation, the processor and the memory are integrated together; or the memory is independent of the processor.

[0095] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus further comprises a communication interface configured to enable the communication apparatus to communicate with other devices, such as transmitting or receiving data and / or signals. For example, the communication interface can be a transceiver, a circuit, a bus, a module or other types of communication interfaces.

[0096] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus is a chip or a chip system. Optionally, when the communication apparatus is a chip system, the communication apparatus can be composed of a chip or can comprise a chip and other discrete devices.

[0097] In an eighth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which comprises: a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is configured to receive a computer program or instructions and transmit the computer program or instructions to the processor; and the processor is configured to execute the computer program or instructions to cause the communication apparatus to perform the method of any one of the above aspects. The communication apparatus can be the first network element of the first aspect; or the communication apparatus can be the application network element of the second aspect; or the communication apparatus can be the second network element of the third aspect. Optionally, the number of the processors can be one or more.

[0098] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus is a chip or a chip system. Optionally, when the communication apparatus is a chip system, the communication apparatus can be composed of a chip or can comprise a chip and other discrete devices.

[0099] In a ninth aspect, a computer readable storage medium is provided, which stores instructions, when the instructions are executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of any one of the above aspects.

[0100] In a tenth aspect, a computer program product is provided, which comprises instructions, when the instructions are executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of any one of the above aspects.

[0101] In an eleventh aspect, a communication system is provided, and the communication system comprises at least two of the following: a first network element configured to perform the method of the first aspect, an application network element configured to perform the method of the second aspect, or a second network element configured to perform the method of the third aspect.

[0102] The technical effects brought by any possible implementation of the fourth aspect to the eleventh aspect can be referred to the technical effects brought by any aspect of the first aspect to the third aspect or any possible implementation of any aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0103] It can be understood that the solutions in each of the aspects can be combined, provided that the solutions are not contradictory. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0104] FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of an open radio access network (O-RAN) architecture provided by the present application;

[0105] FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of a virtual reality (VR) task provided by the present application;

[0106] FIG. 1C is a schematic diagram of a deep neural network (DNN) model provided by the present application;

[0107] FIG. 1D is a schematic diagram of a process in which a RAN node indicates a QoS profile to a computing node through an alternative QoS mechanism provided by the present application;

[0108] FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of a communication system architecture provided by the present application;

[0109] FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of a 5th generation (5G) network architecture provided by the present application;

[0110] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a hardware structure of a communication device provided by the present application;

[0111] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a communication method provided by the present application;

[0112] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a communication method provided by the present application;

[0113] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a communication device provided by the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0114] Before introducing the technical solutions of the present application, the related technical terms involved in the present application are explained and described. It can be understood that these explanations and descriptions are to make the present application easier to be understood, and should not be regarded as limiting the scope of protection required by the present application.

[0115] 1. Terminal

[0116] The terminal in the present application is a device with wireless transceiving function, on which third-party application services can be deployed. The terminal can be deployed on land, including indoor, outdoor, handheld or vehicle-mounted; can also be deployed on water surface (such as ships, etc.); and can also be deployed in the air (such as airplanes, balloons and satellites, etc.). The terminal can also be referred to as a terminal device, which can be a user equipment (UE), a mobile station (MS), a mobile terminal (MT), etc., or a device for providing voice or data connectivity to a user. Among them, the UE includes a handheld device with wireless communication function, a vehicle-mounted device (such as a car, a bicycle, an electric vehicle, an airplane, a ship, a train, a high-speed rail, etc.), a wearable device (such as a smart watch, a smart bracelet, a pedometer, etc.) or a computing device. Exemplarily, the UE can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a palm computer, a mobile internet device (MID), a satellite terminal or a computer with wireless transceiving function. The UE can also be a VR terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless modem, a point of sale (POS) machine, a customer-premises equipment (CPE), a smart robot, a mechanical arm, a workshop device, a smart home device (such as a refrigerator, a television, an air conditioner, an electric meter, etc.), a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in unmanned driving, a wireless terminal in telemedicine, a wireless terminal in smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in smart traffic, a wireless terminal in smart city, a wireless terminal in smart home, a vehicle-mounted terminal, a road side unit (RSU) with terminal function, or a flight device (such as a smart robot, a hot air balloon, a drone, an airplane), etc. The terminal can also be other devices with terminal function, for example, the terminal can also be a device with terminal function in device to device (D2D) communication.

[0117] By way of example, and without limitation, a terminal in the present application can be a wearable device. A wearable device can also be referred to as a wearable smart device, which is a general term for devices that apply wearable technology to the design and development of daily wearables, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes, etc. A wearable device is a portable device that is directly worn on the body or integrated into a user's clothes or accessories. For example, a wearable device is not only a hardware device, but also a device that achieves powerful functions through software support and data interaction, cloud interaction. Broadly, a wearable smart device includes devices with full functionality, large size, and the ability to achieve complete or partial functions without relying on a smart phone, such as smart watches or smart glasses, etc., and devices that focus on a specific application function and need to be used in conjunction with other devices, such as smart phones, such as various smart wristbands, smart jewelry, and other devices for monitoring vital signs.

[0118] In the present application, a terminal can also be a terminal in an internet of things (IoT) system. IoT is an important part of future information technology development, and its main technical feature is to connect objects through communication technology and network, so as to realize the intelligent network of man-machine interconnection and object-object interconnection. The terminal in the present application can be a terminal in machine type communication (MTC). The terminal in the present application can be a vehicle-mounted module, a vehicle-mounted module group, a vehicle-mounted component, a vehicle-mounted chip, or a vehicle-mounted unit built into a vehicle as one or more components or units. The vehicle can implement the method of the present application through the built-in vehicle-mounted module, vehicle-mounted module group, vehicle-mounted component, vehicle-mounted chip, or vehicle-mounted unit.

[0119] 2. RAN node

[0120] The RAN node in this application can be any kind of device with wireless transceiver function, which can provide wireless access service for terminals. The RAN node can include, but is not limited to, an evolved Node B (eNB or e-NodeB, evolutional Node B) in long term evolution (LTE), a next generation eNB (ng-eNB) in next generation LTE, a base station (gNodeB or gNB) or transmission receiving point (TRP) in new radio (NR), a base station in the subsequent evolution of the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP), an access node in a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system, a wireless relay node, a wireless backhaul node, etc. The base station can be a macro base station, a micro base station, a pico base station, a femto base station, a relay station, or a balloon station, etc. Multiple base stations can support a network of the same technology mentioned above, or support a network of different technologies mentioned above. The base station can contain one or more co-sited or non-co-sited TRPs. The RAN node can also be a wireless controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. The RAN node can also be a centralized unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), a radio unit (RU), a road side unit (RSU) with base station function, a wired access gateway, or a core network network element, etc. Among them, the CU can complete the functions of the radio resource control (RRC) layer and the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer of the base station. The CU can also complete the function of the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer. The DU can complete the functions of the radio link control (RLC) layer and the medium access control (MAC) layer of the base station. The DU can also complete the function of part of the physical layer or the whole physical layer.In addition, the CU can control one or more DUs, and the DU can support one or more cells. The CU can be connected with the DU through an F1 interface. The CU can be responsible for slow processing of non-real-time functions in the base station, such as handover and connection management, and the DU can be responsible for fast processing of real-time functions in the base station, such as coding and fast scheduling. The RU can be used to implement the functions of receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals. 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). It can be understood that the CU can be divided into network devices in the access network, or the CU can be divided into network devices in the core network, which is not limited. 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.

[0121] It can be understood that 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 an O-RAN system, the baseband unit and the radio unit can be divided into three different modules, namely, O-RU (open RU), O-DU (open DU), and O-CU (open CU), and their protocol layers, and they are as consistent and multiplexed as possible with the network elements of the RAN defined in the 3GPP standard. In other words, in the O-RAN system, the CU can also be referred to as the O-CU, the DU can also be referred to as the O-DU, the CU-CP can also be referred to as the O-CU-CP, the CU-UP can also be referred to as the O-CU-UP, and the RU can also be referred to as the O-RU.

[0122] For example, referring to FIG. 1A, it is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the O-RAN. In FIG. 1A, the RNA node can include a service management and orchestration framework (SMO) module, a near-real-time RAN intelligent controller (Near-RT RIC), an O-CU, an O-DU, and an O-RU. Each module will be introduced below.

[0123] a、SMO module is a subsystem of operation administration and maintenance (OAM) network management and non-real-time radio resource control. The SMO module mainly has the following three functions: 1) cloud infrastructure OAM, such as operation, maintenance, and management of cloud infrastructure through the O2 interface; 2) RAN OAM, such as operation, maintenance, and management of the radio access network through the O1 interface; 3) non-real-time RAN intelligent control (non-real time RIC, Non-RT RIC), such as combining artificial intelligence technology, big data analysis technology, and implementing non-real-time macro control and intervention of O-RAN wireless resources through the A1 interface. Each managed logical network element (such as O-RU, O-DU, or O-CU, etc.) in the O-RAN architecture can be used as an independent entity, and an independent, open O1 communication interface is used to communicate with the SMO module. In some embodiments, the SMO module can include Non-RT RIC functions, configuration functions, policy functions, design functions, and inventory functions, etc.

[0124] b、Near-RT RIC can be used to collect network information and perform optimization tasks. Near-RT RIC can communicate with O-CU and O-DU through the E2 interface. In some embodiments, Near-RT RIC can be divided into QoS management (QoS magmt.) functions, radio connection management (radio connection magmt.) functions, interference management (interference magmt.) functions, and mobility management (mobility magmt.) functions, etc.

[0125] c、The functions of O-CU are similar to those of CU introduced earlier, the functions of O-DU are similar to those of DU introduced earlier, and the functions of O-RU are similar to those of RU introduced earlier. O-DU can communicate with O-CU through the F1 interface and communicate with O-RU through the front transmission interface or the low layer split (LLS) interface.

[0126] In addition, the RAN node can also be a server, a wearable device, a machine communication device, or a vehicle-mounted device, etc. For example, the access network device in vehicle to everything (V2X) technology can be an RSU. The following takes the base station as an example. The plurality of RAN nodes can be the same type of base station, or different types of base stations. The base station can communicate with the terminal, or communicate with the terminal through the relay station. The terminal can communicate with multiple base stations of different technologies, for example, the terminal can communicate with a base station supporting an LTE network, and can also communicate with a base station supporting a 5G network, and can also support dual connectivity with the base station of the LTE network and the base station of the 5G network, and can also support dual connectivity with the base station of the future network and the base station of the 5G network. Or, the terminal can also communicate with multiple base stations of the same technology, for example, the terminal can support dual connectivity with the base station of the LTE network, or support dual connectivity with the base station of the 5G network (which can be referred to as NR-DC (new radio dual connectivity)), or support dual connectivity with the base station of the future network.

[0127] It can be understood that in some scenarios, the roles of the RAN node and the terminal are relative. For example, a helicopter or a drone that is usually configured as a terminal can also be configured as a mobile base station, and a device accessing to the RAN through the helicopter or the drone is configured as a terminal.

[0128] 3, extended reality (XR)

[0129] XR refers to various environments generated by combining reality and virtuality by using computing technology and wearable devices, and the interaction between man and machine, which has the advantages of multi-view and strong interaction, and can provide users with a new experience, and has great application value and commercial potential. XR mainly includes VR, AR and mixed reality (MR) and other virtual and real interactive technologies, and can be widely applied in entertainment, games, medical treatment, advertising, industry, online education and engineering, etc. The following will introduce the VR technology, the AR technology and the MR technology respectively.

[0130] VR technology combines computer graphics, multimedia and other technologies, simulates the functions of human visual, auditory, tactile and other sensory organs, makes people feel as if they are in the scene, and can communicate in real time through language, gestures and other means to enhance the sense of immersion. Through VR technology, people can experience the wonderful experience of entering the virtual world while feeling the realistic world. VR technology usually requires users to wear XR terminals (such as head-mounted devices) to simulate vision and / or hearing and / or touch to users. VR technology can also track user actions to update simulated vision and / or hearing and / or touch content in a timely manner. For example, VR technology can process user state information (such as user position information and posture information) to display scene content corresponding to the user's state information on the XR terminal.

[0131] AR technology can use computer technology to superimpose virtual information on the real world, display it through mobile phones, tablets, glasses and other devices, and be perceived by people, thereby realizing the integration of reality and virtuality and enriching the real world. In short, it is to give physical objects more information, enhance the three-dimensional effect, and strengthen the visual effect and interactive experience. For example, AR technology can process perceived visual information (which usually includes depth information) to integrate virtual information with the real world and be perceived by users, thereby realizing the "enhancement" of the real world.

[0132] MR technology can mix the real world and the virtual world together to create a new visual environment that contains both physical entities and virtual information, and the content seen in the visual environment is "real-time".

