Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method and a communication apparatus. According to the present application, usage, collection, storage or processing of data is scheduled by means of a data management function, thereby improving the flexibility of usage of the data, enhancing data utilization efficiency, and avoiding repeated collection of the data. For example, when receiving a data request from a second apparatus, a first apparatus can manage and schedule data stored in a third apparatus, such that first data can be requested from the third apparatus when the third apparatus stores the first data requested by the second apparatus, thereby rapidly providing the first data to the second apparatus and avoiding repeated collection of the data, and thus enhancing data utilization efficiency.

Description

Communication methods and communication devices

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411932156.3, filed on December 24, 2024, entitled "Communication Method and Communication Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

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

[0003] Currently, artificial intelligence (AI) has been introduced into wireless communication networks and can be applied to many air interface-related application scenarios, such as AI-based channel state information (CSI) prediction, AI-based beam management, AI-based CSI feedback, and AI-based positioning.

[0004] In some air interface-related application scenarios, the use of AI models (including training, inference, or performance monitoring) and the collection of data for AI models may correspond to different network elements. Under these circumstances, the data requirements at different stages of AI model usage may lead to duplicate data collection. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method and communication device that uses data management functions to schedule the use, collection, storage, or processing of data, thereby improving the flexibility of data use, increasing data utilization efficiency, and avoiding redundant data collection.

[0006] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, the method comprising: receiving the first request information from a second device, the first request information being used to request at least one first data; if a third device stores at least one second data, sending a first message to the third device, the first message being used to request at least one first data; or, if the third device does not store at least one second data, sending a second message to a fourth device, the second message being used to request at least one first data, the fourth device being used to collect at least one second data; wherein at least one second data is used to determine at least one first data, or at least one second data is at least one first data.

[0007] The method can be executed by a first device, which can be replaced by a device on the terminal device side, a device on the network device side, or a device on the core network element side.

[0008] The equipment on the terminal device side can include the terminal device itself, the communication module within the terminal device, or the circuits or chips within the terminal device responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core, or a system-in-package (SIP) chip, etc.). Alternatively, the equipment on the terminal device side can include AI entities on the terminal device side. AI entities on the terminal device side can be the terminal device itself, or AI entities serving the terminal device, such as servers, such as over-the-top (OTT) servers or cloud servers.

[0009] Network-side devices can include the network device itself, communication modules within the network device, or circuits or chips responsible for communication functions within the network device (such as modem chips, also known as baseband chips, or system-on-a-chip (SoC) chips or SIP chips containing modem cores, etc.). Alternatively, network-side devices can include AI entities on the network device side. These AI entities can be the network device itself or AI entities serving the network device, such as radio access network (RAN) intelligent controllers (RICs), operation administration and maintenance (OAM) systems, or servers, such as OTT servers or cloud servers.

[0010] The equipment on the core network element side can include the core network element itself, the communication module within the core network element, or the circuits or chips (such as modem chips, also known as baseband chips, or system-on-a-chip (SoC) chips or SIP chips containing modem cores) responsible for communication functions within the core network element. Alternatively, the equipment on the core network element side can include AI entities on the core network element side. These AI entities can be the core network element itself or AI entities serving the core network element, such as servers, like OTT servers or cloud servers.

[0011] Based on the above technical solution, by scheduling and managing the data transmission between the second and fourth devices through the first device, the flexibility of data use and the efficiency of data utilization can be improved. For example, when the first device receives a first request information from the second device, it can schedule and manage the data stored in the third device. Thus, if the third device has already stored data related to the data requested by the second device, it can request the third device to provide the data to the second device instead of the fourth device collecting the data, thereby reducing redundant data collection.

[0012] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, at least one second data is used to determine at least one first data, and the method further includes: sending third information to a fifth device, the third information being used to request at least one first data; the fifth device being used to process the at least one second data to obtain at least one first data.

[0013] Based on the above technical solution, if the data requested by the third device is data that has been processed, the first device can also schedule the fifth device to process at least one second data, thereby achieving the purpose of providing the second device with at least one first data required by the second device.

[0014] For example, the third information is also used to indicate the manner in which at least one second piece of data is processed.

[0015] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, before sending the third information, the method further includes: receiving fourth information from the fifth device, the fourth information indicating the data processing method supported by the fifth device.

[0016] Based on the above technical solution, when the first device obtains the fourth information, it can know the data processing methods supported by the fifth device, thereby avoiding scheduling the fifth device to perform data processing through data processing methods that the fifth device does not support.

[0017] For example, data processing methods include one or more of the following: data cleaning, data filtering, normalization, compression, processing functions used to process data, and parameters used to process data.

[0018] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, before sending the first information or the second information, the method further includes: sending a second request information to a third device, the second request information being used to request the third device to confirm whether at least one second data has been stored; and receiving a response information from the third device, the response information indicating whether the third device has stored at least one second data.

[0019] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, before sending the first information or the second information, the method further includes: receiving fifth information from the third device, the fifth information including metadata of at least one data already stored by the third device; and determining whether the third device has stored at least one second data based on the metadata of the at least one data already stored by the third device.

[0020] Based on the above technical solution, the third device can send metadata of at least one stored data to the first device, thereby facilitating the first device's scheduling and management of the data stored by the third device. For example, after receiving a data request from the second device, the first device can quickly determine whether the third device has stored the data requested by the second device based on the metadata of at least one stored data. If the third device has stored the data requested by the second device, the first device can quickly schedule the third device to provide the requested data to the second device.

[0021] For example, the fifth information also includes storage resource information, which indicates the size of the storage space available for the third device to store data.

[0022] Based on the above technical solution, the first device can know the size of the storage space available for data storage in the third device, so as to schedule the data stored in the third device. For example, if the third device has limited remaining storage space available for data storage, the first device can instruct the third device to delete the earliest stored data, or instruct the third device to delete data of poor quality, thereby enabling the third device to prioritize storing data with better timeliness and quality.

[0023] For example, the fifth information also includes an identifier for each of at least one data stored by the third device, and the first information also includes an identifier for each of at least one second data.

[0024] Based on the above technical solution, the third device can assign an identifier to the stored data and send the assigned data identifier to the first device. This allows the first device to manage and schedule the data stored by the third device based on the data identifier, thereby reducing transmission overhead. For example, when the first device schedules at least one piece of second data stored by the third device, it can send an identifier of at least one piece of second data to the third device instead of sending the metadata of at least one piece of second data, thus reducing transmission overhead.

[0025] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first request information includes information of at least one first data, and the first information or the second information includes information of at least one first data.

[0026] For example, at least one piece of information about the first data includes one or more of the following: the data type of the first data, the quantity of the first data, the quality requirements satisfied by the first data, the data collection area of ​​the first data, the data collection time of the first data, the purpose of the first data, the function of the model corresponding to the first data, or the processing requirements satisfied by the first data.

[0027] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, before sending the second information, the method further includes: receiving a sixth information from the fourth device, the sixth information including one or more of the following: the data type supported by the fourth device for acquisition, the precision of the data supported by the fourth device for acquisition, or the area of ​​the data supported by the fourth device for acquisition.

[0028] Based on the above technical solution, when the first device obtains the sixth information, it can know the data acquisition capabilities supported by the fourth device, thereby avoiding scheduling the fourth device to collect data that it does not support.

[0029] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: if the third device stores at least one second data, sending an eighth message to the third device, the eighth message indicating the deletion of at least one second data.

[0030] Based on the above technical solution, it is beneficial for the first device to instruct the third device to delete data with poor timeliness or poor data quality, thereby avoiding the third device from storing a large amount of useless data and occupying storage space for a long time.

[0031] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, the method comprising: receiving at least one data and metadata of at least one data; storing at least one data and metadata of at least one data; and sending fifth information to a first device, the fifth information including metadata of at least one data.

[0032] This method can be executed by a third device. The third device can be replaced by a device on the terminal device side, a device on the network device side, or a device on the core network side. Further descriptions of the terminal device side, network device side, and core network side devices can be found in the first aspect above.

[0033] Based on the above technical solution, the third device sends the stored data metadata to the first device, which facilitates the first device in scheduling and managing the data stored by the third device. For example, after receiving a data request from the second device, the first device can quickly determine whether the third device has stored the data requested by the second device based on the metadata of at least one data already stored by the third device. Thus, if the third device has stored the data requested by the second device, the first device can quickly schedule the third device to provide the requested data to the second device.

[0034] For example, the fifth information also includes an identifier assigned by the third device to each of the at least one data.

[0035] Based on the above technical solution, the third device can assign an identifier to the stored data and send the assigned data identifier to the first device. This allows the first device to manage and schedule the data stored by the third device based on the data identifier, thereby reducing transmission overhead. For example, when the first device schedules at least one piece of second data stored by the third device, it can send an identifier of at least one piece of second data to the third device instead of sending the metadata of at least one piece of second data, thus reducing transmission overhead.

[0036] For example, the fifth information also includes storage resource information, which indicates the size of the storage space available for the third device to store data.

[0037] Based on the above technical solution, the first device can know the size of the storage space available for data storage in the third device, so as to schedule the data stored in the third device. For example, if the third device has limited remaining storage space available for data storage, the first device can instruct the third device to delete the earliest stored data, or instruct the third device to delete data of poor quality, thereby enabling the third device to prioritize storing data with better timeliness and quality.

[0038] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: receiving first information from the first device, the first information being used to request at least one first data; if at least one second data stored in the third device is at least one first data, then sending at least one second data to the second device; or, if at least one second data stored in the third device is used to determine at least one first data, then sending at least one second data to the fifth device, the fifth device being used to process the at least one second data to obtain at least one first data.

[0039] Based on the above technical solution, the first device can schedule and manage the data stored by the third device, so that when the third device has already stored data related to the data requested by the second device, the third device can request the data to be provided to the second device instead of the fourth device collecting the data, thereby reducing the duplication of data collection.

[0040] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, if the third device stores at least one second data, the method further includes: sending third information to the fifth device, the third information being used to request at least one first data.

[0041] Based on the above technical solution, if the data requested by the third device is data that has been processed, the third device can also schedule the fifth device to process at least one second data, thereby achieving the purpose of providing the second device with at least one first data required by the second device.

[0042] For example, the first information also includes information about at least one first data.

[0043] For example, at least one piece of information about the first data includes one or more of the following: the data type of the first data, the quantity of the first data, the quality requirements satisfied by the first data, the data collection area of ​​the first data, the data collection time of the first data, the purpose of the first data, the function of the model corresponding to the first data, or the processing requirements satisfied by the first data.

[0044] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, before receiving the first information, the method further includes: receiving second request information from the first device, the second request information being used to request the third device to confirm whether at least one second data has been stored; and sending response information to the first device, the response information indicating that the third device has stored at least one second data.

[0045] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: receiving eighth information from the first device, the eighth information indicating the deletion of at least one second data; and deleting at least one second data.

[0046] Based on the above technical solution, it is beneficial for the first device to instruct the third device to delete data with poor timeliness or poor data quality, thereby avoiding the third device from storing a large amount of useless data and occupying storage space for a long time.

[0047] Thirdly, a communication device is provided, which may be the first device, or a device or module for performing the functions of the first device.

[0048] One possible implementation is that the communication device may include modules or units corresponding to the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the first aspect, which may be hardware circuits, software, or a combination of hardware circuits and software.

[0049] In one design, the device may include a processing module and a communication module. The communication module is used to perform the sending and receiving actions performed by the first device in the method described in the first aspect above, while the processing module is used to perform processing-related actions performed by the first device in the method described in the first aspect above.

[0050] In one design, the device can be a terminal device, or a device, module, circuit, or chip configured in the terminal device, or a device that can be used in conjunction with the terminal device, such as an OTT host or cloud server.

[0051] In one design, the device can be a network device, or a device, module, circuit, or chip configured in the network device, or a device that can be used in conjunction with the network device, such as a smart network element with RIC deployed.

[0052] In one design, the device can be a core network element, or a device, module, circuit, or chip configured in the core network element, or a device that can be used in conjunction with the core network element, such as a smart network element with RIC deployed.

[0053] Fourthly, a communication device is provided, which may be a third device, or a device or module for performing the functions of a third device.

[0054] One possible implementation is that the communication device may include modules or units corresponding to the methods / operations / steps / actions described in any of the second aspects, wherein the modules or units may be hardware circuits, software, or a combination of hardware circuits and software.

[0055] In one design, the device may include a processing module and a communication module. The communication module is used to perform the sending and receiving actions performed by the second device in the method described in the second aspect above, while the processing module is used to perform processing-related actions performed by the second device in the method described in the second aspect above.

[0056] In one design, the device can be a terminal device, or a device, module, circuit, or chip configured in the terminal device, or a device that can be used in conjunction with the terminal device, such as an OTT host or cloud server.

[0057] In one design, the device can be a network device, or a device, module, circuit, or chip configured in the network device, or a device that can be used in conjunction with the network device, such as a smart network element with RIC deployed.

[0058] In one design, the device can be a core network element, or a device, module, circuit, or chip configured in the core network element, or a device that can be used in conjunction with the core network element, such as a smart network element with RIC deployed.

[0059] Fifthly, a communication apparatus is provided, comprising: at least one processor for executing a computer program or instructions to perform the methods of the first aspect and any of the possible implementations thereof, or to perform the methods of the second aspect and any of the possible implementations thereof. Optionally, the apparatus further comprises a memory for storing the computer program or instructions. Optionally, the apparatus further comprises a communication interface through which the processor reads the computer program or instructions.

[0060] In one implementation, the device is a communication device (such as a terminal device, a network device, or a core network element).

[0061] In another implementation, the device is a chip, chip system, or circuit for communication equipment (such as terminal equipment, network equipment, or core network elements).

[0062] In a sixth aspect, a processor is provided for executing the method provided in the first aspect, or for executing the method provided in the second aspect.

