Information processing methods, communication device, communication system, storage medium and program product

Abstract

Provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure are information processing methods, a communication device, a communication system, a storage medium and a program product. A method is executed by a network device, and the method comprises: sending a first MAC CE to a terminal, wherein the first MAC CE comprises first information, the first information is used for indicating a first bit rate recommended by the network device, and the first bit rate is a bit rate for at least one first QoS flow. In the technical solution provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the first bit rate delivered by the network device is refined to the QoS granularity. In this way, rate adjustment at the QoS-flow granularity can be implemented, thereby improving the accuracy of rate adjustment.

Description

Information processing methods, communication equipment, communication systems, storage media and software products Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to information processing methods, communication equipment, communication systems, storage media, and program products. Background Technology

[0002] In communication networks, network congestion is a significant factor affecting network performance. Congestion control has always been an important means of ensuring network service quality.

[0003] Currently, when network congestion occurs, network devices send a Media Access Control (MAC) control element (CE) to the terminal as a congestion indication message, so that the terminal can adjust its rate to reduce the impact on network transmission performance. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This disclosure provides an information processing method, a communication device, a communication system, a storage medium, and a program product.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, an information processing method is provided, wherein the method is performed by a network device, the method comprising: sending a first MAC CE to a terminal, the first MAC CE including first information, the first information being used to indicate a first bit rate recommended by the network device, the first bit rate being a bit rate for at least one first quality of service (QoS) stream.

[0006] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, an information processing method is provided, wherein the method is executed by a terminal, the method comprising: receiving a first MAC CE sent by a network device, the first MAC CE including first information, the first information being used to indicate a first bit rate recommended by the network device, the first bit rate being a bit rate for at least one first Quality of Service (QoS) flow.

[0007] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, an information processing method is provided, wherein the method is executed by a communication system, the method comprising: a network device sending a first Media Access Control (MAC) control unit (CE) to a terminal, the first MAC CE including first information, the first information being used to indicate a first bit rate recommended by the network device, the first bit rate being the bit rate for at least one first Quality of Service (QoS) stream.

[0008] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided, wherein the communication device is used to perform the information processing method provided in the first or second aspect.

[0009] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, wherein the communication system includes a terminal and a network device, the network device being configured to implement the information processing method provided in the first aspect, and the terminal being configured to implement the information processing method provided in the second aspect.

[0010] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided, wherein the storage medium stores instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the information processing method provided in the first or second aspect.

[0011] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, a program product is provided, which, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the information processing method provided in the first or second aspect.

[0012] In the technical solution provided by the embodiments of this disclosure, the network device sends a first MAC CE to the terminal to indicate a first bit rate recommended by the network device. The first bit rate can be a bit rate recommended by the network device for at least one first QoS flow, thereby refining the first bit rate sent by the network device to the QoS granularity. In this way, the rate adjustment at the QoS flow granularity can be realized, and the accuracy of the rate adjustment can be improved.

[0013] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not intended to limit the embodiments of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0014] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the embodiments of the invention.

[0015] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0016] Figure 1B is a schematic diagram illustrating an interaction between a terminal and a network device for recommending bit rates according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0017] Figure 1C is a schematic diagram of a MAC CE format according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0018] Figure 2A is an interactive schematic diagram of an information processing method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0019] Figure 2B is an interactive schematic diagram of an information processing method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0020] Figure 3 is an interactive schematic diagram of an information processing method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0021] Figure 4A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0022] Figure 4B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0023] Figure 5A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0024] Figure 5B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip according to an exemplary embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0025] This disclosure provides an information processing method, a communication device, a communication system, a storage medium, and a program product.

[0026] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide an information processing method, which is executed by a network device. The method includes: sending a first MAC CE to a terminal, the first MAC CE including first information, the first information being used to indicate a first bit rate recommended by the network device, the first bit rate being a bit rate for at least one first QoS flow.

[0027] In the above embodiments, the network device sends a first MAC CE to the terminal to indicate a first bit rate recommended by the network device. The first bit rate can be a bit rate recommended by the network device for at least one first QoS flow, thereby refining the first bit rate sent by the network device to the QoS granularity. In this way, rate adjustment at the QoS flow granularity can be realized, and the accuracy of rate adjustment can be improved.

[0028] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first MAC CE is also used to indicate a first QoS flow, wherein the granularity of the first MAC CE is the QoS flow granularity.

[0029] In the above embodiments, the first MAC CE issued by the network device can be a QoS flow granular MAC CE, so that the network device can use the first MAC CE to indicate the first bit rate of the QoS flow granularity and the first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate. In this way, the rate adjustment of the QoS flow granularity can be realized, and the accuracy of the rate adjustment can be improved.

[0030] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: determining that the granularity of the first MAC CE is a data radio bearer (DRB) granularity; sending a first radio resource control (RRC) message to the terminal, the first RRC message including second information, the second information being used to indicate at least one first QoS flow, the at least one first QoS flow being carried in the same DRB.

[0031] In the above embodiments, when the first MAC CE issued by the network device is at the DRB granularity, the network device can send a first RRC message to indicate the first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate indicated by the first MAC CE. Thus, the network device can refine the first bit rate issued by the network device to the QoS granularity by combining MAC CE and RRC messages while maintaining the DRB granularity of the MAC CE. In this way, the rate adjustment at the QoS flow granularity can be realized, improving the accuracy of rate adjustment.

[0032] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the granularity of the first MAC CE is determined according to a protocol agreement, or the granularity of the first MAC CE is determined by the network device.

[0033] In the above embodiments, the network device can determine the granularity of the first MAC CE through the above two methods, and then determine the method of sending the first bit rate indicated in the first MAC CE based on the granularity of the first MAC CE.

[0034] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: the RRC layer of the network device sending third information to the MAC layer of the network device, the third information being used to indicate at least one first QoS flow, the granularity of the first MAC CE being the DRB granularity.

[0035] In the above embodiments, when the granularity of the first MAC CE is the DRB granularity, the RRC layer can send third information to the MAC layer to indicate at least one first QoS flow, so that the MAC layer can perform network congestion assessment for at least one first QoS flow and thus determine the first bit rate for at least one first QoS flow.

[0036] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, before the RRC layer sends the third information to the MAC layer, the method further includes: the MAC layer sending a fourth information to the RRC layer, the fourth information being used by the RRC layer to determine at least one first QoS flow.

[0037] In the above embodiments, the MAC layer can send fourth information to the RRC layer, which helps the RRC layer determine at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate indicated by the first MAC CE based on the fourth information.

[0038] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the fourth information includes one of the following: first indication information for indicating at least one second QoS flow, the first QoS flow being determined by the RRC layer from at least one second QoS flow; and second indication information for indicating at least one first QoS flow, the at least one first QoS flow being determined by the MAC layer.

[0039] In the above embodiments, the RRC layer can select at least one first QoS flow from at least one second QoS flow indicated by the first indication information sent by the MAC layer, or the RRC layer can know at least one first QoS flow determined by the MAC layer based on the second indication information sent by the MAC layer, so that the RRC layer can inform the terminal of at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate through the RC message, thereby refining the first bit rate issued by the network device to the QoS granularity.

[0040] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the third information is transmitted based on the F1 control plane F1-C interface; and / or, the fourth information is transmitted based on the F1-C interface; wherein the network device includes a control plane (CU Control Plane, CU-CP) of a Central Unit (CU) and a Distributed Unit (DU), the RRC layer is configured in the CU-CP, and the MAC layer is configured in the DU.

[0041] In the above embodiments, when the network device adopts a CU-DU separation architecture, the RRC layer can be configured in the CU-CP and the MAC layer can be configured in the DU-UP. In this case, the communication interaction between the RRC layer and the MAC layer can be realized through the F1-C interface between the CU-CP and the DU-UP to determine the first bit rate distribution method, thereby refining the first bit rate distributed by the network device to the QoS flow granularity.

[0042] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first MAC CE may further include one of the following: first identification information for identifying the first DRB; second identification information for identifying the first QoS flow, the first QoS flow being carried in the first DRB; the first DRB being associated with the MAC layer of the network device that sent the first MAC CE.

[0043] In the above embodiments, the first MAC CE may include first identification information and second identification information. The first identification information may identify the first DRB, and the second identification information may be used to identify the first QoS flow. Thus, by using the first identification information or the second identification information in the first MAC CE, on the one hand, it is beneficial for the terminal to determine the first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate indicated by the first MAC CE or the first DRB where the first QoS flow is located. On the other hand, the distribution of the first MAC CE for different first QoS flows or different first DRBs can be handled by the network device where the MAC layer associated with the first DRB is located, thereby facilitating network device management.

[0044] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first DRB includes one of the following: a master cell group (MCG) bearer; or a secondary cell group (SCG) bearer.

[0045] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first DRB includes an MCG bearer, and the first MAC CE is sent by the master node (MN); or, the first DRB includes an SCG bearer, and the first MAC CE is sent by the secondary node (SN).

[0046] In the above embodiments, in a dual-connectivity scenario, if the bearer type of the first DRB to which at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate belongs is MCG bearer, then the MN sends the first MAC CE to the terminal. If the bearer type of the first DRB to which at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate belongs is SCG bearer, then the SN sends the first MAC CE to the terminal. In this way, the application scenario of the solution is extended to the dual-connectivity scenario, so that the granularity of the first bit rate sent by the network device in the dual-connectivity scenario can also be refined to the QoS flow granularity.

[0047] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving fifth information sent by the terminal, the fifth information including one of the following: third indication information for indicating at least one third QoS flow, the fifth information for indicating that the terminal expects the network device to determine the bit rate for at least one third QoS flow; fourth indication information for indicating at least one second DRB, the fifth information for indicating that the terminal expects the network device to determine the bit rate for at least one second DRB.

[0048] In the above embodiments, the network device can receive the fifth information sent by the terminal, and based on the different information content of the fifth information, know the QoS flow or DRB that the terminal expects the first bit rate of the first MAC CE to be targeted, so that the network device can take the terminal's needs into account when determining the first bit rate.

[0049] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: sending a sixth message to the terminal, the sixth message being used to configure a first timer, the first timer being used to prevent the terminal from sending a fifth message during the operation of the first timer.

[0050] In the above embodiments, the network device can send a sixth message to the terminal to configure a first timer for the terminal, so that the terminal stops sending the fifth message to the network device during the operation of the first timer, thereby reducing the situation where the terminal frequently sends the fifth message and reducing the waste of communication resources.

[0051] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first timer includes one of the following: a timer configured for each QoS flow; a timer configured for each DRB.

[0052] In the above embodiments, the first timer configured by the network device can be at the DRB granularity or the QoS stream granularity. By configuring the first timer with different granularities by the terminal, different restrictions can be placed on the transmission frequency of the fifth information at different granularities.

[0053] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the fifth information is transmitted via a signaling radio bearer (SRB).

