Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method and apparatus, which allow a radio access network (RAN) to have a data packet filtering function, so as to improve the transmission performance of data packets. The method comprises: a centralized unit receives first information from a terminal device, wherein the first information indicates a service type of a RAN local service requested by the terminal device, and the service type comprises at least one of sensing, positioning, artificial intelligence prediction, or artificial intelligence computation; the centralized unit sends second information to a session management function, wherein the second information instructs an access network device to provide, for the terminal device, the RAN local service of the service type; and the centralized unit receives third information and / or fourth information from the session management function, wherein the third information indicates a data packet detection rule, the data packet detection rule is obtained by the session management function on the basis of the second information, and the fourth information indicates transport network layer information of a service unit used for establishing a data plane tunnel with the service unit.

Description

Communication methods and devices

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411522000.8, filed on October 29, 2024, entitled "Method and Apparatus for Communication", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communications, and more specifically, to a method and apparatus for communication. Background Technology

[0003] To support the evolution of next-generation radio access networks (RAN) architectures, the RAN will integrate more new service functions beyond communication, such as sensing, positioning, artificial intelligence (AI) prediction, or AI computing. To meet the needs of rapid deployment and independent evolution of these new service functions on the existing highly integrated proprietary RAN architecture, a new RAN functional architecture based on service units (SUs) has been introduced. New service functions are integrated through SUs, while central units (CUs) and distributed units (DUs) maintain existing communication functions. SUs and CUs communicate via Si interfaces. SUs can function as functional network elements within base stations or as independent functional network elements outside of base stations.

[0004] For RAN-assisted AI (RAN for AI, RAN4AI) service scenarios, uplink and downlink data packets from terminal devices need to be processed by the Sensor (SU). The data packet types before and after SU processing may differ; for example, SU might generate images / videos from text. Different types of data packets will have different Quality of Service (QoS) requirements. Therefore, the RAN side needs to have data packet filtering capabilities to map the SU-processed data packets to the corresponding QoS flow and transmit them to the corresponding receiving end through the corresponding Data Radio Bearer (DRB) or General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Tunneling Protocol for the User Plane (GTP-U) tunnel. However, in the current RAN architecture, the RAN only serves as a data transmission pipeline and does not have data packet filtering capabilities, making it unsuitable for future RAN4AI service scenarios. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method and apparatus that enables the RAN to have a data packet filtering function, thereby improving the data packet transmission performance.

[0006] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a centralized unit or a chip or chip system within a centralized unit. The method includes: receiving first information from a terminal device, the first information indicating a service type of a local radio access network service requested by the terminal device, the service type including at least one of sensing, positioning, artificial intelligence prediction, or artificial intelligence computation; sending second information to a session management function, the second information indicating an access network device to provide the terminal device with the local radio access network service of the service type, the access network device being the access network device currently accessed by the terminal device; receiving third and / or fourth information from the session management function, the third information indicating a packet detection rule for the access network device, the packet detection rule being obtained by the session management function based on the second information, and the fourth information indicating transport network layer information of a user plane tunnel of a service unit, the transport network layer information being used to establish a data plane tunnel with the service unit.

[0007] Based on the above technical solutions, the session management function sends third information to the centralized unit in the access network device currently accessed by the terminal device. The centralized unit, according to the data packet detection rules indicated by the third information, can map the data packets processed by the service unit to the corresponding quality of service (QoS) stream. Alternatively, the session management function sends both third and fourth information to the centralized unit in the access network device currently accessed by the terminal device. The centralized unit, according to the transport network layer information of the service unit's user plane tunnel indicated by the fourth information, can establish a data plane tunnel with the service unit; the centralized unit, according to the data packet detection rules indicated by the third information, can map the data packets processed by the service unit to the corresponding QoS stream. Alternatively, the session management function sends fourth information to the centralized unit in the access network device currently accessed by the terminal device and sends third information to the service unit corresponding to the access network device currently accessed by the terminal device; the centralized unit, according to the transport network layer information of the service unit's user plane tunnel indicated by the fourth information, can establish a data plane tunnel with the service unit; the service unit, according to the data packet detection rules indicated by the third information, can map the data packets processed by the service unit to the corresponding QoS stream and transmit them to the terminal device through the centralized unit. Therefore, the embodiments of this application can enable the RAN to have a data packet filtering function, thereby improving the data packet transmission performance.

[0008] In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the local service of the radio access network includes a closed-loop data path between the terminal device and the access network device, eliminating the need for data packets to be transmitted to the server via user plane functions. Specifically, data packets generated by the local service of the radio access network for the service type requested by the terminal device do not need to be transmitted to the server via user plane functions. Providing local services by the radio access network can reduce service response latency and achieve local closed-loop processing of service-generated data packets, thereby protecting the security and privacy of the data packets.

[0009] In conjunction with the first aspect, some implementations of the first aspect further include: mapping different types of data packets generated by the local service of the radio access network (RAN) of the service type to corresponding quality of service (QoS) streams according to the data packet detection rules. Based on this implementation, the centralized unit can map different types of data packets generated by the RAN RAN local service requested by the terminal device to corresponding QoS streams according to the data packet detection rules; therefore, the RAN can be equipped with data packet filtering functionality, thereby improving data packet transmission performance.

[0010] In conjunction with the first aspect, some implementations of the first aspect further include: receiving at least one second data packet from the service unit, wherein the at least one second data packet is generated by the service unit based on the first data packet from the terminal device and the service type; the step of mapping different types of data packets generated by the radio access network local service of the service type to corresponding quality of service streams according to the data packet detection rules includes: mapping the at least one second downlink data packet to corresponding quality of service streams according to the data packet detection rules and the types corresponding to the at least one second data packet. Based on this implementation, the service unit can generate at least one second data packet based on the first data packet from the terminal device and the service type of the radio access network local service requested by the terminal device; the centralized unit can map at least one second data packet to corresponding quality of service streams according to the data packet detection rules and the types corresponding to the at least one second data packet; therefore, the RAN can be equipped with data packet filtering function, thereby improving the data packet transmission performance.

[0011] In conjunction with the first aspect, some implementations of the first aspect further include: sending the third information to the service unit, wherein the access network device includes the service unit. Based on this optional implementation, the service unit can map the data packets processed by the service unit to the corresponding quality of service stream according to the data packet detection rules indicated by the third information, and transmit them to the terminal device through the corresponding DRB or GTP-U tunnel; therefore, the RAN can be equipped with data packet filtering function, thereby improving the data packet transmission performance.

[0012] In conjunction with the first aspect, some implementations of the first aspect further include: determining, based on the first information and the service types supported by the access network device, that the access network device supports providing the terminal device with a local radio access network service of the service type described above. Wherein, the service type of the local radio access network service requested by the terminal device matches the service type supported by the access network device.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first information includes at least one of the identifier of the network slice requested by the terminal device or the name of the data network.

[0014] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the transport network layer information includes a fully qualified tunnel endpoint identifier.

[0015] Secondly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a service unit or a chip or chip system within the service unit. The method includes: receiving third information, the third information indicating a data packet detection rule; and mapping different types of data packets generated by a local radio access network service of a service type requested by a terminal device to corresponding quality of service streams according to the data packet detection rule, wherein the service type includes at least one of sensing, positioning, artificial intelligence prediction, or artificial intelligence computation.

[0016] The method provided in the second aspect is the service unit-side method corresponding to the first aspect, and its beneficial effects can be referred to the first aspect.

[0017] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, receiving the third information includes: receiving the third information from a centralized unit, wherein the access network device currently accessed by the terminal device includes the centralized unit. Based on this optional implementation, the service unit can map the data packets processed by the service unit to the corresponding quality of service stream according to the data packet detection rules indicated by the third information, and transmit them to the terminal device through the corresponding DRB or GTP-U tunnel. This enables the RAN to have data packet filtering capabilities, thereby improving data packet transmission performance.

