Communication method, system, and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method, system, and apparatus, belonging to the technical field of communications. The method comprises: on the basis of the data size of a first data packet to be transmitted, determine to send the first data packet to a first access network element or a second access network element, where the first access network element being used for receiving a data packet having a data size greater than or equal to a first threshold, and the second access network element being used for receiving a data packet having a data size less than the first threshold. In a scenario in which data transmission is performed between a terminal and a plurality of access network elements, the above-described solution can enable an access network element to reduce energy consumption. For example, a first access network element may intermittently receive a data packet, and when there are no data packets to be received, remain in a dormant state, thereby reducing energy consumption of the first access network element.

Description

Communication methods, systems and devices

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411984376.0, filed on December 28, 2024, entitled "Communication Method, System and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

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

[0003] With the large-scale deployment of access network elements on the network side, the energy consumption of these elements has become one of the main reasons for the high operating costs of operators. In some scenarios, multiple access network elements can provide data transmission services for the same UE. For example, a UE can transmit data with at least two access network elements based on dual connectivity (DC) technology or carrier aggregation (CA) technology.

[0004] However, in scenarios where data transmission occurs between a terminal and multiple access network elements, data packets are randomly assigned to multiple access network elements. This requires all access network elements to remain active, resulting in significant energy consumption for these elements.

[0005] Therefore, how to reduce the energy consumption of access network elements in scenarios where data transmission occurs between a terminal and multiple access network elements is an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a communication method, system, and apparatus. In scenarios where data transmission occurs between a terminal and multiple access network elements, the terminal performs data routing based on the size of the data packets to be transmitted, enabling the access network elements to reduce energy consumption.

[0007] Firstly, a communication method is provided. The method provided in the first aspect can be executed by a terminal.

[0008] The method includes: determining whether to send the first data packet to a first access network element or a second access network element based on the size of the first data packet to be transmitted.

[0009] The first access network element is used to receive data packets with a data volume greater than or equal to a first threshold, and the second access network element is used to receive data packets with a data volume less than the first threshold.

[0010] Alternatively, the first access network element is used to receive data packets with a data volume greater than the first threshold, and the second access network element is used to receive data packets with a data volume less than or equal to the first threshold.

[0011] Based on the above scheme, the terminal can determine the data size of the data packets to be transmitted, sending larger data packets to the first access network element and smaller data packets to the second access network element. In actual data transmission, the number of larger data packets is often less than the number of smaller data packets, or in other words, the time domain ratio of larger data packets is often less than that of smaller data packets. For example, the transmission or generation interval of larger data packets may be longer than that of smaller data packets. Therefore, network element #1 can receive data packets intermittently and remain in a sleep state when there are no data packets to receive, thereby saving energy consumption of network element #1. Therefore, in scenarios where data transmission occurs between the terminal and multiple access network elements, the above scheme can enable access network elements to reduce energy consumption.

[0012] In other implementations, the above method can be replaced by a method including the following operations: sending at least one data packet with a data volume greater than or equal to a first threshold to a first access network element, and sending at least one data packet with a data volume less than the first threshold to a second access network element; wherein the terminal is connected to both the first and second access network elements. Alternatively, the above method can be replaced by a method including the following operations: sending at least one data packet with a data volume greater than the first threshold to the first access network element, and sending at least one data packet with a data volume less than or equal to the first threshold to the second access network element.

[0013] The phrase "greater than or equal to" can be replaced with "greater than", and correspondingly, "less than" can be replaced with "less than or equal to". That is, for data packets with a data size equal to the first threshold, it can be designed to receive them through network element #1 or network element #2. This scheme focuses on distinguishing between network elements that receive large data packets and those that receive small data packets. It does not limit which network element receives data packets whose data packet size is at the threshold value.

[0014] In some implementations, the transmission frequency of data packets with a data size greater than or equal to a first threshold is lower than the transmission frequency of data packets with a data size less than the first threshold.

[0015] In some implementations, the first access network element is in a dormant state when there are no data packets to be received that are greater than or equal to a first threshold.

[0016] In some implementations, the terminal includes a first functional unit, which is used to determine whether to send the first data packet to a first access network element or a second access network element based on the data size of the first data packet to be transmitted; wherein the first functional unit belongs to the service data adaptation protocol layer or the media access control layer.

[0017] In some implementations, the method further includes: measuring a reference signal from the second access network element to obtain signal quality; and if the signal quality is greater than or equal to a second threshold, sending a data packet with a data volume less than the first threshold to the second access network element.

[0018] Based on the above scheme, the terminal can send data packets with a data size smaller than the first threshold to the second access network element (or network element #2) when the signal quality of the second access network element is good, thereby improving the reliability of data transmission.

[0019] In some implementations, the method further includes receiving first information, which indicates the first threshold and / or a second threshold.

[0020] In some implementations, the method further includes receiving second information, which indicates a time period during which the first access network element receives data packets with a data volume greater than or equal to the first threshold.

[0021] Based on the above scheme, the terminal can obtain the time period during which the first access network element can receive data packets (or large data packets) with a data volume greater than or equal to the first threshold, and then transmit large data packets to the first access network element based on the time period.

[0022] In some implementations, the method further includes: sending third information to the first access network element, the third information including the identifier of the second access network element; and receiving fourth information, the fourth information being used to instruct the terminal to send data packets to the second access network element.

[0023] Secondly, a communication system is provided. This system may include a first access network element and a second access network element. The first access network element is used to receive data packets from a terminal whose data volume is greater than or equal to a first threshold. When the first access network element has no data packets to be received whose data volume is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the first access network element is in a dormant state. The second access network element is used to receive data packets from the terminal whose data volume is less than the first threshold.

[0024] In some implementations, the first access network element is associated with a second functional unit, which is used to process data packets with a data volume greater than or equal to the first threshold, and data packets with a data volume less than the first threshold; wherein, the second functional unit belongs to the service data adaptation protocol layer, or the media access control layer.

[0025] In some implementations, the first access network element or the second access network element is further configured to send first information to the terminal, the first information indicating the first threshold and / or the second threshold; wherein, if the signal quality corresponding to the second access network element is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the terminal is configured to send data packets with a data volume less than the first threshold to the second access network element.

[0026] In some implementations, the first access network element or the second access network element is further used to send second information to the terminal, the second information being used to indicate a time period for the first access network element to receive data packets with a data volume greater than or equal to the first threshold.

[0027] In some implementations, the first access network element is further configured to receive third information from the terminal, the third information including the identifier of the second access network element; in response to the third information, the first access network element is further configured to send fourth information to the terminal, the fourth information being used to instruct the terminal to send data packets to the second access network element; or, in response to the third information, the first access network element is further configured to send information to the second access network element instructing the second access network element to send the fourth information to the terminal, and the second access network element is further configured to send the fourth information to the terminal.

[0028] In some implementations, the first access network element is also used to receive fifth information from the second access network element, the fifth information indicating that the first access network element is used to receive data packets with a data volume greater than or equal to a first threshold.

[0029] In some implementations, the communication system further includes a terminal. This terminal is used to execute the first aspect and any implementation thereof.

[0030] Thirdly, a communication method is provided, wherein the entity executing the communication method may include a first access network element and a second access network element.

[0031] The method includes: the first access network element receiving data packets from the terminal with a data volume greater than or equal to a first threshold; and the first access network element being in a dormant state when there are no data packets to be received with a data volume greater than or equal to the first threshold; and the second access network element receiving data packets from the terminal with a data volume less than the first threshold.

[0032] In some implementations, the first access network element is associated with a second functional unit, which is used to process data packets with a data volume greater than or equal to the first threshold, and data packets with a data volume less than the first threshold; wherein, the second functional unit belongs to the service data adaptation protocol layer, or the media access control layer.

[0033] In some implementations, the method further includes: the first access network element or the second access network element sending first information to the terminal, the first information indicating the first threshold and / or the second threshold; wherein, if the signal quality corresponding to the second access network element is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the terminal sends a data packet with a data volume less than the first threshold to the second access network element.

[0034] In some implementations, the method further includes: the first access network element or the second access network element sending second information to the terminal, the second information being used to indicate a time period for the first access network element to receive data packets with a data volume greater than or equal to the first threshold.

[0035] In some implementations, the method further includes: the first access network element receiving third information from the terminal, the third information including the identifier of the second access network element; in response to the third information, the first access network element sending fourth information to the terminal, the fourth information being used to instruct the terminal to send data packets to the second access network element; or, in response to the third information, the first access network element sending information to the second access network element instructing the second access network element to send fourth information to the terminal, and the second access network element sending the fourth information to the terminal.

[0036] In some implementations, the method further includes: the first access network element receiving fifth information from the second access network element, the fifth information indicating that the first access network element is used to receive data packets with a data volume greater than or equal to a first threshold.

[0037] Fourthly, a communication system is provided. This communication system includes a first access network element and a first unit.

[0038] The first access network element is configured to receive data packets from the terminal whose data volume is greater than or equal to a first threshold. When the first access network element has no data packets to receive whose data volume is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the first access network element is in a dormant state. The first access network element is configured to send data packets whose data volume is greater than or equal to the first threshold to the first unit. The first unit is configured to receive data packets from the first access network element whose data volume is greater than or equal to the first threshold. The first unit is also configured to send data packets whose data volume is greater than or equal to the first threshold to the core network element. The first unit is also configured to receive data packets from the second access network element whose data volume is less than the first threshold, and to send data packets whose data volume is less than the first threshold to the core network element.

[0039] In some implementations, the first unit includes a second functional unit, which belongs to the service data adaptation protocol layer or the media access control layer; the second functional unit is used to receive data packets with a data volume greater than or equal to the first threshold and data packets with a data volume less than the first threshold; the second functional unit is also used to send data packets with a data volume greater than or equal to the first threshold and data packets with a data volume less than the first threshold to the core network element.

[0040] In some implementations, the first unit is further configured to send first information to the terminal through the first access network element, the first information being used to indicate the first threshold and / or, the second threshold; wherein, if the signal quality corresponding to the second access network element is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the terminal is configured to send data packets with a data volume less than the first threshold to the second access network element.

[0041] In some implementations, the first unit is further configured to send second information to the terminal through the first access network element, the second information being used to indicate a time period for the first access network element to receive data packets with a data volume greater than or equal to the first threshold.

[0042] In some implementations, the first unit is further configured to receive third information from the terminal via the first access network element, the third information including the identifier of the second access network element; in response to the third information, the first unit is further configured to send fourth information to the terminal via the first access network element, the fourth information being used to instruct the terminal to send data packets to the second access network element; or, in response to the third information, the first unit is further configured to send information to the second access network element instructing the second access network element to send the fourth information to the terminal, the second access network element being further configured to send the fourth information to the terminal.

[0043] In some implementations, the first unit is further configured to receive fifth information from the second access network element, the fifth information indicating that the first access network element is configured to receive data packets with a data volume greater than or equal to a first threshold.

[0044] In some implementations, the communication system further includes a terminal. This terminal is used to execute the first aspect and any implementation thereof.

[0045] Fifthly, a communication device is provided, including processing circuitry (or a processor) and an input / output interface (also referred to as an interface circuit), the input / output interface being used for inputting and / or outputting signals, the processing circuitry being used to perform the first aspect and any possible method of the first aspect, or the processing circuitry being used to perform the third aspect and any possible method of the third aspect.

[0046] In some implementations, the processing circuitry is used to communicate with other devices via an interface circuitry and to perform the first aspect and any possible method of the first aspect, or to perform the third aspect and any possible method of the third aspect.

[0047] Sixthly, a communication device is provided. This communication device may include units or modules for performing the functions of the communication device.

[0048] In some implementations, the communication device may include modules, units, or means for performing the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect. These modules, units, or means may be hardware circuits, software, or a combination of hardware circuits and software.

[0049] The device includes a processing unit. The processing unit is configured to determine whether to send the first data packet to a first access network element or a second access network element based on the data size of the first data packet to be transmitted. The first access network element is configured to receive data packets with a data size greater than or equal to a first threshold, and the second access network element is configured to receive data packets with a data size less than the first threshold.

[0050] In some implementations, the processing unit is further configured to: measure a reference signal from the second access network element to obtain signal quality. The apparatus also includes a transceiver unit. When the signal quality is greater than or equal to a second threshold, the transceiver unit is configured to send data packets to the second access network element with a data size less than the first threshold.

[0051] In some implementations, the transceiver unit is also configured to: receive first information, which indicates the first threshold and / or, the second threshold.

[0052] In some implementations, the transceiver unit is further configured to: receive second information, which indicates a time period during which the first access network element receives data packets with a data volume greater than or equal to the first threshold.

[0053] In some implementations, the transceiver unit is further configured to: send third information to the first access network element, the third information including the identifier of the second access network element; and receive fourth information, the fourth information being used to instruct the terminal to send data packets to the second access network element.

[0054] In some implementations, the communication device may include modules, units, or means for performing the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the third aspect and any possible implementation of the third aspect. These modules, units, or means may be hardware circuits, software, or a combination of hardware circuits and software.

