Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of communications, and provides a communication method and apparatus. The method comprises: receiving first information from a first access function, wherein the first information is used for indicating an identifier of first processing and requesting a second access function to perform the first processing, the first processing is processing offloaded from a first terminal device to the second access function, and the first terminal device is used for communicating with the first access function; and sending second information to the first access function, wherein the second information is used for indicating that the second access function agrees to perform the first processing. The first access function can request the second access function to perform auxiliary calculation for the first terminal device. In this way, processing content of the first terminal device can be offloaded to the second access function, thereby effectively reducing the amount of calculation of the first terminal device.

Description

Communication method and apparatus

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese Patent Application No. 202410890970.7, filed on July 3, 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, and more particularly, to a communication method and apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0003] The emergence and popularity of new applications such as extended reality (XR) and artificial intelligence (AI) have greatly improved the quality of work, entertainment and life. However, the emergence and popularity of various new applications have also put higher requirements on the computing power (referred to as "computing power") of terminal devices. For example, new applications such as XR and AI require terminal devices to perform large amounts of computation, and terminal devices may be unable to support large amounts of computation.

[0004] Therefore, how to effectively reduce the computing amount of the terminal device is a problem to be solved. SUMMARY

[0005] The present application provides a communication method and apparatus, which effectively reduces the computing amount of the terminal device by offloading the processing content of the terminal device to the access network device.

[0006] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided. The execution subject of the method provided in the first aspect can be a second access function. In the absence of special description, the second access function in the present application can refer to an access network device capable of implementing a second access function, or a component (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) in the access network device, or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the second access function. For ease of description, the second access function is described below as an example.

[0007] The method includes: receiving first information from a first access function, the first information being used to indicate an identity of a first processing, and the first information being used to request the second access function to perform the first processing; and sending second information to the first access function, the second information being used to indicate that the second access function agrees to perform the first processing.

[0008] Based on the above scheme, the first access function can request the second access function to perform auxiliary computation for the first terminal device, thereby effectively reducing the computing amount of the first terminal device.

[0009] In some implementations, the first processing is offloaded from the first terminal device to the second access function, the first terminal device being configured to communicate with the first access function.

[0010] Based on the above scheme, the processing content of the first terminal device can be offloaded to the second access function, effectively reducing the calculation amount of the first terminal device. For example, without the above scheme, the first terminal device needs to perform first processing on some data. With the above scheme, the first terminal device can not perform first processing on the data, but the second access function performs first processing on the data. Therefore, the above scheme can effectively reduce the calculation amount of the terminal device.

[0011] In some implementations, the first information is further used to indicate a first identifier, the first identifier corresponding to an identifier of the first processing.

[0012] Based on the above scheme, the first information indicates the first identifier and the identifier of the first processing. The first identifier corresponds to the identifier of the first processing. For example, when the second access function receives data carrying the first identifier, it can be determined that the data is first processed. In this way, the first access function does not need to additionally indicate the second access function to perform first processing on the data, thereby reducing the signaling overhead.

[0013] In some implementations, the method further comprises determining a first tunnel, an identifier of the first tunnel corresponding to the first identifier, the first tunnel being used for data transmission between the first access function and the second access function.

[0014] Based on the above scheme, a tunnel can be established between the first access function and the second access function, so that data can be transmitted between the first access function and the second access function, thereby realizing the auxiliary calculation of the second access function. In addition, the identifier of the first tunnel corresponds to the first identifier. In this way, in the case that the data only carries the identifier of the first tunnel and does not carry the first identifier, the first access function or the second access function can determine the first identifier according to the identifier of the first tunnel, and perform subsequent operations according to the first identifier. Therefore, the above scheme supports the data implicitly carrying the first identifier, thereby reducing the overhead of carrying the first identifier.

[0015] In some implementations, the method further comprises receiving tenth information from the first access function, the tenth information being used to indicate the identifier of the first tunnel, wherein determining the first tunnel comprises determining the first tunnel according to the tenth information.

[0016] Based on the above scheme, the first access function can indicate the identifier of the first tunnel to the second access function, so that the second access function can determine the first tunnel according to the identifier of the first tunnel.

[0017] In some implementations, the tenth information is further used to indicate an identity of the first access function.

[0018] In some scenarios, the identity used to distinguish the tunnel is limited. For example, the identity of the first tunnel can correspond to other tunnels in addition to the first tunnel. Based on the above scheme, the first tunnel can be distinguished from other tunnels according to the identity of the first tunnel and the identity of the first access function, so that in the case where the identity used to distinguish the tunnel is limited, the first tunnel is distinguished from other tunnels, without the need to separately set a tunnel identity completely different from other tunnels for the first tunnel, thereby saving the space of the tunnel identity.

[0019] In some implementations, the method further includes: sending, to the first access function, the eleventh information, the eleventh information being used to indicate the identity of the first tunnel.

[0020] Based on the above scheme, the second access function can indicate the identity of the first tunnel to the first access function, so that the first access function can determine the first tunnel according to the identity of the first tunnel.

[0021] In some implementations, the method further includes: determining a second tunnel, an identity of the second tunnel corresponding to the first identity, the second tunnel being used for data transmission between the second access function and the first core network function.

[0022] Based on the above scheme, a tunnel can be established between the second access function and the first core network function, so that data can be transmitted between the second access function and the first core network function. For example, the second access function can send the processed data to the first core network function through the second tunnel. For another example, the second access function can receive data from the first core network function through the second tunnel, thereby performing auxiliary calculation. In addition, the identity of the second tunnel corresponds to the first identity. In this way, in the case where the data only carries the identity of the second tunnel and does not carry the first identity, the second access function can determine the first identity according to the identity of the second tunnel, and perform subsequent operations according to the first identity. Therefore, the above scheme supports the data to implicitly carry the first identity, thereby reducing the overhead of carrying the first identity.

[0023] In some implementations, the identity of the first tunnel is the same as the identity of the second tunnel; or the identity of the first tunnel is different from the identity of the second tunnel.

[0024] The identity of the first tunnel and the identity of the second tunnel are the same, which can reduce the complexity of the data transmission process. For example, in a case where the second access function receives data carrying the identity of the first tunnel from the first access function, since the identity of the first tunnel and the identity of the second tunnel are the same, the second access function can directly transmit to the first core network function through the second tunnel according to the identity, without the need to determine the identity of the second tunnel according to the identity of the first tunnel. The identity of the first tunnel and the identity of the second tunnel are different, which can more flexibly configure the first tunnel and the second tunnel. For example, independent expansion can be performed for the second tunnel without affecting the operation of the first tunnel.

[0025] In some implementations, the method further includes receiving twelfth information from the first access function, the twelfth information being used to indicate the identity of the second tunnel.

[0026] Based on the above scheme, the first access function can indicate the identity of the second tunnel to the second access function, so that the second access function can determine the second tunnel according to the identity of the second tunnel.

[0027] In some implementations, the twelfth information is further used to indicate the identity of the first core network function; and determining the second tunnel includes determining the second tunnel according to the identity of the first core network function.

[0028] In some implementations, the method further includes receiving thirteenth information from the second core network function, the thirteenth information being used to indicate the identity of the second tunnel.

[0029] Based on the above scheme, the second access function can obtain the identity of the second tunnel from the second core network function, thereby determining the second tunnel.

[0030] In some implementations, the thirteenth information is further used to indicate the identity of the first core network function, and determining the second tunnel includes determining the second tunnel according to the identity of the first core network function.

[0031] In some implementations, the method further includes sending a second request to the second core network function, the second request being used to request the identity of the second tunnel.

[0032] In some implementations, the second request is used to indicate the identity of the second access function.

[0033] In some implementations, the method further includes sending fifteenth information to the first access function, the fifteenth information being used to indicate TEID3, and the third tunnel being used for data transmission between the first access function and the first core network function.

[0034] Based on the above scheme, the second access function can indicate the TEID3 to the first access function, so that the first access function can determine the third tunnel according to the TEID3.

[0035] In some implementations, the first tunnel has the same identifier as the TEID3; or the first tunnel has a different identifier from the TEID3.

[0036] The first tunnel has the same identifier as the TEID3, which can reduce the complexity of the data transmission process. For example, in the case where the first access function receives data carrying the identifier of the first tunnel from the second access function, since the first tunnel has the same identifier as the TEID3, the first access function can directly transmit to the first core network function through the third tunnel according to the identifier, without the need to determine the TEID3 according to the identifier of the first tunnel. The first tunnel has a different identifier from the TEID3, which can more flexibly configure the first tunnel and the third tunnel. For example, independent expansion can be performed for the third tunnel without affecting the operation of the first tunnel.

[0037] In some implementations, the method further includes receiving sixteenth information from the second core network function, the sixteenth information being used to indicate the TEID3.

[0038] Based on the above scheme, the second access function can obtain the TEID3 from the second core network function, and thus indicate the TEID3 to the first access function.

[0039] In some implementations, the method further includes sending a third request to the second core network function, the third request being used to request the TEID3.

[0040] In some implementations, the second request includes an identifier of the first access function.

[0041] In some implementations, the fifteenth information is further used to indicate an identifier of the first core network function.

[0042] In some implementations, the sixteenth information is further used to indicate an identifier of the first core network function.

[0043] In some implementations, the method further includes receiving third information from the first access function, the third information including first data and first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate at least one of a first identifier, an identifier of a first tunnel, or an identifier of the first processing, the first tunnel being used for data transmission between the first access function and the second access function; and performing the first processing on the first data according to the first indication information to obtain second data.

[0044] Based on the above scheme, the first data sent by the first access function can carry the first indication information. In this way, the second access function can determine to perform the first processing on the first data according to the first indication information, thereby assisting in calculation. In addition, the second access function can determine to send the processed data to the corresponding function according to the first indication information.

[0045] In some implementations, according to the first indication information, the first processing is performed on the first data to obtain second data, including: determining an identifier of the first processing according to the first indication information; and performing the first processing on the first data according to the identifier of the first processing to obtain the second data.

[0046] In some implementations, the method further includes: sending fourth information to the first core network function, the fourth information including the second data and second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate the first identifier and / or an identifier of a second tunnel, the second tunnel being used for data transmission between the second access function and the first core network function.

[0047] Based on the above scheme, the second access function can send the processed second data to the first core network function. The second data can carry the second indication information, and the second indication information can cause the first core network function to make corresponding processing on the second data.

[0048] In some implementations, the method further includes: determining the first core network function according to the first indication information.

[0049] In some implementations, determining the first core network function according to the first indication information includes: determining the first core network function according to the first indication information and a first mapping relationship, wherein the first mapping relationship includes a mapping relationship between at least one of the first identifier, an identifier of the first tunnel or an identifier of the first processing and an identifier of the first core network function.

[0050] In some implementations, at least one of the first identifier, the identifier of the first tunnel or the identifier of the first processing corresponds to an identifier of the second tunnel, and the method further includes: determining the identifier of the second tunnel according to the first indication information.

[0051] In some implementations, the method further includes: receiving sixth information from the first core network function, the sixth information including the first data and fourth indication information, the fourth indication information being used to indicate the first identifier and / or the identifier of the second tunnel, the second tunnel being used for data transmission between the second access function and the first core network function; and performing the first processing on the first data according to the fourth indication information to obtain second data.

[0052] In some implementations, the first data is processed according to the fourth indication information to obtain second data, including: determining the identity of the first processing according to the fourth indication information; and processing the first data according to the identity of the first processing to obtain the second data.

[0053] In some implementations, the method further includes determining the first access function according to the first indication information.

[0054] In some implementations, the first access function is determined according to the first indication information, including: determining the first access function according to the first indication information and a second mapping relationship, wherein the second mapping relationship includes a mapping relationship between at least one of the first identity, the identity of the first tunnel or the identity of the first processing and the identity of the first access function.

[0055] In some implementations, the method further includes determining the first access function according to the fourth indication information.

[0056] In some implementations, the first access function is determined according to the fourth indication information, including: determining the first access function according to the fourth indication information and a third mapping relationship, wherein the third mapping relationship includes a mapping relationship between the first identity and / or the identity of the second tunnel and the identity of the first access function.

[0057] In some implementations, the first identity and / or the identity of the second tunnel corresponds to the identity of the first tunnel, and the method further includes determining the identity of the first tunnel according to the fourth indication information.

[0058] In some implementations, the method further includes sending fifth information to the first access function, the fifth information including the second data and third indication information, the third indication information being used to indicate the first identity and / or the identity of the first tunnel, and the third indication information being determined according to the first indication information.

[0059] Based on the above scheme, the second access function can send the second data processed to the first access function. The second data can carry the third indication information, and the third indication information can cause the first access function to make corresponding processing on the second data.

[0060] In some implementations, the fifth information further includes information used to indicate uplink transmission or downlink transmission.

[0061] Based on the above scheme, the fifth information can carry information indicating uplink transmission or downlink transmission, so that the first access function can determine whether the second data is uplink data or downlink data, and thus send the second data to the corresponding function. For example, in the case where the second data is uplink data, the first access function can send the second data to the first core network function. For another example, in the case where the second data is downlink data, the first access function can send the second data to the first terminal device.

[0062] In some implementations, the third information further includes information for indicating uplink transmission or downlink transmission.

[0063] In some implementations, the method further includes: sending, to the first access function, fifth information, the fifth information including the second data and third indication information, the third indication information being used to indicate the first identifier and / or an identifier of a first tunnel, the first tunnel being used for data transmission between the first access function and the second access function.

[0064] In some implementations, the first identifier is used to indicate at least one of an identifier of the first terminal device, downlink transmission, uplink transmission, a quality of service flow identifier (QFI), an identifier of a data radio bearer (DRB), an application (APP) type, an identifier of an APP flow, an identifier of an APP, or an identifier of a packet data unit (PDU) session.

[0065] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided. The execution subject of the method provided in the second aspect can be a first access function. In the absence of special description, the first access function in the present application can refer to an access network device capable of implementing the first access function, a component (for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) in the access network device, or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the first access function. For ease of description, the first access function is taken as an example in the following description.

[0066] The method includes: sending, to a second access function, first information, the first information being used to indicate an identifier of a first process, the first information being used to request the second access function to perform the first process; and receiving second information from the first access function, the second information being used to indicate that the second access function agrees to perform the first process.

[0067] In some implementations, the first process is a process offloaded from a first terminal device to the second access function, the first terminal device being used to communicate with the first access function.

[0068] In some implementations, the first information is further used to indicate a first identity, the first identity corresponding to the identity of the first processing.

[0069] In some implementations, the method further includes receiving a first request from the first terminal device, the first request being used to indicate the identity of the first processing, the first request being used to request the first processing.

[0070] Based on the above scheme, the first terminal device can send the first request to the first access function, thereby triggering the operation of the first access function sending the first information to the second access function.

[0071] In some implementations, the method further includes determining a first tunnel, an identity of the first tunnel corresponding to the first identity, the first tunnel being used for data transmission between the first access function and the second access function.

[0072] In some implementations, the method further includes sending tenth information to the second access function, the tenth information being used to indicate the identity of the first tunnel, wherein determining the first tunnel includes determining the first tunnel according to the tenth information.

[0073] In some implementations, the method further includes receiving the eleventh information from the second access function, the eleventh information being used to indicate the identity of the first tunnel.

[0074] In some implementations, the method further includes determining a third tunnel, the TEID3 corresponding to the first identity, the third tunnel being used for data transmission between the first access function and the first core network function.

[0075] Based on the above scheme, a tunnel can be established between the first access function and the first core network function, so that data can be transmitted between the first access function and the first core network function. For example, the first access function can receive processed data from the second access function, and send the data to the first core network function through the third tunnel. For another example, the first access function can receive data from the first core network function through the third tunnel, and send the data to the second access function, thereby performing auxiliary calculation. In addition, the TEID3 corresponds to the first identity. In this way, in the case that the data only carries the TEID3 and does not carry the first identity, the first access function can determine the first identity according to the TEID3, and perform subsequent operations according to the first identity. Therefore, the above scheme supports the data implicitly carrying the first identity, thereby reducing the overhead of carrying the first identity.

[0076] In some implementations, the method further includes receiving fourteenth information from the second core network function, the fourteenth information being used to indicate the TEID3.

[0077] Based on the above scheme, the first access function can obtain the TEID3 from the second core network function, so as to determine the third tunnel.

[0078] In some implementations, the fourteenth information is further used to indicate an identity of the first core network function; and determining the third tunnel comprises: determining the third tunnel according to the identity of the first core network function.

[0079] In some implementations, the method further comprises: sending a fourth request to the second core network function, the fourth request being used to request the TEID3.

[0080] In some implementations, the fourth request is used to indicate an identity of the first access function.

[0081] In some implementations, the method further comprises: receiving fifteenth information from the second access function, the fifteenth information being used to indicate the TEID3.

[0082] In some implementations, the fifteenth information is further used to indicate an identity of the first core network function.

[0083] In some implementations, the method further comprises: sending twelfth information to the first access function, the twelfth information being used to indicate an identity of the second tunnel, the second tunnel being used for data transmission between the second access function and the first core network function.

[0084] In some implementations, the twelfth information is further used to indicate an identity of the first core network function.

[0085] In some implementations, the method further comprises: receiving seventeenth information from the second core network function, the seventeenth information being used to indicate an identity of the second tunnel.

[0086] Based on the above scheme, the first access function can obtain the identity of the second tunnel from the second core network function, so as to indicate the identity of the second tunnel to the second access function.

[0087] In some implementations, the method further comprises: sending a fifth request to the second core network function, the fifth request being used to request the identity of the second tunnel.

[0088] In some implementations, the fifth request is used to indicate an identity of the second access function.

[0089] In some implementations, the seventeenth information is further used to indicate an identity of the first core network function.

[0090] In some embodiments, the method further includes: sending, to the second access function, third information, the third information including the first data and first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate at least one of the first identity, an identity of the first tunnel, or an identity of the first processing, the first indication information being used to indicate the first processing on the first data, the first tunnel being used for data transmission between the first access function and the second access function.

[0091] In some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving seventh information from the first core network function, the seventh information including the first data and seventh indication information, the seventh indication information being used to indicate the first identity and / or TEID3, the third tunnel being used for data transmission between the first access function and the first core network function.

[0092] In some embodiments, the method further includes: determining the second access function according to the seventh indication information.

[0093] In some embodiments, determining the second access function according to the seventh indication information includes: determining the second access function according to the seventh indication information and a twelfth mapping relationship, wherein the twelfth mapping relationship includes a mapping relationship between the first identity and / or TEID3 and an identity of the second access function.

[0094] In some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving eighth information from the first terminal device, the eighth information including the first data and the first identity.

[0095] Based on the above scheme, the first data sent by the first terminal device can carry the first identity. In this way, the first access function can instruct a corresponding access function (e.g., the second access function) to perform auxiliary calculation on the first data according to the first identity.

[0096] In some embodiments, the method further includes: determining the second access function according to the first identity.

[0097] In some embodiments, determining the second access function according to the first identity includes: determining the second access function according to the first identity and a fourth mapping relationship, wherein the fourth mapping relationship includes a mapping relationship between the first identity and an identity of the second access function.

[0098] In some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving fifth information from the second access function, the fifth information including second data and third indication information, the third indication information being used to indicate the first identity and / or an identity of the first tunnel, the second data being obtained from the first data by the first processing.

[0099] In some implementations, the method further includes: sending, according to the third indication information, the second data to the first terminal device.

[0100] In some implementations, the sending, according to the third indication information, the second data to the first terminal device includes: determining the first terminal device according to the third indication information; and sending the second data to the first terminal device.

[0101] In some implementations, the determining the first terminal device according to the third indication information includes: determining the first terminal device according to the third indication information and a fifth mapping relationship, where the fifth mapping relationship includes a mapping relationship between the first identifier and / or the identifier of the first tunnel and an identifier of the first terminal device.

[0102] In some implementations, the method further includes: sending, to the first core network function, ninth information including the second data and sixth indication information, where the sixth indication information is used to indicate the first identifier and / or the TEID 3, and the third tunnel is used for data transmission between the first access function and the first core network function.

[0103] Based on the above scheme, the first access function can send the processed second data to the first core network function. The second data can carry the sixth indication information, and the sixth indication information can cause the first core network function to make corresponding processing on the second data.

[0104] In some implementations, the method further includes: determining the first core network function according to the third indication information.

[0105] In some implementations, the determining the first core network function according to the third indication information includes: determining the first core network function according to the third indication information and a sixth mapping relationship, where the sixth mapping relationship includes a mapping relationship between the first identifier and / or the identifier of the first tunnel and an identifier of the first core network function.

[0106] In some implementations, the fifth information further includes information used to indicate uplink transmission or downlink transmission.

[0107] In some implementations, the third information further includes information used to indicate uplink transmission or downlink transmission.

[0108] In some implementations, the first identifier is used to indicate at least one of an identifier of the first terminal device, downlink transmission, uplink transmission, a QFI, an identifier of a DRB, an APP type, an identifier of an APP flow, an identifier of an APP, or an identifier of a PDU session.

[0109] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided. The execution subject of the method provided in the third aspect can be a first terminal device. In the absence of special description, the first terminal device in the present application can refer to the first terminal device itself, a component (for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) in the first terminal device, or a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the functions of the first terminal device. For ease of description, the first terminal device is taken as an example for description hereinafter.

[0110] The method comprises: generating a first request, the first request being used to indicate an identity of a first processing, the first request being used to request to perform the first processing; and sending the first request to a first access function.

[0111] Based on the above scheme, the first terminal device can send the first request to the first access function, so as to trigger the first access function to determine a node for auxiliary calculation.

[0112] In some implementations, the first processing is a processing offloaded from the first terminal device to an access function.

[0113] In some implementations, the first request is further used to indicate a first identity, the first identity corresponding to the identity of the first processing.

[0114] In some implementations, the first identity is used to indicate at least one of an identity of the first terminal device, downlink transmission, uplink transmission, a QFI, an identity of a DRB, an APP type, an identity of an APP flow, an identity of an APP, or an identity of a PDU session.

[0115] In some implementations, the method further comprises: receiving second data from the first access function, the second data being obtained by performing the first processing on the first data.

[0116] In some implementations, the method further comprises: sending eighth information to the first access function, the eighth information comprising the first data and the first identity, the first data being used to obtain the second data by performing the first processing.

[0117] In a fourth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which comprises a processing circuit (or processor) and an input and output interface (which can also be referred to as an interface circuit), the input and output interface being configured to input and / or output signals, and the processing circuit being configured to execute the first aspect and any possible method of the first aspect, or the processing circuit being configured to execute the second aspect and any possible method of the second aspect, or the processing circuit being configured to execute the third aspect and any possible method of the third aspect, or the processing circuit being configured to execute the eleventh aspect and any possible method of the eleventh aspect, or the processing circuit being configured to execute the twelfth aspect and any possible method of the twelfth aspect.

[0118] In some embodiments, the processing circuitry is configured to communicate with other apparatuses via the interface circuitry and perform any of the methods of the first aspect as discussed above, or perform any of the methods of the second aspect as discussed above, or perform any of the methods of the third aspect as discussed above, or perform any of the methods of the twelfth aspect as discussed above, or perform any of the methods of the twelfth aspect as discussed above.

[0119] A fifth aspect provides a communication apparatus. The communication apparatus can include units or modules for performing functions of the communication apparatus.

[0120] In some embodiments, the communication apparatus can include a module or unit or means corresponding to each of the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the first aspect and any of the possible implementation manners of the first aspect, which can be hardware circuit, software, or a combination of hardware circuit and software.

[0121] The apparatus includes a transceiver. The transceiver can be configured to receive first information from a first access function, the first information being used to indicate an identity of a first processing, the first information being used to request the second access function to perform the first processing; and transmit second information to the first access function, the second information being used to indicate that the second access function agrees to perform the first processing.

[0122] In some embodiments, the first processing is a processing offloaded from a first terminal device to the second access function, the first terminal device being configured to communicate with the first access function.

[0123] In some embodiments, the first information is further used to indicate a first identity, the first identity corresponding to the identity of the first processing.

[0124] In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes a processing unit. The processing unit can be configured to determine a first tunnel, an identity of the first tunnel corresponding to the first identity, the first tunnel being used for data transmission between the first access function and the second access function.

[0125] In some embodiments, the transceiver is further configured to receive tenth information from the first access function, the tenth information being used to indicate the identity of the first tunnel, wherein the processing unit is specifically configured to determine the first tunnel according to the tenth information.

[0126] In some embodiments, the tenth information is further used to indicate an identity of the first access function.

[0127] In some embodiments, the transceiving unit can be further configured to send, to the first access function, the eleventh information, the eleventh information being used to indicate the identity of the first tunnel.

[0128] In some embodiments, the processing unit can be further configured to determine a second tunnel, an identity of the second tunnel corresponding to the first identity, the second tunnel being used for data transmission between the second access function and the first core network function.

[0129] In some embodiments, the identity of the first tunnel is the same as the identity of the second tunnel; or the identity of the first tunnel is different from the identity of the second tunnel.

[0130] In some embodiments, the transceiving unit can be further configured to receive, from the first access function, twelfth information, the twelfth information being used to indicate the identity of the second tunnel.

[0131] In some embodiments, the twelfth information is further used to indicate an identity of the first core network function; wherein the processing unit is specifically configured to determine the second tunnel according to the identity of the first core network function.

[0132] In some embodiments, the transceiving unit can be further configured to receive, from the second core network function, thirteenth information, the thirteenth information being used to indicate the identity of the second tunnel.

[0133] In some embodiments, the thirteenth information is further used to indicate the identity of the first core network function, wherein the processing unit is specifically configured to determine the second tunnel according to the identity of the first core network function.

[0134] In some embodiments, the transceiving unit can be further configured to send, to the second core network function, a second request, the second request being used to request the identity of the second tunnel.

[0135] In some embodiments, the second request is used to indicate the identity of the second access function.

[0136] In some embodiments, the transceiving unit can be further configured to send, to the first access function, fifteenth information, the fifteenth information being used to indicate TEID3, the third tunnel being used for data transmission between the first access function and the first core network function.

[0137] In some embodiments, the identity of the first tunnel is the same as the TEID3; or the identity of the first tunnel is different from the TEID3.

[0138] In some embodiments, the transceiving unit can be further configured to receive, from the second core network function, sixteenth information, the sixteenth information being used to indicate the TEID3.

[0139] In some embodiments, the transceiving unit is further configured to send, to the second core network function, a third request for requesting the TEID3.

[0140] In some embodiments, the second request comprises an identity of the first access function.

[0141] In some embodiments, the fifteenth information further indicates an identity of the first core network function.

[0142] In some embodiments, the sixteenth information further indicates an identity of the first core network function.

[0143] In some embodiments, the transceiving unit is further configured to receive third information from the first access function, the third information comprising first data and first indication information indicating at least one of the first identity, an identity of a first tunnel for data transmission between the first access function and the second access function, or an identity of the first processing; and the processing unit is further configured to perform the first processing on the first data according to the first indication information to obtain second data.

[0144] In some embodiments, the processing unit is specifically configured to: determine the identity of the first processing according to the first indication information; and perform the first processing on the first data according to the identity of the first processing to obtain the second data.

[0145] In some embodiments, the transceiving unit is further configured to send fourth information to the first core network function, the fourth information comprising the second data and second indication information indicating the first identity and / or an identity of a second tunnel for data transmission between the second access function and the first core network function.

[0146] In some embodiments, the first core network function is determined according to the first indication information.

[0147] In some embodiments, the processing unit is specifically configured to: determine the first core network function according to the first indication information and a first mapping relationship, wherein the first mapping relationship comprises a mapping relationship between at least one of the first identity, the identity of the first tunnel, or the identity of the first processing and an identity of the first core network function.

[0148] In some embodiments, at least one of the first identity, the identity of the first tunnel, or the identity of the first processing corresponds to the identity of the second tunnel, and the processing unit is further configured to determine the identity of the second tunnel according to the first indication information.

[0149] In some embodiments, the transceiving unit is further configured to receive sixth information from the first core network function, the sixth information comprising the first data and fourth indication information, the fourth indication information being used to indicate the first identifier and / or an identifier of a second tunnel used for data transmission between the second access function and the first core network function; and the processing unit is further configured to perform the first processing on the first data according to the fourth indication information to obtain second data.

