Communication method, communication system and related apparatus

Abstract

The present application discloses a communication method, a communication system, and a related apparatus. The communication method comprises: a first network element receiving a first request from a first application function network element, the first request comprising area information and a first QoS requirement; and on the basis of path information of an area indicated by the area information, signal quality information of the area, and the first QoS requirement, determining a QoS continuity analysis result of the area, the QoS continuity analysis result of the area being used for assisting in path planning of a first terminal device served by the first application function network element. In embodiments of the present application, on the basis of area information provided by an application, a QoS requirement, path information of an area, and signal quality information of the area, a network can perform intra-area QoS continuity analysis, and a QoS continuity analysis result can assist in path planning of a vehicle, so as to provide a planned path that meets the QoS requirement of the vehicle.

Description

A communication method, communication system and related apparatus

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411999354.1, filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on December 31, 2024, entitled "A Communication Method, Communication System and Related Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

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

[0003] The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standard defines an intelligent network architecture for Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF) network elements. This architecture can collect massive amounts of information from the network, utilize big data and artificial intelligence analytics to leverage this data, and apply it to specific scenarios to provide valuable services. For example, mobility behavior analysis and continuous Quality of Service (QoS) analysis are used to assist unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems in flight path planning. However, in the continuous QoS analysis for flight path planning, the NWDAF network element only needs to analyze the signal quality of a specific flight path. If this approach is applied to the path planning of autonomous vehicles, it will make it difficult for the network to provide planned paths that meet the QoS requirements of the vehicle. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method, communication system, and related apparatus. The network can perform QoS persistence analysis within a region based on the regional information, QoS requirements, path information of the region indicated by the regional information, and signal quality information of the region provided by the application function network element. The QoS persistence analysis results can assist vehicle route planning to provide a planned route that meets the vehicle's QoS requirements.

[0005] Firstly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a first network element. Unless otherwise specified, the first network element in this application can refer to the first network element itself (e.g., a core network element) or a module within the first network element. For example, the module can be a communication module within the first network element, or a circuit or chip within the first network element responsible for communication functions, such as a modem chip (also known as a baseband chip), or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) chip or system-in-package (SIP) chip containing a modem core. Alternatively, it can be a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first network element. For ease of description, the first network element is used as an example below. The method includes:

[0006] Receive a first request from a first application function network element, the first request including area information and a first QoS requirement;

[0007] Based on the path information of the region indicated by the regional information, the signal quality information of the region, and the first QoS requirement, the QoS persistence analysis result of the region is determined. The QoS persistence analysis result of the region is used to assist the path planning of the first terminal device served by the first application function network element.

[0008] Send first information to the first application function network element. The first information includes the QoS persistence analysis results of the area.

[0009] As can be seen from this embodiment, the first network element can receive a first request from the first application function (AF) network element. The first request can carry regional information and QoS requirements (i.e., the first QoS requirements) for autonomous driving path planning. Based on the regional information, the first network element can obtain the path information and signal quality information of the indicated region. The signal quality information of the region can usually indirectly reflect the impact of existing terminal devices in the region on signal quality and their network requirements. The path information of the region usually reflects the real-time traffic conditions of the region, such as the number of existing terminal devices on the path, the number of terminal devices that can be accommodated, and the limitations of the path. This allows the first network element to combine the regional signal quality information and the regional path information when performing QoS persistence analysis, and consider the impact of the first QoS requirements on the signal quality in the region. This allows it to analyze the satisfaction of the first QoS requirements by the path in the region while ensuring the network requirements of existing terminal devices in the region, thereby assisting the path planning of the first terminal device.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the signal quality information of the area includes one or more of the following: the average bit rate of terminal devices in the area, the number of abnormally released QoS streams in the area, and the average transmission delay of uplink and downlink data packets;

[0011] The route information for a region includes one or more of the following: the location information of the route within the region, the length information of the route within the region, the road restriction information of the route within the region, and the road condition information of the route within the region.

[0012] In this implementation, the first network element performing QoS persistence analysis can consider one or more of the following: the average bit rate of terminal devices within the area, the number of abnormally released QoS flows within the area, and the average transmission delay of uplink and downlink data packets. It can also consider one or more of the following: path location information within the area, path length information within the area, path road restriction information within the area, and path road condition information within the area. Signal quality information within the area can usually indirectly reflect the impact of existing terminal devices on signal quality and their network requirements. This means that the first network element needs to consider the impact of the first QoS requirement on signal quality when performing QoS persistence analysis to ensure that the addition of a corresponding terminal device does not affect existing terminal devices within the area. Furthermore, the path location information, length information, road restriction information, and road condition information within the area are information that flight path planning typically does not consider, but are influencing factors that autonomous vehicle path planning must consider. The first network element performing QoS persistence analysis based on real-time path information and real-time signal quality information within the area, combined with the first QoS requirement, is more suitable for assisting autonomous vehicle path planning.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0014] Send a second request to the second network element. The second request is used to request the acquisition of the path information and / or the signal quality information of the area.

[0015] Receives path information and / or signal quality information of the area from the second network element.

[0016] In this implementation, the first network element can collect the path information and / or signal quality information of the area through the second network element, so as to comprehensively analyze the path situation and signal quality situation in the area and comprehensively analyze the area's satisfaction with the first QoS requirement, thereby assisting the first terminal device in path planning.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0018] Obtain the second QoS requirements of the second application function network element and the number of second terminal devices served by the second application function network element;

[0019] The first request also includes the number of first terminal devices, and determines the QoS persistence analysis results of the region based on the path information of the region indicated by the region information, the signal quality information of the region, and the first QoS requirement, including:

[0020] Based on the region's path information, signal quality information, first QoS requirement, number of first terminal devices, number of second terminal devices, and second QoS requirement, the QoS persistence analysis results for the region are determined.

[0021] In this implementation, the first network element can also obtain the second QoS requirements of the second AF network element and the number of second terminal devices served by the second AF network element. Based on the signal quality information of the area, the path information of the area, and the first QoS requirements, the impact of the terminal devices served by each AF network element on the signal quality of the area is comprehensively considered, so as to determine the satisfaction status of all QoS requirements in the area through QoS persistence analysis.

[0022] In one possible implementation, where the path information of a region includes road restriction information of the paths within the region, the QoS persistence analysis result of the region includes the maximum number of terminal devices that the paths within the region can support while meeting the first QoS requirement and their respective road restriction information.

[0023] In this implementation, the path information of the region includes road restriction information of the path within the region. The first network element integrates the path information including the road restriction information, the signal quality information of the region, the first QoS requirement, the number of first terminal devices, and information provided by other AF network elements (such as the number of second terminal devices and the second QoS requirement) to determine the maximum number of terminal devices that the path within the region can support under the condition of meeting the first QoS requirement and their respective road restriction information. This maximum number is helpful in assisting the first AF network element in planning the path of the first terminal devices.

[0024] In one possible implementation, the first request also includes at least one candidate mobile path for the first terminal device, the area includes at least one candidate mobile path, and the first QoS requirement includes the QoS requirement of the first terminal device.

[0025] Based on the path information, signal quality information, and primary QoS requirements of the region indicated by the regional information, the QoS persistence analysis results for the region are determined, including:

[0026] Based on the path information of at least one candidate mobile path, the signal quality information of at least one candidate mobile path, and the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, determine the QoS persistence analysis result of at least one candidate mobile path.

[0027] In this implementation, for at least one candidate mobile path provided by the first AF network element, the first network element can comprehensively analyze the impact of the first terminal device's QoS requirements on the signal quality of at least one candidate mobile path based on the path information, signal quality information, and QoS requirements of each candidate mobile path, thereby determining the QoS persistence analysis result, which includes indicators of whether at least one candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device.

[0028] In one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0029] Obtain the path information of the second terminal device within the area;

[0030] The first request also includes time information on the expected arrival time of the first terminal device at different nodes on each of the at least one candidate mobile path. The second QoS requirement includes the QoS requirement of the second terminal device. Based on the path information of the at least one candidate mobile path, the signal quality information of the at least one candidate mobile path, and the QoS requirement of the first terminal device, the QoS persistence analysis result of the at least one candidate mobile path is determined, including:

[0031] Based on the path information of at least one candidate mobile path, the signal quality information of at least one candidate mobile path, the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the time information of the first terminal device expected to arrive at different nodes on at least one candidate mobile path, the QoS requirements of the second terminal device, and the path information of the second terminal device in the area, the QoS persistence analysis result of at least one candidate mobile path is determined.

[0032] In this implementation, in addition to the path information of at least one candidate mobile path, the signal quality information of at least one candidate mobile path, and the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the first network element, when simulating the operation of each terminal device according to at least one candidate mobile path, will also consider the time information of the first terminal device expected to arrive at different nodes on at least one candidate mobile path, the QoS requirements of the second terminal device, and the path information of the second terminal device in the area, and comprehensively analyze whether the at least one candidate mobile path of each terminal device meets its respective QoS requirements, thereby obtaining the QoS persistence analysis results of the at least one candidate mobile path of the first terminal device to assist the path planning of the first terminal device.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the QoS persistence analysis result of at least one candidate mobile path includes whether at least one candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device.

[0034] When the number of at least one candidate mobile path is equal to 1, the QoS persistence analysis result of the area includes the QoS persistence analysis result of the candidate mobile path, wherein the QoS persistence analysis result of the candidate mobile path is that the candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device.

[0035] In this implementation, if the QoS persistence analysis result of the candidate mobile path indicates that the candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the first network element returns the QoS persistence analysis result of the candidate mobile path to the first AF network element, which can then use the candidate mobile path as the planned path for the first terminal device. If the QoS persistence analysis result of the candidate mobile path indicates that it does not meet the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the first network element can also recommend a candidate mobile path that meets its QoS requirements and send the recommended candidate mobile path to the first AF network element.

[0036] In one possible implementation, when the number of at least one candidate movement path is greater than 1, the multiple candidate movement paths have corresponding priorities. The method further includes:

[0037] The target candidate mobile path that meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device and has the highest priority among multiple candidate mobile paths is identified. The QoS persistence analysis results of the region include the QoS persistence analysis results of the target candidate mobile path.

[0038] In this implementation, when multiple candidate mobile paths have corresponding priorities, the first network element can select the optimal target candidate mobile path from the multiple candidate mobile paths based on the QoS persistence analysis results (the QoS persistence analysis results of the multiple candidate mobile paths include whether the multiple candidate mobile paths meet the QoS requirements of the first terminal device), and return the QoS persistence analysis result of the target candidate mobile path. If the QoS persistence analysis results of multiple candidate mobile paths all do not meet the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the first network element can also recommend candidate mobile paths that meet its QoS requirements for the first terminal device and send the recommended candidate mobile paths to the first AF network element.

[0039] In one possible implementation, the first request also includes the start point and the end point of the first terminal device, and the first QoS requirement includes the QoS requirements of the first terminal device;

[0040] Based on the path information, signal quality information, and primary QoS requirements of the region indicated by the regional information, the QoS persistence analysis results for the region are determined, including:

[0041] Based on the path information of the region, the starting point and the ending point of the first terminal device, the candidate mobile path of the first terminal device is determined, and the region includes the candidate mobile path;

[0042] Based on the signal quality information of the candidate mobile path and the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the QoS persistence analysis results of the candidate mobile path are determined.

[0043] In this implementation, the first network element can determine candidate mobile paths that meet the starting point and ending point requirements of the first terminal device based on the path information of the starting point, ending point and area of ​​the first terminal device. Based on the signal quality information of the candidate mobile paths and the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the first network element comprehensively analyzes the impact of the QoS requirements of the first terminal device on the signal quality of the candidate mobile paths, thereby determining the QoS persistence analysis result of whether the candidate mobile paths meet the QoS requirements of the first terminal device.

[0044] In one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0045] Obtain the path information of the second terminal device within the area;

[0046] The second QoS requirement includes the QoS requirement of the second terminal device. Based on the signal quality information of the candidate mobile path and the QoS requirement of the first terminal device, the QoS persistence analysis results of the candidate mobile path are determined, including:

[0047] Based on the signal quality information of the candidate mobile path, the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the QoS requirements of the second terminal device, and the path information of the second terminal device within the area, the QoS persistence analysis results of the candidate mobile path are determined.

[0048] In this implementation, in addition to the signal quality information of the candidate mobile path and the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the first network element will also consider the QoS requirements of the second terminal device and the path information of the second terminal device in the area when simulating the operation of each terminal device according to the candidate mobile path. It will comprehensively analyze the impact of the QoS requirements of each terminal device on the signal quality of the candidate mobile path to determine whether the candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of each terminal device, thereby obtaining the QoS persistence analysis results of the candidate mobile path of the first terminal device and assisting the path planning of the first terminal device.