[0054] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the fifth information sent by the receiving terminal includes one of the following: receiving the fifth information sent by the receiving terminal via SRB3, the network device being SN, and SN being configured with SRB3; or receiving the fifth information sent by MN, the fifth information being sent by the terminal to MN via SRB1, the network device being SN, and SN not being configured with SRB3.

[0055] In the above embodiments, whether the SN is configured with SRB3 or not, the SN can receive the fifth information sent by the terminal, so that the SN can determine the terminal's desired at least one third QoS stream or second DRB based on the fifth information. This facilitates the SN to recommend the bit rate for at least one third QoS stream or second DRB, thereby sharing the load of the MN with the SN, which is beneficial to achieving load balancing between the SN and the MN.

[0056] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving a second MAC CE sent by a terminal, the second MAC CE including seventh information, the seventh information being used to indicate a first bit rate requested by the terminal.

[0057] In the above embodiments, the network device can receive a second MAC CE sent by the terminal to know the first bit rate requested by the terminal based on the second MAC CE. The first bit rate can be the bit rate for at least one first QoS flow, thereby refining the first bit rate requested by the terminal to the QoS granularity.

[0058] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the second MAC CE is also used to indicate the first QoS flow, wherein the granularity of the second MAC CE is the QoS flow granularity.

[0059] In the above embodiments, the second MAC CE received by the network device from the terminal can be a QoS flow granular MAC CE, so that the network device can know the first bit rate of the QoS flow granularity requested by the terminal and the first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate according to the second MAC CE, so as to realize the rate adjustment of the QoS flow granularity.

[0060] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving a second RRC message sent by a terminal, the second RRC message including eighth information, the eighth information being used to indicate at least one first QoS flow, the at least one first QoS flow being carried in the same DRB.

[0061] In the above embodiments, when the second MAC CE received by the network device from the terminal is at the DRB granularity, the network device can also receive the second RRC message sent by the terminal and determine the first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate indicated by the second MAC CE based on the second RRC message. Thus, the terminal can refine the first bit rate requested by the terminal to the QoS granularity by combining MAC CE and RRC messages while maintaining the DRB granularity of the MAC CE.

[0062] In a second aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide an information processing method, which is executed by a network device. The method includes: receiving a first MAC CE sent by the network device, the first MAC CE including first information, the first information being used to indicate a first bit rate recommended by the network device, the first bit rate being a bit rate for at least one first Quality of Service (QoS) flow.

[0063] In the above embodiments, the terminal can receive a first MAC CE sent by the network device, and based on the first MAC CE, know the first bit rate recommended by the network. The first bit rate can be the bit rate recommended by the network device for at least one first QoS flow, thereby refining the first bit rate sent by the network device to the QoS granularity. In this way, the rate adjustment at the QoS flow granularity can be realized, and the accuracy of rate adjustment can be improved.

[0064] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first MAC CE is also used to indicate a first QoS flow, wherein the granularity of the first MAC CE is the QoS flow granularity.

[0065] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving a first RRC message sent by a network device, the first RRC message including second information, the second information being used to indicate at least one first QoS flow, the at least one first QoS flow being carried in the same DRB; the granularity of the first MAC CE is the granularity of the data radio bearer DRB.

[0066] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the granularity of the first MAC CE is determined according to the protocol agreement, or the granularity of the first MAC CE is determined by the network device.

[0067] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first MAC CE further includes one of the following: first identification information for identifying the first DRB; second identification information for identifying the first QoS flow, the first QoS flow being carried in the first DRB; the first DRB being associated with the MAC layer of the network device that sent the first MAC CE.

[0068] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first DRB includes one of the following: a primary cell group MCG bearer; a secondary cell group SCG bearer.

[0069] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first DRB includes an MCG bearer, and the first MAC CE is sent by the master node MN; or, the first DRB includes an SCG bearer, and the first MAC CE is sent by the auxiliary node SN.

[0070] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: sending fifth information to a network device, the fifth information including one of the following: third indication information for indicating at least one third QoS flow, the fifth information for indicating that the terminal expects the network device to determine the bit rate for at least one third QoS flow; fourth indication information for indicating at least one second DRB, the fifth information for indicating that the terminal expects the network device to determine the bit rate for at least one second DRB.

[0071] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving sixth information sent by a network device, the sixth information being used to configure a first timer, the first timer being used to prohibit the terminal from sending fifth information during the operation of the first timer.

[0072] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first timer includes one of the following: a timer configured for each QoS flow; a timer configured for each DRB.

[0073] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the fifth information is transmitted via a signaling radio bearer (SRB).

[0074] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the fifth information is sent by the terminal to the SN via SRB3, the network device is the SN, and the SN is configured with SRB3; or, the fifth information is sent by the terminal to the MN via SRB1, and forwarded by the MN to the SN, the network device is the SN, and the SN is not configured with SRB3.

[0075] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: sending a second MAC CE to a network device, the second MAC CE including seventh information, the seventh information being used to indicate a first bit rate requested by the terminal.

[0076] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the second MAC CE is also used to indicate the first QoS flow, wherein the granularity of the second MAC CE is the QoS flow granularity.

[0077] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: determining that the granularity of the second MAC CE is the DRB granularity; sending a second RRC message to the network device, the second RRC message including eighth information, the eighth information being used to indicate at least one first QoS flow, the at least one first QoS flow being carried in the same DRB.

[0078] Thirdly, embodiments of this disclosure provide an information processing method, which is executed by a communication system. The method includes: a network device sending a first Media Access Control (MAC) control unit (CE) to a terminal, the first MAC CE including first information, the first information being used to indicate a first bit rate recommended by the network device, the first bit rate being a bit rate for at least one first Quality of Service (QoS) stream.

[0079] Fourthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication device, wherein the communication device is used to perform the information processing method provided in the first or second aspect.

[0080] Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication system, wherein the communication system includes a terminal and a network device, the network device being configured to implement the information processing method provided in the first aspect, and the terminal being configured to implement the information processing method provided in the second aspect.

[0081] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the information processing method provided in the first or second aspect.

[0082] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a program product that, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the information processing method provided in the first or second aspect.

[0083] Eighthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the information processing method described in an optional implementation of the first or second aspect.

[0084] It is understood that the aforementioned communication equipment, communication system, storage medium, program product, etc., are all used to execute the methods proposed in the embodiments of this disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects they can achieve can be referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding methods, and will not be repeated here.

[0085] This disclosure provides an information processing method, a communication device, a communication system, a storage medium, and a program product. In some embodiments, the terms "information processing method" and "communication method," "information indication method," etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0086] This disclosure is not exhaustive, but merely illustrative of some embodiments, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this disclosure. Unless otherwise specified, each step in a particular embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a particular embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily interchanged. Furthermore, the optional implementation methods in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; moreover, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, for example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments. In all embodiments of this disclosure, unless otherwise specified or logically conflicting, the terminology and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent and can be mutually referenced. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0087] The terminology used in the embodiments of this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0088] In this embodiment of the disclosure, unless otherwise stated, elements expressed in the singular form, such as "a," "an," "the," "the," "the," "the," "the," "the," "this," etc., can mean "one and only one," or "one or more," "at least one," etc. For example, when using articles such as "a," "an," "the," etc. in translation, the noun following the article can be understood as either a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0089] In the embodiments disclosed herein, "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0090] In some embodiments, the terms “at least one of A or B, at least one of A and B”, “one or more”, “a plurality of”, “multiple”, etc., may be used interchangeably.

[0091] In some embodiments, the notation "at least one of A and B", "A and / or B", "A in one case, B in another", "in response to one case A, in response to another case B", etc., may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execute A regardless of whether there is a branch B); in some embodiments, B (execute B regardless of whether there is a branch A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); in some embodiments, both A and B are executed. The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0092] In some embodiments, the notation "A or B" may include the following technical solutions, depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execute A regardless of whether a branch B exists); in some embodiments, B (execute B regardless of whether a branch A exists); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, and C.

[0093] The prefixes "first," "second," etc., used in the embodiments of this disclosure are merely for distinguishing different descriptive objects and do not impose restrictions on the position, order, priority, quantity, or content of the descriptive objects. The description of the descriptive objects is found in the claims or the context of the embodiments, and the use of prefixes should not constitute unnecessary restrictions. For example, if the descriptive object is a "field," the ordinal numbers preceding "field" in "first field" and "second field" do not restrict the position or order of the "fields." "First" and "second" do not restrict whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they restrict the order of "first field" and "second field." Similarly, if the descriptive object is a "level," the ordinal numbers preceding "level" in "first level" and "second level" do not restrict the priority between "levels." Furthermore, the number of descriptive objects is not limited by ordinal numbers and can be one or more. For example, in "first device," the number of "devices" can be one or more. Furthermore, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the object being described is "device", then "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different. Similarly, if the object being described is "information", then "first information" and "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their content can be the same or different.

[0094] In some embodiments, “including A,” “containing A,” “for indicating A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0095] In some embodiments, terms such as "time / frequency" and "time-frequency domain" refer to the time domain and / or frequency domain.

[0096] In some embodiments, terms such as “in response to…”, “in response to determining…”, “in the case of…”, “when…”, “when…”, “if…”, etc. can be used interchangeably. These descriptions all refer to the device making a corresponding action under certain objective circumstances. They do not necessarily limit the time, nor do they require the device to make a judgment action when implementing it, nor do they mean that there must be other limitations.

[0097] In some embodiments, the terms “greater than,” “greater than or equal to,” “not less than,” “more than,” “more than or equal to,” “not less than,” “higher than,” “higher than or equal to,” “not lower than,” and “above” can be used interchangeably, as can the terms “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not greater than,” “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not more than,” “lower than,” “lower than or equal to,” “not higher than,” and “below”.

[0098] In some embodiments, devices, etc., may be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to those described in the embodiments. Terms such as “device,” “equipment,” “circuit,” “network element,” “network function,” “network device,” “function,” “node,” “unit,” “section,” “system,” “network,” “chip,” “chip system,” “entity,” and “subject” are interchangeable.

[0099] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in a network (e.g., access network devices, core network devices, etc.).

[0100] In some embodiments, the terms "access network device (AN device)," "radio access network device (RAN device)," "base station (BS)," "radio base station," "fixed station," "node," "access point," "transmission point (TP)," "reception point (RP)," "transmission / reception point (TRP)," "panel," "antenna panel," "antenna array," "cell," "macro cell," "small cell," "femto cell," "pico cell," "sector," "cell group," "serving cell," "carrier," "component carrier," and "bandwidth part (BWP)" can be used interchangeably.

[0101] In some embodiments, the terms "terminal", "terminal device", "user equipment (UE)", "user terminal", "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", "subscriber station", "mobile unit", "subscriber unit", "wireless unit", "remote unit", "mobile device", "wireless device", "wireless communication device", "remote device", "mobile subscriber station", "access terminal", "mobile terminal", "wireless terminal", "remote terminal", "handset", "user agent", "mobile client", and "client" can be used interchangeably.