[0150] In some embodiments, the processing unit is specifically configured to: determine an identifier of the first processing according to the fourth indication information; and perform the first processing on the first data according to the identifier of the first processing to obtain the second data.

[0151] In some embodiments, the processing unit is further configured to determine the first access function according to the first indication information.

[0152] In some embodiments, the processing unit is specifically configured to determine the first access function according to the first indication information and a second mapping relationship, wherein the second mapping relationship comprises a mapping relationship between at least one of the first identifier, an identifier of the first tunnel or an identifier of the first processing and an identifier of the first access function.

[0153] In some embodiments, the processing unit is further configured to determine the first access function according to the fourth indication information.

[0154] In some embodiments, the processing unit is specifically configured to determine the first access function according to the fourth indication information and a third mapping relationship, wherein the third mapping relationship comprises a mapping relationship between the first identifier and / or the identifier of the second tunnel and the identifier of the first access function.

[0155] In some embodiments, the first identifier and / or the identifier of the second tunnel corresponds to an identifier of the first tunnel, and the processing unit is further configured to determine the identifier of the first tunnel according to the fourth indication information.

[0156] In some embodiments, the transceiving unit is further configured to send fifth information to the first access function, the fifth information comprising the second data and third indication information, the third indication information being used to indicate the first identifier and / or the identifier of the first tunnel, the third indication information being determined according to the first indication information.

[0157] In some embodiments, the fifth information further comprises information used to indicate uplink transmission or downlink transmission.

[0158] In some embodiments, the third information further comprises information used to indicate uplink transmission or downlink transmission.

[0159] In some embodiments, the transceiver can be further configured to: send, to the first access function, fifth information including the second data and third indication information, the third indication information being used to indicate the first identifier and / or an identifier of a first tunnel used for data transmission between the first access function and the second access function.

[0160] In some embodiments, the first identifier is used to indicate at least one of an identifier of the first terminal device, downlink transmission, uplink transmission, a QFI, an identifier of a DRB, an APP type, an identifier of an APP flow, an identifier of an APP, or an identifier of a PDU session.

[0161] In some embodiments, the communication apparatus can include a module or unit or means corresponding to each of the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the second aspect and any possible implementation manner of the second aspect, which can be hardware circuit, software, or a combination of hardware circuit and software.

[0162] The apparatus can include a transceiver. The transceiver can be configured to: send, to a second access function, first information used to indicate an identifier of a first process, the first information being used to request the second access function to perform the first process; and receive, from the first access function, second information used to indicate that the second access function agrees to perform the first process.

[0163] In some embodiments, the first process is a process offloaded from a first terminal device to the second access function, the first terminal device being configured to communicate with the first access function.

[0164] In some embodiments, the first information is further used to indicate a first identifier corresponding to the identifier of the first process.

[0165] In some embodiments, the transceiver can be further configured to: receive, from a first terminal device, a first request used to indicate an identifier of a first process, the first request being used to request to perform the first process.

[0166] In some embodiments, the apparatus can further include a processing unit configured to: determine a first tunnel, an identifier of the first tunnel corresponding to the first identifier, the first tunnel being used for data transmission between the first access function and the second access function.

[0167] In some embodiments, the transceiver can be further configured to: send, to the second access function, tenth information used to indicate the identifier of the first tunnel, wherein the processing unit is specifically configured to include: determining the first tunnel according to the tenth information.

[0168] In some embodiments, the transceiving unit can be further configured to receive the eleventh information from the second access function, the eleventh information being used to indicate the identity of the first tunnel.

[0169] In some embodiments, the processing unit can be further configured to determine a third tunnel, the TEID3 corresponding to the first identity, the third tunnel being used for data transmission between the first access function and a first core network function.

[0170] In some embodiments, the transceiving unit can be further configured to receive the fourteenth information from a second core network function, the fourteenth information being used to indicate the TEID3.

[0171] In some embodiments, the fourteenth information is further used to indicate an identity of the first core network function; and the processing unit is specifically configured to determine the third tunnel according to the identity of the first core network function.

[0172] In some embodiments, the transceiving unit can be further configured to send a fourth request to the second core network function, the fourth request being used to request the TEID3.

[0173] In some embodiments, the fourth request is used to indicate the identity of the first access function.

[0174] In some embodiments, the transceiving unit can be further configured to receive the fifteenth information from the second access function, the fifteenth information being used to indicate the TEID3.

[0175] In some embodiments, the fifteenth information is further used to indicate the identity of the first core network function.

[0176] In some embodiments, the transceiving unit can be further configured to send twelfth information to the first access function, the twelfth information being used to indicate an identity of the second tunnel, the second tunnel being used for data transmission between the second access function and a first core network function.

[0177] In some embodiments, the twelfth information is further used to indicate the identity of the first core network function.

[0178] In some embodiments, the transceiving unit can be further configured to receive seventeenth information from a second core network function, the seventeenth information being used to indicate the identity of the second tunnel.

[0179] In some embodiments, the transceiving unit can be further configured to send a fifth request to the second core network function, the fifth request being used to request the identity of the second tunnel.

[0180] In some embodiments, the fifth request is used to indicate the identity of the second access function.

[0181] In some embodiments, the seventeenth information is further used to indicate an identity of the first core network function.

[0182] In some embodiments, the transceiver can be further configured to: send, to the second access function, third information including the first data and first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate at least one of the first identity, an identity of the first tunnel, or an identity of the first processing, the first indication information being used to indicate the first processing on the first data, the first tunnel being used for data transmission between the first access function and the second access function.

[0183] In some embodiments, the transceiver can be further configured to: receive seventh information from the first core network function, the seventh information including the first data and seventh indication information, the seventh indication information being used to indicate the first identity and / or TEID3, the third tunnel being used for data transmission between the first access function and the first core network function.

[0184] In some embodiments, the processing unit can be further configured to: determine the second access function according to the seventh indication information.

[0185] In some embodiments, the processing unit can be specifically configured to: determine the second access function according to the seventh indication information and a twelfth mapping relationship, wherein the twelfth mapping relationship includes a mapping relationship between the first identity and / or TEID3 and an identity of the second access function.

[0186] In some embodiments, the transceiver can be further configured to: receive eighth information from the first terminal device, the eighth information including the first data and the first identity.

[0187] In some embodiments, the processing unit can be further configured to: determine the second access function according to the first identity.

[0188] In some embodiments, the processing unit can be specifically configured to: determine the second access function according to the first identity and a fourth mapping relationship, wherein the fourth mapping relationship includes a mapping relationship between the first identity and an identity of the second access function.

[0189] In some embodiments, the transceiver can be further configured to: receive fifth information from the second access function, the fifth information including second data and third indication information, the third indication information being used to indicate the first identity and / or an identity of the first tunnel, the second data being obtained by performing the first processing on the first data.

[0190] In some embodiments, the processing unit can be further configured to transmit, to the first terminal device, the second data according to the third indication information.

[0191] In some embodiments, the processing unit can be specifically configured to determine the first terminal device according to the third indication information, and transmit the second data to the first terminal device.

[0192] In some embodiments, the processing unit can be specifically configured to determine the first terminal device according to the third indication information and a fifth mapping relationship, where the fifth mapping relationship includes a mapping relationship between the first identifier and / or the identifier of the first tunnel and an identifier of the first terminal device.

[0193] In some embodiments, the transceiver can be further configured to transmit, to the first core network function, ninth information including the second data and sixth indication information, where the sixth indication information is used to indicate the first identifier and / or the TEID 3, and the third tunnel is used for data transmission between the first access function and the first core network function.

[0194] In some embodiments, the processing unit can be further configured to determine the first core network function according to the third indication information.

[0195] In some embodiments, the processing unit can be specifically configured to determine the first core network function according to the third indication information and a sixth mapping relationship, where the sixth mapping relationship includes a mapping relationship between the first identifier and / or the identifier of the first tunnel and an identifier of the first core network function.

[0196] In some embodiments, the fifth information further includes information used to indicate uplink transmission or downlink transmission.

[0197] In some embodiments, the third information further includes information used to indicate uplink transmission or downlink transmission.

[0198] In some embodiments, the first identifier is used to indicate at least one of an identifier of the first terminal device, downlink transmission, uplink transmission, a QFI, an identifier of a DRB, an APP type, an identifier of an APP flow, an identifier of an APP, or an identifier of a PDU session.

[0199] In some embodiments, the communication apparatus can include a module or unit or means corresponding to each of the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the third aspect and any possible implementation manner of the third aspect, which can be hardware circuit, software, or a combination of hardware circuit and software.

[0200] The apparatus can include a processing unit and a transceiver unit. The processing unit can be configured to generate a first request, the first request being used to indicate an identity of a first processing, the first request being used to request to perform the first processing; and the transceiver unit can be configured to transmit the first request to a first access function.

[0201] In some embodiments, the first processing is a processing offloaded from the first terminal device to the access function.

[0202] In some embodiments, the first request is further used to indicate a first identity, the first identity corresponding to the identity of the first processing.

[0203] In some embodiments, the first identity is used to indicate at least one of an identity of the first terminal device, a downlink transmission, an uplink transmission, a QFI, an identity of a DRB, an APP type, an identity of an APP flow, an identity of an APP, or an identity of a PDU session.

[0204] In some embodiments, the transceiver unit can be further configured to receive second data from the first access function, the second data being obtained by performing the first processing on the first data.

[0205] In some embodiments, the transceiver unit can be further configured to transmit eighth information to the first access function, the eighth information including the first data and the first identity, the first data being used to obtain the second data by performing the first processing.

[0206] In some embodiments, the communication apparatus can include a module or unit or means corresponding to each of the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the eleventh aspect and any possible implementation manner of the eleventh aspect, which can be hardware circuit, software, or a combination of hardware circuit and software.

[0207] The apparatus can include a transceiver unit. The transceiver unit can be configured to receive a first request from a first terminal device, the first request being used to indicate an identity of a first processing, the first request being used to request to perform the first processing; and transmit eighteenth information to the first terminal device, the eighteenth information being used to indicate an agreement to perform the first processing.

[0208] In some embodiments, the first processing is a processing offloaded from the first terminal device to the fifth access function.

[0209] In some embodiments, the first request is further used to indicate a first identity, the first identity corresponding to the identity of the first processing.

[0210] In some embodiments, the transceiver unit can be further configured to receive eighth information from the first terminal device, the eighth information including the first data and the first identity.

[0211] In some embodiments, the apparatus can further include a processing unit, which can be configured to perform the first processing on the first data to obtain the second data.

[0212] In some embodiments, the processing unit can be specifically configured to perform the first processing on the first data according to the first identifier to obtain the second data.

[0213] In some embodiments, the processing unit can be specifically configured to determine the identifier of the first processing according to the first identifier, and perform the first processing on the first data according to the identifier of the first processing to obtain the second data.

[0214] In some embodiments, the transceiver can be further configured to send the second data to the first core network function.

[0215] In some embodiments, the transceiver can be further configured to receive sixth information from the first core network function, the sixth information comprising the first data and the first identifier.

[0216] In some embodiments, the apparatus can further include a processing unit, which can be configured to perform the first processing on the first data to obtain the second data.

[0217] In some embodiments, the processing unit can be specifically configured to perform the first processing on the first data according to the first identifier to obtain the second data.

[0218] In some embodiments, the processing unit can be specifically configured to determine the identifier of the first processing according to the first identifier, and perform the first processing on the first data according to the identifier of the first processing to obtain the second data.

[0219] In some embodiments, the transceiver can be further configured to send the second data to the first terminal device.

[0220] In some embodiments, the first identifier is used to indicate at least one of an identifier of the first terminal device, downlink transmission, uplink transmission, QFI, an identifier of DRB, an APP type, an identifier of an APP flow, an identifier of an APP, or an identifier of a PDU session.

[0221] In some embodiments, the communication apparatus can include a module or unit or means corresponding to each of the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the twelfth aspect and any possible implementation manner of the twelfth aspect, which can be hardware circuit, software, or a combination of hardware circuit and software.

[0222] The apparatus can include a transceiver. The transceiver can be configured to: send, to the fifth access function, a first request, the first request being used to indicate the identity of the first processing, the first request being used to request to perform the first processing; and receive, from the fifth access function, an eighteenth information, the eighteenth information being used to indicate the consent to perform the first processing.

[0223] In some implementations, the first processing is a processing offloaded from the first terminal device to the fifth access function.

[0224] In some implementations, the first request is further used to indicate a first identity, the first identity corresponding to the identity of the first processing.

[0225] In some implementations, the transceiver can be further configured to: send, to the fifth access function, an eighth information, the eighth information including the first data and the first identity.

[0226] In a sixth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, and the computer-readable storage medium has stored thereon a computer program or instructions, which, when executed by a processor, cause the first aspect and any possible method of the first aspect to be performed (or implemented), or cause the second aspect and any possible method of the second aspect to be performed (or implemented), or cause the third aspect and any possible method of the third aspect to be performed (or implemented), or cause the eleventh aspect and any possible method of the eleventh aspect to be performed (or implemented), or cause the third aspect and any possible method of the third aspect to be performed (or implemented).

[0227] In a seventh aspect, a computer program product is provided, and the computer program product contains a computer program or instructions, which, when executed by a processor, cause the first aspect and any possible method of the first aspect to be performed (or implemented), or cause the second aspect and any possible method of the second aspect to be performed (or implemented), or cause the third aspect and any possible method of the third aspect to be performed (or implemented), or cause the eleventh aspect and any possible method of the eleventh aspect to be performed (or implemented), or cause the third aspect and any possible method of the third aspect to be performed (or implemented).

[0228] In an eighth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which comprises a processor configured to cause any of the possible methods of the first aspect to be performed (or implemented), or to cause any of the possible methods of the second aspect to be performed (or implemented), or to cause any of the possible methods of the third aspect to be performed (or implemented), or to cause the eleventh aspect and any of the possible methods of the eleventh aspect to be performed (or implemented), or to cause the third aspect and any of the possible methods of the third aspect to be performed (or implemented), by executing computer programs (or computer executable instructions) stored in a memory and / or by logic circuitry.

[0229] In a possible implementation, the apparatus further comprises a memory. In a possible implementation, the processor and the memory are integrated together. In another possible implementation, the memory is located outside the communication apparatus. The processor can comprise one or more processors.

[0230] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus further comprises a communication interface for the communication apparatus to communicate with other devices, such as transmitting or receiving data and / or signals. Exemplarily, the communication interface can be a transceiver, a circuit, a bus, a module or other types of communication interface.

[0231] In an implementation, the communication apparatus of the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect or the eighth aspect can be a chip or a chip system.

[0232] In a ninth aspect, a chip is provided, which comprises a processor configured to invoke computer programs or computer instructions in a memory to cause any of the possible implementations of the first aspect to be performed (or implemented), or to cause any of the possible implementations of the second aspect to be performed (or implemented), or to cause any of the possible implementations of the third aspect to be performed (or implemented), or to cause the eleventh aspect and any of the possible methods of the eleventh aspect to be performed (or implemented), or to cause the third aspect and any of the possible methods of the third aspect to be performed (or implemented).

[0233] In some implementations, the processor is coupled with the memory through an interface.

[0234] In a tenth aspect, a communication system is provided, which comprises a first access function and a second access function, the first access function configured to perform the first aspect and any of the possible implementations of the first aspect, and the second access function configured to perform the second aspect and any of the possible implementations of the second aspect.

[0235] In some implementations, the communication system further comprises a first terminal device, the first terminal device configured to perform the third aspect and any of the possible implementations of the third aspect.

[0236] The description of the beneficial effects of any one of the second aspect to the tenth aspect can refer to the description of the beneficial effects of the first aspect.

[0237] In a eleventh aspect, a communication method is provided. The execution subject of the method provided by the eleventh aspect can be a fifth access function. Without special description, the fifth access function in the present application can refer to an access network device capable of implementing the fifth access function, a component (for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) in the access network device, or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the fifth access function. For ease of description, the fifth access function is taken as an example for description hereinafter.

[0238] The method comprises: receiving a first request from a first terminal device, the first request being used to indicate an identity of the first processing, and the first request being used to request the first processing; and sending eighteenth information to the first terminal device, the eighteenth information being used to indicate an agreement to the first processing.

[0239] Based on the above scheme, the first terminal device can request the fifth access network element to perform auxiliary calculation, thereby effectively reducing the calculation amount of the first terminal device.

[0240] In some implementations, the first processing is a processing offloaded from the first terminal device to the fifth access function.

[0241] In some implementations, the first request is further used to indicate a first identity corresponding to the identity of the first processing.

[0242] In some implementations, the method further comprises: receiving eighth information from the first terminal device, the eighth information comprising the first data and the first identity.

[0243] In some implementations, the method further comprises: performing the first processing on the first data to obtain second data.

[0244] In some implementations, performing the first processing on the first data to obtain the second data comprises: performing the first processing on the first data according to the first identity to obtain the second data.

[0245] In some implementations, performing the first processing on the first data according to the first identity to obtain the second data comprises: determining the identity of the first processing according to the first identity; and performing the first processing on the first data according to the identity of the first processing to obtain the second data.

[0246] In some implementations, the method further comprises: sending the second data to a first core network function.

[0247] In some implementations, the method further includes: receiving sixth information from the first core network function, the sixth information including the first data and the first identifier.

[0248] In some implementations, the method further includes: performing the first processing on the first data to obtain second data.

[0249] In some implementations, performing the first processing on the first data to obtain second data includes: performing the first processing on the first data according to the first identifier to obtain the second data.

[0250] In some implementations, performing the first processing on the first data according to the first identifier to obtain the second data includes: determining an identifier of the first processing according to the first identifier; and performing the first processing on the first data according to the identifier of the first processing to obtain the second data.

[0251] In some implementations, the method further includes: sending the second data to the first terminal device.

[0252] In some implementations, the first identifier is used to indicate at least one of an identifier of the first terminal device, downlink transmission, uplink transmission, a QFI, an identifier of a DRB, an APP type, an identifier of an APP flow, an identifier of an APP, or an identifier of a PDU session.

[0253] A twelfth aspect provides a communication method. The execution subject of the method provided in the twelfth aspect can be a first terminal device. In the absence of special description, the first terminal device in the present application can refer to the first terminal device itself, a component (for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) in the first terminal device, or a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the functions of the first terminal device. For ease of description, the first terminal device is taken as an example for description hereinafter.

[0254] The method includes: sending a first request to a fifth access function, the first request being used to indicate an identifier of the first processing, the first request being used to request to perform the first processing; and receiving eighteenth information from the fifth access function, the eighteenth information being used to indicate an agreement to perform the first processing.

[0255] In some implementations, the first processing is processing offloaded from the first terminal device to the fifth access function.

[0256] In some implementations, the first request is further used to indicate a first identifier, the first identifier corresponding to the identifier of the first processing.

[0257] In some implementations, the method further includes: sending eighth information to the fifth access function, the eighth information including the first data and the first identifier.

[0258] In a thirteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, which comprises the fifth access function and the first terminal device, the fifth access function is configured to perform the eleventh aspect and any possible implementation of the eleventh aspect, and the first terminal device is configured to perform the twelfth aspect and any possible implementation of the twelfth aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0259] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system.

[0260] FIG. 2 is a schematic flow diagram of a communication method.

[0261] FIG. 3 is a schematic flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0262] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0263] FIG. 5 is a schematic flow diagram of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0264] FIG. 6 is a schematic flow diagram of another communication method 600 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0265] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of another communication system according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0266] FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0267] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of another communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0268] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a chip system according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0269] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of another chip system according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0270] In the present application, the terms and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referred to each other if there is no special description and logical conflict, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0271] In the present application, "at least one" means one or more, and "multiple" means two or more. The "and / or" describes the association relationship of the associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the textual description of the present application, the character " / " generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after it. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions means any combination of these items, including any combination of single item or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b and c can mean: a, or b, or c, or a and b, or a and c, or b and c, or a, b and c. Where a, b and c can be single or multiple.

[0272] In the present application, "first", "second", and various numerical numbers (for example, #1, #2, etc.) indicate the differentiation for the convenience of description, and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. For example, to distinguish different messages, etc., rather than to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the objects thus described can be interchanged under appropriate circumstances, so as to be able to describe schemes other than the embodiments of the present application.

[0273] In the present application, "when", "in the case of", "if" and the like all refer to the objective situation in which the device will make corresponding processing, and are not limited to time, and do not require the device to have a judgment action when implemented, nor does it mean that there are other limitations.

[0274] In the present application, "indicate" or "for indicating" can include direct indication and indirect 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 it does not mean that A must be carried in the indication information.

[0275] The indication manner involved in the embodiments of the present application should be understood as covering various methods that can enable the to-be-indicated party to know the to-be-indicated information. The to-be-indicated information can be sent as a whole, or can be sent separately in multiple sub-information, and the sending period and / or sending opportunity of these sub-information can be the same or different, and the present application does not limit the sending method.

[0276] The "indication information" in the embodiments of the present application can be explicit indication, that is, directly indicated through signaling, or obtained according to the parameters indicated by the signaling, combined with other rules or combined with other parameters or through derivation. It can also be implicit indication, that is, obtained according to rules or relationships, or according to other parameters, or through derivation. The present application does not make specific limitations.

[0277] In this application, the "protocol" can refer to a standard protocol in the field of communication, which can include 5G protocol, NR protocol and related protocols applied in future communication systems, and the application does not limit this. The "predefined" can include predefinition. For example, protocol definition. The "preconfigured" can be realized by pre-saving the corresponding code, table or other means that can be used to indicate related information in the device, and the application does not limit the implementation manner thereof.

[0278] In this application, "communication" can also be described as "data transmission", "information transmission", "data processing" and the like. "Transmission" includes "sending" and "receiving". Exemplarily, the transmission can be uplink transmission, for example, the terminal device can send a signal to the access network device; the transmission can also be downlink transmission, for example, the access network device can send a signal to the terminal device; the transmission can also be sidelink transmission, for example, the terminal device can send a signal to another terminal device. Exemplarily, the "transmission" can be air interface level transmission, or can be signal sending of chip input (I) / output (O) port, rather than air interface level transmission.

[0279] In this application, "message", "information", "signal" or "information element (IE)" and the like can be used interchangeably, and the name of the message or information is not limited in any way, as long as the corresponding function can be realized.

[0280] "Sending information to XX (device)" can be understood as that the destination of the information is the device. It can include directly or indirectly sending information to the device. "Receiving information from XX (device), or receiving information from XX (device)" can be understood as that the source of the information is the device, which can include directly or indirectly receiving information from the device. The information can be processed as necessary between the source and the destination of the information sending, for example, format change and the like, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be understood similarly, and will not be repeated here. In addition, "sending" can also be understood as "output" of the chip interface, and "receiving" can also be understood as "input" of the chip interface. In other words, "sending" or "receiving" can be carried out between devices, for example, the access network device and the terminal device send or receive through the air interface respectively, and "sending" or "receiving" can also be carried out within the device, for example, through a bus, a wire or an interface to send or receive between components, modules, chips, software modules or hardware modules within the device.

[0281] In this application, the words "exemplary", "for example", and the like are used to mean an example, instance, or illustration. Any embodiment or design scheme described in this application as "exemplary" should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or design schemes. In this application, "of", "corresponding", "corresponding", and "associated" can be used interchangeably, and it should be noted that when their differences are not emphasized, they express the same meaning.

[0282] In this application, the configuration can be signaling configuration, or can be described as configuration signaling. For example, the signaling configuration includes configuration by signaling sent by a network device, which can be a radio resource control (RRC) message, downlink control information (DCI), or a system information block (SIB). For another example, the signaling configuration includes configuration between network devices. Among them, the network device can include an access network device, a core network device, or a management plane device, etc. Optionally, the signaling configuration can also be configured to a terminal device or a network device by pre-configuration, or configured to a terminal device or a network device by pre-configuration. Here, the pre-configuration is to define or configure the value of the corresponding parameter in advance in the form of a protocol, and store it in the terminal device or the network device when communicating with the terminal device or the network device. The pre-configured message can be modified or updated under the condition that the terminal device or the network device is connected to the network.

[0283] This application will present various aspects, embodiments or features around a system that can include multiple devices, components, modules, etc. Each system can include devices, components, modules, etc. in addition to the illustrated devices, components, modules, etc., and / or can not include all and all of the devices, components, modules, etc. discussed in conjunction with the drawings.

[0284] The service scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are used to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application. Those skilled in the art can know that, with the emergence of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0285] In various embodiments of the present application, the size of the sequence number of each process does not mean the order of execution, the execution order of each process should be determined according to its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application. The terms "include", "contain", "have" and their variants mean "include but not limited to", unless otherwise specifically emphasized.

[0286] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, including but not limited to: long term evolution (LTE) system, new radio (NR) system and other fifth generation (5G) mobile communication systems, narrow band internet of things (NB-IoT) system, enhanced machine type communication (eMTC) system, enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) system, ultra reliable low latency communications (URLLC) system, satellite communication system, LTE-machine-to-machine (LTE-M) system, vehicle-to-everything, Internet of Things, industrial Internet, or systems evolved after 5G, such as future mobile communication systems, etc. th generation,5G) mobile communication systems, narrow band internet of things (NB-IoT) systems, enhanced machine type communication (eMTC) systems, enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) systems, ultra reliable low latency communications (URLLC) systems, satellite communication systems, LTE-machine-to-machine (LTE-M) systems, vehicle-to-everything, Internet of Things, industrial Internet, or systems evolved after 5G, such as future mobile communication systems, etc.

[0287] The technical solutions in the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0288] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 100 includes a radio access network 110 and a core network 120. Optionally, the communication system 100 can also include an Internet 130. The radio access network 110 can include at least one access network device (e.g., 111a and 111b in FIG. 1) and at least one terminal device (e.g., 112a-112j in FIG. 1). The terminal devices are connected to the access network devices in a wireless manner. The access network devices are connected to the core network 120 in a wireless or wired manner. The core network 120 can include one or more core network devices. The core network devices and the access network devices can be independent and different physical devices, or the functions of the core network devices and the logical functions of the access network devices can be integrated in the same physical device, or a physical device can integrate the functions of the core network devices and the functions of the access network devices. The terminal devices and the terminal devices, and the access network devices and the access network devices can be connected to each other in a wired or wireless manner. The terminal devices and the terminal devices, the access network devices and the access network devices, and the terminal devices and the access network devices can communicate with each other in a wireless manner through air interface resources. Exemplarily, the air interface resources can include at least one of time domain resources, frequency domain resources, code resources, and space resources. FIG. 1 is only a schematic diagram, and the communication system 100 can also include other access network devices, such as wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices, which are not shown in FIG. 1.

[0289] The core network is the core part of the mobile communication network, and plays a role of connecting the upper and lower parts. Exemplarily, the core network is mainly responsible for processing the mobile management of terminal users, session management, and data transmission (core functions). Exemplarily, the mobile communication network can be divided into three parts: a base station subsystem, a network subsystem, and a system support part. For example, the system support part can include security management, etc. The core network can be located in the network subsystem. Exemplarily, the main role of the core network can be to connect the call request or data request from the air interface to different networks.

[0290] Exemplarily, the functions of the core network can include providing user connection, management of users, access to bearers, or providing interfaces to external networks as a bearer network, etc. For example, the user connection can include functions of mobility management (MM), calling management (CM), switching / routing, announcement (connection to intelligent network peripherals in combination with intelligent network services), etc. For another example, the management of users can include description of users, quality of service (QoS), accounting, virtual home environment (VHE) (providing a virtual home environment in dialogue with an intelligent network platform), security (providing corresponding security measures by an authentication center, including security management of mobile services and security processing of access to external networks). For yet another example, the access to bearers can include access to external public switched telephone networks (PSTN), external circuit data networks and packet data networks, Internet and Intranet, and short message service (SMS) servers, etc. Exemplarily, the basic services that the core network can provide include mobile office, electronic commerce, communication, entertainment services, travel, location-based services, telemetry, or simple messaging services, etc.

[0291] The core network can include one or more network functions (NFs). Exemplarily, the at least one NF can include an access and mobility management function network element, a session management network element, or a user plane function network element, etc.