[0049] In one possible implementation, the QoS persistence analysis result of the candidate mobile path includes whether the candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device. If the candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the QoS persistence analysis result of the region includes the candidate mobile path.

[0050] In this implementation, the first network element can determine a candidate mobile path for the first terminal device based on the starting point and ending point requirements of the first terminal device, and recommend the candidate mobile path to the first AF network element if the candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device.

[0051] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a first application function network element. Unless otherwise specified, the first application function network element in this application can refer to the first application function network element itself or a module within the first application function network element. For example, the module can be a communication module within the first application function network element, or a circuit or chip within the first application function network element 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. Alternatively, it can be a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first application function network element. For ease of description, the following uses a first application function network element as an example. The method includes:

[0052] A first request is sent to the first network element. The first request includes area information and a first QoS requirement. The first request is used to request the first network element to determine the QoS persistence analysis result of the area based on the path information, signal quality information of the area, and the first QoS requirement of the area indicated by the area information. The QoS persistence analysis result of the area is used to assist the path planning of the first terminal device served by the first application function network element.

[0053] Receive first information from the first network element, the first information including the QoS persistence analysis results of the area.

[0054] As can be seen from this embodiment, the first AF network element can send a first request to the first network element. The first request can carry regional information and QoS requirements (i.e., the first QoS requirements) for autonomous driving path planning. Based on the regional information, the first network element can obtain the path information and signal quality information of the indicated region. The signal quality information of the region can usually indirectly reflect the impact of existing terminal devices in the region on signal quality and network requirements. The path information of the region usually reflects the real-time traffic conditions of the region, such as the number of existing terminal devices on the path, the number of terminal devices that can be accommodated, and the limitations of the path. This allows the first network element to combine the regional signal quality information and the regional path information when performing QoS persistence analysis, consider the impact of the first QoS requirements on the signal quality in the region, and analyze the satisfaction of the first QoS requirements of the path in the region while ensuring the network requirements of existing terminal devices in the region. The first network element then returns the QoS persistence analysis results of the region to the first application function network element to assist the path planning of the first terminal device.

[0055] In one possible implementation, the signal quality information of the area includes one or more of the following: the average bit rate of terminal devices in the area, the number of abnormally released QoS streams in the area, and the average transmission delay of uplink and downlink data packets;

[0056] The route information for a region includes one or more of the following: the location information of the route within the region, the length information of the route within the region, the road restriction information of the route within the region, and the road condition information of the route within the region.

[0057] In this implementation, the first network element performing QoS persistence analysis can consider one or more of the following: the average bit rate of terminal devices within the area, the number of abnormally released QoS flows within the area, and the average transmission delay of uplink and downlink data packets. It can also consider one or more of the following: path location information within the area, path length information within the area, path road restriction information within the area, and path road condition information within the area. Signal quality information within the area can usually indirectly reflect the impact of existing terminal devices on signal quality and their network requirements. This means that the first network element needs to consider the impact of the first QoS requirement on signal quality when performing QoS persistence analysis to ensure that the addition of a corresponding terminal device does not affect existing terminal devices within the area. Furthermore, the path location information, length information, road restriction information, and road condition information within the area are information that flight path planning typically does not consider, but are influencing factors that autonomous vehicle path planning must consider. The first network element performing QoS persistence analysis based on real-time path information and real-time signal quality information within the area, combined with the first QoS requirement, is more suitable for assisting autonomous vehicle path planning.

[0058] In one possible implementation, the path information and / or signal quality information of the region are obtained by the first network element from the second network element.

[0059] In this implementation, the first network element can collect the path information and / or signal quality information of the area through the second network element, so as to comprehensively analyze the path situation and signal quality situation in the area and comprehensively analyze the area's satisfaction with the first QoS requirement, thereby assisting the first terminal device in path planning.

[0060] In one possible implementation, the first request also includes the number of first terminal devices, and the QoS persistence analysis result of the region is determined by the first network element based on the region's path information, the region's signal quality information, the first QoS requirement, the number of first terminal devices, the number of second terminal devices served by the second application function network element, and the second QoS requirement of the second application function network element.

[0061] In this implementation, the first network element can also obtain the second QoS requirements of the second AF network element and the number of second terminal devices served by the second AF network element. Based on the signal quality information of the area, the path information of the area, and the first QoS requirements, the impact of the terminal devices served by each AF network element on the signal quality of the area is comprehensively considered, so as to determine the satisfaction status of all QoS requirements in the area through QoS persistence analysis.

[0062] In one possible implementation, where the path information of a region includes road restriction information of the paths within the region, the QoS persistence analysis result of the region includes the maximum number of terminal devices that the paths within the region can support while meeting the first QoS requirement and their respective road restriction information.

[0063] In this implementation, the path information of the region includes road restriction information of the path within the region. The first network element integrates the path information including the road restriction information, the signal quality information of the region, the first QoS requirement, the number of first terminal devices, and information provided by other AF network elements to determine the maximum number of terminal devices that the path within the region can support under the condition of meeting the first QoS requirement and their respective road restriction information. This maximum number is helpful in assisting the first AF network element in planning the path of the first terminal devices.

[0064] In one possible implementation, the first request further includes at least one candidate mobile path for the first terminal device, the area includes at least one candidate mobile path, the first QoS requirement includes the QoS requirement of the first terminal device, and the QoS persistence analysis result of the at least one candidate mobile path is determined by the first network element based on the path information of the at least one candidate mobile path, the signal quality information of the at least one candidate mobile path, and the QoS requirement of the first terminal device.

[0065] In this implementation, for at least one candidate mobile path provided by the first AF network element, the first network element can comprehensively analyze the impact of the first terminal device's QoS requirements on the signal quality of at least one candidate mobile path based on the path information, signal quality information, and QoS requirements of each candidate mobile path, thereby determining the QoS persistence analysis result, which includes indicators of whether at least one candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device.

[0066] In one possible implementation, the first request also includes time information on the expected arrival time of the first terminal device at different nodes on each of the at least one candidate mobile path, and the second QoS requirement includes the QoS requirement of the second terminal device. The QoS persistence analysis result of the at least one candidate mobile path is determined by the first terminal device based on the path information of the at least one candidate mobile path, the signal quality information of the at least one candidate mobile path, the QoS requirement of the first terminal device, the expected arrival time information of the first terminal device at different nodes on the at least one candidate mobile path, the QoS requirement of the second terminal device, and the path information of the second terminal device in the area.

[0067] In this implementation, in addition to the path information of at least one candidate mobile path, the signal quality information of at least one candidate mobile path, and the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the first network element, when simulating the operation of each terminal device according to at least one candidate mobile path, will also consider the time information of the first terminal device expected to arrive at different nodes on at least one candidate mobile path, the QoS requirements of the second terminal device, and the path information of the second terminal device in the area, and comprehensively analyze whether the at least one candidate mobile path of each terminal device meets its respective QoS requirements, thereby obtaining the QoS persistence analysis results of the at least one candidate mobile path of the first terminal device to assist the path planning of the first terminal device.

[0068] In one possible implementation, the QoS persistence analysis result of at least one candidate mobile path includes whether the at least one candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device. When the number of at least one candidate mobile path is equal to 1, the QoS persistence analysis result of the region includes the QoS persistence analysis result of the candidate mobile path, wherein the QoS persistence analysis result of the candidate mobile path indicates that the candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device.

[0069] In this implementation, if the QoS persistence analysis result of the candidate mobile path indicates that the candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the first network element returns the QoS persistence analysis result of the candidate mobile path to the first AF network element, which can then use the candidate mobile path as the planned path for the first terminal device. If the QoS persistence analysis result of the candidate mobile path indicates that it does not meet the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the first network element can also recommend a candidate mobile path that meets its QoS requirements and send the recommended candidate mobile path to the first AF network element.

[0070] In one possible implementation, when the number of at least one candidate movement path is greater than 1, multiple candidate movement paths have corresponding priorities.

[0071] The QoS persistence analysis results for the region include the QoS persistence analysis results for the target candidate mobile path. The target candidate mobile path is the candidate mobile path that meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device and has the highest priority among multiple candidate mobile paths.

[0072] In this implementation, when multiple candidate mobile paths have corresponding priorities, the first network element can select the optimal target candidate mobile path from the multiple candidate mobile paths based on the QoS persistence analysis results (the QoS persistence analysis results of the multiple candidate mobile paths include whether the multiple candidate mobile paths meet the QoS requirements of the first terminal device), and return the QoS persistence analysis result of the target candidate mobile path. If the QoS persistence analysis results of multiple candidate mobile paths all do not meet the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the first network element can also recommend candidate mobile paths that meet its QoS requirements for the first terminal device and send the recommended candidate mobile paths to the first AF network element.

[0073] In one possible implementation, the region includes candidate mobile paths determined by the first network element based on the path information of the region and the starting and ending points of the first terminal device. The QoS persistence analysis results of the candidate mobile paths are determined by the first network element based on the signal quality information of the candidate mobile paths and the QoS requirements of the first terminal device.

[0074] In this implementation, the first network element can determine candidate mobile paths that meet the starting point and ending point requirements of the first terminal device based on the path information of the starting point, ending point and area of ​​the first terminal device. Based on the signal quality information of the candidate mobile paths and the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the first network element comprehensively analyzes the impact of the QoS requirements of the first terminal device on the signal quality of the candidate mobile paths, thereby determining the QoS persistence analysis result of whether the candidate mobile paths meet the QoS requirements of the first terminal device.

[0075] In one possible implementation, the QoS persistence analysis result of the candidate mobile path is determined by the first network element based on the signal quality information of the candidate mobile path, the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the QoS requirements of the second terminal device, and the path information of the second terminal device within the area.

[0076] In this implementation, in addition to the signal quality information of the candidate mobile path and the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the first network element will also consider the QoS requirements of the second terminal device and the path information of the second terminal device in the area when simulating the operation of each terminal device according to the candidate mobile path. It will comprehensively analyze the impact of the QoS requirements of each terminal device on the signal quality of the candidate mobile path to determine whether the candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of each terminal device, thereby obtaining the QoS persistence analysis results of the candidate mobile path of the first terminal device and assisting the path planning of the first terminal device.

[0077] In one possible implementation, the QoS persistence analysis result of the candidate mobile path includes whether the candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device. If the candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the QoS persistence analysis result of the region includes the candidate mobile path.

[0078] In this implementation, the first network element can determine candidate mobility paths for the first terminal device based on the first terminal device's origin and destination requirements. If the candidate mobility path meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, it can recommend the candidate mobility path to the first AF network element. The first AF network element can then perform further processing based on the recommended candidate mobility path, such as using it as the planned path for the first terminal device.

[0079] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication system, which includes a first network element and a first application function network element; wherein the first network element is used to execute the method described in any of the embodiments of the first aspect above; and the first application function network element is used to execute the method described in any of the embodiments of the second aspect above.

[0080] It is understood that the specific implementation and beneficial effects of the embodiments described in the third aspect can be referred to the specific implementation and beneficial effects of the methods described in the first to second aspects, and will not be repeated here.

[0081] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which includes modules for performing the method described in the first aspect, such as a first transceiver unit and a first processing unit; wherein:

[0082] The first transceiver unit is used to receive a first request from a first application function network element, the first request including area information and a first QoS requirement;

[0083] The first processing unit is used to determine the QoS persistence analysis result of the region based on the path information of the region indicated by the region information, the signal quality information of the region, and the first QoS requirement. The QoS persistence analysis result of the region is used to assist the path planning of the first terminal device served by the first application function network element.

[0084] The first transceiver unit is also used to send first information to the first application function network element, the first information including the QoS persistence analysis results of the area.

[0085] It should be understood that since the method embodiments and the device embodiments are different presentations of the same technical concept, the content of the first aspect of the embodiments of this application should be adapted to the fourth aspect of the embodiments of this application simultaneously, and can achieve the same or similar beneficial effects, which will not be repeated here.

[0086] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which includes a module for performing the method described in the second aspect above, such as a second transceiver unit; wherein:

[0087] The second transceiver unit is configured to send a first request to the first network element, the first request including area information and a first QoS requirement. The first request is used to request the first network element to determine the QoS persistence analysis result of the area based on the path information of the area indicated by the area information, the signal quality information of the area, and the first QoS requirement. The QoS persistence analysis result of the area is used to assist the path planning of the first terminal device served by the first application function network element. The second transceiver unit is configured to receive first information from the first network element, the first information including the QoS persistence analysis result of the area.