[0133] 4. Multi-node cooperation

[0134] In recent years, video rendering services represented by cloud gaming and VR, or artificial intelligence (AI) services represented by terminal visual cognition, AR and MR, have increasingly high demands for network transmission bandwidth and terminal computing power. However, the network transmission bandwidth and terminal computing power are limited and cannot meet the needs of these services.

[0135] Taking video rendering services as an example, if video rendering is performed on the terminal, the terminal computing power is insufficient to achieve pure local high-definition video rendering. If video rendering is performed on the cloud, it cannot meet the low-latency requirement, and is limited by the network transmission capability, resulting in black edge effect, distortion and other phenomena.

[0136] Taking an AI service as an example, if the AI service is executed on a terminal, the computing power and power of the terminal are insufficient to support local AI inference. If the AI service is executed on a cloud, in the case of meeting the low latency requirement, a large uplink bandwidth is required for the cloud to perform AI inference, which will limit the uplink coverage and the number of users.

[0137] Therefore, in order to balance the computing power of the terminal and the transmission capability of the network, a scheme of multi-node cooperation to jointly process a task is proposed. The task can refer to work of processing data through multiple steps. The multiple steps can be parallel steps, or serial steps, or parallel and serial steps. In order to facilitate the description of the multiple steps included in a task, one step or multiple associated steps in the multiple steps can be regarded as a subtask, that is, a task can include multiple subtasks.

[0138] In this application, one service, such as a video rendering service or an AI service, can include one or more tasks. If one service includes one task, the terminal and the cloud can each execute a part of the subtasks to reduce the demand of the task on the terminal and the computing power and the demand of the task on the transmission bandwidth of the network. If one service includes multiple tasks, the terminal and the cloud can cooperate to jointly process all or part of the multiple tasks, such as for each of the all or part of the tasks, the terminal and the cloud can each execute a part of the subtasks to reduce the demand of the multiple tasks on the terminal and the computing power and the demand of the multiple tasks on the transmission bandwidth of the network.

[0139] It can be understood that the terminal or the cloud in the present application can be collectively referred to as a computing node. The computing node can be any device with computing and communication capabilities. In addition to the terminal and the cloud, the computing node can also be a RAN node, a functional module of the RAN node (such as a CU, a DU, or a RIC, etc.), or a core network element or an application network element, etc. Among them, the terminal and the RAN node can refer to the previous explanation of the technical terms involved in the present application. The core network element is, for example, one or more of the following network elements: a user plane function (UPF) network element, an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, a session management function (SMF) network element, or a policy control function (PCF) network element. The application network element can also be referred to as an application function (AF) network element. The application network element is, for example, a server, an application server (AS), a cloud server, a cloud platform, a mobile edge computing (MEC) platform, a cloud or a computing execution entity (CEF), etc., without limitation. The cloud platform can be located in a data network behind the UPF network element, and can interact with the user plane application layer data of the 5th generation system (5GS) through the N6 interface to provide computing services.

[0140] In summary, a task can be divided into multiple sub-tasks, which can be executed by multiple computing nodes. It should be understood that the present application does not limit the number of computing nodes that execute a task. For example, a task can be divided into 3 sub-tasks, each of which is executed by 3 computing nodes, or it can be divided into 2 sub-tasks, each of which is executed by 2 computing nodes.

[0141] The specific process of multiple computing nodes executing a task is described below with the terminal and the cloud as examples.

[0142] Referring to FIG. 1B, the VR task can be divided into sub-task 101 and sub-task 102. The terminal can obtain initial data (such as image information), input the initial data to sub-task 101, obtain intermediate data, and send the intermediate data to the cloud. After receiving the intermediate data, the cloud inputs the intermediate data to sub-task 102, and can obtain target data.

[0143] It can be understood that when the task is split, there can be multiple splitting methods, and different splitting methods can correspond to different communication requirements.

[0144] For example, the video rendering task can be split according to foreground and background separation, such as: the foreground part in the picture is generally difficult to predict, and the rendering amount is small, which can be rendered locally by the terminal, and the background part in the picture is predictable, and the rendering calculation amount of lighting and texture effect is large, which is rendered by the cloud. Alternatively, the video rendering task can be split according to the user gaze point, such as: the picture at the center of the gaze point can be rendered locally by the terminal, and the picture around the gaze point can be rendered by the cloud. Alternatively, the video rendering task can be split according to objects, such as: different nodes are selected to render according to the rendering calculation amount and data amount requirements of different objects.

[0145] For the video rendering task, different splitting methods correspond to different amounts of video data to be transmitted, so different splitting methods correspond to different communication requirements. For example, in Table 1, the average value of the bit rate required for data transmission of pure cloud rendering is 4 Mbps, the peak value is 40 Mbps, and the allowed transmission delay is 25 ms. The average value of the bit rate required for data transmission of end-cloud collaborative rendering is 0.49 Mbps-1.8 Mbps, the peak value is 3.8 Mbps, and the allowed transmission delay is 50 ms. It can be seen that end-cloud collaborative processing of video rendering tasks can reduce the downlink transmission rate requirement. Therefore, selecting a suitable splitting method for the video rendering task can improve the downlink transmission user number of network access.

[0146] Table 1

[0147] For example, the AI computing task can be split into multiple sub-models, and one or more sub-models can be regarded as a sub-task. For example, the AI computing model is a neural network (NN) model or a DNN model. The NN model / DNN model can include multiple layers, such as an input layer, a convolution layer, a pooling layer, and a fully connected layer, etc. These layers can be split, for example, the input layer and the convolution layer are deployed to the terminal, and the pooling layer and the fully connected layer are deployed to the cloud. In this way, the terminal can perceive user behavior data (such as user position information, posture information, or voice information, etc.) or surrounding environment data (such as surrounding environment video or image, etc.) through a perception module such as a radar, a camera, a handle, or a microphone, etc. The data is sequentially input into the input layer and the convolution layer to obtain intermediate data, and the intermediate data is sent to the cloud. Subsequently, after the cloud receives the intermediate data, the intermediate data is sequentially input into the pooling layer and the fully connected layer to obtain target data. Optionally, the cloud can also send the target data to the terminal.

[0148] It is found through further research that when the task is divided, the data amount of the intermediate data and the computing load of the terminal can be different due to different positions (hereinafter referred to as task division points) at which the task is divided.

[0149] For example, referring to the DNN model shown in FIG. 1C, the DNN model includes an input layer, a convolution layer 1, a pooling layer 1, a convolution layer 2, a pooling layer 2, a convolution layer 3, a pooling layer 3, a convolution layer 4, a pooling layer 4, a convolution layer 5, an activation function (such as a rectified linear unit (ReLU)), a pooling layer 5, a full connection layer 1, a full connection layer 2, and an output layer. The initial data is sequentially input to the above layers to obtain the target data. In FIG. 1C, five candidate split points are shown, which are candidate split point 0 to candidate split point 4, and the positions of the five candidate split points in the DNN model are different. It can be understood that the layers before the candidate split point can be deployed in the terminal, and the layers after the candidate split point can be deployed in the cloud. For example, the candidate split point 0 is located before the input layer, so the terminal does not perform the task, and sends the initial data to the cloud, and the cloud performs all the tasks; the candidate split point 1 is located after the pooling layer 1, so the terminal performs the task before the pooling layer 1, and the cloud performs the task after the pooling layer 1; the candidate split point 2 is located after the pooling layer 2, so the terminal performs the task before the pooling layer 2, and the cloud performs the task after the pooling layer 2; the candidate split point 3 is located after the pooling layer 5, so the terminal performs the task before the pooling layer 5, and the cloud performs the task after the pooling layer 5; and the candidate split point 4 is located after the output layer, so the terminal performs all the tasks, and the cloud does not perform the task, and the terminal does not send the intermediate data to the cloud. The approximate output UL data size (that is, the data amount of the intermediate data) and the computation load in the UE corresponding to each candidate split point are different. For example, the candidate split point 1 and the candidate split point 2, in Table 2, the approximate output UL data size corresponding to the candidate split point 1 is 120 Mbit / s, and the computation load in the UE corresponding to the candidate split point 1 is low; the approximate output UL data size corresponding to the candidate split point 2 is 24 Mbit / s, and the computation load in the UE corresponding to the candidate split point 2 is high. Wherein, the larger the approximate output UL data size, the more data the terminal needs to transmit, that is, the larger the data amount of the intermediate data, so the smaller the computation load in the UE, that is, the lower the computation load in the UE. On the contrary, the smaller the approximate output UL data size, the less data the terminal needs to transmit, and the higher the computation load in the UE. Therefore, under the premise of meeting the requirement of the computation load in the UE, selecting a suitable task split point can reduce the data rate to be transmitted, thereby improving the number of users that can access the network.

[0150] Table 2

[0151] In summary, the scheduling result of the task (e.g., the split point of the task) can affect the size of the intermediate data, the communication requirement, and the computing load of the terminal, etc. Therefore, how to determine the scheduling result of the task is crucial.

[0152] 5. Alternative QoS mechanism

[0153] To reduce the risk of releasing the quality of service flow (QoS flow) caused by the limited RAN resource, the RAN node can indicate the QoS profile to the computing node through an alternative QoS mechanism. Specifically, different alternative QoS profiles (also referred to as alternative QoS configuration information) can be used to describe the QoS requirement of different task split points. In this way, the RAN node can select a suitable alternative QoS profile according to the current communication state, and indicate the selected alternative QoS profile to the computing node, so that the computing node determines the scheduling result of the task.

[0154] Hereinafter, taking the computing node including the terminal and the application network element as an example, the specific process that the RAN node indicates the QoS profile to the computing node through the alternative QoS mechanism is introduced. As shown in FIG. 1D, the process can include the following steps:

[0155] S111: The RAN node obtains at least one alternative QoS profile from the core network.

[0156] S112: The RAN node determines a target QoS profile from the at least one alternative QoS profile according to the network state.

[0157] It can be understood that if the RAN node cannot meet the QoS required by the current QoS profile, for example, the RAN node cannot meet the guaranteed flow bit rate (GFBR), guaranteed bit rate (GBR), packet delay budget (PDB), or packet error rate (PER) required by the current QoS profile, etc., the RAN node can determine whether the QoS requirement can be met according to the priority order of the at least one alternative QoS profile one by one. If the RAN node can meet the GFBR, GBR, PDB, or PER required by a certain alternative QoS profile, the RAN node determines to use the matched alternative QoS profile to provide service for the corresponding QoS flow. The matched alternative QoS profile is the target QoS profile.

[0158] In this application, GFBR can refer to uplink GFBR, downlink GFBR or sum of uplink and downlink GFBR. Similarly, GBR can refer to uplink GBR, downlink GBR or sum of uplink and downlink GBR, PDB can refer to uplink PDB, downlink PDB or sum of uplink and downlink PDB, and PER can refer to uplink PER, downlink PER or sum of uplink and downlink PER. Here, unified description is made, and no further description is made later.

[0159] S113: The RAN node sends the indication information indicating the target QoS profile to the core network. Correspondingly, the core network receives the indication information from the RAN node.

[0160] For example, the RAN node sends the indication information to an SMF network element in the core network.

[0161] S114: The core network sends the indication information to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the indication information from the core network.

[0162] For example, the SMF network element sends the indication information to the terminal through non-access layer (NAS) signaling, so that the terminal determines that the current QoS profile changes or determines the scheduling result of the task according to the indication information.

[0163] S115: The core network sends the indication information to the application network element. Correspondingly, the application network element receives the indication information from the core network.

[0164] For example, the SMF network element sends the indication information to the application network element, so that the application network element determines that the current QoS profile changes or determines the scheduling result of the task according to the indication information.

[0165] It can be understood that the core network can first perform S114 and then perform S115, or first perform S115 and then perform S114, or simultaneously perform S114 and S115, which is not limited.

[0166] It can be understood that when the network state recovers and the RAN can meet the previous QoS profile, the RAN node can notify the terminal and the application network element through the core network, so that the terminal and the application network element perform the task in the previous task splitting manner.

[0167] In the foregoing process, since the QoS configuration file is related to the scheduling result of the task, the QoS provided by the network can meet the QoS requirement of the task, so as to guarantee the user experience. In addition, in addition to the foregoing sending of the indication information for indicating the target QoS configuration file to the application network element through the control plane path (for example, the RAN node sends the indication information to the application network element through the SMF network element), the indication information can also be sent to the application network element through the user plane path (for example, the RAN node sends the indication information to the application network element through the UPF network element). Therefore, which way the RAN node adopts to send the indication information is a problem to be solved urgently.

[0168] To solve the above problem, the present application provides a communication method. The communication method can be used in various communication systems. For example, the communication system can be a universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) system, an LTE system, a 5G communication system, a WiFi system, a 3GPP related communication system, a communication system evolved after 5G, or a system integrating multiple systems, etc., without limitation. Wherein, 5G can also be referred to as NR. Hereinafter, the method provided by the present application will be described taking the communication system 20 shown in FIG. 2A as an example. FIG. 2A is only a schematic diagram, and does not constitute a limitation on the applicable scenarios of the technical solutions provided by the present application.