[0055] In a seventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, on which a computer program or instructions are stored, which, when executed, cause the first aspect and any possible method of the first aspect to be performed (or implemented), or cause the third aspect and any possible method of the third aspect to be performed (or implemented).

[0056] Eighthly, a computer program product is provided, comprising a computer program or instructions that, when executed, cause the first aspect and any possible method of the first aspect to be performed (or implemented), or cause the third aspect and any possible method of the third aspect to be performed (or implemented).

[0057] A ninth aspect provides a communication device, including a processor for executing (or implementing) any of the possible methods of the first aspect above, or for executing (or implementing) any of the possible methods of the third aspect above, by executing a computer program (or computer-executable instructions) stored in a memory, and / or by logic circuitry.

[0058] In one possible implementation, the device also includes a memory. In another possible implementation, the processor and memory are integrated together. In yet another possible implementation, the memory is located outside the communication device. The processor may include one or more processors.

[0059] In one possible implementation, the communication device further includes a communication interface for communicating with other devices, such as transmitting or receiving data and / or signals. Exemplarily, the communication interface may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module, or other type of communication interface.

[0060] In one implementation, the communication device described in the fifth, sixth, or ninth aspects can be a chip or a chip system.

[0061] In a tenth aspect, a chip is provided, including a processor for calling a computer program or computer instructions in memory to cause any of the implementations of the first aspect to be executed (or implemented), or to cause any of the implementations of the third aspect to be executed (or implemented).

[0062] In some implementations, the processor is coupled to the memory via an interface.

[0063] The description of the beneficial effects of any implementation of any of the second to tenth aspects can be referred to the description of the beneficial effects of the first aspect. Attached Figure Description

[0064] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system.

[0065] Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of another communication system.

[0066] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of another communication system.

[0067] Figure 4 is a schematic block diagram of a base station.

[0068] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the network architecture of a communication system.

[0069] Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0070] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a diversion point setting provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0071] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a carrier aggregation provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0072] Figure 9 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0073] Figure 10 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0074] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0075] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of a chip system provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0076] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of another chip system provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0077] In this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0078] I. In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the textual description of this application, the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, and c can mean: a, or, b, or, c, or, a and b, or, a and c, or, b and c, or, a, b, and c. Here, a, b, and c can each be single or multiple.

[0079] II. In this application, the terms "first," "second," and various numerical designations (e.g., #1, #2, etc.) indicate distinctions made for ease of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. For example, they may distinguish different messages, rather than describing a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such descriptions can be interchanged where appropriate to describe solutions other than those in the embodiments of this application.

[0080] Third, in this application, descriptions such as "when," "under the circumstances," and "if" all refer to the device making corresponding processing under certain objective circumstances, and are not time-limited, nor do they require the device to make a judgment action when implementing it, nor do they imply any other limitations.

[0081] IV. In this application, "instruction" or "for instruction" can include both direct (or explicit) and indirect (or implicit) instruction. When describing instruction information as indicating A, it can include whether the instruction information directly or indirectly indicates A, but does not necessarily mean that the instruction information carries A. For example, in the case of indirect (or implicit) instruction, the receiving end of the instruction information can obtain A based on the parameters indicated by the instruction information, combined with other rules or parameters, or through deduction.

[0082] V. The indication methods involved in the embodiments of this application should be understood to cover various methods that enable the party to be indicated to obtain the information to be indicated. The information to be indicated can be sent as a whole or divided into multiple sub-information and sent separately. Moreover, the sending period and / or sending time of these sub-information can be the same or different. This application does not limit the sending method, for example.

[0083] VI. In this application, "protocol" can refer to standard protocols in the field of communications, such as 5G protocols, new radio (NR) protocols, and related protocols applied to future communication systems; this application does not limit this term. "Predefined" can include predefined terms, such as protocol definitions. "Preconfiguration" can be implemented by pre-storing corresponding codes, tables, or other means that can be used to indicate relevant information in the device; this application does not limit the implementation method.

[0084] VII. In this application, "communication" can also be described as "data transmission," "information transmission," "data processing," etc. "Transmission" includes "sending" and / or "receiving." For example, transmission can be uplink transmission, such as a terminal device sending a signal to a network device; transmission can also be downlink transmission, such as a network device sending a signal to a terminal device; transmission can also be sidelink transmission, such as a terminal device sending a signal to another terminal device. For example, "transmission" can be air interface level transmission, or it can be signal transmission from a chip input (I) / output (O) port, rather than air interface level transmission.

[0085] 8. In this application, terms such as “message”, “information”, “signal” or “information element (IE)” can be used interchangeably. There are no restrictions on the name of the message or information, as long as it can achieve the corresponding function.

[0086] 9. "Sending information to XX (device)" can be understood as the destination of the information being that device. This can include sending information directly or indirectly to that device. "Receiving information from XX (device), or receiving information from XX (device)" can be understood as the source of the information being that device. This can include receiving information directly or indirectly from that device. Information may undergo necessary processing between the source and destination, such as format changes, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be understood in a similar way, and will not be repeated here. Furthermore, "sending" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receiving" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface. In other words, "sending" or "receiving" can occur between devices, for example, between network devices and terminal devices via an air interface. "Sending" or "receiving" can also occur within a device, for example, between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within the device via a bus, wiring, or interface.

[0087] 10. In this application, terms such as "exemplarily" and "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions to present concepts in a specific manner. Any embodiment or design described as an "example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. In the embodiments of this application, the terms "of," "corresponding (relevant)," "corresponding," and "associated" may sometimes be used interchangeably, and it should be noted that their intended meanings are consistent unless their distinctions are emphasized.

[0088] XI. In this application, configuration can be signaling configuration or can be described as configuring signaling. For example, signaling configuration includes configuration using signaling sent by network devices, which can be radio resource control (RRC) messages, downlink control information (DCI) messages, or system information blocks (SIBs). Another example is signaling configuration between network devices. These network devices can include access network devices, core network devices, or management plane devices, etc. Optionally, signaling configuration can also be configured to terminal devices or network devices by pre-configured signaling, or configured to terminal devices or network devices through pre-configuration. Here, pre-configuration means defining or configuring the values ​​of corresponding parameters in advance using a protocol, and storing them in the terminal device or network device during communication. Pre-configured messages can be modified or updated when the terminal device or network device is connected to the network.

[0089] 12. This application will present various aspects, embodiments, or features relating to systems that may include multiple devices, components, modules, etc. Each system may include devices, components, modules, etc., other than those illustrated, and / or may not include all and all of the devices, components, modules, etc. discussed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0090] Thirteen, the business scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0091] XIV. In the various embodiments of this application, the sequence number of each process does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application. The terms "comprising," "including," "having," and their variations all mean "including but not limited to," unless otherwise specifically emphasized.

[0092] The technical solutions of this application embodiment can be applied to various communication systems, including but not limited to: Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, NR systems, and 5G (5G) systems. thThis includes various mobile communication systems such as 5G, narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), enhanced machine-type communication (eMTC), enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC), satellite communication systems, LTE-machine-to-machine (LTE-M) systems, and other systems that evolve after 5G, such as future mobile communication systems.

[0093] The following describes the solutions of embodiments of this application with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0094] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system 100. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 100 includes a wireless access network 110 and a core network 120. Optionally, the communication system 100 may also include an Internet 130. The wireless access network 110 may include at least one access network device (111a and 111b in Figure 1) and at least one terminal device (112a-112j in Figure 1). The terminal device is connected to the access network device wirelessly. The access network device is connected to the core network 120 wirelessly or via a wired connection. The core network 120 may include one or more core network devices. The core network device and the access network device may be independent physical devices, or the functions of the core network device and the logical functions of the access network device may be integrated on the same physical device, or a single physical device may integrate some of the functions of the core network device and some of the functions of the access network device. Terminal devices and access network devices may be interconnected via wired or wireless connections. Wireless communication can occur between terminal devices, between access network devices, and between terminal devices and access network devices via air interface resources. For example, air interface resources may include at least one of time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources, code resources, and spatial resources. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram; the communication system 100 may also include other access network devices, such as wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices, which are not shown in Figure 1.

[0095] Access network equipment can be any device with wireless transceiver capabilities. For example, access network equipment can be a base station used to connect terminal devices to a radio access network (RAN). Access network equipment is sometimes also referred to as access network element, access network node, RAN node, or RAN. It is understood that the names of devices with access network functionality may differ in systems employing different wireless access technologies. For ease of description, devices that provide wireless communication access functionality to terminal devices can be collectively referred to as base stations or RANs.

[0096] Access network equipment can be used for the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). rd Cellular systems related to the Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as 4G mobile communication systems, 5G mobile communication systems, non-terrestrial network (NTN) systems, or future communication systems, etc. Access network equipment can also be access network equipment in open RAN (O-RAN or ORAN), cloud radio access network (CRAN), or wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) systems, or access network equipment in communication systems that integrate two or more of the above systems.

[0097] When the access network device is an access network device in an NTN system, the access network device can be in regeneration mode or transparent transmission mode, and this application does not limit it.

[0098] For example, access network equipment includes, but is not limited to: various forms of macro base stations (as shown in Figure 1, 111a), micro base stations or indoor stations (as shown in Figure 1, 111b), pico base stations, small cells, balloon stations, relay stations, access points, etc. Access network equipment may include evolved node B (eNB or eNodeB) in LTE, access point (AP), wireless relay node, wireless backhaul node, transmission point (TRP or TP), or transmission reception point (TRP) in Wi-Fi systems, and may also include next-generation base station nodes (gNB) or transmission points (TRP or TP) in 5G systems, one or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of base stations in 5G systems, network nodes constituting gNB or transmission points, such as baseband units (BBU) or distributed units (DU), and may also include access network equipment, servers, or vehicle-mounted equipment in networks evolved after 5G.

[0099] Optionally, access network equipment may also include servers, wearable devices, vehicles, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology, the access network equipment may be a roadside unit (RSU).

[0100] Access network equipment can also be modules or units that perform some of the functions of a base station. For example, it can be a central unit (CU) or a DU.

[0101] In this embodiment, the apparatus for implementing the functions of the access network device can be the access network device itself, or it can be an apparatus capable of supporting the access network device in implementing the functions, such as a chip system, which can be installed in the access network device. The chip system can be composed of chips, or it can include chips and other discrete components.

[0102] In another possible scenario, multiple access network devices collaborate to assist the terminal in achieving wireless access, with each device performing a portion of the base station's functions. For example, the access network devices could be a CU, DU, CU (control plane, CP), CU (user plane, UP), or a radio unit (RU). The CU and DU can be separate entities or included in the same network element, such as a BBU. The RU can be included in radio equipment or radio units, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0103] 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 open radio access network (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 modules and hardware modules. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or specific device form used in the access network equipment.

[0104] Terminal equipment can be a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to users. Terminal equipment can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; it can also be deployed on water (such as ships); and it can be deployed in the air (such as airplanes, balloons, and satellites). Terminal equipment can also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, terminal, subscriber unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, wireless network equipment, user agent, or user device. In this application embodiment, terminal devices include, but are not limited to: cellular phones, mobile phones, wireless data cards, wireless modems, tablets, laptop computers, notebook computers, handheld computers, mobile internet devices (MIDs), computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, smartphones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handsets with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other devices connected to wireless modems, in-vehicle devices (e.g., cars, bicycles, electric vehicles, airplanes, ships, trains, high-speed trains, etc.), wearable devices (e.g., smartwatches, smart bracelets, pedometers, smart glasses, etc.), satellite terminals, terminal devices in the Internet of Things or the Internet of Vehicles, as well as any form of terminal in future networks, relay user equipment, or terminals in future evolved public land mobile networks (PLMNs), etc.Terminal devices can also be virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, smart point-of-sale (POS) machines, customer-premises equipment (CPE), light UE, reduced capability UE (REDCAP UE), machine-type communication (MTC) terminals, terminal devices in industrial control, terminal devices in self-driving, terminal devices in telemedicine, terminal devices in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, terminal devices in smart cities, terminal devices in smart homes, tactile terminal devices, smart home devices (e.g., refrigerators, televisions, air conditioners, electricity meters, etc.), smart robots, robotic arms, workshop equipment, wireless terminals in self-driving, or flying devices (e.g., smart robots, hot air balloons, drones, airplanes), etc. The terminal device can also be a vehicle device, such as a complete vehicle device, an in-vehicle module, an in-vehicle chip, an on-board unit (OBU), or a telematics box (T-BOX). The terminal device can also be other devices with terminal functions; for example, it can be a device that functions as a terminal in device-to-device (D2D) communication. This application does not limit the scope of the embodiments in this regard.

[0105] In this application embodiment, the device for implementing the functions of the terminal device can be the terminal device itself, or it can be any device capable of supporting the terminal device in implementing the functions, such as a chip or chip system. This device can be installed in the terminal device. The chip system can consist of chips or include chips and other discrete components. In the technical solution of this application embodiment, the device for implementing the functions of the terminal device is referred to as the terminal device, which can also be called a terminal. The following description may use a UE (User Equipment) as an example to illustrate the technical solution provided in this application embodiment.