[0102] In some embodiments, access network devices, core network devices, or network devices can be replaced with terminals. For example, embodiments of this disclosure can also be applied to structures where communication between access network devices, core network devices, or network devices and terminals is replaced with communication between multiple terminals (e.g., device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, the structure can also be configured such that the terminal has all or part of the functions of the access network device. Furthermore, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" can be replaced with terms corresponding to communication between terminals (e.g., "sidelink"). For example, uplink channel, downlink channel, etc., can be replaced with sidelink channel, uplink link, downlink link, etc., can be replaced with sidelink link.

[0103] In some embodiments, the terminal may be replaced by an access network device, a core network device, or a network device. In this case, the access network device, core network device, or network device may also be configured to have all or some of the functions of the terminal.

[0104] In some embodiments, the acquisition of data, information, etc., may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the location is situated.

[0105] In some embodiments, data, information, etc., may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0106] Furthermore, each element, each row, or each column in the table of this disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and any combination of any element, any row, or any column can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0107] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in Figure 1A, the communication system 100 includes a terminal 101 and a network device 102. In some embodiments, the network device 102 may include at least one of an access network device and a core network device.

[0108] In some embodiments, terminal 101 includes, for example, at least one of the following: mobile phone, wearable device, Internet of Things device, car with communication function, smart car, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver function, virtual reality (VR) terminal device, augmented reality (AR) terminal device, wireless terminal device in industrial control, wireless terminal device in self-driving, wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, wireless terminal device in smart grid, wireless terminal device in transportation safety, wireless terminal device in smart city, and wireless terminal device in smart home, but is not limited thereto.

[0109] In some embodiments, the access network device is, for example, a node or device that connects a terminal to a wireless network. The access network device may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following in a 5G system: evolved Node B (eNB), next-generation eNB (ng-eNB), next-generation Node B (gNB), node B (NB), home node B (HNB), home evolved node B (HeNB), radio backhaul device, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), base band unit (BBU), mobile switching center, base station in 6G system, open RAN, cloud RAN, base station in other communication systems, and access node in Wi-Fi system.

[0110] In some embodiments, the technical solutions of this disclosure can be applied to the open RAN architecture. In this case, the interfaces between or within access network devices involved in the embodiments of this disclosure can be transformed into internal interfaces of open RAN. The processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented by software or programs.

[0111] In some embodiments, the access network device may be composed of a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). The CU may also be called a control unit. The CU-DU structure can separate the protocol layer of the access network device. Some of the protocol layer functions are centrally controlled by the CU, while the remaining part or all of the protocol layer functions are distributed in the DU and centrally controlled by the CU. However, this is not the only possibility.

[0112] In some embodiments, the CU may include a control plane (CP) and a user plane (UP).

[0113] In some embodiments, the CP (CU-CP) and UP (CU-UP) of the CU can be on different physical devices. Alternatively, the CU-CP and CU-UP can be on the same physical device.

[0114] In some embodiments, the CU may include a CU-CP and one or more CU-UPs. The CU-CP and CU-UP are connected via an E1 interface; the CU-CP and DU are connected via an F1-C interface; and the CU-UP and DU are connected via an F1-U interface.

[0115] In some embodiments, a core network device may be a single device including one or more network functions, or it may be multiple devices or a group of devices, each including all or part of one or more network functions. Network functions may be virtual or physical. The core network may include, for example, at least one of the following: evolved packet core (EPC), 5G core network (5GCN), 6G core network (6GCN), and next-generation core (NGC).

[0116] It is understood that the communication system described in this disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of this disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in this disclosure. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in this disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0117] The following embodiments of this disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1A, or to some of the main bodies, but are not limited thereto. The main bodies shown in FIG1A are illustrative. The communication system may include all or some of the main bodies in FIG1A, or it may include other main bodies outside of FIG1A. The number and form of each main body are arbitrary. The connection relationship between the main bodies is illustrative. The main bodies may not be connected or may be connected. The connection can be in any way, it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection, it can be a wired connection or a wireless connection.

[0118] The embodiments disclosed herein can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), Super 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th Generation Mobile Communication System (4G), 5G, 5G New Radio (NR), 6G, Future Radio Access (FRA), New-Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR), New Radio Access (NX), Future Generation Radio Access (FX), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Bluetooth, and public terrestrial mobile communication networks. Land mobile networks (PLMNs), device-to-device (D2D) systems, machine-to-machine (M2M) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) systems, systems utilizing other information processing methods, and next-generation systems built upon them. Furthermore, multiple systems can be combined (e.g., a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G).

[0119] In some embodiments, the terminal sends a request to the base station for a recommended bit rate. In one example, as shown in FIG1B, which is a schematic diagram illustrating a bit rate recommendation interaction between a terminal and a network device according to an exemplary embodiment, the terminal sends a MAC CE to the base station, which includes a recommended bit rate query message. The terminal receives the MAC CE carrying the recommended bit rate from the base station to facilitate codec rate adjustment in the event of network congestion.

[0120] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG1C, FIG1C is a schematic diagram of a MAC CE format according to an exemplary embodiment. The MAC CE may include: an LCID field, an uplink (UL) / downlink (DL) field, a bit rate field, an X field, and an R field.

[0121] In some embodiments, the LCID field is used to indicate the identifier of the logical channel to which recommended bit rate information or recommended bit rate query information is applicable; the length of the LCID field is 6 bits.

[0122] In some embodiments, the UL / DL field is used to indicate whether the recommended bit rate information or recommended bit rate query information is applicable to the uplink or downlink. The UL / DL field is 1 bit long. A bit value of 0 in the UL / DL field indicates that the recommended bit rate information or recommended bit rate query information is applicable to the downlink, and a bit value of 1 in the UL / DL field indicates that the recommended bit rate information or recommended bit rate query information is applicable to the uplink.

[0123] In some embodiments, the bitrate field can indicate recommended bitrate information or recommended bitrate query information. The bitrate field is 6 bits long. In one embodiment, when the MAC CE contains recommended bitrate information, the bitrate field is used to indicate a recommended bitrate value. In one embodiment, when the MAC CE contains recommended bitrate query information, the bitrate field is used to indicate a recommended bitrate value requested by the terminal. In one embodiment, the recommended bitrate value can come from a set of bitrate values ​​associated with the MAC CE (such as a second set), as shown in Table 1 below, wherein the set of bitrate values ​​includes 56 bitrate values. In one embodiment, each bitrate value in the set of bitrate values ​​is associated with an index. Based on this, the recommended bitrate value can be indicated by the index contained in the bitrate field.

[0124] Table 1

[0125] In some embodiments, the X field, i.e. the bit rate multiplier field, for terminals that support the recommended bit rate multiplier parameter, has a bit value of 1 when the logical channel indicated by the LCID field is configured with the bit rate multiplier parameter. This indicates that the actual value of the recommended bit rate is the recommended bit rate value corresponding to the index indicated by the bit rate field multiplied by the bit rate multiplier parameter. A bit value of 0 in the X field indicates that the actual value of the recommended bit rate is the recommended bit rate value corresponding to the index indicated by the bit rate field.

[0126] In some embodiments, the R field, i.e., the reserved field, has its bit value set to 0.

[0127] In one embodiment, the MAC CE in the above format can also be used by the terminal to request the recommended bit rate for the uplink or downlink from the network device.

[0128] In some embodiments, the granularity of network device assessment when evaluating network congestion can be data radio bearer (DRB) granularity (per DRB) or quality of service (QoS) flow granularity (per QoS flow), but the granularity of network device delivery of recommended bit rates has not yet been defined.

[0129] In some embodiments, the recommended bit rate issued by the network device can be at the DRB granularity.

[0130] In some embodiments, the recommended bit rate issued by the network device can be at the QoS flow granularity.

[0131] In some embodiments, for a recommended bit rate at the QoS flow granularity, the network device may use a first method or a second method to indicate the recommended bit rate.

[0132] In some embodiments, a first approach may be for the network device to indicate the recommended bit rate using a QoS flow-level MAC CE. In one embodiment, the network device may send a MAC CE to the terminal, the MAC CE being at the QoS flow level, and the MAC CE may be used to indicate the recommended bit rate for a given QoS flow.

[0133] In some embodiments, the second approach may be for the network device to use DRB-level MAC CE and RRC messages to indicate the recommended bit rate. In one embodiment, the network device may send a MAC CE to the terminal, the MAC CE being at the DRB level, and the MAC CE being used to indicate the recommended bit rate. The network device may also send an RRC message to the terminal, using the RRC message to indicate that the recommended bit rate indicated by the MAC CE is a recommended bit rate for a specific QoS flow.

[0134] Regarding the aforementioned method of network devices instructing terminals on recommended bit rates, no solution has yet been found for how the RRC layer should instruct them, and no solution has been found for how to implement the aforementioned instruction method in a CU-DU separated architecture.

[0135] To this end, embodiments of this disclosure propose an information processing method, communication device, communication system, storage medium, and program product, which refines the granularity of the recommended bit rate distribution to the QoS stream granularity, thereby enabling rate adjustment at the QoS stream granularity.

[0136] Figure 2A is an interactive schematic diagram of an information processing method according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in Figure 2A, this disclosure relates to an information processing method for a communication system 100. The method includes steps S2101 to S2105.

[0137] In step S2101, the terminal sends the fifth information to the network device.

[0138] In some embodiments, the terminal can send fifth information to other entities, which then forward the fifth information to the network device. In one example, where the network device is an SN, the terminal can send fifth information to an MN, which then forwards it to the SN. Alternatively, in another example, where the network device is an MN, the terminal can send fifth information to an SN, which then forwards it to the MN.

[0139] In some embodiments, the network device receives fifth information sent by the terminal, but is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the network device may receive fifth information from the terminal forwarded by another entity. In one example, if the network device is an SN, the SN may receive fifth information from the terminal forwarded by an MN. In another example, if the network device is an MN, the MN may receive fifth information from the terminal forwarded by the SN.

[0140] In some embodiments, the fifth message may be sent via SRB.

[0141] In one embodiment, when the network device is MN, the terminal can send the fifth information to MN via SRB1.

[0142] In one embodiment, when the network device is an SN and the SN is configured with SRB3, the terminal can send the fifth information to the SN through SRB3.

[0143] In one embodiment, when the network device is SN and SN is not configured with SRB3, the terminal can send the fifth information to MN through SRB1, and MN will forward the fifth information to SN.

[0144] In some embodiments, the fifth information may include one of the third and fourth instruction information.

[0145] In some embodiments, where the fifth information includes third indication information, the fifth information may be used to instruct the terminal to expect the network device to determine the bit rate for at least one third QoS stream.

[0146] In some embodiments, the third indication information can be used to indicate at least one third QoS flow. In one embodiment, the third indication information can indicate a first set, which may include identifiers of at least one third QoS flow. In one embodiment, the presentation format of the first set is not specifically limited; for example, the first set may be in the form of a table.