[0063] Unless otherwise specified, or if it does not contradict its actual function or internal logic in the relevant description, the transmission and acquisition / reception operations involved in the processor can be understood as processor output and reception, input and other operations, or as transmission and reception operations performed by radio frequency circuits and antennas. This application does not limit them in this regard.

[0064] Optionally, the device further includes: a memory for storing a program; correspondingly, at least one processor for executing the computer program or instructions in the memory.

[0065] Optionally, the device also includes a communication interface. The communication interface is coupled to the processor and can be used to input information to the processor or output information from the processor.

[0066] A seventh aspect provides a computer-readable storage medium storing program code for execution by a device, the program code including methods for performing the first aspect and any of the above-described possible implementations of the first aspect, or the program code including methods for performing the second aspect and any of the above-described possible implementations of the second aspect.

[0067] Eighthly, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods of the first aspect and any of the possible implementations thereof, or causes the computer to perform the methods of the second aspect and any of the possible implementations thereof.

[0068] Ninth aspect, a chip is provided, the chip including a processing circuit and a communication interface, the processing circuit reads instructions from a memory through the communication interface, executes the method provided by the first aspect and any of the above-described implementations of the first aspect, or executes the method provided by the second aspect and any of the above-described implementations of the second aspect.

[0069] Optionally, the processing circuit is one or more processors, or all or part of the control or processing circuitry included in one or more processors.

[0070] Optionally, as one implementation, the chip further includes a memory storing computer programs or instructions. The processor is used to execute the computer programs or instructions in the memory. When the computer programs or instructions are executed, the processor is used to execute the method provided by the first aspect and any of the above-described implementations of the first aspect, or the processor is used to execute the method provided by the second aspect and any of the above-described implementations of the second aspect.

[0071] A tenth aspect provides a communication system, including a first device and / or a second device. The first device is configured to implement the method provided by the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof. The second device is configured to implement the method provided by the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0072] It should be understood that the beneficial effects of aspects three through ten and any of their implementations can be referenced in terms of aspects one and two and any of their implementations. Attached Figure Description

[0073] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a possible application framework in a communication system.

[0074] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a possible application framework in a communication system.

[0075] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a communication system applicable to the communication method of this application embodiment.

[0076] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a communication system applicable to the communication method of this application embodiment.

[0077] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the neuron structure.

[0078] Figure 6 shows a schematic diagram of the AI ​​model design.

[0079] Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of the data management system provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0080] Figure 8 shows a schematic flowchart of the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0081] Figure 9 shows a schematic flowchart of the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0082] Figure 10 shows a schematic flowchart of the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0083] Figure 11 shows a schematic flowchart of the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0084] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of a communication device 2000 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0085] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of another communication device 3000 provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0086] The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0087] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: 5th generation (5G) or new radio (NR) systems, long term evolution (LTE) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems, wireless local area network (WLAN) systems, satellite communication systems, future communication systems, or integrated systems of multiple systems. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), and Internet of Things (IoT) communication systems or other communication systems.

[0088] In a communication system, a device can send signals to or receive signals from another device. These signals can include information, signaling, or data. The term "device" can also be replaced by an entity, network entity, communication device, mobile device, network element, communication module, node, communication node, communication apparatus, etc. This disclosure uses "device" as an example. For instance, a communication system can include at least one terminal device and at least one network device. The network device can send downlink signals to the terminal device, and / or the terminal device can send uplink signals to the network device.

[0089] In the embodiments of this application, the terminal device may also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user apparatus.

[0090] Terminal devices can be devices that provide voice / data, such as handheld devices with wireless connectivity, in-vehicle devices, etc. Currently, examples of terminals include: mobile phones, tablets, laptops, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving vehicles, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to wireless modems, wearable devices, terminal devices in 5G networks, or future public land mobile communication networks. Terminal devices in a network (PLMN), etc., are not limited to this in the embodiments of this application.

[0091] By way of example and not limitation, in this embodiment, the terminal device can also be a wearable device. Wearable devices, also known as wearable smart devices, are a general term for devices that utilize wearable technology to intelligently design and develop everyday wearables, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. Wearable devices are portable devices that are worn directly on the body or integrated into the user's clothing or accessories. Wearable devices are not merely hardware devices, but also achieve powerful functions through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. Broadly speaking, wearable smart devices include those that are feature-rich, large in size, and can achieve complete or partial functions without relying on a smartphone, such as smartwatches or smart glasses, as well as those that focus on a specific type of application function and require the use of other devices such as smartphones, such as various smart bracelets and smart jewelry for vital sign monitoring.

[0092] In this 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 those functions, such as a chip system. This device can be installed in or used in conjunction with the terminal device. In this embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete components. This embodiment only uses the terminal device as an example to illustrate the device for implementing the functions of the terminal device, and does not constitute a limitation on the solution of this embodiment.

[0093] The network device in this application embodiment may include a device for communicating with a terminal device. For example, the network device may include an access network device or a wireless access network device, such as a base station (BS). The wireless access network device in this application embodiment may refer to a radio access network (RAN) node (or device) that connects the terminal device to the wireless network. A base station can broadly encompass, or be replaced by, various names including: NodeB, evolved NodeB (eNB), next-generation NodeB (gNB), relay station, access point, transmitting and receiving point (TRP), transmitting point (TP), master station, auxiliary station, motor slide retainer (MSR) node, home base station, network controller, access node, wireless node, access point (AP), transmission node, transceiver node, baseband unit (BBU), remote radio unit (RRU), active antenna unit (AAU), remote radio head (RRH), central unit (CU), distributed unit (DU), radio unit (RU), positioning node, etc. A base station can be a macro base station, micro base station, relay node, donor node, or similar entities, or combinations thereof. A base station can also refer to a communication module, modem, or chip installed within the aforementioned equipment or apparatus. A base station can also be a mobile switching center, a device that performs base station functions in D2D, V2X, and M2M communications, or a device that performs base station functions in future communication systems. A base station can support networks using the same or different access technologies. Optionally, a RAN node can also be a server, wearable device, vehicle, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, the access network equipment in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can be a roadside unit (RSU). The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technologies or equipment forms used in the network equipment.

[0094] Base stations can be fixed or mobile. For example, a helicopter or drone can be configured to act as a mobile base station, and one or more cells can move depending on the location of the mobile base station. In other examples, a helicopter or drone can be configured as a device to communicate with another base station.

[0095] In some deployments, the network devices mentioned in the embodiments of this application may be devices including CU, DU, or CU and DU, or devices with control plane CU nodes (central unit-control plane (CU-CP)) and user plane CU nodes (central unit-user plane (CU-UP)) and DU nodes. For example, the network devices may include gNB-CU-CP, gNB-CU-UP, and gNB-DU.

[0096] In some deployments, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist terminals in achieving wireless access, with different RAN nodes each implementing some of the base station's functions. For example, RAN nodes can be CUs, DUs, CU-CPs, CU-UPs, or RUs. CUs and DUs can be configured separately or included in the same network element, such as a BBU. RUs can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as RRUs, AAUs, or RRHs.

[0097] RAN nodes can support one or more types of fronthaul interfaces, each corresponding to a DU and RU with different functions. If the fronthaul interface between the DU and RU is a common public radio interface (CPRI), the DU is configured to implement one or more baseband functions, and the RU is configured to implement one or more radio frequency functions. If the fronthaul interface between the DU and RU is another type of interface, relative to CPRI, some downlink and / or uplink baseband functions, such as, for downlink, precoding, digital beamforming (BF), or one or more of inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) / cyclic prefix addition (CP), are moved from the DU to the RU; and for uplink, digital beamforming (BF), or one or more of fast Fourier transform (FFT) / cyclic prefix removal (CP), are moved from the DU to the RU. In one possible implementation, the interface can be an enhanced common public radio interface (eCPRI). Under the eCPRI architecture, the segmentation between DU and RU differs, corresponding to different categories (Cat) of eCPRI, such as eCPRI Cat A, B, C, D, E, F.

[0098] Taking eCPRI Cat A as an example, for downlink transmission, the DU is configured to implement one or more functions before and after layer mapping (i.e., coding, rate matching, scrambling, modulation, and layer mapping), while other functions after layer mapping (e.g., RE mapping, digital beamforming (BF), or one or more functions of inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) / adding cyclic prefix (CP)) are moved to the RU. For uplink transmission, the DU is configured to implement one or more functions before and after de-RE mapping (i.e., decoding, de-rate matching, descrambling, demodulation, inverse discrete Fourier transform (IDFT), channel equalization, and de-RE mapping), while other functions after de-RE mapping (e.g., digital BF or one or more functions of fast Fourier transform (FFT) / removing CP) are moved to the RU. It is understandable that the functional descriptions of the DU and RU corresponding to various types of eCPRI can be found in the eCPRI protocol, and will not be elaborated here.

[0099] In one possible design, the processing unit in the BBU used to implement baseband functions is called the baseband high (BBH) unit, and the processing unit in the RRU / AAU / RRH used to implement baseband functions is called the baseband low (BBL) unit.

[0100] 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 RAN (ORAN) system, CU can also be called O-CU (open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. 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.

[0101] In this embodiment, the apparatus for implementing the functions of a network device can be a network device itself; it can also be an apparatus capable of supporting the network device in implementing those functions, such as a chip system, hardware circuit, software module, or a hardware circuit plus a software module. This apparatus can be installed in the network device or used in conjunction with the network device. In this embodiment, the example of a network device being used to implement the functions of a network device is provided only and does not constitute a limitation on the solutions described in this embodiment.

[0102] Network devices and / or terminal devices can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can also be deployed in the air on airplanes, balloons, and satellites. This application does not limit the scenario in which the network devices and terminal devices are located. Furthermore, terminal devices and network devices can be hardware devices, or software functions running on dedicated hardware or general-purpose hardware, such as virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform), or entities that include dedicated or general-purpose hardware devices and software functions. This application does not limit the specific form of the terminal devices and network devices.

[0103] In wireless communication networks, such as mobile communication networks, the services supported by the networks are becoming increasingly diverse, leading to increasingly diverse requirements. For example, networks need to support ultra-high speeds, ultra-low latency, and / or massive connectivity. This characteristic makes network planning, network configuration, and / or resource scheduling increasingly complex. Furthermore, as network functions become more powerful, such as supporting higher spectrum levels, supporting higher-order multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technologies, supporting beamforming, and / or supporting beam management, network energy efficiency has become a hot research topic. These new requirements, new scenarios, and new characteristics bring unprecedented challenges to network planning, operation, and efficient operation. To meet these challenges, artificial intelligence technology can be introduced into wireless communication networks to achieve network intelligence.

[0104] To support artificial intelligence (AI) technology in wireless networks, AI nodes may also be introduced into the network.

[0105] Optionally, the AI ​​node can be deployed in one or more of the following locations within the communication system: access network equipment, terminal equipment, or core network equipment, etc. Alternatively, the AI ​​node can be deployed independently, for example, in a location other than any of the aforementioned devices, such as in the host or cloud server of an over-the-top (OTT) system. The AI ​​node can communicate with other devices in the communication system, which can be, for example, one or more of the following: wireless access network equipment, terminal equipment, or core network elements, etc.

[0106] It is understood that this application does not limit the number of AI nodes. For example, when there are multiple AI nodes, these nodes can be divided based on function, such as different AI nodes being responsible for different functions.

[0107] It can also be understood that AI nodes can be independent devices, or they can be integrated into the same device to achieve different functions. Alternatively, they can be network elements in hardware devices, software functions running on dedicated hardware, or virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). This application does not limit the specific form of the aforementioned AI nodes.

[0108] AI nodes can be AI network elements or AI modules.

[0109] Figure 1 illustrates a possible application framework in a communication system. As shown in Figure 1, network elements in the communication system are connected via interfaces (e.g., next-generation (NG) interfaces, Xn interfaces) or air interfaces. These network element nodes, such as core network equipment, access network nodes or equipment (RAN nodes or equipment), terminals, or one or more devices in operation administration and maintenance (OAM), are equipped with one or more AI modules (only one is shown in Figure 1 for clarity). The access network node can be a single RAN node or can include multiple RAN nodes, for example, including CU and DU. The CU and / or DU can also be equipped with one or more AI modules. Optionally, the CU can also be split into CU-CP and CU-UP. One or more AI models are configured in CU-CP and / or CU-UP.

[0110] The AI ​​module is used to implement corresponding AI functions. AI modules deployed in different network elements can be the same or different. Depending on the parameter configuration, the AI ​​module can implement different functions. The AI ​​module model can be configured based on one or more of the following parameters: structural parameters (e.g., at least one of the following: number of neural network layers, neural network width, inter-layer connections, neuron weights, neuron activation function, or bias in the activation function), input parameters (e.g., type and / or dimension of input parameters), or output parameters (e.g., type and / or dimension of output parameters). The bias in the activation function can also be referred to as the neural network bias.

[0111] An AI module can have one or more models. A model can infer an output, which includes one or more parameters. The learning, training, or inference processes of different models can be deployed on different nodes or devices, or they can be deployed on the same node or device.

[0112] Figure 2 illustrates a possible application framework in a communication system. As shown in Figure 2, the communication system includes a RAN intelligent controller (RIC). For example, the RIC can be the AI ​​module shown in Figure 1, used to implement AI-related functions. The RIC includes near-real-time RICs (near-RT RICs) and non-real-time RICs (non-RT RICs). Non-real-time RICs primarily process non-real-time information, such as data that is not sensitive to latency, with latency in the order of seconds. Real-time RICs primarily process near-real-time information, such as data that is relatively sensitive to latency, with latency in the order of tens of milliseconds.

[0113] The near real-time RIC is used for model training and inference. For example, it is used to train an AI model and then use that AI model for inference. The near real-time RIC can obtain network-side and / or terminal-side information from RAN nodes (e.g., CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and / or RU) and / or terminals. This information can be used as training data or inference data. Optionally, the near real-time RIC can deliver the inference results to the RAN nodes and / or terminals. Optionally, inference results can be exchanged between CU and DU, and / or between DU and RU. For example, the near real-time RIC delivers the inference results to the DU, and the DU then sends the inference results to the RU.