[0106] The roles of base stations and terminals can be relative. For example, the helicopter or drone 112i in Figure 1 can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminals 112j that access the wireless access network 110 via 112i, terminal 112i is a base station; however, for base station 111a, 112i is a terminal, meaning that 111a and 112i communicate via a wireless air interface protocol. Of course, 111a and 112i can also communicate via a base station-to-base station interface protocol. In this case, relative to 111a, 112i is also a base station. Therefore, both base stations and terminals can be collectively referred to as communication devices. 111a and 111b in Figure 1 can be called communication devices with base station functions, and 112a-112j in Figure 1 can be called communication devices with terminal functions.

[0107] Access network devices and terminal devices can communicate via wireless links. The transmission link from the access network device to the terminal device can be called a downlink (DL) or downlink channel, used for transmitting downlink signals. The transmission link from the terminal device to the access network device can be called an uplink (UL) or uplink channel, used for transmitting uplink signals. The transmission link from one terminal device to another can be called a sidelink (SL) or sidelink channel, used for transmitting sidelink signals.

[0108] Communication between access network devices and terminal devices can follow a specific protocol layer structure. This protocol layer may include a control plane protocol layer and a user plane protocol layer. The control plane protocol layer may include at least one of the following: radio resource control (RRC) layer, packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, radio link control (RLC) layer, media access control (MAC) layer, or physical (PHY) layer, etc. The user plane protocol layer may include at least one of the following: service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, PDCP layer, RLC layer, MAC layer, or physical layer, etc.

[0109] In different systems, core network equipment can correspond to different devices. For example, in a 3G communication network, it can correspond to the Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) and / or the Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) for General Packet Radio Service (GPRS). In a 4G communication network, it can correspond to the Mobility Management Entity (MME) or the Serving Gateway (S-GW, etc.); in a 5G communication network, it can correspond to the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), the Session Management Function (SMF), or the User Plane Function (UPF), and so on.

[0110] Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of another communication system. This communication system may also be referred to as an O-RAN system or other names. The communication system may include a core network, access network equipment (represented as RAN in Figure 2), and a UE. As an example, the communication system may also include other components besides those shown in Figure 2; specific details are not limited in this application.

[0111] Access network devices can communicate with the core network (CN) via a backhaul link. For example, a BBU in an access network device communicates with the core network via a backhaul link. Access network devices can also communicate with UEs via an air interface. For example, an RU in an access network device communicates with at least one UE 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; this application does not limit this. The BBU may include at least one CU and at least one DU, and the CU and DU can communicate with each other via at least one midhaul link.

[0112] For example, the CU can be used to perform functions of the upper layer. For instance, the upper layer may include layer 2 (L2) and / or layer 3 (L3). The DU can be used to perform functions of layer 1 (L1) and / or part of L2. The RU can be used to perform computational and digital radio frequency (RF) functions of L1. In some possible implementations, the DU can be deployed as a single unit, i.e., the DU can perform the functions of the DU and RU described above.

[0113] For example, the CU and / or DU may include a chassis platform, motherboard, peripheral devices or cooling devices, etc. The motherboard may include processing units, memory, internal I / O interfaces or external connection ports, etc.

[0114] The processing unit can be a processor, such as one or more of the following: a central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microprocessor unit (MPU), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an artificial intelligence processor (AI processor), a multi-core processor, or a neural processing unit (NPU). Exemplarily, the processor can also be an x86 processor, a non-x86 processor, an advanced instruction set computer (RISC) machine (ARM processor), or other processors.

[0115] In some possible implementations, the processor may connect to one or more hardware accelerators. For example, the hardware accelerator may be an FPGA, GPU, or other accelerator. Exemplarily, the processor and the hardware accelerator may have a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) express (PCIe) interface and communicate through this PCIe interface. Exemplarily, the hardware accelerator may communicate with the outside world via a gigabit Ethernet (GbE) interface.

[0116] For example, components of a hardware accelerator may include: software, hardware or memory for system debugging interfaces, or a single-board management controller.

[0117] For example, a DU system can be implemented using a processor (e.g., a multi-core processor) and one or more hardware accelerators. For instance, portions of the DU protocol stack can be implemented in software running on the processor, while computationally intensive L1 and L2 functions can be offloaded to FPGA- and / or GPU-based hardware accelerators. Alternatively, all L1 functions can be offloaded to FPGA- and / or GPU-based hardware accelerators, while other protocol stack components are implemented in software running on the processor. Yet another example is that the entire protocol stack is implemented in software running on the processor.

[0118] For example, the RU may include an O-RAN processing unit (OPU). The OPU may be used to receive enhanced common public radio interface (eCPRI) frames from the O-RAN fronthaul, and / or to perform fronthaul interface, lowest-level L1 operations (e.g., encoding, scrambling, modulation, layer mapping, or precoding), synchronization, beamforming, or resource element mapping, etc.

[0119] In some possible implementations, the OPU may include a digital processing unit (DPU), a RAN fronthaul link processing unit, and an RF processing unit.

[0120] The DPU can be used to perform synchronization, digital downconversion (DDC), digital upconversion (DUC), crest factor reduction (CFR), or digital pre-distortion (DPD), etc. In this way, the DPU can reduce the peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) and / or adjacent channel leakage ratio (ACLR) of the RF front end. For example, the DPU may include an FPGA and / or an ASIC. The DPU can also be implemented in other ways.

[0121] The RF processing unit may include a transceiver module, an up-converter, a down-converter, a power amplifier (PA), a low noise amplifier (LNA), a transmit (Tx) filter, a receive (Rx) filter, or other devices.

[0122] For example, the transceiver module can be used to perform operations such as analog-to-digital conversion, digital-to-analog conversion, RF sampling, and frequency conversion using RF signals, intermediate frequency (IF) signals, and local oscillator (LO) signals in up-conversion and down-conversion.

[0123] The aforementioned physical device can also be a logic module, and the aforementioned logic module can also be a physical device; this application does not impose any limitations.

[0124] O-RAN aims to achieve an intelligent and open access network. A key feature of the O-RAN architecture is the separation of hardware and software, enabling the virtualization of network functions and the standardization of hardware. Furthermore, O-RAN incorporates artificial intelligence (AI).

[0125] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of another communication system. This system may include a RAN intelligent controller (RIC).

[0126] The following section describes each node in the system in conjunction with Table 1.

[0127] Table 1

[0128] The contents of Table 1 can be modified or replaced, and this application does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0129] Figure 4 is a schematic block diagram of a base station. This base station may also be referred to as an O-RAN node. The base station may also include other components besides those shown in Figure 4, which are not limited in this application.

[0130] Taking a gNB as an example, as shown in Figure 4, the protocol layer of the gNB can be separated through the CU and DU. Some protocol layer functions are housed in the CU, while others are housed in the DU. The CU can centrally control the DU.

[0131] In this application, protocol layers, protocol stacks, protocol entities, protocol layer functions, protocol stack functions, or functional units can be interchanged.

[0132] To facilitate understanding, two possible examples of splitting the protocol layer using CU and DU are introduced below.

[0133] In some examples, the CU can be divided into CU-CP and CU-UP, which have control plane and user plane functions respectively. CU-CP and CU-UP can communicate with each other via an E1 interface.

[0134] The CU-CP can include the protocol layer of the control plane, such as the RRC layer and PDCP-control (C). The CU-CP can communicate with the DU through the F1-C interface.

[0135] The CU-UP can include user plane protocol layers, such as the SDAP layer and PDCP-user (U). The CU-UP can communicate with the DU through the F1-U1 interface.

[0136] In other examples, the CU is deployed with an RRC layer, a PDCP layer, and an SDAP layer; the DU is deployed with an RLC layer, a MAC layer, and a PHY layer. Thus, the CU can have RRC, PDCP, and SDAP processing capabilities, while the DU can have RLC, MAC, and PHY processing capabilities. The CU and DU can communicate via the F1 interface.

[0137] It is understood that the above functional segmentation is only an example and does not constitute a limitation on CU and DU. CU and DU can also segment the protocol layer in other ways.

[0138] RUs can be deployed in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units. For example, RUs can be deployed in remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs).

[0139] The DU can deploy the higher-level physical layer, which can be called the high physical layer (High-PHY or PHY-high). The RU can deploy the lower-level physical layer, which can be called the low physical layer (Low-PHY or PHY-low).

[0140] For example, the possible correspondence between O-RAN network elements and protocol layers in an O-RAN system can be shown in Table 2.

[0141] Table 2

[0142] The contents of Table 2 may be modified or replaced, and this application does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0143] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture for a communication system. This network architecture includes a terminal device (UE in Figure 5), an access network device (RAN in Figure 5), and at least one network function (NF). For example, at least one NF may include: a network capability opening network element, a network storage function network element, a network data analysis network element, an application function network element, a policy control network element, a unified data storage network element, a unified data management network element, an access and mobility management network element, a session management network element, a user plane function network element, and a data network (DN) connecting to the operator's network. The terminal device can send service data to the data network and receive service data from the data network through the access network device and the user plane function network element. The access network device can communicate with the network management system.

[0144] Network capability open elements can expose some network functions to applications in a controlled manner. In 5G communication systems, network capability open elements can be network exposure functions (NEF). In future communication systems, network capability open elements may still be NEF elements, or they may have other names; this application is not limited to these.

[0145] Network storage function (NRF) network elements are primarily used for registration, discovery, and status detection of network elements, the services they provide, and their functions. NRF network elements enable automated management, selection, and expansion of network function services, and allow each network function to discover services provided by other network functions. In 5G communication systems, NRF network elements may be network repository functions (NRFs). In future communication systems, NRF network elements may remain NRF network elements or have other names; this application does not limit this.

[0146] Network data analysis elements can collect, analyze, and predict data from various network functions (NFs), application function network elements (via network capability open function network elements), terminal devices, network management systems, etc. These elements possess data collection, training, analysis, and inference capabilities. After training based on relevant data, the network data analysis element can provide data analysis results to network functions, application function network elements, terminal devices, or network management systems. These results can assist the network in selecting service quality parameters for services, performing traffic routing, or selecting background data transmission strategies. Network functions include, for example, policy control network elements, session management network elements, user plane function network elements, and access and mobility management network elements. In 5G communication systems, the network data analysis element can be an NWDAF (Network Data Controller Area Function). In future communication systems, the network data analysis element may still be an NWDAF element, or it may have other names; this application is not limiting.

[0147] Application function network elements (AF elements) can be used to convey application-side requests to the network side. For example, these requests may include Quality of Service (QoS) requirements or user state event subscriptions. AF elements can provide various application service data to the control plane network elements of the operator's communication network, or obtain network data and control information from the control plane network elements. In 5G communication systems, AF elements can be application functions (AFs). In future communication systems, AF elements may still be AF elements, or they may have other names; this application is not limited to any particular name. For example, AF elements can also be called application servers or service servers. Furthermore, AF elements can be deployed on the operator's network or deployed by a third party.

[0148] A policy control network element can be used to formulate and manage policies for the entire network (e.g., a 5G network). The policy control network element can include policy control functions, charging policy control functions, etc. It can generate and maintain QoS flow control policies, network slicing policies, mobility management policies, charging policies, UE access policies, etc. The policy control network element can dynamically generate and adjust policies based on the operator's service needs and network status, and distribute these policies to relevant network elements such as access and mobility management network elements, session management network elements, and user plane function network elements to guide their behavior. Furthermore, the policy control network element can receive QoS requirements from application function network elements and transform them into corresponding policies. Additionally, it can obtain user subscription information related to the policies. In a 5G communication system, the policy control network element can be a policy control function (PCF). In future communication systems, the policy control network element may still be a PCF network element, or it may have other names; this application is not limited to these.

[0149] A unified data storage network element is primarily used to store structured data information, including subscription information, policy information, and network data or service data with standardized formats. In 5G communication systems, the unified data storage network element can be a unified data repository (UDR). In future communication systems, the unified data storage network element may still be a UDR network element, or it may have other names; this application is not limiting.

[0150] A unified data management network element is primarily used to manage and store user data (or subscription information) from terminal devices. This includes, for example, user identity information, authentication information, subscription information, and policy information. The unified data management network element can provide user data query and update services to other network elements. It can support user authentication, authorization, and key management functions. Furthermore, the unified data management network element can update and synchronize user data according to the policies of policy control network elements. In 5G communication systems, the unified data management network element can be a unified data management (UDM) element. In future communication systems, the unified data management network element may still be a UDM element, or it may have other names; this application is not limiting.

[0151] Access and mobility management (AML) network elements are primarily used in mobile networks for access notification, mobility management, terminal attachment and detachment, and tracking area update procedures. For example, AML network elements can provide non-access stratum (NAS) messages, complete registration management, connection management, reachability management, allocate tracking area lists (TA lists), monitor, grant access authorization, authenticate, and manage mobility, and transparently route session management (SM) messages to session management network elements. When an AML network element provides services to a session in a terminal device, it can provide control plane storage resources, store session identifiers, or session management function (SMF) identifiers associated with the session identifiers. In 5G communication systems, the AML network element can be an access and mobility management function (AMF). In future communication systems, the AML network element may still be an AMF network element, or it may have other names; this application is not limited to these.