[0147] In some embodiments, where the fifth information includes the fourth indication information, the fifth information may be used to instruct the terminal to expect the network device to determine the bit rate for at least one second DRB.

[0148] In some embodiments, the fourth indication information may be used to indicate at least one second DRB. In one embodiment, the fourth information may indicate a second set, which may include the identifier of at least one second DRB. In one embodiment, the presentation format of the second set is not specifically limited; for example, the second set may be in the form of a table.

[0149] In one embodiment, the name of the fifth information is not limited; for example, it can be auxiliary information, UE assistance information, etc.

[0150] In some embodiments, the network device may send a sixth message to the terminal, the sixth message being used to configure the first timer.

[0151] In some embodiments, the first timer can be used to prevent the terminal from sending the fifth message during the operation of the first timer. In one embodiment, to limit the terminal from frequently sending the fifth message, the terminal can be configured with a first timer, thereby preventing the terminal from sending the fifth message to the network device during the operation of the first timer. After the first timer expires, the terminal can resend the fifth message to the network device. In one embodiment, the first timer can be a disable timer.

[0152] In some embodiments, the first timer may be configured by the terminal according to the protocol, in which case the network device does not need to send the sixth information to the terminal.

[0153] In some embodiments, the first timer may include one of the following: a second timer and a third timer.

[0154] In one embodiment, the second timer is a timer configured for each QoS flow. In one embodiment, after the terminal sends fifth information including third indication information to the network device, the terminal may start the second timer and stop sending the fifth information including the third indication information during the operation of the second timer.

[0155] In one embodiment, the third timer is a timer configured for each DRB. In one embodiment, after the terminal sends fifth information including fourth indication information to the network device, the terminal may start the third timer and stop sending the fifth information including the fourth indication information during the operation of the third timer.

[0156] In some embodiments, the terminal may also send a second MAC CE to the network device. In some embodiments, the second MAC CE may include seventh information, which indicates the first bit rate requested by the terminal.

[0157] In some embodiments, the granularity of the second MAC CE may include one of the following: QoS flow granularity, DRB granularity.

[0158] In some embodiments, the second MAC CE can be a QoS flow-level MAC CE. In one embodiment, the second MAC CE at the QoS flow level can be used to indicate the bit rate of the QoS flow granularity requested by the terminal.

[0159] In some embodiments, the second MAC CE may be a DRB-granular MAC CE. In one embodiment, the DRB-granular second MAC CE may be used to indicate the bit rate of the DRB granularity requested by the terminal. In one embodiment, the DRB-granular second MAC CE may also be used to indicate the bit rate of the QoS stream granularity requested by the terminal.

[0160] In some embodiments, the terminal can determine the granularity of the second MAC CE based on protocol conventions. In one embodiment, the terminal's MAC layer can determine the granularity of the second MAC CE according to protocol conventions. In one embodiment, the MAC layer determines the granularity of the second MAC CE to be QoS flow granularity based on protocol conventions, thereby enabling the MAC layer to determine the requested recommended bit rate for each QoS flow. In one embodiment, the MAC layer determines the granularity of the second MAC CE to be DRB granularity based on protocol conventions, thereby enabling the MAC layer to determine the requested recommended bit rate for each DRB.

[0161] In some embodiments, the terminal can determine the granularity of the second MAC CE itself. In one embodiment, the terminal's MAC layer can determine the granularity of the second MAC CE based on an instruction from the terminal's RRC layer. In one embodiment, the RRC layer can indicate to the MAC layer that the granularity of the second MAC CE is QoS flow granularity, so that the MAC layer can determine the requested recommended bit rate for each QoS flow. In one embodiment, the RRC layer can indicate to the MAC layer that the granularity of the second MAC CE is DRB granularity, so that the MAC layer can determine the requested recommended bit rate for each DRB.

[0162] In some embodiments, when the second MAC CE is a QoS flow-level MAC CE, the second MAC CE can also be used to indicate at least one first QoS flow. In one embodiment, when the granularity of the second MAC CE is a QoS flow-level MAC CE, the terminal can indicate the first bit rate requested by the terminal and at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate by sending the first MAC CE separately; that is, the terminal can indicate the first bit rate requested by the terminal and at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate by the first method described above.

[0163] In some embodiments, when the second MAC CE is a MAC CE at the DRB flow granularity, the terminal may also send a second RRC message to the network device. In one embodiment, when the granularity of the second MAC CE is at the DRB granularity, the terminal can indicate the first bit rate requested by the terminal and at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate by sending the second MAC CE and the second RRC message. That is, the terminal can indicate the first bit rate requested by the terminal and at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate by the second method described above.

[0164] In some embodiments, the step of the terminal sending a second MAC CE to the network device is not necessary. For example, the network device can proactively send a first MAC CE to the terminal without the terminal needing to send a second MAC CE first.

[0165] In some embodiments, the terminal may send capability information to the network device, which may be used to indicate that the terminal supports the bit rate of the QoS flow granularity indicated by the first MAC CE. In one embodiment, the terminal may send capability information to the network device so that the network device can determine whether to send the first MAC CE to the terminal based on the capability information.

[0166] In step S2102, the network device determines the granularity of the first MAC CE.

[0167] In some embodiments, the granularity of the first MAC CE may include one of the following: QoS flow granularity, DRB granularity.

[0168] In some embodiments, the first MAC CE can be a QoS flow-level MAC CE. In one embodiment, the first QoS flow-level MAC CE can be used to indicate the bit rate of the QoS flow granularity recommended by the network device.

[0169] In some embodiments, the first MAC CE may be a DRB-granular MAC CE. In one embodiment, the DRB-granular first MAC CE may be used to indicate the bit rate of the DRB granularity recommended by the network device. In one embodiment, the DRB-granular first MAC CE may also be used to indicate the bit rate of the QoS flow granularity recommended by the network device.

[0170] In some embodiments, the network device can determine the granularity of the first MAC CE based on protocol conventions. In one embodiment, the MAC layer of the network device can determine the granularity of the first MAC CE according to protocol conventions. In one embodiment, the MAC layer determines the granularity of the first MAC CE to be QoS flow granularity based on protocol conventions, thereby enabling the MAC layer to determine a recommended bit rate for each QoS flow to achieve rate adjustment at the QoS flow granularity. In one embodiment, the MAC layer determines the granularity of the first MAC CE to be DRB granularity based on protocol conventions, thereby enabling the MAC layer to determine a recommended bit rate for each DRB to achieve rate adjustment at the DRB granularity.

[0171] In some embodiments, the network device can determine the granularity of the first MAC CE itself. In one embodiment, the MAC layer of the network device can determine the granularity of the first MAC CE according to the instruction of the RRC layer of the network device. In one embodiment, the RRC layer can indicate to the MAC layer that the granularity of the first MAC CE is QoS flow granularity, so that the MAC layer can determine a recommended bit rate for each QoS flow to achieve rate adjustment at the QoS flow granularity. In one embodiment, the RRC layer can indicate to the MAC layer that the granularity of the first MAC CE is DRB granularity, so that the MAC layer can determine a recommended bit rate for each DRB to achieve rate adjustment at the DRB granularity.

[0172] In some embodiments, where the granularity of the first MAC CE is DRB granularity and the first MAC CE is used to indicate the bit rate of QoS flow granularity, the RRC layer may send third information to the MAC layer. In one embodiment, the third information may be used to indicate at least one first QoS flow. In one embodiment, to achieve finer-grained rate adjustment (e.g., rate adjustment at the QoS flow granularity) using the first MAC CE with DRB granularity, the RRC layer may send third information to the MAC layer to inform the MAC layer of at least one first QoS flow, so that the MAC layer can determine the first bit rate indicated by the first MAC CE based on the at least one first QoS flow indicated by the third information. In one embodiment, the first bit rate may be the bit rate for at least one first QoS flow.

[0173] In some embodiments, when the granularity of the first MAC CE is DRB granularity, the at least one first QoS flow targeted by the first bit rate indicated by the first MAC CE can be determined by the RRC layer or the MAC layer. In one embodiment, when the first MAC CE sent by the MAC layer indicates a recommended bit rate command at per DRB granularity, the MAC layer or the RRC layer can determine which target QoS flow lists the recommended bit rate command indicated by the per DRB granularity MAC CE is targeted at.

[0174] In some embodiments, the RRC layer may determine at least one first QoS flow before sending third information to the MAC layer. In one embodiment, the RRC layer decides which target QoS flow lists the recommended bit rate command indicated by the MAC CE at the per DRB granularity is for.

[0175] In some embodiments, the RRC layer may determine at least one first QoS flow based on the fifth information sent by the terminal.

[0176] In one embodiment, the description of the fifth information can be found in the description of the fifth information in step S2101, and will not be repeated here.

[0177] In one embodiment, when the RRC layer receives fifth information sent by the terminal, and the fifth information includes third indication information, the RRC layer can select at least one first QoS flow from at least one third QoS flow indicated by the third indication information. In another embodiment, when the RRC layer receives fifth information sent by the terminal, and the fifth information includes fourth indication information, the RRC layer can select a first DRB from at least one second DRB indicated by the fourth indication information, and select at least one first QoS flow from the plurality of QoS flows carried by the first DRB.

[0178] In some embodiments, the RRC layer may determine at least one first QoS flow based on the fourth information sent by the MAC layer.

[0179] In some embodiments, the fourth information can be used by the RRC layer to determine at least one first QoS flow.

[0180] In some embodiments, the fourth information may include one of the first indication information and the second indication information.

[0181] In some embodiments, where the fourth information includes the first indication information, the RRC layer can select at least one first QoS flow from at least one second QoS flow determined by the MAC layer.

[0182] In some embodiments, the first indication information can be used to indicate at least one second QoS flow, which can be carried in the same DRB. In one embodiment, the second QoS flow can be a candidate QoS flow provided by the MAC layer. In one embodiment, the MAC layer can use the first indication information to notify the RRC layer of at least one candidate QoS flow (i.e., the second QoS flow), so that the RRC layer can select a first QoS flow from the at least one candidate QoS flow. In this case, the at least one first QoS flow is determined by the RRC layer in the final decision, and the MAC layer only provides the candidate QoS flows to the RRC layer to assist the RRC layer in making the final decision. In one embodiment, the MAC layer can provide the first indication information to the RRC layer so that the RRC layer can determine the issuance strategy of the recommended bit rate command indicated in the MAC CE, that is, the MAC layer can provide the first indication information to the RRC layer to assist the RRC layer in deciding which target QoS flow lists the recommended bit rate command indicated by the MAC CE at the per DRB granularity is for.

[0183] In some embodiments, where the fourth information includes the second indication information, the RRC layer can learn about at least one first QoS flow determined by the MAC layer.