[0018] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, receiving the third information includes: receiving the third information from the session management function.

[0019] In conjunction with the second aspect, some implementations of the second aspect further include: sending fourth information to the session management function, the fourth information indicating the transport network layer information of the user plane tunnel, the transport network layer information being used to establish a data plane tunnel with the centralized unit in the access network device, the access network device being the access network device currently accessed by the terminal device.

[0020] In conjunction with the second aspect, some implementations of the second aspect further include: generating at least one second data packet based on the first data packet from the terminal device and the service type; the step of mapping different types of data packets generated by the radio access network local service of the service type requested by the terminal device to the corresponding quality of service streams according to the data packet detection rules includes: mapping the at least one second data packet to the corresponding quality of service stream according to the data packet detection rules and the types corresponding to the at least one second data packet.

[0021] Thirdly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a session management function or a chip or chip system within the session management function. The method includes: receiving second information, the second information instructing an access network device to provide a terminal device with a radio access network local service of a service type requested by the terminal device, the service type including at least one of sensing, positioning, artificial intelligence prediction, or artificial intelligence calculation, the access network device being the access network device currently accessed by the terminal device; and sending third information, the third information instructing a data packet detection rule, the data packet detection rule being obtained based on the second information.

[0022] The method provided in the third aspect is the same as the method on the session management function side corresponding to the first aspect, and its beneficial effects can be seen in the first aspect.

[0023] In conjunction with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, sending the third information includes: sending the third information to a centralized unit, wherein the access network device includes the centralized unit.

[0024] In conjunction with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, sending the third information includes: sending the third information to the service unit.

[0025] In conjunction with the third aspect, some implementations of the third aspect further include: receiving fourth information from the service unit, the fourth information indicating the transport network layer information of the user plane tunnel of the service unit, the transport network layer information being used by the centralized unit in the access network device to establish a data plane tunnel with the service unit; and sending the fourth information to the centralized unit.

[0026] In conjunction with the third aspect, some implementations of the third aspect also include: determining the service unit.

[0027] In conjunction with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, determining the service unit includes: determining the service unit based on the service type requested by the terminal device, wherein the service unit supports providing local radio access network services of the service type.

[0028] In conjunction with the third aspect, some implementations of the third aspect further include: sending fifth information based on the second information, the fifth information being used to request the acquisition of the data packet detection rule; and receiving the sixth information, the sixth information indicating the data packet detection rule.

[0029] Fourthly, a communication device is provided that can be applied in the centralized unit described in the first aspect. The communication device includes: a transceiver module for receiving first information from a terminal device, the first information indicating the service type of a local service of a wireless access network requested by the terminal device, the service type including at least one of sensing, positioning, artificial intelligence prediction, or artificial intelligence calculation.

[0030] The transceiver module is further configured to send second information to the session management function, the second information instructing the access network device to provide the terminal device with the local wireless access network service of the service type, wherein the access network device is the access network device currently accessed by the terminal device;

[0031] The transceiver module is further configured to receive third information and / or fourth information from the session management function, wherein the third information indicates a packet detection rule for the access network device, the packet detection rule is obtained by the session management function based on the second information, and the fourth information indicates the transport network layer information of the user plane tunnel of the service unit, the transport network layer information being used to establish a data plane tunnel with the service unit.

[0032] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the local service of the wireless access network includes a closed loop of data path between the terminal device and the access network device, whereby data packets do not need to be transmitted to the server via user plane functions.

[0033] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the communication device further includes: a processing module, configured to map different types of data packets generated by the local service of the wireless access network of the service type to the corresponding quality of service streams according to the data packet detection rules.

[0034] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the transceiver module is further configured to receive at least one second data packet from the service unit, the at least one second data packet being generated by the service unit based on the first data packet from the terminal device and the service type; the processing module is specifically configured to map the at least one second downlink data packet to the corresponding quality of service stream according to the data packet detection rules and the types corresponding to the at least one second data packet.

[0035] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the transceiver module is further configured to send the third information to the service unit, wherein the access network device includes the service unit.

[0036] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the processing module is further configured to determine, based on the first information and the service type supported by the access network device, that the access network device supports providing the wireless access network local service of the service type to the terminal device.

[0037] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the first information includes at least one of the identifier of the network slice requested by the terminal device or the name of the data network.

[0038] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the transport network layer information includes a fully qualified tunnel endpoint identifier.

[0039] Fifthly, a communication device is provided that can be applied to the service unit described in the second aspect. The communication device includes: a transceiver module for receiving third information, the third information indicating data packet detection rules; and a processing module for mapping different types of data packets generated by a local wireless access network service of a service type requested by a terminal device to corresponding quality of service streams according to the data packet detection rules. The service type includes at least one of sensing, positioning, artificial intelligence prediction, or artificial intelligence calculation.

[0040] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the transceiver module is specifically used to receive the third information from the centralized unit, wherein the access network device currently accessed by the terminal device includes the centralized unit.

[0041] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the transceiver module is specifically used to receive the third information from the session management function.

[0042] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the transceiver module is further configured to send fourth information to the session management function, the fourth information indicating the transport network layer information of the user plane tunnel, the transport network layer information being used to establish a data plane tunnel with the centralized unit in the access network device, the access network device being the access network device currently accessed by the terminal device.

[0043] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the processing module is further configured to generate at least one second data packet based on the first data packet from the terminal device and the service type;

[0044] The processing module is specifically used to map the at least one second data packet to the corresponding quality of service stream according to the data packet detection rules and the types corresponding to the at least one second data packet.

[0045] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided that can be applied to the session management function described in the third aspect. The communication device includes: a transceiver module for receiving second information, the second information instructing an access network device to provide a terminal device with a wireless access network local service of the type of service requested by the terminal device, the type of service including at least one of sensing, positioning, artificial intelligence prediction, or artificial intelligence calculation, and the access network device being the access network device currently accessed by the terminal device.

[0046] The transceiver module is further configured to send third information, the third information indicating a data packet detection rule, the data packet detection rule being obtained based on the second information.

[0047] In conjunction with the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the transceiver module is specifically used to send the third information to the centralized unit, wherein the access network device includes the centralized unit.

[0048] In conjunction with the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the transceiver module is specifically used to send the third information to the service unit.

[0049] In conjunction with the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the transceiver module is further configured to receive fourth information from the service unit, the fourth information indicating the transport network layer information of the user plane tunnel of the service unit, the transport network layer information being used by the centralized unit in the access network device to establish a data plane tunnel with the service unit;

[0050] The transceiver module is also used to send the fourth information to the centralized unit.

[0051] In conjunction with the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the communication device further includes: a processing module for determining the service unit.

[0052] In conjunction with the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the processing module is specifically used to determine the service unit based on the service type requested by the terminal device, wherein the service unit supports providing local wireless access network services of the service type.

[0053] In conjunction with the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the transceiver module is further configured to send fifth information based on the second information, wherein the fifth information is used to request the acquisition of the data packet detection rules;

[0054] The transceiver module is also used to receive the sixth information, which indicates the data packet detection rules.

[0055] A seventh aspect provides a communication device comprising: a processor configured to implement the method as described in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof. Optionally, the communication device further comprises an interface circuit configured to receive signals from other communication devices and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices.

[0056] Eighthly, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor configured to implement the method as described in the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof. Optionally, the communication device further comprises an interface circuit configured to receive signals from other communication devices and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices.

[0057] A ninth aspect provides a communication device comprising: a processor configured to implement the method as described in the third aspect or any possible implementation thereof. Optionally, the communication device further comprises an interface circuit configured to receive signals from other communication devices and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices.

[0058] In a tenth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising a centralized unit for performing the method as described in the first aspect, a service unit for performing the method as described in the second aspect, and a session management function for performing the method as described in the third aspect.

[0059] Eleventhly, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, the computer-readable medium storing a computer program; when the computer program is run by a processor, the methods of the first to third aspects and any possible implementation thereof are executed.