[0152] Session management network elements can be used for session and bearer management in mobile networks, such as session establishment, modification, and release. Specific functions include allocating and managing Internet Protocol (IP) addresses for the UE, and selecting user plane function network elements that provide packet forwarding capabilities. For example, the session management network element can select a suitable user plane function network element for the UE based on the UE's request and the policy control information of the policy control network element, establish a session with that user plane function network element, and generate QoS rules and charging rules. The session management network element can control the data forwarding and processing behavior of user plane function network elements. For example, the session management network element can redirect user plane network elements, allocate Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, establish, modify, and release bearers, or perform QoS control, etc. In 5G communication systems, the session management network element can be a session management function (SMF). In future communication systems, the session management network element may still be an SMF network element, or it may have other names; this application is not limited to these.

[0153] User plane function network elements (MPFs) can process user packets, such as forwarding, receiving, and billing monitoring. Furthermore, MPFs can handle user plane data packet routing, forwarding, QoS flow processing, threshold control, traffic monitoring, authentication, data packet detection, and reporting. MPFs can also manage UE IP addresses and core network (CN) tunnel information. Located in the 5G core network user plane, MPFs provide high-speed, efficient, and flexible data transmission services to the UE. In addition, MPFs can perform data packet filtering, traffic shaping, and billing processing according to control plane instructions, enabling fine-grained management and control of user data flows. MPFs can connect to access network equipment via the N3 interface and to the data network via the N6 interface, thus enabling data transmission between the UE and the external data network. MPFs can also be referred to as Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session anchors (PSAs). In 5G communication systems, user plane function network elements can be user plane functions (UPF). In future communication systems, user plane function network elements can still be UPF network elements, or they can have other names. This application does not limit this.

[0154] Network management (OAM) is primarily used for daily network and service analysis, forecasting, planning, and configuration, as well as network and service testing and fault management. OAM can interact with RAN to obtain information such as radio channel conditions and radio resource utilization. In 5G communication systems, OAM can be operations, administration, and management (OAM). In future communication systems, OAM may remain an OAM network element or have other names; this application does not limit this.

[0155] Data networks are primarily used to provide data transmission services for terminal devices. Data networks can be private networks, such as local area networks (LANs), public data networks (PDNs), such as the Internet, or dedicated networks jointly deployed by operators, such as configured IP multimedia core network subsystems (IMS) services. Data networks can also originate from third parties.

[0156] In the architecture shown in Figure 5, the interface names and functions between the various network elements are as follows:

[0157] 1. N1: The interface between AMF and UE, which can be used to transmit QoS control rules to UE, etc.

[0158] 2. N2: The interface between AMF and (R)AN, which can be used to transmit radio bearer control information from the core network side to the RAN.

[0159] 3. N3: The interface between RAN and UPF, used to transmit uplink or downlink user plane data between RAN and UPF.

[0160] 4. N4: The interface between SMF and UPF, which can be used to transmit information between the control plane and the user plane, including the distribution of forwarding rules, QoS control rules, traffic statistics rules, etc. from the control plane to the user plane, as well as the reporting of information from the user plane.

[0161] 5. N6: The interface between UPF and DN, used to transmit uplink or downlink user data streams between UPF and DN.

[0162] 6. The service-oriented interfaces Nnef, Nnrf, Namf, Npcf, Nsmf, Nudm, Nnwdaf, Naf, Nudr, and Nudm are the service-oriented interfaces provided by the NEF, NRF, AMF, PCF, SMF, UDM, NWDAF, AF, UDR, and UDM network elements, respectively, and are used to call the corresponding service-oriented operations.

[0163] The aforementioned network element or function can be a network component in a hardware device, a software function running on dedicated hardware, or a virtualization function instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). Optionally, the aforementioned network element or function can be implemented by one device, multiple devices working together, or a functional module within a single device; this application embodiment does not specifically limit this.

[0164] The naming conventions described above are defined solely for the purpose of distinguishing different functions and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this application. This application does not preclude the possibility of using other naming conventions in 5G networks and other future networks. For example, in future communication networks, some or all of the aforementioned network terminology may be retained from 5G, or other names may be used. The interface names between the various network elements in Figure 5 are merely examples; in specific implementations, the interface names may be different, and this application does not impose any specific limitations on them. Furthermore, the names of the messages (or signaling) transmitted between the aforementioned network elements are also merely examples and do not constitute any limitation on the function of the messages themselves.

[0165] The term "network element" can also be referred to as an entity, device, apparatus, or module, etc., and is not specifically limited in this application. Furthermore, in this application, for ease of understanding and explanation, the description of "network element" is omitted in some descriptions. For example, the PCF network element is abbreviated as PCF. In this case, "PCF" can be understood as a PCF network element or a PCF entity. The following omits descriptions of the same or similar cases.

[0166] With the continuous increase in energy consumption of access network elements, this energy consumption has become one of the main reasons for the high operating costs of operators. One possible energy-saving method includes employing different depths of shutdown techniques during periods of no data transmission in the time domain; for example, symbol shutdown can be used for symbols with no data transmission. The network can also use certain scheduling methods to aggregate and transmit data that was originally dispersed in the time domain, thereby increasing the time without data transmission, thus improving the shutdown probability and achieving network energy saving (NES).

[0167] In some scenarios, multiple access network elements can provide data transmission services for the same UE. For example, a UE can transmit data with at least two access network elements based on dual connectivity (DC) or carrier aggregation (CA) technologies.

[0168] DC (Distributed Control) was introduced in LTE systems in 3GPP Release 12. The main and auxiliary nodes of DC can use the same or different radio access technologies. For example, the main node of EN-DC uses the E-UTRA standard and the auxiliary node uses the NR standard, thus providing users with a network configuration that is smoothly compatible with 4G & 5G and provides continuous coverage.

[0169] In a Data Center (DC), there are concepts of a master cell group (MCG) and a secondary cell group (SCG). An MCG may contain multiple cells. One cell within the MCG is used to initiate initial access; this cell can be called the primary cell (PCell). PCells and secondary cells (SCells) within an MCG can be combined using CA (Capacity Assist) technology. Similarly, an SCG can also have a primary cell, called the primary secondary cell (PSCell). PSCells and SCells within an SCG can be combined using CA technology.

[0170] CA (Cybernetic Access) was introduced in 3GPP Release 10. CA and DC (Data Aggregation) are technically similar, both using second, third, or more cells to provide services to the same UE (User Equipment) to improve user experience. CA is limited to the same radio access technology (e.g., E-UTRA) and mostly involves aggregation between different cells under the same macro base station.

[0171] CA (Carrier Aggregator) technology can be used to increase the transmission bandwidth for individual users. For example, CA technology can integrate multi-frequency resources, aggregating spectrum resources in the same or different frequency bands for use by the terminal side, thereby improving overall network resource utilization and enhancing user experience. In some possible implementations, CA can aggregate two or more component carriers (CCs) together to support greater transmission bandwidth.

[0172] In a CA (Connectivity in Context) scenario, the primary cell (PCell) can be the cell where the terminal initiates the initial connection establishment, the cell where radio resource control (RRC) connection reconstruction is performed, or the primary cell designated during handover. For example, the PCell can be responsible for RRC communication between the terminal and the network.

[0173] For example, a secondary cell (SCell) can be added during RRC reconfiguration to provide additional radio resources. In some possible implementations, there may be no RRC communication between the SCell and the terminal side.

[0174] Taking Option 3x as an example, based on the QoS class identifier (QCI) of the user service, the bearer mode can be selected as SCG split bearer or MCG bearer. After the bearer mode is set to SCG split bearer, the user plane data offloading method can be controlled by the NR side. For example, the NR side can be set to MCG-only transmission, SCG-only transmission, or dynamic offloading, and the core network side is unaware of the above settings. When there is a Voice over Long-Term Evolution (VoLTE) bearer, the bearer mode can be fixed as MCG transmission, and the data can be transmitted in LTE-only mode.

[0175] However, in scenarios where data transmission occurs between a terminal and multiple access network elements, data packets are randomly assigned to multiple access network elements. This requires all access network elements to remain active, resulting in significant energy consumption for these elements.

[0176] Therefore, how to reduce the energy consumption of access network elements in scenarios where data transmission occurs between a terminal and multiple access network elements is an urgent problem to be solved.

[0177] In view of this, this application provides a communication method 600. In scenarios where data transmission occurs between a terminal and multiple access network elements, the terminal in method 600 can perform data splitting based on the size of the data packets to be transmitted, thereby enabling the access network elements to reduce energy consumption.

[0178] Understandably, in actual data transmission, data packets of different sizes exist in different proportions and with varying arrival intervals within the network. In some service packet models, such as the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) service packet model, packets are categorized into small, medium, and large packets based on their data size. For example, a small packet might be 0.25 kilobytes (KB), a medium packet might be 30.5 KB, and a large packet might be 665 KB. The arrival intervals for these three types of packets differ. Small packets are the most frequent, while large packets are the least frequent. In other words, there are more small packets and fewer large packets. If access network elements remain constantly active due to the frequent arrival of small packets, this is not energy-efficient.

[0179] In method 600, data packets with a data size greater than or equal to a certain threshold (e.g., a first threshold) are sent to one access network element, while data packets with a data size less than the certain threshold (e.g., the first threshold) are sent to another access network element. Since the number of large data packets (e.g., data packets with a data size greater than or equal to the first threshold) is relatively small, the access network elements can receive these data packets for a period of time and remain dormant during other periods, thereby reducing energy consumption.

[0180] Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 600 provided in an embodiment of this application. Optional operations in method 600 are shown in Figure 6 with dashed lines. Some nodes involved in method 600 are described below.

[0181] Terminal. Unless otherwise specified, the terminal in this application can be 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. For ease of description, the following description uses a UE as an example of a terminal.

[0182] The first access network element. Unless otherwise specified, the first access network element in this application can be the access network equipment itself (e.g., CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, BBU, AAU, TRP, or base station), a component in the access network equipment (e.g., processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the access network equipment. For ease of understanding and description, the first access network element will be referred to as network element #1 below.

[0183] Second access network element. Unless otherwise specified, the second access network element in this application can be the access network equipment itself (e.g., CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, BBU, AAU, TRP, or base station), a component within the access network equipment (e.g., processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the access network equipment. For ease of understanding and description, the second access network element will be referred to as network element #2 below.

[0184] The following section describes the various operations of method 600 with reference to Figure 6.

[0185] S640, the UE determines whether to send the first data packet to network element #1 or network element #2 based on the size of the first data packet to be transmitted.

[0186] Network element #1 is used to receive data packets with a data size greater than or equal to a first threshold. Network element #2 is used to receive data packets with a data size less than the first threshold.

[0187] Network element #1 and / or network element #2 can be a node with complete base station protocol stack functions (e.g., network element #1 and / or network element #2 is a base station), or it can be a node with partial base station protocol stack functions (e.g., network element #1 and / or network element #2 can be TRP, CU, DU, RU, CU-CP, CU-UP, AAU, or BBU, etc.).

[0188] In some possible scenarios, network element #1 may be closer to the UE than network element #2. In other words, network element #2 may be farther from the UE than network element #1. For example, the UE may be located at the edge of the signal coverage area of ​​network element #2. Thus, network element #1 has better signal quality or a larger data transmission bandwidth than network element #2. As an example, the signal quality of network element #1 can be characterized by the reference signal receiving power (RSRP) of the reference signal received by the UE from network element #1 or other signal quality-related parameters. The RSRP of the reference signal received by the UE from network element #1 is higher than that of the reference signal received by the UE from network element #2. For the UE, because network element #1 has better signal quality or a larger data transmission bandwidth, network element #1 is suitable for helping the UE transmit data packets with a data size greater than or equal to a first threshold (or, in other words, large data packets). Therefore, network element #1 can also be called a capacity layer, for example, see the capacity layer in Figure 6. For example, large data packets may include data packets for video download, etc.

[0189] Compared to network element #1, network element #2 has a larger signal coverage area (or signal coverage region). Network element #1 can also be referred to as a coverage layer. Compared to network element #1, network element #2 may have poorer signal quality or smaller data transmission bandwidth. For example, the RSRP of the reference signal received by the UE from network element #2 is lower than the RSRP of the reference signal received by the UE from network element #1. Therefore, network element #2 is suitable for helping the UE transmit data packets with a data size less than a first threshold (or, in other words, small data packets). For example, small data packets may include control signaling, etc.

[0190] In some examples, the UE can establish an RRC connection with network element #1. In other words, the UE can access network element #1, which can be the UE's serving node. After the UE accesses network element #1, network element #1 and network element #2 can exchange pipeline configurations for small data packet transmission and associate these pipeline configurations with the network-side distribution point (i.e., the second functional unit). In this way, the second functional unit can subsequently deliver the UE's large and small data packets to the core network. For a detailed description of the distribution point settings, please refer to the following text, such as the relevant content in Figure 7, which will not be elaborated here.

[0191] In other examples, the UE can establish an RRC connection with network element #2. In other words, the UE can access network element #2, which can be the UE's serving node. For instance, based on cell selection / reselection, the UE camps on and accesses network element #2, while network element #1 is not always active or does not send synchronization signal blocks (SSBs). After the UE accesses network element #2, network element #2 can indicate to the UE that there is a network element #1 with higher signal quality, which is more suitable for transmitting large data packets.