[0114] The non-real-time RIC is also used for model training and inference. For example, it can be used to train an AI model and then use that model for inference. The non-real-time RIC can obtain network-side and / or terminal-side information from RAN nodes (e.g., CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and / or RU) and / or terminals. This information can be used as training data or inference data, and the inference results can be delivered to RAN nodes and / or terminals. Optionally, inference results can be exchanged between CU and DU, and / or between DU and RU. For example, the non-real-time RIC delivers the inference results to the DU, and the DU then sends the inference results to the RU.

[0115] The near real-time RIC and non-real-time RIC can also be set up as separate network elements. Optionally, the near real-time RIC and non-real-time RIC can also be part of other devices. For example, the near real-time RIC can be set in the RAN node (e.g., in CU, DU), while the non-real-time RIC can be set in the OAM, cloud server, core network device, or other network device.

[0116] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a communication system applicable to the communication method of this application embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the communication system 100 may include at least one network device, such as network device 110 shown in Figure 3; the communication system 100 may also include at least one terminal device, such as terminal device 120 and terminal device 130 shown in Figure 3. Network device 110 and terminal devices (such as terminal device 120 and terminal device 130) can communicate via a wireless link. The communication devices in this communication system, for example, network device 110 and terminal device 120, can communicate via multi-antenna technology.

[0117] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a communication system applicable to the communication method of this application embodiment. Compared with the communication system 100 shown in Figure 3, the communication system 200 shown in Figure 4 further includes an AI network element 140. The AI ​​network element 140 is used to perform AI-related operations, such as building a training dataset or training an AI model.

[0118] In one possible implementation, network device 110 can send data related to the training of the AI ​​model to AI network element 140, which then constructs a training dataset and trains the AI ​​model. For example, the data related to the training of the AI ​​model may include data reported by the terminal device. AI network element 140 can send the results of operations related to the AI ​​model to network device 110, which then forwards them to the terminal device. For example, the results of operations related to the AI ​​model may include at least one of the following: a trained AI model, model evaluation results, or test results. Exemplarily, a portion of the trained AI model may be deployed on network device 110, and another portion on the terminal device. Alternatively, the trained AI model may be deployed on network device 110. Or, the trained AI model may be deployed on the terminal device.

[0119] It should be understood that Figure 4 is only used as an example of the AI ​​network element 140 being directly connected to the network device 110. In other scenarios, the AI ​​network element 140 can also be connected to a terminal device. Alternatively, the AI ​​network element 140 can be connected to both the network device 110 and a terminal device simultaneously. Alternatively, the AI ​​network element 140 can also be connected to the network device 110 through a third-party network element. This application embodiment does not limit the connection relationship between the AI ​​network element and other network elements.

[0120] AI element 140 can also be set as a module in network devices and / or terminal devices, for example, in network device 110 or terminal device 120 as shown in Figure 3.

[0121] It should be noted that Figures 3 and 4 are simplified schematic diagrams for ease of understanding. For example, the communication system may also include other devices, such as wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices, which are not shown in Figures 3 and 4. In practical applications, the communication system may include multiple network devices or multiple terminal devices. The embodiments of this application do not limit the number of network devices and terminal devices included in the communication system.

[0122] To facilitate understanding of the solutions in the embodiments of this application, the terms that may be involved in the embodiments of this application are explained below.

[0123] (1) Artificial Intelligence: This refers to enabling machines to learn, accumulate experience, and solve problems that humans can solve through experience, such as natural language understanding, image recognition, and chess. Artificial intelligence can be understood as the intelligence exhibited by machines created by humans. Generally, artificial intelligence refers to the technology of presenting human intelligence through computer programs. The goals of artificial intelligence include understanding intelligence by constructing computer programs that demonstrate symbolic reasoning or reasoning.

[0124] (2) Machine learning (ML): This is a method of implementing artificial intelligence. Machine learning is a method that endows machines with the ability to perform functions that cannot be accomplished through direct programming. In practical terms, machine learning is a method that uses data to train a model and then uses the model to make predictions. There are many methods of machine learning, such as neural networks (NN), decision trees, and support vector machines. Machine learning theory mainly involves designing and analyzing algorithms that enable computers to learn automatically. Machine learning algorithms are a class of algorithms that automatically analyze data to obtain patterns and use these patterns to predict unknown data.

[0125] (3) Neural Networks: Neural networks are a specific manifestation of machine learning methods. A neural network is a mathematical model that mimics the behavioral characteristics of animal neural networks to process information. As shown in Figure 5, a neural network can be composed of three types of computational layers: input layer, hidden layer, and output layer. Each layer has one or more logical judgment units, called neurons. Common neural network structures include feedforward neural networks (FNN), convolutional neural networks (CNN), and recurrent neural networks (RNN), all of which are based on neurons. Each neuron can perform a weighted summation operation on its input values ​​and output the result through a nonlinear function. The weights and nonlinear functions used in the weighted summation operation of neurons in a neural network can be called the parameters of the neural network. The connections between neurons in a neural network can be called the structure of the neural network. The parameters of all neurons in a neural network constitute the parameters of that neural network.

[0126] (4) Deep neural network: A neural network with multiple hidden layers.

[0127] (5) Deep learning: Machine learning using deep neural networks.

[0128] (6) AI Model: An AI model is an algorithm or computer program that can implement AI functions. An AI model represents the mapping relationship between the model's input and output; in other words, an AI model is a function model that maps an input of a certain dimension to an output of a certain dimension. The parameters of the function model can be obtained through machine learning training. For example, f(x) = ax 2+b is a quadratic function model, which can be viewed as an AI model. a and b are the parameters of this AI model, and a and b can be obtained through machine learning training. For example, the AI ​​model mentioned in the following embodiments of this application is not limited to neural networks, linear regression models, decision tree models, support vector machines (SVM), Bayesian networks, Q-learning models, or other machine learning (ML) models.

[0129] The implementation of an AI model can be a hardware circuit, software, or a combination of both; there are no restrictions. Non-restrictive examples of software include: program code, program, subroutine, instruction, instruction set, code, code segment, software module, application program, or software application, etc.

[0130] (7) AI model design:

[0131] The design of an AI model mainly includes the data collection phase (e.g., collecting training data and / or inference data), model training phase, model management phase, model storage phase, and model inference phase. It can also further include the application of inference results.

[0132] Figure 6 illustrates an AI application framework. As shown in Figure 6, in the data collection phase, the data source provides training datasets and inference data. In the model training phase, the AI ​​model is obtained by analyzing or training the training data provided by the data source. The AI ​​model represents the mapping relationship between the model's input and output. Learning the AI ​​model through model training nodes is equivalent to learning the mapping relationship between the model's input and output using the training data. In the model inference phase, the AI ​​model trained in the model training phase is used to perform inference based on the inference data provided by the data source, resulting in an inference output. This phase can also be understood as: inputting inference data into the AI ​​model, obtaining the output through the AI ​​model, which is the inference result. This inference result can indicate the configuration parameters used (executed) by the execution object, and / or the operations performed by the execution object. In the inference result application phase, the inference result is published. For example, the inference result can be uniformly planned by the actor entity, which can send the inference result to one or more execution objects (e.g., network devices or terminal devices) for execution. For example, the execution entity can also provide feedback on the model's performance to the data source, facilitating subsequent model updates and training. In the model management phase, the model's performance is monitored based on the monitoring data provided by the data source, and actions such as model activation, deactivation, switching, selection, or rollback are performed according to the model's performance.

[0133] It is understood that communication systems may include network elements with artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. The AI ​​model design-related steps described above can be performed by one or more network elements with AI capabilities. In one possible design, AI functions (such as AI modules or AI entities) can be configured within existing network elements in the communication system to implement AI-related operations, such as AI model training and / or inference. For example, this existing network element could be a network device or a terminal device. Alternatively, in another possible design, an independent network element can be introduced into the communication system to perform AI-related operations, such as training an AI model. This independent network element can be called an AI network element or an AI node, etc., and this application embodiment does not limit the use of this name. Exemplarily, the AI ​​network element can be directly connected to network devices in the communication system, or it can be indirectly connected to network devices through a third-party network element. The third-party network element can be a core network element such as an authentication management function (AMF) network element or a user plane function (UPF) network element, an operation administration and maintenance (OAM) network element, a cloud server, or other network elements, without limitation. For example, this independent network element can be deployed on one or more of the following: the network device side, the terminal device side, or the core network side. Optionally, it can be deployed on a cloud server. For example, an AI network element 140 is introduced into the communication system shown in Figure 4.

[0134] The training processes of different models can be deployed on different devices or nodes, or on the same device or node. Similarly, the inference processes of different models can be deployed on different devices or nodes, or on the same device or node. Taking a terminal device completing the model training phase as an example, after training its corresponding encoder and decoder, the terminal device sends the decoder's model parameters to the network device. Similarly, taking a network device completing the model training phase as an example, after training its corresponding encoder and decoder, the network device can send the encoder's model parameters to the terminal device and the decoder's model parameters to the network device. Then, the model inference phase corresponding to the encoder is performed on the terminal device, and the model inference phase corresponding to the decoder is performed on the network device.

[0135] The model parameters can include one or more of the following: model structure parameters (e.g., number of layers, and / or weights), model input parameters (e.g., input dimension, number of input ports), or model output parameters (e.g., output dimension, number of output ports). The input dimension refers to the size of an input data set; for example, if the input data is a sequence, the corresponding input dimension indicates the length of the sequence. The number of input ports refers to the quantity of input data. Similarly, the output dimension refers to the size of an output data set; for example, if the output data is a sequence, the corresponding output dimension indicates the length of the sequence. The number of output ports refers to the quantity of output data.

[0136] As mentioned above, each stage of AI model design requires different types of data. For example, model training requires a large amount of diverse data, model inference requires real-time data, and model management (i.e., model monitoring) requires a large amount of near real-time data. Therefore, the data requirements of different stages of AI model / function usage (including model training, model inference, or model monitoring) may lead to duplicate data collection.

[0137] In view of this, this application provides a communication method that schedules the use, collection, storage or processing of data through data management functions, thereby improving the flexibility of data use, enhancing data utilization efficiency, and avoiding redundant data collection.

[0138] Before introducing the scheme of this application, the following points should be noted.

[0139] (1) In this application, “instruction” may include direct instruction, indirect instruction, explicit instruction, and implicit instruction. When describing a certain instruction information for the purpose of instructing A, it can be understood that the instruction information carries A, directly instructs A, or indirectly instructs A.

[0140] In this application, the information indicated by the instruction information is called the information to be instructed. In specific implementations, there are many ways to indicate the information to be instructed, such as, but not limited to, directly indicating the information to be instructed, such as the information to be instructed itself or its index. It can also indirectly indicate the information to be instructed by indicating other information, where there is a relationship between the other information and the information to be instructed. It can also indicate only a part of the information to be instructed, while the other parts are known or pre-agreed upon. For example, the instruction of specific information can be achieved by using a pre-agreed (e.g., protocol-defined) arrangement of various pieces of information, thereby reducing instruction overhead to some extent. Furthermore, the information to be instructed can be sent as a whole or divided into multiple sub-information pieces, and the sending period and / or timing of these sub-information pieces can be the same or different.

[0141] (2) In this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send information to XX" can be understood as the destination of the information being XX, which may include direct transmission via the air interface or indirect transmission via the air interface by other units or modules. "Receive information from YY" can be understood as the source of the information being YY, which may include direct reception from YY via the air interface or indirect reception from YY via the air interface by other units or modules. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface. In other words, sending and receiving can occur between devices, such as between network devices and terminal devices, or within a device, such as between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within the device via a bus, wiring, or interface.

[0142] (3) In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or logically conflicting, the terms and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0143] (4) In this application, "first," "second," and "#1," "#2," etc., are merely for descriptive convenience and are used to distinguish objects, and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. They are not used to describe the order or sequence of features. It should be understood that such described objects can be interchanged where appropriate so as to describe solutions other than those in the embodiments of this application.

[0144] (5) In this application, “predefined” may mean a standard protocol predefined, or it may mean that the devices have agreed or negotiated in advance.

[0145] (6) In this application, the words “exemplary,” “for example,” etc., are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. 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. Specifically, the use of the word “example” is intended to present the concept in a concrete manner. In the embodiments of this application, “of,” “corresponding, relevant,” and “corresponding” may sometimes be used interchangeably, and it should be noted that their intended meanings are consistent unless their distinction is emphasized.

[0146] (7) In this document, "at least one" means one or more. "More than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. 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 related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship; in the formula of this application, the character " / " indicates that the related objects before and after are in a "division" relationship. "Including at least one of A, B and C" can mean: including A; including B; including C; including A and B; including A and C; including B and C; including A, B and C.

[0147] (8) The arrows or boxes indicated by dashed lines in the schematic diagrams in the accompanying drawings of this application indicate optional steps or optional modules.

[0148] The communication method provided by the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments provided by this application can be applied to the communication systems shown in Figure 3 or Figure 4 above, and are not limited thereto.

[0149] To facilitate understanding of this application, the data management system provided in the embodiments of this application will first be described in detail with reference to FIG7. As shown in FIG7, the data management system includes management functions, storage functions, acquisition functions, and usage functions. Optionally, the data management system also includes processing functions.

[0150] Acquisition Function: Used to acquire data. For example, the acquisition function is used to acquire the following types of data: channel measurement data collected via the wireless air interface, signal measurement data collected via the wireless air interface, composite data, sensor data from the terminal device side, environmental data from the network device side, application data, etc. The acquisition function is also used to send the acquired data to processing, storage, or usage functions. For example, the acquisition function can be deployed on the terminal device side or the network device side.