[0169] As shown in FIG. 2A, it is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system 20 provided by the present application. In FIG. 2A, the communication system 20 can include a network element 201 and a network element 202 which can communicate with the network element 201. Optionally, the communication system 20 further includes at least one of the following: a network element 203 which is in communication connection with the network element 202 and the network element 201, a network element 204 which is in communication connection with the network element 201, a network element 205 which is in communication connection with the network element 204 and the network element 203, or a terminal 206 which is in communication connection with the network element 205.

[0170] In FIG. 2A, the network element 201, the network element 203 and the network element 204 are located in the core network. These network elements can be existing core network elements or newly added core network elements, which are not limited. For example, the network element 201 is a network exposure network element, the network element 203 is a user plane network element, and the network element 204 is a session management network element. The network element 202 is located in the data network behind the user plane network element, and can interact with the user plane network element at the application layer. Alternatively, the network element 202 is located in the core network. In addition, the network element 202 can be installed with an application program to provide computing and data application services. For example, the network element 202 is an application network element. The network element 205 and the terminal 206 are located in the RAN. The RAN can be a 3GPP related cellular system, such as a 4G, 5G mobile communication system, or a future-oriented evolution system. The RAN can also be an O-RAN, a CRAN or a WiFi system, etc. The RAN can also be a communication system in which two or more of the above systems are integrated. For example, the network element 205 is a RAN node, and the terminal 206 is one or more terminals accessing the RAN node. The description of the application network element, the description of the RAN node and the description of the terminal can be referred to the corresponding description in the foregoing, which will not be repeated here.

[0171] In FIG. 2A, the network element 202 can negotiate with the network element 201 (or the network element 203) the way in which the network element 205 sends the indication information of the QoS configuration to the network element 202, so that the network element 205 determines which way to send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the network element 202. For example, the network element 202 can send first information to the network element 201 (or the network element 203). The first information indicates that the indication information of the QoS configuration is sent to the network element 202 through the user plane path. After receiving the first information, the network element 201 (or the network element 203) sends second information to the network element 202. The second information indicates that the indication information of the QoS configuration can be sent to the network element 202 through the user plane path, or the second information indicates that the indication information of the QoS configuration cannot be sent to the network element 202 through the user plane path.

[0172] In some embodiments, after receiving the first information, the network element 201 can negotiate with the network element 203 and the network element 205 through the network element 204 the way in which the network element 205 sends the indication information of the QoS configuration to the network element 202, and send the second information to the network element 202 based on the negotiation result.

[0173] The above process will be described in detail in the method shown in FIG. 4 and the method shown in FIG. 5, which will not be repeated here.

[0174] It can be understood that the above communication system 20 can be applied to various communication networks, for example, can be applied to the currently discussed 5G network, or can be applied to other future networks, etc., and the embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations.

[0175] Exemplarily, the communication system 20 is applicable to the 5G network shown in FIG. 2B. The 5G network includes a network exposure function (NEF) network element, a network repository function (NRF) network element, a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) network element, a PCF network element, a unified data repository (UDR), a unified data management (UDM) network element, an AMF network element, an SMF network element, an AF network element, a UPF network element, a RAN node, a terminal and a data network (DN).

[0176] In FIG. 2B, the terminal can access the 5G network through the RAN node, and the terminal communicates with the AMF network element through an N1 interface (N1 for short); the RAN node communicates with the AMF network element through an N2 interface (N2 for short) and communicates with the UPF network element through an N3 interface (N3 for short); the SMF network element communicates with the UPF network element through an N4 interface (N4 for short), and the UPF network element accesses the DN through an N6 interface (N6 for short). In addition, the network elements shown in FIG. 2B, such as the NEF network element, the NRF network element, the PCRF network element, the PCF network element, the UDR network element, the UDM network element, the AMF network element, the SMF network element or the AF network element, can interact with each other through a service interface. For example, the service interface provided by the NEF network element to the outside is Nnef; the service interface provided by the NRF network element to the outside is Nnrf; the service interface provided by the PCRF network element to the outside is Npcrf; the service interface provided by the PCF network element to the outside is Npcf; the service interface provided by the UDR network element to the outside is Nudr; the service interface provided by the UDM network element to the outside is Nudm; the service interface provided by the AMF network element to the outside is Namf; the service interface provided by the SMF network element to the outside is Nsmf, and the service interface provided by the AF network element to the outside is Naf.

[0177] It can be understood that the device or entity corresponding to the network element 201 in the communication system 20 is the NEF network element in the 5G network shown in FIG. 2B. The device or entity corresponding to the network element 202 in the communication system 20 is the AF network element in the 5G network shown in FIG. 2B. The device or entity corresponding to the network element 203 in the communication system 20 is the UPF network element in the 5G network shown in FIG. 2B. The device or entity corresponding to the network element 204 in the communication system 20 is the SMF network element in the 5G network shown in FIG. 2B. The device or entity corresponding to the network element 205 in the communication system 20 is the RAN node in the 5G network shown in FIG. 2B. The device or entity corresponding to the terminal 206 in the communication system 20 is the terminal in the 5G network shown in FIG. 2B.

[0178] It can be understood that the communication system 20 shown in FIG. 2A is only used for example and does not limit the technical solutions of the present application. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the communication system 20 can also include other devices in the specific implementation process, and the number of network elements and terminals can also be determined according to specific needs, which is not limited.

[0179] Optionally, each network element in FIG. 2A of the present application can also be referred to as a communication device, which can be a general-purpose device or a special-purpose device, which is not limited in the present application.

[0180] Optionally, the functions of each network element in FIG. 2A of the present application can be realized by one device, or by multiple devices together, or by one or more functional modules in a device, which is not limited in the present application. It can be understood that the above functions can be network elements in hardware devices, software functions running on special hardware, or a combination of hardware and software, or virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (for example, a cloud platform).

[0181] In specific implementation, each network element shown in FIG. 2A can adopt the composition structure shown in FIG. 3, or include the components shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows a hardware structure diagram of a communication device applicable to the present application. The communication device 30 includes at least one processor 301 and at least one communication interface 304, for realizing the method provided by the present application. The communication device 30 can also include a communication line 302 and a memory 303.

[0182] The processor 301 can be a general central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of programs of the present application.

[0183] The communication line 302 can include a path for transmitting information between the above components, such as a bus.

[0184] The communication interface 304 is configured to communicate with other devices or communication networks. The communication interface 304 can be any transceiver-like device, such as an Ethernet interface, a radio access network (RAN) interface, a wireless local area networks (WLAN) interface, a transceiver, a pin, a bus, an interface circuit, or a transceiver circuit, etc.

[0185] The memory 303 can be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM), a cache, or other type of dynamic storage device that can store information and instructions, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disk storage, a magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium capable of storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited to this. The memory can exist independently, and be coupled to the processor 301 through the communication line 302. The memory 303 can also be integrated with the processor 301. The memory provided in the present application can generally be non-volatile.

[0186] The memory 303 is configured to store computer-executed instructions related to the schemes provided in the present application, and the processor 301 is configured to control the execution. The processor 301 is configured to execute the computer-executed instructions stored in the memory 303, so as to implement the methods provided in the present application. Alternatively, in the present application, the processor 301 can also be configured to perform the functions related to the processing in the methods provided in the present application, and the communication interface 304 is responsible for the communication with other devices or communication networks, which is not specifically limited in the present application.

[0187] Alternatively, the computer-executed instructions in the present application can also be referred to as application program codes, which is not specifically limited in the present application.

[0188] The coupling in this application is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units or modules, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms, for information interaction between devices, units or modules.

[0189] As an example, the processor 301 can include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 in FIG. 3.

[0190] As an example, the communication device 30 can include multiple processors, such as the processor 301 and the processor 307 in FIG. 3. Each of these processors can be a single-CPU processor or a multi-CPU processor. The processor herein can refer to one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores for processing data (e.g., computer program instructions).

[0191] As an example, the communication device 30 can further include an output device 305 and / or an input device 306. The output device 305 is coupled to the processor 301 and can display information in various ways. For example, the output device 305 can be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display device, a cathode ray tube (CRT) display device, a projector, or the like. The input device 306 is coupled to the processor 301 and can receive user input in various ways. For example, the input device 306 can be a mouse, a keyboard, a touch screen device, a sensor device, or the like.

[0192] It can be understood that the constituent structure shown in FIG. 3 does not constitute a limitation on the communication device, and the communication device can include more or fewer components than those shown in the figure, or combine certain components, or different component arrangements.

[0193] The method provided by the present application will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Each network element in the following embodiments can have the components shown in FIG. 3, which will not be described again.

[0194] It can be understood that each network element (such as the first network element, the application network element, the second network element, the third network element, or the fourth network element, etc.) in this application can perform some or all of the steps in this application, which are only examples, and this application can also perform other steps or variations of various steps. In addition, each step can be performed in a different order as presented in this application, and it is possible that not all steps in this application are to be performed.

[0195] It can be understood that the method provided in the present application is exemplified by taking the network element (such as the first network element, the application network element, the second network element, the third network element, the fourth network element and the like) as the execution subject of the interaction, but the present application does not limit the execution subject of the interaction. For example, the network element in the method provided in the embodiments of the present application can also be a chip, a chip system or a processor supporting the network element to implement the method, and can also be a logic node, a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the network element.

[0196] As shown in FIG. 4, the present application provides a communication method, which can include the following steps:

[0197] S401: The application network element sends first information to the first network element. Correspondingly, the first network element receives the first information from the application network element.

[0198] In the present application, the application network element can be located in a data network, and the first network element can be located in a core network. For example, in the communication system 20 shown in FIG. 2A, the application network element can be the network element 202 in the communication system 20, and the first network element can be the network element 201 or the network element 203 in the communication system 20. Alternatively, the application network element and the first network element are both located in the core network. For example, in the 5G network shown in FIG. 2B, the application network element is the AF network element in FIG. 2B, and the first network element is the UPF network element or the NEF network element in FIG. 2B.

[0199] In the present application, the first information can indicate / request / subscribe to send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path.

[0200] In the present application, the user plane path includes a user plane channel between the RAN node and the user plane network element, and a user plane channel or an application programming interface (API) between the user plane network element and the application network element. The RAN node can be the network element 205 in the communication system 20 shown in FIG. 2A, and the user plane network element can be the network element 203 in the communication system 20 shown in FIG. 2A. Alternatively, the RAN node can be the RAN node in FIG. 2B, and the user plane network element can be the UPF network element in FIG. 2B.

[0201] In the present application, the user plane channel between the RAN node and the user plane network element can refer to a general packet radio service (GPRS) tunnel. For example, the indication information of the QoS configuration can be carried in the user plane part of GPRS tunneling protocol (GTP-U) header of one or more uplink data transmitted through the NG3 interface.

[0202] In this application, the user plane channel between the user plane network element and the application network element can refer to a real-time transport protocol (RTP) channel or a real-time transport control protocol (RTCP) channel. For example, the indication information of the QoS configuration is carried in the RTP header or the RTCP header of the data packet sent by the user plane network element to the application network element.

[0203] In this application, the API between the user plane network element and the application network element can be a direct API between the user plane network element and the application network element. For example, the indication information of the QoS configuration is carried through the Nupf_EventExposure_Notify message on the API between the user plane network element and the application network element. Alternatively, the API between the user plane network element and the application network element can also be understood as the API between the network exposure network element and the application network element. For example, the user plane network element sends the indication information of the QoS configuration to the capability exposure network element (or the local capability exposure network element), and the capability exposure network element (or the local capability exposure network element) sends the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element in the form of API (such as the Nupf_AFsessionWithQoS_Notify message on the API).

[0204] In summary, for the RAN node, the indication information of the QoS configuration is sent through the user plane path, which is essentially to carry the indication information in the header of the data sent to the user plane network element. For the user plane network element, the indication information of the QoS configuration is sent through the user plane path, which is essentially to directly call the API, or to send the indication information to the application network element through the API called by the exposure capability network element or through the above-mentioned mode of carrying the indication information with the uplink data packet. Therefore, compared with the mode of sending the indication information of the QoS configuration through the control plane path (which can be referred to the introduction in the above-mentioned alternative QoS mechanism), the indication information can be sent to the application network element in time, so as to realize the fast sending of the indication information. That is, the indication information of the QoS configuration sent through the user plane path can also be understood as that the network (such as the RAN node and / or the user plane network element) provides a fast QoS notification service for the application network element.

[0205] The specific meaning of the indication information of the QoS configuration is introduced below.

[0206] In the present application, the indication information of the QoS configuration can indicate a QoS configuration, such as a QoS configuration file. The QoS configuration file can be a QoS configuration file determined according to the above-mentioned alternative QoS mechanism. The QoS configuration file can include at least one of QoS parameters such as GFBR, GBR, PDB, or PER. The QoS configuration file can also include identification information of the QoS configuration file. The identification information of the QoS configuration file is used to distinguish different QoS configuration files.

