Data transmission method and communication apparatus

Abstract

A data transmission method and a communication apparatus, relating to the field of communications, and capable of selecting, when a network element supports multiple data transmission protocols, a data transmission mode that enables efficient data transmission. In the method, a third network element receives first information used for indicating at least one data transmission protocol supported by a first network element, and thus a first data transmission protocol for data transmission with the first network element or for data transmission between the first network element and the third network element can be determined on the basis of the first information.

Description

Data transmission method and communication device

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411223306.3, filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on September 2, 2024, entitled "Data Transmission Method and Communication Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communications, and in particular to data transmission methods and communication devices. Background Technology

[0003] In the 5th generation (5G) service-based architecture (SBA), signaling and data interactions between core network elements are implemented based on the service-based interface (SBI) bus, and data transmission is performed using the Hypertext Transfer Protocol version 2 (HTTP / 2) protocol based on this SBI bus. However, as the amount of data interaction between network elements increases, the efficiency of using the HTTP / 2 protocol to transmit data will gradually decrease. Furthermore, different data types have different transmission requirements, and a single data transmission protocol cannot meet the transmission requirements.

[0004] To meet the needs of different data types and application scenarios, the future communication system proposes, at the architectural level, to extend the current SBI bus with a data channel (DC) to form a dual-bus interconnection architecture. The SBI is primarily used for signaling interaction between network elements, while the DC is mainly used for data transmission and migration.

[0005] In the design of DC, in order to support the transmission of various types of data, DC needs to support multiple data transmission protocols. However, when network elements support multiple data transmission protocols, how to negotiate and select data transmission protocols between network elements to achieve efficient data transmission between network elements is an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a data transmission method and a communication device, which enables a network element to select a data transmission mode that enables efficient data transmission when supporting multiple data transmission protocols.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this application adopts the following technical solution:

[0008] Firstly, a data transmission method is provided. This method can be executed by a third network element, or by a component of the third network element, such as a processor, chip, or chip system of the third network element, or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the third network element. The method includes: receiving first information, the first information indicating at least one data transmission protocol supported by the first network element; and sending second information to the first network element, the second information being determined based on the first information, the second information indicating a first data transmission protocol used for data transmission.

[0009] In this method, the third network element receives first information indicating at least one data transmission protocol supported by the first network element, thereby determining the first data transmission protocol used for data transmission with the first network element based on the first information. Thus, when the third network element transmits data with network elements supporting multiple data transmission protocols, it selects the most efficient data transmission protocol for data transmission, ensuring the reliability of data transmission.

[0010] In one possible design, the second information may also be determined based on third information, which indicates at least one data transmission protocol supported by the network element performing the method. When the first data transmission protocol is used for data transmission between the first network element and the third network element, the third network element can determine the first data transmission protocol based on the third information indicating the at least one data transmission protocol it supports and the first information indicating the at least one data transmission protocol supported by the first network element.

[0011] In one possible design, the method described in the first aspect may further include: sending a first message to a second network element, the first message being used to request information indicating the data transmission protocols supported by the first network element. Receiving the first information may include: receiving the first information from the second network element. Thus, the third network element can obtain the first information from the second network element indicating at least one data transmission protocol supported by the first network element, so that a first data transmission protocol for data transmission with the first network element can be determined based on the first information. The second network element may be used to register or manage information indicating at least one data transmission protocol supported by each network element in the network; for example, the second network element may be an NRF in a 5G system.

[0012] In one possible design, receiving the first information may include receiving first information from a first network element. This allows the first network element and the third network element to directly interact with the first information, reducing signaling interaction procedures.

[0013] In one possible design, the second information can be sent as part of a message requesting data.

[0014] In one possible design, the method described in the first aspect may further include: sending a first indication message and / or a second indication message to a first network element, wherein the first indication message indicates the conditions for selecting a data transmission protocol, and the second indication message indicates the method for transmitting data when the first data transmission protocol is unavailable. Thus, when multiple first data transmission protocols exist, the third network element can send the first indication message to the first network element to instruct the first network element how to select a more suitable first data transmission protocol from among the multiple first data transmission protocols for data transmission. Alternatively, when the first data transmission protocol is unavailable, the third network element can send the second indication message to the first network element to instruct the first network element how to transmit data when the first data transmission protocol is unavailable. Optionally, the first and second indication messages can be sent together with the second message to conserve signaling.

[0015] In one possible design, if the first information includes at least one data transmission mode supported by the first network element, and a data transmission mode is used to indicate a data transmission protocol, then the second information includes the first data transmission mode corresponding to the first data transmission protocol. This standardizes the mapping relationship between data transmission protocols and data transmission modes. Based on the data transmission protocols supported by the network element, the data transmission modes supported by the network element can be configured. By exchanging information about the data transmission modes supported by the network element, the upper-layer applications of the network element can be made responsible only for data transmission without being aware of the transmission protocol used for data transmission.

[0016] In one possible design, the first information may further include the priority of each data transmission mode supported by the first network element, and / or the validity period of each data transmission mode supported by the first network element. Therefore, the third network element can further select the data transmission mode used by the first network element for data transmission by combining the priority and / or validity period of the data transmission mode, thereby determining the first data transmission protocol.

[0017] In one possible design, if the first information includes at least one data transmission protocol supported by the first network element, then the second information includes the first data transmission protocol. Therefore, information on the data transmission protocols supported by the network element can be directly exchanged to select the first data transmission protocol used by the first network element for data transmission.

[0018] In one possible design, the first information may further include at least one of the following: the data volume range corresponding to each data transmission protocol supported by the first network element, the data type corresponding to each data transmission protocol supported by the first network element, or the priority of each data transmission protocol supported by the first network element. Therefore, the third network element can further select the first data transmission protocol used by the first network element for data transmission by combining one or more of the data volume, data type, and priority.

[0019] In one possible design, the second information can also be determined based on the amount of data transmitted and / or the type of data transmitted.

[0020] In one possible design, the method described in the first aspect may further include: receiving a second message from the first network element, the second message indicating that the first data transmission protocol is unavailable, or the second message indicating that the data transmission protocol used for data transmission has changed. Thus, the third network element may also receive a second message from the first network element to provide feedback on whether the selected first data transmission mode (first data transmission mode) is available, in order to determine whether the data transmission method of the first network element has changed.

[0021] In one possible design, the second message may include at least one of the following: information indicating a second data transmission protocol, the reason for the change of the data transmission protocol, the reason for the unavailability of the first data transmission protocol, or a third indication message; wherein, the information indicating the second data transmission protocol is used to indicate that data will be transmitted according to the second data transmission protocol, which is different from the first data transmission protocol, and the third indication message is used to indicate that data transmission will be delayed until the first data transmission protocol becomes available.

[0022] Secondly, a data transmission method is provided. This method can be executed by a first network element, or by a component of the first network element, such as a processor, chip, or chip system of the first network element, or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the first network element. The method includes: sending first information, the first information indicating at least one data transmission protocol supported by the first network element; receiving second information from a third network element, the second information being determined based on the first information, the second information indicating the first data transmission protocol; and transmitting data according to the first data transmission protocol.

[0023] In one possible design, the second information may also be determined based on the third information, which is used to indicate at least one data transmission protocol supported by the third network element.

[0024] In one possible design, sending the first information may include sending a third message to a second network element, the third message including the first information, and the third message being used to request the registration of the first information.

[0025] In one possible design, sending the first information may include sending the first information to a third network element.

[0026] In one possible design, the second information can be sent as part of a message requesting data.

[0027] In one possible design, the method described in the second aspect may further include: receiving first indication information and / or second indication information from a third network element, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the conditions for selecting a data transmission protocol, and the second indication information is used to indicate a method for transmitting data when the first data transmission protocol is unavailable.

[0028] In one possible design, if the first information includes at least one data transmission mode supported by the first network element, and a data transmission mode is used to indicate a data transmission protocol, then the second information includes the data transmission mode corresponding to the first data transmission protocol.

[0029] In one possible design, the first information may further include the priority of each data transmission mode supported by the first network element, and / or the effective time of each data transmission mode supported by the first network element.

[0030] In one possible design, if the first information includes at least one data transmission protocol supported by the first network element, then the second information includes the first data transmission protocol.

[0031] In one possible design scheme, the first information may further include at least one of the following: the range of data volume to be transmitted for each data transmission protocol supported by the first network element, the data type to be transmitted for each data transmission protocol supported by the first network element, or the priority of each data transmission protocol supported by the first network element.

[0032] In one possible design, the second information can also be determined based on the amount of data transmitted and / or the type of data transmitted.

[0033] In one possible design, the method described in the second aspect may further include: sending a second message to a third network element, the second message indicating that the first data transmission protocol is unavailable, or the second message indicating that the data transmission protocol used for transmitting data has changed.

[0034] In one possible design, the second message may include at least one of the following: information indicating a second data transmission protocol, the reason for the change of the data transmission protocol, the reason for the unavailability of the first data transmission protocol, or a third indication message; wherein, the information indicating the second data transmission protocol is used to indicate that data will be transmitted according to the second data transmission protocol, which is different from the first data transmission protocol, and the third indication message is used to indicate that data transmission will be delayed until the first data transmission protocol becomes available.

[0035] The description of the technical effects of the method described in the second aspect can be found in the description of the technical effects of the method described in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0036] Thirdly, a data transmission method is provided. This method can be executed by a second network element, or by a component of the second network element, such as a processor, chip, or chip system of the second network element, or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the second network element. The method includes: receiving a first message from a third network element, the first message being used to request information indicating a data transmission protocol supported by the first network element; and sending first information to the third network element, the first information being used to indicate at least one data transmission protocol supported by the first network element.

[0037] In one possible design, the first information may include at least one data transmission mode supported by the first network element, wherein a data transmission mode is used to indicate a data transmission protocol.

[0038] In one possible design, the first information may further include the priority of each data transmission mode supported by the first network element, and / or the effective time of each data transmission mode supported by the first network element.

[0039] In one possible design, the first information may include at least one data transmission protocol supported by the first network element.

[0040] In one possible design scheme, the first information may further include at least one of the following: the range of data volume to be transmitted for each data transmission protocol supported by the first network element, the data type to be transmitted for each data transmission protocol supported by the first network element, or the priority of each data transmission protocol supported by the first network element.

[0041] In one possible design, the method described in the third aspect may further include: receiving a third message from the first network element, the third message including first information, the third message being used to request registration of the first information.

[0042] The description of the technical effects of the method described in the third aspect can be found in the description of the technical effects of the method described in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0043] Fourthly, a communication device is provided for implementing the various methods described above. This communication device can be the third network element in the first aspect, or a device containing the third network element, or a device included in the third network element, such as a chip. The communication device includes corresponding modules, units, or means for implementing the methods described in the first aspect. These modules, units, or means can be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the functions described above.

[0044] In some possible designs, the communication device includes a processing module and a transceiver module. The transceiver module is used to receive first information, which indicates at least one data transmission protocol supported by the first network element. The processing module is used to determine second information based on the first information, which indicates the first data transmission protocol used for data transmission. The transceiver module is also used to send the second information to the first network element.

[0045] In one possible design, the second information may also be determined based on third information, which is used to indicate at least one data transmission protocol supported by the network element executing the method.

[0046] In one possible design, the transceiver module is further configured to send a first message to the second network element, the first message being a request to obtain information indicating the data transmission protocol supported by the first network element. The transceiver module, configured to receive the first information, may include: a transceiver module configured to receive first information from the second network element.

[0047] In one possible design, the transceiver module, used to receive first information, may include: a transceiver module used to receive first information from a first network element.

[0048] In one possible design, the second information can be sent as part of a message requesting data.

[0049] In one possible design, the transceiver module is further configured to send a first indication information and / or a second indication information to the first network element. The first indication information is used to indicate the conditions for selecting a data transmission protocol, and the second indication information is used to indicate the method for transmitting data when the first data transmission protocol is unavailable.

[0050] In one possible design, if the first information includes at least one data transmission mode supported by the first network element, and a data transmission mode is used to indicate a data transmission protocol, then the second information includes the first data transmission mode corresponding to the first data transmission protocol.

[0051] In one possible design, the first information may further include the priority of each data transmission mode supported by the first network element, and / or the effective time of each data transmission mode supported by the first network element.

[0052] In one possible design, if the first information includes at least one data transmission protocol supported by the first network element, then the second information includes the first data transmission protocol.

[0053] In one possible design scheme, the first information may further include at least one of the following: the range of data volume to be transmitted for each data transmission protocol supported by the first network element, the data type to be transmitted for each data transmission protocol supported by the first network element, or the priority of each data transmission protocol supported by the first network element.

[0054] In one possible design, the second information can also be determined based on the amount of data transmitted and / or the type of data transmitted.

[0055] In one possible design, the transceiver module is further configured to receive a second message from the first network element, the second message indicating that the first data transmission protocol is unavailable, or the second message indicating that the data transmission protocol used for data transmission has changed.

[0056] In one possible design, the second message may include at least one of the following: information indicating a second data transmission protocol, the reason for the change of the data transmission protocol, the reason for the unavailability of the first data transmission protocol, or a third indication message; wherein, the information indicating the second data transmission protocol is used to indicate that data will be transmitted according to the second data transmission protocol, which is different from the first data transmission protocol, and the third indication message is used to indicate that data transmission will be delayed until the first data transmission protocol becomes available.