[0088] It should be understood that since the method embodiments and the device embodiments are different presentations of the same technical concept, the content of the second aspect of the embodiments of this application should be adapted to the fifth aspect of the embodiments of this application simultaneously, and can achieve the same or similar beneficial effects, which will not be repeated here.

[0089] Sixthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device for implementing any one of the first or second aspects described above, or for implementing the communication method in any implementation of any one of the first or second aspects described above. Exemplarily, the device may be a first network element (such as a core network element), a module applied to the first network element (such as a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first network element. The device may be a first application function network element, a module applied to the first application function network element (such as a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first application function network element.

[0090] In one possible implementation, the communication device in the sixth aspect includes units, modules, or means for respectively executing the methods in any one or any implementation of the first or second aspect. Specifically, the units, modules, or means may be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0091] In another possible implementation, the communication device in the sixth aspect above includes at least one processor; the at least one processor is configured to perform the corresponding functions in the communication method described above.

[0092] Optionally, the at least one processor may be coupled to at least one memory for storing necessary programs (instructions) and / or data (such as one or more computer programs) of the device. Optionally, the communication device may further include a communication interface for enabling communication between the device and other network elements. Optionally, the at least one memory may be located internally or externally to the communication device.

[0093] Optionally, the communication device may further include a transceiver unit, with the processor coupled to the transceiver unit. The processor executes computer programs or instructions to control the transceiver unit to receive and send information. When the processor executes the computer programs or instructions, it is also used to implement the above method through logic circuits or executed code instructions. The transceiver unit may be a transceiver, transceiver circuit, or input / output interface, used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device. When the communication device is a chip, the transceiver unit is a transceiver circuit or an input / output interface.

[0094] When the communication device in the sixth aspect above is a chip, the transmitting unit can be an output unit, such as an output circuit or a communication interface; the receiving unit can be an input unit, such as an input circuit or a communication interface. When the communication device is a terminal device, the transmitting unit can be a transmitter or a receiver; the receiving unit can be a receiver or a receiver.

[0095] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a chip, including: a processor, configured to call and run a computer program from a memory, causing a device / apparatus on which the chip is mounted to perform the method as described in any of the embodiments of the first or second aspect above.

[0096] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program for execution by a device / apparatus, wherein the computer program, when executed, implements the method as described in any of the embodiments of the first or second aspect above.

[0097] Ninthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product that, when run by a device, causes the device to perform the method as described in any of the embodiments of the first or second aspect above. Attached Figure Description

[0098] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the background art, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments of this application or the background art will be described below.

[0099] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an auxiliary flight path planning process provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0100] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture of a 5G mobile communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0101] Figure 3A is a schematic diagram of a service consumer subscribing to / unsubscribing from NWDAF analytics service according to an embodiment of this application;

[0102] Figure 3B is a schematic diagram of an NWDAF receiving an analysis request and performing an analysis response according to an embodiment of this application;

[0103] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0104] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0105] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0106] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0107] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0108] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0109] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0110] Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0111] Figure 12 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0112] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0113] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0114] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0115] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0116] Figure 17 is a schematic diagram of a baseband hardware provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0117] The terms "first," "second," "third," and "fourth," etc., used in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a specific order. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or apparatuses.

[0118] In this document, the term "embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a mutually exclusive, independent, or alternative embodiment. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0119] The terms “component,” “module,” “system,” etc., used in this specification are used to refer to computer-related entities, hardware, firmware, combinations of hardware and software, software, or software in execution. For example, a component can be, but is not limited to, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable file, an execution thread, a program, and / or a computer. As illustrated, an application running on a terminal device and the terminal device can both be components. One or more components may reside in a process and / or an execution thread, and components may be located on a single computer and / or distributed among two or more computers. Furthermore, these components can be executed from various computer-readable media on which various data structures are stored. Components can communicate, for example, via local and / or remote processes based on signals having one or more data packets (e.g., data from two components interacting with another component between a local system, a distributed system, and / or a network, such as the Internet interacting with other systems via signals).

[0120] First, a brief introduction to the technical background of this application will be given to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0121] (1) Fifth generation: 5G;

[0122] (2) 5G Core Network: 5G Core Network, 5GC;

[0123] (3) 5G Globally Unique Temporary Identity: 5G-GUTI;

[0124] (4) 5G Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity: 5G-S-TMSI;

[0125] (5) 5G QoS Identifier: 5G QoS Identifier, 5QI;

[0126] (6) Application Function: AF;

[0127] (7) Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF);

[0128] (8) Analytics Logical Function (AnLF);

[0129] (9) (Wireless) Access Network: (Radio)Access Network, (R)AN;

[0130] (10) Region of Interest (AoI);

[0131] (11) Application Service Provider: ASP;

[0132] (12) Next Generation (Radio) Access Network: NG RAN;

[0133] (13) Generic Public Subscription Identity (GPSI);

[0134] (14) Automatic Vehicle Technology (AVT);

[0135] (15) Geographical Area Description (GAD);

[0136] (16) User Permanent Identifier: Subscription Permanent Identifier, SUPI;

[0137] (17) Operation Administration and Maintenance (OAM);

[0138] (18) Guaranteed Bit Rate (GBR);

[0139] (19) Guaranteed Flow Bit Rate (GFBR);

[0140] (20) Key Performance Indicator (KPI);

[0141] (21) Location service: LCS;

[0142] (22) Long Term Evolution (LTE);

[0143] (23) Network Exposure Function (NEF);

[0144] (24) Network Function (NF);

[0145] (25) Packet Delay Budget (PDB);

[0146] (26) Packet Error Rate (PER);

[0147] (27) Permanent Equipment Identifier (PEI);

[0148] (28) QoS Flow Identifier: QFI;

[0149] (29) Tracking Area (TA);

[0150] (30) Time of Arrival: TOA;

[0151] (31) Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS);

[0152] (32) Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV);

[0153] (33) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Service Provider: UAS Service Supplier, USS;

[0154] (34) Traffic Management for Unmanned Aerial Systems: UAS Traffic Management, UTM.

[0155] Currently, the network can provide pre-flight route planning services to UAVs via NEF. After the UAV establishes a user plane connection with the USS or UTM, the USS or UTM can request pre-flight route planning assistance from NEF. Specific requests include the following scenarios:

[0156] 1. Route Selection: The USS / UTM provides the network with multiple planned flight paths. The NEF uses the analysis provided by NWDAF (Analytics ID = Movement Behaviour Analytics, QoS Sustainability Analytics) to determine the most suitable flight route among all candidate paths.

[0157] 2. Route planning: The USS / UTM provides the network with specific start and end point location information. NEF uses the analysis provided by NWDAF (Analytics ID = Movement Behaviour Analytics, QoS Sustainability Analytics) to plan the specific flight path.

[0158] 3. Signal Quality Map: USS / UTM provides multiple planned flight paths, and NEF uses the analysis provided by NWDAF (Analytics ID = QoS Sustainability Analytics) to provide QoS information for each flight path.

[0159] As shown in Figure 1, the process by which a UAV obtains network-assisted path planning information through NEF (or UAS NF) may include the following steps:

[0160] 1: The UAV establishes a Packet Data Unit (PDU) session channel with the USS / UTM;

[0161] 2: The UAV sends a pre-flight planning service request to the USS / UTM through the application layer;

[0162] 3: USS / UTM obtains the necessary information for the pre-flight planning request and decides to request auxiliary information from NEF;

[0163] 4: The USS / UTM sends an auxiliary information request to the NEF; the request includes the UAV's identifier (such as GPSI), information on the flight start and end points, requirements for the flight path (such as flight time limits), candidate flight paths (which can be provided by the UAV or by the USS / UTM), and accuracy requirements for the path planning.

[0164] 5: NEF maps the parameter information contained in the request to parameter information within the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) framework; for example, mapping a geographical area to a target area represented by a set of cell identifiers, next-generation node base station (gNB) identifiers, or TA identifiers in a 5G mobile communication system; determining the network services required to provide auxiliary information; such as UAV tracking and patterning provided by NEF (including UAV location reporting patterns, UAV status monitoring patterns, information on the number of user equipment (UE) in the geographical area, etc.), analytics services provided by NWDAF (including Movement Behaviour Analytics, QoS Sustainability Analytics, etc.), and Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) services (including ranging and sidelink positioning);

[0165] 6: If the NEF cannot meet the auxiliary information requirements for flight path planning (e.g., it cannot obtain prediction results with the corresponding accuracy from the NWDAF), it will send a rejection request to the USS / UTM; this may include the specific reason for the rejection.

[0166] 7: The USS / UTM sends a message to the UAV rejecting the pre-flight route planning service request, which may include the specific reasons;

[0167] 8: If NEF can provide auxiliary information services for flight path planning, it will obtain the UAV identification in the target area from NF / OAM and GMLC;

[0168] 9: NEF subscribes to / requests Movement Behaviour Analytics from NWDAF; the subscription / request message includes the UAV identifier and UAV height information obtained in step 4; the UAV identifiers in the target area obtained in step 8 can be used as input for Movement Behaviour Analytics;

[0169] 10: NEF subscribes to / requests QoS Sustainability Analytics from NWDAF; wherein, the subscription / request message includes the UAV identifier obtained in step 4 and the UAV flight path information represented by 3D location waypoints; the UAV identifiers in the target area obtained in step 8 can be used as input for QoS Sustainability Analytics;

[0170] 11: NEF requests GMLC service; the UAV identifiers within the target area obtained in step 8 can be used as input for requesting GMLC service;

[0171] 12: NEF generates pre-flight path planning assistance information based on the acquired information and the analysis results returned by NWDAF; the assistance information may be the best flight path among the candidate paths provided by USS / UTM, or it may be an optional flight path planned based on the start and end points provided by USS / UTM.

[0172] 13: NEF sends auxiliary information to USS / UTM;

[0173] 14: The USS / UTM determines the flight path planning based on auxiliary information and the flight path planning mechanism;

[0174] 15: The USS / UTM sends the planned flight path to the UAV.

[0175] In the process shown in Figure 1, NEF provides analysis and planning for only one UAV at a time. This means that NWDAF's QoS persistence analysis is typically performed on the path requirements of that single UAV, without considering the QoS requirements of other UAVs in the same area or their impact on signal quality. Furthermore, flight path planning differs from autonomous vehicle path planning. NWDAF analysis generally does not consider real-world path information such as path length, vehicle capacity, congestion levels, traffic light information, and path costs. If the aforementioned pre-flight path planning assistance is applied to autonomous vehicle path planning assistance, a situation may arise where the network analysis identifies a path with good signal quality, leading multiple autonomous vehicles to choose that path. This results in the path being unable to accommodate so many autonomous vehicles and a decline in communication signal quality, failing to meet the vehicle's QoS requirements. In other words, path information in autonomous driving includes dynamically changing road conditions, road restrictions, overlapping sections with multiple vehicles, and the signal quality within the area changes with the addition of new vehicles. The pre-flight path planning assistance process shown in Figure 1 does not consider this information for dynamic planning.

[0176] With the development of autonomous driving technology, current autonomous driving platforms can provide route planning services for vehicles based on their origin and destination, as well as the path congestion information available to the platform. However, the demand for high-quality road signals by autonomous vehicles poses a significant challenge to these platforms. Compared to path congestion, changes in road signal quality are affected by every vehicle using network resources, making it difficult for autonomous driving platforms to obtain real-time path signal data to aid route planning. Furthermore, information silos exist between different autonomous driving platforms, meaning vehicle path information is not shared. Therefore, a single autonomous driving platform struggles to perceive the number and driving information of all autonomous vehicles within a specific area or along a particular path, which also leads to inaccurate estimations of road signal usage.

[0177] Please refer to Figure 2, which is a schematic diagram of the network architecture of a 5G mobile communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 2, it mainly includes nodes such as UE, (R)AN, User Plane Function (UPF), AF, Policy Control Function (PCF), Session Management Function (SMF), AMF, Unified Data Management (UDM), and Unified Data Repository (UDR), as well as a data network (DN). The various components communicate with each other through interface Nx.

[0178] UE: Can be referred to as terminal equipment, terminal, access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, wireless communication equipment, user agent, or user device. Terminal equipment can also be a cellular phone, cordless phone, session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, wireless local loop (WLL) station, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, vehicle-mounted device, drone, wearable device, terminal equipment in a 5G network, or terminal equipment in an evolved public land mobile network (PLMN), etc., and the embodiments of this application are not limited thereto.