[0292] The access and mobility management network element can also be referred to as an access and mobility management function network element, and is mainly used for the attachment and tracking area update process of a terminal in a mobile network. The access and mobility management network element can provide non-access stratum (NAS) messages, complete registration management, connection management, reachability management, allocation of a tracking area list (TA list), access authorization, authentication, and mobility management, and transparently routes session management (SM) messages to a session management network element. In a 5th generation (5G) communication system, the access and mobility management network element can be an access and mobility management function (AMF). In future communication systems, the mobility management network element can still be an AMF network element, or can have other names, which are not limited in the present application.

[0293] The session management network element can also be referred to as a session management function network element, and can be used for session and bearer management in a mobile network, such as session establishment, modification, and release. Specific functions include allocating and managing internet protocol (IP) addresses for a UE, selecting a user plane function network element that provides message forwarding functions, and the like. For example, the session management network element can select a suitable user plane function network element for a UE according to a request of the UE and policy control information of a policy control network element, establish a session with the user plane function network element, generate QoS rules and charging rules, and the like. The session management network element can control the data forwarding and processing behavior of the user plane function network element. In a 5G communication system, the session management network element can be a session management function (SMF). In future communication systems, the session management network element can still be an SMF network element, or can have other names, which are not limited in the present application.

[0294] The user plane function network element can be used for processing user messages, such as forwarding, charging, etc. In addition, the user plane function network element can be used for routing and forwarding of user plane data packets, processing of QoS flows, threshold control, traffic monitoring, verification, detection and reporting of data packets, etc. The user plane function network element can also be used for management of UE IP addresses, management of core network (CN) tunnel information, etc. The user plane function network element can be located in the 5G core network user plane to provide high-speed, efficient and flexible data transmission services for UEs. In addition, the user plane function network element can also perform filtering, traffic shaping, charging, etc. on data packets according to the indication of the control plane, to achieve fine management and control of user data flow. The user plane function network element can be connected with the access network device through the N3 interface and connected with the data network through the N6 interface, so as to realize data transmission between the UE and the external data network. The user plane function network element can also be referred to as a protocol data unit (PDU) session anchor (PSA). In the 5G communication system, the user plane function network element can be a user plane function (UPF), and in the future communication system, the user plane function network element can still be a UPF network element or can have other names, which are not limited in the present application.

[0295] The access network device can also be referred to as a radio access network (RAN) device, an access network (AN), a RAN node or an AN node. For ease of description, the access network device can be referred to as a RAN in the following. The access network device can be a wireless base station in the network, or a network element in the radio access network. The access network device can be responsible for air interface related functions. For example, the wireless link maintenance function can include maintaining the wireless link with the terminal device, and can also include being responsible for protocol conversion between wireless link data and Internet Protocol (IP) data; the wireless resource management function can include establishment and release of the wireless link, scheduling and allocation of wireless resources, etc.; part of the mobility management function can include configuring the terminal to perform measurements, evaluating the terminal wireless link quality, deciding the handover of the terminal between cells, etc.

[0296] In systems employing different radio access technologies, the names of devices with access network device functions can be different. For the convenience of description, the apparatuses providing wireless communication access functions for terminal devices can be collectively referred to as base stations in the embodiments of the present application. In the embodiments of the present application, the access network device includes but is not limited to various forms of macro base stations (such as 111a in FIG. 1), micro base stations or indoor stations (such as 111b in FIG. 1), pico base stations, small (micro / pico) stations, balloon stations, relay stations, access points, etc. Among them, the micro base station can be referred to as a small station. For example, the small station can include a small next generation NodeB (gNB), or a small NodeB (NB), etc. The access network device can include a base transceiver station (BTS) in a global system for mobile communication (GSM) or code division multiple access (CDMA) network, a NodeB (NB) in wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), an evolved NodeB (eNB or eNodeB) in LTE, a radio controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario, an access network device in a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN), an access point (AP) in a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system, a wireless relay node, a wireless backhaul node, a transmission point (TP), or a transmission reception point (TRP), etc., and can also include a next generation NodeB (gNB) or a transmission point (TRP or TP) in a 5G system, one or a group of (including multiple antenna panels) antenna panels of a base station in a 5G system, a network node constituting a gNB or a transmission point, such as a baseband unit (BBU) or a distributed unit (DU), and can also include an access network device, a server, a wearable device, or a vehicle-mounted device, etc. in a future mobile communication system and the like after 5G. The access network device can also be a module or unit that completes part of the functions of the base station, for example, it can be a centralized unit (CU), or a DU.In addition, the access network device can be understood as a general term of all network-side devices (including stations), for example, a plurality of stations can be collectively referred to as an access network device. A station refers to a transmission node that is specifically located at a physical location. In other words, the access network device conceptually contains the station.

[0297] In an embodiment of the present application, the device for implementing the function of the access network device can be the access network device itself, or a device capable of supporting the access network device to implement the function, such as a chip system or a chip, which can be installed in the access network device. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0298] In another possible scenario, multiple access network devices cooperate to assist the terminal to implement wireless access, and different access network devices respectively implement part of the functions of the base station. For example, the access network device can be a CU, a DU, a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU), etc. The CU and the DU can be separately arranged, or can be included in the same network element, such as a 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 unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0299] In different systems, the CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU can also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in an open radio access network (O-RAN) system, the CU can also be referred to as an O-CU (open CU), the DU can also be referred to as an O-DU, the CU-CP can also be referred to as an O-CU-CP, the CU-UP can also be referred to as an O-CU-UP, and the RU can also be referred to as an O-RU. For the convenience of description, the CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU and RU are taken as examples for description in the present application. Any one of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in the present application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the access network device.

[0300] A terminal device can be a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user; it can also be a device that has a wireless connection function. The terminal device itself can be completely independent of a mobile user. Information related to the user can be stored in a subscriber identity module (SIM) card. Exemplarily, the SIM card can be used on a mobile station.

[0301] Exemplarily, the terminal device can be deployed on land, including indoor or outdoor, handheld or vehicle-mounted; can also be deployed on water surface (such as a ship or the like); and can also be deployed in the air (such as an airplane, a balloon, a satellite or the like). The terminal device can also be referred to as a user equipment (UE), an access terminal, a terminal, a subscriber unit, a user station, a mobile station (MS), a mobile terminal (MT), a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a wireless network device, a user agent or a user apparatus. In the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device includes but is not limited to: a cellular phone, a mobile phone, a wireless data card, a wireless modem, a pad, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a palm computer, a mobile internet device (MID), a computer with wireless transceiver function, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a smart phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handset with wireless communication function, a computing device or other devices connected to a wireless modem, a vehicle-mounted device (for example, a car, a bicycle, an electric vehicle, an airplane, a ship, a train, a high-speed rail or the like), a wearable device (for example, a smart watch, a smart bracelet, a pedometer, smart glasses or the like), a satellite terminal, a terminal device in Internet of Things or Internet of Vehicles, and any form of terminal in future network, a relay user equipment or a terminal in future evolved PLMN, and the like.The terminal device can also be a virtual reality (VR) device, an augmented reality (AR) device, a smart point of sale (POS) machine, a customer-premises equipment (CPE), a light UE, a reduced capability UE (RedCap UE), a machine type communication (MTC) terminal, a terminal device in industrial control, a terminal device in self driving, a terminal device in telemedicine or telehealth services, a terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a terminal device in a smart city, a terminal device in a smart home, a haptic terminal device, a smart home device (e.g., a refrigerator, a television, an air conditioner, an electricity meter, etc.), a smart robot, a mechanical arm, a plant device, a wireless terminal in self driving, or a flying device (e.g., a smart robot, a hot air balloon, a drone, an airplane), etc. The terminal device can also be a vehicle device, such as a whole vehicle device, a vehicle-mounted module, a vehicle-mounted chip, an on board unit (OBU), a telematics box (T-BOX), etc. The terminal device can also be other devices with terminal functions, for example, the terminal device can also be a device in device to device (D2D) communication. Embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

[0302] Exemplarily, the terminal device side can include a physical layer (PHY), a medium access control layer (MAC), a radio link control layer (RLC), a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP), an RRC, or a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP), etc.

[0303] In the embodiments of the present application, the device for implementing the function of the terminal device can be a terminal device, or a device capable of supporting the terminal device to implement the function, such as a chip or a chip system, which can be installed in the terminal device. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices. In the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the device for implementing the function of the terminal device is a terminal device, which can also be referred to as a terminal. Hereinafter, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application can be described by taking the terminal device as an example.

[0304] Exemplarily, the terminal side can include a user plane protocol and a control plane protocol. The base station side can include a user plane protocol and a control plane protocol. The respective layers of the terminal side and the base station side can be connected to each other to perform information transmission.

[0305] The roles of the base station and the terminal can be relative. For example, the helicopter or the unmanned aerial vehicle 112i in FIG. 1 can be configured as a mobile base station. For the terminal 112j that accesses the wireless access network 110 through 112i, the terminal 112i is a base station. However, for the base station 111a, 112i is a terminal, that is, 111a and 112i communicate with each other through a wireless air interface protocol. Of course, 111a and 112i can also communicate with each other through a base station-to-base station interface protocol. In this case, 112i is also a base station relative to 111a. Therefore, the base station and the terminal can be collectively referred to as a communication device. The 111a and 111b in FIG. 1 can be referred to as a communication device with a base station function, and the 112a-112j in FIG. 1 can be referred to as a communication device with a terminal function.

[0306] The access network device and the terminal device can communicate through a wireless link. The transmission link from the access network device to the terminal device can be referred to as a downlink (DL) or a downlink channel, which is used to transmit a downlink signal. The transmission link from the terminal device to the access network device can be referred to as an uplink (UL) or an uplink channel, which is used to transmit an uplink signal. The transmission link from the terminal device to the terminal device can be referred to as a sidelink (SL) or a sidelink channel. In the embodiments of the present application, multiple access network devices can send information to multiple different terminal devices, and receive information from multiple different terminal devices. Multiple access network devices can also send information to the same terminal device, and receive information from the same terminal device. The present application does not limit this.

[0307] Embodiments of the present application are applicable to both homogeneous network and heterogeneous network scenarios. The present application does not limit the specific form of transmission. For example, the present application can be applicable to multipoint cooperative transmission between macro base stations and macro base stations, micro base stations and micro base stations, or macro base stations and micro base stations, and can be applicable to frequency division duplexing (FDD) or time division duplexing (TDD) systems. Embodiments of the present application can be applicable to low frequency scenarios, or can be applicable to high frequency scenarios, such as terahertz, optical communication, etc.

[0308] FIG. 2 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 200. The method 200 can implement establishment of a PDU session, a tunnel, and transmission of uplink data and / or downlink data. The method 200 is described below in conjunction with FIG. 2.

[0309] S210, the UE sends a PDU session establishment request to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the PDU session establishment request from the UE.

[0310] In some examples, the UE can send the PDU session establishment request to the AMF, and the AMF can send the PDU session establishment request to the SMF. In other examples, the UE can send the PDU session establishment request directly to the SMF without the mediation of the AMF.

[0311] Exemplarily, the PDU session establishment request can include information such as a PDU session identifier (ID). The PDU session establishment request can be used to request establishment of a PDU session.

[0312] S220, the SMF sends an N4 session establishment request to the UPF. Correspondingly, the UPF receives the N4 session establishment request from the SMF.

[0313] The N4 session establishment request can be used to request establishment of a PDU session. The N4 session establishment request can carry CN tunnel information. Exemplarily, the CN tunnel information can include a tunnel endpoint identifier (TEID) and / or a RAN IP address. In the absence of special instructions, the IP address is referred to as "IP" below.

[0314] In some examples, before S220, the method 200 can further include: the SMF selecting the UPF.

[0315] S230, the SMF receives an N4 session establishment response from the UPF. Correspondingly, the UPF sends the N4 session establishment response to the SMF.

[0316] The N4 session establishment response can carry CN tunnel information. For example, the N4 session establishment response can indicate that the N4 session establishment request is accepted. Illustratively, the CN tunnel information can include a TEID and / or a UPF IP.

[0317] S240, the SMF sends an N2 PDU establishment request to the RAN. Correspondingly, the RAN receives the N2 PDU establishment request from the SMF.

[0318] The N2 PDU establishment request can include a PDU session ID and a UPF IP.

[0319] S250, the RAN establishes a general packet radio service tunnelling protocol (GTP) tunnel with the UPF.

[0320] The GTP tunnel can include a GTP user plane part (GTP-U).

[0321] Illustratively, the GTP tunnel can be associated with a UE identifier (ID), a PDU session ID, and a TEID.

[0322] S260, the SMF sends a UE route selection policy (URSP) rule to the UE. Correspondingly, the UE receives the URSP rule from the SMF.

[0323] The URSP rule can include a mapping relationship between a triplet and a PDU session ID. The triplet can include a protocol type (e.g., transmission control protocol (TCP) or user datagram protocol (UDP)), a target IP, and a target port number.

[0324] S270, the RAN establishes a DRB with the UE.

[0325] Illustratively, a DRB ID corresponds to a PDU session ID.

[0326] Thus, by S210-S270, the PDU session and the GTP tunnel can be established. S210-S270 are merely examples, and those skilled in the art can understand that the manner of establishing the PDU session and the GTP tunnel is not limited to S210-S270, and other manners can also be used. In addition, the establishment of the PDU session and the GTP tunnel can also include other processes, for example, there can also be a mapping relationship between the PDU session ID and the SDAP ID. For another example, there can also be a mapping relationship between the QFI and the DRB ID.

[0327] The schematic flow of the uplink data transmission and the downlink data transmission is described below.

[0328] S280, the UE sends uplink data to the RAN. Correspondingly, the RAN receives the uplink data from the UE.

[0329] S282, the RAN sends the uplink data to the UPF. Correspondingly, the UPF receives the uplink data from the RAN.

[0330] For example, the RAN can determine the UE ID and the DRB ID corresponding to the uplink data based on the uplink data sent by the UE. The RAN can obtain the TEID through the mapping of the UE ID and the DRB ID, and transmit the uplink data to the UPF based on the dedicated tunnel corresponding to the TEID. For example, the RAN can determine the SDAP ID corresponding to the uplink data through the mapping relationship between the DRB ID and the SDAP ID, so as to determine the SDAP entity. For another example, the RAN can determine the PDU session ID and the UPF IP through the DRB ID.

[0331] S284, the UPF processes the uplink data.

[0332] For example, after the UPF receives the uplink data through the dedicated tunnel, the UPF obtains the TEID of the uplink data, determines that the uplink data is the UL data corresponding to the UE ID through the TEID, and then forwards the uplink data to the APP server in the corresponding data network (data network, DN), and performs corresponding charging for the UE.

[0333] S290, the UPF sends downlink data to the RAN. Correspondingly, the RAN receives the downlink data from the UPF.

[0334] For example, the UPF receives the DL data packet sent by the APP server to a certain UE from the DN, maps the UE ID to the dedicated tunnel corresponding to the UE, and transmits the DL data packet to the base station serving the UE, for example, the RAN, through the dedicated tunnel.

[0335] S292, the RAN sends downlink data to the UE. Correspondingly, the UE receives the downlink data from the RAN.

[0336] Exemplarily, after receiving the downlink data, the RAN determines the corresponding UE ID and DRB ID based on the TEID, and sends the downlink data to the UE corresponding to the UE ID on the radio data bearer corresponding to the DRB ID through the air interface.

[0337] As described above, new applications such as XR and AI require terminal devices to perform large amount of computation, and the computing power of the terminal device is insufficient to support the large amount of computation. In some examples, when the local computing load of the terminal device (for example, an XR terminal) is high, a specific core network node can be requested to undertake the computation of the terminal device. The core network node can be deployed closer to the terminal device. In this way, the communication delay between each APP server on the core network node and the terminal device is shorter. The above scheme can also be referred to as multi access edge computing (MEC).

[0338] However, the MEC scheme only moves the core network node to the edge of the network, and cannot share the computation of the terminal device.

[0339] Therefore, how to effectively reduce the computation of the terminal device is a problem to be solved.

[0340] FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 300 provided by an embodiment of the present application. The method 300 can effectively reduce the computation of the terminal device. The optional operations in the method 300 are represented by dashed lines in FIG. 3. The method 300 will be described below in conjunction with FIG. 3.

[0341] S320, the second access function receives first information from the first access function. Correspondingly, the first access function sends the first information to the second access function. The first information can be used to request the second access function to perform the first processing.

[0342] S330, the RAN2 sends second information to the RAN1. Correspondingly, the RAN1 receives the second information from the RAN2. The second information can be used to indicate that the RAN2 agrees to perform the first processing.

[0343] Exemplarily, the first access function can correspond to one or more access network devices (such as the RAN1). For example, the first access function can include one or more access network devices. For another example, the first access function can be a component (for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) in one or more access network devices. For another example, the first access function can be a logical module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of one or more access network devices. Exemplarily, the first access function can be a DU. For ease of description, the first access function is taken as the RAN1 in the following description.

[0344] Exemplarily, the second access function can correspond to one or more access network devices (such as RAN2). For example, the second access function can include one or more access network devices. For another example, the second access function can be a component (for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) in one or more access network devices. For another example, the second access function can be a logic module or software, etc. that can implement all or part of the functions of one or more access network devices. Exemplarily, the second access function can be a DU. Wherein, the first access function and the second access function can be the same DU, or can be different DUs, which are not limited in the present application. For ease of description, the following takes the second access function as RAN as an example, and the second access function is denoted as RAN2.

[0345] In some possible implementation manners, the RAN1 and the RAN2 can be located in different access network devices. In another possible implementation manner, the RAN1 and the RAN2 can be located in the same access network device.

[0346] Some examples of S320 are introduced below.

[0347] Optionally, the first information is used to indicate the identity of the first processing. The first information can be direct indication information, for example, the first information can include the identity of the first processing. The first information can also be indirect indication information, for example, the first information can include information related to the identity of the first processing, so that the RAN2 can determine the identity of the first processing according to the information related to the identity of the first processing.

[0348] Exemplarily, the identity of the first processing can include a processing identity (processingID), an action identity (actionID), or other forms, which are not limited in the present application. For ease of description, the following takes the identity of the first processing as actionID as an example for description, and the identity of the first processing can be denoted as actionID1. However, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the identity of the first processing is not limited to the form of actionID.

[0349] Optionally, the first information is used to request the RAN2 to perform the first processing. The first information can explicitly request the RAN2 to perform the first processing. For example, the first information can include first request information, and the first request information is used to request the RAN2 to perform the first processing. The first information can also implicitly request the RAN2 to perform the first processing.

[0350] The present application does not limit the specific name of the first information, and the first information can also be called an auxiliary calculation request, an auxiliary processing request, a request information, or other names. For ease of description, the following takes the first terminal device as UE as an example for description, and the first terminal device is denoted as UE1.

[0351] Optionally, the first processing is processing offloaded from the UE 1 to the RAN 2. In other words, the first processing is processing transferred from the UE 1 to the RAN 2. For example, the first processing is processing that the UE 1 is capable of performing, but the UE 1 does not perform the first processing on some data, and instead the RAN 2 performs the first processing on the data. For another example, the first processing is processing that the UE 1 originally needs to perform, but the UE 1 does not perform the first processing on some data, and instead the RAN 2 performs the first processing on the data. Illustratively, the RAN 2 is an access function that serves the UE 1. For example, the RAN 2 can provide a secondary computing service for the UE 1.

[0352] For example, the first processing can be used to process data of the UE 1. The data of the UE 1 can be data sent by the UE 1, or data to be sent to the UE 1.

[0353] Illustratively, the first processing has the same or similar execution result at the UE 1 and the RAN 2. For example, assume that the UE 1 performs the first processing on data 1 to obtain data 2, and the RAN 2 performs the first processing on the data 1 to obtain data 3. The data 2 and the data 3 can be the same or similar.

[0354] The present application does not limit the specific name of the first processing. For example, the first processing can be referred to as first computing, first computing task, first secondary computing, first secondary computing task, or other names.

[0355] In some possible implementations, the UE 1 does not perform the first processing in the case that the RAN 2 performs the first processing. In other possible implementations, the RAN 2 does not perform the first processing in the case that the UE 1 performs the first processing.

[0356] Optionally, the first information is used to indicate the first time period and / or the second time period.

[0357] Illustratively, the first processing can be offloaded from the UE 1 to the RAN 2 within a certain time period. For example, within the first time period, the RAN 2 performs the first processing, and the UE 1 does not perform the first processing. For another example, within the second time period, the UE 1 performs the first processing, and the RAN 2 does not perform the first processing. The first time period and the second time period can be different. For example, the first time period and the second time period can not overlap. The first time period and the second time period can not overlap completely. That is, any time within the first time period does not belong to the second time period. The first time period and the second time period can also partially not overlap. That is, there is a part of time within the first time period that does not belong to the second time period, and there is another part of time within the first time period that belongs to the second time period.

[0358] In some examples, the "UE1 does not perform the first processing" includes that the UE1 does not perform the first processing on partial data. The partial data can be understood as a part of the whole data (may be referred to as data A below) that the UE1 originally needs to process. For example, the UE1 can not perform the first processing on the partial data (may be referred to as data B below). Correspondingly, the "RAN2 performs the first processing" can include that the RAN2 performs the first processing on the partial data. For example, the RAN2 can perform the first processing on the partial data (may be referred to as data B). For ease of description, data other than the data B in the data A is referred to as data C. That is, the data A includes the data B and the data C. For example, in a first time period, the UE1 does not perform the first processing on the data B, but can perform the first processing on the data C. For example, in the first time period, the RAN2 performs the first processing on the data B, but can not perform the first processing on the data C.

[0359] In some other examples, the "UE1 does not perform the first processing" includes that the UE1 does not perform the first processing on the whole data. The "RAN2 performs the first processing" includes that the RAN2 performs the first processing on the whole data. The whole data can be understood as the whole data (e.g., the data A) that the UE1 originally needs to process.

[0360] In some examples, the "RAN2 does not perform the first processing" includes that the RAN2 does not perform the first processing on partial data. The partial data can be understood as a part of the whole data (e.g., the data A) that the UE1 originally needs to process (e.g., the data B). For example, the RAN2 can not perform the first processing on the partial data (e.g., the data B). Correspondingly, the "UE1 performs the first processing" can include that the UE1 performs the first processing on the partial data. For example, the UE1 can perform the first processing on the partial data (e.g., the data B). For ease of description, data other than the data B in the data A is referred to as data C. That is, the data A includes the data B and the data C. For example, the RAN2 does not perform the first processing on the data B, but can perform the first processing on the data C. For example, the UE1 performs the first processing on the data B, but can not perform the first processing on the data C.

[0361] In some other examples, the "RAN2 does not perform the first processing" includes that the RAN2 does not perform the first processing on the whole data. The "UE1 performs the first processing" includes that the UE1 performs the first processing on the whole data. The whole data can be understood as the whole data (e.g., the data A) that the UE1 originally needs to process.

[0362] For example, the UE1 can include one or more terminal devices.

[0363] Optionally, the UE1 is configured to communicate with the RAN1. For example, the RAN1 can serve the UE1. For another example, the UE1 can be located in a cell of the RAN1.

[0364] In some examples, UE1 can perform data transmission with RAN1. For example, UE1 can send data (e.g., first data) to RAN1. For another example, UE1 can receive data (e.g., second data) from RAN1. In other examples, UE1 can perform signaling transmission with RAN1. For example, UE1 can send signaling (e.g., first request) to RAN1. For another example, UE1 can receive signaling (e.g., response information of the first request) from RAN1.

[0365] Some examples of S330 are introduced as follows.

[0366] The second information can explicitly indicate that RAN2 agrees to perform the first processing. For example, the second information can comprise agreement information used to indicate that RAN2 agrees to perform the first processing. In some examples, the second information can also implicitly indicate that RAN2 agrees to perform the first processing.

[0367] For example, RAN2 can determine whether to agree to perform the first processing according to the first information. For example, RAN2 can not agree to perform the first processing when the load is high, and can agree to perform the first processing when the load is low. For another example, RAN2 can agree to perform the first processing when the capability of RAN2 supports the first processing, and can not agree to perform the first processing when the capability of RAN2 does not support the first processing. In some possible implementations, RAN2 can send rejection information to RAN1, where the rejection information is used to indicate that RAN2 does not agree (or is not admitted, or is rejected) to perform the first processing. In other possible implementations, RAN2 can indicate that it does not agree to perform the first processing in a non-responding manner.

[0368] The present application does not limit the specific name of the second information. For example, the second information can also be referred to as response information, agreement information, or other names.

[0369] Based on the above scheme, RAN1 can request RAN2 to perform auxiliary calculation for UE1. In this way, the processing content of UE1 can be offloaded to RAN2, and the calculation amount of UE1 is effectively reduced. For example, without using the above scheme, UE1 needs to perform first processing on some data. With the above scheme, UE1 can not perform first processing on the data, but RAN2 performs first processing on the data. Therefore, the above scheme can effectively reduce the calculation amount of the terminal device.

[0370] In some possible implementation, the method 300 further includes: S315, RAN1 determines RAN2. For example, S315 includes that RAN1 can select RAN2 to perform the assistance computation for UE1 from a plurality of RANs capable of performing the assistance computation for UE1. Optionally, S315 is performed before S320.

[0371] In some possible implementation, RAN1 can actively perform S315 or S320. In some examples, RAN1 can trigger S315 or S320 by itself. In other examples, RAN1 can trigger S315 or S320 without being based on other request. For example, RAN1 can actively select RAN2 to perform the assistance computation for UE1. For example, RAN1 can determine to send the first information to RAN2. In other possible implementation, RAN1 can perform S315 or S320 based on the request of UE1. For example, RAN1 can determine RAN2 based on the request of UE1. For another example, RAN1 can send the first information to RAN2 based on the request of UE1.

[0372] Optionally, the method 300 further includes: S310, a first access function (such as RAN1) receives a first request from a first terminal device (such as UE1). Correspondingly, the first terminal device (such as UE1) sends the first request to the first access function (such as RAN1). Wherein, the first request can be used to request the first processing.

[0373] Optionally, S310 is performed before S320. Optionally, S310 is performed before S315.

[0374] For example, the first request is used to indicate action ID1, which is used to indicate the processing (such as computation) of the UE that needs to be completed by network assistance. The first request can be direct indication information, for example, the first request can include action ID1. The first request can also be indirect indication information, for example, the first request can include information related to action ID1, so that RAN2 can determine action ID1 according to the information related to action ID1.

[0375] For example, the first request is used to request the first processing. For example, the first request can be used to request RAN1 to determine the access function to perform the first processing. For another example, the first request can be used to request RAN1 to determine RAN2 to perform the first processing.

[0376] The specific name of the first request is not limited in the present application, for example, the first request can also be called assistance computation request, assistance processing request, offloading request, processing offloading request, request information or other names.

[0377] In some possible implementation, before S310, the method 300 further includes: generating, by the UE1, the first request.

[0378] Optionally, S320 includes: sending, by the RAN1 to the RAN2, the first information in response to the first request. Or, sending, by the RAN1 to the RAN2, the first information according to the first request. Optionally, S315 includes: determining, by the RAN1, the RAN2 in response to the first request. Or, determining, by the RAN1, the RAN2 according to the first request. For example, the RAN1 can select the RAN2 with the capability of supporting the first processing. For another example, the RAN1 can select the RAN2 with lower load.

[0379] Based on the above scheme, the UE1 can send the first request to the RAN1, so as to trigger the operation of sending the first information from the RAN1 to the RAN2.

[0380] In some possible implementation, the first information is further used to indicate the first identity. Wherein, the first information can directly indicate the information, for example, the first information can include the information of the first identity. Wherein, the first information can also indirectly indicate the information, for example, the first information can implicitly indicate the first identity. Exemplarily, the first identity is associated with the UE1.

[0381] Optionally, the first request is used to indicate the first identity. The RAN1 can determine the first identity according to the first request. Exemplarily, the first request is used to indicate the action ID1 and the first identity.

[0382] Optionally, the first identity is used to indicate the attribute of the data. For example, the first data carries the first identity, and the first identity can be used to indicate the attribute of the first data. For example, at least one of the attribute of the first data, the source, the destination, the transmission direction, or the transmission manner.