[0060] In a twelfth aspect, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product comprising a computer program that, when executed, causes the methods of the first to third aspects and any possible implementation thereof to be performed.

[0061] The solutions provided in aspects four through twelfth above are used to implement or cooperate with the methods provided in aspect one, aspect two, or aspect three above, and therefore can achieve the same or corresponding beneficial effects as aspect one, aspect two, or aspect three, which will not be elaborated here. Attached Figure Description

[0062] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system applicable to the embodiments of this application;

[0063] Figure 2 is an example diagram of an open radio access network (open RAN, O-RAN, or ORAN) system;

[0064] Figures 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B are schematic diagrams of the RAN functional architecture based on SU;

[0065] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the principle of classifying data packets and mapping them to QoS flows;

[0066] Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0067] Figures 7A and 7B are schematic diagrams of the RAN functional architecture applicable to the communication method provided in Figure 6;

[0068] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the user plane protocol stack applicable to the communication method provided in Figure 6;

[0069] Figure 9 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0070] Figures 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams of the RAN functional architecture applicable to the communication method provided in Figure 9;

[0071] Figure 11 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0072] Figures 12 to 14 are schematic block diagrams of another communication device according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0073] The technical solution provided in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0074] The embodiments of this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as wireless local area network (WLAN) systems, narrowband internet of things (NB-IoT) systems, global system for mobile communications (GSM) systems, enhanced data rate for GSM evolution (EDGE) systems, wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) systems, code division multiple access 2000 (CDMA2000) systems, time division-synchronization code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA) systems, long term evolution (LTE) systems, satellite communication systems, 5th generation (5G) systems, or future communication network systems, etc.

[0075] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system applicable to the embodiments of this application. The communication system includes RAN 100 and core network (CN) 200. RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (110a and 110b in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 110) and at least one terminal device (120a-120j in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 120). RAN may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices (not shown in Figure 1). Terminal device 120 is wirelessly connected to RAN node 110. RAN node 110 is wirelessly or wired connected to core network 200. The core network device in core network 200 and RAN node 110 in RAN 100 can be different physical devices, or they can be the same physical device integrating core network logical functions and wireless access network logical functions.

[0076] RAN 100 can be a cellular system related to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as 4G, 5G mobile communication systems, non-terrestrial network (NTN) systems, or future communication network systems. RAN 100 can also be O-RAN, cloud radio access network (CRAN), or wireless fidelity (WiFi) systems, or a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems.

[0077] The terminal device 120 involved in this application embodiment can also be referred to as a terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. Terminal devices can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, etc. Terminal devices can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, drones, helicopters, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, etc.

[0078] The RAN node 110 involved in this embodiment can also be called an access network device, RAN entity, or access node, etc., and constitutes part of the communication system to help terminal devices achieve wireless access. Multiple RAN nodes 110 in the communication system 1000 can be nodes of the same type or different types. In some scenarios, the roles of RAN node 110 and terminal device 120 are relative. For example, network element 120i in Figure 1 can be a helicopter or drone, which can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminal devices 120j that access RAN 100 through network element 120i, network element 120i is a base station; but for base station 110a, network element 120i is a terminal. RAN node 110 and terminal device 120 are sometimes referred to as communication devices. For example, network elements 110a and 110b in Figure 1 can be understood as communication devices with base station functions, and network elements 120a-120j can be understood as communication devices with terminal functions.

[0079] In one possible scenario, a RAN node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB), or a base station in a future communication network system. A RAN node can be a macro base station (as shown in Figure 1, 110a), a micro base station or indoor station (as shown in Figure 1, 110b), a relay node or donor node, or a radio controller in a CRAN scenario. Optionally, a RAN node can also be a server, wearable device, vehicle, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, the access network equipment in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can be a roadside unit (RSU).

[0080] In another possible scenario, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist terminal devices in achieving wireless access, with different RAN nodes implementing some of the base station's functions. For example, RAN nodes can be CUs, DUs, CUs (control plane, CP), CUs (user plane, UP), or radio units (RUs). CUs and DUs can be set up separately or included in the same network element, such as the baseband unit (BBU). CU and DU nodes separate the gNB's protocol layers; some protocol layer functions are centrally controlled by the CU, while the remaining partial or complete protocol layer functions are distributed in the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU. As one implementation, the CU deploys the RRC layer, Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, and Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer from the protocol stack; the DU deploys the radio link control (RLC) layer, media access control (MAC) layer, and physical layer (PHY) from the protocol stack. Therefore, the CU has RRC, PDCP, and SDAP processing capabilities. The DU has RLC, MAC, and PHY processing capabilities. It is understood that the above functional division is merely an example and does not constitute a limitation on the CU and DU. The RU can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as in a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0081] 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 O-RAN 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.

[0082] The core network equipment involved in this application refers to equipment in the core network (CN) that provides service support for terminal equipment. Examples of some core network equipment include: access and mobility management function (AMF) entities, session management function (SMF) entities, user plane function (UPF) entities, etc., which will not be listed here.

[0083] The AMF entity is responsible for access management and mobility management of terminal devices, including mobility management, connection management, transparent proxy, and access authentication and authorization. The SMF entity is responsible for session management, selection and control of the UPF, configuration of traffic control on the UPF, routing traffic to the correct destination, policy enforcement, and QoS-related control. The UPF entity is the user plane functional entity, responsible for handling the user plane path of Protocol Data Unit (PDU) sessions. It should be noted that in this application, entities can also be referred to as network elements or functional entities. For example, an AMF entity can also be called an AMF network element or an AMF functional entity, and similarly, an SMF entity can also be called an SMF network element or an SMF functional entity.

[0084] Figure 2 is an example diagram of an O-RAN system. An O-RAN system may include components other than those shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 2, access network devices (e.g., eNB, gNB, or next-generation access network devices) communicate with the core network (CN) via a backhaul link and with terminal devices via an air interface.

[0085] Specifically, the baseband unit (BBU) in the access network equipment communicates with the core network via a backhaul link, and the radio unit (RU) in the access network equipment communicates with at least one terminal device via an air interface. The BBU communicates with at least one RU via a fronthaul link. The BBU and RU may or may not be co-located.

[0086] The BBU includes at least one CU and at least one DU, which can communicate via at least one midhaul link.

[0087] There is an interface between the DU and RU. Depending on the functions of the DU and RU, and / or the different switching methods, the interface between the DU and RU can be a common public radio interface (CPRI) or an enhanced common public radio interface (eCPRI).

[0088] There is an interface between the CU and the RAN intelligent controller (RIC), which can be an E2 interface. New service functions beyond communication can be implemented by the RIC, while the CU and DU implement traditional communication functions.

[0089] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, some terms and concepts involved in the embodiments of this application will be explained below.

[0090] 1. PDU Session: A logical connection between a terminal device and a data network (DN), used to provide the terminal device with a user plane connection to the DN.

[0091] 2. SU: SU is a logical unit on the RAN side, which can be a logical unit similar to CU / DU. In this application, SU is responsible for new functions other than communication, including sensing, localization, artificial intelligence (AI) prediction, and AI computing. The sensing function includes at least generating sensing point cloud information, and can also provide sensing object information; the localization function includes calculating the location information of the terminal device, for example, accurate to latitude, longitude, and altitude; the AI ​​prediction function is used to assist in improving communication performance; and the AI ​​computing function can help the terminal device or network complete AI computing tasks.

[0092] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the technical solutions related to the embodiments of this application will be briefly introduced below.