[0179] (R)AN: Provides network access functionality for authorized users in a specific area, and can use transmission tunnels of different quality according to the user's level and service requirements. The access network can be an access network employing different access technologies. Current access network technologies include: radio access network technologies used in 3rd generation (3G) systems, radio access network technologies used in 4th generation (4G) systems, or NG RAN technologies (such as radio access technologies used in 5G systems). Radio access network equipment can be, for example, a base station (NodeB), an evolved NodeB (eNB or eNodeB), a gNB, a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access point (AP) in a Wi-Fi hotspot system. It can also be a radio controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario, or the radio access network equipment can be a relay station, access point, vehicle-mounted equipment, drone, wearable device, and network equipment in a 5G network or an evolved PLMN. This application does not limit the specific technologies or equipment forms used in the radio access network equipment.

[0180] AF (Application Request): Primarily conveys the application's requirements to the network, such as Quality of Service (QoS) requirements. AF can be a third-party functional entity or an application service deployed by the operator, such as the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) voice call service.

[0181] UDM: Primarily responsible for managing subscription data, user access authorization, and other functions. Specifically, the subscription data management network element for 4G is HSS, while for 2G / 3G it is HLR or HSS.

[0182] AMF: Primarily responsible for mobility management, access authentication / authorization, and other functions. Additionally, it is responsible for transmitting user policies between the UE and the PCF.

[0183] UDR: Primarily responsible for storing and retrieving data types such as contract data, strategy data, and application data.

[0184] PCF: Primarily responsible for policy control functions such as billing at the session and service flow levels, QoS bandwidth guarantee and mobility management, and UE policy decision-making. In this architecture, the PCFs connected to the AMF and SMF correspond to the AM PCF (PCF for Access and Mobility Control) and SM PCF (PCF for Session Management), respectively, but may not be the same PCF entity in actual deployment scenarios.

[0185] SMF: Primarily used for session management, allocation and management of Internet Protocol (IP) addresses for user equipment, selection of manageable user plane functions, endpoints for policy control and billing function interfaces, and downlink data communication.

[0186] UPF: As the interface with the data network, the UPF performs functions such as user plane data forwarding, session / flow-based billing statistics, and bandwidth limiting. It should be understood that in 5G communication systems, user plane network elements can be UPF network elements. In future communication systems, user plane network elements can still be UPF network elements, or they may have other names; this application does not limit this.

[0187] PDU Session: A session service that enables PDU connectivity between the UE and the DN.

[0188] Based on the network architecture shown in Figure 2, this application embodiment also provides an architecture for an application scenario. This architecture includes an NWDAF service consumer and an NWDAF. As shown in Figure 3A, the NWDAF service consumer can subscribe to / unsubscribe from the NWDAF analytics service (1. Nnwdaf AnalyticsSubscription Subscribe / Nnwdaf AnalyticsSubscription Unsubscribe). The analytics service could be Movement Behaviour Analytics, QoS Sustainability Analytics, etc. The NWDAF sends corresponding analytics subscription notifications to the messages sent by the NWDAF service consumer (2. Nnwdaf AnalyticsSubscription Notify). As shown in Figure 3B, when the NWDAF service consumer has subscribed to the NWDAF analytics service, it can also send an analytics request to the NWDAF (1. Nnwdaf AnalyticsInfo Request). This request can carry the necessary information for the analytics. The NWDAF performs analytics processing based on this information and the information it has acquired, and sends an analytics request response to the NWDAF service consumer (2. Nnwdaf AnalyticsInfo Request response). This response can carry the analytics results.

[0189] It should be understood that the architecture described above for the embodiments of this application is merely an example, and the architecture applicable to the embodiments of this application is not limited thereto. Any network architecture capable of realizing the functions of NWDAF service consumers and NWDAF network elements is applicable to the embodiments of this application.

[0190] It should also be understood that the above naming is defined solely for the purpose of distinguishing different functions and should not constitute any limitation on this application. This application does not preclude the possibility of using other naming conventions in 5G networks and other future networks. For example, in 6G networks, some or all of the aforementioned network terminology may be retained from 5G, or other names may be used.

[0191] To overcome the shortcomings of related technologies, this application provides a communication method that can be applied to various communication systems, such as 5G mobile communication systems, future evolution systems, or multi-communication convergence systems, as well as existing communication systems. The application scenarios of the technical solution provided in this application can include various scenarios, such as machine-to-machine (M2M), macro-micro communication, enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable and low-latency communication (uRLLC), and massive machine-type communication (mMTC).

[0192] The technical solution provided in this application will be described in detail below with reference to specific implementation methods.

[0193] Please refer to Figure 4, which is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This method can be implemented based on the system architecture shown in Figure 1 or Figure 2, or it can be implemented based on other communication systems. As shown in Figure 4, the method includes steps 401-403:

[0194] 401: The first AF network element sends the first request to the first network element.

[0195] Accordingly, the first network element receives a first request from the first AF network element. This first request indicates a QoS persistence analysis request. The QoS persistence analysis requested can be a newly added QoS persistence analysis; for example, the first request can indicate the QoS persistence analysis request through a new analysis ID (Analytics ID = AVT QoS Sustainability Analytics), or it can be an enhancement of the QoS persistence analysis provided by the NWDAF. That is, the QoS persistence analysis indicated by the first request can be a QoS persistence analysis used to assist in autonomous driving path planning.

[0196] The first request includes area information and a first QoS requirement. The area information can be location information, indicating either an area of ​​interest or a path of interest. The first QoS requirement refers to the QoS requirements of the first AF network element within that area. This requirement can be at the area level, such as a default consistency of QoS requirements for all terminal devices served by the first AF network element, or the first AF network element providing the average QoS requirements for all its served terminal devices. Alternatively, the first QoS requirement can be at the terminal device level, such as the first AF network element providing the QoS requirements for each terminal device it serves. For example, the first QoS requirement can be indicated by one or more of the following: 5QI, GFBR, network resource type, PDB, and PER. 5QI can be standardized or pre-configured.

[0197] The first request also includes the objects of the analysis report (which may be all terminal devices in the area, or a single terminal device provided by the first AF network element, or a terminal device in a list), the number of first terminal devices served by the first AF network element in the area, etc.

[0198] 402: The first network element determines the QoS persistence analysis result of the region based on the path information of the region indicated by the region information, the signal quality information of the region, and the first QoS requirement.

[0199] In this embodiment of the application, the first network element can obtain the path information of the region from the first AF network element or from other AF network elements; the first network element can obtain the path information and / or the signal quality information of the region from the core network element or from the OAM; in some possible examples, the first network element can also obtain the path information and / or the signal quality information of the region from the local network.

[0200] For example, the signal quality information of a region includes one or more of the following: the average bit rate of terminal devices in the region, the number of abnormally released QoS streams in the region, and the average transmission delay of uplink and downlink data packets; the path information of a region includes one or more of the following: the location information of the path in the region, the length information of the path in the region, the road restriction information of the path in the region (such as speed limit, weight limit, etc.), and the road condition information of the path in the region.

[0201] In this implementation, the first network element performing QoS persistence analysis can consider one or more of the following: the average bit rate of terminal devices within the area, the number of abnormally released QoS flows within the area, and the average transmission delay of uplink and downlink data packets. It can also consider one or more of the following: path location information within the area, path length information within the area, path road restriction information within the area, and path road condition information within the area. Signal quality information within the area can usually indirectly reflect the impact of existing terminal devices on signal quality and their network requirements. This means that the first network element needs to consider the impact of the first QoS requirement on signal quality when performing QoS persistence analysis to ensure that the addition of a corresponding terminal device does not affect existing terminal devices within the area. Furthermore, the path location information, length information, road restriction information, and road condition information within the area are information that flight path planning typically does not consider, but are influencing factors that autonomous vehicle path planning must consider. The first network element performing QoS persistence analysis based on real-time path information and real-time signal quality information within the area, combined with the first QoS requirement, is more suitable for assisting autonomous vehicle path planning.

[0202] 403: The first network element sends the first information to the first AF network element.

[0203] Accordingly, the first AF network element receives first information from the first network element. This first information includes the QoS persistence analysis results for the region. For example, the QoS persistence analysis results for the region include whether the paths within the region meet the first QoS requirements. For example, if the path information for the region includes road restriction information for the paths within the region, the QoS persistence analysis results for the region include the maximum number of terminal devices that the paths within the region can support while meeting the first QoS requirements and their respective road restriction information. The QoS persistence analysis results for the region are used to assist in path planning for the first terminal devices served by the first AF network element. Specifically, the first AF network element may perform path planning for the first terminal devices based on the QoS persistence analysis results for the region, or the first network element may perform path planning for the first terminal devices based on the QoS persistence analysis results for the region.

[0204] For example, the first information may also include the applicable area and applicable time period of the QoS persistence analysis results. The QoS persistence analysis results of different areas and time periods can reflect that the first network element is performing dynamic analysis, and the currently fed back QoS persistence analysis results of the area and time period are only valid within a certain area and time period.

[0205] For example, the first network element can be a core network element, such as an NWDAF network element. The core network side can obtain the path information of all terminal devices in the area, breaking down the information barriers between various autonomous driving platforms, and can obtain the changes in the path and network in the area in real time, thereby better assisting the path planning of autonomous driving and dynamically planning a driving path that meets the QoS requirements of the vehicle during driving.

[0206] It should be understood that the QoS persistence analysis results returned by the first network element in the embodiments of this application can be used to construct a signal quality map.

[0207] As can be seen in this embodiment, the first network element can receive a first request from the first AF network element. The first request can carry regional information and QoS requirements (i.e., the first QoS requirements) for autonomous driving path planning. Based on the regional information, the first network element can obtain the path information and signal quality information of the indicated region. The signal quality information of the region can usually indirectly reflect the impact of existing terminal devices in the region on signal quality and their network requirements. The path information of the region usually reflects the real-time traffic conditions of the region, such as the number of existing terminal devices on the path, the number of terminal devices that can be accommodated, and the limitations of the path. This allows the first network element to combine the regional signal quality information and the regional path information when performing QoS persistence analysis, and consider the impact of the first QoS requirements on the signal quality in the region. This allows it to analyze the satisfaction of the first QoS requirements by the path in the region while ensuring the network requirements of existing terminal devices in the region, thereby assisting the path planning of the first terminal device.

[0208] Please refer to Figure 5, which is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 5, the communication method includes steps 501-507:

[0209] 501: The first AF network element sends the first request to the first network element.

[0210] Accordingly, the first network element receives a first request from the first AF network element. The first request includes area information, a first QoS requirement, and the number of first terminal devices. The first request is used to indicate a QoS persistence analysis request.

[0211] 502: The first network element sends a second request to the second network element.

[0212] Correspondingly, the second network element receives a second request from the first network element. This second request is used to request path information and / or signal quality information for the region. It should be noted that the second network element can be one or more, and can be a core network element (such as AMF) or other network elements (such as OAM, AF). In this embodiment, any network element capable of providing path information and / or signal quality information for the region can be a second network element, and there is no limitation on this.

[0213] 503: The second network element sends the area's path information and / or the area's signal quality information to the first network element.

[0214] Correspondingly, the first network element receives the region's path information and / or the region's signal quality information from the second network element. The region's path information and signal quality information can be specifically described in step 402 of the embodiment shown in Figure 4, and can achieve the same or similar beneficial effects.

[0215] In this implementation, the first network element can collect the path information and / or signal quality information of the area through the second network element, so as to comprehensively analyze the path situation and signal quality situation in the area and comprehensively analyze the area's satisfaction with the first QoS requirement, thereby assisting the first terminal device in path planning.

[0216] 504: The first network element obtains the second QoS requirements of the second AF network element and the number of second terminal devices served by the second AF network element.

[0217] In this embodiment, the first network element can obtain the second QoS requirement and the number of second terminal devices locally, or it can obtain the second QoS requirement and the number of second terminal devices by interacting with the second AF network element. The second AF network element refers to an AF network element other than the first AF network element. The second QoS requirement refers to the QoS requirement of the second AF network element within its area, and the second terminal device refers to the terminal device served by the second AF network element within its area. The second QoS requirement can be a region-level requirement, such as: by default, all terminal devices served by the second AF network element have the same QoS requirement, or the second AF network element provides the average QoS requirement for all terminal devices it serves. The second QoS requirement can also be a terminal device-level requirement, such as: the second AF network element provides the QoS requirement for each terminal device it serves. For example, the second QoS requirement can be indicated by one or more of the following: 5QI, GFBR, network resource type, PDB, and PER.

[0218] 505: The first network element determines the QoS persistence analysis results of the region based on the region's path information, region's signal quality information, first QoS requirements, number of first terminal devices, number of second terminal devices, and second QoS requirements.