[0383] Exemplarily, the first identity is used to indicate at least one of the identity of the UE1 (UE1 ID), the downlink transmission, the uplink transmission, the QFI, the identity of the DRB, the APP type (APP type), the identity of the APP flow (APP flow ID), the identity of the APP (APP ID), or the identity of the PDU session (PDU session ID).

[0384] For example, the UE1 ID can comprise an IP of the UE1. In some examples, the UE1 ID can be used to indicate at least one of a home, a source, or a destination of the first data. For example, in an uplink transmission, the UE1 ID can be used to indicate the source of the first data. For another example, in a downlink transmission, the UE1 ID can be used to indicate the destination of the first data. The UE1 ID can be used to indicate that the first data carrying the first identity corresponds to the UE1. Wherein, “the first data corresponds to the UE1” can be understood as that the first data is from the UE1. For example, the first data is uplink data sent by the UE1. “The first data corresponds to the UE1” can also be understood as that the destination of the first data is the UE1. For example, the first data is downlink data to be sent to the UE1. “The first data corresponds to the UE1” can also be understood as that the first data belongs to the UE1. For example, the first data is generated by the UE1, or is to be used by the UE1.

[0385] In some other examples, at least one of the APP type, the APP flow identity, or the APP identity can be used to indicate at least one of a home, a source, or a destination of the first data. For example, the APP identity can be used to indicate that the first data carrying the first identity corresponds to the APP identity. For example, the APP type can comprise XR, gaming, or web, etc. The APP type can be used to indicate that the first data carrying the first identity corresponds to the APP type. Wherein, the APP type can correspond to one or more APP identities. For example, the APP flow identity can be used to indicate that the first data carrying the first identity corresponds to the APP flow identity. Wherein, the APP flow identity can correspond to one or more APP identities. The following examples are given with the APP identity. The APP type and the APP flow identity have a corresponding relationship with the APP identity, and therefore, the examples of the APP type and the APP flow identity can refer to the examples of the APP identity, and will not be repeated here.

[0386] For example, the APP identity corresponds to one or more APP servers. “The first data corresponds to the APP server” can be understood as that the first data is from the APP server. For example, the first data is downlink data sent by the APP server. “The first data corresponds to the APP server” can also be understood as that the destination of the first data is the APP server. For example, the first data is uplink data to be sent to the APP server. “The first data corresponds to the APP server” can also be understood as that the first data belongs to the APP server. For example, the first data is generated by the APP server, or is to be used by the APP server.

[0387] In some examples, the transmission direction of the first data includes downlink transmission or uplink transmission. For example, the first indication is used to indicate downlink transmission, which means that the first data carrying the first indication is downlink data. For another example, the first indication is used to indicate uplink transmission, which means that the first data carrying the first indication is uplink data. Illustratively, the first indication can include an indication of downlink transmission (e.g., DL indication) or an indication of uplink transmission (e.g., UL indication). In this way, the indication of downlink transmission or the indication of uplink transmission can respectively indicate that the first data carrying the first indication is downlink data or uplink data.

[0388] In some examples, the transmission manner of the first data can include a quality requirement of the first data or a transmission resource carrying the first data, etc. For example, the QFI can be used to indicate the quality requirement of the first data. For another example, the DRB ID can be used to indicate the transmission resource carrying the first data.

[0389] The present application does not limit the specific name of the first indication, and the first indication can also be referred to as granularity information, granularity indication, identification information, or other names. For ease of understanding, the first indication will be referred to as granularity indication 1 in the following.

[0390] Optionally, the granularity indication 1 corresponds to (or is associated with) the action ID 1. For example, the above-mentioned "corresponds to" can be understood as: there is a mapping relationship between the action ID 1 and the granularity indication 1. For another example, the above-mentioned "corresponds to" can be understood as: the first processing can be used to execute the data carrying the granularity indication 1.

[0391] In some examples, the network side (e.g., the network side includes RAN2 and / or RAN1) can calculate the execution code identification of the action ID 1.

[0392] In some examples, the network side can send (such as broadcast) a processing identification list supported by the network side to the terminal device (e.g., UE1). The processing identification list can include an identification of at least one processing, and the at least one processing can include the first processing. The terminal device can determine whether to request auxiliary calculation based on the network capability and the calculation load of the terminal device. If the terminal device determines to request auxiliary calculation, it can also determine the unloading ratio (such as unloading 10%, 20%, 50%, or 100%, etc.). For example, the terminal device can determine to unload the processing occupying 10% of the calculation load to the network side. Illustratively, the above-mentioned processing occupying 10% of the calculation load can include the first processing. The terminal device can indicate the identification of one or more processes selected by the terminal device to the network side. The above-mentioned identification of one or more processes can belong to the processing identification list. Optionally, the above-mentioned identification of one or more processes includes the action ID 1.

[0393] In some examples, the terminal device can determine whether to request the assistance calculation by itself without relying on the above-mentioned broadcast of the network side. If the terminal device determines to request the assistance calculation, the terminal device can also determine the offloading ratio. For example, the terminal device can request the action ID1 from the network side, and the network side can accept or reject the request. If the network side accepts the request, the network side can indicate the action ID1 to the terminal device. If the network side rejects the request, the network side can send rejection information to the terminal device.

[0394] Based on the above-mentioned scheme, the first information indicates the granularity identifier 1 and the action ID1. The granularity identifier 1 corresponds to the action ID1. For example, when the RAN2 receives the data carrying the granularity identifier 1, the RAN2 can determine to perform the first processing on the data. In this way, the RAN1 does not need to additionally indicate the RAN2 to perform the first processing on the data, thereby reducing the signaling overhead.

[0395] In some possible implementation manners, the RAN1 can determine a fourth mapping relationship, where the fourth mapping relationship includes a corresponding relationship (or a mapping relationship) between the granularity identifier 1 and an identifier (RAN2 ID) of the RAN2. For example, the RAN1 can determine the granularity identifier 1 according to the first request. The RAN1 can select the RAN2 to perform the assistance calculation for the UE1. In this way, the RAN1 can determine that there is a corresponding relationship between the granularity identifier 1 and the RAN2. For example, the fourth mapping relationship can be represented as {granularity identifier 1, RAN2 ID}.

[0396] For example, the RAN2 ID can include an index and / or an IP of the RAN2.

[0397] In some possible implementation manners, the method 300 further includes that the RAN2 determines a seventh mapping relationship according to the first information (indicating the granularity identifier 1 and the action ID1). The seventh mapping relationship can include a mapping relationship between the granularity identifier 1 and the action ID1. For example, the seventh mapping relationship can be represented as {granularity identifier 1, action ID1}.

[0398] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application. In the communication system shown in FIG. 4, the RAN1 for connecting the UE1 and the RAN2 for calculation can be separated.

[0399] In some possible implementation, the RAN2 can support on-path computing. For example, the RAN2 can deploy computing functions. Illustratively, the RAN2 can perform the processing that the UE1 originally needs to perform, in other words, the RAN2 can replace the UE1 to perform some processing, in other words, the UE1 can offload some processing to the RAN2. For example, the RAN2 can perform rendering, compression, or decompression on the data packets from the terminal device. Therefore, the architecture shown in FIG. 4 supports offloading the processing of the terminal device to the access network device, effectively reducing the computing amount of the terminal device.

[0400] The architecture shown in FIG. 4 can also be referred to as RAN everything as a service (XaaS). Two possible architecture modes provided by the embodiments of the present application are introduced below in combination with FIG. 4.

[0401] Referring to (a) in FIG. 4, the UE1 is connected with the RAN1, the RAN1 is connected with the RAN2, and the RAN2 is connected with the first core network function. The tunnel between the RAN1 and the RAN2 can be referred to as a first tunnel, for example, the tunnel 410. The tunnel between the RAN2 and the first core network function can be referred to as a second tunnel, for example, the tunnel 420. Illustratively, the uplink data can pass through the UE1, the RAN1, the RAN2, and the first core network function in sequence; and the downlink data can pass through the first core network function, the RAN2, the RAN1, and the UE1 in sequence. For ease of description, the scheme shown in (a) in FIG. 4 is referred to as architecture A below.

[0402] Optionally, in the architecture A, there is a tunnel between the RAN1 and the first core network function, which is referred to as a fourth tunnel. For example, the tunnel 430. Illustratively, the data that needs to be assisted in computing can be transmitted via the first tunnel and the second tunnel, and the data that does not need to be assisted in computing can be transmitted via the fourth tunnel.

[0403] Referring to (b) in FIG. 4, the UE1 is connected with the RAN1, the RAN1 is connected with the RAN2, and the RAN1 is connected with the first core network function. The tunnel between the RAN1 and the RAN2 can be referred to as a first tunnel, for example, the tunnel 440. The tunnel between the RAN1 and the first core network function can be referred to as a third tunnel, for example, the tunnel 450. Illustratively, the uplink data can pass through the UE1, the RAN1, the RAN2, the RAN1, and the first core network function in sequence; and the downlink data can pass through the first core network function, the RAN1, the RAN2, the RAN1, and the UE1 in sequence. For ease of description, the scheme shown in (b) in FIG. 4 is referred to as architecture B below.

[0404] In the case where no special description is made, the first core network function in the present application can refer to a core network device capable of implementing the first core network function, can refer to a component (for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) capable of implementing the first core network function in the core network device, or can also refer to a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the first core network function. For the convenience of description, the first core network function is described below as an example.

[0405] The first core network function can be used for transmitting downlink data or receiving uplink data. Exemplarily, the first core network function can be a user plane network element. For example, the first core network function can be a UPF. For the convenience of description, the first core network function is described below as a UPF as an example. For the convenience of description, the first core network function in FIG. 4 is a UPF. However, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the first core network function is not limited to a UPF.

[0406] The present application does not limit the compatibility of architecture A and architecture B. Exemplarily, RAN1 and RAN2 can be applicable to architecture A, can be applicable to architecture B, and can be applicable to both architecture A and architecture B. In other words, architecture A and architecture B shown in FIG. 4 can be applicable to different RAN1 and RAN2, or can be applicable to the same RAN1 and RAN2. For example, in a communication system including RAN1 and RAN2, part of the data can be transmitted in the manner of architecture A, and another part of the data can be transmitted in the manner of architecture B.

[0407] The present application can mention the first processing multiple times, but those skilled in the art can understand that the specific implementation corresponding to the first processing can be the same or different in various implementation scenarios. The embodiments of the present application at least involve four implementation scenarios, for example, uplink transmission of architecture A, uplink transmission of architecture B, downlink transmission of architecture A, and downlink transmission of architecture B. In the above four implementation scenarios, the specific implementation corresponding to the first processing can be the same or different. For example, in the uplink transmission of architecture A, the first processing can be used to execute a calculation code 1 on the data; in the uplink transmission of architecture B, the first processing can be used to execute a calculation code 2 on the data. The calculation code 1 and the calculation code 2 can be the same or different.

[0408] In the scheme shown in method 200, there is only one tunnel and the corresponding route on the network side (for example, between RAN and UPF), while in the two architecture modes shown in FIG. 4, there are two tunnels on the network side, for example, in architecture A, there are a first tunnel and a second tunnel. For another example, in architecture B, there are a first tunnel and a third tunnel. Therefore, those skilled in the art can understand that, due to the difference in the number of tunnels, the method 200 cannot be directly applied to the two architecture modes shown in FIG. 4.

[0409] FIG. 5 is a schematic flow chart of another method 500 of communication, provided by embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 500 can be used to determine dual tunnels. For example, the first tunnel 410 and the second tunnel 420 in architecture A. For another example, the first tunnel 440 and the third tunnel 450 in architecture B. The method 500 can be combined with the method 400. For example, the method 500 can be performed after the method 400, but the present disclosure does not limit this, and some operations of the method 500 can also be performed simultaneously with some operations of the method 400. The optional operations in the method 500 are represented by dashed lines in FIG. 5. The method 500 is described below in conjunction with FIG. 5.

[0410] The present disclosure does not limit the order of establishment of the first tunnel 410 / 440 and the second tunnel 420 (or the third tunnel 450). For example, the first tunnel 410 / 440 can be established before the second tunnel 420 (or the third tunnel 450). For another example, the first tunnel 410 / 440 can be established after the second tunnel 420 (or the third tunnel 450). For another example, the first tunnel 410 / 440 can be established simultaneously with the second tunnel 420 (or the third tunnel 450). The establishment of the first tunnel is described first below.

[0411] The first core network function shown in FIG. 5 is taken as an example of a UPF, but the present disclosure does not limit this, and the first core network function can also be other functions, such as a user plane network element or other functions. The second core network function shown in FIG. 5 is taken as an example of an SMF, but the present disclosure does not limit this, and the second core network function can also be other functions, such as an AMF, a UPF, or other functions.

[0412] S520, the RAN1 determines a first tunnel between the RAN1 and the RAN2. Optionally, the RAN2 determines the first tunnel. Illustratively, the first tunnel is used for data transmission between the RAN2 and the RAN1.

[0413] In some possible implementations, S520 can include that the RAN1 establishes the first tunnel. Optionally, the RAN2 establishes the first tunnel. In other words, the first tunnel can be newly established. For example, the first tunnel can be a dedicated tunnel used to transmit data carrying the granularity identifier 1.

[0414] In another possible implementation, S520 can include that the RAN1 looks up the first tunnel. Optionally, the RAN2 looks up the first tunnel. In other words, the first tunnel can be previously established. In S520, the RAN1 and the RAN2 can only look up the first tunnel that has been established. For example, the first tunnel can be a shared tunnel used to transmit data carrying the granularity identifier 1 and data not carrying the granularity identifier 1.

[0415] Exemplarily, the identity of the first tunnel can comprise a TEID. For the convenience of description, the identity of the first tunnel can be referred to as TEID1 in the following. The TEID1 can be allocated by the core network, or can be determined by the RAN1 and / or the RAN2.

[0416] Exemplarily, the identity of the tunnel allocated by the core network can be referred to as TEID2 (or TEID3). For example, the TEID2 can be the identity of the second tunnel; the TEID3 can be the identity of the third tunnel.

[0417] The TEID1 and the TEID2 (or TEID3) can be the same. The above scheme can also be referred to as a unified TEID scheme.

[0418] The TEID1 and the TEID2 (or TEID3) can be different. The above scheme can also be referred to as an independent TEID scheme.

[0419] Optionally, the TEID1 corresponds to the granularity identity 1. In this way, the data (e.g., carrying the TEID1) received by the RAN1 or the RAN2 on the first tunnel can correspond to the granularity identity 1. Exemplarily, the data transmitted on the first tunnel can not carry the granularity identity 1, but since the TEID1 corresponds to the granularity identity 1, the RAN1 or the RAN2 can perform subsequent operations according to the TEID1. For example, the data forwarded by the RAN1 or the RAN2 can carry the granularity identity 1. For another example, the RAN1 or the RAN2 can determine the network element corresponding to the granularity identity 1 according to the TEID1, and then forward the data to the network element.

[0420] Based on the above scheme, the tunnel can be established between the RAN1 and the RAN2, so that the data can be transmitted between the RAN1 and the RAN2, thereby realizing the auxiliary calculation of the RAN2. In addition, the TEID1 corresponds to the granularity identity 1. In this way, in the case that the data only carries the TEID1 and does not carry the granularity identity 1, the RAN1 or the RAN2 can determine the granularity identity 1 according to the TEID1, and perform subsequent operations according to the granularity identity 1. Therefore, the above scheme supports the data to implicitly carry the granularity identity 1, thereby reducing the overhead of carrying the granularity identity 1.

[0421] Two examples of the RAN1 and the RAN2 interacting with the TEID1 are introduced below, which are referred to as example 1-1 and example 1-2 respectively.

[0422] Example 1-1: The TEID1 can be indicated by the RAN1. Optionally, the TEID1 can be determined (or allocated) by the RAN1.

[0423] In some possible implementation, the method 500 further includes: S510, the RAN2 receives the tenth information from the RAN1, and the tenth information can be used to indicate the TEID1. Correspondingly, the RAN1 sends the tenth information to the RAN2. Optionally, S510 is performed before S520.

[0424] In some possible implementation, before S510, the method 500 further includes: the RAN1 determines the TEID1. Wherein, the TEID1 can be the same as the TEID2 (or the TEID3), or different. In the above scheme, the RAN1 can first determine the TEID1, and then indicate the TEID1 to the RAN2.

[0425] In some possible implementation, S520 includes: the RAN2 determines the first tunnel corresponding to the TEID according to the TEID1 indicated by the tenth information.

[0426] Optionally, the tenth information is further used to indicate the granularity identifier 1. For example, the tenth information can be used to indicate the TEID1 and the granularity identifier 1. Illustratively, the RAN2 can determine the eighth mapping relationship according to the tenth information, wherein the eighth mapping relationship includes the correspondence between the granularity identifier 1 and the TEID1. For example, the eighth mapping relationship can be represented as {granularity identifier 1, TEID1}.

[0427] For example, the RAN2 can determine that the TEID1 corresponds to the action ID1 according to the granularity identifier 1 and the seventh mapping relationship ({granularity identifier 1, action ID1}). In this way, in the case that the RAN2 receives the data carrying the TEID1, the RAN2 can perform the first processing corresponding to the action ID1 on the data.

[0428] Illustratively, the tenth information can be carried in the first information. Illustratively, the tenth information can include the first information. Illustratively, the tenth information and the first information can be sent simultaneously. However, the present application is not limited thereto, and the tenth information and the first information can also be sent separately.

[0429] In some possible implementation, the tenth information is further used to indicate the identifier (RAN1 ID) of the RAN1. Optionally, the RAN1 ID and the TEID1 are used to indicate the first tunnel.

[0430] Exemplarily, in a case that the TEID1 cannot uniquely distinguish different tunnels, the RAN1 ID can be used to distinguish different tunnels in combination with the TEID1. For example, the value of the TEID is limited, for example, 1-1000. It is assumed that the TEID1 is 200, and the identifier "200" is also an identifier of another tunnel in addition to the TEID1. In this way, it can be difficult to distinguish the first tunnel from the other tunnel by using only the identifier "200". Exemplarily, among the tunnels corresponding to the identifier "200", only the first tunnel is related to the RAN1. The "related to" can be understood as that one end of the first tunnel is the RAN1. In this way, the identifier "200" and the RAN1 ID can be used to indicate the first tunnel.

[0431] In some scenarios, the identifier used to distinguish the tunnels is limited. For example, the TEID1 can correspond to other tunnels in addition to the first tunnel. Based on the above scheme, the first tunnel can be distinguished from the other tunnels according to the TEID1 and the RAN1 ID, so that the first tunnel is distinguished from the other tunnels in a case that the identifier used to distinguish the tunnels is limited, without the need to separately set a tunnel identifier completely different from the other tunnels for the first tunnel, thereby saving the space of the tunnel identifier.

[0432] Example 1-2: The TEID1 can be indicated by the RAN2. Optionally, the TEID1 is determined (or allocated) by the RAN2.

[0433] In some possible implementation manners, the method 500 further includes: S515, the RAN2 sends the eleventh information to the RAN1. Correspondingly, the RAN1 receives the eleventh information from the RAN2. The eleventh information can be used to indicate the TEID1.

[0434] In some possible implementation manners, before S515, the method 500 further includes: the RAN2 determines the TEID1. The TEID1 can be the same as the TEID2 (or the TEID3), or different. In the above scheme, the RAN2 can first determine the TEID1, and then indicate the TEID1 to the RAN1.

[0435] In some possible implementation manners, S520 includes: the RAN1 determines the first tunnel corresponding to the TEID according to the TEID1 indicated by the eleventh information.

[0436] Optionally, the eleventh information is also used to indicate the granularity identifier 1. For example, the eleventh information can be used to indicate the TEID1 and the granularity identifier 1. Exemplarily, the RAN1 can determine the eighth mapping relationship ({granularity identifier 1, TEID1}) according to the eleventh information.

[0437] Exemplarily, the eleventh information can be carried in the second information. Exemplarily, the eleventh information can include the second information. Exemplarily, the eleventh information and the second information can be sent simultaneously. However, the application is not limited thereto, and the eleventh information and the second information can also be sent separately.

[0438] In some possible implementation manners, the eleventh information is further used to indicate the RAN2 ID. Optionally, the RAN2 ID and the TEID1 are used to indicate the first tunnel.

[0439] Exemplarily, in the case that the TEID1 cannot uniquely distinguish different tunnels, the RAN2 ID can be used in combination with the TEID1 to distinguish different tunnels. For example, the value of the TEID is limited, for example, 1-1000. Among them, assuming that the TEID1 is 200, and the identifier "200" is the identifier of other tunnels in addition to the TEID1. In this way, if only the identifier "200" is used, it can be difficult to distinguish the first tunnel from other tunnels. Exemplarily, among the tunnels corresponding to the identifier "200", only the first tunnel is related to the RAN2. Wherein, "related" can be understood as one end of the first tunnel being the RAN2. In this way, the identifier "200" and the RAN2 ID can be used to indicate the first tunnel.

[0440] In some scenarios, the identifier used to distinguish the tunnel is limited. For example, the TEID1 can correspond to other tunnels in addition to the first tunnel. Based on the above scheme, the first tunnel can be distinguished from other tunnels according to the TEID1 and the RAN2 ID, so as to realize the distinction between the first tunnel and other tunnels in the case that the identifier used to distinguish the tunnel is limited, without the need to separately set a tunnel identifier completely different from other tunnels for the first tunnel, thereby saving the space of the tunnel identifier.

[0441] As described above, the architecture A can include the first tunnel and the second tunnel. The examples of determining the first tunnel are introduced above, and the examples of determining the second tunnel are introduced below.

[0442] In some possible implementation manners, the method 500 further includes: S550, the RAN2 determines a second tunnel between the RAN2 and a first core network function (for example, a UPF). Optionally, the first core network function (for example, the UPF) determines the second tunnel. Exemplarily, the second tunnel is used for data transmission between the RAN2 and the UPF.

[0443] In some possible implementations, S550 can include: the RAN2 establishes the second tunnel. Optionally, the UPF establishes the second tunnel. In other words, the second tunnel can be newly established. For example, the second tunnel can be a dedicated tunnel used to transmit data carrying the granularity identifier 1.

[0444] In some possible implementations, S550 can include that the RAN 2 looks up the second tunnel. Alternatively, the UPF looks up the second tunnel. In other words, the second tunnel can be established in advance. In S550, the RAN 2 and the UPF can only look up the second tunnel that has been established. For example, the second tunnel can be a shared tunnel for transmitting data carrying the granularity identifier 1 and data not carrying the granularity identifier 1.

[0445] Exemplarily, the identifier of the second tunnel can include a TEID. For ease of description, the identifier of the second tunnel can be referred to as TEID2 hereinafter. Exemplarily, the TEID2 can be a tunnel identifier allocated by the core network.

[0446] Alternatively, the TEID2 corresponds to the granularity identifier 1. In this way, the data received by the RAN 2 or the UPF on the second tunnel (for example, the data carries the TEID2) can correspond to the granularity identifier 1. Exemplarily, the data transmitted on the second tunnel can not carry the granularity identifier 1, but the RAN 2 or the UPF can perform subsequent operations according to the TEID2 because the TEID2 corresponds to the granularity identifier 1. For example, the RAN 2 or the UPF can determine the network element corresponding to the granularity identifier 1 according to the TEID2, and then forward the data to the network element.

[0447] Based on the above scheme, the tunnel can be established between the RAN 2 and the UPF, so that the data can be transmitted between the RAN 2 and the UPF. For example, the RAN 2 can send the processed data to the UPF through the second tunnel. For another example, the RAN 2 can receive the data from the UPF through the second tunnel, and then perform the auxiliary calculation. In addition, the TEID2 corresponds to the granularity identifier 1. In this way, in the case that the data only carries the TEID2 and does not carry the granularity identifier 1, the RAN 2 can determine the granularity identifier 1 according to the TEID2, and then perform subsequent operations according to the granularity identifier 1. Therefore, the above scheme supports the data to implicitly carry the granularity identifier 1, thereby reducing the overhead of carrying the granularity identifier 1.

[0448] Two examples of the RAN 2 obtaining the TEID2 are introduced below, which are respectively referred to as example 2-1 and example 2-2.

[0449] Example 2-1: The TEID2 can be indicated by the RAN 1.

[0450] In some possible implementations, the method 500 further includes that S530, the RAN 2 receives twelfth information from the RAN 1. Correspondingly, the RAN 1 sends the twelfth information to the RAN 2. The twelfth information can be used to indicate the TEID2.

[0451] In some possible implementations, S550 includes: determining, by the RAN2, the second tunnel according to the TEID2 indicated by the twelfth information.

[0452] Optionally, the twelfth information is further used to indicate the granularity identifier 1. For example, the twelfth information can be used to indicate the TEID2 and the granularity identifier 1. Illustratively, the RAN2 can determine the ninth mapping relationship according to the TEID2 and the granularity identifier 1 indicated by the twelfth information, where the ninth mapping relationship includes the correspondence between the granularity identifier 1 and the TEID2. For example, the ninth mapping relationship can be represented as {granularity identifier 1, TEID2}.

[0453] In some examples, the RAN2 can determine that the TEID2 corresponds to the action ID1 according to the twelfth information (indicating the TEID2 and the granularity identifier 1) and the seventh mapping relationship ({granularity identifier 1, action ID1}). For example, in the case that the RAN2 receives data carrying the TEID2, the RAN2 can perform the first processing on the data.

[0454] In some examples, the RAN2 can determine the correspondence between the TEID1 and the TEID2 according to the twelfth information (indicating the TEID2 and the granularity identifier 1) and the eighth mapping relationship ({granularity identifier 1, TEID1}). For example, in the case that the RAN2 receives data carrying the TEID1, the data can be forwarded to the network element corresponding to the TEID2. For another example, in the case that the RAN2 receives data carrying the TEID2, the data can be forwarded to the network element corresponding to the TEID1.

[0455] Optionally, the twelfth information is further used to indicate an identifier (UPF ID) of the UPF. For example, the twelfth information can be used to indicate the TEID2 and the UPF ID. For another example, the twelfth information can be used to indicate the TEID2, the granularity identifier 1 and the UPF ID.

[0456] In some possible implementations, S550 includes: determining, by the RAN2, the second tunnel according to the UPF ID. Illustratively, the UPF ID can include an index and / or an IP of the UPF. For example, the RAN2 can determine the IP of the UPF according to the index of the UPF and preconfigured information. The RAN2 can determine the second tunnel according to the IP of the UPF. Wherein, the preconfigured information can include a mapping relationship between the index and the IP of the core network function (for example, the UPF).

[0457] Illustratively, the TEID2 can be acquired by the RAN1 from the core network.

[0458] In some possible implementation, the method 500 further includes: S532, the RAN1 receives the seventeenth information from the second core network function (e.g., SMF), and the seventeenth information can be used to indicate the TEID2. Correspondingly, the second core network function sends the seventeenth information to the RAN1. Optionally, S532 is performed before S530.

[0459] Unless otherwise specified, the second core network function in the present application can refer to a core network device capable of implementing the second core network function, a component (e.g., a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) capable of implementing the second core network function in the core network device, or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the second core network function. For ease of description, the second core network function is described below as an example.

[0460] Exemplarily, the second core network function can be a UPF, an AMF, or an SMF. Exemplarily, in the case where the second core network function is an SMF, the second core network function can send information to the access function (e.g., RAN1) directly, or send information to the access function through the AMF. For example, the second core network function sends the seventeenth information to the AMF, and the AMF sends the seventeenth information to the RAN1.

[0461] Optionally, the seventeenth information is used to indicate the TEID2. In this way, the RAN1 can determine the TEID2. Further, the RAN1 can indicate the TEID2 to the RAN2.

[0462] Exemplarily, if the TEID1 is determined by the RAN1, in the unified TEID scheme, the method 500 further includes: the RAN1 determines the TEID1 according to the TEID2 indicated by the seventeenth information. For example, the RAN1 can use the TEID2 as the TEID1. In this way, the TEID1 and the TEID2 can be the same.