[0057] In one possible design, the transceiver module may include a receiving module and a sending module. The sending module implements the sending function of the communication device described in the fourth aspect, and the receiving module implements the receiving function of the communication device described in the fourth aspect.

[0058] In one possible design, the communication device described in the fourth aspect may further include a storage module storing programs or instructions. When the processing module executes the program or instructions, the communication device described in the fourth aspect can perform the method described in the first aspect.

[0059] Fifthly, a communication device is provided for implementing the various methods described above. This communication device may be the first network element described in the second aspect, or a device comprising the first network element, or a device included in the first network element, such as a chip. The communication device includes corresponding modules, units, or means for implementing the methods described in the second aspect. These modules, units, or means may be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the functions described above.

[0060] In some possible designs, the communication device includes a processing module and a transceiver module. The transceiver module is used to send first information, which indicates at least one data transmission protocol supported by a first network element. The transceiver module is also used to receive second information from a third network element, which is determined based on the first information and indicates the first data transmission protocol. The processing module is used to transmit data according to the first data transmission protocol.

[0061] In one possible design, the second information may also be determined based on the third information, which is used to indicate at least one data transmission protocol supported by the third network element.

[0062] In one possible design, the transceiver module, used to send first information, may include: the transceiver module, used to send a third message to a second network element, the third message including the first information, the third message being used to request registration of the first information.

[0063] In one possible design, the transceiver module, used to send the first information, may include: a transceiver module used to send the first information to a third network element.

[0064] In one possible design, the second information can be sent as part of a message requesting data.

[0065] In one possible design, the transceiver module is further configured to receive first indication information and / or second indication information from a third network element. The first indication information is used to indicate the conditions for selecting a data transmission protocol, and the second indication information is used to indicate the method for transmitting data when the first data transmission protocol is unavailable.

[0066] In one possible design, if the first information includes at least one data transmission mode supported by the first network element, and a data transmission mode is used to indicate a data transmission protocol, then the second information includes the data transmission mode corresponding to the first data transmission protocol.

[0067] In one possible design, the first information may further include the priority of each data transmission mode supported by the first network element, and / or the effective time of each data transmission mode supported by the first network element.

[0068] In one possible design, if the first information includes at least one data transmission protocol supported by the first network element, then the second information includes the first data transmission protocol.

[0069] In one possible design scheme, the first information may further include at least one of the following: the range of data volume to be transmitted for each data transmission protocol supported by the first network element, the data type to be transmitted for each data transmission protocol supported by the first network element, or the priority of each data transmission protocol supported by the first network element.

[0070] In one possible design, the second information can also be determined based on the amount of data transmitted and / or the type of data transmitted.

[0071] In one possible design, the transceiver module is also used to send a second message to a third network element, the second message indicating that the first data transmission protocol is unavailable, or the second message indicating that the data transmission protocol used for data transmission has changed.

[0072] In one possible design, the second message may include at least one of the following: information indicating a second data transmission protocol, the reason for the change of the data transmission protocol, the reason for the unavailability of the first data transmission protocol, or a third indication message; wherein, the information indicating the second data transmission protocol is used to indicate that data will be transmitted according to the second data transmission protocol, which is different from the first data transmission protocol, and the third indication message is used to indicate that data transmission will be delayed until the first data transmission protocol becomes available.

[0073] In one possible design, the transceiver module may include a receiving module and a sending module. The sending module implements the sending function of the communication device described in the fifth aspect, and the receiving module implements the receiving function of the communication device described in the fifth aspect.

[0074] In one possible design, the communication device described in the fifth aspect may further include a storage module storing programs or instructions. When the processing module executes the program or instructions, the communication device described in the fifth aspect can perform the method described in the second aspect.

[0075] Sixthly, a communication device is provided for implementing the various methods described above. This communication device may be the second network element in the third aspect described above, or a device containing the second network element, or a device included in the second network element, such as a chip. The communication device includes corresponding modules, units, or means for implementing the methods described in the three aspects above. These modules, units, or means may be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the functions described above.

[0076] In some possible designs, the communication device includes a processing module and a transceiver module. The transceiver module is used to receive a first message from a third network element, the first message being a request for information indicating the data transmission protocols supported by the first network element. The processing module is used to determine first information based on the first message. The transceiver module is also used to send the first information to the third network element, the first information being an indication of at least one data transmission protocol supported by the first network element.

[0077] In one possible design, the first information may include at least one data transmission mode supported by the first network element, wherein a data transmission mode is used to indicate a data transmission protocol.

[0078] In one possible design, the first information may further include the priority of each data transmission mode supported by the first network element, and / or the effective time of each data transmission mode supported by the first network element.

[0079] In one possible design, the first information may include at least one data transmission protocol supported by the first network element.

[0080] In one possible design scheme, the first information may further include at least one of the following: the range of data volume to be transmitted for each data transmission protocol supported by the first network element, the data type to be transmitted for each data transmission protocol supported by the first network element, or the priority of each data transmission protocol supported by the first network element.

[0081] In one possible design, the transceiver module is also used to receive a third message from the first network element. The third message includes the first information and is used to request the registration of the first information.

[0082] In one possible design, the transceiver module may include a receiving module and a transmitting module. The transmitting module implements the transmitting function of the communication device described in the sixth aspect, and the receiving module implements the receiving function of the communication device described in the sixth aspect.

[0083] In one possible design, the communication device described in the sixth aspect may further include a storage module storing programs or instructions. When the processing module executes the program or instructions, the communication device described in the sixth aspect can perform the method described in the third aspect.

[0084] A seventh aspect provides a communication device (e.g., the communication device may be a chip or a chip system). The communication device includes a processor for implementing the functions involved in any of the preceding aspects.

[0085] In one possible design, the communication device may further include a memory for storing necessary program instructions and data. A processor is coupled to the memory and is used to execute the computer program or instructions stored in the memory, causing the communication device to perform the method described in any of the possible implementations of the first to third aspects.

[0086] In one possible design, the communication device described in the seventh aspect may further include a transceiver. This transceiver may be a transceiver circuit or an interface circuit. The transceiver can be used for communication between the communication device described in the seventh aspect and other communication devices.

[0087] In one possible design, the processor can be integrated with the memory.

[0088] In some possible designs, when the device is a chip system, it can be composed of chips or contain chips and other discrete components.

[0089] Eighthly, a communication device is provided, the communication device including a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being configured to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device, the processor being configured to implement the method as described in any one of the possible implementations of the first to third aspects via logic circuits or execution code instructions.

[0090] It is understood that when the communication device provided by either the seventh or eighth aspect is a chip, the aforementioned transmitting action / function can be understood as an output, and the aforementioned receiving action / function can be understood as an input.

[0091] Ninth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided that stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a communication device, enable the communication device to perform the method described in any one of the first to third aspects.

[0092] In a tenth aspect, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided, including computer program code, which, when executed on a communication device, enables the communication device to perform the method described in any one of the first to third aspects.

[0093] Eleventhly, a communication system is provided, comprising: a third network element for implementing the method described in the first aspect above, and a first network element for implementing the method described in the second aspect above.

[0094] Optionally, the communication system described in the eleventh aspect may further include a second network element for implementing the method described in the third aspect above.

[0095] In a twelfth aspect, a communication chip is provided, wherein instructions are stored that, when the chip is operated on a communication device, cause the method described in any one of the first to third aspects above to be implemented. Attached Figure Description

[0096] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture applicable to an embodiment of this application;

[0097] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of data transmission based on the SBA architecture;

[0098] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a DCCF-based data collection coordination framework applicable to an embodiment of this application;

[0099] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0100] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a data collection framework provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0101] Figures 6 to 11 are schematic flowcharts of a data transmission method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0102] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0103] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0104] This application will present various aspects, embodiments, or features relating to a system that may include multiple devices, components, modules, etc. It should be understood and appreciated that individual systems may include additional devices, components, modules, etc., and / or may not include all the devices, components, modules, etc. discussed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, combinations of these approaches may also be used.

[0105] The technical solutions of this application embodiment can be applied to various communication systems, such as wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication systems, device-to-device (D2D) communication systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication systems, 4th generation (4G) mobile communication systems, such as long term evolution (LTE) systems, worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication systems, 5G mobile communication systems, such as new radio (NR) systems, and future communication systems.

[0106] Referring to Figure 1, which is a schematic diagram of a network architecture applicable to an embodiment of this application, taking the SBA-based 5G network architecture in a non-roaming scenario defined during the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standardization process as an example. As shown in Figure 1, the 5G system includes terminal equipment, a radio (R) access network (AN), and a core network (CN). The terminal equipment accesses the data network (DN) through the AN and CN.

[0107] Terminal equipment can be a terminal device with transceiver functions, or it can be a chip or chip system installed in the terminal device. This terminal equipment can also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, subscriber unit, user station, mobile station (MS), mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication equipment, user agent, or user device. The terminal devices in the embodiments of this application may be mobile phones, cellular phones, smartphones, tablets, wireless data cards, personal digital assistants (PDAs), wireless modems, handsets, laptop computers, machine-type communication (MTC) terminals, Internet of Things (IoT) terminals, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, virtual reality (VR) terminals, augmented reality (AR) terminals, smart home devices (e.g., refrigerators, televisions, air conditioners, electricity meters, etc.), smart robots, robotic arms, workshop equipment, wireless terminals in autonomous driving, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical care, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, and wireless terminals in smart homes. The terminal device in this application can be a wireless terminal, a vehicle-mounted terminal, a roadside unit (RSU) with terminal functionality, or an aerial device (e.g., an intelligent robot, a hot air balloon, a drone, or an airplane). The terminal device can also be an onboard module, onboard unit, onboard component, onboard chip, or onboard unit integrated into a vehicle as one or more components or units. The terminal device can also be other devices with terminal functionality; for example, it can be a device that performs terminal functionality in D2D communication.

[0108] The embodiments of this application do not limit the device form of the terminal device. The device used to implement the function of the terminal device can be the terminal device itself; it can also be a device that supports the terminal device in implementing the function, such as a chip system. The device can be installed in the terminal device or used in conjunction with the terminal device. In the embodiments of this application, the chip system can be composed of chips or can include chips and other discrete components.

[0109] An Access Network (AN) is used to implement access-related functions. It can provide network access for authorized users in a specific area and determine different quality transmission links to transmit user data based on user level, service requirements, etc. The AN forwards control signals and user data between the terminal equipment and the Network Controller (CN). The AN may include: access network equipment, also known as access network nodes, radio access network (RAN) nodes, RAN equipment, RAN entities, or access nodes, etc., located on the network side of the aforementioned communication system. It is used to help terminal equipment achieve wireless access and is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities, or a chip or chip system that can be installed in the device.

[0110] The access network equipment includes, but is not limited to: base stations, evolved Node Bs (eNodeB / eNB), access points (APs), transmission reception points (TRPs or transmission points (TPs), next-generation Node Bs (gNBs), base stations in future mobile communication systems, or access nodes in Wi-Fi systems. Access network equipment can be macro base stations, micro base stations or indoor stations, relay nodes or donor nodes, and radio controllers in open radio access networks (ORAN) or centralized radio access networks (CRAN) scenarios. Access network equipment can also be one or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a 5G base station, or it can be a network node constituting a gNB, TRP, TP, or transmission measurement function (TMF), such as a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), a radio unit (RU), or a roadside unit (RSU) with base station functionality. Optionally, access network equipment can also be a server, wearable device, vehicle, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, the access network equipment in V2X technology can be an RSU. All or part of the functions of the access network equipment in this application can also be implemented through software functions running on hardware, or through virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). The access network equipment in this application can also be a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the access network equipment.

[0111] In this network, CU and DU can be configured separately or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RU can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs). It is understood that access network equipment can be CU nodes, DU nodes, or equipment including both CU and DU nodes. Furthermore, CUs can be classified as network equipment within the access network RAN ​​or as network equipment within the CN; no restrictions are placed here.

[0112] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called O-CU (open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. For ease of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules.

[0113] In this application embodiment, the form of the access network device is not limited. The device used to implement the function of the access network device can be the access network device itself; it can also be a device that supports the access network device in implementing the function, such as a chip system. The device can be installed in the access network device or used in conjunction with the access network device.

[0114] CN is primarily responsible for maintaining the subscription data of the mobile network and providing terminal devices with functions such as session management, mobility management, policy management, and security authentication. The CN mainly includes the following network elements: User plane function (UPF), Authentication server function (AUSF), Access and mobility management function (AMF), Session management function (SMF), Network slice selection function (NSSF), Network exposure function (NEF), Network function repository function (NRF), Policy control function (PCF), Unified data management (UDM), Application function (AF), Edge application server discovery function (EASDF), The network slice admission control function (NSACF), Data collection coordination function (DCCF), Network data analytics function (NWDAF), Service communication proxy (SCP), and Network slice-specific and SNPN authentication and authorization function (NSSAAF).

[0115] The following is a brief explanation of the NF functions included in CN:

[0116] The UPF is primarily responsible for user data processing (forwarding, receiving, billing, etc.). For example, the UPF can receive user data from the DN and forward it to the terminal device through the access network equipment. The UPF can also receive user data from the terminal device through the access network equipment and forward it to the DN. In a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session, the UPF directly connected to the DN via N6 is also called the Protocol Data Unit Session Anchor (PSA).