[0151] Processing function: This function receives data from the acquisition, storage, or management functions and processes the received data. For example, the processing function may process the data based on data quality, the functional requirements of the AI ​​model, or transmission requirements. For instance, the processing function may perform data processing such as cleaning, filtering, preprocessing, normalization, or compression. The processing function also sends the processed data to the storage or usage functions.

[0152] Storage function: Used to store received data. Optionally, the storage function may also be used to assign data identifiers to the received data. Optionally, the storage function may also be used to update and / or delete stored data. The data stored by the storage function can be the raw data obtained by the acquisition function, or the data processed by the processing function after processing the raw data. The storage function may also be used to send the stored raw data to the processing function or the usage function. The storage function may also be used to send the stored processed data to the usage function.

[0153] Use functions: These functions utilize the received data. For example, they can be used to perform data analysis on the received data, or to train, validate, monitor, or infer AI models based on the received data. Use functions are also used to request data from management functions. Furthermore, they can be used to receive data from storage, retrieval, or processing functions.

[0154] Management functions: These functions handle the data requirements of the usage functions and schedule one or more of the storage, processing, or retrieval functions to provide the data needed for the usage functions. In other words, the management functions establish connections between the storage, processing, retrieval, and usage functions based on the data requirements of the usage functions, and configure data transfer parameters so that one or more of the storage, processing, or retrieval functions provide the data needed for the usage functions. Optionally, the management functions may also be used to assign data identifiers to the stored data.

[0155] For more details on the acquisition, processing, storage, usage, or management functions, please refer to the description in Method 800 below.

[0156] The communication method provided in this application embodiment will be described below with reference to Figure 8, taking the interaction between various devices as an example.

[0157] It should be noted that the first device in the following embodiments is a device with the management function described above, or the first device may be a functional entity, network element, circuit or chip, etc., with the management function described above.

[0158] In the embodiments below, the second device is a device having the functions described above, or the second device may be a functional entity, network element, circuit or chip, etc., having the functions described above.

[0159] In the following embodiments, the third device is a device with the storage function described above, or the third device may be a functional entity, network element, circuit or chip, etc., with the storage function described above.

[0160] In the following embodiments, the fourth device is a device with the acquisition function described above, or the fourth device may be a functional entity, network element, circuit or chip, etc., with the acquisition function described above.

[0161] In the following embodiments, the fifth device is a device with the processing function described above, or the fifth device may be a functional entity, network element, circuit or chip, etc., with the processing function described above.

[0162] In the embodiments described below, the different devices among the first to fifth devices may be the same device or different devices, and this application does not limit this. In other words, the different functions among the above-mentioned management function, usage function, storage function, acquisition function and processing function may be deployed on the same device or on different devices, and this application does not limit this.

[0163] It should also be noted that the first to fifth devices in the following embodiments can be replaced by devices on the terminal device side, devices on the network device side, or devices on the core network (CN) side.

[0164] The devices on the terminal device side can include the terminal device itself, the communication module within the terminal device, or the circuits or chips within the terminal device responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core, etc.), or can be included in the AI ​​entities on the terminal device side. The AI ​​entities on the terminal device side can be the terminal device itself, or they can be AI entities that serve the terminal device, such as servers, such as OTT servers or cloud servers.

[0165] Network device-side equipment can include the network device itself, communication modules within the network device, or circuits or chips within the network device responsible for communication functions (such as modem chips, also known as baseband chips, or system-on-a-chip (SoC) chips or SIP chips containing modem cores, etc.), or it can include AI entities on the network device side. AI entities on the network device side can be the network device itself, or AI entities serving the network device, such as RICs, OAMs, or servers, such as OTT servers or cloud servers.

[0166] The equipment on the core network side can include the core network elements themselves, communication modules within the core network elements, or circuits or chips within the core network elements responsible for communication functions (such as modem chips, also known as baseband chips, or system-on-a-chip (SoC) chips or SIP chips containing modem cores, etc.), or it can include AI entities on the core network side. AI entities on the core network side can be the core network elements themselves, or they can be AI entities serving the core network elements, such as servers, like OTT servers or cloud servers.

[0167] Figure 8 shows a schematic flowchart of the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 8, method 800 may include the following steps.

[0168] S801, the third device sends the fifth message.

[0169] Correspondingly, the first device receives the fifth information.

[0170] The fifth piece of information includes metadata about at least one piece of data that has been stored in the third device.

[0171] For example, the metadata of any one of the data may include one or more of the following: the data collection area, the data collection time, the configuration information used to collect the data, whether the data has been processed, the data processing method, and the data type.

[0172] The data acquisition area may include: the area where the data acquisition device is located and / or the area where the device transmitting the reference signal is located. The reference signal transmitted by the device transmitting the reference signal is used to acquire the data.

[0173] The configuration information used for data acquisition may include one or more of the following: acquisition period, configuration information of the reference signal used to obtain the data, content of the acquired data, data type of the acquired data, acquisition conditions, and system configuration information used to obtain the data.

[0174] Data types may include one or more of the following: acquired data (e.g., measurement data), synthetic data (e.g., data generated by generative models), simulation data, sensor data, or environmental perception information.

[0175] Data processing methods may include one or more of the following: data cleaning, data filtering, normalization, compression, processing functions used to process data, and parameters used to process data.

[0176] The purpose of data cleaning is to remove noise, duplication, and outliers from the data to ensure data quality and accuracy. For example, data cleaning may include the following steps: (1) Remove duplicate data: delete duplicate records by comparing data; (2) Deal with missing values: solve the problem of missing values ​​by using interpolation, deletion, or filling methods according to the characteristics of the data; (3) Handle outliers: identify and handle outliers in the dataset that are significantly outside the normal range.

[0177] Data filtering is a method used to select, exclude, or extract specific portions of a dataset. The purpose of data filtering is to narrow down the dataset, focusing on key data to improve the efficiency and accuracy of data use. Through data filtering, data that meets specific conditions or rules can be selected from the overall dataset to satisfy specific needs or conduct further analysis. For example, comparison operators (such as greater than, less than, or equal to) can be used to filter data that meets specific criteria. Another example is filtering data by limiting the data collection area and / or the data collection time.

[0178] Data normalization aims to transform numerical data of different ranges, scales, or units into a uniform, dimensionless scale, typically within a specific small interval, such as [0, 1] or [-1, 1]. This process is achieved through linear transformation, ensuring that all features or variables are on the same basis when compared and analyzed.

[0179] Data compression is the process of encoding original data with less space. That is, it is a technical method that reduces the amount of data to reduce storage space and improve the efficiency of data transmission, storage and processing without losing useful information, or reorganizes data according to certain algorithms to reduce data redundancy and storage space.

[0180] The data processing functions used may include one or more of the following: summation function, average function, maximum function, minimum function, functions for handling missing values ​​(including mean imputation, median imputation, interpolation, etc.), functions for handling outliers, data standardization and normalization functions, data augmentation functions, data compression functions, etc.

[0181] The parameters used for data processing may include one or more of the following: parameters used to handle missing values ​​in the data (including imputation values), parameters used to handle outliers in the data (including thresholds and / or replacement values), parameters used to normalize the data (including mean, standard deviation, maximum, minimum, target range, etc.), parameters used to augment the data (including augmentation methods, such as adding noise or rotating wireless signal data, and the power of the noise, etc.), and parameters used to compress the data (including compression methods, compression configuration, etc.).

[0182] Optionally, the fifth piece of information also includes storage resource information, which indicates the size of the storage space available for the third device to store data. For example, the size of the storage space available for the third device to store data refers to the size of the remaining storage space of the third device that can be used to store data. Or, for another example, the size of the storage space available for the third device to store data refers to the size of the storage space available for the third device to store data when the third device is not storing data.

[0183] Optionally, if the third device has the function of assigning a data identifier to at least one stored data, the fifth information may further include an identifier assigned by the third device to each of the at least one data.

[0184] Optionally, prior to S801, method 800 further includes: the first device sending request information #1 to the third device, the request information #1 being used to request fifth information. Correspondingly, in S801, the third device responds to request information #1 by sending fifth information to the first device.

[0185] Optionally, after receiving the metadata of at least one piece of data stored by the third device, the first device may further assign an identifier to each piece of data in the at least one piece of data and send the identifier assigned by the first device to each piece of data in the at least one piece of data to the third device. Taking data #x in the at least one piece of data as an example, the identifier assigned by the first device to data #x may be the same as or different from the identifier assigned by the third device to data #x, and this application does not limit this.

[0186] It should be noted that S801 is an optional step. For example, if the first device can know the metadata of at least one data stored by the third device without receiving the fifth information from the third device, then method 800 may not include S801.

[0187] S802, the fourth device sends the sixth message.

[0188] Correspondingly, the first device receives the sixth information.

[0189] The sixth piece of information includes one or more of the following: the data type supported by the fourth device for acquisition, the precision of the data supported by the fourth device for acquisition, or the area of ​​the data supported by the fourth device for acquisition.

[0190] The data types may include one or more of the following: acquired data (e.g., measurement data), synthetic data (e.g., data generated by simulation models or generative models), sensor data, or environmental perception information.

[0191] Optionally, prior to S802, method 800 further includes: the first device sending request information #2 to the fourth device, the request information #2 being used to request sixth information. Correspondingly, in S802, the fourth device responds to request information #2 by sending the sixth information to the first device.

[0192] It should be noted that S802 is an optional step. For example, if the first device already knows the fourth information, such as if the fourth information is predefined in the protocol, then method 800 may not include S802.

[0193] S803, the fifth device sends the fourth message.

[0194] Correspondingly, the first device receives the fourth information.

[0195] The fourth information indicates the data processing method supported by the fifth device. Further description of the data processing method can be found in section S801 above.

[0196] S804, the second device sends the first request information.

[0197] Accordingly, the first device receives the first request information.

[0198] The first request information is used to request at least one first piece of data.

[0199] Optionally, the first request information may also include information about at least one first data, which may include one or more of the following: the content of the first data, the data type of the first data, the quantity of the first data, the quality requirements satisfied by the first data, the collection area of ​​the first data, the collection time of the first data, the purpose of the first data, the function of the model corresponding to the first data, or the processing requirements satisfied by the first data.

[0200] The first data includes one or more of the following: channel data, received signal data, beam signal quality data, location data, application data, sensor data, or environmental data.

[0201] The data types of the first data include one or more of the following: measurement data, synthetic data, sensor data, or environmental perception information.

[0202] The quality requirements that the first data must meet include one or more of the following: the accuracy required by the first data, the time range in which the first data was collected, the area in which the first data was collected, and the data collection configuration. The data collection configuration can be found in the description of the configuration information used for data collection in S801 above.

[0203] The primary data may be used for one or more of the following purposes: for model training or validation, for model inference, for model monitoring or testing, for data analysis, or for network performance analysis or optimization.

[0204] The model corresponding to the first data has one or more of the following functions: for CSI feedback, for positioning, for CSI prediction, or for beam management.

[0205] The processing requirements satisfied by the first data refer to the methods of processing other data to obtain the first data. The processing requirements satisfied by the first data include one or more of the following: the requirements of the data processing method satisfied by the first data, the requirements of the processing function satisfied by the first data, or the requirements of the processing parameters satisfied by the first data. For example, if the requirements of the data processing method satisfied by the first data include data cleaning, it means that the first data is obtained after cleaning other data. As another example, if the requirements of the processing function satisfied by the first data include a normalization function, it means that the first data is obtained after processing other data according to the normalization function.

[0206] Furthermore, method 800 continues to perform the steps in mode 1 or mode 2, thereby achieving the purpose of providing at least one first data to the second device.

[0207] The steps involved in Method 1 are described below.

[0208] S805a, the first device sends the first information.

[0209] Correspondingly, the third device receives the first information.

[0210] For example, if the third device stores at least one second data, the first device sends first information to the third device. Here, at least one second data is at least one first data, or at least one second data is used to determine at least one first data; in other words, at least one first data can be obtained by processing at least one second data.

[0211] This application does not limit the method by which the first device determines whether the third device has stored at least one second data.

[0212] For example, if method 800 executes S801, the first device can determine whether the third device has stored at least one second data based on the metadata of at least one data already stored by the third device.

[0213] For example, the first device may request confirmation from the third device whether the third device has stored at least one piece of second data. For instance, the first device may send a second request message to the third device, which requests confirmation from the third device whether at least one piece of second data has been stored; correspondingly, the third device responds to the second request message by sending a response message to the first device, which indicates whether the third device has stored at least one piece of second data.

[0214] The first piece of information is described below.

[0215] The first information is used to request at least one first data. Alternatively, the first information is used to instruct the provision of at least one first data to the second device.

[0216] Optionally, if the first request information includes information about at least one first data, then the first information may include information about at least one first data.

[0217] Optionally, if method 800 executes S801 and the fifth information includes an identifier assigned to each of at least one of the data stored by the third device, then the first information may include an identifier for each of at least one of the second data.

[0218] Optionally, if the first device assigns an identifier to each of the at least one data stored by the third device and sends the identifier assigned to each of the at least one data stored by the third device to the third device, the first information may include the identifier assigned by the first device to each of the at least one second data.

[0219] Optionally, the first information may also include the address information of the second device, so that the third device may provide at least one first data to the second device based on the address information of the second device.

[0220] Optionally, the first information may also include the address information of the fifth device. For example, if at least one second data is used to determine at least one first data, the first information may include the address information of the fifth device, so that the fourth device can provide at least one second data to the fifth device based on the address information of the fifth device, thereby enabling the fifth device to process the at least one second data to obtain at least one first data.

[0221] Optionally, the first information may further include a first data transmission parameter or a second data transmission parameter. The first data transmission parameter is used by the third device to send data #1 to the second device, where data #1 is at least one first data. The second data transmission parameter is used by the third device to send data #2 to the fifth device, where data #2 is at least one second data, and the at least one second data is used to determine at least one first data.

[0222] For example, data transmission parameters may include one or more of the following: quality of service (QoS) requirements and priority information for different data.