[0192] The first data packet can be a data packet to be transmitted by the UE. By determining the data size of the first data packet, the UE can decide whether to send the first data packet to network element #1 or network element #2. Specifically, the UE can make a judgment based on a first threshold: if the data size of the first data packet is greater than or equal to the first threshold, then the first data packet is sent to network element #1; if the data size of the first data packet is less than the first threshold, then the first data packet is sent to network element #2.

[0193] The first threshold can be a threshold for the amount of data. For example, the first threshold can be 200 kilobytes (KB), 1 megabyte (MB), or other values. This application does not limit the specific value of the first threshold.

[0194] In some examples, a first threshold can be used to divide data packets in the ETSI service packet model into two parts: small packets and medium and large packets. For example, the first threshold can be any value between 0.26KB and 30.4KB.

[0195] Understandably, in actual data transmission, the number of large data packets is often less than the number of small data packets. In other words, the transmission frequency of large data packets can be less than the transmission frequency of small data packets. Conversely, large data packets are more sparse, while small data packets are more dense. In other words, the UE sends data packets to network element #1 less frequently than it sends data packets to network element #2.

[0196] In some examples, if there are no large data packets to be received by network element #1, network element #1 can be in a dormant state.

[0197] In this context, network element #1 is in a dormant state. This can be understood as network element #1 being entirely dormant, or as a portion of network element #1 being dormant (for example, some nodes, some functional units, or some antennas in network element #1 being dormant, while other functional units or other antennas are awake). This application does not impose any limitations on this. The specific circumstances of network element #1 being entirely or partially dormant are related to the settings of the large data packet and small data packet splitting points, as detailed later, for example, in the relevant content of Figure 7, which will not be elaborated here.

[0198] Network element #1 is in a sleep state, which can also be understood as network element #1 being in a sleep mode. The sleep mode can be periodic or non-periodic, and is not limited here.

[0199] For example, the sleep mode can be periodic, and network element #1 can sleep and wake up according to a certain pattern. As an example, network element #1 can sleep based on a timer. The information representing the time periods of network element #1's sleep and wake-up can be called a sleep pattern. The sleep pattern can be pre-configured, protocol-predefined, or determined by the network side (e.g., network element #1, or the control plane network element of network element #1).

[0200] For example, the sleep mode can be non-periodic. As an example, at least two sides of the network side, UE side, or service side (e.g., the UE's application layer) can align the sleep and wake-up time periods of network element #1, and complete the non-periodic sleep and wake-up of network element #1 through signaling interaction.

[0201] Based on the above scheme, the terminal (e.g., UE) can determine the data size of the data packets to be transmitted, sending larger data packets to the first access network element (or network element #1) and smaller data packets to the second access network element (or network element #2). In actual data transmission, the number of larger data packets is often less than the number of smaller data packets, or the time domain ratio of larger data packets is often less than that of smaller data packets. For example, the transmission or generation interval of larger data packets may be longer than that of smaller data packets. Therefore, network element #1 can receive data packets intermittently and remain in a dormant state when there are no data packets to receive, thus saving energy consumption. Therefore, in scenarios where data transmission occurs between the terminal and multiple access network elements, the above scheme can enable access network elements to reduce energy consumption.

[0202] For ease of description, data packets with a data size greater than or equal to the first threshold will be referred to as "large data packets"; data packets with a data size less than the first threshold will be referred to as "small data packets". Here, "greater than or equal to" can be replaced with "greater than" and "less than" can be replaced with "less than".

[0203] After the uplink data arrives at the UE, by repeatedly executing S640 above, the UE can divide multiple data packets into large data packets to be sent to network element #1 and small data packets to be sent to network element #2. The above operation of the UE can be called "shunting" (or "filtering"). The UE's hunting operation is often implemented in a certain functional unit, and the functional unit that performs the hunting operation can be called the "hunting point".

[0204] The following are some examples of diversion points.

[0205] Prior to S640, the network side could configure a splitting point (denoted as the first functional unit) on the UE side, as well as a pipe for transmitting large data packets and a pipe for transmitting small data packets after splitting. These two pipes could be associated with the same splitting point on the network side (denoted as the second functional unit), enabling the network side to aggregate the large and small data packets after receiving them from the UE.

[0206] The following is an example of the first functional unit on the UE side.

[0207] Optionally, the UE includes a first functional unit. This first functional unit can be used to execute S640, that is, to determine whether to send the first data packet to network element #1 or network element #2 based on the data size of the first data packet to be transmitted. By executing S640, the first functional unit can determine whether the first data packet is a large data packet to be sent to network element #1 or a small data packet to be sent to network element #2. By repeatedly executing S640, the first functional unit can divide multiple data packets into a large data packet to be sent to network element #1 and a small data packet to be sent to network element #2.

[0208] The aforementioned first functional unit may belong to the MAC layer, RLC layer, PDCP layer, SDAP layer, or a layer higher than SDAP.

[0209] The following is an example of the second functional unit on the network side.

[0210] Correspondingly, network element #1 can be associated with the second functional unit, which can be used to aggregate large data packets and small data packets.

[0211] The aforementioned second functional unit may belong to the MAC layer, RLC layer, PDCP layer, SDAP layer, or a layer higher than SDAP.

[0212] The aforementioned first and second functional units can be corresponding. For example, the first functional unit belongs to the MAC layer on the UE side, and the second functional unit belongs to the MAC layer on the network side. Another example is that the first functional unit belongs to the SDAP layer on the UE side, and the second functional unit belongs to the SDAP layer on the network side. Yet another example is that the first functional unit belongs to a layer higher than SDAP on the UE side, and the second functional unit belongs to a layer higher than SDAP on the network side (e.g., the second functional unit is deployed on the UPF).

[0213] The phrase "Network element #1 is associated with the second functional unit" can be understood as meaning that network element #1 includes a second functional unit. In this case, the second functional unit in network element #1 can be used to process large data packets from network element #1 and small data packets from network element #2. For example, if network element #1 is a base station, the second functional unit can belong to the MAC layer or the SDAP layer, and the second functional unit in network element #1 can be used to process large data packets from network element #1 and small data packets from network element #2.

[0214] "Network element #1 is associated with the second functional unit" can also be understood as network element #1 sending large data packets to the second functional unit. In this case, the second functional unit can be deployed in another access network device other than network element #1. Network element #1 can be used in conjunction with an access network device that has the second functional unit deployed.

[0215] For example, network element #1 is an AAU, and the second functional unit can be deployed in the BBU. As an example, the second functional unit can belong to the MAC layer.

[0216] For example, network element #1 is a DU, and the second functional unit can be deployed in the CU. As an example, the second functional unit can belong to the MAC layer or the SDAP layer.

[0217] For example, network element #1 is a base station, and the second functional unit can be deployed in the UPF. As an example, when the second functional unit is deployed in the UPF, the second functional unit can be a layer higher than SDAP (e.g., a higher layer added compared to the current protocol).

[0218] In this application, the term "functional unit" can also be replaced with "protocol stack," "protocol entity," "protocol layer," "protocol layer function," or other similar terms. For example, the first functional unit can be replaced with the first protocol stack, the first protocol entity, the first protocol layer, the first protocol layer function, or other similar terms. Examples of replacing the second functional unit are not elaborated further.

[0219] For ease of understanding, the following description will take the SDAP layer protocol stack as an example, with reference to Figure 7.

[0220] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a traffic splitting point setting provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 7 assumes that the traffic splitting point is set at the SDAP layer; in other words, the first functional unit included in the UE and the second functional unit on the network side belong to the SDAP layer.

[0221] During uplink transmission, the UE can perform traffic splitting (or filtering) at the SDAP layer, sending large data packets to the SDAP layer of network element #1. The UE can send small data packets to network element #2, and further, network element #2 can send the small data packets to the second functional unit. Further, the second functional unit can aggregate and process the large and small data packets before submitting them to the core network element (e.g., UPF).

[0222] When the splitting point is set at the SDAP layer, that is, when the first functional unit and the second functional unit belong to the SDAP layer, the functional units of network element #1 below the SDAP layer can go into hibernation when there are no large data packets to be transmitted.

[0223] Figure 7 illustrates the case where network element #1 includes the SDAP layer. In the scenario shown in Figure 7, network element #1 can be a base station, or a communication system including CU and DU, or a communication system including AAU and BBU. Thus, the functional units of network element #1 below the SDAP layer, or the DU in network element #1, or the AAU in network element #1 (or the TRP in the AAU), can hibernate when there are no large data packets to be received.

[0224] In other examples, network element #1 can be another access network device different from the access network device deployed with the SDAP layer. For example, network element #1 can be a DU, AAU, or TRP. In this way, network element #1 can hibernate when there are no large data packets to be received, thereby gaining energy-saving benefits.

[0225] When network element #1 is a DU and network element #2 is a DU, network element #2 can share the same CU with network element #1, or they can have different CUs. This application does not limit this.

[0226] In some examples, the offloading point can also be set at a layer higher than SDAP. For example, a layer higher than SDAP can be set in a network entity (e.g., a UPF). This network entity can connect network element #1 and network element #2. Both network element #1 and network element #2 can be base stations. Network element #1 can go into sleep mode when there are no large data packets to be received. As an example, network element #1 (or base station) can include CU-CP, CU-UP, and DU, where CU-UP and DU can go into sleep mode when there are no large data packets to be received. For example, CU-CP can wake up CU-UP and DU.

[0227] For example, a layer higher than SDAP can be a non-access stratum (NAS) or another layer.

[0228] Understandably, without traffic splitting, for example, if the UE sends both large and small data packets to network element #1, and network element #1 sends both large and small data packets to the second functional unit (the SDAP layer on the network side in Figure 7), then the delay Δt caused by network element #2 transmitting small data packets to the second functional unit will not occur (see, for example, the location of Δt marked in Figure 7). In other words, the UE's traffic splitting operation may introduce additional delay Δt. In some examples, by controlling the magnitude of the delay Δt, it can be ensured that data transmission performance is not affected. For example, the delay Δt can be controlled to not exceed the access network (AN) packet delay budget (PDB).

[0229] In other examples, the splitting point can be set at the MAC layer, thereby reducing latency Δt. In the above case, the first functional unit (or MAN layer) in the UE can send large data packets to the MAC layer of network element #1 and small data packets to the MAC layer of network element #2.

[0230] The following is an example of network element #1 going into hibernation when the split point can be set at the MAC layer.

[0231] As an example, network element #1 can be a base station. The AAU or TRP in network element #1 can go into sleep mode when there are no large data packets to be received.

[0232] As another example, network element #1 can be an AAU or TRP in a base station. Network element #1 can hibernate when there are no large data packets to be received. Network element #1 and network element #2 can be in a co-location scenario; in other words, network element #1 and network element #2 can connect to the same BBU. For example, network element #1 and network element #2 can respectively cover cells in different frequency bands at the same site. For ease of understanding, an example of a co-location scenario for network element #1 and network element #2 is described below with reference to Figure 8.

[0233] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a carrier aggregation provided in an embodiment of this application. The gNB in ​​the NR system includes a BBU and at least one AAU. The BBU can be connected to one or more AAUs. Assume network element #1 and network element #2 are connected to the BBU in the NR system. Network element #1 and / or network element #2 can be a TRP or an AAU. Referring to Figure 8, in NR CA technology, network element #1 can transmit CC#a in the NR band, and network element #2 can transmit CC#b in the NR band. CC#a and CC#b can be different CCs, i.e., subcarriers on different bands.

[0234] In some other possible implementations, the above S640 can be replaced by: the UE sending a large data packet to network element #1; the UE sending a small data packet to network element #2.

[0235] In some other possible implementations, if S640 is for the UE to determine whether to send the first data packet to network element #1 or network element #2 based on the data size of the first data packet to be transmitted, the above method 600 may further include S650a and / or S650b.

[0236] S650a, the UE sends a large data packet to network element #1. Correspondingly, network element #1 receives the large data packet from the UE.

[0237] In S650b, the UE sends a small data packet to network element #2. Correspondingly, network element #2 receives the small data packet from the UE.

[0238] The following is an example of a collaborative set composed of network element #1 and network element #2.

[0239] The cooperative set may include network elements used for transmitting large data packets and / or network elements used for transmitting small data packets.

[0240] In some examples, method 600 also includes S610 before S640.

[0241] S610, network element #2 sends the fifth message to network element #1, which indicates that network element #1 is used to receive large data packets.

[0242] Correspondingly, network element #1 receives the fifth message from network element #2.

[0243] The fifth piece of information mentioned above can also be understood as a cooperation instruction, which can instruct network element #1 to be included in the cooperation set. In this way, network element #1, which is included in the cooperation set, can be used to receive large data packets from the UE later.

[0244] In the O-RAN scenario, network element #2 can include a CU, and network element #1 can include a CU. The fifth piece of information can be sent from the CU of network element #2 to the CU of network element #1.