[0117] AUSF is primarily used to perform security authentication for terminal devices.

[0118] AMF is primarily used for mobility management in mobile networks. Examples include user location updates, user network registration, and user handover.

[0119] SMF is primarily used for session management in mobile networks. This includes session establishment, modification, and release. Specific functions include assigning Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to users and selecting a UPF (User-Defined Provider) to handle packet forwarding.

[0120] NSSF is primarily used to select network slices for end devices.

[0121] The NEF is primarily used to support the opening of capabilities and events. For example, the NEF can expose some capabilities of the 5G network to third-party applications through application program interfaces (APIs). Third-party applications can obtain some capabilities of the 5G network by calling the APIs provided by the NEF through the AF, enabling them to control certain behaviors of the 5G network and terminal devices.

[0122] NRF is mainly used to provide network element discovery functions. Based on requests from other network elements, it provides network element information corresponding to the network element type. It also provides network element management services, such as network element registration, updating, deregistration, and network element status subscription and push.

[0123] The PCF primarily supports providing a unified policy framework to control network behavior, delivering policy rules to control-layer network functions, and acquiring user subscription information related to policy decisions. The PCF can provide policies to the AMF and SMF, such as Quality of Service (QoS) policies and slice selection policies.

[0124] UDM is primarily used to store user data, such as subscription data and authentication / authorization data.

[0125] AF (Application Filter) is a functional network element deployed at a third party to convey application-side requirements to the network side, such as QoS requirements or user state event subscriptions. Its main function is to inform the PCF (Process Control Fund) of the latest business requirements of a particular application from the third party. The PCF then generates corresponding QoS rules to ensure that the network services meet the requirements of the third party.

[0126] EASDF primarily processes Domain Name System (DNS) messages according to the instructions of the SMF, including exchanging DNS messages from terminal devices and forwarding DNS messages to central (C)-DNS or local (L)-DNS for DNS queries.

[0127] DCCF is primarily used to coordinate data collection activities, reduce redundant data collection, and format data. Working closely with NWDAF, DCCF ensures effective data collection and transmission, supporting the needs of web data analytics. By interacting with data sources and responding to data consumer requests, DCCF determines whether new subscriptions or requests need to be sent to the data source, or whether existing subscriptions need to be modified, ensuring data accuracy and integrity. Furthermore, DCCF handles responses from data sources and transmits requested data to data consumers, thus coordinating and managing the data collection and transmission process.

[0128] NWDAF (Network Data Center) is primarily used to collect data (including data from terminal devices, access network devices, core network elements, and third-party application devices, or one or more of these). This data can be the data itself of the terminal device, access network device, core network element, or third-party application device, or it can be data from the terminal device on that access network device, core network element, or third-party application device. The collected data is then analyzed, and the analysis results are output for use by the network, network management equipment, and applications in decision-making. NWDAF can utilize machine learning models for data analysis. 3GPP separates the training and inference functions of NWDAF. An NWDAF can support only model training, only data inference, or both. An NWDAF supporting model training can also be called a training NWDAF, or an NWDAF supporting model training logical function (MTLF) (abbreviated as MTLF). A training NWDAF can train a model based on the acquired data to obtain a trained model. An NWDAF that supports data inference can also be called an inference NWDAF, or an NWDAF that supports analytics logical function (AnLF) (abbreviated as AnLF). An inference NWDAF can input input data into a trained model to obtain analysis results or inference data. In this embodiment, a training NWDAF refers to an NWDAF that at least supports model training. As a possible implementation, a training NWDAF can also support data inference. An inference NWDAF refers to an NWDAF that at least supports data inference. As a possible implementation, an inference NWDAF can also support model training. If an NWDAF supports both model training and data inference, it can be called a training NWDAF, an inference NWDAF, a training-inference NWDAF, or simply an NWDAF. In this embodiment, an NWDAF can be a separate network element or co-located with other network elements, such as being placed in a PCF or AMF.

[0129] NSACF primarily monitors and controls the number of registered terminal devices on each network slice and the number of PDU sessions established on each network slice. It provides event-based network slice status notifications and reports to network functions (NFs).

[0130] SCP primarily supports Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) signaling indirect communication functions, providing signaling message routing and forwarding between NFs in the CN.

[0131] NSSAAF can be used to support slice authentication and authorization, as well as to support access to independent, non-public networks using the credentials of the credential holder.

[0132] It should be understood that the above examples illustrate several core network elements included in the CN. In addition, other core network elements may also be included, such as the unified data repository (UDR), which is mainly used to store structured data. The stored content includes contract data and policy data, externally exposed structured data, and application-related data.

[0133] It is understandable that the aforementioned network elements or functions can be physical entities in hardware devices, software instances running on dedicated hardware, or virtualization functions instantiated on a shared platform (e.g., a cloud platform). Simply put, an NF can be implemented in hardware or software.

[0134] A Data Network (DN) is a network located outside of the carrier's network. A carrier's network can connect to multiple DNs, and various services can be deployed on a DN, providing data and / or voice services to terminal devices. For example, a DN might be the private network of a smart factory. Sensors installed in the workshop can act as terminal devices, and a control server for these sensors is deployed within the DN. The control server provides services to the sensors. Sensors can communicate with the control server, receive instructions from it, and transmit the collected sensor data back to the control server accordingly. Another example is a DN serving as the internal office network of a company. Employees' mobile phones or computers can act as terminal devices, accessing information and data resources on the company's internal office network.

[0135] In Figure 1, Nnef, Nnrf, Npcf, Nudm, Nudr, Nnwdaf, Naf, Nausf, Namf, Nsmf, Ndccf, Nnwdaf, N1, N2, N3, N4, and N6 are interface sequence numbers. For example, the meaning of these interface sequence numbers can be found in the 3GPP standard protocol, and this application does not limit the meaning of these interface sequence numbers. It should be noted that the interface names between the various network functions in Figure 1 are merely examples; in specific implementations, the interface names of this system architecture may be other names, and this application does not limit them. Furthermore, the names of the messages (or signaling) transmitted between the various network elements are also merely examples and do not constitute any limitation on the function of the messages themselves.

[0136] It should be noted that in the architecture shown in Figure 1, the interface between (R)AN and CN can also be called the NG interface (not shown in Figure 1). (R)AN and CN are connected through the NG interface. The NG interface can include the NG-C interface and the NG-U interface. The NG-C interface is the control plane interface, connecting (R)AN and AMF, and is used to transmit control plane data. The NG-U interface is the user plane interface, connecting (R)AN and UPF, and is used to transmit user plane data.

[0137] It should be understood that AMF, SMF, UPF, NEF, AUSF, NRF, PCF, and UDM shown in Figure 1 can be understood as network elements in the core network used to implement different functions, such as network slices that can be combined as needed. These core network elements can be independent devices or integrated into the same device to implement different functions. This application does not limit the specific form of the above network elements.

[0138] For ease of understanding, the following section will first introduce the relevant terms, concepts, or technologies that may be involved in the embodiments of this application:

[0139] 1. Data transmission in 5G SBA

[0140] As shown in Figure 2, in the aforementioned SBA, the data in the network mainly includes the following three types: real-time signaling, non-real-time data, and real-time data, all of which are implemented through service-oriented interfaces based on the SBI bus. Table 1 shows the application scenarios and data characteristics of these three data types, with the data characteristics reflected in both packet size and real-time requirements.

[0141] Table 1

[0142] Furthermore, 5G core network elements communicate and transmit data via the HTTP / 2 protocol. According to the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) Request for Comments (RFC) 7540 specification, the maximum frame payload of the HTTP / 2 protocol is 16 MHz. While the SBA based on the HTTP / 2 protocol can efficiently complete signaling interactions between network elements, the efficiency of data transmission using the HTTP / 2 protocol will gradually decrease as the amount of data exchanged between network elements increases.

[0143] To meet the diverse data types and application scenarios mentioned above, at the architectural level, the future communication system proposes extending the DC (Distributed Data Center) based on the current SBI (Signaling Interface) bus to form a dual-bus interconnection architecture. The SBI is primarily used for signaling interaction between network elements, while the DC is mainly used for data transmission and migration, providing an efficient data pipeline for scenarios such as network-intelligent AI and integrated sensing. In the design of the DC, to support the transmission of multiple data types, the DC needs to support multiple data transmission protocols.

[0144] 2. Transmission protocols that may be used in the DC of future communication systems

[0145] (1) HTTP / 3 (QUIC) protocol

[0146] Quick UDP Internet Connection (QUIC) is a UDP-based transport protocol developed by Google, similar to a combination of Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), Transport Layer Security (TLS), and HTTP / 2 implemented on top of UDP. In November 2018, HTTP / 2 over QUIC was officially renamed the HTTP / 3 protocol.

[0147] Compared to the currently used HTTP / 2 protocol, the HTTP / 3 protocol has the following advantages:

[0148] 1) HTTP / 3 uses full deep encryption, which has high security and privacy, and is deeply integrated with TLS, combining transmission and encryption handshake into one.

[0149] 2) HTTP / 3 supports multiple independent byte streams;

[0150] 3) HTTP / 3 uses connection IDs;

[0151] 4) HTTP / 3 uses a flexible frame mechanism.

[0152] The disadvantages of the HTTP / 3 protocol are as follows:

[0153] 1) HTTP / 3 has high overhead for full encryption, requiring more central processing unit (CPU) resources. In high-bandwidth, low-latency, and low-packet-loss network environments, HTTP / 3 does not offer a significant performance improvement over TCP.

[0154] 2) In HTTP / 3, the Domain Name System (DNS) is carried out through HTTPS / QUIC. Network devices will not be able to perform DNS resolution. Therefore, existing traffic identification technologies will fail for HTTP / 3 traffic, such as DNS resolution, deep packet inspection (DPI), server name indication (SNI) resolution, and deep flow inspection (DFI).

[0155] As can be seen from the above, using the HTTP / 3 protocol to transmit data consumes a lot of CPU resources on network devices, but it can ensure the security of transmitted data. Therefore, this protocol is suitable for transmitting data with high security requirements in the network and without the need for intermediate devices to parse the messages. In AI federated learning, each client needs to pass gradient information of model training. The transmission of this gradient information requires high security guarantees, so this protocol can be used for the transmission of this type of data.

[0156] (2) Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) protocol

[0157] RDMA (actually a concept) is a high-speed remote memory direct access technology with fully optimized smart network interface cards and software architecture. It achieves its goal of high-performance remote direct data access by embedding the RDMA protocol on the hardware (i.e., the network interface card) and supporting both zero-copy and kernel bypass.

[0158] The RDMA protocol is characterized by high throughput and low latency, making it suitable for use in large-scale parallel computer clusters. Its advantages include eliminating the overhead of copying and moving data packets between user space and kernel space, as well as context switching, thus freeing up memory bandwidth and CPU cycles for improving application performance.

[0159] Differences from the traditional model:

[0160] 1) Remote: Data is transmitted between remote machines via a network;

[0161] 2) Direct: No kernel involvement; all content related to sending and transmitting data is offloaded to the network card.

[0162] 3) Memory: Data transfer is performed directly between user-space virtual memory and the RDMA network interface card (RNIC) without involving the system kernel, and there is no additional data movement or copying.

[0163] The three commonly used RDMA protocols are Infiniband (IB), RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCE), and Internet Wide Area RDMA protocol (iWARP). Their corresponding network requirements, switch requirements, and performance are shown in Table 2 below.

[0164] Table 2

[0165] As shown above, the RDMA protocol is suitable for transmitting large amounts of data, particularly the large volumes generated during network data collection and model transmission. Therefore, in future communication networks, RDMA technology can fully leverage its advantages in low latency, high throughput, and large-scale data transmission.

[0166] Since RoCE and iWARP support standard Ethernet architecture, these two RDMA-based technologies are likely to exist in future communication networks. However, IB will need to upgrade its switches, so it may be used for data transmission in specific areas such as (private networks deployed by enterprises).

[0167] (3) File Transfer Protocol (FTP)

[0168] FTP is a standard protocol for transferring files over computer networks. It allows users to transfer files from one network node to another, offering advantages such as high transfer speed, high reliability, and support for large file transfers. Compared to HTTP, FTP does not require adding metadata to the transferred data and avoids excessive chunking encoding, making it suitable for transferring large files with high reliability requirements, such as machine learning model files. FTP is crucial for scenarios requiring frequent model updates, real-time data sharing, or distributed computing, such as federated learning and model sharing in future communication networks.

[0169] 3. Data collection based on DCCF

[0170] The 3GPP technical specification (TS) 23.288 defines a data collection coordination framework based on DCCF, as shown in Figure 3. In this framework, DCCF receives data collection requests from data consumers (NFs). DCCF determines different data source NFs, such as NRFs, UDMs, buffer status reporting (BSRs), or other data source NFs, to subscribe to data. It sends data subscription requests to different data source NFs. After the data source NFs have collected the data, they send the data to DCCF / data consumers, or directly store the data in the analytics data repository function (ADRF).

[0171] In 5G communication systems, since data transmission between core network elements is carried out through SBI, and interactions between network elements (whether it is data subscription initiated by DCCF or data subscription between other NFs, data notifications are provided to data consumers through the unified data open service NF_EventExposure provided by the data source) do not require data producer network elements and data consumer network elements to negotiate data transmission modes when subscribing to data.