[0223] Optionally, the first information may be contained in other information different from the first information, and this application does not limit this.

[0224] S806a, the third device sends data #1.

[0225] Correspondingly, the second device receives data #1.

[0226] Data #1 is at least one first data.

[0227] It should be understood that after the third device receives the first information, if at least one second data stored in the third device is at least one first data, then method 800 executes S806a.

[0228] Optionally, if the first information includes the address information of the second device, then in S806a, the third device can index the second device based on the address information of the second device, and then send data #1 to the second device.

[0229] Optionally, if the first information includes the first data transmission parameters, then in S806a, the third device can use the first data transmission parameters to send data #1 to the second device.

[0230] In one possible implementation, in S806a, the third device can send data #1 to the first device, and then the first device forwards data #1 to the second device.

[0231] S807a, the third device sends the third information.

[0232] Correspondingly, the fifth device receives the third information.

[0233] S808a, the first device sends the third information.

[0234] Correspondingly, the fifth device receives the third information.

[0235] It should be noted that if at least one second data stored by the third device is used to determine at least one first data, then method 800 can execute S807a or S808a. For example, if the first device determines that at least one second data stored by the third device is used to determine at least one first data, then the first device can send third information to the fifth device. As another example, if the first information received by the third device is used to request at least one first data, and at least one second data stored by the third device is used to determine at least one first data, then the third device can send third information to the fifth device.

[0236] The third information is used to request at least one piece of first data.

[0237] Optionally, if the third information is sent by the first device and the first request information received by the first device includes information of at least one first data, the third information may include information of at least one first data. Alternatively, if the third information is sent by the third device and the first information received by the third device includes information of at least one first data, the third information may include information of at least one first data.

[0238] Optionally, the third information may also indicate the method of data processing for at least one second data. For example, the third information may indicate data cleaning, data filtering, etc., for at least one second data. Or, for example, the third information may indicate the processing function or parameters used to process the at least one second data.

[0239] Optionally, the third information may also include the address information of the second device, so that the fifth device may provide at least one first data to the second device based on the address information of the second device.

[0240] Optionally, the third information also includes a third data transmission parameter. The third data parameter is used by the fifth device to send data #1 to the second device.

[0241] Optionally, the third information may be contained in one or more of the aforementioned information, which may be contained in other information that is different from the third information. This application does not limit this.

[0242] S809a, the third device transmits data #2.

[0243] Correspondingly, the fifth device receives data #2.

[0244] Data #2 is at least one second data, and at least one second data is used to determine at least one first data.

[0245] Optionally, if the first information includes the second data transmission parameters, the third device may use the second data transmission parameters to send data #2 to the fifth device.

[0246] After receiving data #2 and the third information, the fifth device processes data #2 to obtain data #1, where data #1 is at least one first data.

[0247] For example, if the third information includes information about at least one first data, then the fifth device processes data #2 according to the information about at least one first data so that the processed data #1 conforms to the information about at least one first data.

[0248] For example, if the third information is also used to indicate the method of data processing for at least one second data, then the fifth device processes data #2 according to the data processing method indicated by the third information to obtain data #1.

[0249] For example, if the third information includes third data transmission parameters, then the fifth device processes data #2 according to the third data transmission parameters so that the fifth device can send the processed data #1 using the third data transmission parameters. For instance, if data #2 is large, directly sending data #2 would not meet the QoS requirements included in the third data transmission parameters. Therefore, the fifth device can compress data #2 so that the QoS requirements included in the third data transmission parameters can be met during the transmission of the processed data #1 by the fifth device.

[0250] In one possible implementation, in S809a, the third device can send data #2 to the first device, and then the first device forwards data #2 to the fifth device.

[0251] S810a, the fifth device transmits data #1.

[0252] Correspondingly, the second device receives data #1.

[0253] Optionally, if the third information includes the address information of the second device, then in S810a, the fifth device can index the second device based on the address information of the second device, and then send data #1 to the second device.

[0254] Optionally, if the third information includes a third data transmission parameter, then in S810a, the fifth device may use the third data transmission parameter to send data #1 to the second device.

[0255] In one possible implementation, in S810a, the fifth device can send data #1 to the first device, and then the first device forwards data #1 to the second device.

[0256] In another possible implementation, in S810a, the fifth device can send data #1 to the third device, and then the third device forwards data #1 to the second device.

[0257] In another possible implementation, in S810a, the fifth device can send data #1 to the third device, the third device then sends the received data #1 to the first device, and finally the first device forwards data #1 to the second device.

[0258] The steps involved in Method 2 are described below.

[0259] S805b, the first device sends the second information.

[0260] Correspondingly, the fourth device receives the second information.

[0261] For example, if the third device does not store at least one second data, the first device sends second information to the fourth device. Here, at least one second data is at least one first data, or at least one second data is used to determine at least one first data; in other words, at least one first data can be obtained by processing at least one second data.

[0262] The method by which the first device determines whether the third device has stored at least one second data can be referred to the description in S805a above.

[0263] The second piece of information is described below.

[0264] The second information is used to request at least one piece of first data. Or, the second information is used to instruct that at least one piece of first data be provided to the second device.

[0265] Optionally, if the first request information includes information about at least one first data, then the second information may include information about at least one first data.

[0266] Optionally, the second information may also include the address information of the second device, so that the fourth device may provide at least one first data to the second device based on the address information of the second device.

[0267] Optionally, the second information may also include the address information of the fifth device. For example, if the fourth device cannot directly collect at least one first data, the second information may include the address information of the fifth device, so that the fourth device can provide the data #2 collected by the fourth device to the fifth device based on the address information of the fifth device, thereby enabling the fifth device to process the data #2 collected by the fourth device to obtain at least one first data.

[0268] Optionally, the second information may further include a fourth data transmission parameter or a fifth data transmission parameter. The fourth data transmission parameter is used by the fourth device to send data #1 to the second device, where data #1 is at least one first data point collected by the fourth device. The fifth data transmission parameter is used by the fourth device to send data #2 to the fifth device, where data #2 is at least one second data point collected by the fourth device, and the at least one second data point is used to determine at least one first data point.

[0269] For example, data transmission parameters may include one or more of the following: quality of service (QoS) requirements and priority information for different data.

[0270] Optionally, the second information also includes the address information of the third device, so that the fourth device can send the collected data to the third device using the address information of the third device.

[0271] Optionally, the second information also includes data transmission parameter #1, which is used by the fourth device to send data to the third device.

[0272] Optionally, the one or more of the above-mentioned information included in the second information may be contained in other information different from the second information, and this application does not limit this.

[0273] S806b, the fourth device transmits data #1.

[0274] Correspondingly, the second device receives data #1.

[0275] Data #1 is at least one first data.

[0276] It should be understood that after the fourth device receives the second information, if the fourth device can directly obtain at least one first data through data acquisition, then method 800 executes S806b.

[0277] Optionally, if the second information includes the address information of the second device, then in S806b, the fourth device can index the second device based on the address information of the second device, and then send data #1 to the second device.

[0278] Optionally, if the second information includes the fourth data transmission parameter, then in S806b, the fourth device can use the fourth data transmission parameter to send data #1 to the second device.

[0279] In one possible implementation, in S806b, the fourth device can send data #1 to the first device, and then the first device forwards data #1 to the second device.

[0280] S807b, the fourth device sends the third information.

[0281] Correspondingly, the fifth device receives the third information.

[0282] S808b, the first device sends the third information.

[0283] Correspondingly, the fifth device receives the third information.

[0284] It should be noted that if the fourth device can directly obtain at least one second data point through data acquisition, but cannot directly obtain at least one first data point, then method 800 can execute S807b or S808b. For example, if the first device determines, based on the sixth information, that the fourth device cannot directly obtain at least one first data point through data acquisition, then the first device can send third information to the fifth device. As another example, if the first information received by the fourth device is used to request at least one first data point, and the fourth device cannot directly obtain at least one first data point through data acquisition, then the fourth device can send third information to the fifth device.

[0285] The third information is used to request at least one piece of first data.

[0286] Optionally, if the third information is sent by the first device and the first request information received by the first device includes information of at least one first data, the third information may include information of at least one first data. Alternatively, if the third information is sent by the fourth device and the second information received by the fourth device includes information of at least one first data, the fourth information may include information of at least one first data.

[0287] Optionally, the third information may also indicate the method of data processing for at least one second data. For example, the third information may indicate data cleaning, data filtering, etc., for at least one second data. Or, for example, the third information may indicate the processing function or parameters used to process the at least one second data.

[0288] Optionally, the third information may also include the address information of the second device, so that the fifth device may provide at least one first data to the second device based on the address information of the second device.

[0289] Optionally, the third information also includes a sixth data transmission parameter. The sixth data parameter is used by the fifth device to send data #1 to the second device.

[0290] Optionally, the third information may also include the address information of the third device, so that the fifth device can send data #1 to the third device using the address information of the third device.

[0291] Optionally, the third information also includes data transmission parameter #2, which is used by the fifth device to send data #1 to the third device.

[0292] Optionally, the third information may be contained in one or more of the aforementioned information, which may be contained in other information that is different from the third information. This application does not limit this.

[0293] S809b, the fourth device transmits data #2.

[0294] Correspondingly, the fifth device receives data #2.

[0295] Data #2 is at least one second data point, and at least one second data point is used to determine at least one first data point. Data #2 is acquired by the fourth device through data acquisition.

[0296] Optionally, if the second information includes the fifth data transmission parameter, the fourth device may use the fifth data transmission parameter to send data #2 to the fifth device.

[0297] After receiving data #2 and the third information, the fifth device processes data #2 to obtain data #1, where data #1 is at least one first data.

[0298] For example, if the third information includes information about at least one first data, then the fifth device processes data #2 according to the information about at least one first data so that the processed data #1 conforms to the information about at least one first data.

[0299] For example, if the third information is also used to indicate the method of data processing for at least one second data, then the fifth device processes data #2 according to the data processing method indicated by the third information to obtain data #1.

[0300] For example, if the third information includes a sixth data transmission parameter, then the fifth device processes data #2 according to the sixth data transmission parameter so that the fifth device can use the sixth data transmission parameter to send the processed data #1. For instance, if data #2 is large, directly sending data #2 would not meet the QoS requirements included in the sixth data transmission parameter. Therefore, the fifth device can compress data #2 so that the QoS requirements included in the sixth data transmission parameter can be met during the transmission of the processed data #1 by the fifth device.

[0301] In one possible implementation, in S809b, the fourth device can send data #2 to the first device, and then the first device forwards data #2 to the fifth device.

[0302] S810b, the fifth device transmits data #1.

[0303] Correspondingly, the second device receives data #1.

[0304] Optionally, if the third information includes the address information of the second device, then in S810b, the fifth device can index the second device based on the address information of the second device, and then send data #1 to the second device.

[0305] Optionally, if the third information includes the sixth data transmission parameter, then in S810b, the fifth device can use the third data transmission parameter to send data #1 to the second device.

[0306] In one possible implementation, in S810b, the fifth device can send data #1 to the first device, and then the first device forwards data #1 to the second device.

[0307] In another possible implementation, in S810b, the fifth device can send data #1 to the third device, and then the third device forwards data #1 to the second device.

[0308] In another possible implementation, in S810b, the fifth device can send data #1 to the third device, the third device then sends the received data #1 to the first device, and finally the first device forwards data #1 to the second device.

[0309] Optionally, if method 800 performs one or more steps included in method 2, then method 800 may further include S811a or S811b.

[0310] S811a, the fourth device transmits data #2 or data #1.

[0311] Accordingly, the third device receives data #2 or data #1.

[0312] For example, if the fourth device receives the second information and directly acquires data #2 through data acquisition, then in S811a, the fourth device sends data #2 to the third device. If the fourth device receives the second information and directly acquires data #1 through data acquisition, then in S811a, the fourth device sends data #1 to the third device.

[0313] Optionally, if the second information includes the address information of the third device, then in S811a, the fourth device can index the third device according to the address information of the third device, and then send data #1 or data #2 to the third device.

[0314] Optionally, if the second information includes data transmission parameter #1, then in S811a, the fourth device may use data transmission parameter #1 to send data #1 or data #2 to the third device.

[0315] Optionally, in S811a, the fourth device also sends metadata of data #2 or metadata of data #1 to the third device.

[0316] In one possible implementation, in S811a, the fourth device can send data #2 or data #1 to the first device, and then the first device sends the received data #2 or data #1 to the third device.

[0317] S811b, the fifth device transmits data #1.

[0318] Correspondingly, the third device receives data #1.

[0319] After the fifth device processes the received data #2 to obtain data #1, it can send data #1 to the third device.

[0320] Optionally, if the third information includes the address information of the third device, then in S811b, the fifth device can index the third device based on the address information of the third device, and then send data #1 to the third device.

[0321] Optionally, if the third information includes data transmission parameter #2, then in S811b, the fifth device can use data transmission parameter #2 to send data #1 to the third device.

[0322] Optionally, in S811b, the fifth device also sends metadata of data #1 to the third device.

[0323] In one possible implementation, in S811b, the fifth device can send data #1 to the first device, and then the first device sends the received data #1 to the third device.

[0324] Optionally, method 800 may also include S812.

[0325] S812, the third device sends the ninth message.

[0326] Correspondingly, the first device receives the ninth message.

[0327] The ninth information includes metadata about at least one piece of data recently stored by the third device.

[0328] If the third device sends the fifth information to the first device, and after sending the fifth information, the third device stores new data, then method 800 may include S812.

[0329] For example, if the third device sends the fifth message and method 800 executes S811a or S811b, meaning the third device stores data #1 or data #2, then the ninth message may include the metadata of data #1 or data #2. A description of the metadata of the data can be found in S801 above.

[0330] Optionally, method 800 may also include S813.

[0331] S813, the first device sends the eighth message.

[0332] Correspondingly, the third device receives the eighth information.