[0207] As an example, the indication information of the QoS configuration includes at least one of the following: identification information of the QoS configuration file, QoS configuration parameter information, identification information of a QoS flow associated with the QoS configuration file, identification information of a session associated with the QoS configuration file, identification information of an Internet Protocol (IP) flow associated with the QoS configuration file, QoS configuration file adjustment information, or Quality of Service notification control (QNC) information. The QoS configuration parameter information includes at least one of GFBR, GBR, PDB, or PER included in the QoS configuration file. The identification information of the QoS flow is used to distinguish different QoS flows. The session associated with the QoS configuration file can be a protocol data unit (PDU), and the identification information of the session is used to distinguish different sessions. The identification information of the IP flow is used to distinguish different IP flows. The QoS configuration file adjustment information or the QNC information can indicate that the QoS configuration file has changed or adjusted.

[0208] The present application does not limit the number of QoS flows, IP flows, or sessions. For example, a QoS configuration file can be associated with one QoS flow, or two or more QoS flows. Similarly, a QoS configuration file can be associated with one IP flow, or two or more IP flows, and a QoS configuration file can be associated with one session, or two or more sessions. In addition, in the present application, the identification information of any IP flow can include attribute information of the IP flow, such as source address and destination address. This is uniformly described here and will not be repeated later.

[0209] In the present application, the first information can indicate to the first network element to send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path through one of the following examples 1 to 4.

[0210] Example 1: The first information includes at least one bit, and a value of the at least one bit indicates the indication information of the QoS configuration sent to the application network element through the user plane path. For example, when the first information includes 1 bit, and a value of the 1 bit is "0" or "1", the indication information of the QoS configuration sent to the application network element through the user plane path is indicated.

[0211] Example 2: The first information carries a corresponding field to indicate the indication information of the QoS configuration sent to the application network element through the user plane path. For example, when the first information includes "userPlaneQoSnotification", "upf", "fastQoSnotification", "upfQoSnotification" or "up", the indication information of the QoS configuration sent to the application network element through the user plane path is indicated.

[0212] Example 3: The first information includes one or more of the following: first indication information or identification information of at least one service flow. The first indication information is used to indicate a granularity of the indication information of the QoS configuration sent through the user plane path, which can also be understood as a granularity of the QoS configuration file indicated by the indication information. The granularity can be a QoS flow, an IP flow or a session (such as a PDU session). That is, the application network element indicates that the indication information is sent to the application network element through the user plane path with a granularity of a QoS flow, an IP flow or a session. For example, the first indication information can include at least one bit, and the at least one bit is used to indicate a QoS flow, an IP flow or a session. For example, when the first indication information includes 1 bit, and a value of the 1 bit is "0", a QoS flow is indicated, and when the value of the 1 bit is "1", an IP flow is indicated. For example, when the first indication information includes 2 bits, and a value of the 2 bits is "00", a QoS flow is indicated, and when the value of the 2 bits is "01", an IP flow is indicated, and when the value of the 2 bits is "10", a PDU session is indicated. For example, when the first indication information includes 3 bits, the first indication information can be indicated by a bitmap. Specifically, when the value of the 3 bits is "100", a QoS flow is indicated, when the value of the 3 bits is "010", an IP flow is indicated, and when the value of the 3 bits is "001", a PDU session is indicated. The at least one service flow is a service flow associated with the indication information of the QoS configuration sent through the user plane path, which can also be understood as a service flow associated with the QoS configuration file indicated by the indication information. That is, the application network element indicates that the indication information of the QoS configuration associated with the at least one service flow is sent to the application network element through the user plane path.

[0213] Optionally, at least one of the aforementioned service flows is a latency-sensitive service flow. This avoids the network providing fast QoS notification services to latency-insensitive service flows, thereby reducing network load and resource overhead.

[0214] Optionally, the identification information of at least one service flow is related to the granularity indicated by the first indication information. For example, when the granularity indicated by the first indication information is a QoS flow, the first information may include the identification information of at least one QoS flow; when the granularity indicated by the first indication information is an IP flow, the first information may include the identification information of at least one IP flow; and when the granularity indicated by the first indication information is a session, the first information may include the identification information of at least one session.

[0215] Example 4: Example 3 above can also be combined with Example 1 or Example 2 above. Taking the combination of Example 3 and Example 2 as an example, the first information may include "upf", first indication information (indicating granularity at the IP flow level), and identification information of IP flow 1. In this case, the first information indicates that the QoS configuration associated with IP flow 1 is sent at the IP flow level via the user plane path. Alternatively, the first information may include "upf", first indication information (indicating QoS flow level), and identification information of QoS flow 1. In this case, the first information indicates that the QoS configuration associated with QoS flow 1 is sent at the QoS flow level via the user plane path.

[0216] It is understood that Examples 1 to 4 above are merely examples of the information carried by the first information. In specific applications, the first information may carry more or less information than in the examples above, or the first information may indicate the above function in other ways, without limitation.

[0217] Optionally, the first information also indicates that QoS configuration indication information be sent to the terminal via air interface signaling. The terminal can be terminal 206 in the communication system 20 shown in Figure 2A, or a terminal in the 5G network shown in Figure 2B. The air interface signaling includes at least one of the following: downlink control information (DCI), medium access control element (MAC CE), PDCP control PDU message, or radio resource control (RRC) message.

[0218] As an example, the first information can indicate, by at least one bit, the indication information that the QoS configuration is sent to the terminal through the air interface signaling to the first network element. For example, the first information includes 1 bit, and when the value of the 1 bit is "0" or "1", the indication information that the QoS configuration is sent to the terminal through the air interface signaling is indicated.

[0219] As another example, the first information carries a corresponding field to indicate the indication information that the QoS configuration is sent to the terminal through the air interface signaling. For example, when the first information includes "uu", "dci", "mac ce", "pdc p du" or "rrc", the indication information that the QoS configuration is sent to the terminal through the air interface signaling is indicated. Wherein, "dci" can further indicate the indication information that the QoS configuration is sent to the terminal through the DCI. "mac ce" can further indicate the indication information that the QoS configuration is sent to the terminal through the MAC CE. "pdc p du" can further indicate the indication information that the QoS configuration is sent to the terminal through the PDCP control PDU message. "rrc" can further indicate the indication information that the QoS configuration is sent to the terminal through the RRC message.

[0220] S402: The first network element sends the second information to the application network element. Correspondingly, the application network element receives the second information from the first network element.

[0221] In this application, the second information is used to indicate the indication information that the QoS configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path, or the second information is used to indicate the indication information that the QoS configuration cannot be sent to the application network element through the user plane path.

[0222] In a possible implementation, after the first network element receives the first information, it can determine whether the RAN node and / or the user plane network element can send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path.

[0223] It can be understood that if the first network element determines that the RAN node and / or the user plane network element can send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path, the second information indicates that the indication information of the QoS configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path. If the first network element determines that the RAN node and / or the user plane network element cannot send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path, the second information indicates that the indication information of the QoS configuration cannot be sent to the application network element through the user plane path.

[0224] As an example, the second information can comprise at least one bit indicating whether the indication information of the QoS configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path. Taking the second information comprising one bit as an example, when the value of the one bit is “1”, it indicates that the indication information of the QoS configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path; when the value of the one bit is “0”, it indicates that the indication information of the QoS configuration cannot be sent to the application network element through the user plane path, and vice versa.

[0225] As another example, the second information can carry a corresponding field to indicate. For example, when the second information comprises “success”, “yes” or “true”, it indicates that the indication information of the QoS configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path; when the second information comprises “failure”, “no” or “false”, it indicates that the indication information of the QoS configuration cannot be sent to the application network element through the user plane path.

[0226] Optionally, the second information can further comprise identification information of a service flow associated with the indication information of the QoS configuration that can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path, or comprise identification information of a service flow associated with the indication information of the QoS configuration that cannot be sent to the application network element through the user plane path. In this way, the application network element can determine which service flow associated with the indication information of the QoS configuration can be sent through the user plane path, and which service flow associated with the indication information of the QoS configuration cannot be sent through the user plane path.

[0227] For example, the second information comprises identification information of the first service flow. At this time, the second information can indicate that the indication information of the QoS configuration associated with the first service flow can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path; or the second information can indicate that the indication information of the QoS configuration associated with the first service flow cannot be sent to the application network element through the user plane path.

[0228] It can be understood that when the first information comprises identification information of at least one service flow, the first service flow can belong to the at least one service flow, that is, the first service flow is all or part of the at least one service flow. When the first service flow is all of the at least one service flow, it means that the network (such as the RAN node and / or the user plane network element) can provide the fast QoS notification service for all of the at least one service flow; when the first service flow is part of the at least one service flow, it means that the network can provide the fast QoS notification service for part of the at least one service flow.

[0229] The following takes the first network element as the network exposure network element and the user plane network element as an example to introduce the specific process of the first network element determining whether the RAN node and / or the user plane network element can send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path.

[0230] Case 1: the first network element is a network exposure network element.

[0231] In a possible implementation, the first network element determines whether the RAN node and the user plane network element can send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path according to a subscription condition of the application network element.

[0232] For example, when the number of times (e.g., the number of times of sending the first information) that the first network element requests the fast QoS notification service is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the first network element determines that the RAN node and the user plane network element cannot send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path; when the number of times (e.g., the number of times of sending the first information) that the first network element requests the fast QoS notification service is less than the first threshold, the first network element determines that the RAN node and the user plane network element can send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path. Alternatively, when the number of times (e.g., the number of times of sending the first information) that the first network element requests the fast QoS notification service in a period of time is greater than or equal to a second threshold, the first network element determines that the RAN node and the user plane network element cannot send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path; when the number of times (e.g., the number of times of sending the first information) that the first network element requests the fast QoS notification service in a period of time is less than the second threshold, the first network element determines that the RAN node and the user plane network element can send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path.

[0233] In another possible implementation, the first network element determines whether the RAN node and the user plane network element can send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path according to capability information of the RAN node and capability information of the user plane network element.

[0234] In this application, the capability information of the RAN node indicates whether the RAN node supports providing the fast QoS notification service, and the capability information of the user plane network element indicates whether the user plane network element supports providing the fast QoS notification service. For example, when the capability information of the RAN node indicates that the RAN node supports providing the fast QoS notification service, and the capability information of the user plane network element indicates that the fast QoS notification service is supported, the first network element determines that the RAN node and the user plane network element can send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path. When one of the capability information of the RAN node and the capability information of the user plane network element indicates that the fast QoS notification service is not supported, the first network element determines that the RAN node and the user plane network element cannot send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path.

[0235] It can be understood that the capability information of the RAN node can be sent by the RAN node to the first network element, such as sent to the first network element by the session management network element. It can be understood that the capability information can be sent by the RAN node to the first network element periodically or aperiodically, or sent by the RAN node based on the request of the first network element. When the load of the RAN node is too heavy, such as the number of QoS flows that the RAN node needs to provide the fast QoS notification service is large, or the number of PDU sessions that the RAN node needs to provide the fast QoS notification service is large, the capability information indicates that the RAN node does not support providing the fast QoS notification service. When the load of the RAN node is light, such as the number of QoS flows that the RAN node needs to provide the fast QoS notification service is small, or the number of PDU sessions that the RAN node needs to provide the fast QoS notification service is small, the capability information indicates that the RAN node supports providing the fast QoS notification service.

[0236] It can be understood that the capability information of the user plane network element can be sent by the user plane network element to the first network element, such as sent to the first network element by the session management network element. It can be understood that the capability information can be sent by the user plane network element to the first network element periodically or aperiodically, or sent by the user plane network element based on the request of the first network element. When the user plane network element does not have an API to the application network element, or the user plane network element does not have the capability to modify the RTC header or the RTCP header, or the load of the user plane network element is too heavy (such as the number of QoS flows that the user plane network element needs to provide the fast QoS notification service is large, or the number of PDU sessions that the user plane network element needs to provide the fast QoS notification service is large, or the number of IP flows that the user plane network element needs to provide the fast QoS notification service is large), the capability information indicates that the user plane network element does not support providing the fast QoS notification service. When the user plane network element has an API to the application network element and the load of the user plane network element is light, or when the user plane network element has the capability to modify the RTC header or the RTCP header and the load of the user plane network element is light, or when the user plane network element has an API to the application network element and has the capability to modify the RTC header or the RTCP header and the load of the user plane network element is light, the capability information indicates that the user plane network element supports providing the fast QoS notification service. Wherein, the load of the user plane network element being light can be understood as: the number of QoS flows that the user plane network element needs to provide the fast QoS notification service is small, or the number of PDU sessions that the user plane network element needs to provide the fast QoS notification service is small, or the number of IP flows that the user plane network element needs to provide the fast QoS notification service is small.

[0237] In another possible implementation, the first network element determines whether the RAN node and the user plane network element can send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path according to the subscription condition of the application network element, the capability information of the RAN node, and the capability information of the user plane network element.