[0093] To support next-generation RAN evolution architectures, the RAN side will integrate more new service functions beyond communication, such as sensing, localization, AI prediction, or AI computing. These new functions are typically based on general-purpose hardware designs, exhibiting heterogeneity from the dedicated hardware architectures upon which traditional communication is based. To meet the needs of rapid deployment and independent evolution of these new service functions on the existing highly integrated proprietary RAN architecture, a new RAN functional architecture based on Subsystems (SUs) has been introduced. New service functions are integrated through SUs, while CUs and DUs maintain their existing communication functions. SUs and CUs communicate via Si interfaces. SUs can function as functional network elements within a base station or as independent functional network elements outside the base station. When an SU functions as an independent functional network element outside the base station, one SU can connect to one or more CUs. It should be noted that new service functions beyond communication can be implemented by RICs; SUs may also have different names in different systems, but their meanings will be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0094] Taking RAN4AI as an example, its concept is to provide AI / computing resources or AI / computing services locally from the RAN to terminal devices or third parties. Furthermore, depending on the interface type between the SU / CU and CN, the SU-based RAN functional architecture can include various types, as shown in Figures 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B. The network exposure function (NEF) connects to the CN bus and is also connected to the server; the UPF connects the CU, SMF, and server; the SMF connects to the CN bus; and the AMF connects to the CN bus.

[0095] In Figure 3A, the CU connects to the AMF point-to-point via the N2 interface. Interaction between the CU and CN-side network elements requires AMF relay. The SU connects to the CU only via the Si interface. In Figure 3B, the CU connects to the CN bus via a service-based interface (SBI). The CU can directly access each CN-side network element without AMF relay. The SU connects to the CU only via the Si interface. In the RAN functional architectures provided in Figures 3A and 3B, the SU may be invisible to the CN. The CN side can only see that the RAN side has certain new service capabilities, but is unaware of the specific functional integration methods. In these two architectures, the SU can function as a functional network element within the base station.

[0096] In Figure 4A, the CU connects to the AMF point-to-point via the N2 interface, and the SU is directly connected to the CN bus via the SBI interface. The SU can directly access each CN-side network element. In Figure 4B, the CU connects to the AMF point-to-point via the N2 interface, and the SU is directly connected to the AMF via the Ni interface. The interaction between the SU and CU and the CN-side network elements requires relaying through the AMF. In the RAN functional architectures provided in Figures 4A and 4B, the SU is visible to the CN, and the CN side is aware of the new service capabilities of the SU. In these two architectures, the SU can function as a functional network element within the base station or as an independent functional network element outside the base station.

[0097] Figure 5 illustrates the principle of classifying and mapping data packets to QoS flows. For downlink data packets, the UPF classifies the packets using a packet filter based on packet detection rules (PDR), maps them to the corresponding QoS flows, and transmits them to the terminal device using the corresponding air interface resources. For uplink data packets, the terminal device classifies the packets using a packet filter based on PDR, maps them to the corresponding QoS flows, and transmits them to the corresponding receiving end using the corresponding air interface resources. The PDR configuration information is sent by the SMF to the terminal device via a non-access stratum (NAS) message and then sent by the SMF to the UPF via the N4 interface.

[0098] Packet filters include Internet Protocol packet filters (IP packet filters) and Ethernet packet filters. IP packet filters are classified based on factors such as the sender / receiver IP address or port, and protocol type information. Ethernet packet filters are classified based on factors such as the sender / receiver's medium access control (MAC) address.

[0099] For RAN4AI service scenarios, uplink and downlink data packets from terminal devices need to undergo SU processing. The data packet types before and after SU processing may differ; for example, SU might generate images / videos from text. Different types of data packets have different QoS requirements. Therefore, the RAN side needs to have data packet filtering capabilities to map the SU-processed data packets to the corresponding QoS flows and transmit them to the corresponding receiving end through the corresponding DRB or GTP-U tunnel. However, in the current RAN architecture, the RAN only serves as a data transmission pipeline and does not have data packet filtering capabilities, making it unsuitable for future RAN4AI service scenarios.

[0100] Therefore, this application provides a communication method in which the CU or SU in the access network device can map different types of data packets processed by the SU to the corresponding quality of service streams according to the data packet detection rules and transmit them to the terminal device. This enables the RAN to have a data packet filtering function, thereby improving the data packet transmission performance.

[0101] Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 600 provided in an embodiment of this application. Unless otherwise specified, the term "centralized unit" in this application can refer to the centralized unit itself, a component within the centralized unit (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the centralized unit's functions. The term "service unit" in this application can refer to the service unit itself, a component within the service unit (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the service unit's functions. The term "session management function" in this application can refer to the session management function itself, a component within the session management function (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the session management function. The term "terminal device" in this application can refer to the terminal device itself, a component within the terminal device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal device's functions.

[0102] Figures 7A and 7B are schematic diagrams of the RAN functional architecture applicable to the communication method provided in Figure 6. The difference between the RAN functional architectures in Figures 7A and 7B lies in the interface type and connection relationship between the CU and CN. In Figure 7A, the CU connects to the AMF point-to-point via the N2 interface, and the interaction between the CU and CN-side network elements requires AMF relay. In Figure 7B, the CU connects to the CN bus via the SBI, and the CU can directly access each CN-side network element without needing to go through the AMF relay. In summary, in the RAN functional architectures provided in Figures 7A and 7B, all control signaling between the SU and CN needs to be forwarded through the CU. In this embodiment, the service unit can be used as a functional network element within the access network equipment (base station).

[0103] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the user plane protocol stack applicable to the communication method provided in Figure 6. A Uu interface is established between the terminal device and the CU in the access network device. The peer protocol layers include the Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer, the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, the Media Access Control (MAC) layer, and the Physical Layer (PHY). The CU and SU in the access network device are connected via a wired connection. The peer protocol layers include the GTP-U layer, the User Datagram Protocol (UDP), the Internet Protocol (IP) layer, Layer 2 (L2), and Layer 1 (L1). Additionally, a peer application (APP) layer, the User Datagram Protocol (UDP) / Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) layer, and the IP layer are established between the terminal device and the SU.

[0104] The specific implementation process of the communication method shown in Figure 6 is as follows.

[0105] S610, the terminal device sends first information to the centralized unit in the access network device. The first information indicates the service type of the local radio access network service requested by the terminal device. The service type includes at least one of sensing, positioning, artificial intelligence prediction, or artificial intelligence calculation. The access network device is the access network device currently accessed by the terminal device. Correspondingly, the centralized unit receives the first information from the terminal device.

[0106] For example, a local service provided by the radio access network includes a closed-loop data path between the terminal device and the access network device, eliminating the need for data packets to be transmitted to the server via user plane functions. Specifically, data packets generated by a local service of the type of service requested by the terminal device do not need to be transmitted to the server via user plane functions. Providing local services by the radio access network can reduce service response latency and achieve local closed-loop management of service-generated data packets, thereby protecting data packet security and privacy.

[0107] Optionally, the first information includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the network slice requested by the terminal device, or the data network name (DNN).

[0108] S620, the centralized unit sends a second message to the session management function, which instructs the access network device to provide the terminal device with the radio access network local service of the type of service requested by the terminal device. Correspondingly, the session management function receives the second message from the centralized unit.

[0109] Optionally, in step S621, before the centralized unit sends the second information to the session management function, the centralized unit determines, based on the first information and the service types supported by the access network device, that the access network device supports providing the radio access network local service of the service type requested by the terminal device. The service type of the radio access network local service requested by the terminal device matches the service types supported by the access network device. In other words, the centralized unit determines that the access network device supports providing the radio access network local service of the service type requested by the terminal device based on the service type of the radio access network local service requested by the terminal device and the service types supported by the access network device.

[0110] For example, the centralized unit determines that the access network device supports providing the local radio access network service of the requested service type to the terminal device based on the service type of the local radio access network service requested by the terminal device, the current location of the terminal device (e.g., the identifier of the cell currently accessed by the terminal device), and the service types supported by the cell currently accessed by the terminal device.

[0111] It should be noted that if the service type of the local radio access network service requested by the terminal device does not match the service type supported by the access network device, the access network device will not support providing the local radio access network service of the service type requested by the terminal device, and the centralized unit will reject the service request from the terminal device.