[0333] The eighth message is used to instruct the deletion of at least one second piece of data.

[0334] This application does not limit the triggering conditions for the first device to send the eighth information. For example, the first device can determine whether to instruct the third device to delete at least one piece of second data based on whether the storage time of at least one piece of second data has reached the maximum storage time. Alternatively, the first device can determine whether to instruct the third device to delete at least one piece of second data based on the amount of remaining storage space available for storing data in the third device.

[0335] In this embodiment, the first device schedules and manages the data transmission between the second and fifth devices, thereby improving the flexibility and efficiency of data use. For example, the fourth device can send the collected data to the third device for storage, and / or the fifth device can send the processed data to the third device for storage. Thus, if the third device has already stored data related to the data requested by the second device, the third device can assist in providing data to the second device instead of the fourth device collecting the data, thereby reducing redundant data collection.

[0336] The method provided in this application embodiment will be described below with reference to Figure 9, taking the following devices as examples: the first device is a network device (network device #1 in Figure 9), the second device is a terminal device (UE #2 in Figure 9), the third device is a network device (network device #1 and network device #2 in Figure 9), the fourth device is a network device (network device #1 in Figure 9) and a terminal device (UE #1 in Figure 9), and the fifth device is a network device (network device #1 and network device #2 in Figure 9). In other words, UE #1 in Figure 9 has the acquisition function described above, network device #1 has the acquisition function, management function, storage function and processing function described above, UE #2 has the usage function described above, and network device #2 has the storage function and processing function described above.

[0337] As shown in Figure 9, method 900 may include the following steps.

[0338] S901, Network device #1 sends information #1.

[0339] Accordingly, UE#1 receives information #1.

[0340] Information #1 can also be called data acquisition configuration information.

[0341] Data acquisition configuration information may include one or more of the following: data type, data acquisition area, data acquisition time, data acquisition cycle, configuration information of reference signals used to obtain data, acquired data content, and system configuration information used to obtain data.

[0342] It should be noted that S901 is an optional step. For example, if the configuration information used by UE#1 to collect data is predefined or preconfigured, then method 900 may not include S901.

[0343] S902, Network device #1 sends at least one signal #a.

[0344] Accordingly, UE#1 receives at least one signal #a.

[0345] It should be noted that S902 is an optional step. For example, if the data collected by UE#1 is synthetic data or sensor data, then method 900 may not need to execute S902.

[0346] It should also be noted that S902 is described using the example of UE#1 receiving signal #a sent from network device #1. This embodiment of the application can also be applied to D2D scenarios. In other words, in S902, UE#1 can receive at least one signal #c from other UEs (e.g., UE#3).

[0347] S903, UE#1 sends at least one signal #b.

[0348] Correspondingly, network device #1 receives at least one signal #b.

[0349] It should be noted that S903 is an optional step. For example, if the data collected by network device #1 is synthetic data or environmental awareness information, then method 900 may not need to execute S903.

[0350] S904, UE#1 obtains data#a.

[0351] Data #a may include one or more of the following: data obtained by UE#1 by measuring at least one signal #a (such as channel state information (CSI) obtained based on the channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) and / or beam received signal quality), raw received signal, UE#1 location information, sensor data (such as UE#1 location, orientation, etc.), synthetic data (such as CSI generated based on a generative model), or environmental perception information (such as environmental images).

[0352] S905, Network device #1 acquires data #b.

[0353] Data #b may include one or more of the following: data obtained by network device #1 by measuring at least one signal #b (such as CSI and / or beam received signal quality obtained based on a sounding reference signal (SRS), raw received signal, synthetic data (such as CSI generated based on a generative model), or environmental awareness information (such as environmental images).

[0354] S906, UE#1 sends data #a.

[0355] Correspondingly, network device #1 receives data #a.

[0356] It should be understood that if method 900 executes S904, then method 900 may include S906.

[0357] For example, UE#1 can send data#a to network device #1 via non-access stratum (NAS) messages, RRC messages, UE assistance information (UAI), media access control / medium access control (MAC) control element (CE), uplink control information (UCI), or new data management protocol messages.

[0358] Optionally, in S906, UE#1 also sends metadata about data#a to network device#1. The metadata about the data can be found in the description in S801 of method 800 above.

[0359] S907, Network device #1 stores data #a1 and / or data #b1.

[0360] For example, if network device #1 receives data #a from UE #1, then in S907, network device #1 can store data #a1. Data #a1 is data #a, or data #a1 is obtained after processing data #a. The method by which network device #1 processes data #a can be referred to the description of the data processing method in method 800 above.

[0361] For example, if network device #1 acquires data #b, then in S907, network device #1 can store data #b1. Data #b1 is data #b, or data #b1 is obtained after processing data #b. The method by which network device #1 processes data #b can be referred to the description of the data processing method in method 800 above.

[0362] For example, if network device #1 receives data #a and obtains data #b, then network device #1 can also merge data #a and data #b before processing the data.

[0363] For example, in S907, network device #1 can select to store a portion of the data included in data #a based on the data quality of data #a.

[0364] For example, in S907, network device #1 can select to store a portion of the data included in data #b based on the data quality of data #b.

[0365] Optionally, network device #1 can also assign identifiers to data #a1 and data #b1.

[0366] Optionally, in S907, network device #1 also stores metadata of data #a1 and / or metadata of data #b1. For example, if network device #1 receives metadata of data #a1 from UE #1, then network device #1 can store the metadata of data #a1. As another example, if network device #1 acquires data #b, then network device #1 can store the metadata of data #b1.

[0367] S908, the identifier for network device #1 sending data #a1.

[0368] Correspondingly, UE#1 receives the identifier of data #a1 from network device #1.

[0369] If network device #1 assigns an identifier to data #a1 in S907, then method 900 can execute S908.

[0370] S909, UE#2 sends request information #a.

[0371] Correspondingly, network device #1 receives request information #a.

[0372] The request information #a is used to request data #c.

[0373] Optionally, the request information #a may also include information about data #c. Further description of the information about data #c can be found in the description of the information for at least one first data point in S804 above.

[0374] S910, network device #1 performs a search.

[0375] Network device #1 retrieves stored data based on request information #a, thereby determining whether network device #1 has stored data #d. Data #d is data #c, or data #d is used to determine data #c.

[0376] Furthermore, if network device #1 has stored data #d, then method 900 continues to execute S914. If network device #1 has not stored data #d, then method 900 continues to execute S911 to S914.

[0377] S911, Network device #1 sends request information #b.

[0378] Correspondingly, network device #2 receives request information #b.

[0379] The request information #b is used to request data #c.

[0380] Optionally, the request information #a may also include information about data #c.

[0381] S912, network device #2 performs the search.

[0382] Network device #2 retrieves stored data based on request information #b to determine whether network device #2 has stored data #d. Data #d is data #c, or data #d is used to determine data #c.

[0383] Furthermore, if network device #2 stores data #d, then method 900 continues to execute S913.

[0384] S913, Network device #2 sends data #c.

[0385] Correspondingly, network device #1 receives data #c.

[0386] Specifically, if the data #d stored in network device #2 is data #c, then network device #2 directly sends data #c to network device #1.

[0387] If the data #d stored in network device #2 is used to determine data #c, then after network device #2 processes the data #d to obtain data #c, it sends data #c to network device #1.

[0388] S914, Network device #1 sends data #c.

[0389] Correspondingly, UE#2 receives data #c.

[0390] Specifically, if network device #1 stores data #d, and data #d is data #c, then network device #1 directly sends data #c to UE #2.

[0391] If network device #1 stores data #d, and data #d is used to determine data #c, then after network device #1 processes data #d to obtain data #c, it sends data #c to UE #2.

[0392] If network device #1 receives data #c from network device #2, then network device #1 sends data #c to UE #2.

[0393] For example, network device #1 sends data #c to UE #2 via NAS message, RRC message, MAC CE, downlink control information (DCI), or new data management protocol message.

[0394] S915, UE#2 uses data#c.

[0395] For example, UE#2 can use data#c for model training, model inference, model monitoring, or data analysis.

[0396] Optionally, method 900 also includes S916 to S918.

[0397] S916, UE#1 sends request information #c.

[0398] Correspondingly, network device #1 receives request information #c.

[0399] The request message #c is used to request network device #1 to delete data #e.

[0400] For example, if data #e is data that UE#1 sent to network device #1 first, and UE#1 determines that the storage time of network device #1 for storing data #e has reached the storage time limit, then UE#1 can send request information #c to network device #1.

[0401] S917, network device #1 performs data management.

[0402] After receiving the request information #c, network device #1 can delete the data #e that is stored immediately, or it can delete the data #e if it is determined that the storage time of data #e has reached the storage time limit.

[0403] S918, Network device #1 sends response information #c.

[0404] Correspondingly, UE#1 receives response information #c.

[0405] The response message #c is used to indicate that network device #1 has deleted data #e.

[0406] In this embodiment of the application, the data transmission between the network device and the UE is scheduled and managed by the network device, thereby improving the flexibility of data use and the efficiency of data utilization.

[0407] The method provided in this application embodiment will be described below with reference to Figure 10, taking the following devices as examples: the first device is a network device (network device #1 in Figure 10), the second device is a terminal device (UE #2 in Figure 10), the third device is a terminal device (UE #1 in Figure 10), the fourth device is a network device (network device #1 in Figure 10) and a terminal device (UE #1 in Figure 10), and the fifth device is a network device (network device #1 in Figure 10) and a terminal device (UE #1 and UE #2 in Figure 10). In other words, UE #1 in Figure 10 has the acquisition function, storage function, and processing function described above; network device #1 has the acquisition function, management function, and processing function described above; and UE #2 has the usage function and processing function described above.

[0408] As shown in Figure 10, method 1000 may include the following steps.

[0409] S1001, Network device #1 sends information #1.

[0410] Accordingly, UE#1 receives information #1.

[0411] S1002, Network device #1 sends at least one signal #a.

[0412] Accordingly, UE#1 receives at least one signal #a.

[0413] S1003, UE#1 sends at least one signal #b.

[0414] Correspondingly, network device #1 receives at least one signal #b.

[0415] S1004, UE#1 obtains data#a.

[0416] S1005, Network device #1 acquires data #b.

[0417] S1001 to S1005 can be referred to as S901 to S905 in Method 900 above.

[0418] S1006, Network device #1 sends data #b1.

[0419] Correspondingly, UE#1 receives data #b1.

[0420] Data #b1 is data #b, or data #b1 is obtained by network device #1 after processing data #b; this application does not limit this. The method by which network device #1 processes data #b can be found in the description of the data processing method in method 800 above.

[0421] For example, network device #1 sends data #b1 to UE #1 via NAS message, RRC message, MAC CE, DCI or new data management protocol message.

[0422] Optionally, in S1006, network device #1 can also assign an identifier to data #b1 and send the identifier assigned to data #b1 to UE #1.

[0423] Optionally, in S1006, network device #1 may also send metadata about data #b1 to UE #1. The metadata about the data can be found in the description in S801 of method 800 above.

[0424] S1007, store data #a1 and / or data #b1.

[0425] For example, if UE#1 receives data #b1 from network device #1, then in S1007, UE#1 can store data #b1.

[0426] For example, if UE#1 obtains data #a, then in S1007, UE#1 can store data #a1. Data #a1 is data #a, or data #a1 is obtained after processing data #a. The method by which UE#1 processes data #a can be referred to the description of the data processing method in method 800 above.

[0427] For example, if UE#1 receives data #b1 and obtains data #a, network device #1 can also merge data #b1 and data #a before processing the data.

[0428] For example, in S1007, UE#1 can select to store a portion of the data included in data#a based on the data quality of data#a.

[0429] For example, in S1007, UE#1 can select to store a portion of the data included in data#b1 based on the data quality of data#b1.

[0430] Optionally, UE#1 can also assign identifiers to data #a1 and data #b1.

[0431] Optionally, in S1007, UE#1 may also store metadata of data #a1 and / or metadata of data #b1. For example, if UE#1 receives metadata of data #b1 from network device #1, then UE#1 may store the metadata of data #b1. As another example, if UE#1 acquires data #a, then UE#1 may store the metadata of data #a1.

[0432] S1008, UE#1 sends metadata about the stored data.

[0433] Correspondingly, network device #1 receives metadata about the data already stored by UE #1.

[0434] The metadata of the data can be found in the description in S801 of method 800 above.

[0435] Optionally, in S1008, UE#1 also sends the identifier that UE#1 has assigned to the stored data.

[0436] Optionally, prior to S1008, method 1000 further includes: network device #1 sending request information #x to UE #1, the request information #x being used to request metadata of data already stored by UE #1. Correspondingly, in S1008, UE #1 responds to the request information #x by sending metadata of data already stored by UE #1 to network device #1.

[0437] Optionally, after receiving the metadata of the data already stored by UE#1, network device #1 can also assign an identifier to the data already stored by UE#1 and send the identifier assigned by network device #1 to the data already stored by UE#1 to UE#1. Correspondingly, UE#1 can store the identifier assigned by network device #1 to the data already stored by UE#1.

[0438] S1009, UE#2 sends request information #a.

[0439] Correspondingly, network device #1 receives request information #a.

[0440] The request information #a is used to request data #c.

[0441] Optionally, the request information #a may also include information about data #c. Further description of the information about data #c can be found in the description of the information for at least one first data point in S804 above.

[0442] S1010, network device #1 performs a search.

[0443] Network device #1 retrieves the data already stored by UE #1 based on request information #a, thereby determining whether UE #1 has stored data #d. Data #d is data #c, or data #d is used to determine data #c.

[0444] If UE#1 has stored data #d, then method 1000 continues to execute S1011.

[0445] S1011, Network device #1 sends request information #b.

[0446] Correspondingly, UE#1 receives request information #b.

[0447] The request information #b is used to request data #c.