[0238] For example, when the number of times (e.g., the number of times of sending the first information) that the first network element requests the fast QoS notification service is greater than or equal to a first threshold, or the capability information of the RAN node indicates that the fast QoS notification service is not supported, or the capability information of the user plane network element indicates that the fast QoS notification service is not supported, the first network element determines that the RAN node and the user plane network element cannot send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path; when the number of times (e.g., the number of times of sending the first information) that the first network element requests the fast QoS notification service is less than the first threshold, and the capability information of the RAN node and the capability information of the user plane network element both indicate that the fast QoS notification service is supported, the first network element determines that the RAN node and the user plane network element can send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path.

[0239] It can be understood that after the first network element determines whether the RAN node and the user plane network element can send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path, the first network element can send indication information to the RAN node and the user plane network element respectively to indicate whether to send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path.

[0240] Case 2: The first network element is the user plane network element.

[0241] In a possible implementation, the first network element determines whether the RAN node and the user plane network element can send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path according to the subscription condition of the application network element. Specifically, reference can be made to the corresponding description in case 1.

[0242] In another possible implementation, the first network element determines whether the RAN node and the user plane network element can send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path according to the capability information of the RAN node and the capability information of the user plane network element. Alternatively, the first network element determines whether the RAN node and the user plane network element can send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path according to the subscription condition of the application network element, the capability information of the RAN node, and the capability information of the user plane network element. The above process is similar to case 1, except that in case 2, the capability information of the RAN node is sent by the RAN node to the first network element, such as being sent to the first network element through the user plane path, or being sent to the first network element through the control plane path (such as through the session management network element). The capability information of the user plane network element is determined by the first network element itself.

[0243] It can be understood that after the first network element determines whether the RAN node can send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path, the first network element can send corresponding indication information to the RAN node to indicate whether the RAN node sends the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path.

[0244] Case 3: the first network element is a network exposure network element and a user plane network element.

[0245] In a possible implementation, the network exposure network element determines, according to the subscription condition of the application network element and / or the capability information of the RAN node, whether the RAN node can send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path, and sends the second information to the application network element.

[0246] It can be understood that after the network exposure network element determines whether the RAN node can send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path, the network exposure network element can send corresponding indication information to the RAN node to indicate whether the RAN node sends the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path.

[0247] In a possible implementation, the user plane network element determines, according to the subscription condition of the application network element and / or the capability information of the user plane network element, whether the user plane network element can send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path, and sends the second information to the application network element.

[0248] Optionally, when the user plane network element cannot send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path, the user plane network element can send corresponding notification information to the RAN node to avoid the RAN node sending the indication information of the QoS configuration through the user plane path.

[0249] It can be understood that if the first information in S401 indicates that the indication information of the QoS configuration is sent to the terminal through the air interface signaling, the second information is further used to indicate that the indication information of the QoS configuration can be sent to the terminal through the air interface signaling, or to indicate that the indication information of the QoS configuration cannot be sent to the terminal through the air interface signaling.

[0250] For example, the first network element can determine whether the indication information of the QoS configuration can be sent to the terminal through the air interface signaling according to the capability information of the RAN node and / or the subscription condition of the application network element.

[0251] Based on the method shown in FIG. 4, the first network element and the application network element can negotiate whether to send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path based on the requirement of the application network element. Therefore, the method shown in FIG. 4 can enable the RAN node to determine which way to send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element. During the negotiation, the first network element considers at least one of the following information: the subscription condition of the application network element, the capability information of the RAN node, or the capability information of the user plane network element. When the first network element considers the subscription condition of the application network element, the application network element can be prevented from subscribing to too many fast QoS notification services. When the first network element considers the capability information of the RAN node, the RAN node that cannot provide the fast QoS notification service can be prevented from providing the service. When the first network element considers the capability information of the user plane network element, the user plane network element that cannot provide the fast QoS notification service can be prevented from providing the service.

[0252] Optionally, in a possible implementation of the method shown in FIG. 4, the application network element can send the first information to the first network element during the application session establishment process. For example, the first information can be carried in a subscription request message or a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) POST request message. The subscription request message can be a fast QoS notification subscription request message.

[0253] In a possible design, when the first network element is a network exposure network element, the first information is carried in a separate fast QoS notification subscription request message or a HTTP POST request message.

[0254] In one case, the HTTP POST request message can be sent by the application network element to the first network element via the AsSessionWithQoS API, and the HTTP POST request message can be used to request establishment of an application session with QoS requirements (Nnef_AFsessionWithQoS_Create). The HTTP POST request message can include at least one of the following: the first information, an identifier of the application network element (e.g., an AS ID), a terminal address (e.g., an IP address of the terminal), a notification destination address (e.g., an address of the application network element or a port number of an application on the application network element), IP flow description information, or one or more alternative QoS reference parameters. It can be understood that when the HTTP POST request message includes the first information, it indicates that the application network element indicates the indication information for sending the QoS configuration via the user plane path in an explicit manner. For example, the first information can be carried in an AsSessionWithQoSSubscription information element (IE). In a specific application, the application network element can also indicate the indication information for sending the QoS configuration via the user plane path in an implicit manner. For example, when the HTTP POST request message does not include the first information, and when a parameter in the QoS reference parameter carried in the message is greater than or less than a threshold value, it indicates the indication information for sending the QoS configuration via the user plane path. For example, when the uplink / downlink GBR carried in the message is greater than or equal to a threshold 1, and / or the PDB / PER carried in the message is less than or equal to a threshold 2, it indicates the indication information for sending the QoS configuration via the user plane path.

[0255] In another case, the HTTP POST request message can be sent by the application network element to the first network element via the ReportingNetworkStatus API, and the HTTP POST request message can be used to request network event exposure subscription (Nnef_EventExposure_Subscribe). The first information can be carried in a NetworkStatusReportingSubscription IE.

[0256] Another possible design, when the first network element is a user plane network element, the first information is carried in a fast QoS notification subscription request message. The fast QoS notification subscription request message can be a separately defined Nupf_AFsessionWithQoS_Subscription message, or can be carried in a Nupf_EventExposure_Subscribe message.

[0257] It can be understood that, when the first information is carried in a separate fast QoS notification subscription request message, the second information can be carried in a separate fast QoS notification subscription response message. When the first information is carried in an HTTP POST request message, the second information can be carried in an HTTP POST response message. When the first information is carried in a fast QoS notification subscription request message, the second information can be carried in a fast QoS notification subscription response message.

[0258] Optionally, in a possible implementation of the method shown in FIG. 4, the first network element can send at least one alternative QoS profile to the RAN node, so that the RAN node adjusts the QoS profile according to the network state, and indicates the adjusted QoS profile to the application network element in the sending mode negotiated by the method shown in FIG. 4. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the method shown in FIG. 4 can further include the following steps:

[0259] S403: The first network element sends ninth information to the second network element. Correspondingly, the second network element receives the ninth information from the first network element.

[0260] In this application, the second network element can be the network element 204 in the communication system 20 shown in FIG. 2A, or the SMF network element in the 5G network shown in FIG. 2B. The ninth information can include at least one alternative QoS profile. One alternative QoS profile can include at least one of GFBR, GBR, PDB or PER. One alternative QoS profile can also include identification information of the alternative QoS profile. In addition, the granularity of the alternative QoS profile can be a QoS flow, an IP flow or a session (such as a PDU session), so one alternative QoS profile can also include identification information of a QoS flow, identification information of an IP flow or identification information of a session.

[0261] Optionally, the at least one alternative QoS profile can be provided by the application network element, for example, the at least one alternative QoS profile is determined according to one or more alternative QoS reference parameters described above.

[0262] Optionally, the ninth information can further include all or part of the information indicated by the first information. For example, the first network element can directly carry the first information in the ninth information, or the first network element can further process the first information, such as adding information, deleting information, or transforming the information format, and carry the processed information in the ninth information.

[0263] In a possible implementation, the first network element sends the ninth information to the second network element through a PCF network element or a PCRF network element.

[0264] S404: The second network element sends tenth information to the RAN node. Correspondingly, the RAN node receives the tenth information from the second network element.

[0265] In this application, the tenth information can include all or part of the information indicated by the ninth information. For example, after receiving the ninth information, the second network element can directly forward the ninth information to the RAN node. Alternatively, after receiving the ninth information, the second network element can further process the ninth information, such as adding information, deleting information, or transforming the information format, and send the processed information (i.e., the tenth information) to the RAN node. Optionally, the second network element can send the tenth information to the RAN node through an AMF network element.

[0266] It can be understood that the RAN node can identify QoS flows or sessions, but cannot identify IP flows, so the granularity of the alternative QoS profile included in the tenth information is QoS flow or session. If the granularity of the alternative QoS profile provided by the application network element is IP flow, the first network element can map the alternative QoS profile of the IP flow to the alternative QoS profile of the QoS flow (e.g., replace the identification information of the IP flow in the alternative QoS profile with the identification information of the QoS flow corresponding to the IP flow), and then send it to the second network element. Alternatively, the second network element can map the alternative QoS profile of the IP flow to the alternative QoS profile of the QoS flow (e.g., replace the identification information of the IP flow in the alternative QoS profile with the identification information of the QoS flow corresponding to the IP flow), and then send it to the RAN node. In this application, there is a mapping (or corresponding) relationship between the IP flow and the QoS flow. For example, multiple IP flows with the same or similar QoS requirements can be mapped to one QoS flow.

[0267] In a possible implementation, the second network element sends the tenth information to the RAN node in the PDU session resource establishment or adjustment process. For example, the tenth information can be carried in a PDU session resource establishment request message or a PDU session resource adjustment request message.

[0268] It can be understood that if the RAN node does not support providing the fast QoS notification service, such as the RAN node decides not to support providing the fast QoS notification service in a period of time for the purpose of network optimization, the RAN node can send third indication information to the second network element to indicate that the RAN node cannot send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path. Subsequently, the second network element can indicate to the application network element through the first network element that the RAN node cannot send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path.

[0269] It can be understood that if the RAN node decides to provide the fast QoS notification service for part of the QoS flows, such as a decision made for the purpose of network optimization, the RAN node can send identification information of the QoS flow for which the RAN node supports providing the fast QoS notification service or identification information of the QoS flow for which the RAN node does not support providing the fast QoS notification service to the second network element. Subsequently, the second network element can send the above information to the application network element through the first network element.

[0270] S405: The RAN node determines a target QoS configuration file from at least one alternative QoS configuration file according to a network state.

[0271] It can be understood that the process of S405 is similar to the process of S112 described above, and reference can be made to the corresponding description in S112 described above, which will not be repeated here.

[0272] S406: The RAN node sends fourth indication information to the application network element according to the previous negotiation result. Correspondingly, the application network element receives the fourth indication information from the RAN node.

[0273] In this application, the fourth indication information indicates the target QoS configuration file. Illustratively, the fourth indication information includes at least one of the following: identification information of the target QoS configuration file, target QoS configuration parameter information, identification information of the QoS flow associated with the target QoS configuration file, identification information of the session associated with the target QoS configuration file, QoS configuration file adjustment information, or QNC information. The target QoS configuration parameter information includes at least one of GFBR, GBR, PDB, or PER included in the target QoS configuration file. The QoS configuration file adjustment information or the QNC information can indicate that the QoS configuration file has changed or adjusted.

[0274] Optionally, the fourth indication information further includes one or more of the following: identification information of the application associated with the target QoS configuration file, identification information of the application network element, or time information of the RAN node determining the target QoS configuration file.

[0275] In one possible implementation, the RAN node sends the fourth indication information to the application network element via a control plane path. For example, the RAN node sends the fourth indication information to the session management network element, and the session management network element sends the fourth indication information to the application network element via the network exposure network element.

[0276] As an example, if the second information indicates that the indication information of the QoS configuration cannot be sent to the application network element via the user plane path, the RAN node sends the fourth indication information to the application network element via the control plane path.

[0277] As another example, if the second information indicates that the indication information of the QoS configuration can be sent to the application network element via the user plane path, but the RAN node decides not to support the fast QoS notification service for the purpose of network optimization in S404, the RAN node sends the fourth indication information to the application network element via the control plane path.

[0278] In another possible implementation, the RAN node sends the fourth indication information to the user plane network element via a user plane path. For example, the RAN node can send a data packet to the user plane network element via the NG3 interface, and the GTP-U header of the data packet includes the fourth indication information, so that the user plane network element sends the fourth indication information to the application network element.

[0279] As an example, if the second information indicates that the indication information of the QoS configuration can be sent to the application network element via the user plane path, the RAN node sends the fourth indication information to the user plane network element via the user plane path.

[0280] Optionally, if the granularity indicated in the first information is a QoS flow, the RAN node can send the fourth indication information with the granularity of the QoS flow, and the fourth indication information further includes the identification information of the QoS flow associated with the target QoS configuration file. If the granularity indicated in the first information is a session, the RAN node can send the fourth indication information with the granularity of the session, and the fourth indication information further includes the identification information of the session associated with the target QoS configuration file.