[0112] Optionally, when the centralized unit is connected to the AMF via the N2 interface (as shown in Figure 7A), the AMF can also determine, based on the first information and the service types supported by the access network device, whether the access network device supports providing the local radio access network service of the service type requested by the terminal device. For example, the terminal device sends the first information to the AMF through the centralized unit, and correspondingly, the AMF receives the first information from the terminal device through the centralized unit; the AMF determines, based on the first information and the service types supported by the access network device, that the access network device supports providing the local radio access network service of the service type requested by the terminal device; the AMF sends the second information to the session management function, and correspondingly, the session management function receives the second information from the AMF.

[0113] Optionally, when the centralized unit is connected to the CN bus via a service-oriented interface (as shown in Figure 7B), the session management function can also determine, based on the first information and the service types supported by the access network device, whether the access network device supports providing the radio access network local service of the service type requested by the terminal device. This application does not impose specific limitations on this.

[0114] S630, the session management function sends third information to the centralized unit. This third information indicates packet detection rules for the access network device, which are obtained by the session management function based on the second information. Correspondingly, the centralized unit receives the third information from the session management function. Taking IP packets as an example, the source IP in the packet detection rules is the IP of the terminal device, and the destination IP is the IP of the serving unit / centralized unit; or, the source IP in the packet detection rules is the IP of the serving unit / centralized unit, and the destination IP is the IP of the terminal device.

[0115] In the technical solution provided in this application embodiment, the session management function sends third information indicating the data packet detection rules to the centralized unit in the access network device currently accessed by the terminal device. Since different types of data packets have different QoS requirements, data packets with different QoS requirements need to be transmitted using different quality of service flows. The data packet detection rules can indicate the quality of service flows corresponding to different types of data packets. Therefore, the centralized unit can map different types of data packets processed by the service unit to the corresponding quality of service flows according to the data packet detection rules, which can enable the RAN to have a data packet filtering function, thereby improving the data packet transmission performance.

[0116] Optionally, the third information may also indicate Quality of Service (QoS) flow list information. Specifically, the third information indicates packet inspection rules and QoS flow list information.

[0117] For example, when the centralized unit is connected to the AMF via the N2 interface (as shown in Figure 7A), the centralized unit sends second information to the session management function via the AMF; correspondingly, the session management function receives the second information from the centralized unit via the AMF. The session management function sends third information to the centralized unit via the AMF, and correspondingly, the centralized unit receives the third information from the session management function via the AMF.

[0118] For example, when the centralized unit is connected to the CN bus via a service interface (as shown in Figure 7B), the centralized unit directly sends the second information to the session management function via the service interface; correspondingly, the session management function receives the second information from the centralized unit via the service interface. The session management function sends the third information to the centralized unit via the service interface, and correspondingly, the centralized unit receives the third information from the session management function via the service interface.

[0119] For example, the first information is carried in the first PDU session establishment request message, the second information is carried in the PDU session creation session context request message, and the third information is carried in the PDU session creation session context response message. After receiving the third information, the centralized unit establishes a local service session for the radio access network with the service unit and the terminal device.

[0120] Optionally, the session management function sends the third information to the terminal device via NAS messages through the AMF. For example, the session management function sends the third information to the AMF, and the AMF receives the third information from the session management function; the AMF sends the third information to the terminal device via NAS messages, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the third information from the AMF.

[0121] Optionally, in step S631, before the session management function sends the third information to the centralized unit, the session management function obtains the packet detection rules for the access network device based on the second information.

[0122] For example, the session management function sends a fifth message to the unified data management (UDM) based on the second message, the fifth message being used to request the packet detection rules; the session management function receives a sixth message from the UDM, the sixth message indicating the packet detection rules.

[0123] For example, the session management function sends a fifth message to the unified data repository (UDR) function based on the second message, the fifth message being used to request the packet detection rules; the session management function receives a sixth message from the unified data repository function, the sixth message indicating the packet detection rules.

[0124] Optionally, after receiving the third information from the session management function, if the centralized unit has packet filtering capabilities, it maps different types of data packets generated by the local radio access network service (RAN) for the service type requested by the terminal device to the corresponding Quality of Service (QoS) streams according to the packet detection rules indicated by the third information. Taking IP packets as an example, the source IP in the packet detection rules is the IP of the centralized unit, and the destination IP is the IP of the terminal device. Based on this optional implementation, the centralized unit can map the data packets processed by the service unit to the corresponding QoS streams according to the packet detection rules and transmit them to the terminal device through the corresponding DRB or GTP-U tunnel. This enables the RAN to have packet filtering capabilities, thereby improving data packet transmission performance.

[0125] For example, the terminal device sends a first data packet (uplink data packet) to the service unit, and the service unit receives the first data packet from the terminal device; the service unit generates at least one second data packet according to the first data packet and the service type of the local radio access network service requested by the terminal device; the service unit sends the at least one second data packet to the centralized unit, the centralized unit receives the at least one second data packet from the service unit, and maps the at least one second downlink data packet to the corresponding quality of service stream according to the data packet detection rules and the types corresponding to the at least one second data packet.

[0126] Optionally, in step S632, when the centralized unit lacks packet filtering functionality but the service unit does, the centralized unit sends third information indicating packet detection rules to the service unit. The access network equipment includes both the centralized unit and the service unit. Correspondingly, the service unit receives the third information from the centralized unit. It should be noted that packet filtering can be performed by either the centralized unit or the service unit; at least one type of service requested by the terminal device—sensing, positioning, AI prediction, or AI calculation—is performed by the service unit. Based on this optional implementation, the service unit can map the processed packets to the corresponding quality of service stream according to the packet detection rules and transmit them to the terminal device through the corresponding DRB or GTP-U tunnel. This enables the RAN to have packet filtering functionality, thereby improving packet transmission performance.

[0127] Optionally, the service unit maps different types of data packets generated by the local radio access network service requesting the service type from the terminal device to the corresponding quality of service stream, according to the packet inspection rules. Taking IP packets as an example, the source IP in the packet inspection rules is the service unit's IP, and the destination IP is the terminal device's IP.

[0128] For example, the terminal device sends a first data packet (uplink data packet) to the service unit, and the service unit receives the first data packet from the terminal device; the service unit generates at least one second data packet according to the first data packet and the service type of the local radio access network service requested by the terminal device; the service unit maps at least one second downlink data packet to the corresponding quality of service stream according to the data packet detection rules and the types corresponding to the at least one second data packet.

[0129] Figure 9 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method 900 provided in an embodiment of this application. Unless otherwise specified, the term "centralized unit" in this application can refer to the centralized unit itself, a component within the centralized unit (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the centralized unit. The term "service unit" in this application can refer to the service unit itself, a component within the service unit (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the service unit. The term "session management function" in this application can refer to the session management function itself, a component within the session management function (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the session management function. The term "terminal device" in this application can refer to the terminal device itself, a component within the terminal device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the terminal device.

[0130] Figures 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams of the RAN functional architecture applicable to the communication method provided in Figure 9. The difference between the RAN functional architectures in Figures 10A and 10B lies in the interface type and connection relationship between the CU and CN. In Figure 10A, the SU is directly connected to the CN bus via the SBI, and the CU is point-to-point connected to the AMF via the N2 interface. The interaction between the CU and the CN-side network elements requires AMF relay. In Figure 10B, the SU is directly connected to the AMF via the Ni interface, and the CU is point-to-point connected to the AMF via the N2 interface. The interaction between the SU and CU and the CN-side network elements requires AMF relay. In summary, in the RAN functional architectures provided in Figures 10A and 10B, the interaction between the SU and CN does not need to be forwarded through the CU. A schematic diagram of the user plane protocol stack applicable to the communication method provided in Figure 9 is shown in Figure 8. In this embodiment, the service unit can be a functional network element inside the access network device (base station) or an independent functional network element outside the access network device (base station).