[0219] In this embodiment of the application, in addition to considering the signal quality information and path information of the area, the first network element can also collect the second QoS requirements of the second AF network element in the area and the number of second terminal devices served by the second AF network element, so as to comprehensively consider the impact of the QoS requirements of all AF network elements in the area on the signal quality in the area.

[0220] In this implementation, the first network element can also obtain the second QoS requirements of the second AF network element and the number of second terminal devices served by the second AF network element. Based on the signal quality information of the area, the path information of the area, and the first QoS requirements, the impact of the terminal devices served by each AF network element on the signal quality of the area is comprehensively considered, so as to determine the satisfaction status of all QoS requirements in the area through QoS persistence analysis.

[0221] 506: The first network element sends the first information to the first AF network element.

[0222] Correspondingly, the first AF network element receives first information from the first network element. This first information includes the QoS persistence analysis result of the area. In this example, the QoS persistence analysis result of the area includes whether the paths within the area meet the first QoS requirements. The specific implementations of steps 501, 505, and 506 can also correspond to the descriptions in steps 401, 402, and 403 in the embodiment shown in Figure 4, and can achieve the same or similar beneficial effects.

[0223] 507: The first AF network element performs path planning based on the QoS persistence analysis results of the region.

[0224] For example, if the QoS persistence analysis results for a region indicate that the candidate planned path of the first AF network element does not meet the first QoS requirement, then the first AF network element needs to re-plan the path. If the QoS persistence analysis results for a region indicate that the candidate planned path of the first AF network element meets the first QoS requirement, then the first AF network element can recommend the candidate planned path to the first terminal device.

[0225] Please refer to Figure 6, which is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 6, the communication method includes steps 601-606:

[0226] 601: The first AF network element sends the first request to the first network element.

[0227] Accordingly, the first network element receives a first request from the first AF network element. The first request includes area information, a first QoS requirement, and the number of first terminal devices. The first request is used to indicate a QoS persistence analysis request.

[0228] 602: The first network element sends a second request to the second network element.

[0229] Correspondingly, the second network element receives a second request from the first network element. This second request is used to request path information and / or signal quality information for the area.

[0230] 603: The second network element sends the area's path information and / or the area's signal quality information to the first network element.

[0231] Correspondingly, the first network element receives the region's path information and / or the region's signal quality information from the second network element. The region's path information includes at least road restriction information for the paths within the region. The specific details of the region's path information and signal quality information can be found in step 402 of the embodiment shown in Figure 4, and can achieve the same or similar beneficial effects.

[0232] 604: The first network element obtains the second QoS requirements of the second AF network element and the number of second terminal devices served by the second AF network element.

[0233] 605: The first network element determines the maximum number of terminal devices that a path within the region can support, provided that the first QoS requirement and the respective road restriction information are met, based on the path information of the region, the signal quality information of the region, the first QoS requirement, the number of first terminal devices, the number of second terminal devices, and the second QoS requirement.

[0234] 606: The first network element sends the first information to the first AF network element.

[0235] Accordingly, the first AF network element receives the first information from the first network element. The first information includes the QoS persistence analysis results of the area, that is, the first information includes the maximum number of terminal devices that a path in the area can support under the condition that it meets the first QoS requirements and its respective road restriction information.

[0236] In this implementation, the path information of the region includes road restriction information of the paths within the region. The first network element integrates the path information including the road restriction information, the signal quality information of the region, the first QoS requirement, the number of first terminal devices, and information provided by other AF network elements (such as the number of second terminal devices and the second QoS requirement) to determine the maximum number of terminal devices that the paths within the region can support under the condition of meeting the first QoS requirement and their respective road restriction information. This maximum number is beneficial to assisting the first AF network element in path planning for the first terminal devices, and also beneficial to the second AF network element in path planning for the second terminal devices.

[0237] Please refer to Figure 7, which is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 7, the communication method includes steps 701-705:

[0238] 701: The first AF network element sends the first request to the first network element.

[0239] Accordingly, the first network element receives a first request from the first AF network element. The first request includes area information, a first QoS requirement, and candidate mobile paths for the first terminal device served by the first AF network element (in the case of only one candidate mobile path). The first QoS requirement includes the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, and the first request may also include the identification information of the first terminal device, which is associated with its QoS requirements. For example, the first AF network element can use a table to map the identification information of the first terminal device to its QoS requirements. The identification information of the first terminal device can be SUPI, GPSI, or other identifiers.

[0240] Each first terminal device may have different QoS requirements. For example, an autonomous driving platform might instruct different vehicles to report videos of varying resolutions, requiring high uplink channel quality; or a user in the vehicle might use an in-vehicle platform to watch videos, requiring high downlink data signal quality. The first request indicates a QoS persistence analysis request. The candidate mobile path can be a desired mobile path for the first terminal device, which can be provided by the first terminal device or determined by the first AF network element. For example, the QoS requirements of the first terminal device can be indicated by one or more of the following: 5QI, GFBR, network resource type, PDB, and PER.

[0241] For example, the first request also includes the object of the analysis report, which can be reported on a single first terminal device or in the form of a list. For example, the list includes some or all of the QoS persistence analysis results of the first terminal devices provided by the first AF network element.

[0242] 702: The first network element sends a second request to the second network element.

[0243] Correspondingly, the second network element receives a second request from the first network element. This second request is used to request path information and / or signal quality information for the area.

[0244] 703: The second network element sends the area's path information and / or the area's signal quality information to the first network element.

[0245] Accordingly, the first network element receives the region's path information and / or the region's signal quality information from the second network element. The region's path information includes the path information of candidate mobile paths, and the region's signal quality information includes the signal quality information of candidate mobile paths.

[0246] The path information of the candidate mobile path includes one or more of the following: location information of the candidate mobile path, length information of the candidate mobile path, road restriction information of the candidate mobile path, and road condition information of the candidate mobile path. The signal quality information of the candidate mobile path includes one or more of the following: average bit rate of terminal devices on the candidate mobile path, number of abnormally released QoS flows on the candidate mobile path, and average transmission delay of uplink and downlink data packets on the candidate mobile path.

[0247] 704: The first network element determines the QoS persistence analysis result of the candidate mobile path based on the path information of the candidate mobile path, the signal quality information of the candidate mobile path, and the QoS requirements of the first terminal device.

[0248] In this embodiment of the application, the first network element simulates each terminal device to operate according to its candidate mobile path, and considers the impact of each terminal device's QoS requirements on the signal quality on the candidate mobile path, so as to analyze whether the candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of the terminal devices with that path as a candidate (including the QoS requirements of the first terminal device).

[0249] In this implementation, for the candidate mobile path provided by the first AF network element, the first network element can comprehensively analyze the impact of the first terminal device's QoS requirements on the signal quality of the candidate mobile path based on its path information, signal quality information, and the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, thereby determining the QoS persistence analysis result, which includes indicators of whether the candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device.

[0250] 705: The first network element sends the first information to the first AF network element.

[0251] The first information includes the QoS persistence analysis results for the region, which in turn includes the QoS persistence analysis results for the candidate mobile path. The QoS persistence analysis results for the candidate mobile path indicate that the candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device. That is, if the candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the first network element returns the QoS persistence analysis results for the candidate mobile path. The first information may also include the identification information of the first terminal device and the applicable time period for the QoS persistence analysis results of the candidate mobile path.

[0252] For example, if the QoS persistence analysis result of the candidate mobile path indicates that the candidate mobile path does not meet the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the first network element sends second information to the first AF network element. The second information includes a candidate mobile path recommended by the first network element for the first terminal device, which satisfies the QoS requirements of the first terminal device.

[0253] For example, the second information also includes the time information for the first terminal device to reach different nodes in the recommended candidate movement path, the recommended movement speed of the first terminal device, etc. The recommended candidate movement path meets the start and end point requirements of the first terminal device, and the start and end points of the first terminal device can be determined based on the candidate movement path.

[0254] In this implementation, if the QoS persistence analysis result of the candidate mobile path indicates that the candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the first network element returns the QoS persistence analysis result of the candidate mobile path to the first AF network element, which can then use the candidate mobile path as the planned path for the first terminal device. If the QoS persistence analysis result of the candidate mobile path indicates that it does not meet the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the first network element can also recommend a candidate mobile path that meets its QoS requirements and send the recommended candidate mobile path to the first AF network element.

[0255] Please refer to Figure 8, which is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 8, the communication method includes steps 801-806:

[0256] 801: The first AF network element sends the first request to the first network element.

[0257] In addition to step 701, the first request further includes time information on the estimated arrival times of the first terminal device at different nodes on the candidate mobile path. For example, the first request may also include the estimated speed information of the first terminal device on the candidate mobile path.

[0258] 802: The first network element sends a second request to the second network element.

[0259] 803: The second network element sends the area's path information and / or the area's signal quality information to the first network element.

[0260] The regional path information includes the path information of the candidate mobile paths, and the regional signal quality information includes the signal quality information of the candidate mobile paths.

[0261] 804: The first network element obtains the second QoS requirements of the second AF network element and the path information of the second terminal device served by the second AF network element.

[0262] The second QoS requirement includes the QoS requirements of the second terminal device. The path information of the second terminal device includes one or more of the following: path location information, path length information, path road restriction information, and path road condition information.

[0263] For example, the first network element can obtain the second QoS requirement and the path information of the second terminal device locally, or it can obtain the second QoS requirement and the path information of the second terminal device through interaction with the second AF network element.

[0264] 805: The first network element determines the QoS persistence analysis results of the candidate mobile path based on the path information of the candidate mobile path, the signal quality information of the candidate mobile path, the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the time information of the first terminal device expected to arrive at different nodes on the candidate mobile path, the QoS requirements of the second terminal device, and the path information of the second terminal device in the area.

[0265] In this implementation, in addition to the path information of the candidate mobile path, the signal quality information of the candidate mobile path, and the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the first network element will also consider the time information of the first terminal device expected to arrive at different nodes on the candidate mobile path, the QoS requirements of the second terminal device, and the path information of the second terminal device in the area when simulating the operation of each terminal device according to the candidate mobile path. It will comprehensively analyze whether the candidate mobile paths of each terminal device meet their respective QoS requirements, thereby obtaining the QoS persistence analysis results of the candidate mobile paths of the first terminal device to assist the path planning of the first terminal device.

[0266] In step 805, the first network element may further consider signal quality information on the path of the second terminal device and the speed information expected by the first terminal device on the candidate mobile path.

[0267] 806: The first network element sends the first information to the first AF network element.

[0268] The first information includes the QoS persistence analysis results of the region, which includes the QoS persistence analysis results of the candidate mobile path, indicating that the candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device.

[0269] It should be noted that the embodiment shown in Figure 8 is a supplement to the embodiment shown in Figure 7. The specific implementation of its related steps can refer to the relevant descriptions in the embodiment shown in Figure 7, and can achieve the same or similar beneficial effects.

[0270] Please refer to Figure 9, which is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 9, the communication method includes steps 901-906:

[0271] 901: The first AF network element sends the first request to the first network element.

[0272] Accordingly, the first network element receives a first request from the first AF network element. The first request includes area information, first QoS requirements, and multiple candidate mobile paths for the first terminal device served by the first AF network element (in the case of multiple candidate mobile paths). Among them, the multiple candidate mobile paths have corresponding priorities. For example, the first AF network element can provide the priority of each candidate mobile path to the first network element (displayed priority), or the first AF can sort the multiple candidate mobile paths according to their priorities and then provide the multiple candidate mobile paths to the first network element according to the sorting.

[0273] The first QoS requirement includes the QoS requirement of the first terminal device. The first request may also include the identification information of the first terminal device, which is associated with the QoS requirement of the first terminal device.

[0274] For example, the first request also includes the object of the analysis report, which can be reported on a single first terminal device or in the form of a list. For example, the list includes some or all of the QoS persistence analysis results of the first terminal devices provided by the first AF network element.

[0275] 902: The first network element sends a second request to the second network element.

[0276] Correspondingly, the second network element receives a second request from the first network element. This second request is used to request path information and / or signal quality information for the area.

[0277] 903: The second network element sends the area's path information and / or the area's signal quality information to the first network element.

[0278] Accordingly, the first network element receives the area's path information and / or the area's signal quality information from the second network element. The area's path information includes path information for multiple candidate mobile paths, and the area's signal quality information includes signal quality information for multiple candidate mobile paths.