[0463] In the above scheme, the TEID1 and the TEID2 are the same, which can reduce the complexity of the data transmission process. For example, in the case where the RAN2 receives data carrying the TEID1 from the RAN1, since the TEID1 and the TEID2 are the same, the RAN2 can directly route to the UPF according to the TEID, so as to send to the UPF through the second tunnel; without the need to first determine another TEID (e.g., TEID2) according to one TEID (e.g., TEID1), and then route to the UPF.

[0464] Exemplarily, if the TEID1 is determined by the RAN1, in the independent TEID scheme, the RAN1 can use a new TEID1 as the TEID1. In this way, the TEID1 and the TEID2 can be different.

[0465] In the foregoing solution, the TEID1 and the TEID2 are different, and the first tunnel and the second tunnel can be configured more flexibly. For example, the second tunnel can be independently expanded without affecting the operation of the first tunnel.

[0466] Optionally, the seventeenth information is further used to indicate the UPF ID. For example, the seventeenth information can be used to indicate the TEID2 and the UPF ID. For another example, the seventeenth information can be used to indicate the TEID2, the granularity identifier 1, and the UPF ID.

[0467] In some examples, the RAN1 can determine the RAN2 according to the seventeenth information (indicating the TEID2 and the granularity identifier 1) and the fourth mapping relationship ({granularity identifier 1, RAN2 ID}). For example, the RAN1 can determine, according to the granularity identifier 1 and the fourth mapping relationship ({granularity identifier 1, RAN2 ID}), indication information of the TEID2 to be transmitted to the RAN2.

[0468] Optionally, the seventeenth information is further used to indicate the UPF ID. For example, the seventeenth information can be used to indicate the TEID2 and the UPF ID. For another example, the seventeenth information can be used to indicate the TEID2, the granularity identifier 1, and the UPF ID.

[0469] For example, the RAN1 can indicate the UPF ID to the RAN2 according to the UPF ID indicated by the seventeenth information.

[0470] The UPF can actively send the seventeenth information to the RAN1, or send the seventeenth information to the RAN1 based on a request, which is not limited in the application. The request can come from the RAN1 or other network elements or devices, which is not limited in the application.

[0471] In some possible implementation manners, the method 500 further includes: S534, the RAN1 sends a fifth request to a second core network function (for example, an SMF), and the fifth request can be used to request the TEID2. Correspondingly, the second core network function receives the fifth request from the RAN1. Optionally, S534 is performed before S532.

[0472] For example, the second core network function can be an SMF. In some examples, the RAN1 can directly send the fifth request to the SMF. In other examples, the RAN1 can send the fifth request to an AMF. The AMF sends the fifth request to the SMF.

[0473] Optionally, the fifth request is for requesting the TEID2. For example, the fifth request can be for requesting the second core network function to assign or indicate the TEID2. Optionally, the fifth request is for requesting the UPF ID. For example, the fifth request can be for requesting the second core network function to assign or indicate the UPF ID. Optionally, the fifth request is for requesting the second core network function to assign the UPF and / or the TEID2.

[0474] Optionally, S532 comprises: in response to the fifth request, the second core network function sends, to the RAN1, seventeenth information, the seventeenth information being for indicating the TEID2. Alternatively, the second core network function sends, to the RAN1, the seventeenth information according to the fifth request. The other information indicated by the seventeenth information can be determined according to the information requested by the fifth request. For example, the fifth request is for requesting the UPF ID, and the seventeenth information can indicate the UPF ID.

[0475] Optionally, the fifth request is for indicating the RAN2 ID. In this way, the second core network function (e.g., the SMF) can indicate the RAN2 ID to the UPF, so that the UPF can learn the RAN2 ID. For another example, the second core network function assigns the UPF, i.e., the UPF can determine the RAN2 ID. In the case that the second core network function assigns the UPF, the “UPF” (corresponding to the first core network function) and the “SMF” (corresponding to the second core network function) shown in FIG. 5 can be combined into one function.

[0476] Exemplarily, the RAN2 ID can comprise an index and / or an IP of the RAN2.

[0477] Optionally, the second request can explicitly indicate the RAN2 ID, or can implicitly indicate the RAN2 ID.

[0478] Exemplarily, the RAN2 has multiple identities (IDs), and the second request can be for indicating one of the multiple identities. In this way, the second tunnel between the UPF and the RAN2 can be determined based on the RAN2 ID indicated by the second request.

[0479] In some possible implementations, S550 comprises: the UPF determines the second tunnel according to the RAN2 ID. For example, the RAN2 ID comprises an IP of the RAN2, and the UPF can determine the second tunnel according to the IP of the RAN2. For another example, the RAN2 ID comprises an index of the RAN2, and the UPF can determine an IP of the RAN2 according to the index of the RAN2 and preconfigured information. Further, the UPF can determine the second tunnel according to the IP of the RAN2. The preconfigured information can comprise a mapping relationship between an index and an IP of an access function (e.g., the RAN2).

[0480] Optionally, the fifth request is used to indicate the granularity identity 1. In this way, the second core network function can generate the seventeenth information according to the granularity identity 1 indicated by the fifth request, where the seventeenth information is used to indicate the granularity identity 1. But the present application is not limited thereto, for example, the second core network function can determine the seventeenth information indicating the granularity identity 1 in other manners.

[0481] Example 2-2: The TEID2 can be acquired by RAN2 from the core network.

[0482] In some possible implementation ways, the method 500 further includes: S540, the RAN2 receives the thirteenth information from the second core network function, where the thirteenth information can be used to indicate the TEID2. Correspondingly, the second core network function sends the thirteenth information to the RAN2. Optionally, S540 is performed before S550.

[0483] Optionally, the thirteenth information is used to indicate the TEID2. In this way, the RAN2 can determine the second tunnel according to the TEID2.

[0484] Exemplarily, if the TEID1 is determined by the RAN2, in the unified TEID scheme, the method 500 further includes: the RAN2 determines the TEID1 according to the TEID2 indicated by the thirteenth information. In this way, the RAN2 can use the TEID2 as the TEID1. In this way, the TEID1 and the TEID2 can be the same.

[0485] Exemplarily, if the TEID1 is determined by the RAN2, in the independent TEID scheme, the RAN2 can use a new TEID1 as the TEID1. Wherein, the TEID1 and the TEID2 can be different.

[0486] Optionally, the thirteenth information is further used to indicate the granularity identity 1. For example, the thirteenth information can be used to indicate the TEID2 and the granularity identity 1. Exemplarily, the RAN2 can determine the ninth mapping relationship ({granularity identity 1, TEID2}) according to the TEID2 and the granularity identity 1 indicated by the thirteenth information.

[0487] In some examples, the RAN2 can determine that the TEID2 corresponds to the action ID1 according to the thirteenth information (indicating the TEID2 and the granularity identity 1) and the seventh mapping relationship ({granularity identity 1, action ID1}). For example, in the case that the RAN2 receives data carrying the TEID2, the RAN2 can perform the first processing corresponding to the action ID1 on the data.

[0488] In some examples, RAN2 can determine the correspondence of TEID1 and TEID2 according to the thirteenth information (indicating TEID2 and granularity identification 1) and the eighth mapping relationship ({granularity identification 1, TEID1}). For example, in the case that RAN2 receives data carrying TEID1, the data can be forwarded to the tunnel and network element corresponding to TEID2. For another example, in the case that RAN2 receives data carrying TEID2, the data can be forwarded to the tunnel and network element corresponding to TEID1.

[0489] Optionally, the thirteenth information is further used to indicate the UPF ID. For example, the thirteenth information can be used to indicate TEID2 and the UPF ID. For another example, the thirteenth information can be used to indicate TEID2, granularity identification 1 and the UPF ID.

[0490] In some possible implementations, S550 includes: RAN2 determining the second tunnel according to the UPF ID.

[0491] The UPF can actively send the thirteenth information to RAN2, or send the thirteenth information to RAN2 based on a request, which is not limited by the present application. The "request" can come from RAN2 or other network elements or devices, which is not limited by the present application.

[0492] In some possible implementations, the method 500 further includes: S542, RAN1 sends a second request to the second core network function, where the second request can be used to request the TEID2. Correspondingly, the second core network function receives the second request from RAN1. Optionally, S542 is performed before S540.

[0493] For example, the second core network function can be an SMF. In some examples, RAN1 can directly send the second request to the SMF. In other examples, RAN1 can send the second request to an AMF. The AMF sends the second request to the SMF.

[0494] Optionally, the second request is used to request the TEID2. For example, the second request can be used to request the second core network function to issue or indicate the TEID2. Optionally, the second request is used to request the UPF ID. For example, the second request can be used to request the second core network function to issue or indicate the UPF ID. Optionally, the second request is used to request the second core network function to allocate the UPF and / or TEID2.

[0495] Optionally, S540 comprises: in response to the second request, the second core network function (e.g., SMF) sends, to the RAN1, thirteenth information, which can be used to indicate the TEID2. Alternatively, the second core network function sends, to the RAN1, the thirteenth information according to the second request. Other information indicated by the thirteenth information can be determined according to the information requested by the second request. For example, the second request is used to request the UPF ID, and the thirteenth information can indicate the UPF ID.

[0496] Optionally, the second request is used to indicate the RAN2 ID. In this way, the second core network function (e.g., SMF) can indicate the RAN2 ID to the UPF, so that the UPF can learn the RAN2 ID. For another example, the second core network function is the UPF, i.e., the UPF can determine the RAN2 ID. In the case where the second core network function is the UPF, the "UPF" (corresponding to the first core network function) and the "SMF" (corresponding to the second core network function) shown in FIG. 5 can be combined into one function.

[0497] Optionally, the second request can explicitly indicate the RAN2 ID, or can implicitly indicate the RAN2 ID.

[0498] For example, the RAN2 has multiple identities (IDs), and the second request can be used to indicate one of the multiple identities. In this way, the second tunnel between the UPF and the RAN2 can be determined based on the RAN2 ID indicated by the second request.

[0499] In some possible implementations, S550 comprises: the UPF determines the second tunnel according to the RAN2 ID.

[0500] Optionally, the second request is used to indicate the granularity identity 1. In this way, the second core network function can generate the thirteenth information according to the granularity identity 1 indicated by the second request, where the thirteenth information can be used to indicate the granularity identity 1. However, the present application is not limited thereto, for example, the second core network function can determine the thirteenth information used to indicate the granularity identity 1 in other ways.

[0501] In some possible implementations, the operations in the method 500 are in the following order: S534, S532, S530 and S550. In other possible implementations, the operations in the method 500 are in the following order: S542, S540 and S550.

[0502] Among them, S534, S532, S530, S542, S540 or S550 belong to the operation of establishing the second tunnel. S510, S515 or S520 belong to the operation of establishing the first tunnel. As described before, the present application does not limit the order of establishing the first tunnel and the second tunnel. For example, the first tunnel can be established before or after the second tunnel. For another example, the first tunnel can be established simultaneously with the second tunnel.

[0503] Optionally, there is also a fourth tunnel in architecture A. The example of determining the fourth tunnel can refer to the aforementioned example of determining the second tunnel, and will not be described again.

[0504] As described before, architecture B can include the first tunnel and the third tunnel. The example of determining the first tunnel and the second tunnel is introduced above, and the example of determining the third tunnel is introduced below.

[0505] In some possible implementation manners, the method 500 further includes: S580, the RAN1 determines a third tunnel between the RAN1 and a first core network function (for example, the UPF). Optionally, the UPF determines the third tunnel. Exemplarily, the third tunnel is used for data transmission between the RAN1 and the UPF.

[0506] In some possible implementations, S580 can include: the RAN1 establishes the third tunnel. Optionally, the UPF establishes the third tunnel. In other words, the third tunnel can be newly established. For example, the third tunnel can be a dedicated tunnel used for transmitting data carrying the granularity identifier 1.

[0507] In another possible implementation, S580 can include: the RAN1 looks up the third tunnel. Optionally, the UPF looks up the third tunnel. In other words, the third tunnel can be established in advance. In S580, the RAN1 and the UPF can only look up the third tunnel that has been established. For example, the third tunnel can be a shared tunnel used for transmitting data carrying the granularity identifier 1 and data not carrying the granularity identifier 1.

[0508] Exemplarily, the identifier of the third tunnel can include a TEID. For ease of description, the identifier of the third tunnel can be referred to as TEID3 hereinafter. Exemplarily, the TEID3 can be a tunnel identifier allocated by the core network.

[0509] Optionally, the TEID3 corresponds to the granularity identifier 1. In this way, the data received by the RAN1 or the UPF on the third tunnel (e.g., the data carries the TEID3) can correspond to the granularity identifier 1. Illustratively, the data transmitted on the third tunnel can not carry the granularity identifier 1, but since the TEID3 corresponds to the granularity identifier 1, the RAN1 or the UPF can perform subsequent operations according to the TEID3. For example, the RAN1 or the UPF can determine the network element corresponding to the granularity identifier 1 according to the TEID3, and then forward the data to the network element.

[0510] Based on the above scheme, the tunnel can be established between the RAN1 and the UPF, so that the data can be transmitted between the RAN1 and the UPF. For example, the RAN1 can receive the processed data from the RAN2, and send the data to the UPF through the third tunnel. For another example, the RAN1 can receive the data from the UPF through the third tunnel, and send the data to the RAN2, so as to perform the auxiliary calculation. In addition, the TEID3 corresponds to the granularity identifier 1. In this way, in the case that the data only carries the TEID3 and does not carry the granularity identifier 1, the RAN1 can determine the granularity identifier 1 according to the TEID3, and perform subsequent operations according to the granularity identifier 1. Therefore, the above scheme supports that the data implicitly carries the granularity identifier 1, thereby reducing the overhead of carrying the granularity identifier 1.

[0511] Two examples of the RAN1 obtaining the TEID3 are introduced below, which are denoted as example 3-1 and example 3-2 respectively.

[0512] Example 3-1: The TEID3 can be indicated by the RAN2.

[0513] In some possible implementation, the method 500 further includes: S560, the RAN1 receives the fifteenth information from the RAN2, where the fifteenth information can be used to indicate the TEID3. Correspondingly, the RAN2 sends the fifteenth information to the RAN1.

[0514] In some possible implementation, S580 includes: the RAN1 determines the third tunnel corresponding to the TEID according to the TEID3 indicated by the fifteenth information.

[0515] Optionally, the fifteenth information is further used to indicate the granularity identifier 1. For example, the fifteenth information can be used to indicate the TEID3 and the granularity identifier 1. Illustratively, the RAN1 can determine the tenth mapping relationship according to the TEID3 and the granularity identifier 1 indicated by the fifteenth information, where the tenth mapping relationship includes the correspondence between the granularity identifier 1 and the TEID3. For example, the tenth mapping relationship can be represented as {granularity identifier 1, TEID3}.

[0516] In some examples, RAN1 can determine the correspondence between TEID1 and TEID3 according to the fifteenth information (indicating TEID3 and granularity identifier 1) and the eighth mapping relationship ({granularity identifier 1, TEID1}). For example, in a case that RAN1 receives data carrying TEID1, the data can be forwarded to the tunnel and network element corresponding to TEID3. For another example, in a case that RAN1 receives data carrying TEID3, the data can be forwarded to the tunnel and network element corresponding to TEID1.

[0517] Optionally, the fifteenth information is further used to indicate the UPF ID. For example, the fifteenth information can be used to indicate TEID3 and the UPF ID. For another example, the fifteenth information can be used to indicate TEID3, granularity identifier 1 and the UPF ID.

[0518] In some possible implementations, S580 comprises: RAN1 determines the third tunnel according to the UPF ID. Illustratively, the UPF ID can comprise an index and / or an IP of the UPF. For example, RAN1 can determine the IP of the UPF according to the index of the UPF and preconfigured information. RAN1 can determine the third tunnel according to the IP of the UPF. Wherein, the preconfigured information can comprise a mapping relationship between an index and an IP of a core network function (e.g., the UPF).

[0519] Illustratively, TEID3 can be acquired by RAN2 from the core network.

[0520] In some possible implementations, the method 500 further comprises: S562, RAN2 receives the sixteenth information from the second core network function, wherein the sixteenth information can be used to indicate the TEID3. Correspondingly, the second core network function sends the sixteenth information to RAN2. Optionally, S562 is performed before S560.

[0521] The sixteenth information is used to indicate the TEID3. In this way, RAN2 can indicate TEID3 to RAN1.

[0522] Illustratively, if TEID1 is determined by RAN2, in the unified TEID scheme, the method 500 further comprises: RAN2 determines TEID1 according to TEID3 indicated by the sixteenth information. For example, RAN2 can use TEID3 as TEID1. In this way, TEID1 and TEID3 can be the same.

[0523] In the above scheme, TEID1 and TEID3 are the same, and complexity of the data transmission process can be reduced. For example, in the case that RAN1 receives data carrying TEID1 from RAN2, since TEID1 and TEID3 are the same, RAN1 can directly route to the UPF according to the TEID, so as to send to the UPF through the third tunnel; without the need to first determine another TEID (for example, TEID3) according to one TEID (for example, TEID1), and then route to the UPF.

[0524] For example, if TEID1 is determined by RAN2, in the independent TEID scheme, RAN2 can use a new TEID1 as TEID1. In this way, TEID1 and TEID3 can be different.

[0525] In the above scheme, TEID1 and TEID3 are different, and the first tunnel and the third tunnel can be more flexibly configured. For example, the third tunnel can be independently expanded without affecting the operation of the first tunnel.

[0526] Optionally, the sixteenth information is further used to indicate the granularity identifier 1. For example, the sixteenth information can be used to indicate TEID3 and the granularity identifier 1. For example, RAN2 can determine that the TEID3 corresponds to the granularity identifier 1 according to the TEID3 and the granularity identifier 1 indicated by the sixteenth information, so as to perform subsequent processing. For example, RAN2 can determine to indicate the TEID3 to RAN1 according to the granularity identifier 1.

[0527] For example, in the case that the first information indicates the granularity identifier 1, RAN2 can determine the eleventh mapping relationship after receiving the first information (indicating the granularity identifier 1) from RAN1. The eleventh mapping relationship includes the mapping relationship between the granularity identifier 1 and the RAN1 ID. For example, the eleventh mapping relationship can be represented as {granularity identifier 1, RAN1 ID}. RAN2 can determine the RAN1 ID according to the network element from which the first information comes.

[0528] For example, RAN2 can determine RAN1 according to the granularity identifier 1 and the eleventh mapping relationship ({granularity identifier 1, RAN1 ID}). For example, RAN2 determines to transmit indication information of the TEID3 to RAN1.

[0529] Optionally, the sixteenth information is further used to indicate the UPF ID. For example, the sixteenth information can be used to indicate TEID3 and the UPF ID. For another example, the sixteenth information can be used to indicate TEID3, the granularity identifier 1 and the UPF ID.

[0530] For example, RAN2 can indicate the UPF ID to RAN1 according to the UPF ID indicated by the sixteenth information.

[0531] The UPF can send the sixteenth information to the RAN 2 actively or based on a request, which is not limited in the application. The request can come from the RAN 2 or other network elements or devices, which is not limited in the application.

[0532] In some possible implementation, the method 500 further includes: S564, the RAN 2 sends a third request to a second core network function (e.g., SMF), which can be used to request the TEID 3. Correspondingly, the second core network function receives the third request from the RAN 2. Optionally, S564 is performed before S562.

[0533] Exemplarily, the second core network function can be an SMF. In some examples, the RAN 2 can send the third request to the SMF directly. In other examples, the RAN 2 can send the third request to an AMF. The AMF sends the third request to the SMF.

[0534] Optionally, the third request is used to request the TEID 3. For example, the third request can be used to request the second core network function to issue or indicate the TEID 3. Optionally, the third request is used to request the UPF ID. For example, the third request can be used to request the second core network function to issue or indicate the UPF ID. Optionally, the third request is used to request the second core network function to allocate the UPF and / or the TEID 3.

[0535] Optionally, S562 includes: in response to the third request, the second core network function sends sixteenth information to the RAN 2, which is used to indicate the TEID 3. Alternatively, the second core network function sends the sixteenth information to the RAN 2 according to the third request. Other information indicated by the sixteenth information can be determined according to the information requested by the third request. For example, the third request is used to request the UPF ID, and the sixteenth information can indicate the UPF ID.

[0536] Optionally, the third request is used to indicate the RAN 1 ID. In this way, the second core network function (e.g., SMF) can indicate the RAN 1 ID to the UPF, so that the UPF can know the RAN 1 ID. For another example, the second core network function is the UPF, i.e., the UPF can determine the RAN 1 ID. In the case that the second core network function is the UPF, the “UPF” (corresponding to the first core network function) and the “SMF” (corresponding to the second core network function) shown in FIG. 5 can be combined into one function.

[0537] Exemplarily, the RAN 1 ID can include an index and / or an IP of the RAN 1.

[0538] The fourth request can explicitly indicate the RAN1 ID, or can implicitly indicate the RAN1 ID.

[0539] For example, the RAN1 has multiple identities (IDs), and the fourth request can be used to indicate one of the multiple identities. In this way, the third tunnel between the UPF and the RAN1 can be determined based on the RAN1 ID indicated by the fourth request.

[0540] In some possible implementation, S580 includes: determining, by the UPF, the third tunnel according to the RAN1 ID. For example, the RAN1 ID includes an IP of the RAN1, and the UPF can determine the third tunnel according to the IP of the RAN1. For another example, the RAN1 ID includes an index of the RAN1, and the UPF can determine the IP of the RAN1 according to the index of the RAN1 and preconfigured information. Further, the UPF can determine the third tunnel according to the IP of the RAN1. In this case, the preconfigured information can include a mapping relationship between an index and an IP of an access function (for example, the RAN1).

[0541] Optionally, the third request is used to indicate the granularity identity 1. In this way, the second core network function can generate the sixteenth information according to the granularity identity 1 indicated by the third request, and the sixteenth information is used to indicate the granularity identity 1. However, the present application is not limited thereto, for example, the second core network function can determine the sixteenth information used to indicate the granularity identity 1 in other manners.

[0542] Example 3-2: The TEID3 can be obtained by the RAN1 from the core network.

[0543] In some possible implementation, the method 500 further includes: S570, receiving, by the RAN1, the fourteenth information from the second core network function, where the fourteenth information can be used to indicate the TEID3. Correspondingly, the second core network function sends the fourteenth information to the RAN1. Optionally, S570 is performed before S580.

[0544] The fourteenth information is used to indicate the TEID3. In this way, the RAN1 can determine the third tunnel corresponding to the TEID according to the TEID3 indicated by the fourteenth information.

[0545] For example, if the TEID1 is determined by the RAN1, in the unified TEID scheme, the method 500 further includes: determining, by the RAN1, the TEID1 according to the TEID3 indicated by the fourteenth information. In this way, the RAN1 can use the TEID3 as the TEID1. In this way, the TEID1 and the TEID3 can be the same.

[0546] Exemplarily, if TEID1 is determined by RAN1, in the independent TEID scheme, RAN1 can adopt a new TEID1 as TEID1. In this way, TEID1 and TEID3 can be different.

[0547] Optionally, the fourteenth information is further used to indicate the granularity identifier 1. For example, the fourteenth information can be used to indicate TEID3 and the granularity identifier 1. Exemplarily, RAN1 can determine the tenth mapping relationship ({granularity identifier 1, TEID3}) according to TEID3 and the granularity identifier 1 indicated by the fourteenth information.

[0548] In some examples, RAN1 can determine the correspondence between TEID1 and TEID3 according to the fourteenth information (indicating TEID3 and the granularity identifier 1) and the eighth mapping relationship ({granularity identifier 1, TEID1}). For example, in the case that RAN1 receives data carrying TEID1, the data can be forwarded to the tunnel and network element corresponding to TEID3. For another example, in the case that RAN1 receives data carrying TEID3, the data can be forwarded to the tunnel and network element corresponding to TEID1.

[0549] Optionally, the fourteenth information is further used to indicate the UPF ID. For example, the fourteenth information can be used to indicate TEID3 and the UPF ID. For another example, the fourteenth information can be used to indicate TEID3, the granularity identifier 1 and the UPF ID.

[0550] In some possible implementations, S580 includes: RAN1 determines the third tunnel according to the UPF ID.

[0551] The UPF can actively send the fourteenth information to RAN1, or send the fourteenth information to RAN1 based on a request, which is not limited by the present application. The “request” can come from RAN1, or from other network elements or devices, which is not limited by the present application.

[0552] In some possible implementation modes, the method 500 further includes: S572, RAN1 sends a fourth request to the second core network function, and the fourth request can be used to request the TEID3. Correspondingly, the second core network function receives the fourth request from RAN1. Optionally, S572 is performed before S570.

[0553] Exemplarily, the second core network function can be an SMF. In some examples, RAN1 can directly send the fourth request to the SMF. In other examples, RAN1 can send the fourth request to an AMF. The AMF sends the fourth request to the SMF.

[0554] The fourth request is used to request the TEID3. For example, the fourth request can be used to request the second core network function to issue or indicate the TEID3. Optionally, the fourth request is used to request the UPF ID. For example, the fourth request can be used to request the second core network function to issue or indicate the UPF ID. Optionally, the fourth request is used to request the second core network function to allocate the UPF and / or the TEID3.

[0555] Optionally, S570 comprises: in response to the fourth request, the second core network function sends, to the RAN1, fourteenth information, which can be used to indicate the TEID3. Alternatively, the second core network function sends, to the RAN1, the fourteenth information according to the fourth request. Other information indicated by the fourteenth information can be determined according to the information requested by the fourth request. For example, the fourth request is used to request the UPF ID, and the fourteenth information can indicate the UPF ID.

[0556] Optionally, the fourth request is used to indicate the RAN1 ID. In this way, the second core network function (for example, the SMF) can indicate the RAN1 ID to the UPF, so that the UPF can learn the RAN1 ID. For another example, the second core network function is the UPF, that is, the UPF can determine the RAN1 ID. In the case where the second core network function is the UPF, the "UPF" (corresponding to the first core network function) and the "SMF" (corresponding to the second core network function) shown in FIG. 5 can be combined into one function.

[0557] Optionally, the fourth request is used to indicate the RAN1 ID. In this way, the second core network function (for example, the SMF) can indicate the RAN1 ID to the UPF, so that the UPF can learn the RAN1 ID. For another example, the second core network function is the UPF, that is, the UPF can determine the RAN1 ID. In the case where the second core network function is the UPF, the "UPF" (corresponding to the first core network function) and the "SMF" (corresponding to the second core network function) shown in FIG. 5 can be combined into one function.

[0558] Optionally, the fourth request is used to indicate the RAN1 ID. In this way, the second core network function (for example, the SMF) can indicate the RAN1 ID to the UPF, so that the UPF can learn the RAN1 ID. For another example, the second core network function is the UPF, that is, the UPF can determine the RAN1 ID. In the case where the second core network function is the UPF, the "UPF" (corresponding to the first core network function) and the "SMF" (corresponding to the second core network function) shown in FIG. 5 can be combined into one function.

[0559] In some possible implementations, S580 comprises: the UPF determines the third tunnel according to the RAN1 ID.

[0560] Optionally, the fourth request is used to indicate the granularity identifier 1. In this way, the second core network function can generate the fourteenth information according to the granularity identifier 1 indicated by the fourth request, and the fourteenth information is used to indicate the granularity identifier 1. However, the present application is not limited thereto, for example, the second core network function can determine the fourteenth information used to indicate the granularity identifier 1 in other ways.

[0561] In some possible implementations, the operations in the method 500 are in the following order: S564, S562, S560 and S580. In other possible implementations, the operations in the method 500 are in the following order: S572, S570 and S580.

[0562] Among them, S564, S562, S560, S572, S570 or S580 belong to the operation of determining (for example, establishing or looking up) the third tunnel. S510, S515 or S520 belong to the operation of determining the first tunnel. As described above, the present application does not limit the order of determining the first tunnel and the third tunnel. For example, the first tunnel can be determined before or after the third tunnel is determined. For another example, the first tunnel can be determined at the same time as the third tunnel.