[0281] Optionally, if the first information indicates the identification information of the at least one service flow, the RAN node further determines whether the service flow associated with the target QoS profile belongs to the at least one service flow, and if yes, the RAN node sends fourth indication information to the application network element through the user plane path, and if not, the RAN node sends the fourth indication information to the application network element through the control plane path. The fourth indication information can further include the identification information of the service flow associated with the target QoS profile. In addition, the service flow indicated by the first information can be a QoS flow, an IP flow or a session, which is described in S401. However, the RAN node can identify the QoS flow or the session, but not the IP flow, so when the service flow indicated by the first information is a QoS flow, the fourth indication information includes the identification information of the QoS flow associated with the target QoS profile, when the service flow indicated by the first information is a session, the fourth indication information includes the identification information of the session associated with the target QoS profile, and when the service flow indicated by the first information is an IP flow, the fourth indication information includes the identification information of the QoS flow associated with the target QoS profile, which is the QoS flow corresponding to the IP flow.

[0282] Optionally, if the first information indicates the indication information of sending the QoS configuration to the terminal through the air interface signaling, the RAN node further sends the fourth indication information to the terminal through the air interface signaling.

[0283] It can be understood that after receiving the fourth indication information, the user plane network element can send the fourth indication information to the application network element through the user plane path. For example, the user plane network element can directly call the API to send the fourth indication information to the application network element, or the user plane network element can send the fourth indication information to the application network element through the capability exposure network element or the local capability exposure network element in the form of API, or the user plane network element can send a data packet to the application network element, and the RTP header or the RTCP header of the data packet includes the fourth indication information.

[0284] It can be understood that after receiving the fourth indication information, the user plane network element can also further process the fourth indication information (such as adding information, deleting information or transforming information format, etc.) and then send the processed information to the application network element.

[0285] For example, if the fourth indication information received by the user plane network element is associated with the first QoS flow, or the target QoS profile is associated with the first QoS flow, or the fourth indication information includes the identification information of the first QoS flow, the user plane network element can map the first QoS flow to the first IP flow, that is, the indication information sent by the user plane network element to the application network element is associated with the first IP flow. The first IP flow and the first QoS flow have a mapping (or corresponding) relationship. For example, after receiving the fourth indication information from the RAN node, the user plane network element replaces the identification information of the first QoS flow in the fourth indication information with the identification information of the first IP flow to obtain the fifth indication information, and sends the fifth indication information to the application network element. It can be understood that if the granularity indicated in the above first information is an IP flow, the user plane network element can perform the above process.

[0286] For example, if the fourth indication information includes the identification information of the QoS flow (or the identification information of the session), the user plane network element determines whether to support providing the fast QoS notification service for these QoS flows (sessions), and if so, the user plane network element sends the fourth indication information to the application network element through the user plane path, and if not, the user plane network element deletes the identification information of the QoS flow (or the session) that does not support, and then sends the information to the application network element through the user plane path.

[0287] It can be understood that after receiving the fourth indication information, the application network element can adjust the service characteristics according to the fourth indication information, such as adjusting the task split point or the service traffic mode.

[0288] A possible design is that different alternative QoS profiles can be used to describe the QoS requirements of different task split points. Therefore, the application network element can determine the task split point corresponding to the target QoS profile according to the fourth indication information, and perform the task according to the task split point, so that the service quality provided by the RAN node meets the QoS requirements of the task.

[0289] Another possible design is that different alternative QoS profiles can be used to describe the QoS requirements of different service traffic modes. Therefore, the application network element can determine the service traffic mode corresponding to the target QoS profile according to the fourth indication information, and perform the service according to the service traffic mode, so that the service quality provided by the RAN node meets the QoS requirements of the service traffic mode.

[0290] Optionally, in a possible implementation of the method shown in FIG. 4, the first network element is a network exposure network element, and after receiving the first information, the first network element can instruct other network elements, such as the second network element, to confirm whether the indication information of the QoS configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path. The confirmation of whether the indication information of the QoS configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path means the confirmation of whether the nodes (such as RAN nodes and user plane network elements) on the user plane path can send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the method shown in FIG. 4 can further include the following steps:

[0291] S401A: The first network element sends third information to the second network element according to the first information. Correspondingly, the second network element receives the third information from the first network element.

[0292] In this application, the third information indicates the indication information of confirming whether the QoS configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path, such as the third information indicating the second network element confirming whether the nodes (such as RAN nodes and user plane network elements) on the user plane path can send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element.

[0293] For example, the third information includes all or part of the information indicated by the first information. For example, the first network element can directly carry the first information in the third information, or the first network element can further process the first information, such as adding information, deleting information, or transforming the information format, and carry the processed information in the third information. For example, the third information includes one or more of the following: second indication information or identification information of at least one service flow. The second indication information is used to indicate the granularity (such as QoS flow, IP flow, or session) of the indication information of the quality of service configuration sent through the user plane path, and the at least one service flow can be the service flow indicated in the first information.

[0294] Optionally, the third information further includes at least one alternative QoS configuration file. The introduction of the at least one alternative QoS configuration file can be referred to the corresponding description in S403. It should be understood that if the first network element performs S401A, the first network element can not perform S403.

[0295] In a possible implementation, the first network element sends the third information to the second network element through a PCF network element or a PCRF network element. The second network element can be an SMF network element.

[0296] S401B: The second network element sends fifth information to the third network element. Correspondingly, the third network element receives the fifth information from the second network element.

[0297] In the present application, the fifth information is used to indicate the indication information that the third network element sends the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path. For example, the fifth information includes all or part of the information in the third information. For example, the second network element can directly carry the third information in the fifth information, or the second network element can further process the third information, such as adding information, deleting information, or transforming the information format, and carry the processed information in the fifth information.

[0298] The second network element can be an SMF network element, and the third network element can be a RAN node or a user plane network element. When the third network element is a user plane network element, the fifth information can be carried in a session establishment request message (such as N4 Session Establishment Request), a session modification request message (such as N4 Session Modification Request), a session association establishment request message (such as N4 Association Setup Request), or a session association update request message (such as N4 Association Update Request). The session establishment request message and the session association establishment request message are used to request to establish a session or an N4 interface. The session modification request message and the session association update request message are used to request to configure a session or an N4 interface. When the third network element is a RAN node, the fifth information can be carried in a session establishment request message (such as PDU Session Establishment Request) or a session modification request message (such as PDU Session Modification Request).

[0299] It can be understood that when the third network element is a RAN node, the other descriptions of S401B can refer to the corresponding introduction in S404. In addition, if the second network element performs S401B, the second network element can not perform S404.

[0300] S401C: The third network element sends the sixth information to the second network element. Correspondingly, the second network element receives the sixth information from the third network element.

[0301] In the present application, the sixth information is used to indicate the indication information that the third network element can send the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path, or the sixth information is used to indicate the indication information that the third network element cannot send the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path.

[0302] In a possible implementation, the third network element determines whether the indication information of the QoS configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path according to the capability information of the third network element and / or the subscription condition of the application network element. When the third network element is a RAN node, the capability information of the third network element is the capability information of the RAN node; when the third network element is a user plane network element, the capability information of the third network element is the capability information of the user plane network element. Therefore, the above process can refer to the corresponding description of the first network element determining whether the RAN node or the user plane network element can send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path in S402.

[0303] It can be understood that if the third network element determines that the indication information of the QoS configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path, the sixth information indicates that the third network element can send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path. If the third network element determines that the indication information of the QoS configuration cannot be sent to the application network element through the user plane path, the sixth information indicates that the third network element cannot send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path.

[0304] Optionally, the sixth information can further include the identification information of the service flow associated with the indication information of the QoS configuration that can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path, or include the identification information of the service flow associated with the indication information of the QoS configuration that cannot be sent to the application network element through the user plane path. In this way, the second network element can determine which service flow associated QoS configuration indication information the third network element can send or cannot send.

[0305] For example, the sixth information includes the identification information of the second service flow. At this time, the sixth information can indicate that the third network element can send the indication information of the QoS configuration associated with the second service flow to the application network element through the user plane path; or the sixth information can indicate that the third network element cannot send the indication information of the QoS configuration associated with the second service flow to the application network element through the user plane path. The second service flow belongs to the at least one service flow, that is, the second service flow is all or part of the at least one service flow.

[0306] S401D: The second network element sends the seventh information to the fourth network element. Correspondingly, the fourth network element receives the seventh information from the second network element.

[0307] In this application, the seventh information indicates that the fourth network element sends the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path. For example, the seventh information includes all or part of the information in the third information. For example, the second network element can directly carry the third information in the seventh information, or the second network element can further process the third information, such as adding information, deleting information or transforming information format, and carry the processed information in the seventh information.

[0308] A possible design is that the third network element is a user plane network element and the fourth network element is a RAN node. FIG. 5 is a diagram for an example in which the third network element is a user plane network element and the fourth network element is a RAN node.

[0309] Optionally, when the fourth network element is a user plane network element, the seventh information can be carried in a session establishment request message (e.g., N4 Session Establishment Request), a session modification request message (e.g., N4 Session Modification Request), a session association setup request message (e.g., N4 Association Setup Request), or a session association update request message (e.g., N4 Association Update Request). When the fourth network element is a RAN node, the seventh information can be carried in a session establishment request message (e.g., PDU Session Establishment Request) or a session modification request message (e.g., PDU Session Modification Request).

[0310] It can be understood that when the fourth network element is a RAN node, other descriptions of S401D can refer to the corresponding descriptions in S404, and if the second network element performs S401D, the second network element can not perform S404.

[0311] It can be understood that the user plane path of the present application actually includes two paths, one of which is a path between the RAN node and the user plane network element, and the other of which is a path between the user plane network element and the application network element, so when the RAN node and the user plane network element can both send the indication information of the QoS configuration through the user plane path, the indication information of the QoS configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path. Therefore, in order to save signaling overhead, the second network element can send the seventh information to the fourth network element in the case that the sixth information indicates that the third network element can send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path. If the sixth information indicates that the third network element cannot send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path, the second network element does not send the seventh information to the fourth network element.

[0312] Optionally, the seventh information can further include identification information of the second service flow, so as to enable the fourth network element to determine whether the indication information of the QoS configuration associated with the second service flow can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path.

[0313] S401E: The fourth network element sends eighth information to the second network element. Correspondingly, the second network element receives the eighth information from the fourth network element.

[0314] In the present application, the eighth information is used to indicate that the fourth network element can send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path, or the eighth information is used to indicate that the fourth network element cannot send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path.

[0315] In a possible implementation, the fourth network element determines whether the indication information of the QoS configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path according to the capability information of the fourth network element and / or the subscription condition of the application network element. When the fourth network element is a RAN node, the capability information of the fourth network element is the capability information of the RAN node; when the fourth network element is a user plane network element, the capability information of the fourth network element is the capability information of the user plane network element. Therefore, the above process can refer to the corresponding description of the first network element determining whether the RAN node or the user plane network element can send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path in S402.

[0316] It can be understood that if the fourth network element determines that the indication information of the QoS configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path, the eighth information indicates that the fourth network element can send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path. If the fourth network element determines that the indication information of the QoS configuration cannot be sent to the application network element through the user plane path, the fourth information indicates that the fourth network element cannot send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path.

[0317] Optionally, the eighth information can further include the identification information of the service flow associated with the indication information of the QoS configuration that can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path, or include the identification information of the service flow associated with the indication information of the QoS configuration that cannot be sent to the application network element through the user plane path. In this way, the second network element can determine which service flow associated QoS configuration indication information the fourth network element can send or cannot send.

[0318] For example, the eighth information includes the identification information of the third service flow. At this time, the eighth information can indicate that the fourth network element can send the indication information of the QoS configuration associated with the third service flow to the application network element through the user plane path; or the eighth information can indicate that the fourth network element cannot send the indication information of the QoS configuration associated with the third service flow to the application network element through the user plane path. The third service flow belongs to the at least one service flow (i.e., the third service flow is all or part of the at least one service flow), or the third service flow belongs to the second service flow (i.e., the third service flow is all or part of the second service flow).

[0319] S401F: The second network element sends the fourth information to the first network element. Correspondingly, the first network element receives the fourth information from the second network element.

[0320] In a possible implementation, the second network element sends the fourth information to the first network element according to the sixth information and the eighth information.

[0321] In this application, the fourth information is used to indicate the indication information that the QoS configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path, or the fourth information is used to indicate the indication information that the QoS configuration cannot be sent to the application network element through the user plane path.

[0322] It can be understood that the fourth information can be used to determine the second information. For example, when the fourth information indicates the indication information that the QoS configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path, the second information is used to indicate the indication information that the QoS configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path; when the fourth information indicates the indication information that the QoS configuration cannot be sent to the application network element through the user plane path, the second information is used to indicate the indication information that the QoS configuration cannot be sent to the application network element through the user plane path.