[0279] The path information for each candidate mobile path includes one or more of the following: location information, length information, road restriction information, and road condition information. The signal quality information for each candidate mobile path includes one or more of the following: average bit rate of terminal devices on the candidate mobile path, number of abnormally released QoS flows on the candidate mobile path, and average transmission delay of uplink and downlink data packets on the candidate mobile path.

[0280] 904: The first network element determines the QoS persistence analysis results of multiple candidate mobile paths based on the path information of multiple candidate mobile paths, the signal quality information of multiple candidate mobile paths, and the QoS requirements of the first terminal device.

[0281] In this embodiment of the application, the first network element simulates each terminal device operating according to its multiple candidate mobile paths, considers the impact of each terminal device's QoS requirements on the signal quality on each candidate mobile path, and analyzes whether each candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of the terminal device with that path as a candidate (including the QoS requirements of the first terminal device), thereby determining the QoS persistence analysis results of whether the multiple candidate mobile paths of each first terminal device meet the QoS requirements of the first terminal device.

[0282] 905: The first network element determines the target candidate mobile path that meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device and has the highest priority among multiple candidate mobile paths.

[0283] In this embodiment of the application, for multiple candidate mobile paths provided by the first AF network element, the first network element selects the target candidate mobile path that meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device and has the highest priority based on its QoS persistence analysis results. For example, if the first AF network element provides 5 candidate mobile paths, ranked by priority as follows: No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4, and No. 5, No. 1 and No. 4 do not meet the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, while No. 2, No. 3, and No. 5 do meet the QoS requirements of the first terminal device. Among No. 2, No. 3, and No. 5, No. 2 has the highest priority, so No. 2 is determined as the target candidate mobile path.

[0284] 906: The first network element sends the first information to the first AF network element.

[0285] The first information includes the QoS persistence analysis results for the region, which include the QoS persistence analysis results for the target candidate mobile path, meaning the target candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device. This is equivalent to the first network element recommending the target candidate mobile path to the first AF network element. The first information may also include the identification information of the first terminal device, the applicable time period of the QoS persistence analysis results for the target candidate mobile path, and the expected QoS parameters for the first terminal device operating according to the target candidate mobile path.

[0286] For example, if the QoS persistence analysis of multiple candidate mobile paths shows that none of the candidate mobile paths meet the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the first network element sends second information to the first AF network element. The second information includes a candidate mobile path (a path other than the multiple candidate mobile paths) recommended by the first network element for the first terminal device, which meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device.

[0287] For example, the second information also includes the time information for the first terminal device to reach different nodes in the recommended candidate movement path, the recommended movement speed of the first terminal device, etc. The recommended candidate movement path meets the start and end point requirements of the first terminal device, and the start and end points of the first terminal device can be determined based on any candidate movement path.

[0288] In this implementation, when multiple candidate mobile paths have corresponding priorities, the first network element can select the optimal target candidate mobile path from the multiple candidate mobile paths based on the QoS persistence analysis results (such as whether the multiple candidate mobile paths meet the QoS requirements of the first terminal device), and return the QoS persistence analysis result of the target candidate mobile path. If the QoS persistence analysis results of multiple candidate mobile paths all do not meet the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the first network element can also recommend candidate mobile paths that meet its QoS requirements for the first terminal device and send the recommended candidate mobile paths to the first AF network element.

[0289] Please refer to Figure 10, which is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 10, the communication method includes steps 1001-1007:

[0290] 1001: The first AF network element sends the first request to the first network element.

[0291] In addition to step 901, the first request further includes time information on the estimated arrival time of the first terminal device at different nodes on each of the multiple candidate mobile paths. For example, the first request may also include the estimated speed information of the first terminal device on the multiple candidate mobile paths.

[0292] 1002: The first network element sends a second request to the second network element.

[0293] 1003: The second network element sends the area's path information and / or the area's signal quality information to the first network element.

[0294] The regional path information includes the path information of the candidate mobile paths, and the regional signal quality information includes the signal quality information of the candidate mobile paths.

[0295] 1004: The first network element obtains the second QoS requirements of the second AF network element and the path information of the second terminal device served by the second AF network element.

[0296] 1005: The first network element determines the QoS persistence analysis results of multiple candidate mobile paths based on the path information of multiple candidate mobile paths, the signal quality information of multiple candidate mobile paths, the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the time information of the first terminal device expected to arrive at different nodes on multiple candidate mobile paths, the QoS requirements of the second terminal device, and the path information of the second terminal device in the area.

[0297] In this implementation, in addition to the path information of multiple candidate mobile paths, the signal quality information of multiple candidate mobile paths, and the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the first network element, when simulating the operation of each terminal device according to each candidate mobile path, will also consider the time information of the first terminal device expected to arrive at different nodes on each candidate mobile path, the QoS requirements of the second terminal device, and the path information of the second terminal device in the area, and comprehensively analyze whether the candidate mobile paths of each terminal device meet their respective QoS requirements, thereby obtaining the QoS persistence analysis results of the multiple candidate mobile paths of the first terminal device, so as to assist the path planning of the first terminal device.

[0298] In step 1005, the first network element may further consider signal quality information on the path of the second terminal device, and the expected speed information of the first terminal device on each candidate mobile path.

[0299] 1006: The first network element determines the target candidate mobile path that meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device and has the highest priority among multiple candidate mobile paths.

[0300] 1007: The first network element sends the first information to the first AF network element.

[0301] The first piece of information includes the QoS persistence analysis results for the region, which includes the QoS persistence analysis results for the target candidate mobile paths.

[0302] It should be noted that the embodiment shown in Figure 10 is a supplement to the embodiment shown in Figure 9. The specific implementation of its related steps can refer to the relevant descriptions in the embodiment shown in Figure 9, and can achieve the same or similar beneficial effects.

[0303] Please refer to Figure 11, which is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 11, the communication method includes steps 1101-1106:

[0304] 1101: The first AF network element sends the first request to the first network element.

[0305] Accordingly, the first network element receives a first request from the first AF network element. The first request includes area information, a first QoS requirement, and the origin and destination of the first terminal device. The first QoS requirement includes the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, and the first request may also include the identification information of the first terminal device, which is associated with the QoS requirements of the first terminal device. For example, the first request may further include the departure time and arrival time of the first terminal device.

[0306] 1102: The first network element sends a second request to the second network element.

[0307] The second request is used to request the acquisition of path information and / or signal quality information of the region.

[0308] 1003: The second network element sends the area's path information and / or the area's signal quality information to the first network element.

[0309] 1104: The first network element determines the candidate mobile path of the first terminal device based on the path information of the region and the starting point and ending point of the first terminal device.

[0310] The region includes the candidate mobile path; that is, the path information of the region includes the path information of the candidate mobile path, and the signal quality information of the region includes the path information of the candidate mobile path. The candidate mobile path meets the start and end requirements of the first terminal device. For example, the first network element considers the road restriction information of the paths within the region. If a certain path has good road conditions and can still accommodate new vehicles, then that path is selected as a candidate mobile path.

[0311] 1105: The first network element determines the QoS persistence analysis results of the candidate mobile path based on the signal quality information of the candidate mobile path and the QoS requirements of the first terminal device.

[0312] In this embodiment of the application, the first network element simulates each terminal device to operate according to its candidate mobile path, and considers the impact of the QoS requirements of each terminal device on the signal quality on the candidate mobile path, so as to analyze whether the candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of the terminal devices with that path as a candidate (including the QoS requirements of the first terminal device), thereby obtaining the QoS persistence analysis result of the candidate mobile path, such as whether the candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device.

[0313] In this implementation, the first network element can determine candidate mobile paths that meet the starting point and ending point requirements of the first terminal device based on the path information of the starting point, ending point and area of ​​the first terminal device. Based on the signal quality information of the candidate mobile paths and the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the first network element comprehensively analyzes the impact of the QoS requirements of the first terminal device on the signal quality of the candidate mobile paths, thereby determining the QoS persistence analysis result of whether the candidate mobile paths meet the QoS requirements of the first terminal device.

[0314] 1106: The first network element sends the first information to the first AF network element.

[0315] The first information includes the QoS persistence analysis results for the region. If the candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the QoS persistence analysis results for the region include the candidate mobile path. The first information may also include the identification information of the first terminal device, the applicable time period of the candidate mobile path, the recommended time information for the first terminal device to reach different nodes in the candidate mobile path, the recommended moving speed of the first terminal device, and the expected QoS parameters for the first terminal device operating according to the candidate mobile path.

[0316] In this implementation, the first network element can determine a candidate mobile path for the first terminal device based on the starting point and ending point requirements of the first terminal device, and recommend the candidate mobile path to the first AF network element if the candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device.

[0317] For example, if the current candidate mobile path does not meet the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the first network element determines a new candidate mobile path that meets the origin and destination requirements of the first terminal device, and recommends the new candidate mobile path if the candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device.

[0318] Please refer to Figure 12, which is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 12, the communication method includes steps 1201-1207:

[0319] 1201: The first AF network element sends the first request to the first network element.

[0320] The first request includes area information, a first QoS requirement, and the origin and destination of the first terminal device. The first QoS requirement includes the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, and the first request may also include identification information of the first terminal device, which is associated with the QoS requirements of the first terminal device. For example, the first request may further include the departure time and arrival time of the first terminal device.

[0321] 1202: The first network element sends a second request to the second network element.

[0322] 1203: The second network element sends the path information and / or signal quality information of the region to the first network element.

[0323] 1204: The first network element determines the candidate mobile path of the first terminal device based on the path information of the region and the starting point and ending point of the first terminal device.

[0324] The region includes the candidate mobile path, meaning the path information of the region includes the path information of the candidate mobile path, and the signal quality information of the region includes the path information of the candidate mobile path.

[0325] 1205: The first network element obtains the second QoS requirements of the second AF network element and the path information of the second terminal device served by the second AF network element.

[0326] The second QoS requirement includes the QoS requirements of the second terminal device. The path information of the second terminal device includes one or more of the following: path location information, path length information, path road restriction information, and path road condition information.

[0327] For example, the first network element can obtain the second QoS requirement and the path information of the second terminal device locally, or it can obtain the second QoS requirement and the path information of the second terminal device through interaction with the second AF network element.

[0328] 1206: The first network element determines the QoS persistence analysis results of the candidate mobile path based on the signal quality information of the candidate mobile path, the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the QoS requirements of the second terminal device, and the path information of the second terminal device in the area.

[0329] In this implementation, in addition to the signal quality information of the candidate mobile path and the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the first network element will also consider the QoS requirements of the second terminal device and the path information of the second terminal device in the area when simulating the operation of each terminal device according to the candidate mobile path. It will comprehensively analyze the impact of the QoS requirements of each terminal device on the signal quality of the candidate mobile path to determine whether the candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of each terminal device, thereby obtaining the QoS persistence analysis results of the candidate mobile path of the first terminal device and assisting the path planning of the first terminal device.

[0330] In step 1206, the first network element may further consider signal quality information on the path of the second terminal device.

[0331] 1207: The first network element sends the first information to the first AF network element.

[0332] The first information includes the QoS persistence analysis results of the region. If the candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the QoS persistence analysis results of the region include the candidate mobile path.

[0333] It should be noted that the embodiment shown in Figure 12 is a supplement to the embodiment shown in Figure 11. The specific implementation of its related steps can refer to the relevant descriptions in the embodiment shown in Figure 11, and can achieve the same or similar beneficial effects.

[0334] The methods of the embodiments of this application have been described above. The communication system and apparatus of the embodiments of this application are provided below.

[0335] Please refer to Figure 13, which is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 13, the communication system includes a first network element 1301 and a first application function network element 1302. The first network element 1301 is used to execute the steps implemented by the first network element in the communication method shown in Figures 4-12, and the first application function network element 1302 is used to execute the steps implemented by the first application function network element in the communication method shown in Figures 4-12. The specific implementation and beneficial effects can be found in the corresponding descriptions in Figures 4-12.

[0336] It should be noted that the communication system may also include more components, such as a second application function network element, a second network element, a first terminal device, a second terminal device, etc. The above is only an example and does not limit the communication system of this application.

[0337] Please refer to Figure 14, which is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. This device is applied to a first network element, and as shown in Figure 14, it includes at least a first transceiver unit 1401 and a first processing unit 1402. Wherein:

[0338] The first transceiver unit 1401 is used to receive a first request from a first application function network element, the first request including area information and a first QoS requirement.

[0339] The first processing unit 1402 is used to determine the QoS persistence analysis result of the region based on the path information of the region indicated by the region information, the signal quality information of the region, and the first QoS requirement. The QoS persistence analysis result of the region is used to assist the path planning of the first terminal device served by the first application function network element.