[0172] In future communication systems, a new data transmission control (DC) is defined for data transmission between network elements. This DC may contain multiple transmission protocols, requiring network elements to negotiate the data transmission method. However, how to negotiate and select the appropriate data transmission protocol to achieve efficient data transmission between network elements when they support multiple data transmission protocols is a problem that urgently needs to be solved.

[0173] Therefore, this application provides a data transmission method and a communication device.

[0174] To better understand the embodiments of this application, the following points are explained before introducing the embodiments of this application.

[0175] First, in the embodiments of this application, "for indicating" can include both direct and indirect indication. When describing a certain "indication information" for indicating A, it can include whether the indication information directly indicates A or indirectly indicates A, but does not necessarily mean that the indication information carries A.

[0176] The information indicated by the instruction is called the information to be instructed. In the specific implementation process, there are many ways to indicate the information to be instructed, such as, but not limited to, directly indicating the information to be instructed, such as the information to be instructed itself or its index. It can also be indirectly indicated by indicating other information, where there is a relationship between the other information and the information to be instructed. It can also indicate only a part of the information to be indicated, while the other parts are known or pre-agreed upon. For example, the instruction of specific information can be achieved by using a pre-agreed (e.g., protocol-defined) arrangement of various pieces of information, thereby reducing instruction overhead to some extent. At the same time, common parts of various pieces of information can be identified and indicated uniformly to reduce the instruction overhead caused by individually indicating the same information.

[0177] Furthermore, the specific indication method can also be any existing indication method, such as, but not limited to, the above-mentioned indication methods and their various combinations. Specific details of various indication methods can be found in existing technologies, and will not be repeated here. As described above, for example, when multiple pieces of information of the same type need to be indicated, the indication methods for different pieces of information may differ. In the specific implementation process, the required indication method can be selected according to specific needs. This application embodiment does not limit the selected indication method; therefore, the indication methods involved in this application embodiment should be understood to cover various methods that enable the party to be indicated to obtain the information to be indicated.

[0178] The information to be instructed can be sent as a whole or divided into multiple sub-information messages, and the sending period and / or timing of these sub-information messages can be the same or different. This application does not limit the specific sending method. The sending period and / or timing of these sub-information messages can be predefined, for example, according to a protocol, or configured by the transmitting device by sending configuration information to the receiving device.

[0179] Second, in the embodiments of this application, the terms "first," "second," and various numerical designations are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. For example, they distinguish different instruction information. As another example, "first instruction information" and "second instruction information" are only used to distinguish different instruction information and do not limit their order. Those skilled in the art will understand that the terms "first," "second," etc., do not limit the quantity or execution order, and that "first," "second," etc., are not necessarily different.

[0180] Third, in the embodiments of this application, descriptions such as "when," "under the circumstances," "if," and "if" all refer to the device making corresponding processing under certain objective circumstances, and are not limited to a time, nor do they require the device to make a judgment action when implementing it, nor do they imply any other limitations.

[0181] In this application, the terms "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate that something is an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in this application should not be construed as being better or more advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of terms such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner to facilitate understanding.

[0182] Finally, the network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0183] Please refer to Figure 4, which is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system applied in an embodiment of this application. It can be applied to the network architecture shown in Figures 1 and 3 above. As an example, as shown in Figure 4, the communication system includes: a first network element and a third network element.

[0184] The first network element is a network element that supports at least one data transmission protocol. The first network element can obtain the first data transmission protocol selected by the third network element from the at least one data transmission protocol it supports to transmit data or parse the received data.

[0185] The first network element can be a data producer, acting as a data source to provide data to data consumers. In this case, the first data transmission protocol is used by the first network element to transmit data to the data consumer. The first network element can also be called a data source NF, data source network element, data provider NF, or data provider network element, etc., without limitation. For example, the first network element can be any NF that can provide data in the 5G communication system shown in Figure 1 above or in future communication systems, such as the first network element being an NWDAF.

[0186] Alternatively, the first network element can also be a data consumer or a data requester, used to request data from a data producer. In this case, the first data transmission protocol is used by the first network element to parse the data encapsulated by the first data transmission protocol from the data provider or data collection network element to obtain the data. The first network element can also be called a data consumer NF, a data consuming network element, or a data requesting network element, etc., without limitation. For example, the first network element can be any NF that can request data in the 5G communication system or future communication system shown in Figure 1 above, such as a DCCF or other NF that can act as a data consumer.

[0187] The third network element is also a network element that supports at least one data transmission protocol. It is used to obtain first information from the first network element indicating the data transmission it supports, in order to determine the first data transmission protocol from the at least one supported data transmission protocol, and send it to the first network element for data transmission between the two network elements. The third network element can also be called a negotiation network element, a processing network element, etc., without limitation.

[0188] The third network element can be a data collection network element, such as the DCCF in Figure 1 above. It has the ability to collect or gather data, negotiate or select the data transmission protocol for data transmission between data consumers and data providers, between data collection network elements and data providers, and / or between data collection network elements and data consumers, coordinate the collection and distribution of data requested by data consumers, and also has the ability to preprocess the collected data according to the parameters specified by the NF consumer.

[0189] The third network element can also be a data provider, which not only provides data to data consumers and data collection network elements, but also negotiates or selects data transmission protocols for data transmission between data consumers and data providers, between data collection network elements and data providers, and / or between data collection network elements and data consumers. In this case, the third network element can be any data-providing NF in the 5G communication system shown in Figure 1 above or in future communication systems, such as the first network element being an NWDAF.

[0190] In some implementations, the third network element can also be a data consumer, without limitation.

[0191] Optionally, the communication system may further include: a second network element, which registers and manages information indicating the data transmission protocols supported by each network element; and a third network element, which can request information from the second network element indicating the data transmission protocols supported by the first network element, thereby determining a first data transmission protocol for the first network element to transmit data. In some implementations, the second network element may also be called a network storage network element, a registration management network element, etc., without limitation. For example, the second network element may be the NRF in the 5G communication system shown in Figure 1 above.

[0192] In addition, this application embodiment also provides a schematic diagram of a data collection framework based on the AI-Friendly data base applicable to the above-mentioned communication system. As shown in Figure 5, the data collection framework includes a data handing function (DHF), a data management function (DMF), a data storage function (DSF), and NWDAF as the data source and other data sources NF.

[0193] Among them, DHF can be used to handle real-time high-throughput data acquisition and transmission, as well as AI data preprocessing and data quality assessment.

[0194] As a centralized data management and authorization network element, DMF can be used to be responsible for centralized network data control and data service access, such as providing unified authorization and management for terminal devices or AFs when accessing data in the network.

[0195] DSF can be used to handle distributed storage of data and data retrieval, reading and writing.

[0196] NWDAF serves as a data source for training models and supports AnLF model inference. For a detailed description, please refer to the relevant description of NWDAF in the 5G communication system shown in Figure 1 above. It will not be repeated here.

[0197] In the framework shown in Figure 5, DHF can collect data from NWDAF or other various data sources (NF), perform unified processing on the collected data, and open it to the model training function NWDAF in the network. Simultaneously, it stores the processed data or raw data in multiple DSFs. Furthermore, DHF performs quality assessment on the processed data to ensure quality when providing it to NWDAF or AF.

[0198] In one possible scenario, when the first network element is a data provider, the first network element can be an NWDAF, and the third network element can be a DHF; when the first network element is a data collection network element or a data consumer, the first network element can be a DHF or other NF that acts as a data consumer, and the third network element can be an NWDAF or other NF that provides data.

[0199] It should be understood that the above naming is defined solely for the purpose of distinguishing different functions and should not constitute any limitation on this application. This application does not preclude the possibility of using other naming conventions in 5G networks and other future networks.

[0200] The data transmission method provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 6-11.

[0201] For example, Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of a data transmission method provided in an embodiment of this application. This data transmission method is illustrated using the communication between the first network element and the third network element shown in Figure 4 as an example. Of course, the subject executing the action of the first network element in this method can also be a device / module in the first network element, such as a chip, processor, or processing unit in the first network element, and there is no limitation thereto; similarly, the subject executing the action of the third network element in this method can also be a device / module in the third network element, such as a chip, processor, or processing unit in the third network element, and there is no limitation thereto.

[0202] As shown in Figure 6, the data transmission method includes:

[0203] S601, the third network element receives the first information.

[0204] The first information is used to indicate at least one data transmission protocol supported by the first network element. This can be understood as the first information being the data transmission-related capability information or configuration information of the first network element, used to characterize the type or category of data transmission protocols supported by the first network element for data transmission. For example, the types of data transmission protocols may include, but are not limited to: HTTP / 2, HTTP / 3, RoCE, iWRAP, IB, FTP, etc.

[0205] In this embodiment of the application, the first information can have the following two possible designs:

[0206] In one possible design 1, the first information may include at least one data transmission mode supported by the first network element, wherein a data transmission mode is used to indicate a data transmission protocol.

[0207] In this design 1, the first information indirectly indicates the data transmission protocol supported by the first network element. The protocol has a predefined or pre-configured mapping relationship between common data transmission modes and data transmission protocols, or this mapping is defined within the network. Each data transmission protocol corresponds to a specific data transmission mode. Each network element can configure its supported data transmission mode according to the data transmission protocols it supports. By knowing the supported data transmission modes of a network element, the supported data transmission protocols can be indirectly determined. In this way, upper-layer applications of the network element are unaware of the underlying data transmission protocol, only aware of the data transmission mode used for data transmission. The data transmission mode can also be represented as DTM (data transmission mode).

[0208] Data transmission mode can be understood as an identifier or index of a data transmission protocol; different data transmission modes correspond to different data transmission protocols. For example, Table 3 below shows the correspondence between a data transmission mode and a data transmission protocol, where DTM1 to DTM6 each correspond to a different data transmission protocol.

[0209] Table 3

[0210] Optionally, a data transmission mode can also correspond to a data type. That is, there is a correspondence between data transmission mode, data type, and data transmission protocol. The data type indicates which type of data transmission the corresponding data transmission mode or data transmission mode indicates (or corresponds to) the data transmission protocol supports / is suitable for. For example, data types can include, but are not limited to: model training data, model gradient information, model files, etc. In Table 3 above, the data type corresponding to DTM2 (HTTP / 3) can be model gradient information, and the data type corresponding to DTM6 (FTP) can be model files.

[0211] Therefore, the first network element can configure its supported data transmission modes according to the data transmission protocols it supports, thereby configuring the information of its supported data transmission modes as first information. In other words, the first information is the information of the data transmission modes supported by the first network element, including at least one data transmission mode supported by the first network element, thus indirectly indicating at least one data transmission protocol supported by the first network element. For example, if the first network element supports at least one data transmission mode including DTM2 and DTM4 in Table 3 above, then the third network element can determine that the data transmission protocols supported by the first network element include HTTP / 3 and iWRAP based on the correspondence between data transmission modes and data transmission protocols.

[0212] Similarly, other network elements, such as the third network element, also have information similar to the first information, used to indicate the data transmission protocols they support.

[0213] Optionally, the first information may also include information related to the use / selection of each data transmission mode supported by the first network element. For example, the first information may also include the priority of each data transmission mode supported by the first network element, and / or the validity period of each data transmission mode supported by the first network element.

[0214] The priority of each data transmission mode supported by the first network element can refer to the selection priority or usage priority of the data transmission mode. For example, the priority of the six data transmission modes shown in Table 3 above, from low to high, is: DTM1 < DTM4 < DTM3 < DTM5 < DTM6 < DTM2, etc. When multiple data transmission modes are available or selectable, data can be transmitted according to the data transmission mode with higher priority. The effective time of each data transmission mode supported by the first network element can be used to characterize the time period during which the data transmission mode is effective or enabled. It can be indicated by the start time + duration or the start time + end time, without limitation.

[0215] For example, the first information can be configured in the following format:

[0216] Supported DTM info: Information on supported data transmission modes

[0217] DTM: Supported data transfer modes

[0218] [O]:priority: Priority of data transmission mode

[0219] [O]: Validity period: The validity period of the data transmission mode.

[0220] Optionally, each data transmission mode can also be configured with a corresponding use case. For example, when using a time lag mechanism to deactivate / retrieve the notification flag to obtain data, the preferred data transmission modes are DTM3 / DTM4 / DTM5 / DTM6.

[0221] In one possible design 2, the first information may include at least one data transmission protocol supported by the first network element.

[0222] In this design 2, the first information directly indicates the data transmission protocol supported by the first network element. The third network element can directly obtain one or more data transmission protocols supported by the first network element based on the first information. At this time, the first information can be information about the data transmission protocol supported by the first network element.

[0223] Optionally, the first information may also include information related to the use / selection of each data transmission protocol supported by the first network element. For example, the first information may also include at least one of the following: the range of data volume to be transmitted for each data transmission protocol supported by the first network element, the data type to be transmitted for each data transmission protocol supported by the first network element, or the priority of each data transmission protocol supported by the first network element.

[0224] The data transmission protocol's corresponding data volume range (or interval) can refer to the amount of data that the data transmission protocol can support or is applicable to. Based on the transmission characteristics of different data transmission protocols, the transmitted data volume can be divided into different data volume ranges. Different data transmission protocols can support or be applicable to the same data volume range, or they can support or be applicable to different data volume ranges; there is no limitation on this.