[0245] In other examples, the aforementioned fifth message may be sent from network element #1 to network element #2. The function of the fifth message can be replaced by indicating that network element #2 is used to receive small data packets. In the O-RAN scenario, network element #2 may include a CU, and network element #1 may include a CU. The aforementioned fifth message may be sent from the CU of network element #1 to the CU of network element #2.

[0246] The following is an example of a UE triggering uplink transmission.

[0247] In some possible implementations, prior to S650b, method 600 also includes: S635.

[0248] S635, the UE measures the reference signal from network element #2 to obtain the signal quality.

[0249] Furthermore, S650b includes: sending a small data packet to network element #2 if the signal quality is greater than or equal to a second threshold. For example, if the first data packet is less than the first threshold, the UE can send the first data packet to network element #2.

[0250] For example, in a cooperative set, there may be multiple candidate network elements for receiving small data packets from the UE. The UE can measure the signal quality of multiple candidate network elements, select the candidate network element with a signal quality greater than or equal to a second threshold as network element #2, and then send small data packets to that network element #2.

[0251] Optionally, S640 includes: if the signal quality is greater than or equal to a second threshold, determining whether to send the first data packet to network element #1 or network element #2 based on the data size of the first data packet to be transmitted. That is, if the signal quality of network element #2 is better, the UE can perform a traffic splitting operation, thereby splitting the transmission of large and small data packets.

[0252] The phrase "greater than or equal to" can be replaced with "greater than".

[0253] Understandably, if the signal quality of network element #2 is poor (for example, the signal quality is less than the second threshold), the UE may not perform traffic splitting and transmit all uplink data to network element #1.

[0254] For example, signal quality (or beam quality) may include at least one of the following:

[0255] Reference signal receiving power (RSRP).

[0256] Signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR).

[0257] Layer 1 (L1) - RSRP.

[0258] L1-SINR.

[0259] Synchronization signal (SS) - RSRP.

[0260] Channel state information (CSI) - RSRP.

[0261] SS-SINR.

[0262] CSI-SINR.

[0263] The second threshold can be a signal quality threshold, for example, if the signal quality is RSRP, the second threshold can be -100 dBm or other values.

[0264] The second threshold can be predefined, preconfigured, configured on the network side, or determined on the UE side; this application does not impose any restrictions.

[0265] Based on the above scheme, the terminal can send data packets with a data size smaller than the first threshold to the second access network element (or network element #2) when the signal quality of the second access network element is good, thereby improving the reliability of data transmission.

[0266] In some other possible implementations, the terminal cannot obtain the second threshold, or in other words, a scheme for using the second threshold to determine whether to send a small data packet to network element #2 does not exist. In the above cases, the terminal can always perform the traffic splitting operation. For example, when the terminal needs to transmit uplink data, it performs the traffic splitting operation, that is, executes S640, S650a, and S650b.

[0267] Within the cooperative set, there may be multiple candidate network elements for receiving small data packets from the UE. The UE can select any one of these candidate network elements as network element #2, and then send small data packets to that network element #2.

[0268] The following is an example of the network side sending configuration information.

[0269] In some implementations, the method also includes: S620.

[0270] S620, the UE receives first information. This first information is used to indicate the first threshold and / or the second threshold.

[0271] The UE can receive the first information from network element #1 (corresponding to S620a in Figure 6) or network element #2 (corresponding to S620b in Figure 6). In other words, network element #1 or network element #2 can send the first information to the UE. For example, the CU in network element #1 or the CU in network element #2 can send the first information to the UE.

[0272] The aforementioned first information can be associated with the first functional unit of the UE. This association can be understood as the first information being the configuration information of the first functional unit; or, the first functional unit being used to execute S640 based on the first information, i.e., to perform a traffic offloading operation.

[0273] The aforementioned first piece of information can be carried in system information, MAC control element (CE), DCI, or dedicated signaling. For example, dedicated signaling can be an RRC reconfiguration message.

[0274] For ease of reading, the uses of the first and second thresholds are briefly introduced below.

[0275] The UE can use a first threshold to sort data packets, dividing them into large data packets destined for network element #1 and small data packets destined for network element #2. The UE can determine whether to send small data packets to network element #2, or whether to perform a traffic splitting operation, based on a second threshold. For example, if the signal quality of the reference signal received by the UE from network element #2 is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the UE can send small data packets to network element #2, or perform a traffic splitting operation, that is, classifying data packets with a size greater than or equal to the first threshold as large data packets and data packets with a size less than the first threshold as small data packets.

[0276] Further descriptions of the first and second thresholds can be found in the preceding text, such as S640 and S635, and will not be repeated here.

[0277] To facilitate understanding, the following section introduces the content of the first information and some possible behaviors of the UE.

[0278] In some examples, the first information includes a first threshold but not a second threshold. This allows the UE to perform a traffic offloading operation on all uplink data without judging signal quality. Alternatively, the UE can obtain the second threshold through other means and then perform the relevant operations of S635 based on the second threshold. For example, the aforementioned "other means" include, but are not limited to: protocol predefinition, UE preconfiguration, UE self-determination, or the second threshold being carried in information other than the first information.

[0279] In other examples, the first information includes the second threshold but not the first threshold. The UE can obtain the first threshold through other means or information, and then perform the relevant operation of S640 based on the first threshold. For example, the above-mentioned "other means" include, but are not limited to: protocol predefinition, UE preconfiguration, UE self-determination, or the second threshold being carried in other information besides the first information.

[0280] To facilitate understanding, several possible examples of network element #1 or network element #2 obtaining the first information are introduced below.

[0281] In some examples, when network element #1 sends the first information to the UE, network element #1 can determine the first threshold and / or the second threshold itself. In other examples, network element #1 can obtain the first threshold and / or the second threshold from network element #2. For example, the first threshold and / or the second threshold are carried in the fifth information (or cooperation indication) sent by network element #2 in S610.

[0282] In some examples, when network element #2 sends the first information to the UE, network element #2 can determine the first threshold and / or the second threshold itself. In other examples, network element #2 can obtain the first threshold and / or the second threshold from network element #1. For example, the first threshold and / or the second threshold are carried in the fifth information (or cooperation indication) sent by network element #1.

[0283] The following is an example of configuring the sleep or wake-up time period of network element #1 on the network side.

[0284] In some possible implementations, the method also includes: S625.

[0285] S625, the UE receives second information, which is used to indicate the time period during which network element #1 is used to receive large data packets (or, the wake-up time period of network element #1).

[0286] In some examples, network element #1 (corresponding to S625a in Figure 6) or network element #2 (corresponding to S625b in Figure 6) can send second information to the UE. As an example, the second information can be determined by network element #1. When network element #2 sends the second information to the UE, before S625, network element #1 can indicate the wake-up time period of the aforementioned network element #1 to network element #2.

[0287] The aforementioned wake-up time period can be either aperiodic or periodic, and this application does not impose any limitation on it. When the wake-up time period is periodic, the aforementioned second information can also indicate the sleep pattern of network element #1. This sleep pattern can be used to indicate the wake-up time period and sleep time period of network element #1.

[0288] The second information can directly indicate the aforementioned wake-up time period, or it can indirectly indicate the aforementioned wake-up time period by indicating the sleep time period of network element #1. It is understood that the wake-up time period and the sleep time period are relative; the non-sleep time period of network element #1 is the wake-up time period; the non-wake-up time period of network element #1 is the sleep time period.

[0289] The second information may be carried in the same or different messages as the first information, and this application does not limit this. The second information may be sent simultaneously or at different times from the first information, and this application does not limit this.

[0290] In some possible implementations, S650a includes: the UE sending a large data packet to network element #1 during the time period indicated by the second information; and the UE not sending a large data packet to network element #1 during the time period outside the time period indicated by the second information. In some possible scenarios, the UE may continuously send small data packets to network element #2 and intermittently send large data packets to network element #1.

[0291] In some possible implementations, the UE executes S635, that is, the UE measures the reference signal from network element #2 to obtain the signal quality. Further, S650a includes: if the signal quality is greater than or equal to a second threshold, and within the time period indicated by the second information, the UE sends a large data packet to network element #1. In other words, the conditions for the UE to send a large data packet to network element #1 may include good signal quality and being within the wake-up time period of network element #1.

[0292] Based on the above scheme, the terminal can obtain the time period in which the first access network element (or network element #1) can receive data packets (or large data packets) with a data volume greater than or equal to the first threshold, and then transmit large data packets to network element #1 based on the time period.

[0293] In other examples, the wake-up time period (or sleep time period) of network element #1 may be predefined by the protocol, or indicated to the UE by other nodes besides network element #1 and network element #2, which is not limited in this application.

[0294] The following is an example of a UE requesting uplink transmission scheduling.

[0295] In some possible implementations, method 600 also includes: S636 and S638.

[0296] S636, the UE sends third information to network element #1, the third information including the identifier of network element #2. Correspondingly, network element #1 receives the third information from the UE.

[0297] The identifier of network element #2 can be used to indicate network element #2. For example, the identifier of network element #2 may include the identifier (ID) or index of network element #2, or the physical cell identifier (PCI) of the cell where network element #2 is located, or the ID or index of the base station to which network element #2 belongs.

[0298] In some possible implementations, the UE can establish an RRC connection with network element #1. After the UE completes uplink and downlink synchronization with network element #2, S636 can be executed, thereby triggering the subsequent S638.

[0299] S638, the UE receives the fourth information, which instructs the UE to send a data packet to the network element #2.

[0300] For example, the fourth information can be carried in the DCI. The fourth information can also be understood as being used to schedule the uplink data transmission of the UE.

[0301] In some possible implementations, S640 includes: in response to the fourth information, the UE determines whether to send the first data packet to network element #1 or network element #2 based on the data size of the first data packet to be transmitted; in other words, in response to the fourth information, the UE performs a traffic splitting operation.

[0302] In some possible implementations, S650b includes: in response to the fourth information, the UE sends a small data packet to network element #2.

[0303] The fourth message can be sent by network element #1 (corresponding to S638a in Figure 6) or by network element #2 (corresponding to S638b in Figure 6). They will be described below as option 1 and option 2, respectively.

[0304] Option 1: Method 600 further includes: S637, network element #1 sends first indication information to network element #2. This first indication information is used to instruct network element #2 to send fourth information to the UE. Correspondingly, network element #2 receives the first indication information from network element #1.

[0305] For example, after parsing the fourth information, network element #1 can execute S637 based on the identifier of network element #1 in the fourth information, that is, send the first instruction information to network element #1.

[0306] Furthermore, S638 includes: S638b, where network element #2 responds to the first indication information and sends fourth information to the UE.

[0307] Option 2: S638 includes: S638a, network element #1 responds to the third information and sends the fourth information to the UE.

[0308] In option 2, network element #1 can directly schedule the UE to send data packets to network element #2. In one possible scenario, network element #1 can determine whether network element #2 is resource-aligned with network element #1 based on the identifier of network element #2 in the third information. If network element #1 and network element #2 are resource-aligned, network element #1 can execute S638a. In this way, when the UE sends a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) carrying small data packets to network element #2 according to the scheduling of network element #1, network element #2 can receive the PUSCH.

[0309] In other examples, the UE can establish an RRC connection with network element #2. Similar to S636, the UE can send the identifier of network element #1 to network element #2. Further, similar to the related description in S638, the UE can receive indication information from network element #1 or network element #2 to instruct the UE to send data packets to network element #1.

[0310] In the preceding text, the UE can trigger uplink transmission by executing S635. The following section presents a scheduling example of a UE triggering an uplink transmission request by executing S635.

[0311] In some examples, the UE can execute S635, that is, the UE measures the reference signal from network element #2 to obtain the signal quality. Further, S636 includes: if the signal quality is greater than or equal to a second threshold, the UE sends third information to network element #1. Further, the UE can execute S638, that is, the UE receives fourth information, which instructs the UE to send a data packet to network element #2.

[0312] In the above scheme, large data packets and small data packets are distinguished based on a first threshold. In other examples, a large data packet can be a data packet with a data size greater than or equal to the first threshold; a small data packet can be a data packet with a data size less than the first threshold'. The first threshold can be greater than the first threshold'. For data packets with a data size between the first threshold' and the first threshold, the UE can send them to another access network element besides network element #1 and network element #2.

[0313] For ease of understanding, the behavior of the base station associated with network element #1 will be described below, taking DU, AAU or TRP as the first access network element.

[0314] Figure 9 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method 900 provided in an embodiment of this application. Some nodes involved in method 900 are described below.

[0315] Terminal. Unless otherwise specified, the terminal in this application can be 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. For ease of description, the following description uses a UE as an example of a terminal.

[0316] First base station. Unless otherwise specified, the first base station in this application can be the access network equipment itself, a component within the access network equipment (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 access network equipment. The first base station may also have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0317] The first base station may include a first access network element and a first unit. The first access network element may be a DU, and the first unit may be a CU; or, the first access network element may be an AAU, and the first unit may be a BBU; or, the first access network element may be a TRP, and the first unit may be any part of the base station excluding the TRP. Base network element #1 can also be considered as a communication system.

[0318] It is understandable that Figure 9 uses DU, AAU or TRP as examples to illustrate the first access network element. In other examples, the first access network element can also be a complete base station.