[0563] In addition, the present application does not limit the execution order of each operation in the method 500. For example, after part of the operation of determining the first tunnel is executed, the operation of determining the second tunnel (or the third tunnel) can be executed. For another example, after part of the operation of determining the second tunnel (or the third tunnel) is executed, the operation of determining the first tunnel can be executed. For example, after all the operations of determining the first tunnel are executed, the operation of determining the second tunnel (or the third tunnel) can be executed. For another example, after all the operations of determining the second tunnel (or the third tunnel) are executed, the operation of determining the first tunnel can be executed.

[0564] FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method 600 provided by the embodiments of the present application. The method 600 can be used for transmitting data. The method 600 can be combined with the method 400 and the method 500. For example, the method 600 can be executed after the method 500, but the present application does not limit that the method 600 can also have other execution orders. The optional operations in the method 600 are represented by dashed lines in FIG. 6. The method 600 will be described below in combination with FIG. 6.

[0565] The first core network function shown in FIG. 6 is taken as an example of the UPF, but the present application does not limit the first core network function, which can also be other functions, such as a user plane network element or other functions.

[0566] For ease of understanding, the contents indicated / contained by each information in FIG. 6 are shown in the form of “()”. For example, the eighth information can include the first data and the granularity identifier 1, or the eighth information can include the first data, and the eighth information is used to indicate the granularity identifier, so the eighth information can be represented as the eighth information (first data, granularity identifier 1). In addition, a / b / c in FIG. 6 can be understood as at least one of a, b or c. a / b in FIG. 6 can be understood as a and / or b.

[0567] Next, an example of uplink transmission is introduced, and then an example of downlink transmission is introduced.

[0568] First, an example of uplink transmission of architecture A is introduced. In architecture A, the devices or network elements through which the data passes can be in turn: UE1, RAN1, RAN2 and UPF.

[0569] S610, the RAN1 receives eighth information from the UE1. Correspondingly, the UE1 sends the eighth information to the RAN1. Optionally, the eighth information can include the first data and the granularity identifier 1.

[0570] Optionally, the eighth information includes the first data. Optionally, the eighth information is used to indicate the granularity identifier 1. Wherein, the eighth information can directly or explicitly indicate the granularity identifier 1, or indirectly or implicitly indicate the granularity identifier 1, which is not limited in the present application.

[0571] Optionally, the eighth information is used to indicate the action ID1. In this way, the RAN1 can determine that the first data needs to be processed according to the first processing corresponding to the action ID1 according to the action ID1.

[0572] Exemplarily, the first data can be data determined (e.g., generated) by the UE1. The first data can be uplink data. In some possible implementation manners, the UE1 can determine the RAN1 according to a preconfigured or predefined rule. In this way, the UE1 can send the eighth information to the RAN1.

[0573] The present application may mention the first data many times, but those skilled in the art can understand that the first data has different meanings in different implementation scenarios. For example, in uplink transmission, the first data can be data sent by the UE1 to the RAN1; the first data can also be data sent by the RAN1 to the RAN2. For another example, in downlink transmission of architecture A, the first data can be data sent by the UPF to the RAN2. For another example, in downlink transmission of architecture B, the first data can be data sent by the UPF to the RAN1, and the first data can also be data sent by the RAN1 to the RAN2.

[0574] The present application does not limit the specific name of the first data, for example, the first data can be called a first data packet or other names.

[0575] Based on the above scheme, the first data sent by the UE1 can carry the granularity identifier 1. In this way, the RAN1 can instruct the corresponding access function (e.g., the RAN2) to perform auxiliary calculation on the first data according to the granularity identifier 1.

[0576] S620, the RAN1 sends third information to the RAN2. Correspondingly, the RAN2 receives the third information from the RAN1. Optionally, the third information includes the first data and the first indication information. Wherein, the first indication information is used to indicate at least one of the granularity identifier 1, the TEID1 or the action ID1.

[0577] Optionally, the third information comprises the first data. The third information has a function of the first indication information. The third information can be transmitted through the first tunnel. Optionally, the first indication information is used to indicate that the RAN 2 performs the first processing on the first data.

[0578] The following describes an example of the RAN 1 generating the first indication information. In some possible implementation manners, the method 600 further includes: generating, by the RAN 1, the first indication information according to the granularity identifier 1 indicated by the eighth information, the first indication information being used to indicate at least one of the granularity identifier 1, the TEID 1, or the action ID 1. For example, for the case that the first indication information is used to indicate the TEID 1, the RAN 1 can generate the first indication information according to the granularity identifier 1 indicated by the eighth information and the eighth mapping relationship ({granularity identifier 1, TEID 1}), and the first indication information can indicate the TEID 1. For another example, for the case that the first indication information is used to indicate the action ID 1, the RAN 1 can generate the first indication information according to the granularity identifier 1 indicated by the eighth information and the seventh mapping relationship ({granularity identifier 1, action ID 1}), and the first indication information can indicate the action ID 1.

[0579] The following describes an example of determining the RAN 2 by the RAN 1. In some possible implementation manners, the method 600 further includes: S622, determining, by the RAN 1, the RAN 2 according to the granularity identifier 1. For example, the RAN 1 is routed to the RAN 2 according to the granularity identifier 1 and a predetermined correspondence relationship. In this way, the RAN 1 can send the third information to the RAN 2, the third information comprising the first data and the first indication information used to indicate at least one of the first granularity identifier 1, the TEID 1, or the action ID 1. Optionally, S622 is performed before S620. In other possible implementation manners, S620 includes: sending, by the RAN 1, the third information to the RAN 2 according to the granularity identifier 1. The following describes an example of the granularity identifier 1 determining the RAN 2.

[0580] In some possible implementation manners, S622 includes: determining, by the RAN 1, the RAN 2 according to the granularity identifier 1 and a fourth mapping relationship ({granularity identifier 1, RAN 2 ID}). In this way, the RAN 1 can send the third information to the RAN 2. In other possible implementation manners, S620 includes: sending, by the RAN 1, the third information to the RAN 2 according to the granularity identifier 1 and the fourth mapping relationship ({granularity identifier 1, RAN 2 ID}).

[0581] The fourth mapping relationship ({granularity identifier 1, RAN 2 ID}) comprises a mapping relationship between the granularity identifier 1 and the RAN 2 ID.

[0582] Based on the above scheme, the first data sent by the RAN1 can carry the first indication information. In this way, the RAN2 can determine to perform the first processing on the first data according to the first indication information, so as to realize the auxiliary calculation. In addition, the RAN2 can determine to send the processed data to the corresponding network element according to the first indication information.

[0583] In some possible implementation ways, S624 includes: S625, the RAN2 performs the first processing on the first data according to the first indication information to obtain second data. For example, the RAN2 determines the action ID1 according to at least one of the granularity identifier 1, the TEID1 or the action ID1 indicated by the first indication information, so as to perform the first processing on the first data to obtain the second data.

[0584] In some possible implementation ways, S625 includes: S626, the RAN2 determines the action ID1 according to the first indication information; and S628, the RAN2 performs the first processing on the first data according to the action ID1 to obtain the second data.

[0585] In some possible implementation ways, S625 includes: S626, the RAN2 determines the action ID1 according to the first indication information; and S628, the RAN2 performs the first processing on the first data according to the action ID1 to obtain the second data.

[0586] In some examples, the first indication information is used to indicate the granularity identifier 1. Optionally, S626 includes: the RAN2 can determine the action ID1 according to the granularity identifier 1 and the seventh mapping relationship ({granularity identifier 1, action ID1}).

[0587] In another examples, the first indication information is used to indicate the TEID1. Optionally, S626 includes: the RAN2 can determine the action ID1 according to the correspondence between the TEID1 and the action ID1. For example, the RAN2 can determine that the TEID1 corresponds to the action ID1 according to the tenth information (indicating the TEID1 and the granularity identifier 1) and the seventh mapping relationship ({granularity identifier 1, action ID1}).

[0588] In still another examples, the first indication information is used to indicate the action ID1. Optionally, S626 includes: the RAN2 can determine the action ID1 according to the first indication information.

[0589] For example, the second data can be obtained by performing the first processing on the first data. The second data can be uplink data. The second data can be used for sending to the UPF.

[0590] The present application can refer to the second data multiple times, but those skilled in the art can understand that the second data has different meanings in different implementation scenarios. For example, in the uplink transmission of architecture A, the second data can be the data sent by RAN2 to the UPF. For another example, in the uplink transmission of architecture B, the second data can be the data sent by RAN2 to RAN1; the second data can also be the data sent by RAN1 to the UPF. For another example, in the downlink transmission, the second data can be the data sent by RAN2 to RAN1; the second data can also be the data sent by RAN1 to UE1.

[0591] The present application does not limit the specific name of the second data, for example, the second data can be referred to as a second data packet or other names.

[0592] In some examples, in architectures A and B, RAN2 can send uplink data to different network elements, respectively. For example, in architecture A, RAN2 can send uplink data to the UPF. For another example, in architecture B, RAN2 can send uplink data to RAN1. The uplink transmission scheme of architecture A is described below.

[0593] In some possible implementations, the method 600 further includes: S630, RAN2 sends fourth information to the UPF. Correspondingly, the UPF receives the fourth information from RAN2. Optionally, the fourth information includes the second data and second indication information. Wherein, the second indication information is used to indicate the granularity identifier 1 and / or the TEID2.

[0594] Optionally, the fourth information includes the second data. The fourth information has the function of the second indication information. Wherein, the fourth information can be transmitted through the second tunnel.

[0595] The second indication information is used to indicate the granularity identifier 1 and / or the TEID2. In this way, the UPF can perform corresponding processing on the second data according to the second indication information. For example, the UPF can determine the corresponding APP server according to the granularity identifier 1 indicated by the second indication information. The UPF can send the second data to the above-mentioned APP server. For another example, the UPF can send the second data to the corresponding APP server according to the TEID2 indicated by the second indication information and the pre-determined corresponding relationship. Exemplarily, the sequence number (SN) of the second data can be the same as the SN of the first data.

[0596] Based on the above scheme, RAN2 can send the processed second data to the UPF. The second data can carry the second indication information, and the second indication information can enable the UPF to make corresponding processing on the second data.

[0597] The following introduces an example of determining the UPF by RAN2. Optionally, in the uplink transmission of architecture A, the first indication information is used to determine the UPF. In some possible implementation manners, the method 600 further includes: S632, determining, by the RAN2, the UPF according to the first indication information. For example, the RAN2 routes to the UPF according to at least one of the granularity identifier 1, the TEID1 or the actionID1 indicated by the first indication information, and a pre-determined corresponding relationship. In this way, the RAN2 can send the fourth information described above to the UPF. Optionally, S632 is performed before S630. In other possible implementation manners, S630 includes: sending, by the RAN2 to the UPF, the fourth information according to the first indication information.

[0598] In some possible implementation manners, S632 includes: determining, by the RAN2, the UPF according to the first indication information and the first mapping relationship. In other possible implementation manners, S630 includes: sending, by the RAN1 to the UPF, the fourth information according to the first indication information and the first mapping relationship.

[0599] For example, the first mapping relationship can be represented as {granularity identifier 1 / TEID1 / actionID1, UPF ID}. For example, granularity identifier 1 / TEID1 / actionID1 can represent at least one of the granularity identifier 1, the TEID1 or the actionID1.

[0600] The following introduces an example in which the RAN 2 determines the first mapping relationship. In some possible implementation manners, the RAN 2 can determine the first mapping relationship ({granularity identifier 1 / TEID 1 / action ID 1, UPF ID}) according to the twelfth information (or the seventeenth information). For example, the twelfth information (or the seventeenth information) can be used to indicate the UPF ID and the granularity identifier 1. In this way, the RAN 2 can determine the correspondence between the UPF ID and the granularity identifier 1 according to the twelfth information (or the seventeenth information). As an example, the RAN 2 can determine the correspondence between the UPF ID, the granularity identifier 1, and the action ID 1 according to the correspondence between the UPF ID and the granularity identifier 1 described above and the seventh mapping relationship ({granularity identifier 1, action ID 1}). As another example, the RAN 2 can determine the correspondence between the UPF ID, the granularity identifier 1, and the TEID 1 according to the correspondence between the UPF ID and the granularity identifier 1 described above and the eighth mapping relationship ({granularity identifier 1, TEID 1}). As still another example, the RAN 2 can determine the mapping relationship between the granularity identifier 1, the TEID 1, the action ID 1, and the UPF ID according to the correspondence between the UPF ID and the granularity identifier 1 described above, the seventh mapping relationship ({granularity identifier 1, action ID 1}), and the eighth mapping relationship ({granularity identifier 1, TEID 1}).

[0601] The following introduces an example in which the RAN 2 generates the second indication information. In some possible implementation manners, the method 600 further includes: determining, by the RAN 2, the second indication information (used to indicate the granularity identifier 1 and / or the TEID 2) according to the first indication information (used to indicate at least one of the granularity identifier 1, the TEID 1, or the action ID 1).

[0602] In some examples, the second indication information used to indicate the granularity identifier 1 and / or the TEID 2 includes: the second indication information used to indicate the granularity identifier 1. Illustratively, the first indication information can be used to indicate at least one of the granularity identifier 1, the TEID 1, or the action ID 1. Illustratively, the RAN 2 can determine the granularity identifier 1 according to the granularity identifier 1, the TEID 1, or the action ID 1 indicated by the first indication information, and thereby determine the second indication information. The following introduces three cases in turn.

[0603] In a case where the first indication information is used to indicate the granularity identifier 1, the RAN 2 can generate the second indication information used to indicate the granularity identifier 1 according to the granularity identifier 1 indicated by the first indication information.

[0604] In a case where the first indication information is used for indicating the TEID1, the RAN2 can determine the granularity identification 1 according to the TEID1 and an eighth mapping relationship ({granularity identification 1, TEID1}). Further, the RAN2 can generate the second indication information according to the granularity identification 1, the second indication information being used for indicating the granularity identification 1.

[0605] In a case where the first indication information is used for indicating the action ID1, the RAN2 can determine the granularity identification 1 according to the action ID1 and a seventh mapping relationship ({granularity identification 1, action ID1}). Further, the RAN2 can generate the second indication information according to the granularity identification 1, the second indication information being used for indicating the granularity identification 1.

[0606] In some examples, the second indication information is used for indicating the granularity identification 1 and / or the TEID2, including that the second indication information is used for indicating the TEID2. Wherein at least one of the granularity identification 1, the TEID1 or the action ID1 indicated by the first indication information corresponds to the TEID2.

[0607] In some possible implementation manners, the RAN2 determines the TEID2 according to the first indication information. For example, as described before, the RAN2 can determine the granularity identification 1 according to the first indication information. For example, further, the RAN2 can determine the TEID2 according to the granularity identification 1 and a ninth mapping relationship ({granularity identification 1, TEID2}). Wherein the TEID1 can be same as the TEID2, or can be different from the TEID2.

[0608] In another possible implementation manner, the RAN2 can determine the TEID2 according to the TEID1. Wherein the TEID1 can be same as the TEID2.

[0609] In some possible implementation manners, the scheme of the uplink transmission of the architecture A can sequentially include: S610, S620, S624 and S630. Optionally, before S620, the scheme of the uplink transmission of the architecture A further includes: S622. Optionally, before S630, the scheme of the uplink transmission of the architecture A further includes: S632. Exemplarily, in the scheme of the uplink transmission of the architecture A, the devices or network elements through which the data passes can be UE1, RAN1, RAN2 and UPF in sequence.

[0610] Exemplarily, in the scheme of the uplink transmission of the architecture A, the RAN1, the RAN2 and the UPF can respectively perform the following routing operations. Wherein “->” can represent “mapping”.

[0611] RAN1: granularity identification 1 -> RAN2 ID. Granularity identification 1 -> TEID1.

[0612] RAN2: at least one of granularity identification 1, TEID1 or action ID1 -> action ID1. At least one of granularity identification 1, TEID1 or action ID1 -> UPF ID. At least one of granularity identification 1, TEID1 or action ID1 -> TEID2.

[0613] UPF: granularity identification 1 and / or TEID2 -> UE1 ID.

[0614] The uplink transmission scheme of architecture B is introduced as follows. In the uplink transmission scheme of architecture B, the devices or network elements through which data passes can be, in sequence, UE1, RAN1, RAN2, RAN1 and UPF.

[0615] In the uplink transmission scheme of architecture B, the method 600 includes S610, S620 and S624. Optionally, before S620, the method 600 further includes S622. Optionally, S624 includes S625. For details, refer to the foregoing description and no further repetition is made here.

[0616] In some possible implementation ways, the method 600 further includes S640, in which the RAN2 sends fifth information to the RAN1. Correspondingly, the RAN1 receives the fifth information from the RAN2. Optionally, the fifth information includes the second data and third indication information. The third indication information is used to indicate the granularity identification 1 and / or the TEID1.

[0617] Optionally, the fifth information includes the second data. The fifth information has the function of the third indication information. The fifth information can be transmitted through the first tunnel.

[0618] The third indication information is used to indicate the granularity identification 1 and / or the TEID1. In this way, the RAN1 can perform corresponding processing on the second data according to the third indication information. For example, in the uplink transmission scenario, the RAN1 can determine the UPF according to the third indication information. The RAN1 can send the second data to the UPF. For another example, in the downlink transmission scenario, the RAN1 can determine the UE1 according to the third indication information. The RAN1 can send the second data to the UE1.

[0619] Based on the above scheme, the RAN2 can send the second data obtained through processing to the RAN1. The second data can carry the third indication information, and the third indication information can enable the RAN1 to make corresponding processing on the second data.

[0620] The following introduces an example in which RAN2 determines RAN1. Optionally, in the uplink transmission of architecture B, the first indication information is used to determine RAN1. In some possible implementation manners, the method 600 further includes: S642, determining, by RAN2, the RAN1 according to the first indication information. For example, RAN2 can route to RAN1 according to at least one of the granularity identifier 1, the TEID1, or the action ID1 indicated by the first indication information, and a pre-determined corresponding relationship. In this way, RAN2 can send fifth information to RAN1. Optionally, S642 is performed before S640. In other possible implementation manners, S640 includes: sending, by RAN2 to RAN1, the fifth information according to the first indication information.

[0621] In some possible implementation manners, S642 includes: determining, by RAN2, the RAN1 according to the first indication information and a second mapping relationship. In other possible implementation manners, S640 includes: sending, by RAN2 to the RAN1, the fifth information according to the first indication information and the second mapping relationship.

[0622] For example, the second mapping relationship can be represented as {granularity identifier 1 / TEID1 / action ID1, RAN1 ID}. For example, granularity identifier 1 / TEID1 / action ID1 can represent at least one of the granularity identifier 1, the TEID1, or the action ID1.

[0623] In some possible implementation, the RAN2 can determine the second mapping relationship ({granularity identity 1 / TEID 1 / action ID 1, RAN1 ID}) according to the first information (or the tenth information, or the twelfth information). For example, the first information (or the tenth information, or the twelfth information) is from the RAN1, and can be used to indicate the granularity identity 1. In this way, the RAN2 can determine the correspondence between the RAN1 and the granularity identity 1 according to the granularity identity 1 indicated by the first information (or the tenth information, or the twelfth information), and the network element from which the first information (or the tenth information, or the twelfth information) is from. As an example, the RAN2 can determine the correspondence between the RAN1, the granularity identity 1 and the action ID 1 according to the seventh mapping relationship ({granularity identity 1, action ID 1}). As another example, the RAN2 can determine the correspondence between the RAN1, the granularity identity 1 and the TEID 1 according to the correspondence between the RAN1 and the granularity identity 1, and the eighth mapping relationship ({granularity identity 1, TEID 1}). As a further example, the RAN2 can determine the mapping relationship between the granularity identity 1, the TEID 1, the action ID 1 and the RAN1 according to the correspondence between the RAN1 and the granularity identity 1, and the seventh mapping relationship ({granularity identity 1, action ID 1}) and the eighth mapping relationship ({granularity identity 1, TEID 1}).

[0624] The following describes an example in which the RAN2 generates the third indication information. In some possible implementation, the method 600 further includes: determining, by the RAN2, the third indication information according to the first indication information.

[0625] In some examples, the third indication information is used to indicate the granularity identity 1 and / or the TEID 1, including: the third indication information is used to indicate the granularity identity 1. Illustratively, the first indication information can be used to indicate at least one of the granularity identity 1, the TEID 1 or the action ID 1. Illustratively, the RAN2 can determine the granularity identity 1 according to the granularity identity 1, the TEID 1 or the action ID 1 indicated by the first indication information, so as to determine the third indication information. The following describes three cases in turn.

[0626] In the case where the first indication information is used to indicate the granularity identity 1, the RAN2 can generate the third indication information according to the granularity identity 1 indicated by the first indication information, and the third indication information is used to indicate the granularity identity 1.

[0627] In a case where the first indication information is used for indicating the TEID1, the RAN2 can determine the granularity identification 1 according to the TEID1 and the eighth mapping relationship ({granularity identification 1, TEID1}). Further, the RAN2 can generate the third indication information according to the granularity identification 1, the third indication information being used for indicating the granularity identification 1.

[0628] In a case where the first indication information is used for indicating the action ID1, the RAN2 can determine the granularity identification 1 according to the action ID1 and the seventh mapping relationship ({granularity identification 1, action ID1}). Further, the RAN2 can generate the third indication information according to the granularity identification 1, the third indication information being used for indicating the granularity identification 1.

[0629] In some examples, the third indication information is used for indicating the granularity identification 1 and / or the TEID1, comprising: the third indication information is used for indicating the TEID1.

[0630] In some possible implementation ways, the RAN2 can determine the TEID1 according to the granularity identification 1, the TEID1 or the action ID1 indicated by the first indication information. For example, as described above, the RAN2 can determine the granularity identification 1 according to the first indication information. For example, further, the RAN2 can determine the TEID1 according to the granularity identification 1 and the eighth mapping relationship ({granularity identification 1, TEID1}).

[0631] In some possible implementation ways, the method 600 further includes: S650, the RAN1 sends ninth information to the UPF. Correspondingly, the UPF receives the ninth information from the RAN1. Optionally, the ninth information includes the second data and sixth indication information. Wherein, the sixth indication information is used for indicating the granularity identification 1 and / or the TEID3.

[0632] Optionally, the ninth information includes the second data. The ninth information has the function of the sixth indication information. Wherein, the ninth information can be transmitted through the third tunnel.

[0633] The sixth indication information is used for indicating the granularity identification 1 and / or the TEID3. In this way, the UPF can perform corresponding processing on the second data according to the sixth indication information. For example, the UPF can determine the corresponding APP server according to the granularity identification 1 indicated by the sixth indication information. The UPF can send the second data to the above-mentioned APP server. For another example, the UPF can send the second data to the corresponding APP server according to the TEID3 indicated by the sixth indication information and the pre-determined corresponding relationship.

[0634] Based on the above scheme, the RAN1 can send the processed second data to the UPF. The second data can carry the sixth indication information, which can cause the UPF to make corresponding processing on the second data.

[0635] The following introduces an example of RAN1 determining the UPF. Optionally, in the uplink transmission, the third indication information is used to determine the UPF. In some possible implementation manners, the method 600 further includes: S652, the RAN1 determines the UPF according to the third indication information. For example, the RAN1 routes to the UPF according to the granularity identifier 1 and / or the TEID 3 indicated by the third indication information, and a pre-determined corresponding relationship. In this way, the RAN1 can send ninth information to the UPF. Optionally, S652 is performed before S650. In other possible implementation manners, S650 includes: the RAN1 sends the ninth information to the UPF according to the third indication information.

[0636] In some possible implementation manners, S652 includes: the RAN1 determines the UPF according to the third indication information and the sixth mapping relationship. In other possible implementation manners, S650 includes: the RAN1 sends the ninth information to the UPF according to the third indication information and the sixth mapping relationship.

[0637] The sixth mapping relationship can include a mapping relationship between the granularity identifier 1 and / or the TEID 1 and the UPF ID. For example, the sixth mapping relationship can be represented as {granularity identifier 1 / TEID 1, UPF ID}. The granularity identifier 1 / TEID 1 can represent the granularity identifier 1 and / or the TEID 1.

[0638] The following introduces an example of the RAN1 determining the sixth mapping relationship. In some possible implementation manners, the RAN1 can determine the sixth mapping relationship ({granularity identifier 1 / TEID 1, UPF ID}) according to the fourteenth information (or the fifteenth information). For example, the fourteenth information (or the fifteenth information) can be used to indicate the UPF ID and the granularity identifier 1. In this way, the RAN1 can determine the corresponding relationship between the UPF ID and the granularity identifier 1 according to the fourteenth information (or the fifteenth information). As an example, the RAN1 can determine the corresponding relationship between the granularity identifier 1 and / or the TEID 1 and the UPF ID according to the corresponding relationship between the UPF ID and the granularity identifier 1 described above, and the eighth mapping relationship ({granularity identifier 1, TEID 1}).

[0639] The following introduces an example of the RAN1 generating the sixth indication information. In some possible implementation manners, the method 600 further includes: the RAN1 can determine the sixth indication information (used to indicate the granularity identifier 1 and / or the TEID 3) according to the third indication information (used to indicate the granularity identifier 1 and / or the TEID 1).

[0640] In some examples, the sixth indication information is used to indicate the granularity identity 1 and / or the TEID 3, including: the sixth indication information is used to indicate the granularity identity 1. For example, the third indication information can be used to indicate the granularity identity 1 and / or the TEID 1. For example, RAN 1 can determine the granularity identity 1 according to the granularity identity 1 or the TEID 1 indicated by the third indication information, and determine the sixth indication information. The following two cases are introduced in turn.

[0641] In the case that the third indication information is used to indicate the granularity identity 1, RAN 1 can generate the sixth indication information according to the granularity identity 1 indicated by the third indication information, and the sixth indication information is used to indicate the granularity identity 1.

[0642] In the case that the third indication information is used to indicate the TEID 1, RAN 1 can determine the granularity identity 1 according to the TEID 1 and the eighth mapping relationship ({granularity identity 1, TEID 1}). Further, RAN 2 can generate the sixth indication information according to the granularity identity 1, and the sixth indication information is used to indicate the granularity identity 1.

[0643] In some examples, the sixth indication information is used to indicate the granularity identity 1 and / or the TEID 3, including: the sixth indication information is used to indicate the TEID 3. Wherein, the granularity identity 1 and / or the TEID 1 indicated by the third indication information corresponds to the TEID 3.

[0644] In some possible implementation manners, RAN 1 determines the TEID 3 according to the third indication information. For example, as described above, RAN 1 can determine the granularity identity 1 according to the granularity identity 1 or the TEID 1 indicated by the third indication information. For example, further, RAN 1 can determine the TEID 3 according to the granularity identity 1 and the tenth mapping relationship ({granularity identity 1, TEID 3}). Wherein, the TEID 1 can be same as the TEID 3, or can be different.

[0645] In another possible implementation manner, RAN 2 can determine the TEID 3 according to the TEID 1. Wherein, the TEID 1 can be same as the TEID 3.

[0646] In some possible implementation ways, the uplink transmission scheme of architecture B can sequentially include: S610, S620, S624, S640 and S650. Optionally, before S620, the uplink transmission scheme of architecture B further includes: S622. Optionally, before S640, the uplink transmission scheme of architecture B further includes: S642. Optionally, before S650, the uplink transmission scheme of architecture B further includes: S652. Exemplarily, in the uplink transmission scheme of architecture B, the devices or network elements through which the data passes can be, in sequence, UE1, RAN1, RAN2, RAN1 and UPF.

[0647] Exemplarily, in the downlink transmission scheme of architecture B, RAN1, RAN2, RAN1 and UPF can perform the following routing operations respectively. Wherein, “->” can represent “mapping”.

[0648] RAN1: granularity identifier 1 -> TEID 1. Granularity identifier 1 -> RAN2 ID.

[0649] RAN2: at least one of granularity identifier 1, TEID 1 or action ID 1 -> action ID 1. At least one of granularity identifier 1, TEID 1 or action ID 1 -> RAN1 ID.

[0650] RAN1: granularity identifier 1 and / or TEID 1 -> UPF ID. Granularity identifier 1 and / or TEID 1 -> TEID 3.

[0651] UPF: granularity identifier 1 and / or TEID 3 -> UE1 ID.