[0225] The data transmission protocol corresponds to the data type being transmitted. This can refer to the data type that the data transmission protocol supports or uses for transmission. Different data types are transmitted using different data transmission protocols.

[0226] The priority of a data transmission protocol can refer to the selection priority or the usage priority of the data transmission protocol. When multiple data transmission protocols are available or selectable, the protocol with higher priority can be selected to transmit data. Alternatively, when the amount of data to be transmitted falls within a range that corresponds to multiple data transmission protocols, the protocol with higher priority can be selected to transmit the data.

[0227] For example, Table 4 below shows the correspondence between data transmission protocols, data volume ranges, and priorities. Each data transmission protocol corresponds to a data volume range and a priority.

[0228] Table 4

[0229] The information of the data transmission protocol supported by the first network element, i.e., the first information, can include the parameters shown in Table 4 above. For example, the first information can be configured in the following format:

[0230] Supported transmission protocol: The name of the supported data transmission protocol

[0231] selected condition:

[0232]

O

[0233]

O

[0234] There are two possible ways for the third network element to obtain the aforementioned first information:

[0235] In one possible implementation 1, the third network element can obtain the first information from the second network element. The second network element registers and manages information for each network element (including the first network element) indicating the data transmission protocols it supports. It can be assumed that the first network element and the third network element do not have the ability to directly exchange the first information.

[0236] In this implementation 1, the third network element can send a first message to the second network element, and correspondingly, the second network element receives the first message from the third network element. The first message requests information indicating the data transmission protocols supported by the first network element, and includes the identification information of the first network element. In some implementations, the identification information of the first network element may be the address of the first network element.

[0237] Optionally, the first message can be a message that is itself used to request information indicating the data transmission protocols supported by the network element. Alternatively, the first message can be a reused predefined network element discovery service request or service discovery request, such as NF_Discovery Request. In this case, the first message can include newly added indication information, which is used to indicate the request for information indicating the data transmission protocols supported by the network element.

[0238] To determine how the third network element in step 1 should trigger the sending of the first message to the second network element, the design can be tailored to the specific scenario.

[0239] For example, if the third network element is a data collection network element (such as DCCF or DHF), the third network element can trigger the sending of a first message to the second network element locally based on data collection needs to obtain the first information of the first network element as the data provider, and determine the first data transmission protocol for data transmission between the third network element and the first network element. Alternatively, the third network element can trigger the sending of a first message to the second network element based on a request from a network element as a data consumer, which is a request for data from the first network element as the data provider, to obtain the first information of the first network element as the data provider, and determine the first data transmission protocol for data transmission between the network element as the data consumer and the first network element. There are no limitations on this.

[0240] For example, if the third network element is a network element that acts as a data provider (i.e., a data source), then the third network element can, based on a request from the first network element that acts as a data collection network element or a data consumer, which is used to request data from the third network element that acts as a data provider, trigger the sending of a first message to the second network element to obtain the first information of the first network element, thereby determining the first data transmission protocol for transmitting data between the first network element that acts as a data collection network element or a data consumer and the third network element. This is not limited.

[0241] The specific implementation process of the third network element sending the first message can be found in the relevant descriptions of the specific implementation scenarios shown in Figures 7-11 below, and will not be repeated here.

[0242] Furthermore, the second network element can send the first information to the third network element based on the first message, and correspondingly, the third network element receives the first information from the second network element. That is, the second network element determines the first information based on the identification information of the first network element in the first message and feeds back the first information to the third network element.

[0243] Optionally, the first information can be sent in the response message corresponding to the first message, or it can be sent in other messages; there is no limitation on this. It should be understood that when there are multiple first network elements, these multiple first network elements may include first network elements acting as data consumers and / or first network elements acting as data producers. The first message includes the identification information of multiple first network elements. Correspondingly, the second network element can feed back the identification information of the multiple first network elements and their respective corresponding first information to the third network element in the form of a list. This allows the third network element to determine the first data transmission protocol for data transmission between each first network element acting as a data consumer and the first network element acting as a data producer.

[0244] In some possible implementations, each network element (including the first network element) can register information indicating the data transmission protocols supported by each network element with the second network element through registration. Taking the first network element as an example, in one possible implementation, the first network element can send a third message to the second network element, and correspondingly, the second network element receives the third message from the first network element. The third message is used to request the registration of first information. Thus, the second network element can store and manage the information requested for registration by the first network element, so that the third network element can request or subscribe to the information indicating the data transmission protocols supported by the network element from the second network element as needed.

[0245] In one possible implementation 2, the third network element can directly obtain the first information from the first network element. It can be assumed that the first network element and the third network element have the ability to exchange the first information.

[0246] In this implementation 2, the first network element can send first information to the third network element, and correspondingly, the third network element receives the first information from the first network element. For example, the first network element can be a data collection network element or a network element acting as a data consumer, and the third network element can be a data providing network element. The first information can be carried in a message for requesting or viewing data, so that the third network element can determine the first data transmission protocol for data transmission between the first network element and the third network element based on the obtained first information.

[0247] Optionally, the first network element may also send information about the data transmission protocol or data transmission mode it expects to be selected to the third network element, such as the priority of the data transmission protocol or data transmission mode it expects to be selected, so that the third network element can determine the second information based on this expected information.

[0248] S602, the third network element sends the second information to the first network element. Correspondingly, the first network element receives the second information from the third network element.

[0249] The second information is determined based on the first information. The second information is used to indicate the first data transmission protocol. The first data transmission protocol is used to transmit data. In this embodiment, the transmitted data includes two types: sending data and receiving data. Sending data refers to encapsulating data using the first data transmission protocol and sending it. Receiving data refers to parsing the encapsulated data using the first data transmission protocol.

[0250] In other words, after the third network element obtains the first information based on either of the two implementation methods mentioned above, it can determine the second information based on the first information and send it to the first network element so that the first network element can use the first data transmission protocol indicated by the second information to send or receive data.

[0251] In one possible scenario 1, the first data transmission protocol is used for data transmission between the first network element and the third network element. Then the second information can also be determined based on the third information. That is, the third network element can determine the second information based on the first information and the third information. The third information is used to indicate at least one data transmission protocol supported by the third network element.

[0252] The third information is similar to the first information. If the first information is implemented based on the above design 1, then the third information may include at least one data transmission mode supported by the third network element. The second information includes the data transmission mode corresponding to the first data transmission protocol, which is referred to as the first data transmission mode below.

[0253] The third network element can determine at least one data transmission mode that it supports together with the first network element based on at least one data transmission mode supported by the first network element in the first information and at least one data transmission mode supported by the third network element itself.

[0254] For example, referring to Table 3 above, if the third network element determines, based on the first information, that the data transmission modes supported by the first network element include DTM2 and DTM4, and the data transmission modes supported by the third network element include DTM1 to DTM6, then the third network element can determine that the data transmission modes it and the first network element jointly support include DTM2 and DTM4.

[0255] Optionally, the third information may also include the priority and / or validity period of each data transmission mode supported by the third network element. Therefore, the third network element can further determine whether a data transmission mode is currently available based on the validity period of each commonly supported data transmission mode. Alternatively, if multiple commonly supported data transmission modes exist, the third network element can further select the data transmission mode with higher priority and / or within its validity period based on the validity period and / or priority of the commonly supported data transmission modes. This higher priority and / or valid time-based commonly supported data transmission modes are then included in the second information and sent. In other words, the second information is the selected higher priority and / or valid time-based commonly supported data transmission mode. It is understood that one or more data transmission modes may exist after selection based on priority and / or validity period, meaning that one or more first data transmission modes may exist.

[0256] If there are multiple commonly supported data transmission modes, and there is no difference in priority and / or validity time among the multiple commonly supported data transmission modes, then the third network element can include all the commonly supported data transmission modes in the second information and send them. In this case, it can be considered that there are multiple first data transmission protocols, and correspondingly, there are also multiple data transmission modes corresponding to the first data transmission protocols.

[0257] Referring to the example above, the data transmission modes jointly supported by the third network element and the first network element include DTM2 and DTM4. If there is no difference in priority or effective time among the jointly supported data transmission modes, then the third network element can include both DTM2 and DTM4 as first data transmission modes in the second information and send it. In this case, the second information includes two first data transmission modes.

[0258] If DTM2 and DTM4 have different priorities but no difference in validity time, the third network element can further select the higher-priority DTM as the first data transmission mode and include it in the second information for transmission; in other words, the second information is the higher-priority DTM. If DTM2 and DTM4 have different validity times but no difference in priority, the third network element can further select the DTM within its validity time as the first data transmission mode and include it in the second information for transmission; in other words, the second information is the DTM within its validity time. If DTM2 and DTM4 have both different priorities and different validity times, the third network element can further select the DTM within its validity time and with higher priority as the first data transmission mode and include it in the second information for transmission; in other words, the second information is the DTM within its validity time and with higher priority.

[0259] If the first information is implemented based on the above design 2, then the third information may include at least one data transmission protocol supported by the third network element, and the second information includes the first data transmission protocol.

[0260] Similar to the data transmission mode described above, the third network element can determine at least one data transmission protocol that it supports together with the first network element based on at least one data transmission protocol supported by the first network element in the first information and at least one data transmission protocol supported by the third network element itself.

[0261] Optionally, the third information may further include at least one of the following: the data volume range corresponding to each data transmission protocol supported by the third network element, the data type corresponding to each data transmission protocol supported by the third network element, or the priority of each data transmission protocol supported by the third network element. Therefore, after determining at least one data transmission protocol jointly supported by the third network element and the first network element, the third network element may further determine whether the jointly supported at least one data transmission protocol is available based on one or more of the data volume, data type, and priority. The available data transmission protocol may be selected as the first data transmission protocol, or a data transmission protocol that better meets the transmission requirements may be selected from multiple jointly supported data transmission protocols as the first data transmission protocol. The first data transmission protocol may then be sent as or included in the second information.

[0262] For example, the third network element can determine, based on the first information, that the data transmission protocols supported by the first network element include HTTP / 3, RoCE, and FTP. If the data transmission protocols supported by the third network element include HTTP / 2, HTTP / 3, RoCE, iWRAP, IB, and FTP, then the third network element can determine that the data transmission protocols it and the first network element jointly support include HTTP / 3, RoCE, and FTP. It can then include HTTP / 3, RoCE, and FTP as the first data transmission protocols in the second information and send them. Alternatively, it can further select the data transmission protocol that best meets the transmission requirements as the first data transmission protocol based on the size, data type, and / or priority of the transmitted data, and include it in the second information and send it.

[0263] In other words, optionally, the second information can be determined based on the first information, combined with one or more of the third information, the amount of data to be transmitted, the type of data to be transmitted, and the priority.

[0264] In one possible scenario 2, the first data transmission protocol is used for data transmission between first network elements. In this case, there are multiple first network elements, including first network elements that act as data consumers and first network elements that act as data providers.

[0265] In Scenario 2, the third network element can determine the data transmission mode or protocol jointly supported by the data consumer and the data provider based on the first information of the first network element (as the data consumer) and the first network element (as the data provider), thus determining the first data transmission mode or protocol. Optionally, the third network element can further select the first data transmission mode based on the priority and / or validity period of the data transmission modes in the above scenario, or further select the first data transmission protocol based on one or more of the data volume, data type, and priority. For specific implementation details, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the above scenarios; further elaboration is not provided here.

[0266] Accordingly, after receiving the second information, the first network element can determine the first data transmission protocol that can be used for data transmission based on the second information (directly or indirectly), determine whether the first data transmission protocol is available, and if it is available, use the first data transmission protocol to transmit data.

[0267] After the third network element obtains the second information based on the above implementation and sends the second information to the first network element, optionally, the third network element may also send the first indication information and / or the second indication information to the first network element. Correspondingly, the first network element may also receive the first indication information and / or the second indication information from the third network element.

[0268] The first indication information is used to indicate the conditions for selecting a data transmission protocol. When there are multiple first data transmission modes or first data transmission protocols, the first network element can select one first data transmission mode or one first data transmission protocol from the multiple first data transmission modes or multiple first data transmission protocols according to the selection conditions indicated by the first indication information, as the target data transmission mode or target data transmission protocol, in order to transmit data.

[0269] In other words, the third network element can design a selection condition based on multiple determined data transmission modes or data transmission protocols to select the data transmission mode or data transmission protocol suitable for the current data transmission.

[0270] For example, the selection condition indicated by the first indication information can be the data volume. If the first data transmission mode has DTM2 and DTM4, then the first indication information can indicate that when the amount of data to be transmitted is less than the first threshold, DTM2 is selected to transmit the data, and when the amount of data to be transmitted is greater than or equal to the first threshold, DTM4 is selected to transmit the data.

[0271] The second indication information is used to indicate a method for transmitting data when the first data transmission protocol is unavailable. In other words, when the first data transmission protocol or the first data transmission mode selected by the third network element is unavailable, the second indication information indicates that the first network element can perform data transmission operations. For example, the second indication information uses 1 bit. When the bit value is 1 or TRUE, the second indication information indicates that the first network element should wait for the first data transmission protocol or the first data transmission mode to become available before transmitting data. When the bit value is 0 or FALSE, the second indication information indicates that the first network element should select another data transmission protocol (data transmission mode) different from the first data transmission protocol (first data transmission mode) to transmit data.