[0184] In some embodiments, the second indication information can be used to indicate at least one first QoS flow, which can be carried in the same DRB. In one embodiment, the first QoS flow can be determined by the MAC layer. In one embodiment, after determining at least one first QoS flow, the MAC layer can use the second indication information to notify the RRC layer of the at least one first QoS flow it has determined, so that the RRC layer can subsequently notify the terminal. In this case, the at least one first QoS flow is determined by the MAC layer through a final decision, and the MAC layer only notifies the RRC layer of the at least one first QoS flow it has determined. In one embodiment, the MAC layer decides which target QoS flow lists the recommended bit rate command indicated by the MAC CE at the per DRB granularity is for, so the MAC layer can use the second indication information to notify the RRC layer of the target QoS flow list, so that the RRC layer can distribute this information.

[0185] In one embodiment, the step of the RRC layer sending the third information to the MAC layer is not necessary. For example, if the fourth information received by the RRC layer includes the second indication information, since at least one first QoS flow is determined by the MAC layer, the RRC layer may not need to send the third information to the MAC layer to inform at least one first QoS flow.

[0186] In step S2103, the network device sends a first MAC CE to the terminal.

[0187] In some embodiments, the terminal receives a first MAC CE sent by the network device.

[0188] In some embodiments, the first MAC CE may include first information, which indicates a first bit rate recommended by the network device.

[0189] In some embodiments, the first bit rate may be the bit rate for at least one first QoS stream. In one embodiment, the first bit rate indicated by the first MAC CE may be the bit rate at the QoS stream granularity.

[0190] In one embodiment, when the granularity of the first MAC CE is the QoS flow granularity, the network device can indicate the first bit rate and at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate by sending the first MAC CE separately. That is, the network device can indicate the first bit rate and at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate in the first way described above. At this time, the network device does not need to send the first RRC message to the terminal, and step S2104 can be omitted.

[0191] In one embodiment, when the granularity of the first MAC CE is the DRB granularity, the network device can indicate the first bit rate and at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate by sending the first MAC CE and the first RRC message. That is, the network device can indicate the first bit rate and at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate by the second method described above.

[0192] In some embodiments, the first MAC CE may further include one of the first identification information and the second identification information.

[0193] In some embodiments, the first identification information is used to identify the first DRB. In one embodiment, the first identification information may be a DRB identifier. In one embodiment, when the first MAC CE is a MAC CE at the DRB granularity, the first MAC CE may include the DRB identifier.

[0194] In some embodiments, the second identification information can be used to identify the first QoS flow. In one example, the second identification information can be a QoS flow identity (QFI). In one embodiment, when the first MAC CE is a QoS flow-level MAC CE, the first MAC CE may include a QFI.

[0195] In some embodiments, the first DRB may be the DRB to which at least one first QoS flow belongs.

[0196] In some embodiments, the first DRB may include one of an MCG bearer and an SCG bearer. In one embodiment, the MCG bearer may be a data bearer between the terminal and the MN. In another embodiment, the SCG bearer may be a data bearer between the terminal and the SN.

[0197] In some embodiments, when the first DRB is an MCG bearer, the first MAC CE may be sent by the MN. In some embodiments, when the first DRB is an SCG bearer, the first MAC CE may be sent by the SN.

[0198] In some embodiments, the first DRB is associated with the MAC layer of the network device that sent the first MAC CE. In one embodiment, the first DRB is a DRB configured with rate control and associated with a specific RLC entity. In one embodiment, the specific RLC entity is associated with the MAC entity that sent the MAC CE.

[0199] In one embodiment, when the first DRB is an MCG bearer, the first DRB is associated with the MAC layer of the MN. In one embodiment, the first DRB may be sent by the MAC layer of the MN. In one embodiment, when the first DRB is an SCG bearer, the first DRB is associated with the MAC layer of the SN. In one embodiment, the first DRB may be sent by the MAC layer of the SN.

[0200] In step S2104, the network device sends a first RRC message to the terminal.

[0201] In some embodiments, the terminal may receive a first RRC message sent by the network device.

[0202] In some embodiments, when the granularity of the first MAC CE is at the DRB granularity, the network device may send a first RRC message to the terminal. In some embodiments, the first RRC message may include second information for indicating at least one first QoS flow. In one embodiment, the RRC layer of the network device may send the first RRC message to the terminal to inform the terminal of at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate indicated by the first MAC CE using the second information in the first RRC message, so that the terminal can adjust the rate of at least one first QoS flow based on the first bit rate indicated by the first MAC CE, thereby realizing rate adjustment at the QoS flow granularity.

[0203] In one embodiment, the second information may include a third set, which may include the identifier of at least one first QoS flow. In one embodiment, the presentation format of the third set is not specifically limited; for example, the third set may be in the form of a table.

[0204] In step S2105, the terminal determines the first bit rate and at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate.

[0205] In some embodiments, when a terminal receives a first MAC CE sent by a network device, the terminal can determine a first bit rate and at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate based on the first MAC CE. In one embodiment, when the terminal only receives a first MAC CE sent by a network device, the terminal can determine that the first MAC CE is a QoS flow-level MAC CE. Based on this, the terminal can determine the first bit rate and at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate based on the first MAC CE, so that the terminal can perform rate adjustment on at least one first QoS flow based on the first bit rate.

[0206] In some embodiments, when a terminal receives a first MAC CE and a first RRC message sent by a network device, the terminal can determine a first bit rate and at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate based on the first MAC CE and the first RRC message. In one embodiment, when a terminal receives a first MAC CE and a first RRC message sent by a network device, the terminal can determine that the first MAC CE is a DRB-level MAC CE. Based on this, the terminal can determine the first bit rate based on the first MAC CE and determine at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate based on the first RRC message, so that the terminal can perform rate adjustment on at least one first QoS flow based on the first bit rate.

[0207] In some embodiments, the terms “assign,” “set,” “configure,” “determine,” “generate,” etc., may be used interchangeably.

[0208] In some embodiments, the term "information" may be used interchangeably with terms such as "message," "signal," "signaling," "report," "configuration," "indication," "instruction," "command," "channel," "parameter," "field," and "data."

[0209] In some embodiments, the term "send" may be used interchangeably with terms such as "transmit," "report," or "transmit."

[0210] The information processing method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S2101 to S2105. For example, steps S2102 to S2103 combined with step S2105 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, or steps S2101 to S2103 combined with step S2105 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but it is not limited thereto.

[0211] In some embodiments, step S2104 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0212] In some embodiments, step S2101 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0213] In some embodiments, the steps and their optional implementations in other embodiments described before or after this embodiment, as well as other related parts in the specification, can be referred to, and will not be repeated here.

[0214] Figure 2B is a schematic diagram of an information processing method according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in Figure 2B, this disclosure relates to an information processing method for a communication system 100. The method includes steps S2201 to S2207.

[0215] In some embodiments, the network device may adopt a CU-DU separation architecture, meaning the network device may consist of a CU and a DU. In one embodiment, the CU may include a CP and a UP. In one embodiment, the CP of the CU (CU-CP) and the UP of the CU (CU-UP) may be on different physical devices. Alternatively, the CU-CP and CU-UP may be on the same physical device.

[0216] In one embodiment, when the CU-CP and CU-UP are deployed on different physical devices, the CU-CP and CU-UP can communicate with each other via the E1 interface. In another embodiment, the CU-CP and DU can communicate with each other via the F1-C interface; the CU-UP and DU can communicate with each other via the F1-U interface.

[0217] In step S2201, the terminal sends the fifth information to the first network device or the second network device.

[0218] In some embodiments, the terminal may send fifth information to a first network device. In one embodiment, the terminal may send the fifth information to another entity, which then forwards the fifth information to the first network device. In one example, the terminal may send the fifth information to a second network device, which then forwards the fifth information to the first network device.

[0219] In one embodiment, the terminal may send the fifth information to a second network device. In another embodiment, the terminal may send the fifth information to another entity, which then forwards the fifth information to the second network device. In one example, the terminal may send the fifth information to a first network device, which then forwards the fifth information to the second network device.

[0220] In some embodiments, the first network device may receive fifth information sent by the terminal, but is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the first network device may receive fifth information from the terminal forwarded by the second network device.

[0221] In some embodiments, the second network device may receive fifth information sent by the terminal, but is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the second network device may receive fifth information from the terminal forwarded by the first network device.

[0222] In some embodiments, the first network device may be a CU-CP. In one example, the first network device may be a gNB-CU-CP. In one embodiment, the CU-CP may be deployed with an RRC layer and a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer.

[0223] In some embodiments, the second network device may be a DU. In one embodiment, the second network device may be a gNB-DU. In one embodiment, the DU may be deployed with a MAC layer, a Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, and a Physical Layer (PHY).

[0224] In some embodiments, the fifth message may be sent via SRB.

[0225] In one embodiment, when the first network device is the CU-CP of MN and the second network device is the DU of MN, the terminal can send the fifth information to the CU-CP or DU of MN via SRB1.

[0226] In one embodiment, when the first network device is the CU-CP of the SN, the second network device is the DU of the SN, and the SN is configured with SRB3, the terminal can send the fifth information to the CU-CP or DU of the SN through SRB3.

[0227] In one embodiment, when the first network device is the CU-CP of the SN, the second network device is the DU of the SN, and the SN is not configured with SRB3, the terminal can send the fifth information to the CU-CP or DU of the MN through SRB1, and forward the fifth information to the CU-CP or DU of the SN via the CU-CP or DU of the MN.

[0228] In some embodiments, the fifth information may include one of the third and fourth instruction information.

[0229] In some embodiments, where the fifth information includes third indication information, the fifth information may be used to instruct the terminal to expect the network device to determine the bit rate for at least one third QoS stream.

[0230] In some embodiments, the third indication information can be used to indicate at least one third QoS flow. In one embodiment, the third indication information can indicate a first set, which may include identifiers of at least one third QoS flow. In one embodiment, the presentation format of the first set is not specifically limited; for example, the first set may be in the form of a table.

[0231] In some embodiments, where the fifth information includes the fourth indication information, the fifth information may be used to instruct the terminal to expect the network device to determine the bit rate for at least one second DRB.

[0232] In some embodiments, the fourth indication information may be used to indicate at least one second DRB. In one embodiment, the fourth information may indicate a second set, which may include the identifier of at least one second DRB. In one embodiment, the presentation format of the second set is not specifically limited; for example, the second set may be in the form of a table.

[0233] In one embodiment, the name of the fifth information is not limited; for example, it can be auxiliary information, UE assistance information, etc.

[0234] In some embodiments, the first network device or the second network device may send sixth information to the terminal, the sixth information being used to configure the first timer.

[0235] In some embodiments, the first timer can be used to prevent the terminal from sending the fifth message during the operation of the first timer. In one embodiment, in order to limit the terminal from frequently sending the fifth message, the terminal can be configured with a first timer, thereby preventing the terminal from sending the fifth message to the first network device or the second network device during the operation of the first timer. After the first timer expires, the terminal can resend the fifth message to the first network device or the second network device. In one embodiment, the first timer can be a disable timer.