[0323] It can be understood that if the identification information of the first service flow is included in the second information, the second network element can determine the first service flow according to the third service flow, such as the third service flow being the first service flow. Alternatively, the second network element can determine the first service flow according to the second service flow and the third service flow, such as the first service flow belonging to both the second service flow and the third service flow, that is, the first service flow is a service flow included in both the second service flow and the third service flow.

[0324] Optionally, in a possible implementation of the method shown in FIG. 5, the RAN node can have the architecture shown in FIG. 1A. At this time, the O-DU, O-CU, Near-RT RIC or SMO module in the RAN node can determine the target QoS profile in S405. The following is specifically described in combination with S404-S406.

[0325] Case A: The O-DU determines the target QoS profile.

[0326] In a possible implementation, in S404, the second network element sends the tenth information to the O-CU. After receiving the tenth information, the O-CU sends the tenth information to the O-DU through the F1 interface. Alternatively, the second network element directly sends the tenth information to the O-DU.

[0327] In a possible implementation, in S405, the O-DU determines the target QoS profile from the at least one candidate QoS profile according to the network state.

[0328] In a possible implementation, in S406, the O-DU sends the fourth indication information to the O-CU through the F1 interface, and the O-CU receives the fourth indication information and sends the fourth indication information to the user plane network element through the user plane path.

[0329] Optionally, the O-DU can also send the fourth indication information to the terminal. For example, the O-DU sends the fourth indication information to the terminal through a DCI or a MAC CE message. For another example, the O-DU sends the fourth indication information to the O-CU through an F1 interface, so that the O-CU sends the fourth indication information to the terminal through an RRC message or a PDCP control PDU message. It can be understood that if the O-CU is further separated into an O-CU-CP and an O-CU-UP, the O-CU-CP sends the fourth indication information to the terminal through an RRC message, or the O-CU-UP sends the fourth indication information to the terminal through a PDCP control PDU message.

[0330] Case B: The O-CU determines the target QoS profile.

[0331] In a possible implementation, in S404, the second network element sends tenth information to the O-DU. After receiving the tenth information, the O-DU sends the tenth information to the O-CU through an F1 interface. Alternatively, the second network element directly sends the tenth information to the O-CU.

[0332] In a possible implementation, in S405, the O-CU determines the target QoS profile from the at least one alternative QoS profile according to a network state.

[0333] In a possible implementation, in S406, the O-CU sends fourth indication information to a user plane network element through a user plane path.

[0334] Optionally, the O-CU can also send the fourth indication information to the terminal. For example, the O-CU sends the fourth indication information to the terminal through an RRC message or a PDCP control PDU message. It can be understood that if the O-CU is further separated into an O-CU-CP and an O-CU-UP, the O-CU-CP sends the fourth indication information to the terminal through an RRC message, or the O-CU-UP sends the fourth indication information to the terminal through a PDCP control PDU message. For another example, the O-CU sends the fourth indication information to the O-DU through an F1 interface, so that the O-DU sends the fourth indication information to the terminal through a DCI or a MAC CE message.

[0335] It can be understood that in addition to the O-RAN architecture, the RAN node of the present application can also have a CU-DU separation architecture. For example, the RAN node can be separated into one CU and at least one DU. The descriptions of the above-mentioned case A and case B are also applicable to the RAN node under the CU-DU separation architecture, for example, the “O-CU” in case A and case B can be replaced with “CU in the CU-DU separation architecture”, and the “O-DU” in case A and case B can be replaced with “DU in the CU-DU separation architecture”.

[0336] Case C: The Near-RT RIC determines the target QoS profile.

[0337] In one possible implementation, in S404, the second network element sends the tenth information to the O-CU, and the O-CU forwards the tenth information to the Near-RT RIC through the E2 interface after receiving the tenth information. Alternatively, the second network element sends the tenth information to the O-DU, and the O-DU forwards the tenth information to the Near-RT RIC through the E2 interface after receiving the tenth information.

[0338] In one possible implementation, in S405, the Near-RT RIC determines the target QoS profile from the at least one candidate QoS profile according to the network state.

[0339] It can be understood that, in order to implement S405, before S405, the O-DU needs to send the information of the network element state to the Near-RT RIC. For example, the O-DU can report the information of the network element state to the Near-RT RIC through the E2 interface. Alternatively, the O-DU first sends the information of the network element state to the O-CU through the F1 interface, and then the O-CU forwards the information to the Near-RT RIC through the E2 interface.

[0340] In one possible implementation, in S406, the Near-RT RIC sends the fourth indication information to the O-CU through the E2 interface, so that the O-CU sends the fourth indication information to the user plane network element through the user plane path. Alternatively, the Near-RT RIC sends the fourth indication information to the O-DU through the E2 interface, and the O-DU sends the fourth indication information to the O-CU through the F1 interface after receiving the fourth indication information, so that the O-CU sends the fourth indication information to the user plane network element through the user plane path.

[0341] Optionally, the O-DU or the O-CU also sends the fourth indication information to the terminal. For details, refer to the corresponding description in the above case A or case B, which will not be described here.

[0342] Case D: The SMO module determines the target QoS profile.

[0343] In a possible implementation, at S404, the second network element sends tenth information to the O-CU, and after receiving the tenth information, the O-CU forwards the tenth information to the SMO module through the O1 interface. Alternatively, the second network element sends the tenth information to the O-DU, and after receiving the tenth information, the O-DU forwards the tenth information to the SMO module through the O1 interface. Alternatively, the second network element sends the tenth information to the Near-RT RIC in the manner described in case C, and after receiving the tenth information, the Near-RT RIC sends the tenth information to the SMO module through the A1 (or O1) interface.

[0344] In a possible implementation, at S405, the SMO module determines a target QoS configuration file from at least one candidate QoS configuration file according to a network state.

[0345] It can be understood that, in order to implement S405, before S405, the O-DU needs to send information about the network element state to the SMO module. For example, the O-DU can send the information about the network element state to the Near-RT RIC in the manner described in case C, and then the Near-RT RIC sends the information to the SMO module through the A1 (or O1) interface. Alternatively, the O-DU can report the information about the network element state to the SMO module through the O1 interface. Alternatively, the O-DU first sends the information about the network element state to the O-CU through the F1 interface, and then the O-CU forwards the information to the SMO module through the O1 interface.

[0346] In a possible implementation, at S406, the SMO module sends fourth indication information to the O-CU through the O1 interface, so that the O-CU sends the fourth indication information to the user plane network element through a user plane path. Alternatively, the SMO module sends the fourth indication information to the O-DU through the O1 interface, and after receiving the fourth indication information, the O-DU sends the fourth indication information to the O-CU through the F1 interface, so that the O-CU sends the fourth indication information to the user plane network element through the user plane path. Alternatively, the SMO module sends the fourth indication information to the Near-RT RIC through the A1 (or O1) interface, and after receiving the fourth indication information, the Near-RT RIC can send the fourth indication information to the O-CU or the O-DU in the manner described in case C.

[0347] Optionally, the O-DU or the O-CU also sends the fourth indication information to the terminal. Details can be referred to the corresponding description in case A or case B described above, and will not be described herein again.

[0348] It can be understood that the operations performed by the Near-RT RIC in the present application can also be performed by the QoS management function, the radio connection management function, or the interference management function in the Near-RT RIC. Similarly, the operations performed by the SMO module in the present application can also be performed by the Non-RT RIC function or the configuration function in the SMO module.

[0349] It can be understood that the actions of the application element, the first network element, or the second network element in the above steps can be performed by the processor 301 in the communication device 30 in FIG. 3 invoking the application program code stored in the memory 303, and the present application does not make any limitation thereto.

[0350] The various embodiments mentioned in the foregoing of the present application can be combined without contradiction in the scheme, and are not limited.

[0351] The above mainly introduces the scheme provided by the present application from the perspective of interaction between various network elements. Correspondingly, the present application also provides a communication device, which can be the first network element in the above method embodiment, or a device containing the above first network element, or a component applicable to the first network element; or the communication device can be the application network element in the above method embodiment, or a device containing the above application network element, or a component applicable to the application network element; or the communication device can be the second network element in the above method embodiment, or a device containing the above second network element, or a component applicable to the second network element. It can be understood that the above first network element, application network element, or second network element, etc. contain the corresponding hardware structure and / or software module for executing various functions in order to realize the above functions. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that the units and algorithm operations of the examples described in combination with the embodiments disclosed in the present application can be realized in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is driven by hardware or computer software, it depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional technicians 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.

[0352] The present application can divide the function modules of the first network element, the application network element, or the second network element according to the above method examples, for example, each function module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated in one processing module. The above integrated module can be realized in the form of hardware or software function module. It can be understood that the division of modules in the present application is illustrative, and is only a logical function division, and actual implementation can have another division manner.

[0353] For example, in the case of dividing each functional module in an integrated manner, FIG. 6 shows a structural schematic diagram of a communication apparatus 60. The communication apparatus 60 includes a processing module 601 and an interface module 602. The processing module 601, which can also be referred to as a processing unit, is configured to perform operations other than transceiving operations, for example, can be a processing circuit or a processor, etc. The interface module 602, which can also be referred to as an interface unit, is configured to perform transceiving operations, for example, can be an interface circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver, or a communication interface, etc.

[0354] In some embodiments, the communication apparatus 60 can further include a storage module (not shown in FIG. 6) configured to store program instructions and data.

[0355] For example, the communication apparatus 60 is configured to implement the function of the first network element. The communication apparatus 60 is, for example, the first network element described in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 or the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

[0356] The processing module 601 is configured to control the interface module 602 to receive first information from the application network element. The first information indicates the indication information of sending the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path. For example, the processing module 601 can be configured to perform S401.

[0357] The processing module 601 is further configured to control the interface module 602 to send second information to the application network element. The second information is used to indicate the indication information of sending the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path, or the second information is used to indicate the indication information of not sending the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path. For example, the processing module 601 can be further configured to perform S402.

[0358] When used to implement the function of the first network element, other functions that the communication apparatus 60 can implement can refer to the related descriptions of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 or the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, and will not be described in detail.

[0359] For example, the communication apparatus 60 is configured to implement the function of the application network element. The communication apparatus 60 is, for example, the application network element described in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 or the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

[0360] The processing module 601 is configured to control the interface module 602 to send first information to the first network element in the core network. The first information indicates the indication information of sending the QoS configuration to the communication apparatus 60 through the user plane path. For example, the processing module 601 can be configured to perform S401.

[0361] The processing module 601 is further configured to control the interface module 602 to receive second information from the first network element. The second information is used to indicate the indication information that the QoS configuration can be sent to the communication apparatus 60 through the user plane path, or the second information is used to indicate the indication information that the QoS configuration cannot be sent to the communication apparatus 60 through the user plane path. For example, the processing module 601 can be further configured to perform S402.

[0362] When used to implement the function of the application network element, for other functions that the communication apparatus 60 can implement, refer to the related description of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 or the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, and will not be described in detail.

[0363] Alternatively, the communication apparatus 60 is used to implement the function of the second network element. The communication apparatus 60 is, for example, the second network element described in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

[0364] The processing module 601 is configured to control the interface module 602 to receive third information from the first network element in the core network. The third information indicates the indication information that it is confirmed whether the QoS configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path. For example, the processing module 601 can be configured to perform S401A.

[0365] The processing module 601 is further configured to control the interface module 602 to send fifth information to the third network element according to the third information. The fifth information indicates the indication information that the third network element sends the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path. For example, the processing module 601 can be further configured to perform S401B.

[0366] The processing module 601 is further configured to control the interface module 602 to receive sixth information from the third network element. The sixth information is used to indicate the indication information that the third network element can send the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path, or the sixth information is used to indicate the indication information that the third network element cannot send the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path. For example, the processing module 601 can be further configured to perform S401C.

[0367] The processing module 601 is further configured to control the interface module 602 to send seventh information to the fourth network element according to the third information. The seventh information indicates the indication information that the fourth network element sends the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path. For example, the processing module 601 can be further configured to perform S401D.

[0368] The processing module 601 is further configured to control the interface module 602 to receive eighth information from the fourth network element. The eighth information is used to indicate that the fourth network element can send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path, or the eighth information is used to indicate that the fourth network element cannot send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path. For example, the processing module 601 can be further configured to perform S401E.

[0369] The processing module 601 is further configured to control the interface module 602 to send the fourth information to the first network element according to the sixth information and the eighth information. The fourth information is used to indicate the indication information of the QoS configuration that can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path, or the fourth information is used to indicate the indication information of the QoS configuration that cannot be sent to the application network element through the user plane path. For example, the processing module 601 can be further configured to perform S401F.

[0370] When used to implement the function of the second network element, other functions that the communication apparatus 60 can implement can refer to the related description of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, and will not be described in detail.

[0371] In a simple embodiment, those skilled in the art can conceive that the communication apparatus 60 can adopt the form shown in FIG. 3. For example, the processor 301 in FIG. 3 can execute the computer execution instructions stored in the memory 303, so that the communication apparatus 60 executes the method described in the above method embodiment.