[0272] Optionally, the first instruction information and the second instruction information can be sent together with the second information to save signaling.

[0273] Therefore, the first network element can select one of the multiple first data transmission protocols selected by the third network element to transmit data based on the second instruction information, or the first network element can delay data transmission or select other data transmission protocols to transmit data if it is determined that the selected first data transmission protocol is unavailable based on the third instruction information.

[0274] If the first data transmission protocol (first data transmission mode) is unavailable or has changed, the first network element may also send a second message to the third network element, and correspondingly, the third network element may receive the second message from the first network element. The second message indicates that the first data transmission protocol is unavailable, or indicates that the data transmission protocol used for data transmission has changed.

[0275] Optionally, the second message may include at least one of the following: information indicating the second data transmission protocol, the reason for the change of the data transmission protocol (or the reason for the change of the data transmission mode), the reason why the first data transmission protocol (first data transmission mode) is unavailable, or a third indication message.

[0276] The information indicating the second data transmission protocol indicates that data will be transmitted according to the second data transmission protocol. The information indicating the second data transmission protocol may include the data transmission mode corresponding to the second data transmission protocol or the second data transmission protocol itself. The second data transmission protocol is different from the first data transmission protocol. The reason for the change of the data transmission protocol may be that the first data transmission protocol is unavailable or conflicts with the first data transmission protocol. The third indication information indicates that data transmission will be delayed until the first data transmission protocol becomes available.

[0277] Optionally, a data transmission mode or a data transmission protocol can correspond to a data transmission service, and different data transmission services can correspond to different data transmission modes or data transmission protocols. For example, Table 5 below shows the correspondence between different data transmission modes and different data transmission services. It should be understood that the correspondence between data transmission protocols and data transmission services is similar in design to the correspondence between data transmission modes and data transmission services, and will not be elaborated upon further.

[0278] Table 5

[0279] Therefore, when the first network element sends data using different data transmission modes or protocols, it can employ different data transmission services. When the lower-level receiver of the first network element receives a data transmission service used by the upper-layer application, it automatically encapsulates the data according to the data transmission protocol corresponding to the different service and sends the data to the third network element or other network elements using a transport layer connection established based on that data transmission protocol. Correspondingly, after receiving the data from the first network element, the transport layer of the third network element or other network elements parses the data using the data transmission protocol corresponding to that transport layer and sends the parsed data to the application layer.

[0280] Optionally, the first network element can also use the same data transmission service to send data with different data transmission modes or different data transmission protocols. For example, the first network element maintains a mapping information that associates transport layer links with application layer data subscription notifications. When the application side of the first network element sends data to the transport layer, the transport layer of the first network element will select the corresponding transport link to send the data based on the mapping information and the notification information of the application layer sending data.

[0281] It should be understood that the embodiments of this application do not limit the transmission method of the first network element.

[0282] Based on the data transmission method shown in Figure 6, the third network element receives first information indicating at least one data transmission protocol supported by the first network element. Therefore, the first data transmission protocol used for data transmission between the first network elements, or for data transmission between the first and third network elements, can be determined based on the first information. Thus, the third network element selects a data transmission protocol that enables efficient data transmission between network elements supporting multiple data transmission protocols, ensuring the reliability of data transmission.

[0283] The data transmission method shown in Figure 6 will be explained in detail below with reference to specific implementation scenarios.

[0284] Scenario 1: Taking the first network element as the data source NF, the second network element as NRF, and the third network element as DCCF as an example, Figure 7 is a flowchart of a data transmission method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0285] As shown in Figure 7, the data transmission method includes:

[0286] S700, data source NF, and DCCF are configured with their respective supported data transmission modes according to their supported data transmission protocols.

[0287] One data transmission protocol corresponds to one data transmission mode. The correspondence between data transmission protocols and data transmission modes can be found in the relevant description in Design 1 of S601 above, and will not be repeated here. By defining a data transmission mode to indicate the data transmission protocol, the upper-layer application of NF can be responsible only for data transmission and should not be aware of the data transmission protocol used for data transmission.

[0288] S701, the data source NF sends a registration request to the NRF. Correspondingly, the NRF receives the registration request from the data source NF.

[0289] The registration request is used to request information about the data transmission modes supported by the data source NF. The registration request includes the identifier of the data source NF and information about the data transmission modes supported by the data source NF. The information about the data transmission modes supported by the data source NF includes at least one data transmission mode supported by the data source NF. Optionally, the information about the data transmission modes supported by the data source NF may also include the priority and / or validity period of each data transmission mode supported by the data source NF.

[0290] The NRF registers information about the data transmission modes it supports for the data source NF based on the received registration request.

[0291] It should be understood that the registration request corresponds to the third message mentioned above, and the information on the data transmission mode supported by the data source NF corresponds to the first information mentioned above. For a detailed description, please refer to the relevant description in the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0292] Optionally, after completing registration, NRF can also send a registration response to the data source NF to notify that registration is complete or successful.

[0293] S702, DCCF sends an acquisition request to NRF. Correspondingly, NRF receives the acquisition request from DCCF.

[0294] A get request is used to request information about the data transmission modes supported by the data source NF. The get request includes the identifier of the data source NF. For example, the DCCF can send a get request to the NRF to obtain information about the data transmission modes supported by the data source NF that provides the data, based on its data collection needs.

[0295] Optionally, the retrieval request can be a reuse of a predefined network element discovery service request or service discovery request. In this case, the retrieval request may include information indicating the data transmission modes supported by the data source NF.

[0296] It should be understood that the request corresponds to the first message mentioned above. For a detailed description, please refer to the relevant description in the first message mentioned above. It will not be repeated here.

[0297] S703 and NRF send an acquisition response to DCCF. Correspondingly, DCCF receives the acquisition response from NRF.

[0298] The retrieval response is the message responding to the retrieval request. The retrieval response includes the identifier of the data source NF and information about the data transmission modes supported by the data source NF. After receiving the retrieval request, the NRF can determine the data transmission modes supported by the data source NF from the stored information on supported data transmission modes of network elements based on the identifier of the data source NF in the retrieval request, and then feed this information back to the DCCF via the retrieval response.

[0299] S704, DCCF determines the first data transmission mode based on the data transmission mode information supported by DCCF and the data transmission mode information supported by the data source NF.

[0300] For example, the data transmission modes supported by DCCF include DTM1, DTM2, DTM3, DTM4, DTM5 and DTM6, and it also configures the priority between each supported data transmission mode. The data transmission modes supported by the data source NF obtained by DCCF include DTM2 and DTM4. Thus, DCCF can determine that the data transmission modes it and the data source NF jointly support include DTM2 and DTM4.

[0301] When there is no difference in priority or validity period between DTM2 and DTM4, DCCF can choose either one.

[0302] When DTM2 and DTM4 have different priorities, DCCF can choose the DTM with higher priority. For example, if DTM2 has a higher priority than DTM4, DCCF can choose DTM2 as the first data transmission mode.

[0303] When DTM2 and DTM4 have different effective times, DCCF can select the DTM within the effective time. For example, if DTM2 is within the effective time and DTM4 is not within the effective time, then DCCF can select DTM2 as the first data transmission mode.

[0304] When DTM2 and DTM4 have different priorities and valid time periods, DCCF can select the DTM with higher priority that is within its valid time period.

[0305] DCCF can select one or more data transmission modes, i.e., one or more first data transmission modes.

[0306] It should be understood that the information on the data transmission modes supported by DCCF corresponds to the third information mentioned above, and will not be elaborated further.

[0307] S705, DCCF sends a data request to the data source NF. Correspondingly, the data source NF receives the data request from DCCF.

[0308] A data request is used to request data, and the data request includes the first data transfer mode selected by the DCCF. It should be understood that the data request includes information related to the requested data, such as the data type or data characteristics that the DCCF requests.

[0309] Optionally, when multiple data transmission modes are selected, the data request may also include first indication information, which indicates the selection criteria for the data transmission mode. For example, if the selection criterion is data volume, and the first data transmission modes include DTM2 and DTM4, the DCCF can use the first indication information to instruct the data source NF to prioritize using DTM2 when the transmitted data volume exceeds the data volume threshold and inform the DCCF accordingly; and to prioritize using DTM4 when the transmitted data volume is less than the data volume threshold and inform the DCCF accordingly.

[0310] Optionally, to avoid the first data transmission mode being unavailable, the data request may also include second indication information, which indicates the method for transmitting data when the first data transmission mode is unavailable. For example, when the first data transmission mode is unavailable, the third indication information instructs the data source NF to wait until the first data transmission mode becomes available before transmitting data, or the third indication information instructs the data source NF to select another data transmission mode to transmit data and informs the DCCF of the selected data transmission mode.

[0311] Optionally, the data request may also include event reporting information, which indicates how the data source NF returns data, such as periodic return, event-based return, or return based on DCCF requests (under the time hysteresis mechanism).

[0312] It should be understood that a data request can also be replaced by a data subscription request, a data subscription message, etc., and there is no limitation on this.

[0313] It should be understood that the first data transmission mode corresponds to the second information mentioned above, the first indication information corresponds to the first indication information mentioned above, and the second indication information corresponds to the second indication information mentioned above, which will not be elaborated further.

[0314] S706, the data source NF sends a data response to the DCCF. Correspondingly, the DCCF receives the data response from the data source NF.

[0315] The data response is a response message to the aforementioned data request. The data response includes confirmation information, which confirms that the DCCF will send data to the DCCF using the first data transmission mode selected by the DCCF.

[0316] In some possible scenarios, when the data source NF detects that the first data transmission mode is unavailable, the data response can be used to indicate that the first data transmission mode is unavailable or that the data transmission mode has changed. In this case, the data response corresponds to the second message mentioned above.

[0317] The data response may include a second data transmission mode reselected by the data source NF, or information indicating that data transmission will be delayed until the first data transmission mode becomes available. Optionally, the data response may also include the reason why the first data transmission mode is unavailable or the data transmission mode has changed. Therefore, the data source NF will use the data transmission protocol corresponding to the second data transmission mode to transmit data or delay sending data.

[0318] S707, the data source NF sends a data transmission service to the DCCF. Correspondingly, the DCCF receives the data transmission service from the data source NF.

[0319] The data transmission service includes data encapsulated using the data transmission protocol corresponding to the first data transmission mode.

[0320] When the Event Reporting Information contained in the data response is satisfied, the data source NF can send data to the DCCF using the selected first data transmission mode.

[0321] The data source NF can establish a transport layer connection with DCCF according to the data transmission protocol corresponding to the first data transmission mode selected by DCCF, encapsulate data using the data transmission protocol corresponding to the first data transmission mode, and send it to DCCF through the established transport layer. Correspondingly, DCCF can parse the encapsulated data and obtain the data according to the data transmission protocol corresponding to the first data transmission mode.

[0322] In the scenario shown in Figure 7, when collecting data, the DCCF requests the NRF to select the data transmission mode supported by the data source NF, and then selects a data transmission mode based on the data transmission modes supported by the data source NF and its own supported data transmission modes, and sends it to the data source NF in the data request.

[0323] It should be understood that when the data transmission method is applied to the architecture shown in Figure 5 above, DCCF can be replaced by DHF, without limitation.

[0324] Scenario 2: There are multiple first network elements, including first network elements as data consumers and first network elements as data sources. The third network element can obtain information on the data transmission modes supported by the first network elements as data consumers and first network elements as data sources from the second network element, so as to determine the first data transmission mode for transmitting data between the first network elements as data consumers and first network elements as data sources.

[0325] Taking the first network element as NF1 and NF2 as an example, where NF1 is the data consumer NF and NF2 is the data source NF, the second network element is NRF, and the third network element is DCCF, Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating a data transmission method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0326] As shown in Figure 8, the data transmission method includes:

[0327] S800, NF1, and NF2 are configured with their respective supported data transmission modes according to the data transmission protocols they support.

[0328] For a detailed description of the implementation of S800, please refer to the relevant description in S700 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0329] S801 and NF1 register information about the data transmission modes supported by NF1 with the NRF.

[0330] S802 and NF2 register information about the data transmission modes supported by NF2 with the NRF.

[0331] The process of NF registering its supported data transmission modes in S801 and S802 can be found in the relevant description of the registration process in S701 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0332] S803 and NF1 send data subscription requests to DCCF. Correspondingly, DCCF receives data subscription requests from NF1.

[0333] The data subscription request is used to request the subscription of data to NF2. The data subscription request includes the identifiers of the NFs subscribing to NF2's data, namely the address of NF1 and the address of NF2. It should be understood that the address of an NF can be considered a type of identification information for that NF.

[0334] The NF requesting to subscribe to NF2's data can be more than just NF1, but can include multiple NFs. That is, the data subscription request sent by NF1 can not only subscribe to data for itself, but also for other NFs. The addresses of the NFs requesting to subscribe to data can be carried in the data subscription request in the form of a list. Correspondingly, the NFs being requested to subscribe to data can also be more than just NF2. There is a correspondence between the NFs being requested to subscribe and the corresponding NFs requesting to subscribe, but this is not limited. The embodiments of this application mainly use one NF requesting to subscribe and one NF being requested to subscribe as an example for illustration.

[0335] S804 and DCCF send an acquire message to NRF. Correspondingly, NRF receives the acquire message from DCCF.