[0131] The specific implementation process of the communication method shown in Figure 9 is as follows.

[0132] S910, step S610 in the communication method shown in Figure 6, will not be described in detail here.

[0133] S920, the centralized unit sends a second message to the session management function, the second message instructing the access network device to provide the terminal device with a radio access network local service of the type of service requested by the terminal device; correspondingly, the session management function receives the second message from the centralized unit. Specifically, the centralized unit sends the second message to the session management function through the AMF; correspondingly, the session management function receives the second message from the centralized unit through the AMF.

[0134] Optionally, in S921, before the centralized unit sends the second information to the session management function, the centralized unit determines, based on the first information and the service types supported by the access network device, that the access network device supports providing the radio access network local service of the service type requested by the terminal device. The service type of the radio access network local service requested by the terminal device matches the service types supported by the access network device. In other words, the centralized unit determines that the access network device supports providing the radio access network local service of the service type requested by the terminal device based on the service type of the radio access network local service requested by the terminal device and the service types supported by the access network device.

[0135] For example, the centralized unit determines that the access network device supports providing the local radio access network service of the requested service type to the terminal device based on the service type of the local radio access network service requested by the terminal device, the current location of the terminal device (e.g., the identifier of the cell currently accessed by the terminal device), and the service types supported by the cell currently accessed by the terminal device.

[0136] Optionally, the AMF can determine, based on the first information and the service types supported by the access network device, that the access network device supports providing the radio access network local service of the service type requested by the terminal device. For example, the terminal device sends the first information to the AMF through a centralized unit, and correspondingly, the AMF receives the first information from the terminal device through a centralized unit; the AMF determines, based on the first information and the service types supported by the access network device, that the access network device supports providing the radio access network local service of the service type requested by the terminal device; the AMF sends the second information to the session management function, and correspondingly, the session management function receives the second information from the AMF.

[0137] It should be noted that if the service type of the local radio access network service requested by the terminal device does not match the service type supported by the access network device, the access network device does not support providing the local radio access network service of the service type requested by the terminal device, and the centralized unit (or AMF) rejects the service request of the terminal device.

[0138] S930, the session management function sends third information to the service unit. This third information indicates a packet detection rule, which is obtained by the session management function based on the second information. For example, if the service unit has a packet filtering function, the third information is sent to the service unit. Correspondingly, the service unit receives the third information from the session management function.

[0139] Optionally, the third information may also indicate Quality of Service (QoS) flow list information. Specifically, the third information indicates packet inspection rules and QoS flow list information.

[0140] For example, when the service unit is directly connected to the CN bus through the service interface (as shown in Figure 10A), the session management function sends third information directly to the service unit through the service interface, and correspondingly, the service unit receives the third information from the session management function through the service interface.

[0141] For example, when the service unit is directly connected to the AMF via the Ni interface (as shown in Figure 10B), the session management function sends third information to the service unit through the AMF, and correspondingly, the service unit receives the third information from the session management function through the AMF.

[0142] Optionally, the session management function sends the third information to the terminal device via NAS messages through the AMF. For example, the session management function sends the third information to the AMF, and the AMF receives the third information from the session management function; the AMF sends the third information to the terminal device via NAS messages, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the third information from the AMF.

[0143] Optionally, in S931, the session management function determines the service unit before sending the third information to the service unit.

[0144] For example, the session management function determines a service unit based on the service type requested by the terminal device, and the service unit supports providing the local radio access network service of the service type requested by the terminal device. For instance, the session management function determines / selects a suitable service unit based on the DNN included in the first information.

[0145] Optionally, in step S932, before the session management function sends the third information to the service unit, the session management function obtains the packet detection rules based on the second information. Taking IP packets as an example, the source IP in the packet detection rules is the IP of the terminal device, and the destination IP is the IP of the service unit; or, the source IP is the IP of the service unit, and the destination IP is the IP of the terminal device.

[0146] For example, the session management function sends a fifth message to the UDM based on the second message, the fifth message being used to request the packet detection rules; the session management function receives a sixth message from the UDM, the sixth message indicating the packet detection rules.

[0147] For example, the session management function sends a fifth message to the UDR based on the second message, the fifth message being used to request the packet detection rules; the session management function receives a sixth message from the unified data warehouse function, the sixth message indicating the packet detection rules.

[0148] S940, the serving unit sends a fourth message to the session management function. This fourth message indicates the transport network layer information of the serving unit's user plane tunnel. This transport network layer information is used by the centralized unit in the access network device to establish a data plane tunnel with the serving unit. This data plane tunnel is used to transmit data that needs to be transmitted between the serving unit and the centralized unit. Correspondingly, the session management function receives the fourth message from the serving unit.

[0149] For example, the third information sent by the session management function to the service unit is carried in the second PDU session establishment request message, and the fourth information sent by the service unit to the session management function is carried in the second PDU session establishment response message. For example, when the service unit does not have a packet filtering function, the session management function sends a second PDU session establishment request message to the service unit. This second PDU session establishment request message does not carry the third information, and the second PDU session establishment response message carries the fourth information.

[0150] For example, the transport network layer information includes a fully qualified tunnel endpoint identifier (F-TEID).

[0151] S950, the session management function sends fourth information to the centralized unit; correspondingly, the centralized unit receives the fourth information from the session management function and establishes a data plane tunnel with the service unit based on the fourth information, thereby establishing a radio access network local service session between the centralized unit and the terminal device. For example, the centralized unit sends a tunnel establishment request message to the service unit based on the fourth information. This tunnel establishment request message carries the transport network layer information of the user plane tunnel of the centralized unit. Further, the service unit and the centralized unit establish a data plane tunnel. It should be noted that the service unit can store the transport network layer information of the user plane tunnels corresponding to multiple centralized units, respectively, for establishing a data plane tunnel with any one of the multiple centralized units, including the aforementioned centralized unit.

[0152] For example, the first information is carried in the first PDU session establishment request message, the second information is carried in the PDU session creation session context request message, and the fourth information sent by the session management function to the centralized unit is carried in the PDU session creation session context response message.

[0153] Optionally, if the service unit has a packet filtering function, after receiving the third information from the session management function, the service unit maps different types of data packets generated by the local service of the radio access network for the service type requested by the terminal device to the corresponding quality of service stream according to the packet detection rules indicated by the third information.

[0154] For example, the terminal device sends a first data packet (uplink data packet) to the service unit, and the service unit receives the first data packet from the terminal device; the service unit generates at least one second data packet according to the first data packet and the service type of the local radio access network service requested by the terminal device; the service unit maps at least one second downlink data packet to the corresponding quality of service stream according to the data packet detection rules and the types corresponding to the at least one second data packet.

[0155] In the technical solution provided in this application embodiment, the session management function sends fourth information to the centralized unit in the access network device currently accessed by the terminal device, and sends third information to the service unit corresponding to the access network device currently accessed by the terminal device. The centralized unit can establish a data plane tunnel with the service unit according to the transport network layer information of the user plane tunnel of the service unit indicated by the fourth information. The service unit can map the data packets processed by the service unit to the corresponding quality of service stream according to the data packet detection rules indicated by the third information, and transmit them to the terminal device through the centralized unit. Therefore, this application embodiment can enable the RAN to have a data packet filtering function, thereby improving the data packet transmission performance.

[0156] Optionally, when the serving unit lacks packet filtering functionality but the centralized unit does, the session management function sends third and fourth information to the centralized unit; correspondingly, the centralized unit receives the third and fourth information from the session management function. Taking IP packets as an example, the source IP in the packet detection rule is the IP of the terminal device, and the destination IP is the IP of the centralized unit; or, the source IP is the IP of the centralized unit, and the destination IP is the IP of the terminal device. Based on this optional implementation, the centralized unit can establish a data plane tunnel with the serving unit according to the transport network layer information of the user plane tunnel of the serving unit indicated by the fourth information, and can map the packets processed by the serving unit to the corresponding quality of service flow according to the packet detection rules indicated by the third information, and transmit them to the terminal device through the corresponding DRB or GTP-U tunnel; therefore, the RAN can be equipped with packet filtering functionality, thereby improving the packet transmission performance.