[0652] The above introduces an example of uplink data transmission, and the following introduces an example of downlink transmission. In architecture A and architecture B, the UPF can send downlink data to different network elements respectively. For example, in architecture A, the UPF can send downlink data to RAN2. For another example, in architecture B, the UPF can send downlink data to RAN1. The following are introduced respectively.

[0653] First, the downlink transmission scheme of architecture A is introduced. In the downlink transmission scheme of architecture A, the devices or network elements through which the data passes can be, in sequence, UPF, RAN2, RAN1 and UE1.

[0654] In some possible implementation ways, the method 600 further includes: S660, the RAN2 receives sixth information from the UPF. Correspondingly, the UPF sends the sixth information to the RAN2. Optionally, the sixth information includes the first data and fourth indication information. Wherein, the fourth indication information is used to indicate the granularity identifier 1 and / or TEID 2.

[0655] Optionally, the sixth information comprises the first data. The sixth information has a function of the fourth indication information. The sixth information can be transmitted through the second tunnel.

[0656] The fourth indication information is used to indicate the granularity identity 1 and / or the TEID 2. In this way, the RAN 2 can perform corresponding processing on the first data according to the fourth indication information. For example, the RAN 2 can determine the RAN 1 according to the granularity identity 1 and / or the TEID 2 indicated by the fourth indication information. The RAN 2 can send the processed data to the RAN 1. For details, please refer to the following description, which will not be repeated here.

[0657] Optionally, the fourth indication information is used to indicate the action ID 1. In this way, the RAN 2 can determine that the first data needs to be processed according to the action ID 1, so as to perform subsequent operations. For example, the RAN 2 can perform the first processing corresponding to the action ID 1 on the first data.

[0658] Exemplarily, the first data can be data determined by the UPF. For example, the first data can be data received by the UPF from the DN. The first data can be downlink data. In some possible implementation ways, the UPF can determine the RAN 2 according to a preconfigured or predefined rule. In this way, the UPF can send the sixth information to the RAN 2.

[0659] The present application may refer to the first data many times, but those skilled in the art can understand that the first data has different meanings in different implementation scenarios. For example, in uplink transmission, the first data can be data sent by the UE 1 to the RAN 1; the first data can also be data sent by the RAN 1 to the RAN 2. For another example, in downlink transmission of architecture A, the first data can be data sent by the UPF to the RAN 2. For another example, in downlink transmission of architecture B, the first data can be data sent by the UPF to the RAN 1, and the first data can also be data sent by the RAN 1 to the RAN 2.

[0660] In some possible implementation ways, the method 600 further comprises S624. In some possible implementation ways, S624 comprises: S662, the RAN 2 performs the first processing on the first data according to the fourth indication information to obtain second data.

[0661] In some possible implementation ways, S662 comprises: S664, the RAN 2 determines the action ID 1 according to the fourth indication information; and S666, the RAN 2 performs the first processing on the first data according to the action ID 1 to obtain the second data.

[0662] The following describes an example of determining the action ID 1 by the RAN 2.

[0663] In some examples, the fourth indication information is used to indicate the granularity identification 1. Optionally, S664 comprises: RAN2 can determine the action ID1 according to the granularity identification 1 and the seventh mapping relationship ({granularity identification 1, action ID1}).

[0664] In some other examples, the fourth indication information is used to indicate the TEID2. Optionally, S664 comprises: RAN2 can determine the action ID1 according to the correspondence between the TEID2 and the action ID. Illustratively, RAN2 can determine that the TEID2 corresponds to the action ID1 according to the twelfth information (used to indicate the TEID2 and the granularity identification 1) and the seventh mapping relationship ({granularity identification 1, action ID1}).

[0665] In some other examples, the fourth indication information is used to indicate the TEID2. Optionally, S664 comprises: RAN2 can determine the action ID1 according to the correspondence between the TEID2 and the action ID. Illustratively, RAN2 can determine that the TEID2 corresponds to the action ID1 according to the twelfth information (used to indicate the TEID2 and the granularity identification 1) and the seventh mapping relationship ({granularity identification 1, action ID1}).

[0666] Illustratively, the second data can be obtained by performing the first processing on the first data. The second data can be downlink data. The second data can be used for sending to UE1.

[0667] The present application can refer to the second data multiple times, but those skilled in the art can understand that the second data has different meanings in different implementation scenarios. For example, in the uplink transmission of architecture A, the second data can be data sent by RAN2 to UPF. For another example, in the uplink transmission of architecture B, the second data can be data sent by RAN2 to RAN1; the second data can also be data sent by RAN1 to UPF. For another example, in the downlink transmission, the second data can be data sent by RAN2 to RAN1; the second data can also be data sent by RAN1 to UE1.

[0668] In some possible implementation manners, the method 600 further comprises: S640, RAN2 sends fifth information to the RAN1. Correspondingly, the RAN1 receives the fifth information from the RAN2.

[0669] Optionally, the fifth information comprises the second data and third indication information. Optionally, the third indication information is used to indicate the granularity identification 1 and / or the TEID1. For details, please refer to the foregoing description, which will not be repeated here.

[0670] The following introduces an example of determining RAN1 by RAN2. Optionally, the fourth indication information is used to determine RAN1. In some possible implementation manners, the method 600 further includes: S644, determining, by RAN2, the RAN1 according to the fourth indication information. For example, RAN2 routes to RAN1 according to the granularity identifier 1 and / or the TEID 1 indicated by the fourth indication information, and a pre-determined correspondence relationship. In this way, RAN2 can send fifth information to RAN1. Optionally, S644 is performed before S640. In other possible implementation manners, S640 includes: sending, by RAN2 to RAN1, the fifth information according to the fourth indication information.

[0671] In some possible implementation manners, S644 includes: determining, by RAN2, the RAN1 according to the fourth indication information and the third mapping relationship. In other possible implementation manners, S640 includes: sending, by RAN2 to the RAN1, the fifth information according to the fourth indication information and the third mapping relationship.

[0672] For example, the third mapping relationship can be represented as {granularity identifier 1 / TEID 2, RAN1 ID}. Wherein, granularity identifier 1 / TEID 2 can represent granularity identifier 1 and / or TEID 2.

[0673] The following introduces an example of determining the third mapping relationship by RAN2. In some possible implementation manners, RAN2 can determine the third mapping relationship ({granularity identifier 1 / TEID 2, RAN1 ID}) according to the first information (or the tenth information, or the twelfth information, or the fifteenth information). For example, the first information (or the tenth information, or the twelfth information, or the fifteenth information) is from RAN1, and can be used to indicate granularity identifier 1. In this way, RAN2 can determine the correspondence relationship between RAN1 ID and granularity identifier 1 according to the granularity identifier 1 indicated by the first information (or the tenth information, or the twelfth information, or the fifteenth information) and the network element from which the first information (or the tenth information, or the twelfth information, or the fifteenth information) comes. As an example, RAN2 can determine the correspondence relationship among RAN1, granularity identifier 1 and TEID 2 according to the correspondence relationship between RAN1 ID and granularity identifier 1 described above, and the ninth mapping relationship ({granularity identifier 1, TEID 2}).

[0674] The following introduces an example of generating the third indication information by RAN2. In some possible implementation manners, the method 600 further includes: determining, by RAN2, the third indication information (used to indicate granularity identifier 1 and / or TEID 1) according to the fourth indication information (used to indicate granularity identifier 1 and / or TEID 2).

[0675] In some examples, the third indication information is used to indicate the granularity identification 1 and / or the TEID 1, including that: the third indication information is used to indicate the granularity identification 1. Exemplarily, the fourth indication information can be used to indicate the granularity identification 1 and / or the TEID 2. Exemplarily, the RAN 2 can determine the granularity identification 1 according to the granularity identification 1 or the TEID 2 indicated by the fourth indication information, so as to determine the third indication information. The two cases are introduced in turn as follows.

[0676] In the case that the fourth indication information is used to indicate the granularity identification 1, the RAN 2 can generate the third indication information according to the granularity identification 1 indicated by the fourth indication information, the third indication information being used to indicate the granularity identification 1.

[0677] In the case that the fourth indication information is used to indicate the TEID 2, the RAN 2 can determine the granularity identification 1 according to the TEID 1 and the ninth mapping relationship ({granularity identification 1, TEID 2}). Further, the RAN 2 can generate the third indication information according to the granularity identification 1, the third indication information being used to indicate the granularity identification 1.

[0678] In some examples, the third indication information is used to indicate the granularity identification 1 and / or the TEID 1, including that: the third indication information is used to indicate the TEID 1. Wherein, the granularity identification 1 and / or the TEID 2 indicated by the fourth indication information corresponds to the TEID 1.

[0679] In some possible implementation manners, the RAN 2 determines the TEID 1 according to the fourth indication information. For example, as described before, the RAN 2 can determine the granularity identification 1 according to the granularity identification 1 and / or the TEID 2 indicated by the fourth indication information. For example, further, the RAN 2 can determine the TEID 1 according to the granularity identification 1 and the eighth mapping relationship ({granularity identification 1, TEID 1}). Wherein, the TEID 1 can be same as the TEID 2, or can be different from the TEID 2.

[0680] In another possible implementation manner, the RAN 2 can determine the TEID 2 according to the TEID 1 indicated by the fourth indication information. Wherein, the TEID 1 can be same as the TEID 2.

[0681] In some possible implementation manners, the method 600 further includes: S670, the RAN 1 sends the second data to the UE 1. Correspondingly, the UE 1 receives the second data from the RAN 1.

[0682] The following introduces an example of RAN1 determining UE1. Optionally, in the downlink transmission of architecture A, the third indication information is used to determine UE1. In some possible implementation ways, the method 600 further includes: S672, RAN1 determines the UE1 according to the third indication information. For example, RAN1 routes to UE1 according to the granularity identifier 1 and / or the TEID1 indicated by the third indication information, and a pre-determined corresponding relationship. In this way, RAN1 can send the second data to UE1. Optionally, S672 is performed before S670. In some other possible implementation ways, S670 includes: S674, RAN1 sends the second data to UE1 according to the third indication information.

[0683] In some possible implementation ways, S672 includes: RAN1 determines the UE1 according to the third indication information and a fifth mapping relationship.

[0684] For example, the fifth mapping relationship can be represented as {granularity identifier 1 / TEID1, UE1 ID}. Wherein, granularity identifier 1 / TEID1 can represent granularity identifier 1 and / or the TEID1.

[0685] The following introduces an example of RAN1 determining the fifth mapping relationship. In some possible implementation ways, RAN1 can determine the fifth mapping relationship ({granularity identifier 1 / TEID1, UE1 ID}) according to the first request. For example, the first request comes from UE1, and can be used to indicate granularity identifier 1. In this way, RAN1 can determine the corresponding relationship between UE1 and granularity identifier 1 according to granularity identifier 1 indicated by the first request and the device (i.e., UE1) from which the first request comes. As an example, RAN2 can determine the corresponding relationship among UE1, granularity identifier 1 and TEID1 according to the corresponding relationship between UE1 and granularity identifier 1 described above, and the eighth mapping relationship ({granularity identifier 1, TEID1}).

[0686] In some possible implementation ways, the scheme of the downlink transmission of architecture A can include, in sequence, S660, S624, S640 and S670. Optionally, before S640, the scheme of the downlink transmission of architecture A further includes: S644. Optionally, before S670, the scheme of the downlink transmission of architecture A further includes: S672. For example, in the scheme of the downlink transmission of architecture A, the devices or network elements through which the data passes can be, in sequence, UPF, RAN2, RAN1 and UE1.

[0687] For example, in the scheme of the downlink transmission of architecture A, UPF, RAN2 and RAN1 can perform the following routing operations, respectively. Wherein, “->” can represent “mapping”.

[0688] UPF: granularity ID 1 and / or TEID 2 -> RAN2 ID.

[0689] RAN2: at least one of granularity ID 1, TEID 2 or action ID 1 -> action ID 1. At least one of granularity ID 1, TEID 2 or action ID 1 -> RAN1 ID. At least one of granularity ID 1, TEID 2 or action ID 1 -> TEID 1.

[0690] RAN1: granularity ID 1 and / or TEID 1 -> UE1 ID.

[0691] The downlink transmission scheme of architecture B is introduced as follows. In the downlink transmission scheme of architecture B, the devices or network elements through which the data passes are UPF, RAN1, RAN2, RAN1 and UE1 in turn.

[0692] In some possible implementation ways, the method 600 further includes: S680, the RAN1 receives seventh information from the UPF. Correspondingly, the UPF sends the seventh information to the RAN1. Optionally, the seventh information includes the first data and seventh indication information. Wherein, the seventh indication information is used to indicate the granularity ID 1 and / or TEID 3.

[0693] Optionally, the seventh information includes the first data. The seventh information has the function of the seventh indication information. Wherein, the seventh information can be transmitted through the third tunnel.

[0694] The seventh indication information is used to indicate the granularity ID 1 and / or TEID 3. In this way, the RAN1 can perform corresponding processing on the first data according to the seventh indication information. For example, the RAN1 can determine the RAN2 according to the granularity ID 1 and / or TEID 3 indicated by the seventh indication information. The RAN1 can send the first data to the RAN2. Other descriptions are described hereinafter, and are not described here.

[0695] Optionally, the seventh indication information is used to indicate the action ID 1. In this way, the RAN1 can determine that the first data needs to be processed according to the action ID 1, so as to perform subsequent operations. For example, the RAN1 can determine the RAN2 that can perform the first processing corresponding to the action ID 1, and send the first data to the RAN2.

[0696] In some possible implementation, the method further includes: S620, the RAN1 sends the third information to the RAN2. Correspondingly, the RAN2 receives the third information from the RAN1. Optionally, the third information includes the first data and the first indication information. Wherein, the first indication information is used to indicate at least one of the granularity identity 1, the TEID1 or the action ID1.

[0697] The third information and the first indication information are described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0698] The following describes an example of the RAN1 determining the RAN2. Optionally, in the downlink transmission of the architecture B, the seventh indication information is used to determine the RAN2. In some possible implementation, the method 600 further includes: S682, the RAN1 determines the RAN2 according to the seventh indication information. For example, the RAN1 routes to the RAN2 according to the granularity identity 1 and / or the TEID3 indicated by the seventh indication information, and the pre-determined corresponding relationship. In this way, the RAN1 can send the third information to the RAN2. Optionally, S620 is performed before S682. In some other possible implementation, S620 includes: the RAN1 sends the third information to the RAN2 according to the seventh indication information.

[0699] In some possible implementation, S682 includes: the RAN1 determines the RAN2 according to the seventh indication information and the twelfth mapping relationship. In some other possible implementation, S620 includes: the RAN1 sends the third information to the RAN2 according to the seventh indication information and the twelfth mapping relationship.

[0700] Wherein, the twelfth mapping relationship includes the mapping relationship between the granularity identity 1 and / or the TEID3 and the RAN2 ID. For example, the twelfth mapping relationship can be represented as {granularity identity 1 / TEID3, RAN2 ID}. Wherein, granularity identity 1 / TEID3 can represent the granularity identity 1 and / or the TEID3.

[0701] An example of RAN1 determining the twelfth mapping relationship is introduced as follows. In some possible implementation, RAN1 can determine the twelfth mapping relationship ({granularity identity 1 / TEID3, RAN2 ID}) according to the eleventh information (or the fifteenth information). For example, the eleventh information (or the fifteenth information) is from RAN2, and can be used to indicate the granularity identity 1. In this way, RAN1 can determine the correspondence between RAN2 and the granularity identity 1 according to the granularity identity 1 indicated by the eleventh information (or the fifteenth information) and the network element from which the eleventh information (or the fifteenth information) is from. As an example, RAN1 can determine the correspondence between RAN2, the granularity identity 1 and the TEID3 according to the correspondence between RAN2 and the granularity identity 1 described above and the tenth mapping relationship ({granularity identity 1, TEID3}).

[0702] An example of RAN1 generating the first indication information is introduced as follows. In some possible implementation, the method 600 further includes that RAN1 can determine the first indication information (used to indicate at least one of the granularity identity 1, the TEID1 or the action ID1) according to the seventh indication information (used to indicate the granularity identity 1 and / or the TEID3).

[0703] In some examples, the first indication information used to indicate at least one of the granularity identity 1, the TEID1 or the action ID1 includes that the first indication information is used to indicate the granularity identity 1. For example, the seventh indication information can be used to indicate the granularity identity 1 and / or the TEID3. For example, RAN1 can determine the granularity identity 1 according to the granularity identity 1 or the TEID3 indicated by the seventh indication information, and thus determine the first indication information. Two cases are introduced in turn as follows.

[0704] In the case that the seventh indication information is used to indicate the granularity identity 1, RAN1 can generate the first indication information according to the granularity identity 1 indicated by the seventh indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate the granularity identity 1.

[0705] In the case that the seventh indication information is used to indicate the TEID3, RAN1 can determine the granularity identity 1 according to the TEID3 and the tenth mapping relationship ({granularity identity 1, TEID3}). Further, RAN2 can generate the first indication information according to the granularity identity 1, and the first indication information is used to indicate the granularity identity 1.

[0706] In some examples, the first indication information used to indicate at least one of the granularity identity 1, the TEID1 or the action ID1 includes that the first indication information is used to indicate the TEID1. For example, the granularity identity 1 and / or the TEID3 indicated by the seventh indication information corresponds to the TEID1.

[0707] In some possible implementation, the RAN 1 determines the TEID 1 according to the seventh indication information. For example, as described above, the RAN 1 can determine the granularity identification 1 according to the granularity identification 1 or the TEID 3 indicated by the seventh indication information. For example, further, the RAN 1 can determine the TEID 1 according to the granularity identification 1 and the eighth mapping relationship ({granularity identification 1, TEID 1}). Wherein, the TEID 3 can be same as the TEID 1, or can be different from the TEID 1.

[0708] In some possible implementation, the RAN 1 determines the TEID 1 according to the seventh indication information. For example, as described above, the RAN 1 can determine the granularity identification 1 according to the granularity identification 1 or the TEID 3 indicated by the seventh indication information. For example, further, the RAN 1 can determine the TEID 1 according to the granularity identification 1 and the eighth mapping relationship ({granularity identification 1, TEID 1}). Wherein, the TEID 3 can be same as the TEID 1, or can be different from the TEID 1.

[0709] In some possible implementation, the RAN 1 determines the TEID 1 according to the seventh indication information. For example, as described above, the RAN 1 can determine the granularity identification 1 according to the granularity identification 1 or the TEID 3 indicated by the seventh indication information. For example, further, the RAN 1 can determine the TEID 1 according to the granularity identification 1 and the eighth mapping relationship ({granularity identification 1, TEID 1}). Wherein, the TEID 3 can be same as the TEID 1, or can be different from the TEID 1.

[0710] In some possible implementation, the method 600 further includes: S625, the RAN 2 performs the first processing on the first data according to the first indication information, to obtain the second data.

[0711] For details, please refer to the foregoing description.

[0712] In some possible implementation, the method 600 further includes: S640, the RAN 2 sends fifth information to the RAN 1. Correspondingly, the RAN 1 receives the fifth information from the RAN 2.

[0713] Optionally, the fifth information includes the second data and third indication information. Optionally, the third indication information is used to indicate the granularity identification 1 and / or the TEID 1. For details of the fifth information, please refer to the foregoing description.

[0714] In the following, an example of RAN2 determining RAN1 is introduced. Optionally, in the downlink transmission of architecture B, the first indication information is used to determine RAN1. In some possible implementation, the method 600 further includes: S642, determining, by RAN2, the RAN1 according to the first indication information. For example, RAN1 can be routed to according to at least one of the granularity identifier 1, the TEID1 or the action ID1 indicated by the first indication information, and a pre-determined corresponding relationship. In this way, RAN2 can send the fifth information to RAN1. Optionally, S642 is performed before S640. In some other possible implementation, S640 includes: S644, sending, by RAN2, the fifth information to RAN1 according to the first indication information. Other descriptions, for example, the determination of S642, the second mapping relationship {granularity identifier 1 / TEID1 / action ID1, RAN1 ID}, or the determination of the third indication information, can be referred to the foregoing and will not be described herein.

[0715] In some possible implementation, the method 600 further includes: S670, sending, by RAN1, the second data to UE1. Correspondingly, UE1 receives the second data from RAN1.

[0716] In the following, an example of RAN1 determining UE1 is introduced. Optionally, in the downlink transmission of architecture B, the third indication information is used to determine UE1. In some possible implementation, the method 600 further includes: S672, determining, by RAN1, the UE1 according to the third indication information. For example, RAN1 can be routed to UE1 according to the granularity identifier 1 and / or the TEID1 indicated by the third indication information, and a pre-determined corresponding relationship. In this way, RAN1 can send the second data to UE1. Optionally, S672 is performed before S670. In some other possible implementation, S670 includes: S674, sending, by RAN1, the second data to UE1 according to the third indication information. Other descriptions, for example, the determination of the fifth mapping relationship ({granularity identifier 1 / TEID1, UE1 ID}) can be referred to the foregoing and will not be described herein.

[0717] In some possible implementation, the scheme of the downlink transmission of architecture B can include, in sequence, S680, S620, S625, S640 and S670. Optionally, before S620, the scheme of the downlink transmission of architecture B further includes: S682. Optionally, before S640, the scheme of the downlink transmission of architecture B further includes: S642. Optionally, before S670, the scheme of the downlink transmission of architecture B further includes: S672. For example, in the scheme of the downlink transmission of architecture B, the devices or network elements through which the data passes can be, in sequence, UPF, RAN1, RAN2, RAN1 and UE1.

[0718] Exemplarily, in the scheme of downlink transmission of architecture B, the UPF, RAN1, RAN2 and RAN1 can perform the following routing operations respectively. Wherein, “->” can represent “mapping”.

[0719] UPF: granularity identification 1 and / or TEID3 -> RAN1 ID.

[0720] RAN1: granularity identification 1 and / or TEID3 -> RAN2 ID. Granularity identification 1 and / or TEID3 -> TEID1.

[0721] RAN2: at least one of granularity identification 1, TEID1 or action ID1 -> action ID1. At least one of granularity identification 1, TEID1 or action ID1 -> RAN1 ID.

[0722] RAN1: granularity identification 1 and / or TEID1 -> UE1 ID.

[0723] Exemplarily, in architecture B, the data that RAN1 can receive from RAN2 can be uplink data or downlink data. In some possible implementation, the fifth information further comprises information for indicating uplink transmission or downlink transmission. The fifth information can be used by RAN1 to determine whether the second data is uplink data or downlink data.

[0724] Wherein, the information for indicating uplink transmission can comprise UL indication. For example, the UL indication is used to indicate that the second data is uplink data. Wherein, the information for indicating downlink transmission can comprise DL indication. For example, the DL indication is used to indicate that the second data is downlink data.

[0725] In some examples, if the fifth information comprises information for indicating uplink transmission, RAN1 can determine that the second data in the fifth information is uplink data. In some possible implementation, in the case that the fifth information comprises information for indicating uplink transmission, RAN1 determines to perform S650.

[0726] In another examples, if the fifth information comprises information for indicating downlink transmission, RAN1 can determine that the second data in the fifth information is downlink data. In some possible implementation, in the case that the fifth information comprises information for indicating downlink transmission, RAN1 determines to perform S670.

[0727] Exemplarily, the information for indicating uplink transmission or downlink transmission can be third indication information. For example, the third indication information is further used to indicate uplink transmission or downlink transmission. However, the present application is not limited thereto, for example, the information for indicating uplink transmission or downlink transmission can also be other information.

[0728] Based on the above scheme, the fifth information can carry information indicating uplink transmission or downlink transmission, so that RAN1 can determine whether the second data is uplink data or downlink data, and then send the second data to the corresponding network element. For example, in the case of uplink data, RAN1 can send the second data to the UPF. For another example, in the case of downlink data, RAN1 can send the second data to UE1.

[0729] However, the present application is not limited thereto, and in the case that the fifth information does not include information indicating uplink transmission or information indicating downlink transmission, RAN1 can also distinguish uplink data and downlink data. For example, RAN2 does not send downlink data to RAN1, so RAN1 can determine that the data from RAN2 is all uplink data, and then perform S650.

[0730] In some possible implementation manners, the third information further includes information indicating uplink transmission or downlink transmission. In some possible implementation manners, RAN2 can determine the fifth information according to the third information. For example, in the case that the third information includes information indicating uplink transmission, RAN2 can determine that the fifth information includes information indicating uplink transmission. For another example, in the case that the third information includes information indicating downlink transmission, RAN2 can determine that the fifth information includes information indicating downlink transmission.

[0731] Exemplarily, the information indicating uplink transmission or downlink transmission can be first indication information. For example, the first indication information is also used to indicate uplink transmission or downlink transmission. However, the present application is not limited thereto, and for example, the information indicating uplink transmission or downlink transmission can also be other information.

[0732] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of another communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application. The implementation scenario in which architecture A and architecture B are applicable to multiple third access functions will be introduced below in combination with FIG. 7.

[0733] As an extension of architecture A, in some possible implementation scenarios, multiple first tunnels can be used for data transmission between RAN1 and multiple third access functions respectively. Multiple second tunnels can be used for data transmission between the multiple third access functions and multiple core network functions respectively.

[0734] As an extension of architecture B, in some possible implementation scenarios, multiple first tunnels can be used for data transmission between RAN1 and multiple third access functions respectively. Multiple third tunnels can be used for data transmission between RAN1 and multiple core network functions respectively.

[0735] Exemplarily, the plurality of third access functions can comprise RAN2. The plurality of core network functions can comprise UPF. At least two of the plurality of core network functions can be the same, or the plurality of core network functions can each be different.

[0736] Optionally, the plurality of third access functions comprises RAN2 and a fourth access function (hereinafter referred to as RAN4). Wherein, the RAN2 and the RAN4 can be different. For example, the processing performed by the RAN2 is different from the processing performed by the RAN4. In some examples, the RAN2 and the RAN4 can be different components (for example, chips) or functions in the same access network device. In other examples, the RAN2 and the RAN4 are different access network devices.

[0737] Wherein, the RAN2 can correspond to granularity identifier 1, and the RAN4 can correspond to a second identifier (hereinafter referred to as granularity identifier 2). For example, the RAN2 is used to process data carrying the granularity identifier 1; the RAN4 is used to process data carrying the granularity identifier 2. Wherein, the "carrying the granularity identifier 1" can be explicit carrying, for example, the data and the granularity identifier 1 are carried in the same information; the "carrying the granularity identifier 1" can also be implicit carrying, for example, the data and the tunnel identifier (for example, TEID1, TEID2 or TEID3) are carried in the same information, and the RAN2 can determine the granularity identifier 1 according to the tunnel identifier.

[0738] In some implementations, the granularity identifier 2 is used to indicate at least one of the following: an identifier of the second terminal device, downlink transmission, uplink transmission, QFI, an identifier of the DRB, an APP type, an identifier of the APP flow, an identifier of the APP, or an identifier of the PDU session.

[0739] Exemplarily, the second terminal device can comprise one or more terminal devices. The description of the second terminal device can refer to the description of the aforementioned first terminal device. For ease of description, the following describes the second terminal device as an example of UE, and the second terminal device is denoted as UE2.

[0740] Optionally, the granularity identifier 1 and the granularity identifier 2 are different. Exemplarily, the granularity identifier 1 and the granularity identifier 2 can be used to indicate different information of the same type. For example, the granularity identifier 1 and the granularity identifier 2 are both used to indicate the identifier of the terminal device, but the granularity identifier 1 is used to indicate the UE1 ID, and the granularity identifier 2 is used to indicate the identifier of the UE2 (UE2 ID), and the UE1 ID is different from the UE2 ID. For another example, the granularity identifier 1 and the granularity identifier 2 are both used to indicate the QFI, but the granularity identifier 1 is used to indicate the QFI1, and the granularity identifier 2 is used to indicate the QFI2, wherein the QFI1 is different from the QFI2.

[0741] The granularity identifier 1 or the granularity identifier 2 can also be referred to as granularity information, which is used to indicate the granularity of the RANXaaS. The following takes RAN2 and RAN4 as examples to introduce examples of three granularities, which are denoted as example 4-1, example 4-2 and example 4-3 respectively. It can be understood by those skilled in the art that the present application is not limited to two third access functions, and the architecture A or the architecture B can also include more or less number of third access functions.