[0336] The retrieval message is used to request information about the data transmission modes supported by the NF. The retrieval message includes the addresses of NF1 and NF2. The NFs requesting information about supported data transmission modes in the retrieval message can be indicated in list form. The information about the data transmission modes supported by the NFs can be found in the relevant description of the first information in Design 1 above, or in the relevant description in S703 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0337] In other words, the DCCF can trigger the request from the NRF to obtain information on the data transmission modes supported by NF1 and NF2, respectively, based on the data subscription request sent by NF1. The specific implementation process of S804 can be found in the relevant description in S703 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0338] The S805 and NRF send an acquisition response to the DCCF. Correspondingly, the DCCF receives the acquisition response from the NRF.

[0339] The response to the message is the response message to the message being retrieved. The response includes information about the data transmission modes supported by NF1 and NF2.

[0340] The NRF can determine the data transmission mode supported by NF1 from the stored information on the data transmission modes supported by NF1 based on the address of NF1 in the retrieval message, and determine the data transmission mode supported by NF2 from the stored information on the data transmission modes supported by NF2 based on the address of NF2, and send the data transmission mode information supported by NF1 and NF2 in the retrieval response.

[0341] S806 and DCCF determine the first data transmission mode based on the data transmission mode information supported by NF1 and the data transmission mode information supported by NF2.

[0342] For example, NF1 supports data transmission modes including DTM1, DTM2, DTM3 and DTM4, and NF2 supports data transmission modes including DTM2 and DMT4. Thus, DCCF can determine that the data transmission modes commonly supported by NF1 and NF2 include DTM2 and DMT4.

[0343] When there is no difference in priority or validity period between DTM2 and DTM4, DCCF can choose either one.

[0344] When DTM2 and DTM4 have different priorities, DCCF can choose the DTM with higher priority. For example, if DTM2 has a higher priority than DTM4, DCCF can choose DTM2 as the first data transmission mode.

[0345] When DTM2 and DTM4 have different effective times, DCCF can select the DTM within the effective time. For example, if DTM2 is within the effective time and DTM4 is not within the effective time, then DCCF can select DTM2 as the first data transmission mode.

[0346] When DTM2 and DTM4 have different priorities and valid time periods, DCCF can select the DTM with higher priority that is within its valid time period.

[0347] At this time, the first data transmission mode is used for data transmission between NF1 and NF2.

[0348] In one possible scenario, NF1 and NF2 do not share a common supported data transmission mode. In this case, NF2 can first send data to DCCF, and then DCCF can send it to NF1. DCCF can then determine the first data transmission mode for data transmission between DCCF and NF1 based on its supported data transmission mode information and NF1's supported data transmission mode information, and similarly, determine the first data transmission mode for data transmission between DCCF and NF2 based on its supported data transmission mode information and NF2's supported data transmission mode information.

[0349] For example, NF1 supports data transmission modes including DTM1, DTM3, and DTM5; NF2 supports data transmission modes including DTM2 and DTM4; and DCCF supports data transmission modes including DTM1, DTM2, DTM3, DTM4, DTM5, and DTM6. Thus, DCCF can determine that NF1 and NF2 do not share any common data transmission modes, but it does share data transmission modes with both NF1 and NF2. In the presence of multiple commonly supported data transmission modes, DCCF can further select a data transmission mode based on validity time and / or priority, as described above, to obtain a first data transmission mode, such as DTM1, for data transmission between DCCF and NF1, and a first data transmission mode, such as DTM2, for data transmission between DCCF and NF2.

[0350] It should be understood that when there are multiple NFs requesting to subscribe to NF2, the first data transmission mode selected between each NF requesting to subscribe and NF2 may be different or the same, and the first data transmission mode selected between each NF requesting to subscribe and NF2 has a corresponding relationship with the address of the NF requesting to subscribe.

[0351] S807 and DCCF send data requests to NF2. Correspondingly, NF2 receives data requests from DCCF.

[0352] The data request includes a first data transfer mode for data transfer between NF1 and NF2.

[0353] Optionally, the data request may also include first indication information, which indicates the selection conditions for the data transmission mode.

[0354] Optionally, the data request may also include a second indication information, which indicates a method for transmitting data when the first data transmission mode is unavailable.

[0355] Optionally, the data request may also include event reporting information, which indicates how NWDAF should return data.

[0356] For a detailed description of the implementation of S807, please refer to the relevant description in S705 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0357] S808 and NF2 send data responses to DCCF. Correspondingly, DCCF receives data responses from NF2.

[0358] For a detailed description of the implementation of S808, please refer to the relevant description in S706 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0359] S809 and DCCF send a data subscription notification to NF1. Correspondingly, NF1 receives the data subscription notification from DCCF.

[0360] The data subscription notification includes a first data transfer mode for data transfer between NF1 and NF2.

[0361] It should be understood that the execution order of S807 and S809 is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0362] S810 and NF2 send data transmission services to NF1. Correspondingly, NF1 receives data transmission services from NF2.

[0363] When the Event Reporting Information in the data request is satisfied, NF2 uses the data transmission service to send data to NF1. This data is encapsulated and sent according to the data transmission protocol corresponding to the first data transmission mode. Correspondingly, NF1 decapsulates the received data according to the data transmission protocol corresponding to the first data transmission mode.

[0364] The specific implementation process of S810 can be found in the relevant description in S707 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0365] In the scenario shown in Figure 8, when the data consumer NF subscribes to data from the data source NF through the DCCF, the data consumer NF and the data source NF support multiple data transmission modes. The DCCF can also request information on the data transmission modes supported by the data consumer NF and the data source NF from the NRF based on the request of the data consumer NF, so as to select a data transmission mode and send it to the data consumer NF and the data source NF for data transmission between the data consumer NF and the data source NF.

[0366] In the scenarios shown in Figures 7 and 8 above, the DCCF obtains information about the data transmission modes supported by the data source NF and / or data consumer NF based on the NRF. The scenario 3 shown in Figure 9 below is an example of selecting the first data transmission mode for data transmission based on the information about the data transmission modes supported by the DCCF and the data source NF that can be exchanged.

[0367] Scenario 3: Taking the first network element as DCCF and the third network element as data source NF as an example, Figure 9 is a flowchart of another data transmission method provided by the embodiment of this application.

[0368] As shown in Figure 9, the data transmission method includes:

[0369] S900, data source NF, and DCCF are configured with their respective supported data transmission modes according to their supported data transmission protocols.

[0370] For details on the specific implementation of S900, please refer to the relevant descriptions in S700 or S800 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0371] S901, DCCF sends a data request to the data source NF. Correspondingly, the data source NF receives the data request from DCCF.

[0372] The data request is used to request data. The data request includes information on the data transmission modes supported by DCCF. For a detailed description of the data transmission modes supported by DCCF, please refer to the relevant description of the first information in Design 1 above. It will not be repeated here.

[0373] Optionally, the data request may also include the priority of the data transmission mode selected by the DCCF data source NF and / or event reporting information. For a detailed description of the event reporting information, please refer to the relevant description in S705 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0374] For example, the format of the information configuration in the data request is as follows:

[0375] Supported DTM list: Data transfer methods supported by DCCF

[0376] Selected priority of DTM: The priority that DCCF expects the data source NF to select from the DTM.

[0377] Event Reporting Information: How data is returned by the data source NF

[0378] For a detailed implementation of S901, please refer to the relevant descriptions in S705 or S807 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0379] S902. The data source NF determines the first data transmission mode based on the information of the data transmission modes supported by DCCF and the data transmission modes supported by the data source NF.

[0380] For example, the data source NF determines the first data transmission mode based on the information of the data transmission mode supported by the DCCF in the data request, the priority of the data transmission mode that the DCCF expects the data source NF to select, and the information of the data transmission modes supported by the data source NF. The specific implementation of S902 can be found in the relevant descriptions in S704 or S806 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0381] S903, the data source NF sends a data response to the DCCF. Correspondingly, the DCCF receives the data response from the data source NF.

[0382] A data response is a message responding to the aforementioned data request. The data response includes one or more first data transmission modes to notify the data source NF of the selected data transmission mode. Optionally, the data response may also include a validity period for each first data transmission mode.

[0383] Optionally, the data response may further include first indication information, which indicates the selection conditions for the data transmission mode. Optionally, the data response may further include second indication information, which indicates the method for transmitting data when the first data transmission mode is unavailable.

[0384] For a detailed description of the first and second instruction information, please refer to the relevant description in S705 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0385] S904. The data source NF sends a data transmission service to the DCCF. Correspondingly, the DCCF receives the data transmission service from the data source NF.

[0386] For a detailed description of the implementation of S904, please refer to the relevant description in S707 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0387] It should be understood that in the scenario shown in Figure 9, the first network element can also be a data consumer (NF), and its implementation process is similar to that of the first network element being a DCCF, so it will not be elaborated further.

[0388] In the scenarios shown in Figures 7 to 9 above, by configuring the data transmission mode in the network element, the application layers of the network elements only need to negotiate the data transmission modes they support when transmitting data, without needing to be aware of the underlying transmission protocol or the establishment of the corresponding transmission layer connection, which can effectively realize the efficient transmission of data between network elements.

[0389] The following example illustrates how to select the data transmission protocol for interaction between network elements by obtaining information on the data transmission protocols supported by the network elements in a specific scenario.

[0390] Scenario 4: Taking the first network element as DCCF, the second network element as NRF, and the third network element as data source NF as an example, DCCF and data source can exchange information on supported data transmission protocols through NRF.

[0391] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating another data transmission method provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 10, the data transmission method includes:

[0392] Configure the S1000, DCCF, and data source NF to support their data transmission protocols.

[0393] S1001, DCCF registers information about the data transmission protocols supported by DCCF with NRF.

[0394] The information on the data transmission protocol supported by DCCF corresponds to the first information in Design 2 of S601 above, and will not be elaborated further.

[0395] The registration process for S1001 can be found in the relevant description of the registration process for S701 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0396] S1002, DCCF sends a data request to the data source NF. Correspondingly, the data source NF receives the data request from DCCF.

[0397] A data request is used to request data, and the data request includes the DCCF identifier.

[0398] It should be understood that data requests may also include service operations and analytics / data specifications. Service operations are used to indicate the data operations that can be used when DCCF collects data, such as Namf_EventExposure_Subscribe or Nnwdaf_AnalyticsSubscription_Subscribe. Analytics / data specifications are used to indicate the event ID corresponding to the data when using the service operation to collect data, so as to indicate which data to collect.

[0399] S1003, The data source NF sends an acquisition request to the NRF. Correspondingly, the NRF receives the acquisition request from the data source NF.

[0400] The GET request is used to request information about the data transmission protocols supported by DCCF. In other words, the data source NF can send a GET request to the NRF based on a data request to obtain information about the data transmission protocols supported by DCCF.

[0401] S1004, NRF sends an acquisition response to the data source NF. Correspondingly, the data source NF receives the acquisition response from NRF.

[0402] Retrieving the response means obtaining the response message to the request. The response includes information about the data transmission protocols supported by DCCF.

[0403] S1005. The data source NF determines the first data transmission protocol based on the information of the data transmission protocol supported by DCCF and the data transmission protocol supported by the data source NF.

[0404] For example, if the DCCF supports at least one data transmission protocol including HTTP / 2, HTTP / 3, RoCE, iWRAP, IB, and FTP, and the data source NF supports at least one data transmission protocol including HTTP / 3 and RoCE, then the data source NF can determine that the data transmission protocols it supports together with DCCF include HTTP / 3 and RoCE. Furthermore, the data source NF can select one data transmission protocol from HTTP / 3 and RoCE as the first data transmission protocol based on the amount of data to be transmitted.

[0405] If the amount of data to be transmitted is suitable for all commonly supported data transmission protocols, then the first data transmission protocol can be selected based on priority.

[0406] It should be understood that the first data transmission protocol selected by the data source NF may be multiple.

[0407] S1006, The data source NF sends a data response to the DCCF. Correspondingly, the DCCF receives the data response from the data source NF.

[0408] A data response is a response message corresponding to a data request. The data response includes the first data transmission protocol selected by the data source NF for data transmission.

[0409] Optionally, the data response may also include first indication information and / or second indication information. For a detailed description, please refer to the relevant descriptions of the first indication information and / or second indication information above, which will not be repeated here.

[0410] S1007. The data source NF sends a data transmission service to the DCCF. Correspondingly, the DCCF receives the data transmission service from the data source.

[0411] The data source NF encapsulates data using a first data transmission protocol and carries the encapsulated data through a data transmission service to send it to the DCCF. Correspondingly, the DCCF can use the first data transmission protocol to parse the encapsulated data to obtain the collected data.

[0412] Scenario 5: Taking the first network element as DCCF and the third network element as data source NF as an example, DCCF and data source can directly exchange information on the supported data transmission protocols.

[0413] Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating another data transmission method provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 11, the data transmission method includes:

[0414] Configure the S1100, DCCF, and data source NF to support their data transmission protocols.

[0415] S1101, DCCF sends a data request to the data source NF. Correspondingly, the data source NF receives the data request from DCCF.

[0416] A data request is used to request data, and the data request includes information about the data transmission protocols supported by DCCF.