[0157] For example, the first information is carried in the first PDU session establishment request message, the second information is carried in the PDU session creation session context request message, and the third and fourth information sent by the session management function to the centralized unit are carried in the PDU session creation session context response message.

[0158] Optionally, the centralized unit establishes a data plane tunnel with the service unit based on the fourth information. Optionally, the centralized unit maps different types of data packets generated by the local radio access network service requested by the terminal device to the corresponding quality of service stream according to the data packet detection rules indicated by the third information. It should be noted that data packet filtering can be performed by either the centralized unit or the service unit; at least one type of service requested by the terminal device, including sensing, positioning, artificial intelligence prediction, or artificial intelligence calculation, is performed by the service unit.

[0159] For example, the terminal device sends a first data packet (uplink data packet) to the service unit, and the service unit receives the first data packet from the terminal device; the service unit generates at least one second data packet according to the first data packet and the service type of the local radio access network service requested by the terminal device; the service unit sends the at least one second data packet to the centralized unit, the centralized unit receives the at least one second data packet from the service unit, and maps the at least one second downlink data packet to the corresponding quality of service stream according to the data packet detection rules and the types corresponding to the at least one second data packet.

[0160] The communication method provided in the embodiments of this application has been described above. The execution subject for performing the above communication method will be described below.

[0161] Figure 11 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 1100 according to an embodiment of this application. This device can be applied to a centralized unit in the method described in Figure 6 or Figure 9 of this application. The communication device 1100 includes:

[0162] Transceiver module 1110 is configured to receive first information from a terminal device, the first information indicating the service type of a local wireless access network service requested by the terminal device, the service type including at least one of sensing, positioning, artificial intelligence prediction, or artificial intelligence calculation.

[0163] The transceiver module 1110 is further configured to send second information to the session management function, the second information instructing the access network device to provide the terminal device with the wireless access network local service of the service type, wherein the access network device is the access network device currently accessed by the terminal device;

[0164] The transceiver module 1110 is further configured to receive third information and / or fourth information from the session management function, wherein the third information indicates a packet detection rule for the access network device, the packet detection rule is obtained by the session management function based on the second information, and the fourth information indicates the transport network layer information of the user plane tunnel of the service unit, the transport network layer information being used to establish a data plane tunnel with the service unit.

[0165] Optionally, the local service of the wireless access network includes a closed-loop data path between the terminal device and the access network device, whereby data packets do not need to be transmitted to the server via user plane functions.

[0166] Optionally, the communication device 1100 further includes a processing module 1120, configured to map different types of data packets generated by the local service of the wireless access network of the service type to the corresponding quality of service streams according to the data packet detection rules.

[0167] Optionally, the transceiver module 1110 is further configured to receive at least one second data packet from the service unit, the at least one second data packet being generated by the service unit based on the first data packet from the terminal device and the service type;

[0168] The processing module 1120 is specifically used to map the at least one second downlink data packet to the corresponding quality of service stream according to the data packet detection rules and the types corresponding to the at least one second data packet.

[0169] Optionally, the transceiver module 1110 is further configured to send the third information to the service unit, wherein the access network device includes the service unit.

[0170] Optionally, the processing module 1120 is further configured to determine, based on the first information and the service type supported by the access network device, that the access network device supports providing the wireless access network local service of the service type to the terminal device.

[0171] Optionally, the first information includes at least one of the identifier of the network slice requested by the terminal device or the name of the data network.

[0172] Optionally, the transport network layer information includes a fully qualified tunnel endpoint identifier.

[0173] Figure 12 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 1200 according to an embodiment of this application. This device can be applied to the service unit of the method described in Figure 6 or Figure 9 in the embodiments of this application. The communication device 1200 includes:

[0174] The transceiver module 1210 is used to receive third information, wherein the third information indicates data packet detection rules;

[0175] The processing module 1220 is configured to map different types of data packets generated by the local wireless access network service of the service type requested by the terminal device to the corresponding quality of service stream according to the data packet detection rules. The service type includes at least one of sensing, positioning, artificial intelligence prediction, or artificial intelligence calculation.

[0176] Optionally, the transceiver module 1210 is specifically used to receive the third information from the centralized unit, wherein the access network device currently accessed by the terminal device includes the centralized unit.

[0177] Optionally, the transceiver module 1210 is specifically used to receive the third information from the session management function.

[0178] Optionally, the transceiver module 1210 is further configured to send fourth information to the session management function, the fourth information indicating the transport network layer information of the user plane tunnel, the transport network layer information being used to establish a data plane tunnel with the centralized unit in the access network device, the access network device being the access network device currently accessed by the terminal device.

[0179] Optionally, the processing module 1220 is further configured to generate at least one second data packet based on the first data packet from the terminal device and the service type;

[0180] The processing module 1220 is specifically used to map the at least one second data packet to the corresponding quality of service stream according to the data packet detection rules and the types corresponding to the at least one second data packet.

[0181] Figure 13 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 1300 according to an embodiment of this application. This device can be applied to the session management function of the method described in Figure 6 or Figure 9 in the embodiments of this application. The communication device 1300 includes:

[0182] The transceiver module 1310 is used to receive second information, the second information instructing the access network device to provide the terminal device with a wireless access network local service of the service type requested by the terminal device, the service type including at least one of sensing, positioning, artificial intelligence prediction, or artificial intelligence calculation, and the access network device is the access network device currently accessed by the terminal device;

[0183] The transceiver module 1310 is further configured to send third information, the third information indicating a data packet detection rule, the data packet detection rule being obtained based on the second information.

[0184] Optionally, the transceiver module 1310 is specifically used to send the third information to the centralized unit, wherein the access network device includes the centralized unit.

[0185] Optionally, the transceiver module 1310 is specifically used to send the third information to the service unit.

[0186] Optionally, the transceiver module 1310 is further configured to receive fourth information from the service unit, the fourth information indicating the transport network layer information of the user plane tunnel of the service unit, the transport network layer information being used by the centralized unit in the access network device to establish a data plane tunnel with the service unit;

[0187] The transceiver module 1310 is also used to send the fourth information to the centralized unit.

[0188] Optionally, the communication device further includes a processing module 1320 for determining the service unit.

[0189] Optionally, the processing module 1320 is specifically configured to determine the service unit based on the service type requested by the terminal device, wherein the service unit supports providing local wireless access network services of the service type.

[0190] Optionally, the transceiver module 1310 is further configured to send fifth information according to the second information, wherein the fifth information is used to request the acquisition of the data packet detection rules;

[0191] The transceiver module 1310 is further configured to receive the sixth information, which indicates the data packet detection rules.

[0192] Figure 14 is a schematic block diagram of another communication device 1400 provided in an embodiment of this application. This communication device 1400 can be applied to the aforementioned centralized unit, service unit, or session management function. The communication device 1400 includes a processor 1410, which implements the communication method provided in the embodiment of this application through logic circuits or executing code instructions.

[0193] Optionally, the communication device 1400 may also include interface circuitry 1420. Processor 1410 and interface circuitry 1420 are coupled to each other. It is understood that interface circuitry 1420 may be a transceiver or an input / output interface.

[0194] Optionally, the communication device 1400 may also include a memory 1430 for storing instructions executed by the processor 1410, or storing input data required by the processor 1410 to execute instructions, or storing data generated after the processor 1410 executes instructions.

[0195] The aforementioned processor 1410 may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. In implementation, the steps of the above method embodiments can be completed by integrated logic circuits in the processor's hardware or by software instructions. The aforementioned processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. It can implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly embodied in the execution of a hardware decoding processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software modules may reside in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. This storage medium is located in memory; the processor reads information from the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above method.