[0742] Example 4-1: terminal device granularity. Figures 7(a) and (b) respectively show the data transmission direction of the third access function allocated with terminal device granularity in the architecture A and the architecture B. In figures 7(a) and (b), UE1 and UE2 can be different.

[0743] Referring to figure 7(a), RAN2 can be an auxiliary computing node allocated for UE1. RAN2 can provide auxiliary computing services for the uplink data and the downlink data of UE1.

[0744] Referring to figure 7(b), RAN4 can be an auxiliary computing node allocated for UE2. RAN4 can provide auxiliary computing services for the uplink data and the downlink data of UE2.

[0745] The above-mentioned auxiliary computing services can also be referred to as RAN computing or other names, and the present application does not limit the specific name of the auxiliary computing services.

[0746] Example 4-2: UL / DL granularity. Figures 7(c) and (d) respectively show the data transmission direction of the third access function allocated with transmission direction (for example, UL or DL) granularity in the architecture A and the architecture B. In figures 7(c) and (d), UE1 and UE2 can be the same, and both are denoted as UE1 below.

[0747] Referring to figure 7(c), RAN2 can be an auxiliary computing node allocated for the uplink transmission of UE1. RAN2 can provide auxiliary computing services for the uplink data of UE1.

[0748] Referring to figure 7(d), RAN4 can be an auxiliary computing node allocated for the downlink transmission of UE1. RAN4 can provide auxiliary computing services for the downlink data of UE1.

[0749] Exemplarily, RAN2 and RAN4 can be the same or different.

[0750] The present application does not limit the UL / DL granularity to be the granularity of only one terminal device. Exemplarily, RAN2 can provide auxiliary computing services for the uplink data of multiple terminal devices. Exemplarily, RAN4 can provide auxiliary computing services for the downlink data of multiple terminal devices.

[0751] Example 4-3: More granularity. Figures 7(e) and (f) show the data transmission directions of the third access function allocated with more granularity (e.g., QFI, identification of DRB, APP type, identification of APP flow, identification of APP, or identification of PDU session) in architecture A and architecture B, respectively. In figures 7(e) and (f), UE1 and UE2 can be the same, and are denoted as UE1 below.

[0752] Referring to figure 7(e), RAN2 can be an auxiliary computing node allocated with more granularity (e.g., QFI1) for the uplink transmission of UE1. RAN2 can provide auxiliary computing service for part of the uplink transmission data of UE1.

[0753] Referring to figure 7(f), RAN4 can be an auxiliary computing node allocated with more granularity (e.g., QFI2) for the uplink transmission of UE1. RAN4 can provide auxiliary computing service for part of the uplink transmission data of UE1.

[0754] Exemplarily, RAN2 and RAN4 can be the same or different.

[0755] The present application does not limit the more granularity to be the granularity of the same terminal device. Exemplarily, RAN2 can provide auxiliary computing service for more granularity data of multiple terminal devices. For example, RAN2 can provide auxiliary computing service for QFI1 data of multiple terminal devices. In addition, although figures 7(e) and (f) show the more granularity allocation scheme in the uplink transmission, the present application does not limit the more granularity to be the granularity of the same transmission direction. For example, RAN2 can provide auxiliary computing service for the uplink data and downlink data of QFI1.

[0756] The various tunnels (e.g., the first tunnel, the second tunnel, and the third tunnel) in the embodiments of the present application can be dedicated tunnels or shared tunnels, and the present application does not limit this.

[0757] Exemplarily, a dedicated tunnel can be used to transmit data carrying granularity identifier 1. For example, in the case that granularity identifier 1 is used to indicate UE1 ID, the dedicated tunnel can be used to transmit only the data of this UE1, which carries the UE1 ID. For another example, in the case that granularity identifier 1 is used to indicate uplink transmission, the dedicated tunnel can be used to transmit only uplink data, which carries granularity identifier 1.

[0758] Exemplarily, the shared tunnel can be used to transmit data. The data can or can not carry the granularity identifier 1. In other words, the shared tunnel can be used to transmit data carrying the granularity identifier 1 and data not carrying the granularity identifier 1. For example, the shared tunnel can be used to transmit uplink data and downlink data of multiple terminal devices. For another example, the shared tunnel can be used to transmit data of multiple flows (e.g., multiple QFIs) of one terminal device.

[0759] Optionally, the granularity identifier 1 is further used to indicate at least one of the RAN1 ID, the RAN2 ID, the UPF ID, the TEID1, the TEID2, the TEID3, or the action ID1. Optionally, the granularity identifier 1 can be displayed to indicate the above content. Optionally, the data (e.g., the first data or the second data) can be displayed to carry the granularity identifier 1.

[0760] Exemplarily, in uplink transmission of the architecture A, the granularity identifier 1 can be used to indicate the granularity information, the RAN1 ID, the RAN2 ID, the UPF ID, and the action ID1. Exemplarily, the eighth information includes the first data and the granularity identifier 1. In this way, the granularity identifier 1 can indicate that the first data needs to pass through the nodes of RAN1, RAN2, and UPF, and indicate that the data needs to be processed first.

[0761] For example, in a case where the RAN1 receives the eighth information, the RAN1 can determine, according to the eighth information, that the next hop node is the RAN2. Further, the RAN1 can send third information to the RAN2. The third information can include the first data and first indication information. The first indication information can be used to indicate the granularity identifier 1.

[0762] Further, the RAN2 can determine, according to the granularity identifier 1, that the first data needs to be processed first and the next hop node is the UPF.

[0763] Based on the above scheme, each node related to data transmission can perform routing (e.g., mapping of the next hop node) and / or auxiliary calculation (e.g., mapping of processing identifier) based on the granularity identifier 1 carried by the data, so as to realize data transmission on the shared tunnel. The shared tunnel can be used to transmit data of multiple granularities, and therefore, the above scheme can reduce the number of tunnels in the communication system, thereby saving the overhead of configuring tunnels.

[0764] Those skilled in the art should be able to appreciate that, in combination with the embodiments disclosed in the specification, units and algorithm steps of each example described in combination with the embodiments disclosed in the specification can be implemented by hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is performed in hardware or computer software driven hardware depends on a specific application and design constraint condition of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but the implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present application.

[0765] The communication apparatus provided by the embodiments of the present application will be described below in detail in combination with FIG. 8 to FIG. 11. The description of the apparatus embodiments corresponds to the description of the method embodiments, and therefore, the content not described in detail can be referred to the foregoing method embodiments, and part of the content will not be described again for the sake of brevity.

[0766] The embodiments of the present application can divide the function modules of the communication apparatus according to the foregoing 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 integrated module can be realized in the form of hardware, or in the form of software function module, or in the combination of software and hardware. The division of the modules in the embodiments of the present application is illustrative, and is only a logical function division, and another division manner can be used in actual implementation. The following will be described taking the example of dividing each function module according to each function.

[0767] FIG. 8 is an exemplary block diagram of the communication apparatus 10 provided by the embodiments of the present application.

[0768] As shown in FIG. 8, the communication apparatus 10 can include a chip system 110, a memory 120, a bus 130, a power management module 140, or a transceiver 150, and the like.

[0769] The chip system 110 can be an integrated circuit chip, and has the processing capability of signals. In the implementation process, each step of the foregoing method can be completed by the integrated logic circuit of hardware or the instruction in the form of software in the chip system 110.

[0770] As an example but not limitation, the chip system 110 can include a circuit or chip responsible for signal processing (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system on chip (SoC) chip or a system in package (SIP) chip containing a modem core.

[0771] Optionally, a memory (e.g., a cache) can also be provided in the chip system 110 for storing instructions and data. In some embodiments, the memory in the chip system 110 is a cache memory. The memory can hold instructions or data that the chip system 110 has just used or recycled. If the chip system 110 needs to use the instructions or data again, it can be called directly from the memory. This avoids repeated access and reduces the waiting time of the chip system 110, thus improving the efficiency of the system.

[0772] In some embodiments, the chip system 110 can include one or more interfaces. The interfaces can include an inter-integrated circuit (I2C) interface, an inter-integrated circuit sound (I2S) interface, a pulse code modulation (PCM) interface, a universal asynchronous receiver / transmitter (UART) interface, a mobile industry processor interface (MIPI), a general-purpose input / output (GPIO) interface, a SIM interface, and / or a universal serial bus (USB) interface, etc.

[0773] The memory 120 can include random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM). The memory 120 can store computer-readable computer-executable code including instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to perform various functions described herein.

[0774] Optionally, the code can include instructions for implementing aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein, e.g., instructions for transmitting first information. The code can be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or other type of memory. In some cases, the code can not be directly executable by the chip system 110 but can cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform functions described herein. In some cases, the memory 120 can include a basic I / O system that can control basic hardware or software operations, e.g., interactions with peripheral components or devices.

[0775] Exemplarily, the chip system 110 performs various functional applications and data processing of the communication device 10 by running instructions stored in the memory 120. For example, when the communication device 10 performs file transmission with other devices (which can also be terminals or access network devices), the chip system 110 of the communication device 10 can invoke computer executable program codes stored in the memory 120 to implement the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application.

[0776] In addition, the memory 120 can be integrated in the chip system 110 or independent of the chip system 110.

[0777] Exemplarily, the bus 130 can be a USB, used to support mutual communication between various parts in the communication device 10.

[0778] The power management module 140 is used to receive charging input from a charger. Optionally, the power management module 140 can supply power to the communication device 10 (e.g., a battery module of the communication device 10) while charging the communication device 10. As an example but not limitation, the power management module 140 can also supply power to devices other than the communication device 10.

[0779] The transceiver 150 can communicate bi-directionally with one or more antennas, wired or wireless links, for example, the transceiver 150 can represent a wireless transceiver and can communicate bi-directionally with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver 150 can also include a modem to modulate the packets and provide the modulated packets to the antennas for transmission, and to demodulate packets received from the antennas. Where the transceiver 150 includes a modem, the modem can be implemented as a baseband processor.

[0780] In some cases, a wireless device can include a single antenna. However, in some cases the device can have more than one antenna, like the antenna 1 and the antenna 2 shown in FIG. 8, which can be capable of concurrently transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions. Exemplarily, the antenna 1 and the antenna 2 are used to emit and receive electromagnetic wave signals. Each antenna in the communication device 10 can be used to cover a single or multiple communication frequency bands. Different antennas can also be multiplexed to improve the utilization of the antennas. For example: the antenna 1 can be multiplexed as a diversity antenna of a wireless local area network. In some other embodiments, the antennas can be used in combination with a tuning switch. The communication device 10 can transmit files to other devices through a wireless communication function.

[0781] In one design, the communication device 20 can correspond to the second access function in the above method embodiments.

[0782] The apparatus 10 can implement steps or procedures performed by the second access function in the above method embodiments, wherein the transceiver 150 can be configured to perform transceiving-related operations of the second access function in the above method embodiments, e.g., performing steps S320 and S330 in the above method embodiments; and the chip system 110 can be configured to perform processing-related operations of the second access function in the above method embodiments, e.g., performing step S624 in the above method embodiments.

[0783] In another design, the apparatus 10 can correspond to the first access function in the above method embodiments.

[0784] The apparatus 10 can implement steps or procedures performed by the first access function in the above method embodiments, wherein the transceiver 150 can be configured to perform transceiving-related operations of the first access function in the above method embodiments, e.g., performing steps S320 and S330 in the above method embodiments; and the chip system 110 can be configured to perform processing-related operations of the first access function in the above method embodiments, e.g., performing step S315 in the above method embodiments.

[0785] In another design, the apparatus 10 can correspond to the first terminal device in the above method embodiments.

[0786] The apparatus 10 can implement steps or procedures performed by the first terminal device in the above method embodiments, wherein the transceiver 150 can be configured to perform transceiving-related operations of the first terminal device in the above method embodiments, e.g., performing step S310 in the above method embodiments; and the chip system 110 can be configured to perform processing-related operations of the first terminal device in the above method embodiments, e.g., generating the first request.

[0787] In this design, the apparatus 10 can include modules such as the short-range communication module 164, the sensor 161, the display 162, or the camera 163 as shown in FIG. 8.

[0788] The short-range communication module 164 can include modules that support short-range communication, e.g., WiFi, Bluetooth, etc.

[0789] By way of example, the sensor 161 can include a pressure sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a distance sensor, a proximity light sensor, a fingerprint sensor, a temperature sensor, a touch sensor, an ambient light sensor, a bone conduction sensor, etc.

[0790] Exemplarily, the display 162 is configured to display images, videos, etc. The display includes a display panel. The display panel can adopt a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), an active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED), a flex light-emitting diode (FLED), a mini light-emitting diode (LED), a Micro LED, a Micro OLED, a quantum dot light emitting diode (QLED), etc. For example, in embodiments of the present application, the display can be configured to display interfaces required to be displayed by the communication apparatus 10. Exemplarily, the communication apparatus 10 can realize the display function through a graphics processing unit (GPU), a display, an application processor, etc. The GPU is a microprocessor for image processing, connected to the display and the application processor. The GPU is configured to perform mathematical and geometric calculations for graphics rendering. The chip system 110 can include one or more GPUs, which execute program instructions to generate or change display information.

[0791] Exemplarily, the camera 163 is configured to acquire images, videos, etc.

[0792] It can be understood that the structure shown in FIG. 8 does not constitute a specific limitation on the communication apparatus 10, and the specific structure of the terminal device and / or the access network device can refer to that shown in FIG. 8. In some embodiments, the communication apparatus 10 can also include more or fewer components than those shown in FIG. 8, or combine certain components, or split certain components, or different component arrangements, etc. Alternatively, some components shown in FIG. 8 can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware, and the terminal device and / or the access network device can increase or reduce components on the basis of the structure given in FIG. 8.

[0793] FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus 20 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0794] As shown in FIG. 9, the communication apparatus 20 can include a baseband unit 210, which can communicate with an external device through a cellular radio frequency (RF) transceiver 220 (e.g., when the communication apparatus 20 is a terminal device, the baseband unit 210 can communicate with an access network device through the cellular RF transceiver 220; also e.g., when the communication apparatus 20 is an access network device, the baseband unit 210 can communicate with a terminal device and / or a core network device through the cellular RF transceiver 220).

[0795] The baseband unit 210 can include a computer readable medium / memory. The...

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is applied to a second access function, and the method comprises: receiving first information from a first access function, the first information being used to indicate an identity of a first process and being used to request the second access function to perform the first process; sending second information to the first access function, the second information being used to indicate that the second access function agrees to perform the first process.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first process is a process offloaded from a first terminal device to the second access function, the first terminal device being used to communicate with the first access function.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first information is also used to indicate a first identity, the first identity corresponding to the identity of the first process.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The method further comprises: receiving third information from the first access function, the third information comprising first data and first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate at least one of a first identity, an identity of a first tunnel or the identity of the first process, the first tunnel being used for data transmission between the first access function and the second access function; performing the first process on the first data according to the first indication information to obtain second data.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, The method further comprises: determining the identity of the first process according to the first indication information, and performing the first process on the first data according to the identity of the first process to obtain the second data.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The method further comprises: determining the first access function according to the first indication information.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, The determining of the first access function according to the first indication information comprises: determining the first access function according to the first indication information and a second mapping relationship, wherein the second mapping relationship comprises a mapping relationship between at least one of the first identity, the identity of the first tunnel or the identity of the first process and an identity of the first access function.

8. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that, The method further comprises: sending fourth information to a first core network function, the fourth information comprising the second data and second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate the first identity and / or an identity of a second tunnel, the second tunnel being used for data transmission between the second access function and the first core network function.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, The method further comprises: determining the first core network function according to the first indication information.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, The determining of the first core network function according to the first indication information comprises: determining the first core network function according to the first indication information and a first mapping relationship, wherein the first mapping relationship comprises a mapping relationship between at least one of the first identity, the identity of the first tunnel or the identity of the first process and an identity of the first core network function.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein, The method further comprises: determining the identity of the second tunnel according to the first indication information.

12. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 11, characterized in that, The method further comprises: sending fifth information to the first access function, the fifth information comprising the second data and third indication information, the third indication information being used to indicate the first identity and / or an identity of a first tunnel, the first tunnel being used for data transmission between the first access function and the second access function.

13. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 12, characterized in that, The method further comprises: sending fifth information to the first access function, the fifth information comprising the second data and third indication information, the third indication information being used for indicating the first identifier and / or an identifier of the first tunnel, the third indication information being determined according to the first indication information.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, The method further comprises: The fifth information further comprises information used for indicating uplink transmission or downlink transmission.

15. The method of any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving sixth information from a first core network function, the sixth information comprising first data and fourth indication information, the fourth indication information being used for indicating a first identifier and / or an identifier of a second tunnel, the second tunnel being used for data transmission between the second access function and the first core network function; performing the first processing on the first data according to the fourth indication information to obtain second data.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein, The performing the first processing on the first data according to the fourth indication information to obtain second data comprises: determining an identifier of the first processing according to the fourth indication information, and performing the first processing on the first data according to the identifier of the first processing to obtain the second data.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein, The method further comprises: determining the first access function according to the fourth indication information.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein, The method further comprises: The determining the first access function according to the fourth indication information comprises: determining the first access function according to the fourth indication information and a third mapping relationship, wherein the third mapping relationship comprises a mapping relationship between the first identifier and / or the identifier of the second tunnel and an identifier of the first access function.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein, The method further comprises: determining the identifier of the first tunnel according to the fourth indication information.

20. The method of any one of claims 4-19, wherein, The method further comprises: The third information further comprises information used for indicating uplink transmission or downlink transmission.

21. The method of any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein, The first identifier is used for indicating at least one of an identifier of a first terminal device, downlink transmission, uplink transmission, a quality of service flow identifier QFI, an identifier of a data radio bearer DRB, an application program APP type, an identifier of an APP flow, an identifier of an APP, or an identifier of a packet data unit PDU session, the first terminal device being used for communicating with the first access function.

22. A method of communication, comprising: The method is applied to a first access function, and the method comprises: sending first information to a second access function, the first information being used for indicating an identifier of a first processing, and the first information being used for requesting the second access function to perform the first processing; receiving second information from the first access function, the second information being used for indicating that the second access function agrees to perform the first processing.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein, The first information is further used for indicating a first identifier, the first identifier corresponding to the identifier of the first processing.

24. The method of claim 22 or 23, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving a first request from a first terminal device, the first request being used for indicating the identifier of the first processing, and the first request being used for requesting to perform the first processing.

25. The method of any one of claims 22-24, wherein, The method further comprises: sending third information to the second access function, the third information comprising the first data and first indication information, the first indication information being used for indicating at least one of a first identity, an identity of a first tunnel or an identity of the first processing, the first indication information being used for indicating the first processing on the first data, the first tunnel being used for data transmission between the first access function and the second access function.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving seventh information from a first core network function, the seventh information comprising the first data and seventh indication information, the seventh indication information being used for indicating the first identity and / or an identity of a third tunnel, the third tunnel being used for data transmission between the first access function and the first core network function.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein, The method further comprises: determining the third tunnel, the TEID3 corresponding to the first identity, the third tunnel being used for data transmission between the first access function and the first core network function.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein, The method further comprises: determining the second access function according to the seventh indication information.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving eighth information from the first terminal device, the eighth information comprising the first data and the first identity.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein, The method further comprises: determining the second access function according to the first identity.

31. The method of any one of claims 22-30, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving fifth information from the second access function, the fifth information comprising second data and third indication information, the third indication information being used for indicating the first identity and / or an identity of the first tunnel, the second data being obtained from the first data by the first processing.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein, The method further comprises: sending the second data to the first terminal device according to the third indication information.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein, The method further comprises: sending ninth information to a first core network function, the ninth information comprising the second data and sixth indication information, the sixth indication information being used for indicating the first identity and / or an identity of a third tunnel, the third tunnel being used for data transmission between the first access function and the first core network function.

34. The method of any one of claims 31-33, wherein, The fifth information further comprises information used for indicating uplink transmission or downlink transmission.

35. The method of any one of claims 22-34, wherein, The first identity is used for indicating at least one of an identity of the first terminal device, downlink transmission, uplink transmission, a quality of service flow identity QFI, an identity of a data radio bearer DRB, an application APP type, an identity of an APP flow, an identity of an APP, or an identity of a packet data unit PDU session.

36. A method of communication, comprising: The method is applied to a second access function, and the method comprises: receiving first information from a first access function, the first information being used for indicating an identity of a first processing, the first information being used for requesting the second access function to perform the first processing; sending second information to the first access function, the second information being used for indicating that the second access function agrees to perform the first processing.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein, The first processing is a processing offloaded from a first terminal device to the second access function, the first terminal device being used for communicating with the first access function.

38. The method of claim 36 or 37, wherein, The first information is further used for indicating a first identifier, the first identifier corresponding to an identifier of the first processing.

39. The method of any one of claims 36-38, wherein, The method further includes determining a first tunnel, an identifier of the first tunnel corresponding to the first identifier, the first tunnel being used for data transmission between the first access function and the second access function.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein, The method further includes receiving tenth information from the first access function, the tenth information being used for indicating an identifier of the first tunnel; and the determining the first tunnel includes determining the first tunnel according to the tenth information.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein, The tenth information is further used for indicating an identifier of the first access function.

42. The method of any one of claims 39-41, wherein, The method further includes sending eleventh information to the first access function, the eleventh information being used for indicating an identifier of the first tunnel.

43. The method of any one of claims 39-42, wherein, The method further includes determining a second tunnel, an identifier of the second tunnel corresponding to the first identifier, the second tunnel being used for data transmission between the second access function and a first core network function.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein, The identifier of the first tunnel is the same as the identifier of the second tunnel; or the identifier of the first tunnel is different from the identifier of the second tunnel.

45. The method of claim 43 or 44, wherein, The method further includes receiving twelfth information from the first access function, the twelfth information being used for indicating an identifier of the second tunnel.

46. The method of any one of claims 43-45, wherein, The twelfth information is further used for indicating an identifier of the first core network function. The determining the second tunnel includes determining the second tunnel according to the identifier of the first core network function.

47. The method of any one of claims 43-46, wherein, The method further includes receiving thirteenth information from a second core network function, the thirteenth information being used for indicating an identifier of the second tunnel.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein, The thirteenth information is further used for indicating an identifier of the first core network function, and the determining the second tunnel includes determining the second tunnel according to the identifier of the first core network function.

49. The method of any one of claims 43-48, wherein, The method further includes sending a second request to the second core network function, the second request being used for requesting the identifier of the second tunnel.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein, The second request is used for indicating an identifier of the second access function.

51. The method of any one of claims 43-50, wherein, The method further includes sending fifteenth information to the first access function, the fifteenth information being used for indicating a third tunnel, the third tunnel being used for data transmission between the first access function and a first core network function.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein, The identifier of the first tunnel is the same as the identifier of the third tunnel; or the identifier of the first tunnel is different from the identifier of the third tunnel.

53. The method of claim 51 or 52, wherein, The method further includes receiving sixteenth information from a second core network function, the sixteenth information being used for indicating the third tunnel.

54. The method of any one of claims 51-53, wherein, The method further includes sending a third request to the second core network function, the third request being used for requesting the third tunnel.

55. The method of any one of claims 49-54, wherein, The second request includes an identifier of the first access function.

56. The method of any one of claims 51-55, wherein, The fifteenth information is further used for indicating an identifier of the first core network function.

57. The method of any one of claims 53-56, wherein, The sixteenth information is further used for indicating an identifier of the first core network function.

58. The method of any one of claims 38-57, wherein, The first identifier is used for indicating at least one of an identifier of the first terminal device, downlink transmission, uplink transmission, a quality of service flow identifier (QFI), an identifier of a data radio bearer (DRB), an application (APP) type, an identifier of an APP flow, an identifier of an APP, or an identifier of a packet data unit (PDU) session.

59. A method of communication, comprising: The method is applied to a first terminal device, and the method comprises: generating a first request, the first request being used for indicating an identifier of a first process, and the first request being used for requesting to perform the first process; sending the first request to a first access function.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein, The first request is further used for indicating a first identifier, and the first identifier corresponds to the identifier of the first process.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein, The first identifier is used for indicating at least one of an identifier of the first terminal device, downlink transmission, uplink transmission, a quality of service flow identifier (QFI), an identifier of a data radio bearer (DRB), an application (APP) type, an identifier of an APP flow, an identifier of an APP, or an identifier of a packet data unit (PDU) session.

62. The method of any one of claims 59-61, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving second data from the first access function, the second data being obtained by performing the first process on first data.

63. The method of any one of claims 59-62, wherein, The method further comprises: sending eighth information to the first access function, the eighth information comprising the first data and the first identifier, and the first data being used to obtain the second data by performing the first process.

64. A method of communication, comprising: The method is applied to a first terminal device, and the method comprises: sending a first request to a fifth access function, the first request being used for indicating an identifier of a first process, and the first request being used for requesting to perform the first process; receiving eighteenth information from the fifth access function, the eighteenth information being used for indicating an agreement to perform the first process.

65. The method of claim 64, wherein, The first process is a process offloaded from the first terminal device to the fifth access function.

66. The method of claim 64 or 65, wherein, The first request is further used for indicating a first identifier, and the first identifier corresponds to the identifier of the first process.

67. The method of any one of claims 64-66, wherein, The method further comprises: sending eighth information to the fifth access function, the eighth information comprising the first data and the first identifier.

68. A communications device, characterized by The at least one module or the at least one unit is configured to perform the method in any one of claims 1 to 21, or the at least one module or the at least one unit is configured to perform the method in any one of claims 22 to 35, or the at least one module or the at least one unit is configured to perform the method in any one of claims 36 to 58, or the at least one module or the at least one unit is configured to perform the method in any one of claims 59 to 63, or the at least one module or the at least one unit is configured to perform the method in any one of claims 64 to 67.

69. A communications device, characterized by The at least one module or the at least one unit is configured to perform the method in any one of claims 1 to 21, or the at least one module or the at least one unit is configured to perform the method in any one of claims 22 to 35, or the at least one module or the at least one unit is configured to perform the method in any one of claims 36 to 58, or the at least one module or the at least one unit is configured to perform the method in any one of claims 59 to 63, or the at least one module or the at least one unit is configured to perform the method in any one of claims 64 to 67. a processor configured to cause the method of any one of claims 1 to 21 to be performed, or the method of any one of claims 22 to 35 to be performed, or the method of any one of claims 36 to 58 to be performed, or the method of any one of claims 59 to 63 to be performed, or the method of any one of claims 64 to 67 to be performed.

70. The communication apparatus of claim 69, wherein The communication device further comprises a memory for storing the computer program or the instructions.

71. A computer readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer readable storage medium has stored thereon a computer program or instructions which, when executed on a computer, cause the method of any one of claims 1 to 21 to be performed, or the method of any one of claims 22 to 35 to be performed, or the method of any one of claims 36 to 58 to be performed, or the method of any one of claims 59 to 63 to be performed, or the method of any one of claims 64 to 67 to be performed.

72. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer readable storage medium has stored thereon a computer program or instructions which, when executed on a computer, cause the method of any one of claims 1 to 21 to be performed, or the method of any one of claims 22 to 35 to be performed, or the method of any one of claims 36 to 58 to be performed, or the method of any one of claims 59 to 63 to be performed, or the method of any one of claims 64 to 67 to be performed.

73. A chip, comprising: The computer readable storage medium has stored thereon a computer program or instructions which, when executed on a computer, cause the method of any one of claims 1 to 21 to be performed, or the method of any one of claims 22 to 35 to be performed, or the method of any one of claims 36 to 58 to be performed, or the method of any one of claims 59 to 63 to be performed, or the method of any one of claims 64 to 67 to be performed. The computer readable storage medium has stored thereon a computer program or instructions which, when executed on a computer, cause the method of any one of claims 1 to 21 to be performed, or the method of any one of claims 22 to 35 to be performed, or the method of any one of claims 36 to 58 to be performed, or the method of any one of claims 59 to 63 to be performed, or the method of any one of claims 64 to 67 to be performed.

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