[0236] In some embodiments, the first timer may be configured by the terminal according to the protocol, in which case the first network device or the second network device does not need to send the sixth information to the terminal.

[0237] In some embodiments, the first timer may include one of the following: a second timer and a third timer.

[0238] In one embodiment, the second timer is a timer configured for each QoS flow. In one embodiment, after the terminal sends fifth information including third indication information to the first network device or the second network device, the terminal may start the second timer and stop sending the fifth information including the third indication information during the operation of the second timer.

[0239] In one embodiment, the third timer is a timer configured for each DRB. In one embodiment, after the terminal sends fifth information including fourth indication information to the first network device or the second network device, the terminal may start the third timer and stop sending the fifth information including the fourth indication information during the operation of the third timer.

[0240] In some embodiments, the terminal may also send a second MAC CE to a second network device. In some embodiments, the second MAC CE may include seventh information, which indicates the first bit rate requested by the terminal.

[0241] In some embodiments, the granularity of the second MAC CE may include one of the following: QoS flow granularity, DRB granularity.

[0242] In some embodiments, the second MAC CE can be a QoS flow-level MAC CE. In one embodiment, the second MAC CE at the QoS flow level can be used to indicate the bit rate of the QoS flow granularity requested by the terminal.

[0243] In some embodiments, the second MAC CE may be a DRB-granular MAC CE. In one embodiment, the DRB-granular second MAC CE may be used to indicate the bit rate of the DRB granularity requested by the terminal. In one embodiment, the DRB-granular second MAC CE may also be used to indicate the bit rate of the QoS stream granularity requested by the terminal.

[0244] In some embodiments, the terminal can determine the granularity of the second MAC CE based on protocol conventions. In one embodiment, the terminal's MAC layer can determine the granularity of the second MAC CE according to protocol conventions. In one embodiment, the MAC layer determines the granularity of the second MAC CE to be QoS flow granularity based on protocol conventions, thereby enabling the MAC layer to determine the requested recommended bit rate for each QoS flow. In one embodiment, the MAC layer determines the granularity of the second MAC CE to be DRB granularity based on protocol conventions, thereby enabling the MAC layer to determine the requested recommended bit rate for each DRB.

[0245] In some embodiments, the terminal can determine the granularity of the second MAC CE itself. In one embodiment, the terminal's MAC layer can determine the granularity of the second MAC CE based on an instruction from the terminal's RRC layer. In one embodiment, the RRC layer can indicate to the MAC layer that the granularity of the second MAC CE is QoS flow granularity, so that the MAC layer can determine the requested recommended bit rate for each QoS flow. In one embodiment, the RRC layer can indicate to the MAC layer that the granularity of the second MAC CE is DRB granularity, so that the MAC layer can determine the requested recommended bit rate for each DRB.

[0246] In some embodiments, when the second MAC CE is a QoS flow-level MAC CE, the second MAC CE can also be used to indicate at least one first QoS flow. In one embodiment, when the granularity of the second MAC CE is a QoS flow-level MAC CE, the terminal can indicate the first bit rate requested by the terminal and at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate by sending the first MAC CE separately; that is, the terminal can indicate the first bit rate requested by the terminal and at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate by the first method described above.

[0247] In some embodiments, when the second MAC CE is a MAC CE at the DRB flow granularity, the terminal may also send a second RRC message to the first network device. In one embodiment, when the granularity of the second MAC CE is at the DRB granularity, the terminal can indicate the first bit rate requested by the terminal and at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate by sending the second MAC CE and the second RRC message. That is, the terminal can indicate the first bit rate requested by the terminal and at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate by the second method described above.

[0248] In some embodiments, the step of the terminal sending a second MAC CE to the second network device is not necessary. For example, the second network device can actively send a first MAC CE to the terminal without the terminal needing to send a second MAC CE first.

[0249] In some embodiments, the terminal may send capability information to a first network device or a second network device. This capability information may be used to indicate that the terminal supports the bit rate of the QoS flow granularity indicated by the first MAC CE. In one embodiment, the terminal may send capability information to the first network device or the second network device so that the first network device or the second network device determines whether to send the first MAC CE to the terminal based on the capability information.

[0250] In step S2202, the second network device determines the granularity of the first MAC CE.

[0251] In some embodiments, the granularity of the first MAC CE may include one of the following: QoS flow granularity, DRB granularity.

[0252] In some embodiments, the first MAC CE may be a QoS flow-level MAC CE. In one embodiment, the QoS flow-level MAC CE may be used to indicate the bit rate of the QoS flow granularity recommended by the network device.

[0253] In some embodiments, the second network device may determine the granularity of the first MAC CE based on protocol conventions. In one embodiment, the second network device determines the granularity of the first MAC CE to be QoS flow granularity based on protocol conventions, thereby enabling the second network device to determine a recommended bit rate for each QoS flow to achieve rate adjustment at the QoS flow granularity. In another embodiment, the second network device determines the granularity of the first MAC CE to be DRB granularity based on protocol conventions, thereby enabling the second network device to determine a recommended bit rate for each DRB to achieve rate adjustment at the DRB granularity.

[0254] In some embodiments, the second network device may determine the granularity of the first MAC CE based on an instruction from the first network device. In one embodiment, the first network device may indicate to the second network device that the granularity of the first MAC CE is QoS flow granularity, so that the second network device can determine a recommended bit rate for each QoS flow to achieve rate adjustment at the QoS flow granularity. In one embodiment, the first network device may indicate to the second network device that the granularity of the first MAC CE is DRB granularity, so that the second network device can determine a recommended bit rate for each DRB to achieve rate adjustment at the DRB granularity.

[0255] In some embodiments, the second network device may send a ninth message to the first network device. In one embodiment, the second network device may send the ninth message to the first network device via, for example, an F1-C interface. In one embodiment, the ninth message may be used to indicate the granularity of the first MAC CE.

[0256] In step S2203, the second network device sends the fourth information to the first network device.

[0257] In some embodiments, the second network device may send fourth information to the first network device via, for example, an F1-C interface.

[0258] In some embodiments, the first network device receives fourth information sent by the second network device, but is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the first network device may receive the fourth information sent by the second network device via, for example, an F1-C interface.

[0259] In one example, with the RRC layer in the CU-CP entity and the MAC layer in the DU entity, the fourth message from the MAC layer to the RRC layer needs to go through the F1-C interface, and the fourth message needs to be sent from the DU entity to the CU-CP entity.

[0260] In some embodiments, the fourth information may be used by the first network device to determine at least one first QoS flow. In one embodiment, the first QoS flow is the QoS flow corresponding to a first bit rate indicated by the first MAC CE. In another embodiment, the first bit rate indicated by the first MAC CE may be the bit rate for at least one first QoS flow.

[0261] In some embodiments, where the granularity of the first MAC CE is the DRB granularity and the first MAC CE is used to indicate the bit rate of the QoS flow granularity, the second network device may send fourth information to the first network device to assist the first network device in determining at least one first QoS flow using the fourth information.

[0262] In some embodiments, the fourth information may include one of the first indication information and the second indication information.

[0263] In some embodiments, where the fourth information includes first indication information, the first network device may select a first QoS flow from at least one second QoS flow determined by the second network device.

[0264] In some embodiments, the first indication information can be used to indicate at least one second QoS flow, which can be carried in the same DRB. In one embodiment, the second QoS flow can be a candidate QoS flow provided by a second network device. In one embodiment, the second network device can use the first indication information to notify the first network device of at least one candidate QoS flow (i.e., the second QoS flow), so that the first network device can select a first QoS flow from the at least one candidate QoS flow. In this case, the at least one first QoS flow is determined by the first network device in the final decision, and the second network device only provides the candidate QoS flow to the first network device to assist the first network device in making the final decision. In one embodiment, the MAC layer can provide the first indication information to the RRC layer so that the RRC layer can determine the distribution strategy of the recommended bit rate command indicated in the MAC CE. That is, the MAC layer can provide the first indication information to the RRC layer to assist the RRC layer in deciding which target QoS flow lists the recommended bit rate command indicated by the MAC CE at the per DRB granularity is for.

[0265] In some embodiments, where the fourth information includes second indication information, the first network device may be aware of at least one first QoS flow determined by the second network device.

[0266] In some embodiments, the second indication information can be used to indicate at least one first QoS flow, which can be carried in the same DRB. In one embodiment, the first QoS flow can be determined by a second network device. In one embodiment, after determining at least one first QoS flow, the second network device can use the second indication information to notify the first network device of the at least one first QoS flow it has determined, so that the first network device can subsequently notify the terminal. In this case, the at least one first QoS flow is determined by the second network device through a final decision, and the second network device only notifies the first network device of the at least one first QoS flow it has determined.

[0267] In some embodiments, the step of the second network device sending the fourth information to the first network device is not necessary. For example, if the first network device determines at least one first QoS flow based on the fifth information sent by the terminal, the second network device does not need to send the fourth information to the first network device, and step S2204 can be omitted.

[0268] In step S2204, the first network device sends third information to the second network device.

[0269] In some embodiments, the first network device may send third information to the second network device via, for example, an F1-C interface.

[0270] In some embodiments, the second network device may receive third information sent by the first network device, but is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the second network device may receive the third information sent by the first network device via, for example, an F1-C interface.

[0271] In one example, with the RRC layer in the CU-CP entity and the MAC layer in the DU entity, the third information notified by the RRC layer to the MAC layer needs to go through the F1-C interface, and the third information needs to be sent from the CU-CP entity to the DU entity.

[0272] In some embodiments, where the granularity of the first MAC CE is DRB granularity and the first MAC CE is used to indicate the bit rate of QoS flow granularity, the first network device may send third information to the second network device. In one embodiment, the third information may be used to indicate at least one first QoS flow. In one embodiment, to achieve finer-grained rate adjustment (e.g., rate adjustment at the QoS flow granularity) using the first MAC CE with DRB granularity, the first network device may send third information to the second network device to inform the second network device of at least one first QoS flow, so that the second network device can determine the first bit rate indicated by the first MAC CE based on the at least one first QoS flow indicated by the third information. In one embodiment, the first bit rate may be the bit rate for at least one first QoS flow.

[0273] In some embodiments, when the granularity of the first MAC CE is DRB granularity, the at least one first QoS flow targeted by the first bit rate indicated by the first MAC CE can be determined by the RRC layer or the MAC layer. In one embodiment, when the first MAC CE sent by the MAC layer indicates a recommended bit rate command at per DRB granularity, the MAC layer or the RRC layer can determine which target QoS flow lists the recommended bit rate command indicated by the per DRB granularity MAC CE is targeted at.

[0274] In some embodiments, before the first network device sends third information to the second network device, the first network device may determine at least one first QoS flow. In one embodiment, the RRC layer determines which target QoS flow list the recommended bit rate command indicated by the MAC CE at the per DRB granularity is for.