[0448] Optionally, if in S1008, network device #1 receives an identifier assigned by UE #1 for stored data, then request information #b may also include an identifier for data #d.

[0449] Optionally, if network device #1 sends an identifier to UE #1 for the data that network device #1 has stored for UE #1, then the request information #b also includes an identifier that network device #1 has allocated for data #d.

[0450] Optionally, the request information #b may also include the address information of UE#2.

[0451] Optionally, the request information #b may also include data transmission parameter #a, which is used by UE#1 to send data #d to network device #1 or UE#2.

[0452] Optionally, the request information #b may also include the data processing method for processing data #d to obtain data #c.

[0453] S1012, UE#1 performs data processing.

[0454] It should be noted that step S1012 is optional. If the data #d stored by UE#1 is used to determine data #c, then UE#1 can process the data #d to obtain data #c. Of course, even if the data #d stored by UE#1 is used to determine data #c, UE#1 may choose not to process the data #d.

[0455] Furthermore, method 1000 executes S1013 or S1014.

[0456] S1013, UE#1 sends data#d.

[0457] Correspondingly, UE#2 receives data #d.

[0458] For example, data #d is data #c. For instance, if data #d stored by UE#1 is data #c, or if UE#1 processes the stored data #d, then the data #d sent by UE#1 to UE#2 is data #c.

[0459] For example, data #d is used to determine data #c. For instance, if data #d stored by UE#1 is used to determine data #c, and UE#1 does not process data #d, then data #d sent by UE#1 to UE#2 is used to determine data #c.

[0460] It should be noted that if the request information #b includes the address information of UE#2, then UE#1 can index UE#2 based on the address information of UE#2, and then send data #d to UE#2.

[0461] Optionally, if the data transmission parameter #a included in the request information #b is used by UE#1 to send data #d to UE#2, then UE#1 uses the data transmission parameter #a to send data #d to UE#2.

[0462] S1014, UE#1 sends data#d.

[0463] Correspondingly, network device #1 receives data #d.

[0464] For example, data #d is data #c. For instance, if UE#1 stores data #d as data #c, or if UE#1 processes the stored data #d, then the data #d sent by UE#1 to network device #1 is data #c.

[0465] For example, data #d is used to determine data #c. For instance, if UE#1 stores data #d to determine data #c, and UE#1 does not process data #d, then the data #d sent by UE#1 to network device #1 is used to determine data #c.

[0466] It should be noted that if the request information #b does not include the address information of UE#2, then UE#1 sends data #d to network device #1.

[0467] Optionally, if the data transmission parameter #a included in the request information #b is used by UE#1 to send data #d to network device #1, then UE#1 uses the data transmission parameter #a to send data #d to network device #1.

[0468] For example, UE#1 can send data#d to network device #1 via NAS message, RRC message, UAI, MAC CE, UCI or a new data management protocol layer.

[0469] Furthermore, if method 1000 executes S1013, then method 1000 also includes S1015.

[0470] S1015, UE#2 performs data processing.

[0471] It should be noted that step S1015 is optional. If the data #d received by UE#2 is used to determine data #c, then UE#2 can process data #d to obtain data #c.

[0472] Furthermore, if method 1000 executes S1014, then method 1000 also includes S1016 and S1017.

[0473] S1016, Network device #1 performs data processing.

[0474] It should be noted that step S1016 is optional. If the data #d received by network device #1 is used to determine data #c, then network device #1 can process the data #d to obtain the data #c.

[0475] S1017, Network device #1 sends data #c.

[0476] Correspondingly, UE#2 receives data #c.

[0477] S1018, UE#2 uses data#c.

[0478] For example, UE#2 can use data#c for model training, model inference, model monitoring, or data analysis.

[0479] In this embodiment of the application, the data transmission between the network device and the UE is scheduled and managed by the network device, thereby improving the flexibility of data use and the efficiency of data utilization.

[0480] The method provided in this application embodiment will be described below with reference to Figure 11, taking the following devices as examples: the first device is a network device (network device #1 in Figure 11), the second device is a terminal device (UE #2 in Figure 11), the third device is a core network or OAM device (CN / OAM in Figure 11), the fourth device is a network device (network device #1 in Figure 11) and a terminal device (UE #1 in Figure 11), and the fifth device is a network device (network device #1 in Figure 11) and a core network or OAM device (CN / OAM in Figure 11). In other words, UE #1 in Figure 11 has the acquisition function described above, network device #1 has the acquisition, management, and processing functions described above, UE #2 has the usage function described above, and CN / OAM has the storage and processing functions described above.

[0481] As shown in Figure 11, method 1100 may include the following steps.

[0482] S1101, Network device #1 sends information #1.

[0483] Accordingly, UE#1 receives information #1.

[0484] S1102, Network device #1 sends at least one signal #a.

[0485] Accordingly, UE#1 receives at least one signal #a.

[0486] S1103, UE#1 sends at least one signal #b.

[0487] Correspondingly, network device #1 receives at least one signal #b.

[0488] S1104, UE#1 obtains data#a.

[0489] S1105, Network device #1 acquires data #b.

[0490] S1106, UE#1 sends data #a.

[0491] Correspondingly, network device #1 receives data #a.

[0492] S1101 to S1106 can be referred to as S901 to S906 in Method 900 above.

[0493] Optionally, method 1100 also includes S1107.

[0494] S1107, Network device #1 performs data processing.

[0495] For example, if network device #1 receives data #a from UE #1, then in S1107, network device #1 can process data #a to obtain data #a1. The method by which network device #1 processes data #a can be referred to the description of the data processing method in method 800 above.

[0496] For example, if network device #1 acquires data #b, then in S1107, network device #1 can process data #b to obtain data #b1. The method by which network device #1 processes data #b can be referred to the description of the data processing method in method 800 above.

[0497] For example, if network device #1 receives data #a and obtains data #b, then network device #1 can also merge data #a and data #b before processing the data.

[0498] S1108, Network device #1 sends data #a1 and / or data #b1.

[0499] Accordingly, CN / OAM receives data #a1 and / or data #b1.

[0500] Data #a1 is data #a, or data #a1 is obtained after processing data #a.

[0501] Data #b1 is data #b, or data #b1 is obtained after processing data #b.

[0502] Optionally, network device #1 can send data #a1 and / or data #b1 to CN / OAM via Next Generation Application Protocol (NGAP) messages or newly added Data Management Protocol messages.

[0503] Optionally, in S1108, network device #1 may also send metadata of data #a1 and / or metadata of data #b1.

[0504] Optionally, in S1108, network device #1 can also assign identifiers to data #a1 and / or data #b1, and send the identifiers assigned by network device #1 to data #a1 and / or data #b1 to CN / OAM.

[0505] S1109, CN / OAM stores data #a1 and / or data #b1.

[0506] Optionally, CN / OAM can choose to store a portion of the data included in data #a1 based on the data quality of data #a1.

[0507] Optionally, CN / OAM can choose to store a portion of the data included in data #b1 based on the data quality of data #b1.

[0508] Optionally, CNOAM can also assign identifiers to data #a1 and data #b1.

[0509] S1110, CN / OAM transmission identifier #1.

[0510] Correspondingly, network device #1 receives identifier #1 from CN / OAM.

[0511] Identifier #1 is an identifier assigned by CN / OAM to stored data. For example, identifier #1 includes identifiers assigned by CN / OAM to data #a1 and / or data #b1.

[0512] It should be understood that if CN / OAM has assigned an identifier to the stored data, then method 1100 can execute S1110.

[0513] In S1110, CN / OAM also sends metadata about the stored data to network device #1. The metadata about the data can be found in the description in S801 of method 800 above.

[0514] Optionally, if network device #1 sends request information #y to CN / OAM, where request information #y is used to request metadata of data already stored by CN / OAM, then in S1110, CN / OAM responds to request information #y by sending metadata of data already stored by CN / OAM to network device #1.

[0515] S1111, Network device #1 sends identifier #2.

[0516] Correspondingly, UE#1 receives identifier #2.

[0517] Identifier #2 is an identifier assigned by CN / OAM to stored data. For example, identifier #1 includes the identifier assigned by CN / OAM to data #a1.

[0518] It should be understood that if the identifier #1 received by network device #1 includes the identifier assigned by CN / OAM to data #a1, then method 1100 can perform S1111.

[0519] In one possible implementation, identifier #2 includes an identifier assigned by network device #1 to data already stored in CN / OAM. For example, identifier #2 includes an identifier assigned by network device #1 to bit data #a1.

[0520] S1112, UE#2 sends request information #a.

[0521] Correspondingly, network device #1 receives request information #a.

[0522] The request information #a is used to request data #c.

[0523] Optionally, the request information #a may also include information about data #c. Further description of the information about data #c can be found in the description of the information for at least one first data point in S804 above.

[0524] S1113, network device #1 performs a search.

[0525] Network device #1 retrieves data already stored in CN / OAM based on request information #a, thereby determining whether CN / OAM has stored data #d. Data #d is data #c, or data #d is used to determine data #c.

[0526] If CN / OAM stores data #d, then method 1100 continues to execute S1114.

[0527] S1114, Network device #1 sends request information #b.

[0528] Correspondingly, CN / OAM receives request information #b.

[0529] The request information #b is used to request data #c.

[0530] Optionally, if in S1110, network device #1 receives an identifier assigned by CN / OAM for stored data, then request information #b may also include an identifier for data #d.

[0531] Optionally, the request information #b may also include the address information of UE#2.

[0532] Optionally, the request information #b may also include the data processing method for processing data #d to obtain data #c.

[0533] S1115, CN / OAM performs data processing.

[0534] It should be noted that step S1115 is optional. If the data #d stored in CN / OAM is used to determine data #c, then CN / OAM can process data #d to obtain data #c. Of course, even if the data #d stored in CN / OAM is used to determine data #c, CN / OAM may choose not to process data #d.

[0535] S1116, CN / OAM sends data #d.

[0536] Correspondingly, network device #1 receives data #d.

[0537] For example, data #d is data #c. For instance, data #d stored by CN / OAM is data #c, or CN / OAM processes the stored data #d, then the data #d sent by CN / OAM to network device #1 is data #c.

[0538] For example, data #d is used to determine data #c. For instance, if data #d stored by CN / OAM is used to determine data #c, and CN / OAM does not process data #d, then data #d sent by CN / OAM to network device #1 is used to determine data #c.

[0539] Optionally, CN / OAM can send data #d to network device #1 via NGAP messages or the newly added data management protocol messages.

[0540] Optionally, if the request information #b includes the address information of UE#2, then in S1116, CN / OAM can index UE#2 based on the address information of UE#2, and then directly send data #d to UE#2.

[0541] Optionally, CN / OAM can send data #d to UE#2 via non-access stratum (NAS) messages or the newly added data management protocol messages.

[0542] S1117, Network device #1 performs data processing.

[0543] It should be noted that step S1116 is optional. If the data #d received by network device #1 is used to determine data #c, then network device #1 can process the data #d to obtain the data #c.

[0544] S1118, Network device #1 sends data #c.

[0545] Correspondingly, UE#2 receives data #c.

[0546] For example, network device #1 sends data #c to UE #2 via NAS message, RRC message layer, MAC CE, DCI or new data management protocol message.

[0547] S1119, UE#2 uses data #c.

[0548] For example, UE#2 can use data#c for model training, model inference, model monitoring, or data analysis.

[0549] Optionally, method 1100 may also include steps S1120 to S1121.

[0550] S1120, UE#1 sends request information #c.

[0551] Correspondingly, CN / OAM receives request information #c.

[0552] For example, in S1120, UE#1 sends request information #c to CN / OAM through network device #1. In other words, UE#1 first sends request information #c to network device #1, and network device #1 then forwards request information #c to CN / OAM.

[0553] The request message #c is used to request CN / OAM to delete data #e.

[0554] For example, if data #e is data that UE#1 sent to CN / OAM first, and UE#1 determines that CN / OAM has stored data #e for the maximum storage time, then UE#1 can send request information #c to CN / OAM.

[0555] One possible implementation is that network device #1 sends request information #c to CN / OAM.

[0556] For example, if data #e is data that network device #1 sent to CN / OAM first, and network device #1 determines that CN / OAM has stored data #e for the maximum storage time, then network device #1 can send request information #c to CN / OAM.

[0557] S1121, CN / OAM performs data management.

[0558] After receiving the request information #c, network device #1 can delete the data #e that is stored immediately, or it can delete the data #e if it is determined that the storage time of data #e has reached the storage time limit.

[0559] S1122, CN / OAM sends response information #c.

[0560] Correspondingly, UE#1 receives response information #c.

[0561] The response message #c is used to indicate that network device #1 has deleted data #e.

[0562] For example, in S1121, CN / OAM sends request information #c to UE#1 through network device #1. In other words, CN / OAM first sends response information #c to network device #1, and network device #1 then forwards response information #c to UE#1.

[0563] In one possible implementation, if the request information #c is sent from network device #1 to CN / OAM, then in S1122, CN / OAM sends the response information #c to network device #1.

[0564] In this embodiment of the application, the data transmission between the network device, UE and CN / OAM is scheduled and managed by the network device, thereby improving the flexibility of data use and the efficiency of data utilization.

[0565] It should be noted that the method provided in this application can also be applied to an open RAN architecture. For example, the fourth device mentioned above can be a terminal device-side device, RU, DU, or CU in an open RAN architecture. As another example, the third or fifth device mentioned above can be a non-real-time intelligent controller in an open RAN architecture. As yet another example, the first device mentioned above can be a CU in an open RAN architecture. As yet another example, the second device mentioned above can be a terminal device-side device, RU, DU, or CU in an open RAN architecture.

[0566] It should be understood that 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.

[0567] It should also be understood that, in the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

[0568] It is understood that, in the above-described method embodiments, the methods and operations implemented by the apparatus (such as the first apparatus, the second apparatus, and the third apparatus) can also be implemented by components of the apparatus (such as chips or circuits).