[0340] The first transceiver unit 1401 is also used to send first information to the first application function network element, the first information including the QoS persistence analysis results of the area.

[0341] In one possible implementation, the signal quality information of the area includes one or more of the following: the average bit rate of terminal devices in the area, the number of abnormally released QoS streams in the area, and the average transmission delay of uplink and downlink data packets;

[0342] The route information for a region includes one or more of the following: the location information of the route within the region, the length information of the route within the region, the road restriction information of the route within the region, and the road condition information of the route within the region.

[0343] In one possible implementation, the first transceiver unit 1401 is further configured to:

[0344] Send a second request to the second network element. The second request is used to request the acquisition of the path information and / or the signal quality information of the area.

[0345] Receives path information and / or signal quality information of the area from the second network element.

[0346] In one possible implementation, the first transceiver unit 1401 is further configured to:

[0347] Obtain the second QoS requirements of the second application function network element and the number of second terminal devices served by the second application function network element;

[0348] The first request also includes the number of first terminal devices. Regarding determining the QoS persistence analysis results of the region based on the path information of the region indicated by the region information, the signal quality information of the region, and the first QoS requirement, the first processing unit 1402 is specifically used for:

[0349] Based on the region's path information, signal quality information, first QoS requirement, number of first terminal devices, number of second terminal devices, and second QoS requirement, the QoS persistence analysis results for the region are determined.

[0350] In one possible implementation, where the path information of a region includes road restriction information of the paths within the region, the QoS persistence analysis result of the region includes the maximum number of terminal devices that the paths within the region can support while meeting the first QoS requirement and their respective road restriction information.

[0351] In one possible implementation, the first request also includes at least one candidate mobile path for the first terminal device, the area includes at least one candidate mobile path, and the first QoS requirement includes the QoS requirement of the first terminal device.

[0352] In determining the QoS persistence analysis results of a region based on the path information of the region indicated by the region information, the signal quality information of the region, and the first QoS requirement, the first processing unit 1402 is specifically used for:

[0353] Based on the path information of at least one candidate mobile path, the signal quality information of at least one candidate mobile path, and the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, determine the QoS persistence analysis result of at least one candidate mobile path.

[0354] In one possible implementation, the first transceiver unit 1401 is further configured to:

[0355] Obtain the path information of the second terminal device within the area;

[0356] The first request also includes time information on the expected arrival time of the first terminal device at different nodes on each of the at least one candidate mobile path. The second QoS requirement includes the QoS requirement of the second terminal device. Regarding determining the QoS persistence analysis result of the at least one candidate mobile path based on the path information, signal quality information, and QoS requirement of the at least one candidate mobile path, the first processing unit 1402 is specifically used for:

[0357] Based on the path information of at least one candidate mobile path, the signal quality information of at least one candidate mobile path, the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the time information of the first terminal device expected to arrive at different nodes on at least one candidate mobile path, the QoS requirements of the second terminal device, and the path information of the second terminal device in the area, the QoS persistence analysis result of at least one candidate mobile path is determined.

[0358] In one possible implementation, the QoS persistence analysis result of at least one candidate mobile path includes whether at least one candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device.

[0359] When the number of at least one candidate mobile path is equal to 1, the QoS persistence analysis result of the area includes the QoS persistence analysis result of the candidate mobile path, wherein the QoS persistence analysis result of the candidate mobile path is that the candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device.

[0360] In one possible implementation, when the number of at least one candidate movement path is greater than 1, and multiple candidate movement paths have corresponding priorities, the first processing unit 1402 is further configured to:

[0361] The target candidate mobile path that meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device and has the highest priority among multiple candidate mobile paths is identified. The QoS persistence analysis results of the region include the QoS persistence analysis results of the target candidate mobile path.

[0362] In one possible implementation, the first request also includes the start point and the end point of the first terminal device, and the first QoS requirement includes the QoS requirements of the first terminal device;

[0363] In determining the QoS persistence analysis results of a region based on the path information of the region indicated by the region information, the signal quality information of the region, and the first QoS requirement, the first processing unit 1402 is specifically used for:

[0364] Based on the path information of the region, the starting point and the ending point of the first terminal device, the candidate mobile path of the first terminal device is determined, and the region includes the candidate mobile path;

[0365] Based on the signal quality information of the candidate mobile path and the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the QoS persistence analysis results of the candidate mobile path are determined.

[0366] In one possible implementation, the first transceiver unit 1401 is further configured to:

[0367] Obtain the path information of the second terminal device within the area;

[0368] The second QoS requirement includes the QoS requirement of the second terminal device. Regarding the determination of the QoS persistence analysis results of the candidate mobile path based on the signal quality information of the candidate mobile path and the QoS requirement of the first terminal device, the first processing unit 1402 is specifically used for:

[0369] Based on the signal quality information of the candidate mobile path, the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the QoS requirements of the second terminal device, and the path information of the second terminal device within the area, the QoS persistence analysis results of the candidate mobile path are determined.

[0370] In one possible implementation, the QoS persistence analysis result of the candidate mobile path includes whether the candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device. If the candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the QoS persistence analysis result of the region includes the candidate mobile path.

[0371] It should be noted that the implementation of each unit described in FIG14 can also refer to the corresponding descriptions of the embodiments shown in FIG4 to FIG12. Furthermore, the beneficial effects of the communication device described in FIG14 can be described with reference to the corresponding descriptions of the embodiments shown in FIG4 to FIG12, and will not be repeated here.

[0372] Please refer to Figure 15, which is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. This device is applied to a first application function network element, as shown in Figure 15, and includes at least a second transceiver unit 1501. Wherein:

[0373] The second transceiver unit 1501 is used to send a first request to the first network element. The first request includes area information and a first QoS requirement. The first request is used to request the first network element to determine the QoS persistence analysis result of the area based on the path information of the area indicated by the area information, the signal quality information of the area, and the first QoS requirement. The QoS persistence analysis result of the area is used to assist the path planning of the first terminal device served by the first application function network element. The second transceiver unit 1501 receives first information from the first network element, which includes the QoS persistence analysis result of the area.

[0374] In one possible implementation, the signal quality information of the area includes one or more of the following: the average bit rate of terminal devices in the area, the number of abnormally released QoS streams in the area, and the average transmission delay of uplink and downlink data packets;

[0375] The route information for a region includes one or more of the following: the location information of the route within the region, the length information of the route within the region, the road restriction information of the route within the region, and the road condition information of the route within the region.

[0376] In one possible implementation, the path information and / or signal quality information of the region are obtained by the first network element from the second network element.

[0377] In one possible implementation, the first request also includes the number of first terminal devices, and the QoS persistence analysis result of the region is determined by the first network element based on the region's path information, the region's signal quality information, the first QoS requirement, the number of first terminal devices, the number of second terminal devices served by the second application function network element, and the second QoS requirement of the second application function network element.

[0378] In one possible implementation, where the path information of a region includes road restriction information of the paths within the region, the QoS persistence analysis result of the region includes the maximum number of terminal devices that the paths within the region can support while meeting the first QoS requirement and their respective road restriction information.

[0379] In one possible implementation, the first request further includes at least one candidate mobile path for the first terminal device, the area includes at least one candidate mobile path, the first QoS requirement includes the QoS requirement of the first terminal device, and the QoS persistence analysis result of the at least one candidate mobile path is determined by the first network element based on the path information of the at least one candidate mobile path, the signal quality information of the at least one candidate mobile path, and the QoS requirement of the first terminal device.

[0380] In one possible implementation, the first request also includes time information on the expected arrival time of the first terminal device at different nodes on each of the at least one candidate mobile path, and the second QoS requirement includes the QoS requirement of the second terminal device. The QoS persistence analysis result of the at least one candidate mobile path is determined by the first terminal device based on the path information of the at least one candidate mobile path, the signal quality information of the at least one candidate mobile path, the QoS requirement of the first terminal device, the expected arrival time information of the first terminal device at different nodes on the at least one candidate mobile path, the QoS requirement of the second terminal device, and the path information of the second terminal device in the area.

[0381] In one possible implementation, the QoS persistence analysis result of at least one candidate mobile path includes whether the at least one candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device. When the number of at least one candidate mobile path is equal to 1, the QoS persistence analysis result of the region includes the QoS persistence analysis result of the candidate mobile path, wherein the QoS persistence analysis result of the candidate mobile path indicates that the candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device.

[0382] In one possible implementation, when the number of at least one candidate movement path is greater than 1, multiple candidate movement paths have corresponding priorities.

[0383] The QoS persistence analysis results for the region include the QoS persistence analysis results for the target candidate mobile path. The target candidate mobile path is the candidate mobile path that meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device and has the highest priority among multiple candidate mobile paths.

[0384] In one possible implementation, the region includes candidate mobile paths determined by the first network element based on the path information of the region and the starting and ending points of the first terminal device. The QoS persistence analysis results of the candidate mobile paths are determined by the first network element based on the signal quality information of the candidate mobile paths and the QoS requirements of the first terminal device.

[0385] In one possible implementation, the QoS persistence analysis result of the candidate mobile path is determined by the first network element based on the signal quality information of the candidate mobile path, the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the QoS requirements of the second terminal device, and the path information of the second terminal device within the area.

[0386] In one possible implementation, the QoS persistence analysis result of the candidate mobile path includes whether the candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device. If the candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the QoS persistence analysis result of the region includes the candidate mobile path.

[0387] It should be noted that the implementation of each unit described in FIG15 can also be referred to the corresponding descriptions of the embodiments shown in FIG4 to FIG12. Furthermore, the beneficial effects of the communication device described in FIG15 can be referred to the corresponding descriptions of the embodiments shown in FIG4 to FIG12, and will not be repeated here.

[0388] Based on the description of the above method and device embodiments, this application also provides a communication device. Please refer to FIG16, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in this application embodiment. The communication device includes at least one processor 1601. Optionally, the communication device may further include an interface circuit 1602 (shown as dashed lines in the figure), with the processor 1601 and the interface circuit 1602 coupled to each other. It is understood that the interface circuit 1602 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication device may further include at least one memory 1603 (shown as dashed lines in the figure), which is used to store instructions (such as one or more computer programs) executed by at least one processor 1601, or to store input data required for at least one processor 1601 to execute instructions, or to store data generated after at least one processor 1601 executes instructions. This communication device can be used in related steps of a communication method. The at least one processor 1601 in the communication device is used to read the computer program code stored in the at least one memory 1603 and execute the method of any one of the embodiments shown in FIG4 to FIG12.

[0389] At least one memory 1603 includes, but is not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM).

[0390] At least one processor 1601 may be one or more central processing units (CPUs). If processor 1601 is a CPU, the CPU may be a single-core CPU or a multi-core CPU.

[0391] For example, when the communication device is used to implement the function of the first network element, at least one processor 1601 in the communication device can be used to read one or more programs stored in the at least one memory 1603 and perform the following operations:

[0392] Receive a first request from a first application function network element, the first request including area information and a first QoS requirement;

[0393] Based on the path information of the region indicated by the regional information, the signal quality information of the region, and the first QoS requirement, the QoS persistence analysis result of the region is determined. The QoS persistence analysis result of the region is used to assist the path planning of the first terminal device served by the first application function network element.

[0394] Send first information to the first application function network element. The first information includes the QoS persistence analysis results of the area.

[0395] For example, when the communication device is used to implement the function of the first application function network element, at least one processor 1601 in the communication device can be used to read one or more programs stored in the at least one memory 1603 and perform the following operations:

[0396] A first request is sent to the first network element. The first request includes area information and a first QoS requirement. The first request is used to request the first network element to determine the QoS persistence analysis result of the area based on the path information, signal quality information of the area, and the first QoS requirement of the area indicated by the area information. The QoS persistence analysis result of the area is used to assist the path planning of the first terminal device served by the first application function network element.

[0397] Receive first information from the first network element, the first information including the QoS persistence analysis results of the area.

[0398] It should be noted that the implementation of each operation can also correspond to the description of the method in any of the embodiments shown in Figures 4 to 12.

[0399] It should be noted that although the communication device shown in FIG16 only illustrates at least one processor 1601, interface circuit 1602, and at least one memory 1603, those skilled in the art should understand that in specific implementations, the communication device may also include other devices necessary for normal operation. Furthermore, depending on specific needs, those skilled in the art should understand that the communication device may also include hardware devices for implementing other additional functions. Moreover, those skilled in the art should understand that the communication device may only include the devices necessary for implementing the embodiments of this application, and not necessarily all the devices shown in FIG16.