[0417] It should be understood that data requests may also include service operations and analytics / data specifications. Service operations are used to indicate the data operations that can be used when DCCF collects data, such as Namf_EventExposure_Subscribe or Nnwdaf_AnalyticsSubscription_Subscribe. Analytics / data specifications are used to indicate the event ID corresponding to the data when using the service operation to collect data, so as to indicate which data to collect.

[0418] S1102. The data source NF determines the first data transmission protocol based on the information of the data transmission protocols supported by DCCF and the data transmission protocols supported by the data source NF.

[0419] The specific implementation process of S1102 can be found in the relevant description of S1005 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0420] S1103, The data source NF sends a data response to the DCCF. Correspondingly, the DCCF receives the data response from the data source NF.

[0421] A data response is a response message corresponding to a data request. The data response includes the first data transmission protocol selected by the data source NF for data transmission.

[0422] Optionally, the data response may also include first indication information and / or second indication information. For a detailed description, please refer to the relevant descriptions of the first indication information and / or second indication information above, which will not be repeated here.

[0423] S1104. The data source NF sends a data transmission service to the DCCF. Correspondingly, the DCCF receives the data transmission service from the data source.

[0424] The data source NF encapsulates data using a first data transmission protocol and carries the encapsulated data through a data transmission service to send it to the DCCF. Correspondingly, the DCCF can use the first data transmission protocol to parse the encapsulated data to obtain the collected data.

[0425] In the scenarios shown in Figures 10 and 11, the third network element determines the first data transmission protocol used for data transmission between network elements by obtaining information about the data transmission protocols supported by the network element.

[0426] It should be understood that in the scenarios shown in Figures 10 and 11, DCCF can also initiate a data request to the data source NF based on the request of the data consumer NF.

[0427] In the above embodiments, the methods and / or steps implemented by the first network element can also be implemented by components (e.g., processors, chips, chip systems, circuits, logic modules, or software) that can be used with the first network element; in the above embodiments, the methods and / or steps implemented by the second network element can also be implemented by components (e.g., processors, chips, chip systems, circuits, logic modules, or software) that can be used with the second network element; in the above embodiments, the methods and / or steps implemented by the third network element can also be implemented by components (e.g., processors, chips, chip systems, circuits, logic modules, or software) that can be used with the third network element.

[0428] The foregoing mainly describes the solutions provided in this application. Accordingly, this application also provides a communication device for implementing various methods in the above method embodiments. This communication device can be a first network element in the above method embodiments, or a device containing a first network element, or a component usable in a first network element, such as a chip or chip system. Alternatively, the communication device can be a second network element in the above method embodiments, or a device containing a second network element, or a component usable in a second network element, such as a chip or chip system. Alternatively, the communication device can be a third network element in the above method embodiments, or a device containing a third network element, or a component usable in a third network element, such as a chip or chip system.

[0429] In some embodiments, the communication device includes hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function in order to achieve the above-described functions. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that, based on the units and algorithm steps of the examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0430] This application embodiment can divide the communication device into functional modules according to the above method embodiment. For example, each function can be divided into a separate functional module, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional module. It should be noted that the module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods.

[0431] Taking the communication device as an example of the first, second, or third network element in the above method embodiment, Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 12, the communication device 1200 includes a processing module 1201 and a transceiver module 1202. The processing module 1201 is used to execute the processing functions of the first, second, or third network element in the above method embodiment. The transceiver module 1202 is used to execute the communication functions of the first, second, or third network element in the above method embodiment.

[0432] All relevant content of each step involved in the above method embodiments can be referenced from the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and will not be repeated here.

[0433] In one possible design, according to this embodiment, the transceiver module 1202 may include a receiving module and a transmitting module (not shown in FIG12). The transmitting module and the receiving module are respectively used to implement the transmitting and receiving functions of the communication device 1200.

[0434] In one possible design, the communication device 1200 may further include a storage module (not shown in FIG. 12) that stores programs or instructions. When the processing module 1201 executes the program or instructions, the communication device 1200 can perform the functions of the first network element, the second network element, or the third network element in any of the methods shown in FIG. 6-FIG. 11.

[0435] In some embodiments, the processing module 1201 involved in the communication device 1200 may be implemented by a processor or processor-related circuit components, and may be a processor or processing unit; the transceiver module 1202 may be implemented by a transceiver or transceiver-related circuit components, and may be a transceiver or transceiver unit.

[0436] For example, FIG13 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. This communication device may be the first network element, the second network element, or the third network element in the above method embodiments, or it may be a chip (system) or other component or assembly that can be disposed in the first network element, the second network element, or the third network element. As shown in FIG13, the communication device 1300 may include a processor 1301. In a possible design, the communication device 1300 may further include a memory 1302 and / or a transceiver 1303. The processor 1301 is coupled to the memory 1302 and the transceiver 1303, and may be connected via a communication bus.

[0437] The following is a detailed description of each component of the communication device 1300 with reference to Figure 13:

[0438] The processor 1301 is the control center of the communication device 1300. It can be a single processor or a collective term for multiple processing elements. For example, the processor 1301 may include one or more CPUs, or it may be an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the embodiments of this application, such as one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), or one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

[0439] In one possible design, the processor 1301 can perform various functions of the communication device 1300 by running or executing software programs stored in the memory 1302 and calling data stored in the memory 1302.

[0440] In a specific implementation, as one embodiment, processor 1301 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 shown in FIG13.

[0441] In a specific implementation, as one embodiment, the communication device 1300 may also include multiple processors, such as processors 1301 and 1304 shown in FIG. 13. Each of these processors may be a single-core processor or a multi-core processor. Here, a processor may refer to one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores for processing data (e.g., computer program instructions).

[0442] The memory 1302 is used to store the software program that executes the solution of this application, and is controlled by the processor 1301 to execute it. The specific implementation method can be referred to the above method embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0443] In one possible design, the memory 1302 can be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device capable of storing static information and instructions, random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device capable of storing information and instructions, or it can be an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital universal optical discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and accessible by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory 1302 can be integrated with the processor 1301 or exist independently and is coupled to the processor 1301 through the interface circuit of the communication device 1300 (not shown in FIG. 13). This application embodiment does not specifically limit this.

[0444] Transceiver 1303 is used for communication with other communication devices. For example, if communication device 1300 is a terminal device, transceiver 1303 can be used for communication with network devices or with another terminal device. As another example, if communication device 1300 is a network device, transceiver 1303 can be used for communication with a terminal device or with another network device.

[0445] In one possible design, transceiver 1303 may include a receiver and a transmitter (not shown separately in Figure 13). The receiver is used to implement the receiving function, and the transmitter is used to implement the transmitting function.

[0446] In one possible design, the transceiver 1303 can be integrated with the processor 1301 or exist independently and be coupled to the processor 1301 through the interface circuit of the communication device 1300 (not shown in Figure 13). This application embodiment does not specifically limit this.

[0447] It should be noted that the structure of the communication device 1300 shown in Figure 13 does not constitute a limitation on the communication device. The actual communication device may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine certain components, or have different component arrangements.

[0448] Furthermore, the technical effects of the communication device 1300 can be referred to the technical effects of the method described in the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0449] In another aspect, embodiments of this application also provide a computer program product containing instructions, including computer program code, which, when run on a communication device, enables the communication device to execute the methods described in any of the above embodiments.

[0450] Furthermore, embodiments of this application also provide a computer-readable storage medium. This computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a communication device, enable the communication device to perform the methods described in any of the above embodiments.

[0451] Furthermore, embodiments of this application also provide a communication system, including: a first network element and a third network element for implementing the methods described above. Optionally, it also includes a second network element as described above.

[0452] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software programs, implementation can be, in whole or in part, in the form of a computer program product. This computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the flow or function according to the embodiments of this application is generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible to a computer or a data storage device containing one or more servers, data centers, etc., that can be integrated with the medium. The available media can be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., DVDs), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks, SSDs).

[0453] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0454] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0455] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0456] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0457] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0458] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or an access network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, ROM, random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0459] Although this application has been described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, those skilled in the art, by reviewing the accompanying drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims, will understand and implement other variations of the disclosed embodiments in carrying out the claimed application. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude multiple instances. A single processor or other unit can implement several functions listed in the claims. While different dependent claims may recite certain measures, this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to produce good results.

[0460] Although this application has been described in conjunction with specific features and embodiments, it is obvious that various modifications and combinations can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Accordingly, this specification and drawings are merely exemplary illustrations of this application as defined by the appended claims, and are considered to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations, or equivalents within the scope of this application. Clearly, those skilled in the art can make various alterations and modifications to this application without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Thus, if such modifications and modifications of this application fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application is also intended to include such modifications and modifications.

Claims

1. A data transmission method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive first information, the first information being used to indicate at least one data transmission protocol supported by the first network element; Send a second message to the first network element. The second message is determined based on the first message. The second message is used to indicate a first data transmission protocol, which is used to transmit data.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second information is determined based on the third information, which is used to indicate at least one data transmission protocol supported by the network element performing the method.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a first message to the second network element, the first message being used to request information indicating the data transmission protocol supported by the first network element; The receiving of the first information includes: Receive the first information from the second network element.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The receiving of the first information includes: Receive the first information from the first network element.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a first indication message and / or a second indication message to the first network element. The first indication message is used to indicate the conditions for selecting a data transmission protocol, and the second indication message is used to indicate the method for transmitting data when the first data transmission protocol is unavailable.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, If the first information includes at least one data transmission mode supported by the first network element, and one of the data transmission modes is used to indicate a data transmission protocol, then the second information includes the first data transmission mode corresponding to the first data transmission protocol.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first information also includes the priority of each data transmission mode supported by the first network element, and / or the validity period of each data transmission mode supported by the first network element.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, If the first information includes at least one data transmission protocol supported by the first network element, then the second information includes the first data transmission protocol.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first information further includes at least one of the following: the range of data volume to be transmitted for each data transmission protocol supported by the first network element, the data type to be transmitted for each data transmission protocol supported by the first network element, or the priority of each data transmission protocol supported by the first network element.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, The method further includes: The system receives a second message from the first network element, the second message indicating that the first data transmission protocol is unavailable, or the second message indicating that the data transmission protocol used for data transmission has changed.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The second message includes at least one of the following: information indicating a second data transmission protocol, the reason for the change of the data transmission protocol, the reason for the unavailability of the first data transmission protocol, or a third indication message; wherein the information indicating the second data transmission protocol is used to indicate that data will be transmitted according to the second data transmission protocol, which is different from the first data transmission protocol, and the third indication message is used to indicate that data transmission will be delayed until the first data transmission protocol becomes available.

12. A data transmission method, characterized in that, The method includes: Send first information, the first information being used to indicate at least one data transmission protocol supported by the first network element; Receive second information from a third network element, the second information being determined based on the first information, and the second information being used to indicate a first data transmission protocol; Data is transmitted according to the first data transmission protocol.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The second information is determined based on the third information, which is used to indicate at least one data transmission protocol supported by the third network element.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The sending of the first information includes: A third message is sent to the second network element, the third message including the first information, and the third message is used to request the registration of the first information.

15. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The sending of the first information includes: The first information is sent to the third network element.

16. The method according to any one of claims 12-15, characterized in that, The method further includes: The system receives a first indication information and / or a second indication information from the third network element. The first indication information is used to indicate the conditions for selecting a data transmission protocol, and the second indication information is used to indicate the method for transmitting data when the first data transmission protocol is unavailable.

17. The method according to any one of claims 12-16, characterized in that, If the first information includes at least one data transmission mode supported by the first network element, and one of the data transmission modes is used to indicate a data transmission protocol, then the second information includes the data transmission mode corresponding to the first data transmission protocol.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The first information also includes the priority of each data transmission mode supported by the first network element, and / or the validity period of each data transmission mode supported by the first network element.

19. The method according to any one of claims 12-16, characterized in that, If the first information includes at least one data transmission protocol supported by the first network element, then the second information includes the first data transmission protocol.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, The first information further includes at least one of the following: the range of data volume to be transmitted for each data transmission protocol supported by the first network element, the data type to be transmitted for each data transmission protocol supported by the first network element, or the priority of each data transmission protocol supported by the first network element.

21. The method according to any one of claims 12-20, characterized in that, The method further includes: A second message is sent to the third network element, the second message indicating that the first data transmission protocol is unavailable, or the second message indicating that the data transmission protocol used for data transmission has changed.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that, The second message includes at least one of the following: information indicating a second data transmission protocol, the reason for the change of the data transmission protocol, the reason for the unavailability of the first data transmission protocol, or a third indication message; wherein the information indicating the second data transmission protocol is used to indicate that data will be transmitted according to the second data transmission protocol, which is different from the first data transmission protocol, and the third indication message is used to indicate that data transmission will be delayed until the first data transmission protocol becomes available.

23. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes modules for performing the methods as described in any one of claims 1-11 or 12-22.

24. A communication device, characterized in that, include: processor; The processor is configured to run computer programs or instructions to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-11 or 12-22.

25. A communication chip, characterized in that, It stores instructions that, when the chip is running on a communication device, cause the method as described in any one of claims 1-11 or 12-22 to be implemented.

26. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed by a communication device, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-11 or 12-22.

27. A computer program product, characterized in that, It includes computer program code, which, when run on a communication device, implements the method as described in any one of claims 1-11 or 12-22.

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