[0196] This application also provides a communication system, including a centralized unit, a service unit, and a session management function in the communication method provided in this application.

[0197] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program for implementing the methods in the above-described method embodiments. When the computer program is run on a computer, the computer can implement the methods in the above-described method embodiments.

[0198] This application also provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the methods in the above method embodiments to be executed.

[0199] This application also provides a chip, including a processor connected to a memory for storing computer programs, and the processor for executing the computer programs stored in the memory, so that the chip performs the methods described in the above method embodiments.

[0200] It should be understood that, in the embodiments of this application, for a technical feature, the technical features in that technical feature are distinguished by "first", "second" and "third", and there is no order of precedence or size among the technical features described by "first", "second" and "third".

[0201] Furthermore, the term "and / or" in this application is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, and B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship. The term "at least one" in this application can represent "one" and "two or more." For example, A, B, and C can represent: A existing alone, B existing alone, C existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, A and C existing simultaneously, C and B existing simultaneously, and A, B, and C existing simultaneously.

[0202] In the embodiments of this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send information to XX" can be understood as the destination of the information being XX, which may include direct transmission via the air interface or indirect transmission via the air interface by other units or modules. "Receive information from YY" can be understood as the source of the information being YY, which may include direct reception from YY via the air interface or indirect reception from YY via the air interface by other units or modules. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface.

[0203] In other words, sending and receiving can occur between devices, such as between access network devices and terminal devices, or within a device, such as between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within the device via a bus, wiring, or interface.

[0204] It is understandable that information may undergo necessary processing, such as encoding and modulation, between the source and destination, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar statements in this application can be interpreted in a similar way and will not be elaborated further.

[0205] In the embodiments of this application, "instruction" can include direct and indirect instructions, as well as explicit and implicit instructions. The information indicated by a certain piece of information (hereinafter referred to as instruction information) is called the information to be instructed. In specific implementation, 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 indirectly indicate the information to be instructed by indicating other information, where there is an association between the other information and the information to be instructed; or it can indicate only a part of the information to be instructed, while the other parts are known or pre-agreed upon. For example, the instruction can be implemented by using a pre-agreed (e.g., protocol predefined) arrangement of various information, thereby reducing the instruction overhead to a certain extent. This application does not limit the specific method of instruction. It is understood that for the sender of the instruction information, the instruction information can be used to indicate the information to be instructed; for the receiver of the instruction information, the instruction information can be used to determine the information to be instructed.

[0206] In this application, unless otherwise specified, the same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other. In the various embodiments of this application, and in the various implementation methods / methods / implementations within each embodiment, unless otherwise specified or logically conflicting, the terminology and / or descriptions between different embodiments and between the various implementation methods / methods / implementations within each embodiment are consistent and can be mutually referenced. The technical features in different embodiments and the various implementation methods / methods / implementations within each embodiment can be combined according to their inherent logical relationships to form new embodiments, implementation methods, methods, or implementation approaches. The embodiments described below do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application.

[0207] 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.

[0208] Those skilled in the art will clearly 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.

[0209] 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.

[0210] 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.

[0211] 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.

[0212] 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, server, or 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, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0213] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Receive first information from a terminal device, the first information indicating the service type of the local wireless access network service requested by the terminal device, the service type including at least one of sensing, positioning, artificial intelligence prediction, or artificial intelligence calculation; Send a second message to the session management function, the second message instructing the access network device to provide the terminal device with the local radio access network service of the service type, the access network device being the access network device currently accessed by the terminal device; The system receives third and / or fourth information from the session management function. The third information indicates a packet detection rule for the access network device, which is obtained by the session management function based on the second information. The fourth information indicates the transport network layer information of the user plane tunnel of the service unit, which is used to establish a data plane tunnel with the service unit.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The local service of the wireless access network includes a closed-loop data path between the terminal device and the access network device, and data packets do not need to be transmitted to the server via user plane functions.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Also includes: According to the packet detection rules, different types of data packets generated by the local service of the wireless access network of the service type are mapped to the corresponding quality of service streams.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, Also includes: Receive at least one second data packet from the service unit, the at least one second data packet being generated by the service unit based on the first data packet from the terminal device and the service type; The step of mapping different types of data packets generated by the local service of the radio access network of the service type to the corresponding quality of service stream according to the data packet detection rule includes: mapping the at least one second downlink data packet to the corresponding quality of service stream according to the data packet detection rule and the type corresponding to the at least one second data packet.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Also includes: The third information is sent to the service unit, wherein the access network device includes the service unit.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, Also includes: Based on the first information and the service types supported by the access network device, it is determined that the access network device supports providing the wireless access network local service of the service type to the terminal device.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The first information includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the network slice requested by the terminal device, or the name of the data network.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The transmission network layer information includes the full name tunnel endpoint identifier.

9. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to service units, including: Receive third information, which indicates the data packet detection rules; According to the packet detection rules, different types of data packets generated by the local wireless access network service of the service type requested by the terminal device are mapped to the corresponding quality of service streams. The service type includes at least one of sensing, positioning, artificial intelligence prediction, or artificial intelligence calculation.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The receipt of the third information includes: The terminal device receives the third information from the centralized unit, wherein the access network device currently accessed by the terminal device includes the centralized unit.

11. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The receipt of the third information includes: Receive the third information from the session management function.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, Also includes: Send a fourth message to the session management function. The fourth message indicates the transport network layer information of the user plane tunnel. The transport network layer information is used to establish a data plane tunnel with the centralized unit in the access network device. The access network device is the access network device that the terminal device is currently connected to.

13. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that, Also includes: At least one second data packet is generated based on the first data packet from the terminal device and the service type; The step of mapping different types of data packets generated by the local radio access network service requested by the terminal device to the corresponding quality of service stream according to the data packet detection rule includes: mapping the at least one second data packet to the corresponding quality of service stream according to the data packet detection rule and the types corresponding to the at least one second data packet.

14. A method of communication, characterized in that, include: Receive second information, the second information instructing the access network device to provide the terminal device with a wireless access network local service of the service type requested by the terminal device, the service type including at least one of sensing, positioning, artificial intelligence prediction, or artificial intelligence calculation, and the access network device is the access network device currently accessed by the terminal device; A third message is sent, which indicates a data packet detection rule, which is obtained based on the second message.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The sending of the third information includes: The third information is sent to the centralized unit, wherein the access network device includes the centralized unit.

16. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The sending of the third information includes: Send the third information to the service unit.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, Also includes: The system receives fourth information from the service unit, the fourth information indicating the transport network layer information of the user plane tunnel of the service unit, the transport network layer information being used by the centralized unit in the access network device to establish a data plane tunnel with the service unit; The fourth information is sent to the centralized unit.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that, Also includes: Determine the service unit.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, Determining the service unit includes: Based on the service type requested by the terminal device, the service unit is determined, and the service unit supports providing local wireless access network services of the service type.

20. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 19, characterized in that, Also includes: Based on the second information, a fifth information is sent, the fifth information being used to request the acquisition of the data packet detection rules; The sixth information is received, which indicates the data packet detection rule.

21. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, or a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 9 to 13, or a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 14 to 20.

22. A communication device, characterized in that, The method includes a processor for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, or for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 9 to 13, or for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 14 to 20.

23. A communication system, characterized in that, include: The method comprises a centralized unit, a service unit, and a session management function, wherein the centralized unit is used to implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 8, the service unit is used to implement the method of any one of claims 9 to 13, and the session management function is used to implement the method of any one of claims 14 to 20.

24. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, include: The computer-readable medium stores a computer program; When the computer program is run by the processor, the method of any one of claims 1 to 20 is performed.

25. A computer program product, characterized in that, Includes a computer program, which, when executed, causes the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 20 to be performed.

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