[0319] The first access network element. Unless otherwise specified, the first access network element in method 900 can be the access network device itself (e.g., DU, AAU, or TRP), a component within the access network device (e.g., processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the access network device. For ease of understanding and description, the first access network element will be referred to as network element #1 below.

[0320] Second access network element. Unless otherwise specified, the second access network element in this application can be the access network equipment itself (e.g., CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, BBU, AAU, TRP, or base station), a component within the access network equipment (e.g., processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the access network equipment. For ease of understanding and description, the second access network element will be referred to as network element #2 below.

[0321] Network element #2 can be a complete base station (e.g., a second base station different from the first base station) or an access network device capable of implementing some base station functions (e.g., CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, BBU, AAU, or TRP). When network element #2 is a DU, AAU, or TRP, network element #2 can be connected to a second unit. For example, if network element #2 is a DU, the second unit can be a CU; or if network element #2 is an AAU, the second unit can be a BBU; or if network element #2 is a TRP, the second unit can be a part of the base station excluding the TRP. The first unit and the second unit can be the same unit or different units.

[0322] The following section describes the various operations of method 900 with reference to Figure 9.

[0323] S910, network element #2 sends the fifth message to the first unit. This fifth message indicates that network element #1 is ready to receive large data packets.

[0324] Among them, network element #2 can send the fifth information to the first unit through the Xn interface.

[0325] For example, when network element #2 is DU, AAU or TRP, S910 can be replaced by: the second unit associated with network element #2 sending the fifth information to the first unit.

[0326] For other descriptions, please refer to S610, which will not be repeated here.

[0327] In S920a, the first unit sends the first information to the UE through network element #1.

[0328] S920b, network element #2 sends the first information to the UE.

[0329] S920a and S920b can be executed selectively. The first information is used to indicate the first threshold and / or the second threshold.

[0330] For ease of reading, the uses of the first and second thresholds are briefly introduced below.

[0331] The UE can use a first threshold to sort data packets, dividing them into large data packets destined for network element #1 and small data packets destined for network element #2. The UE can determine whether to send small data packets to network element #2, or whether to perform a traffic splitting operation, based on a second threshold. For example, if the signal quality of the reference signal received by the UE from network element #2 is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the UE can send small data packets to network element #2, or perform a traffic splitting operation, that is, classifying data packets with a size greater than or equal to the first threshold as large data packets and data packets with a size less than the first threshold as small data packets.

[0332] For other descriptions, please refer to S620, which will not be repeated here.

[0333] In S925a, the first unit sends the second information to the UE through network element #1.

[0334] S925b, network element #2 sends the second information to the UE.

[0335] S925a and S925b can be executed selectively. The second information is used to indicate the time period during which network element #1 receives large data packets (or, the wake-up time period of network element #1).

[0336] For other descriptions, please refer to S625, which will not be repeated here.

[0337] S935, the UE measures the reference signal from network element #2 to obtain the signal quality.

[0338] For other descriptions, please refer to S635, which will not be repeated here.

[0339] In some possible implementations, the UE can execute S936 if the signal quality is greater than or equal to the second threshold.

[0340] S936, the UE sends third information to the first unit through network element #1. Correspondingly, the first unit receives the third information through network element #1.

[0341] The third piece of information includes the identifier of network element #2.

[0342] Furthermore, the first unit can perform the operations shown in option 1 or option 2. The operation of option 1 is described below.

[0343] S937, the first unit sends a first indication message to network element #2. This first indication message instructs network element #2 to send fourth information to the UE. Correspondingly, network element #2 receives the first indication message from the first unit.

[0344] Specifically, the first unit can send a first indication message to network element #2 via the Xn interface. This first indication message is used to instruct network element #2 to send fourth information to the UE. Correspondingly, network element #2 receives the first indication message from network element #1.

[0345] For example, when network element #2 is DU, AAU or TRP, S937 can be replaced by: the first unit sending first instruction information to the second unit associated with network element #2.

[0346] For other descriptions, please refer to S637, which will not be repeated here.

[0347] Further, S938 includes: S938b, where network element #2, in response to the first indication information, sends fourth information to the UE. This fourth information instructs the UE to send a data packet to network element #2.

[0348] For further details, please refer to S638 and the description of option 1 in method 600, which will not be repeated here.

[0349] The operation of option 2 is described below.

[0350] In some possible implementations, S938 includes S938b, where the first unit sends fourth information to the UE through network element #1. This fourth information is used to instruct the UE to send data packets to network element #2.

[0351] For further details, please refer to S638 and the description of option 2 in method 600, which will not be repeated here.

[0352] S940, the UE determines whether to send the first data packet to network element #1 or network element #2 based on the size of the first data packet to be transmitted.

[0353] Network element #1 is used to receive data packets with a data size greater than or equal to a first threshold. Network element #2 is used to receive data packets with a data size less than the first threshold.

[0354] After the uplink data arrives at the UE, by repeatedly executing S940 above, the UE can divide multiple data packets into a large data packet to be sent to network element #1 and a small data packet to be sent to network element #2. This operation by the UE can be called "flow splitting" (or "filtering"). The UE's flow splitting operation is often implemented in a specific functional unit, which can be called a "flow splitting point." On the UE side, the flow splitting point can be called the first functional unit. On the network side, the corresponding flow splitting point can be called the second functional unit.

[0355] For further details, please refer to the description in S640, which will not be repeated here.

[0356] In some possible implementations, method 900 may also include: S950a and / or S950b.

[0357] In S950a, the UE sends a large data packet to the first unit through network element #1. Correspondingly, the first unit receives the large data packet from the UE through network element #1.

[0358] In S950b, the UE sends a small data packet to network element #2. Correspondingly, network element #2 receives the small data packet from the UE.

[0359] In some examples, the network-side offloading point (or second functional unit) can be located at the MAC layer, so the first unit can include the second functional unit. For example, the first unit can be a CU, and network element #1 can be a DU; or, the first unit can be a BBU, and network element #1 can be an AAU; or, the first unit can be a part of the base station other than the TRP, and network element #1 can be the TRP.

[0360] In other examples, the network-side split point (or second functional unit) can be located at the SDAP layer, so the first unit can include the second functional unit. For example, the first unit can be a CU, and network element #1 can be a DU.

[0361] Furthermore, in some possible implementations, method 900 also includes: S960.

[0362] S960, network element #2 sends a large data packet to the first unit. This large data packet may be received by network element #2 from the UE.

[0363] Furthermore, in some possible implementations, the first unit can aggregate large and small data packets and deliver the data packets to the core network.

[0364] In some other possible implementations, the network-side splitting point (or, second functional unit) can be set at a layer higher than the SDAP layer. Then, S960 can be replaced by network element #2 sending large data packets to the network entity (e.g., UPF or other entity) at a layer higher than the SDAP layer. Furthermore, method 900 also includes: the first unit sending large data packets to the network entity (e.g., UPF or other entity) at a layer higher than the SDAP layer.

[0365] For further descriptions of S950a, S950b and S960, please refer to the descriptions of S650a and S650b, which will not be repeated here.

[0366] The communication device provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 10 to 13. The description of the device embodiments corresponds to the description of the method embodiments. Therefore, for content not described in detail, please refer to the method embodiments above. For the sake of brevity, some content will not be repeated.

[0367] This application embodiment can divide the communication device into functional modules according to the above method example. For example, each function can be divided into its own functional modules, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated modules can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both. The module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division; other division methods may be used in actual implementation. The following description uses the division of functional modules according to each function as an example.

[0368] Figure 10 is an exemplary block diagram of a communication device 1000 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0369] As shown in Figure 10, for example, the communication device 1000 may include a chip system 1010, a memory 1020, a bus 1030, a power management module 1040, or a transceiver 1050, etc.

[0370] The chip system 1010 can be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. In implementation, each step of the above method can be completed through integrated logic circuits in the hardware of the chip system 1010 or through software instructions.

[0371] As an example and not a limitation, the chip system 1010 may include circuitry or chips responsible for signal processing (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip or system-in-package (SIP) chip containing a modem core).

[0372] Optionally, the chip system 1010 may also include a memory (such as a cache) for storing instructions and data. In some embodiments, the memory in the chip system 1010 is a cache memory. This memory can store instructions or data that the chip system 1010 has just used or that are used repeatedly. If the chip system 1010 needs to use the instruction or data again, it can directly retrieve it from the memory. This avoids repeated accesses, reduces the waiting time of the chip system 1010, and thus improves the efficiency of the system.

[0373] In some embodiments, the chip system 1010 may include one or more interfaces. Interfaces may include an inter-integrated circuit (I2C) interface, an inter-integrated circuit sound (I2S) interface, a pulse code modulation (PCM) interface, a universal asynchronous receiver / transmitter (UART) interface, a mobile industry processor interface (MIPI), a general-purpose input / output (GPIO) interface, a subscriber identity module (SIM) interface, and / or a universal serial bus (USB) interface, etc.

[0374] The memory 1020 may include random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM). The memory 1020 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code, including instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to perform the various functions described in this application.

[0375] Optionally, the code may include instructions for implementing various aspects of the embodiments of this application, such as instructions for determining whether to send the first data packet to a first access network element or a second access network element based on the data size of the first data packet to be transmitted. The code may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or other types of memory. In some cases, the code may not be directly executable by the chip system 1010, but may enable a computer (e.g., at compile and execution time) to perform the functions described in this application. In some cases, the memory 1020 may contain a basic I / O system that can control basic hardware or software operations, such as interaction with peripheral components or devices.

[0376] For example, the chip system 1010 executes various functional applications and data processing of the communication device 1000 by running instructions stored in the memory 1020. For instance, when the communication device 1000 transfers files with other devices (which may also be terminals or access network devices), the chip system 1010 of the communication device 1000 can call the computer-executable program code stored in the memory 1020 to implement the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0377] In addition, the memory 1020 can be integrated into the chip system 1010 or independent of the chip system 1010.

[0378] For example, bus 1030 may be USB for supporting communication between various parts of communication device 1000.

[0379] The power management module 1040 is used to receive charging input from the charger. Optionally, the power management module 1040 can also supply power to the communication device 1000 while charging it (e.g., the battery module of the communication device 1000). By way of example and not limitation, the power management module 1040 can also supply power to other devices besides the communication device 1000.

[0380] Transceiver 1050 can communicate bidirectionally via one or more antennas, a wired link, or a wireless link. For example, transceiver 1050 can represent a wireless transceiver and can communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. Transceiver 1050 may also include a modem for modulating packets and providing the modulated packets to the antenna for transmission, and for demodulating packets received from the antenna. Transceiver 1050 may include a receiver and a transmitter, the receiver performing the function of receiving information and the transmitter performing the function of transmitting information.

[0381] In some cases, a wireless device may include a single antenna. However, in other cases, the device may have more than one antenna, such as antenna 1 and antenna 2 shown in FIG. 10, which may be capable of simultaneously transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions. Exemplarily, antenna 1 and antenna 2 are used to transmit and receive electromagnetic wave signals. Each antenna in the communication device 1000 can be used to cover one or more communication frequency bands. Different antennas can also be multiplexed to improve antenna utilization. For example, antenna 1 can be multiplexed as a diversity antenna for a wireless local area network. In other embodiments, the antennas can be used in conjunction with a tuning switch. The communication device 1000 can transfer files to other devices via wireless communication functions.

[0382] In one design, the communication device 1000 may correspond to the terminal in the above method embodiments.

[0383] The device 1000 can implement the steps or processes executed by the terminal in the above method embodiments. The transceiver 1050 can be used to execute operations related to the transmission and reception of the terminal in the above method embodiments, such as executing step S650a in the above method embodiments. The chip system 1010 can be used to execute processing-related operations of the terminal in the above method embodiments, such as S640.

[0384] In another design, the communication device 1000 may correspond to the first access network element or the second access network element in the above method embodiments.

[0385] The device 1000 can implement the steps or processes corresponding to the first access network element or the second access network element in the above method embodiments. The transceiver 1050 can be used to perform the transmission and reception related operations of the first access network element or the second access network element in the above method embodiments, such as performing the steps in the above method embodiments. The chip system 1010 can be used to perform the processing related operations of the first access network element or the second access network element in the above method embodiments.

[0386] In the design of the communication device 1000 corresponding to the terminal device, the communication device 1000 may include modules such as the short-range communication module 1064, sensor 1061, display 1062, or camera 1063 as shown in FIG10.

[0387] The short-range communication module 1064 may include modules that support short-range communication, such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

[0388] For example, sensor 1061 may include pressure sensor, gyroscope sensor, barometric pressure sensor, magnetic sensor, accelerometer, distance sensor, proximity sensor, fingerprint sensor, temperature sensor, touch sensor, ambient light sensor, bone conduction sensor, etc.