[0372] For example, the functions / implementation processes of the processing module 601 and the interface module 602 in FIG. 6 can be realized by the processor 301 in FIG. 3 invoking the computer execution instructions stored in the memory 303. Alternatively, the functions / implementation processes of the processing module 601 in FIG. 6 can be realized by the processor 301 in FIG. 3 invoking the computer execution instructions stored in the memory 303, and the functions / implementation processes of the interface module 602 in FIG. 6 can be realized by the communication interface 304 in FIG. 3.

[0373] It can be understood that one or more of the above modules or units can be implemented in software, hardware or a combination of both. When any of the above modules or units is implemented in software, the software exists in the form of computer program instructions and is stored in the memory, and the processor can be used to execute the program instructions and implement the above method flow. The processor can be built in a system-on-a-chip (SoC) or an ASIC, or be a separate semiconductor chip. The processor further includes a core for executing software instructions to perform operations or processing, and can further include necessary hardware accelerators, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a logic circuit for implementing special logic operations.

[0374] When any of the above modules or units is implemented in hardware, the hardware can be any one or any combination of a CPU, a microprocessor, a digital signal processing (DSP) chip, a microcontroller unit (MCU), an artificial intelligence processor, an ASIC, a SoC, an FPGA, a PLD, a dedicated digital circuit, a hardware accelerator, or a non-integrated discrete device, which can run necessary software or be independent of software to execute the above method flow.

[0375] Optionally, the present application also provides a chip system, including: at least one processor and an interface, the at least one processor is coupled with a memory through the interface, when the at least one processor executes a computer program or instructions in the memory, the method in any of the above method embodiments is executed. In a possible implementation manner, the chip system further includes the memory. Optionally, the chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices, and the present application does not make a specific limitation on this.

[0376] Optionally, the present application also provides a computer readable storage medium. All or part of the processes in the above method embodiments can be instructed by a computer program to relevant hardware to complete, the program can be stored in the above computer readable storage medium, and the program can include the processes of the above method embodiments when executed. The computer readable storage medium can be an internal storage unit of the communication device, such as the hard disk or the memory of the communication device. The above computer readable storage medium can also be an external storage device of the above communication device, such as the plug-in hard disk, smart media card (SMC), secure digital (SD) card, flash card, etc. equipped on the above communication device. Further, the above computer readable storage medium can include both the internal storage unit and the external storage device of the above communication device. The above computer readable storage medium is used to store the above computer program and other programs and data required by the above communication device. The above computer readable storage medium can also be used to temporarily store data that has been output or will be output.

[0377] Optionally, the present application also provides a computer program product. All or part of the processes in the above method embodiments can be instructed by a computer program to relevant hardware to complete, the program can be stored in the above computer program product, and the program can include the processes of the above method embodiments when executed.

[0378] Optionally, the present application also provides a computer instruction. All or part of the processes in the above method embodiments can be instructed by a computer instruction to relevant hardware (such as a computer, a processor, a first network element, an application network element, or a second network element, etc.) to complete. The program can be stored in the above computer readable storage medium or the above computer program product.

[0379] Optionally, the present application also provides a communication system, including at least two of the following: the first network element, the application network element, or the second network element in the above embodiments.

[0380] Through the description of the above embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, only the division of the above functional modules is taken as an example for illustration, and in actual application, the above functions can be completed by different functional modules according to needs, that is, the internal structure of the device is divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above.

[0381] It can be understood that, in the present application, the "connection" can be direct connection or indirect connection; in addition, it can refer to electrical connection or communication connection. For example, two electrical elements A and B are connected, which can mean that A and B are directly connected, or it can mean that A and B are indirectly connected through other electrical elements or connection media, so that A and B can transmit electrical signals; for another example, two devices A and B are connected, which can mean that A and B are directly connected, or it can mean that A and B are indirectly connected through other communication devices or communication media, so that A and B can communicate.

[0382] It can be understood that the names of messages between various network elements in the above embodiments of the present application or the names of various parameters in the messages are only examples, and other names can also be used in specific implementations, which are not limited in the present application.

[0383] It can be understood that, in the present application, " / " can represent that the objects before and after the " / " are in an "or" relationship, for example, A / B can represent A or B; "and / or" can be used to describe three relationships of associated objects, for example, A and / or B, which can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone, wherein A and B can be singular or plural. In addition, expressions such as "at least one of A, B, and C" or "at least one of A, B, or C" are generally used to represent any of the following: A exists alone; B exists alone; C exists alone; A and B exist together; A and C exist together; B and C exist together; A, B, and C exist together. The above is an example of A, B, and C with three elements to illustrate the alternative items of the project, and when there are more elements in the expression, the meaning of the expression can be obtained according to the foregoing rules.

[0384] In order to facilitate the description of the technical solutions of the present application, in the present application, "first", "second" and the like can be used to distinguish functionally identical or similar technical features. The "first", "second" and the like do not limit the quantity and execution order, and the "first", "second" and the like do not necessarily mean different. In the present application, the words "exemplary" or "for example" are used to represent examples, illustrations or descriptions. Any embodiment or design scheme described as "exemplary" or "for example" should not be interpreted as more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. The use of "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concept in a specific manner, and to facilitate understanding.

[0385] It can be understood that the "embodiments" mentioned in the specification throughout 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 by its function and inherent logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the present application.

[0386] It can be understood that in the present application, "for indicating" can include direct indication and indirect indication, and can also include explicit indication and implicit indication. When describing that certain indication information is used to indicate A, it can include that the indication information directly indicates A or indirectly indicates A, and does not mean that A must be carried in the indication information. The information indicated by certain information (such as the first indication information described above) is called to be indicated information, and the implementation process of indicating the to-be-indicated information has many ways, for example but not limited to, the to-be-indicated information can be directly indicated, such as the to-be-indicated information itself or the index of the to-be-indicated information. The to-be-indicated information can also be indirectly indicated by indicating other information, wherein the other information and the to-be-indicated information have an association relationship. The to-be-indicated information can also be only indicated a part, and the other part of the to-be-indicated information is known or agreed in advance. For example, the indication of a specific information can also be achieved by means of the arrangement order of each information agreed in advance (for example, the protocol stipulates), thereby reducing the indication overhead to a certain extent.

[0387] It can be understood that in the present application, "when", "in the case of", "if" and "if" all refer to making corresponding processing under certain objective circumstances, not limited to time, and also does not require a judgment action when implementing, nor means that there are other limitations.

[0388] In the present application, "greater than or equal to" can be replaced by "greater than", or replaced by "equal to"; "less than or equal to" can be replaced by "less than", or replaced by "equal to". For example, A is greater than or equal to B, which can be replaced by A is greater than B, or replaced by A is equal to B; A is less than or equal to B, which can be replaced by A is less than B, or replaced by A is equal to B.

[0389] It can be understood that some optional features in the present application can be implemented independently in some scenarios, solve corresponding technical problems, and achieve corresponding effects, without relying on other features, such as the scheme currently based on. In some scenarios, it can be combined with other features according to needs. Correspondingly, the apparatus given in the present application can also implement these features or functions, and details are not repeated here. For example, S401B-S401E in the present application can be implemented without relying on S401-S401A. That is, the second network element can independently initiate the process of confirming whether the RAN node and the user plane network element can send the indication information of the QoS configuration to the application network element through the user plane path.

[0390] It can be understood that the same step or step or technical feature with the same function in the present application can be mutually referenced and learned between different embodiments.

[0391] In several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and method can be implemented by other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiment described above is only schematic, for example, the division of the module or unit is only a logical function division, and actual implementation can have another division manner, for example, a plurality of units or components can be combined or integrated into another apparatus, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection between the displayed or discussed each other can be through some interface, indirect coupling or communication connection between the units or apparatus, and can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0392] The unit described as a separate component can be or can not be physically separated, and the component displayed as a unit can be one physical unit or a plurality of physical units, that is, can be located in one place, or can be distributed to a plurality of different places. Part or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the embodiment scheme.

[0393] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application can be integrated in one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically, or two or more units can be integrated in one unit. The above integrated unit can be realized in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional unit.

[0394] The above is only a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited to this. Any change or replacement within the technical scope disclosed in the present application should be covered in the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

A communication method, characterized in that, The method, applied to the first network element in the core network, includes: Receive first information from the application network element, the first information indicating that service quality configuration indication information is sent to the application network element through the user plane path; Send a second message to the application network element, the second message being used to indicate that service quality configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path, or the second message being used to indicate that service quality configuration cannot be sent to the application network element through the user plane path. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first information includes one or more of the following: first indication information or identification information of at least one service flow; wherein, the first indication information is used to indicate the granularity of the indication information of the quality of service configuration sent through the user plane path, and the at least one service flow is a service flow associated with the indication information of the quality of service configuration sent through the user plane path. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second information includes the identification information of the first service flow, which belongs to the at least one service flow; The second information is used to indicate that service quality configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path, including: the second information is used to indicate that service quality configuration associated with the first service flow can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path; The second information is used to indicate that the quality of service configuration cannot be sent to the application network element through the user plane path, including: the second information is used to indicate that the quality of service configuration associated with the first service flow cannot be sent to the application network element through the user plane path. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The granularity of the service quality configuration indication information sent through the user plane path is either a service quality stream or an Internet protocol stream. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The method further includes: Based on the first information, a third information is sent to the second network element in the core network, wherein the third information indicates whether it is possible to send service quality configuration information to the application network element through the user plane path; The system receives fourth information from the second network element, wherein the fourth information is used to indicate that the quality of service configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path, or the fourth information is used to indicate that the quality of service configuration cannot be sent to the application network element through the user plane path. When the fourth information indicates that the indication information of quality of service configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path, the second information is used to indicate that the indication information of quality of service configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path. When the fourth information indicates that the indication information of quality of service configuration cannot be sent to the application network element through the user plane path, the second information is used to indicate that the indication information of quality of service configuration cannot be sent to the application network element through the user plane path. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The third information indicates whether it is possible to send a quality of service configuration indication to the application network element through the user plane path, including: The third information indicates whether the nodes on the user plane path can send service quality configuration indication information to the application network element. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The first information is carried in a subscription request message or a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) POST request message. The method according to any one of claims 1-7 is characterized in that, The first information also indicates that service quality configuration instructions be sent to the terminal via air interface signaling. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The first network element is a user plane network element or a network open network element. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first network element is a user plane network element, and the second information is used to indicate that service quality configuration information can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path. The method further includes: Receive indication information of the quality of service configuration associated with the first quality of service flow from the radio access network node; Send indication information of the quality of service configuration associated with the first Internet Protocol flow to the application network element, wherein the first quality of service flow and the first Internet Protocol flow have a mapping relationship. The method according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that, The user plane path includes the user plane channel between the radio access network node and the user plane network element, as well as the user plane channel or application programming interface between the user plane network element and the application network element. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to application network elements, the method includes: Send first information to the first network element in the core network, the first information indicating that service quality configuration indication information is sent to the application network element through the user plane path; The system receives second information from the first network element, wherein the second information is used to indicate that the quality of service configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path, or the second information is used to indicate that the quality of service configuration cannot be sent to the application network element through the user plane path. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The first information includes one or more of the following: first indication information or identification information of at least one service flow; wherein, the first indication information is used to indicate the granularity of the indication information of the quality of service configuration sent through the user plane path, and the at least one service flow is a service flow associated with the indication information of the quality of service configuration sent through the user plane path. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The second information includes the identification information of the first service flow, which belongs to the at least one service flow; The second information is used to indicate that service quality configuration can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path, including: the second information is used to indicate that service quality configuration associated with the first service flow can be sent to the application network element through the user plane path; The second information is used to indicate that the quality of service configuration cannot be sent to the application network element through the user plane path, including: the second information is used to indicate that the quality of service configuration associated with the first service flow cannot be sent to the application network element through the user plane path. The method according to claim 13 or 14 is characterized in that, The granularity of the service quality configuration indication information sent through the user plane path is either a service quality stream or an Internet protocol stream. The method according to any one of claims 12-15 is characterized in that, The first information is carried in a subscription request message or a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) POST request message. The method according to any one of claims 12-16 is characterized in that, The first information also indicates that service quality configuration instructions be sent to the terminal via air interface signaling. The method according to any one of claims 12-17 is characterized in that, The first network element is a user plane network element or a network open network element. The method according to any one of claims 12-18 is characterized in that, The user plane path includes the user plane channel between the radio access network node and the user plane network element, as well as the user plane channel or application programming interface between the user plane network element and the application network element. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes units or modules for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, or includes units or modules for performing the method as described in any one of claims 12 to 19. A communication device, characterized in that, include: A processor coupled to a memory for storing a program or instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, or the method as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 19. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program or instructions stored thereon, characterized in that, When the computer program or instructions are executed, they cause the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, or the method as described in any one of claims 12 to 19. A computer program product, comprising computer program code, characterized in that, When the computer program code is run on a computer, it causes the computer to implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 11, or the method of any one of claims 12 to 19.

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