[0275] In some embodiments, the first network device may determine at least one first QoS flow based on fifth information sent by the terminal.

[0276] In one embodiment, the description of the fifth information can be found in the description of the fifth information in step S2201, and will not be repeated here.

[0277] In one embodiment, when the first network device receives fifth information sent by the terminal, and the fifth information includes third indication information, the first network device can select at least one first QoS flow from at least one third QoS flow indicated by the third indication information. In another embodiment, when the first network device receives fifth information sent by the terminal, and the fifth information includes fourth indication information, the first network device can select a first DRB from at least one second DRB indicated by the fourth indication information, and select at least one first QoS flow from the plurality of QoS flows carried by the first DRB.

[0278] In some embodiments, the first network device may determine at least one first QoS flow based on fourth information sent by the second network device.

[0279] In one embodiment, the description of the fourth information can be found in the description of the fourth information in step S2203, and will not be repeated here.

[0280] In some embodiments, when a first network device receives fourth information sent by a second network device, and the fourth information includes first indication information, the first network device can select at least one first QoS flow from at least one second QoS flow determined by the second network device. In one embodiment, the MAC layer can provide the first indication information to the RRC layer so that the RRC layer can determine the distribution strategy of the recommended bit rate command indicated in the MAC CE; that is, the MAC layer can provide the first indication information to the RRC layer to assist the RRC layer in deciding which target QoS flow lists the recommended bit rate command indicated by the MAC CE at the per DRB granularity is targeted at.

[0281] In one embodiment, when a first network device receives fourth information sent by a second network device, and the fourth information includes second indication information, the first network device can learn about at least one first QoS flow determined by the second network device. In one embodiment, the MAC layer determines which target QoS flow lists the recommended bit rate command indicated by the MAC CE at the per DRB granularity is applied to. Therefore, the MAC layer can use the second indication information to notify the RRC layer of the target QoS flow list so that the RRC layer can distribute the information.

[0282] In one embodiment, the step of the first network device sending third information to the second network device is not necessary. For example, if the fourth information received by the first network device includes second indication information, since at least one first QoS flow is determined by the second network device, the first network device may not need to send third information to the second network device to inform at least one first QoS flow. In this case, step S2204 can be omitted.

[0283] In step S2205, the second network device sends a first MAC CE to the terminal.

[0284] In some embodiments, the terminal receives a first MAC CE sent by a second network device.

[0285] In some embodiments, the first MAC CE may include first information, which indicates a first bit rate recommended by the second network device.

[0286] In some embodiments, the first bit rate may be the bit rate for at least one first QoS stream. In one embodiment, the first bit rate indicated by the first MAC CE may be the bit rate at the QoS stream granularity.

[0287] In one embodiment, when the granularity of the first MAC CE is the QoS flow granularity, the first bit rate can be indicated by sending the first MAC CE separately, that is, the first bit rate can be indicated by the first method described above. In this case, the first network device does not need to send the first RRC message to the terminal, and step S2205 can be omitted.

[0288] In one embodiment, when the granularity of the first MAC CE is the DRB granularity, the bit rate for at least one first QoS stream can be indicated by sending the first MAC CE and the first RRC message, that is, the first bit rate can be indicated by the second method described above.

[0289] In some embodiments, the first MAC CE may further include first identification information, which indicates a first DRB. In one embodiment, the first DRB may be the DRB to which at least one first QoS flow belongs.

[0290] In some embodiments, the first identification information can be used to uniquely identify the first DRB. In one embodiment, the first DRB can be the DRB identified by the first identification information. In one embodiment, the first identification information can be a DRB identifier. In one embodiment, when the first MAC CE is a MAC CE at the DRB granularity, the first MAC CE can include the DRB identifier.

[0291] In some embodiments, the first identification information can be used to uniquely identify a first QoS flow. In one embodiment, the first DRB can be the DRB to which the first QoS flow identified by the first identification information belongs. In one example, the second identification information can be a QoS flow identity (QFI). In one embodiment, when the first MAC CE is a QoS flow-level MAC CE, the first MAC CE may include a QFI.

[0292] In some embodiments, the first DRB may include one of an MCG bearer and an SCG bearer. In one embodiment, the MCG bearer may be a data bearer between the terminal and the MN. In another embodiment, the SCG bearer may be a data bearer between the terminal and the SN. In some embodiments, when the first DRB is an MCG bearer, the first MAC CE may be sent by the DU of the MN, in which case the second network device may be the DU of the MN. In some embodiments, when the first DRB is an SCG bearer, the first MAC CE may be sent by the DU of the SN, in which case the second network device may be the DU of the SN.

[0293] In step S2206, the first network device sends a first RRC message to the terminal.

[0294] In some embodiments, the terminal may receive a first RRC message sent by a first network device.

[0295] In some embodiments, when the granularity of the first MAC CE is at the DRB granularity, the first network device may send a first RRC message to the terminal. In some embodiments, the first RRC message may include second information, which is used to indicate at least one first QoS flow. In one embodiment, the RRC layer of the first network device may send the first RRC message to the terminal to inform the terminal of at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate indicated by the first MAC CE using the second information in the first RRC message, so that the terminal can adjust the rate of at least one first QoS flow based on the first bit rate indicated by the first MAC CE, thereby realizing rate adjustment at the QoS flow granularity.

[0296] In one embodiment, the second information may include a third set, which may include the identifier of at least one first QoS flow. In one embodiment, the presentation format of the third set is not specifically limited; for example, the third set may be in the form of a table.

[0297] In step S2207, the terminal determines the first bit rate and at least one first QoS flow corresponding to the first bit rate.

[0298] In some embodiments, other optional implementations of step S2206 can be found in the optional implementations of step S2105 in FIG2A and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0299] In some embodiments, the term "information" may be used interchangeably with terms such as "message," "signal," "signaling," "report," "configuration," "indication," "instruction," "command," "channel," "parameter," "field," and "data."

[0300] In some embodiments, the term "send" may be used interchangeably with terms such as "transmit," "report," or "transmit."

[0301] The information processing method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S2201 to S2207. For example, steps S2202 and S2203 combined with steps S2205 to S2207 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S2202 combined with steps S2204 to S2207 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S2202 combined with steps S2205 and S2207 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and steps S2202 to S2207 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but are not limited thereto.

[0302] In some embodiments, step S2201 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0303] In some embodiments, step S2203 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0304] In some embodiments, step S2204 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0305] In some embodiments, step S2206 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0306] In some embodiments, the steps and their optional implementations in other embodiments described before or after this embodiment, as well as other related parts in the specification, can be referred to, and will not be repeated here.

[0307] Figure 3 is an interactive schematic diagram of an information processing method according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the embodiments of this disclosure relate to an information processing method, which includes step S3101.

[0308] Step S3101: The network device sends the first MAC CE to the terminal.

[0309] In some embodiments, the first MAC CE includes first information, which indicates a first bit rate recommended by the network device.

[0310] In some embodiments, the first bit rate is the bit rate for at least one first QoS stream.

[0311] In some embodiments, where the granularity of the first MAC CE is the QoS flow granularity, the first MAC CE can also be used to indicate at least one first QoS flow.

[0312] In some embodiments, when the granularity of the first MAC CE is the DRB granularity, the network device sends a first RRC message to the terminal. The first RRC message may include second information, which is used to indicate at least one first QoS flow.

[0313] In some embodiments, at least one first QoS flow may be carried in the same DRB.

[0314] In one embodiment, the granularity of the first MAC CE is determined according to a protocol agreement. In another embodiment, the granularity of the first MAC CE is determined by the network device. In yet another embodiment, the RRC layer can indicate the granularity of the first MAC CE to the MAC layer.

[0315] In some embodiments, when the granularity of the first MAC CE is the DRB granularity, the RRC layer may send third information to the MAC layer, which may be used to indicate at least one first QoS flow.

[0316] In some embodiments, the MAC layer may send fourth information to the RRC layer, which is used by the RRC layer to determine at least one first QoS flow.

[0317] In some embodiments, the fourth information may include one of the first indication information and the second indication information.

[0318] In some embodiments, the first indication information may be used to indicate at least one second QoS flow.

[0319] In some embodiments, the second indication information may be used to indicate at least one first QoS flow, which is determined by the MAC layer.

[0320] In some embodiments, where the fourth information includes first indication information, the RRC layer can determine the first QoS flow from at least one second QoS flow indicated by the first indication information.

[0321] In some embodiments, where the fourth information includes the second indication information, the RRC can learn of at least one first QoS flow determined by the MAC layer.

[0322] In some embodiments, the network device may include a CU-CP, a CU-UP, and a DU, with the RRC layer configured in the CU-CP and the MAC layer configured in the DU. In one embodiment, the CU-CP can send third information to the DU via the F1-C interface. In another embodiment, the DU can send fourth information to the CU-CP via the F1-C interface.

[0323] In some embodiments, the network device may receive a fifth message sent by the terminal, the fifth message including one of a third instruction message and a fourth instruction message.

[0324] In some embodiments, the third indication information may be used to indicate at least one third QoS flow. In some embodiments, where the fifth information includes the third indication information, the fifth information may be used to indicate that the terminal expects the network device to determine the bit rate for at least one third QoS flow.

[0325] In some embodiments, the fourth indication information may be used to indicate at least one second DRB. In some embodiments, where the fifth information includes the fourth indication information, the fifth information may be used to indicate that the terminal expects the network device to determine the bit rate for at least one second DRB.

[0326] In some embodiments, the network device may receive a second MAC CE sent by a terminal, the second MAC CE including seventh information, the seventh information being used to indicate the first bit rate requested by the terminal.

[0327] In some embodiments, where the granularity of the second MAC CE is the QoS flow granularity, the second MAC CE is also used to indicate at least one first QoS flow.

[0328] In some embodiments, when the granularity of the second MAC CE is the DRB granularity, the terminal may also send a second RRC message to the network device. The second RRC message includes eighth information, which is used to indicate at least one first QoS flow.

[0329] To better understand the embodiments of this disclosure, the following exemplary embodiments will be used to further illustrate this disclosure.

[0330] Example 1 introduces a method for generating recommended bit rate commands.

[0331] In some embodiments, the recommended bit rate command can be used by the base station to notify the terminal of the recommended bit rate it can provide.

[0332] In some embodiments, the recommended bit rate command can be used by the terminal to notify the base station of the recommended bit rate it requests.

[0333] In some embodiments, the recommended bit rate command can be used for uplink or downlink services.

[0334] Example 2: The strategy for issuing the recommended bit rate command indicated in the MAC CE can be agreed upon by the protocol or determined by the RRC layer.

[0335] As an example, the protocol can stipulate that the MAC layer sends MAC CE commands that indicate the recommended bit rate at the per DRB granularity or per QoS flow.

[0336] In some embodiments, where the recommended bit rate command issued by the base station can be per DRB granularity, the RRC layer can instruct the MAC layer that the MAC CE it sends can be a recommended bit rate command with per DRB granularity.