[0389] For example, the display 1062 is used to display images, videos, etc. The display includes a display panel. The display panel can be a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), an active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED), a flexible light-emitting diode (FLED), a mini light-emitting diode (LED), a micro LED, a micro OLED, a quantum dot light-emitting diode (QLED), etc. For example, in this embodiment, the display can be used to display the interface required by the communication device 1000. For example, the communication device 1000 implements the display function through a graphics processing unit (GPU), a display, and an application processor. The GPU is a microprocessor for image processing, connected to the display and the application processor. The GPU is used to perform mathematical and geometric calculations and for graphics rendering. The chip system 1010 may include one or more GPUs that execute program instructions to generate or change display information.

[0390] For example, camera 1063 is used to acquire images, videos, etc.

[0391] It is understood that the structure shown in Figure 10 does not constitute a specific limitation on the communication device 1000, and the specific structure of the terminal device and / or access network device can be referred to Figure 10. In some embodiments, the communication device 1000 may also include more or fewer components than shown in Figure 10, or combine some components, or split some components, or have different component arrangements, etc. Alternatively, some components shown in Figure 10 may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware, and the terminal device and / or access network device may add or reduce components based on the structure given in Figure 10.

[0392] Figure 11 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 2000 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0393] As shown in Figure 11, the communication device 2000 may include a baseband unit 2010, which can communicate with external devices via a cellular radio frequency (RF) transceiver 2020 (e.g., if the communication device 2000 is a terminal device, the baseband unit 2010 can communicate with access network devices via the cellular RF transceiver 2020; or, if the communication device 2000 is an access network device, the baseband unit 2010 can communicate with terminal devices and / or core network devices via the cellular RF transceiver 2020).

[0394] By way of example, baseband unit 2010 may include computer-readable medium / memory. Baseband unit 2010 may be responsible for general processing, including the execution of software stored on computer-readable medium / memory. When executed by baseband unit 2010, the software causes baseband unit 2010 to perform the various functions described above. Computer-readable medium / memory may also be used to store data manipulated by baseband unit 2010 when executing the software.

[0395] Optionally, the baseband unit 2010 further includes a receiving unit 2011, a management unit 2012, and a transmitting unit 2013. When the communication device 2000 is applied to a terminal, the management unit 2012 may include one or more of the sub-units shown in FIG. 11. For example, a splitting sub-unit, wherein the splitting sub-unit can be used to perform the operation of determining whether to send the first data packet to a first access network element or a second access network element based on the data size of the first data packet to be transmitted in the above method embodiment. The units within the management unit 2011 may be stored in a computer-readable medium / memory and / or configured as hardware within the baseband unit 2010. The receiving unit 2011 and the transmitting unit 2013 may be referred to as transceiver units.

[0396] When the communication device 2000 is used to implement the functions of the terminal in the above method embodiments, the receiving unit 2011 is used to perform the receiving step of the terminal, the sending unit 2013 is used to perform the sending step of the terminal, and the management unit 2012 is used to perform the processing step of the terminal.

[0397] For example, when the communication device 2000 is used to implement the functions of the terminal in the above method embodiments, the management unit 2012 is used to determine whether to send the first data packet to the first access network element or the second access network element according to the data size of the first data packet to be transmitted, wherein the first access network element is used to receive data packets with a data size greater than or equal to a first threshold, and the second access network element is used to receive data packets with a data size less than the first threshold.

[0398] For example, when the device 2000 is used to perform the method in FIG6 or FIG9, the receiving unit 2011 can be used to perform the step of receiving information in the method; the management unit 2012 can be used to perform the processing step in the method; and the sending unit 2013 can be used to perform the step of sending information in the method.

[0399] When the communication device 2000 is used to implement the functions of the network side (e.g., the first access network element, the second access network element, or the first unit) in the above method embodiments, the receiving unit 2011 is used to perform the receiving steps of the network side, the sending unit 2013 is used to perform the sending steps of the network side, and the management unit 2012 is used to perform the processing steps of the network side.

[0400] For example, when the device 2000 is used to perform the method in FIG6 or FIG9, the receiving unit 2011 can be used to perform the step of receiving information in the method; the management unit 2012 can be used to perform the processing step in the method; and the sending unit 2013 can be used to perform the step of sending information in the method.

[0401] For a more detailed description of the receiving unit 2011, the management unit 2012, and the sending unit 2013, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the above method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0402] By way of example and not limitation, the chip system in this application is shown in Figure 12, which is a schematic block diagram of the chip system 3000 provided in an embodiment of this application. The chip system includes, but is not limited to, a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip or a system-in-package (SIP) chip containing a modem core.

[0403] As can be seen from Figure 12, the chip system (or processing system) includes a processor 3010, a memory 3020, and an input / output interface 3030.

[0404] The processor 3010 can be a processing circuit in the chip system (including at least one processor, such as processor 1 and processor 2 as shown in FIG. 12). The processor 3010 can be coupled to the memory 3020, and call the instructions in the memory 3020, so that the chip system can implement the methods and functions of the various embodiments of this application. The input / output interface 3030 can be an input / output circuit in the chip system, which outputs the information processed by the chip system, or inputs the data or signaling information to be processed into the chip system for processing.

[0405] As one approach, the chip system is used to implement the operations performed by the terminal or network side (e.g., the first access network element, the second access network element, or the first unit) in the various method embodiments described above.

[0406] For example, the processor 3010 is used to implement the processing-related operations performed by the terminal or the network side (e.g., the first access network element, the second access network element, or the first unit) in the above method embodiments, as described in the foregoing embodiments; the input / output interface 3030 is used to implement the sending and / or receiving-related operations performed by the terminal or the network side (e.g., the first access network element, the second access network element, or the first unit) in the above method embodiments, as described in the foregoing embodiments.

[0407] As an example and not a limitation, the chip system in this application is shown in Figure 13, which is a schematic block diagram of the chip system 4000 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0408] As shown in Figure 13, the chip system (or processing system) includes an input / output interface 4010 and logic circuitry 4020. The input / output interface 4010 can be an input / output circuit within the chip system, outputting processed information or inputting data or signaling information to be processed. For details, please refer to the descriptions in the preceding embodiments, executing, for example, the embodiments shown in Figure 6 or Figure 9. The logic circuitry 4020 is used to execute the aforementioned communication method, and for details, please refer to the descriptions in the preceding embodiments.

[0409] As one approach, the chip system is used to implement the operations performed by the terminal or network side (e.g., the first access network element, the second access network element, or the first unit) in the various method embodiments described above.

[0410] For example, logic circuit 4020 is used to implement processing-related operations performed by the terminal or network side (e.g., the first access network element, the second access network element, or the first unit) in the above method embodiments; input / output interface 4010 is used to implement sending and / or receiving-related operations performed by the terminal or network side (e.g., the first access network element, the second access network element, or the first unit) in the above method embodiments.

[0411] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions for implementing the methods executed by the device in the above-described method embodiments.

[0412] For example, when the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer can implement the methods executed by the terminal or network side (e.g., the first access network element, the second access network element, or the first unit) in the various embodiments of the above methods.

[0413] This application also provides a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, implement the methods described above, executed by a terminal or network side (e.g., a first access network element, a second access network element, or a first unit).

[0414] This application also provides a communication system, including the aforementioned network side (e.g., a first access network element, a second access network element, or a first unit) and a terminal.

[0415] The explanations and beneficial effects of the relevant contents in any of the devices provided above can be found in the corresponding method embodiments provided above, and will not be repeated here.

[0416] 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.

[0417] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0418] 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.

[0419] 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.

[0420] 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.

[0421] 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.

[0422] 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 by comprising: The method is applied to a terminal, and the method includes: Based on the size of the first data packet to be transmitted, it is determined whether to send the first data packet to a first access network element or a second access network element. The first access network element is used to receive data packets with a data size greater than or equal to a first threshold, and the second access network element is used to receive data packets with a data size less than the first threshold.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transmission frequency of data packets with a data volume greater than or equal to the first threshold is less than the transmission frequency of data packets with a data volume less than the first threshold.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, If the first access network element does not have a data packet with a data volume greater than or equal to the first threshold to be received, the first access network element is in a dormant state.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The terminal includes a first functional unit, which is used to determine whether to send the first data packet to a first access network element or a second access network element based on the data size of the first data packet to be transmitted. The first functional unit belongs to the business data adaptation protocol layer or the media access control layer.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The method further includes: The reference signal from the second access network element is measured to obtain the signal quality; If the signal quality is greater than or equal to the second threshold, a data packet with a data volume less than the first threshold is sent to the second access network element.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive first information, which is used to indicate the first threshold and / or the second threshold.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first access network element receives second information, which indicates the time period during which it receives data packets with a data volume greater than or equal to the first threshold.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send third information to the first access network element, the third information including the identifier of the second access network element; The terminal receives a fourth piece of information, which instructs the terminal to send a data packet to the second access network element.

9. A communication system, characterized by The communication system includes a first access network element and a second access network element, wherein... The first access network element is used to receive data packets from the terminal whose data volume is greater than or equal to a first threshold. When the first access network element has no data packets to be received whose data volume is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the first access network element is in a dormant state. The second access network element is used to receive data packets from the terminal whose data volume is less than the first threshold.

10. The system according to claim 9, characterized in that, The transmission frequency of data packets with a data volume greater than or equal to the first threshold is less than the transmission frequency of data packets with a data volume less than the first threshold.

11. The system according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The first access network element is associated with the second functional unit, which is used to process data packets with a data volume greater than or equal to the first threshold, and data packets with a data volume less than the first threshold. The second functional unit belongs to the business data adaptation protocol layer or the media access control layer.

12. The system according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that, The first access network element or the second access network element is further configured to send first information to the terminal, the first information being used to indicate the first threshold and / or the second threshold; Wherein, if the signal quality corresponding to the second access network element is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the terminal is used to send data packets with a data volume less than the first threshold to the second access network element.

13. The system according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that, The first access network element or the second access network element is further configured to send second information to the terminal, the second information being configured to indicate a time period for the first access network element to receive data packets with a data volume greater than or equal to the first threshold.

14. The system according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that, The first access network element is further configured to receive third information from the terminal, the third information including the identifier of the second access network element; In response to the third information, the first access network element is further configured to send a fourth information to the terminal, the fourth information being used to instruct the terminal to send a data packet to the second access network element; Alternatively, in response to the third information, the first access network element is further configured to send information to the second access network element instructing the second access network element to send fourth information to the terminal, and the second access network element is further configured to send the fourth information to the terminal.

15. The system according to any one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that, The first access network element is further configured to receive fifth information from the second access network element, the fifth information indicating that the first access network element is configured to receive data packets with a data volume greater than or equal to a first threshold.

16. A communication system, characterized by The communication system includes a first access network element and a first unit, wherein... The first access network element is used to receive data packets from the terminal whose data volume is greater than or equal to a first threshold. When the first access network element has no data packets to be received whose data volume is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the first access network element is in a dormant state. The first access network element is used to send data packets with a data volume greater than or equal to a first threshold to the first unit; The first unit is used to receive data packets from the first access network element whose data volume is greater than or equal to the first threshold; The first unit is also used to send data packets with a data volume greater than or equal to the first threshold to the core network element; The first unit is further configured to receive data packets from the second access network element whose data volume is less than the first threshold, and to send data packets to the core network element whose data volume is less than the first threshold.

17. The communication system of claim 16, wherein, The first unit includes a second functional unit, which belongs to the service data adaptation protocol layer or the media access control layer; The second functional unit is used to receive data packets with a data volume greater than or equal to the first threshold, and data packets with a data volume less than the first threshold; The second functional unit is also used to send data packets with a data volume greater than or equal to the first threshold and data packets with a data volume less than the first threshold to the core network element.

18. The communication system according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that, The first unit is further configured to send first information to the terminal through the first access network element, the first information being used to indicate the first threshold and / or, the second threshold; Wherein, if the signal quality corresponding to the second access network element is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the terminal is used to send a data packet with a data volume less than the first threshold to the second access network element.

19. The communication system according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that, The first unit is further configured to send second information to the terminal through the first access network element, the second information being used to indicate a time period for the first access network element to receive data packets with a data volume greater than or equal to the first threshold.

20. The communication system according to any one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that, The first unit is further configured to receive third information from the terminal through the first access network element, the third information including the identifier of the second access network element; In response to the third information, the first unit is further configured to send fourth information to the terminal through the first access network element, the fourth information being used to instruct the terminal to send data packets to the second access network element; Alternatively, in response to the third information, the first unit is further configured to send information to the second access network element instructing the second access network element to send fourth information to the terminal, and the second access network element is further configured to send the fourth information to the terminal.

21. The communication system according to any one of claims 16 to 20, characterized in that, The first unit is further configured to receive fifth information from the second access network element, the fifth information being used to indicate that the first access network element is configured to receive data packets with a data volume greater than or equal to a first threshold.

22. A communications device, characterized by It includes at least one module or at least one unit, said at least one module or said at least one unit being used to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 8.

23. A communications device, characterized by include: At least one processor, the at least one processor being configured to execute a computer program or instructions to cause the method of any one of claims 1 to 8 to be performed.

24. The communication apparatus according to claim 23, wherein, The communication device further includes a memory for storing the computer program or the instructions.

25. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed, cause the method of any one of claims 1 to 8 to be performed.

26. A computer program product, characterised in that, It includes a computer program or instructions that, when run, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

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