[0569] The communication method provided in the embodiments of this application has been described in detail above with reference to Figures 8 to 11. The above communication method is mainly described from the perspective of interaction between devices. It is understood that, in order to realize the above functions, the first to fifth devices include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function.

[0570] It is understood that, in order to achieve the functions in the above embodiments, the first to fifth devices include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, based on the units and method steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed in this application, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed by hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0571] Figures 12 and 13 are schematic block diagrams of communication devices provided in embodiments of this application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of the first to fifth devices in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments.

[0572] Figure 12 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 2000 provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 12, the communication device 2000 includes a transceiver unit (or communication unit) 2020. Optionally, the communication device 2000 also includes a processing unit 2010.

[0573] For example, the communication device 2000 is used to implement the functions of the first or third device in the method embodiments shown in Figures 8, 9, 10, and 11.

[0574] For example, when the communication device 2000 is used to implement the function of the first device in the method embodiment shown in FIG8, FIG9, FIG10 or FIG11: the transceiver unit 2020 is used to receive a first request information from the second device, the first request information being used to request at least one first data; the transceiver unit 2020 is used to send a first message to the third device when the third device has stored at least one second data, the first message being used to request at least one first data; or, it is used to send a second message to the fourth device when the third device has not stored at least one second data, the second message being used to request at least one first data.

[0575] Optionally, the transceiver unit 2020 is also configured to send third information to the fifth device, the third information being used to request at least one first data, and the fifth device being used to process at least one second data to obtain at least one first data.

[0576] Optionally, the transceiver unit 2020 is also configured to receive fourth information from the fifth device, the fourth information indicating the data processing method supported by the fifth device.

[0577] Optionally, the transceiver unit 2020 is further configured to: send a second request message to the third device, the second request message being used to request the third device to confirm whether at least one second data has been stored; and receive a response message from the third device, the response message indicating whether the third device has stored at least one second data.

[0578] Optionally, the transceiver unit 2020 is further configured to receive fifth information from the third device, the fifth information including metadata of at least one data already stored by the third device; the processing unit 2010 is configured to determine whether the third device has stored at least one second data based on the metadata of at least one data already stored by the third device.

[0579] Optionally, the transceiver unit 2020 is also configured to receive sixth information from the fourth device, the sixth information including one or more of the following: the data type supported by the fourth device for acquisition, the precision of the data supported by the fourth device for acquisition, or the area of ​​the data supported by the fourth device for acquisition.

[0580] Optionally, the transceiver unit 2020 is also configured to send an eighth message to a third device, the eighth message indicating the deletion of at least one second data.

[0581] For example, when the communication device 2000 is used to implement the function of the third device in the method embodiment shown in FIG8, FIG9, FIG10 or FIG11: the transceiver unit 2020 is used to receive at least one data and at least one data metadata; the processing unit 2010 is used to store the at least one data and at least one data metadata; the transceiver unit 2020 is also used to send fifth information to the first device, the fifth information including at least one data metadata.

[0582] Optionally, the transceiver unit 2020 is further configured to: receive first information from the first device, the first information being used to request at least one first data; if at least one second data stored in the third device is at least one first data, then send at least one second data to the second device; or, if at least one second data stored in the third device is used to determine at least one first data, then send at least one second data to the fifth device, the fifth device being used to process the at least one second data to obtain at least one first data.

[0583] Optionally, the transceiver unit 2020 is also configured to send third information to the fifth device, the third information being used to request at least one first data.

[0584] Optionally, the transceiver unit 2020 is further configured to: receive a second request message from the first device, the second request message being used to request the third device to confirm whether at least one second data has been stored; and send a response message to the first device, the response message indicating that the third device has stored at least one second data.

[0585] Optionally, the transceiver unit 2020 is further configured to receive an eighth message from the first device, the eighth message indicating the deletion of at least one second data; and the processing unit 2010 is configured to delete at least one second data.

[0586] For a more detailed description of the processing unit 2010 and the transceiver unit 2020, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the method embodiments shown in Figures 8, 9, 10 or 11.

[0587] The apparatus 2000 of each of the above-described schemes has the function of implementing the corresponding steps performed by the first apparatus in the above-described method, or the apparatus 2000 of each of the above-described schemes has the function of implementing the corresponding steps performed by the third apparatus in the above-described method. The function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions; for example, the transceiver unit can be replaced by a transceiver (e.g., the transmitting unit in the transceiver unit can be replaced by a transmitter, and the receiving unit in the transceiver unit can be replaced by a receiver), and other units, such as processing units, can be replaced by processors, respectively executing the transceiver operations and related processing operations in each method embodiment.

[0588] Furthermore, the aforementioned transceiver unit can also be a transceiver circuit (e.g., it may include a receiving circuit and a transmitting circuit), and the processing unit can be a processing circuit. The processing circuit can be one or more processors, or all or part of the circuitry within one or more processors used for control or processing functions. In embodiments of this application, the device in FIG12 can be the first or third device in the foregoing embodiments, or it can be a chip or a chip system, such as a system-on-a-chip (SoC). The transceiver unit can be an input / output circuit or a communication interface; the processing unit is a processor, microprocessor, or integrated circuit integrated on the chip. No limitations are imposed here.

[0589] Figure 13 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 3000 provided in an embodiment of this application. The device 3000 includes a processing circuit. The device may also include a communication circuit. The processing circuit and the communication circuit communicate with each other via an internal connection path. The processing circuit executes instructions to control the communication circuit to send and / or receive signals.

[0590] Taking a processing circuit including one or more processors and a communication circuit including a transceiver as an example, as shown in Figure 13, the communication device 3000 includes a processor 3010 and a transceiver 3020. The processor 3010 and the transceiver 3020 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the transceiver 3020 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication device 3000 may also include a memory 3030 for storing instructions executed by the processor 3010, or storing input data required by the processor 3010 to execute instructions, or storing data generated after the processor 3010 executes instructions. Sometimes, the transceiver 3020 can also be understood as part of the processor 3010, in which case the communication device 3000 includes the processor 3010.

[0591] In one possible implementation, the apparatus 3000 is used to implement the various processes and steps corresponding to the first apparatus in the above method embodiments. In another possible implementation, the apparatus 3000 is used to implement the various processes and steps corresponding to the third apparatus in the above method embodiments.

[0592] It is understood that device 3000 can specifically be the first device or the third device in the above embodiments, or it can be a chip or a chip system. Correspondingly, the communication circuit can be the interface circuit of the chip, or an input / output circuit, which is not limited here. Specifically, device 3000 can be used to execute the various steps and / or processes corresponding to the first device or the third device in the above method embodiments.

[0593] When the communication device 3000 is used to implement the method shown in FIG8, FIG9, FIG10 or FIG11, the processor 3010 is used to implement the function of the processing unit 2010, and the transceiver 3020 is used to implement the function of the transceiver unit 2020.

[0594] When the aforementioned communication device is a chip or OTT device applied to the first device, the chip or OTT device of the first device implements the functions of the first device in the above method embodiments, for example, implementing the processing functions of the first device. The first device chip or OTT device receiving information from other devices (such as the second device or the third device) can be understood as the information being first received by other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the first device, and then sent by these modules to the first device chip or OTT device. The first device chip or OTT device sending information to other devices can be understood as the information being first sent by the first device chip or OTT device to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the first device, and then sent by these modules to the other devices.

[0595] When the aforementioned communication device is a chip or OTT device applied to a third device, the chip or OTT device of the third device implements the functions of the third device in the above method embodiments, for example, implementing the processing functions of the third device. When the chip or OTT device of the third device receives information from other devices (such as the first device), it can be understood that the information is first received by other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the third device, and then sent by these modules to the chip or OTT device of the third device. When the chip or OTT device of the third device sends information to other devices (such as the first device), it can be understood that the information is first sent by the chip or OTT device of the third device to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the third device, and then sent by these modules to the other devices.

[0596] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions for implementing the methods executed by the first or third device in the above-described method embodiments.

[0597] For example, when the computer program is executed by a computer, it enables the computer to implement the methods performed by the first or third device in the various embodiments of the above methods.

[0598] This application also provides a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, implement the methods performed by the first or third device in the above-described method embodiments.

[0599] This application also provides a communication system, including the aforementioned first device or third device.

[0600] 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.

[0601] It is understood that, in order to achieve the functions in the above embodiments, the first or third device includes hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, based on the units and method steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed in this application, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed by hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0602] It is understood that the processor in the embodiments of this application can be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), image processors, artificial intelligence processors, or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. Some or all steps of the communication method in the embodiments of this application can be implemented by a graphics processing unit (GPU), or by a GPU in conjunction with other processors.

[0603] The method steps in the embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware or in software instructions executable by a processor. The software instructions can consist of corresponding software modules, which can be stored in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, registers, hard disks, portable hard disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to a processor, enabling the processor to read information from and write information to the storage medium. The storage medium can also be a component of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can reside in an ASIC. Alternatively, the ASIC can reside in a first or third device. The processor and the storage medium can also exist as discrete components in the first or third device.

[0604] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are performed entirely or partially. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user equipment, or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program or instructions can be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired or wireless means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape; it can also be an optical medium, such as a digital video optical disc; or it can be a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state drive. The computer-readable storage medium may be a volatile or non-volatile storage medium, or may include both types of storage media.

[0605] In the above embodiments, unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

[0606] 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.

[0607] 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.

[0608] 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.

[0609] 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.

[0610] 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.

[0611] 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.

[0612] 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 applied to a first device, characterized in that, include: Receive a first request message from a second device, the first request message being used to request at least one first data; If the third device stores at least one piece of second data, then a first message is sent to the third device, the first message being used to request the at least one piece of first data; or, If the third device does not store at least one second data, it sends a second message to the fourth device, the second message being used to request the at least one first data, and the fourth device being used to collect the at least one second data; Wherein, the at least one second data is used to determine the at least one first data, or the at least one second data is the at least one first data.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The at least one second data is used to determine the at least one first data, and the method further includes: A third message is sent to a fifth device, the third message being used to request the at least one first data; the fifth device is used to process the at least one second data to obtain the at least one first data.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, The third information is also used to indicate the manner in which the at least one second data is processed.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, Before sending the third information, the method further includes: Receive fourth information from the fifth device, the fourth information indicating the data processing method supported by the fifth device.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, Before sending the first information or the second information, the method further includes: Send a second request message to the third device, the second request message being used to request the third device to confirm whether the at least one second data has been stored; Receive response information from the third device, the response information indicating whether the third device has stored the at least one second data.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, Before sending the first information or the second information, the method further includes: Receive fifth information from the third device, the fifth information including metadata of at least one data stored by the third device; Determine whether the third device has stored at least one second data based on the metadata of at least one data already stored in the third device.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, The fifth piece of information also includes storage resource information, which indicates the size of the storage space available for storing data in the third device.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The fifth information also includes the identifier of each data in at least one data stored by the third device, and the first information also includes the identifier of each second data in at least one second data.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The first request information includes information about the at least one first data, and the first information or the second information includes information about the at least one first data.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, The information of at least one first data includes one or more of the following: the content of the first data, the data type of the first data, the quantity of the first data, the quality requirements satisfied by the first data, the collection area of ​​the first data, the collection time of the first data, the purpose of the first data, the function of the model corresponding to the first data, or the processing requirements satisfied by the first data.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, Before sending the second information, the method further includes: Receive sixth information from the fourth device, the sixth information including one or more of the following: the data type supported by the fourth device for acquisition, the precision of the data supported by the fourth device for acquisition, or the area of ​​the data supported by the fourth device for acquisition.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, The method further includes: If the third device stores the at least one second data, an eighth message is sent to the third device, the eighth message instructing the deletion of the at least one second data.

13. The method of claim 4, wherein, The data processing methods include one or more of the following: data cleaning, data filtering, normalization, compression, processing functions used to process data, and parameters used to process data.

14. A communication method applied to a third device, comprising: include: Receive at least one piece of data and the metadata of the at least one piece of data; Store the at least one piece of data and the metadata of the at least one piece of data; Send a fifth message to the first device, the fifth message including the metadata of the at least one data.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, The fifth piece of information also includes an identifier assigned by the third device to each of the at least one data.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that The fifth piece of information also includes storage resource information, which indicates the size of the storage space available for storing data in the third device.

17. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive first information from the first device, the first information being used to request at least one first data; If the at least one second data stored in the third device is the at least one first data, then the at least one second data is sent to the second device; or, If the at least one second data stored in the third device is used to determine the at least one first data, then the at least one second data is sent to the fifth device, which processes the at least one second data to obtain the at least one first data.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein, If the third device stores at least one piece of second data, the method further includes: A third message is sent to the fifth device, the third message being used to request the at least one first data.

19. The method of claim 17 or 18, wherein, The first information also includes information about the at least one first data.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein, The information of at least one first data includes one or more of the following: the data type of the first data, the content of the first data, the quantity of the first data, the quality requirements satisfied by the first data, the collection area of ​​the first data, the collection time of the first data, the purpose of the first data, the function of the model corresponding to the first data, or the processing requirements satisfied by the first data.

21. The method of any one of claims 17-20, wherein, Before receiving the first information, the method further includes: Receive a second request message from the first device, the second request message being used to request the third device to confirm whether the at least one second data has been stored; A response message is sent to the first device, the response message indicating that the third device has stored the at least one second data.

22. The method of any one of claims 17-21, wherein, The method further includes: Receive an eighth message from the first device, the eighth message indicating the deletion of the at least one second data; Delete at least one of the second data.

23. A communications device, characterized by Includes modules or units for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 13.

24. A communications device, characterized by Includes modules or units for performing the method as described in any one of claims 14 to 22.

25. A computer readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium is included in the communication device, and the computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions that, when executed, cause the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 22 to be implemented.

26. A computer program product, the computer program product being embodied in a communication device, characterized in that When the computer program product is run, the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 22 is implemented.

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