[0400] This application also provides a chip, including: a processor for calling and running a computer program from a memory, causing a device with the chip installed to perform the method described in any of the embodiments shown in Figures 4 to 12 above. This chip may be a chip in a communication device.

[0401] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium (memory) storing a computer program that, when executed, implements the method described in any of the embodiments shown in Figures 4 to 12. It is understood that the computer-readable storage medium here may include built-in storage media in a device, or it may include extended storage media supported by the device. The computer-readable storage medium provides storage space containing the device's operating system. Furthermore, one or more computer programs suitable for loading and execution by the device's processor are also stored in this storage space. It should be noted that the computer-readable storage medium here may be high-speed RAM, or non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk storage device; optionally, it may also be at least one computer-readable storage medium located remotely from the aforementioned processor.

[0402] This application also provides a computer program product, which includes computer program code. When the computer program code is run by a communication device, the method flow described in any one of the embodiments in Figures 4 to 12 is implemented.

[0403] Please refer to Figure 17, which is a schematic diagram of a baseband hardware provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 17, the baseband can be implemented using a processing system including one or more processors. The processor may include a microprocessor, microcontroller, CPU, graphics processing unit (GPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), state machines, gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to various functions. That is, the processor used in the baseband can be used to implement any one or more of the processes described below. It should be understood that the communication device shown in Figure 16 can be the baseband shown in Figure 17.

[0404] Processing systems can be implemented using a bus architecture, typically represented by a bus. A bus can include any number of interconnect buses and bridges, depending on the specific application and overall design constraints of the processing system. The bus couples various circuits together, including one or more processors (typically represented by a processor), memory, and computer-readable media (typically represented by a computer-readable storage medium). The bus can also link various other circuits, such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well-known in the art and will not be described further here. The bus interface provides the interface between the bus and transceivers, as well as between the bus and the interface.

[0405] A transceiver provides a communication interface or means for communicating with various other devices via a wireless transmission medium. The transceiver may be coupled to an antenna array, and the transceiver and antenna array may be used together for communication with a corresponding network type. At least one interface (e.g., a network interface and / or a user interface) provides a communication interface or means for communication via an internal bus or via an external transmission medium.

[0406] The processor is responsible for managing the bus and general processing, including executing software stored on a computer-readable storage medium. When the processor executes the software, it causes the processing system to perform the various functions described below for any particular device. The functions that can be implemented by the processor, memory, and computer-readable medium can include: encoding, decoding, rate matching, rate dematching, scrambling, descrambling, modulation, demodulation, layer mapping, fast Fourier transform (FFT), inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT), inverse discrete Fourier transform (IDFT), precoding, resource element (RE) mapping, channel equalization, RE demapping, digital beamforming (BF), and so on.

[0407] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of each embodiment have different focuses. For parts not described in detail in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant descriptions in other embodiments.

[0408] It should be understood that the processor mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be a CPU, or other general-purpose processors, DSPs, ASICs, FPGAs, or other PLDs, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc.

[0409] It should also be understood that the memory mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can be ROM, Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), EPROM, Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can be RAM, which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (DDR SDRAM), Enhanced Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (ESDRAM), Synchlink Dynamic Random Access Memory (SLDRAM), and Direct Rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0410] It should be noted that when the processor is a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, or discrete hardware component, the memory (storage module) is integrated into the processor.

[0411] It should be noted that the memories described herein are intended to include, but are not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memories.

[0412] It should be understood that in the various embodiments of this application, the order of the above-mentioned processes 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.

[0413] 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 exemplary. 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.

[0414] 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.

[0415] Furthermore, 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. If the integrated unit is implemented as a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium.

[0416] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the textual description of this application, the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0417] The steps in the method of this application embodiment can be adjusted, combined, or deleted according to actual needs.

[0418] The modules in the device of this application embodiment can be merged, divided, and deleted according to actual needs.

[0419] The above-described embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit it. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to the first network element; the method includes: Receive a first request from a first application function network element, the first request including area information and a first QoS requirement; Based on the path information of the area indicated by the area information, the signal quality information of the area, and the first QoS requirement, the QoS persistence analysis result of the area is determined, and the QoS persistence analysis result of the area is used to assist the path planning of the first terminal device served by the first application function network element. Send first information to the first application function network element, the first information including the QoS persistence analysis results of the region.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The signal quality information of the area includes one or more of the following: the average bit rate of terminal devices in the area, the number of abnormally released QoS streams in the area, and the average transmission delay of uplink and downlink data packets; The path information of the region includes one or more of the following: the location information of the path in the region, the length information of the path in the region, the road restriction information of the path in the region, and the road condition information of the path in the region.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a second request to the second network element, the second request being used to request the path information and / or signal quality information of the area; Receive path information and / or signal quality information of the area from the second network element.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The method further includes: Obtain the second QoS requirements of the second application function network element and the number of second terminal devices served by the second application function network element; The first request also includes the number of the first terminal devices. The determination of the QoS persistence analysis result for the region based on the path information of the region indicated by the region information, the signal quality information of the region, and the first QoS requirement includes: Based on the path information of the region, the signal quality information of the region, the first QoS requirement, the number of the first terminal devices, the number of the second terminal devices, and the second QoS requirement, the QoS persistence analysis result of the region is determined.

5. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, When the path information in the region includes road restriction information for the paths within the region, the QoS persistence analysis result for the region includes the maximum number of terminal devices that the paths within the region can support while meeting the first QoS requirement and their respective road restriction information.

6. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first request also includes at least one candidate mobile path of the first terminal device, the region includes the at least one candidate mobile path, and the first QoS requirement includes the QoS requirement of the first terminal device; The determination of the QoS persistence analysis result for the region based on the path information of the region indicated by the region information, the signal quality information of the region, and the first QoS requirement includes: Based on the path information of the at least one candidate mobile path, the signal quality information of the at least one candidate mobile path, and the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the QoS persistence analysis result of the at least one candidate mobile path is determined.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: Obtain the path information of the second terminal device within the area; The first request also includes time information on the estimated arrival time of the first terminal device at different nodes on each of the at least one candidate mobile path. The second QoS requirement includes the QoS requirement of the second terminal device. The step of determining the QoS persistence analysis result of the at least one candidate mobile path based on the path information, signal quality information, and QoS requirement of the at least one candidate mobile path includes: Based on the path information of the at least one candidate mobile path, the signal quality information of the at least one candidate mobile path, the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the estimated time information of the first terminal device to arrive at different nodes on the at least one candidate mobile path, the QoS requirements of the second terminal device, and the path information of the second terminal device in the area, the QoS persistence analysis result of the at least one candidate mobile path is determined.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The QoS persistence analysis result of the at least one candidate mobile path includes whether the at least one candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device; When the number of at least one candidate mobile path is equal to 1, the QoS persistence analysis result of the region includes the QoS persistence analysis result of the candidate mobile path, wherein the QoS persistence analysis result of the candidate mobile path indicates that the candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, When the number of at least one candidate movement path is greater than 1, and multiple candidate movement paths have corresponding priorities, the method further includes: The target candidate mobile path that meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device and has the highest priority among the multiple candidate mobile paths is determined, and the QoS persistence analysis results of the region include the QoS persistence analysis results of the target candidate mobile path.

10. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first request also includes the start point and the end point of the first terminal device, and the first QoS requirement includes the QoS requirement of the first terminal device; The determination of the QoS persistence analysis result for the region based on the path information of the region indicated by the region information, the signal quality information of the region, and the first QoS requirement includes: Based on the path information of the region, the starting point and the ending point of the first terminal device, a candidate movement path of the first terminal device is determined, wherein the region includes the candidate movement path; Based on the signal quality information of the candidate mobile path and the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the QoS persistence analysis result of the candidate mobile path is determined.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The method further includes: Obtain the path information of the second terminal device within the area; The second QoS requirement includes the QoS requirement of the second terminal device. The step of determining the QoS persistence analysis result of the candidate mobile path based on the signal quality information of the candidate mobile path and the QoS requirement of the first terminal device includes: Based on the signal quality information of the candidate mobile path, the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the QoS requirements of the second terminal device, and the path information of the second terminal device in the area, the QoS persistence analysis result of the candidate mobile path is determined.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, The QoS persistence analysis result of the candidate mobile path includes whether the candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device. If the candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the QoS persistence analysis result of the region includes the candidate mobile path.

13. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to the first application function network element; the method includes: A first request is sent to a first network element. The first request includes area information and a first QoS requirement. The first request is used to request the first network element to determine the QoS persistence analysis result of the area based on the path information of the area indicated by the area information, the signal quality information of the area, and the first QoS requirement. The QoS persistence analysis result of the area is used to assist the path planning of the first terminal device served by the first application function network element. Receive first information from the first network element, the first information including the QoS persistence analysis results of the region.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The signal quality information of the area includes one or more of the following: the average bit rate of terminal devices in the area, the number of abnormally released QoS streams in the area, and the average transmission delay of uplink and downlink data packets; The path information of the region includes one or more of the following: the location information of the path in the region, the length information of the path in the region, the road restriction information of the path in the region, and the road condition information of the path in the region.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, The path information and / or signal quality information of the region are obtained by the first network element from the second network element.

16. The method according to any one of claims 13-15, characterized in that, The first request also includes the number of the first terminal devices. The QoS persistence analysis result of the region is determined by the first network element based on the path information of the region, the signal quality information of the region, the first QoS requirement, the number of the first terminal devices, the number of second terminal devices served by the second application function network element, and the second QoS requirement of the second application function network element.

17. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, When the path information in the region includes road restriction information for the paths within the region, the QoS persistence analysis result for the region includes the maximum number of terminal devices that the paths within the region can support while meeting the first QoS requirement and their respective road restriction information.

18. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The first request also includes at least one candidate mobile path for the first terminal device, the area includes the at least one candidate mobile path, the first QoS requirement includes the QoS requirement of the first terminal device, and the QoS persistence analysis result of the at least one candidate mobile path is determined by the first network element based on the path information of the at least one candidate mobile path, the signal quality information of the at least one candidate mobile path, and the QoS requirement of the first terminal device.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The first request also includes the time information of the first terminal device's expected arrival at different nodes on each of the at least one candidate mobile path, the second QoS requirement includes the QoS requirement of the second terminal device, and the QoS persistence analysis result of the at least one candidate mobile path is determined by the first terminal device based on the path information of the at least one candidate mobile path, the signal quality information of the at least one candidate mobile path, the QoS requirement of the first terminal device, the time information of the first terminal device's expected arrival at different nodes on the at least one candidate mobile path, the QoS requirement of the second terminal device, and the path information of the second terminal device in the area.

20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that, The QoS persistence analysis result of the at least one candidate mobile path includes whether the at least one candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device. When the number of at least one candidate mobile path is equal to 1, the QoS persistence analysis result of the region includes the QoS persistence analysis result of the candidate mobile path, wherein the QoS persistence analysis result of the candidate mobile path indicates that the candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, When the number of at least one candidate movement path is greater than 1, multiple candidate movement paths have corresponding priorities. The QoS persistence analysis results of the region include the QoS persistence analysis results of the target candidate mobile path, wherein the target candidate mobile path is the candidate mobile path that meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device and has the highest priority among the multiple candidate mobile paths.

22. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The first request also includes the starting point and ending point of the first terminal device, the first QoS requirement includes the QoS requirement of the first terminal device, the area includes the path information of the first network element based on the area, the starting point and ending point of the first terminal device are candidate mobile paths determined by the first terminal device, and the QoS persistence analysis result of the candidate mobile path is determined by the first network element based on the signal quality information of the candidate mobile path and the QoS requirement of the first terminal device.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, The QoS persistence analysis result of the candidate mobile path is determined by the first network element based on the signal quality information of the candidate mobile path, the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the QoS requirements of the second terminal device, and the path information of the second terminal device in the area.

24. The method according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that, The QoS persistence analysis result of the candidate mobile path includes whether the candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device. If the candidate mobile path meets the QoS requirements of the first terminal device, the QoS persistence analysis result of the region includes the candidate mobile path.

25. A communication system, characterized in that, It includes a first network element and a first application function network element; wherein, the first network element is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-12; and the first application function network element is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 13-24.

26. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-12; or, it includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 13-24.

27. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes at least one processor coupled to at least one memory for storing one or more computer programs; the at least one processor is configured such that when the communication device executes the one or more computer programs, it implements the method as claimed in any one of claims 1-12 or 13-24.

28. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program for execution by the device, which, when executed, implements the method as claimed in any one of claims 1-12 or 13-24.

29. A computer program product, characterized in that, When the computer program product is run by the device, the device performs the method as claimed in any one of claims 1-12 or 13-24.

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