[0337] In some embodiments, where the recommended bit rate command issued by the base station can be per QoS flow granularity, the RRC layer can instruct the MAC layer that the MAC CE it sends can be a recommended bit rate command in per QoS flow granularity.

[0338] In some embodiments, when the recommended bit rate command issued by the base station can be per DRB flow granularity, the RRC layer can instruct the MAC layer that the MAC CE it sends can be a recommended bit rate command at per DRB granularity. The RRC layer can also add an indication of which target QoS flows the recommended bit rate command in the MAC CE is for, that is, the RRC layer can add an indication of a QoS flow list to the MAC layer.

[0339] In some embodiments, if the protocol stipulates that the MAC CE sent by the MAC layer indicates the recommended bit rate command at the per DRB granularity, the RRC layer can indicate to the MAC layer which target QoS flows the recommended bit rate command in the MAC CE is for, that is, the RRC layer can indicate a list of QoS flows to the MAC layer.

[0340] In Example 3, if the MAC CE sent by the MAC layer indicates the recommended bit rate command at the per DRB granularity, the RRC or MAC determines which target QoS stream lists the per DRB granularity recommended bit rate command is intended for.

[0341] In one embodiment, the RRC layer decision indicates, at the per DRB granularity, which target QoS stream lists the recommended bitrate command is for.

[0342] In one embodiment, the MAC layer can provide auxiliary information to the RRC layer so that the RRC layer can determine the delivery strategy for the recommended bit rate command indicated in the MAC CE.

[0343] In some embodiments, the MAC layer may notify the RRC layer of a candidate QoS flow list on a certain DRB. This candidate QoS flow list is used by the RRC layer to select a target QoS flow list, which indicates which target QoS flows the recommended bit rate command in the MAC CE is targeting. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the target QoS flow list is determined by the RRC layer based on the auxiliary information notified by the MAC layer.

[0344] In one embodiment, the MAC layer makes a decision on which target QoS stream lists the recommended bit rate command is targeted at at the per DRB granularity, and therefore the MAC layer needs to notify the RRC layer to send this information.

[0345] In some embodiments, the MAC layer may notify the RRC layer of a list of target QoS flows that need to be notified to the terminal on a certain DRB. This list of target QoS flows is used by the RRC layer to notify the terminal which target QoS flows the recommended bit rate command in the received MAC CE is for. It should be noted that in this embodiment of the disclosure, the MAC layer makes the final decision and then notifies the RRC layer.

[0346] Example 4: For a CU-DU separation architecture, if the RRC layer is in the CU-CP entity and the MAC layer is in the DU entity, then in the above examples, messages between the RRC layer and the MAC layer need to go through the F1-C interface. Specifically, the interaction information from the RRC layer to the MAC layer needs to be sent from the CU-CP entity to the DU entity, while the interaction information from the MAC layer to the RRC layer needs to be sent from the DU entity to the CU-UP entity. The following are some examples:

[0347] The CU-CP entity sends the recommended bit rate command indicated in the MAC CE, determined by the RRC layer, to the DU entity.

[0348] The DU entity sends auxiliary information provided by the MAC layer to the RRC layer to the CU-UP entity.

[0349] In some embodiments, the interaction between the RRC layer and the MAC layer will be through the F1-C interface.

[0350] In Example 5, when the MAC CE is used to indicate the recommended bit rate, the MAC CE may include a DRB ID, which indicates a DRB that is configured with rate control features and is associated with the MAC entity that issued the MAC CE.

[0351] In some embodiments, if the DRB indicated by the DRB ID in the MAC CE is an MCG bearer, then the MAC CE may be sent by the MN.

[0352] In some embodiments, if the DRB indicated by the DRB ID in the MAC CE is an SCG bearer, then the MAC CE may be sent by the SN.

[0353] In one embodiment, the DRB ID in the MAC CE can be used to indicate a DRB that is configured with rate control and associated with a specific RLC entity, which is associated with the MAC entity that sent the MAC CE (DRB ID: This field indicates DRB, where the DRB is among the DRBs configured with rate control and with RLC entity(ies) associated with this MAC entity).

[0354] In Example 6, the terminal can report auxiliary information to the base station. This auxiliary information is used by the RRC layer to determine the issuance strategy of the recommended bit rate command indicated in the MAC CE, or by the MAC layer to determine the issuance of the recommended bit rate command indicated in the MAC CE.

[0355] In some embodiments, the auxiliary information reported by the terminal to the base station may carry a list of desired QoS flows. This list of desired QoS flows is used by the base station to know which QoS flows the terminal wants to provide recommended bit rate commands for.

[0356] In some embodiments, the auxiliary information reported by the terminal to the base station may carry a desired DRB list, which is used by the base station to know which DRBs the terminal wants to provide recommended bit rate commands for.

[0357] In some embodiments, the assistance information reported by the terminal may be reported as UE assistance information.

[0358] In some embodiments, to limit the terminal from frequently sending auxiliary information, a timer can be configured to disable the terminal. This timer can be per DRB or per QoS stream start.

[0359] Example 7: The auxiliary information reported by the terminal can be reported to the base station in the form of SRB.

[0360] In some embodiments, if SRB3 exists, the terminal can report auxiliary information to the SN, which may carry the desired QoS flow list or the desired DRB list. If SRB3 does not exist, the terminal can send auxiliary information to the MN and forward the auxiliary information to the SN through the MN.

[0361] Example 8: The recommended bit rate command indicated in the MAC CE is determined by the network or protocol agreement as either per DRB granularity or per QoS stream granularity.

[0362] Example 9 introduces new terminal capabilities to support the enhanced recommended bit rate command and the above process.

[0363] This disclosure also proposes an apparatus (also referred to as a communication device, etc.) for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is proposed that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the terminal in any of the above methods. Furthermore, another apparatus is proposed that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network functional node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0364] It should be understood that the division of units or modules in the above device is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into a single physical entity, or they can be physically separated. Furthermore, the units or modules in the device can be implemented by a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor connected to a memory containing instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or to implement the functions of the units or modules in the above device. The processor can be, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a microprocessor, and the memory can be internal or external to the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits. The functionality of some or all of the units or modules can be achieved through the design of these hardware circuits, which can be understood as one or more processors. For example, in one implementation, the hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The functionality of some or all of the units or modules is achieved through the design of the logical relationships between the components within the circuit. In another implementation, the hardware circuit can be implemented using a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gates. The connection relationships between the logic gates are configured through a configuration file, thereby achieving the functionality of some or all of the units or modules. All units or modules of the above device can be implemented entirely through processor-called software, entirely through hardware circuits, or partially through processor-called software with the remaining parts implemented through hardware circuits.

[0365] In this embodiment, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction read and execute capabilities, such as a CPU, microprocessor, graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationships of hardware circuits. The logical relationships of the aforementioned hardware circuits are fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented by an ASIC or PLD, such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and configuring the hardware circuit can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. Furthermore, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), tensor processing unit (TPU), deep learning processing unit (DPU), etc.

[0366] Figure 4A is a schematic diagram of a network device according to an exemplary embodiment. The network device 4100 is used to perform any of the above methods. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 4A, the network device 4100 may include a transceiver module 4101, which is configured to send a first MAC CE to a terminal. The first MAC CE includes first information, which indicates a first bit rate recommended by the network device. The first bit rate is the bit rate for at least one first QoS flow. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to perform at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps S2101, S2103, S2104, S2201, S2203, S2204, S2205, S2206, S3101, but not limited thereto) performed by the network device in any of the above methods. Further details are omitted here. Optionally, the network device 4100 may also include a processing module for performing at least one of the other steps (such as step S2102, step S2202, but not limited thereto) performed by the network device in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here.

[0367] In some embodiments, the first MAC CE is also used to indicate a first QoS flow, wherein the granularity of the first MAC CE is the QoS flow granularity.

[0368] In some embodiments, the method further includes: determining that the granularity of the first MAC CE is the DRB granularity; sending a first RRC message to the terminal, the first RRC message including second information, the second information being used to indicate at least one first QoS flow, the at least one first QoS flow being carried in the same DRB.

[0369] In some embodiments, the granularity of the first MAC CE is determined according to the protocol, or the granularity of the first MAC CE is determined by the network device.

[0370] In some embodiments, the method further includes: the RRC layer of the network device sending third information to the MAC layer of the network device, the third information being used to indicate at least one first QoS flow, wherein the granularity of the first MAC CE is the DRB granularity.

[0371] In some embodiments, before the RRC layer sends the third information to the MAC layer, the method further includes: the MAC layer sending the fourth information to the RRC layer, the fourth information being used by the RRC layer to determine at least one first QoS flow.

[0372] In some embodiments, the fourth information includes one of the following: first indication information for indicating at least one second QoS flow, the first QoS flow being determined by the RRC layer from at least one second QoS flow; and second indication information for indicating at least one first QoS flow, the at least one first QoS flow being determined by the MAC layer.

[0373] In some embodiments, the third information is transmitted based on the F1 control plane F1-C interface; and / or, the fourth information is transmitted based on the F1-C interface; wherein the network device includes CU-CP and DU, the RRC layer is configured in CU-CP, and the MAC layer is configured in DU.

[0374] In some embodiments, the first MAC CE may further include one of the following: first identification information for identifying the first DRB; second identification information for identifying the first QoS flow, the first QoS flow being carried in the first DRB; the first DRB being associated with the MAC layer of the network device that sent the first MAC CE.

[0375] In some embodiments, the first DRB includes one of the following: an MCG bearer; an SCG bearer.

[0376] In some embodiments, the first DRB includes an MCG bearer, and the first MAC CE is sent by the MN; or, the first DRB includes an SCG bearer, and the first MAC CE is sent by the SN.

[0377] In some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving fifth information sent by the terminal, the fifth information including one of the following: third indication information for indicating at least one third QoS flow, the fifth information for indicating that the terminal expects the network device to determine the bit rate for at least one third QoS flow; fourth indication information for indicating at least one second DRB, the fifth information for indicating that the terminal expects the network device to determine the bit rate for at least one second DRB.

[0378] In some embodiments, the method further includes: sending a sixth message to the terminal, the sixth message being used to configure a first timer, the first timer being used to prevent the terminal from sending a fifth message during the operation of the first timer.

[0379] In some embodiments, the first timer includes one of the following: a timer configured for each QoS flow; a timer configured for each DRB.

[0380] In some embodiments, the fifth message is sent via SRB.

[0381] In some embodiments, receiving the fifth information sent by the receiving terminal includes one of the following: receiving the fifth information sent by the receiving terminal via SRB3, wherein the network device is SN and SN is configured with SRB3; or receiving the fifth information sent by MN, wherein the fifth information is sent by the terminal to MN via SRB1, wherein the network device is SN and SN is not configured with SRB3.

[0382] In some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving a second MAC CE sent by the terminal, the second MAC CE including seventh information, the seventh information being used to indicate a first bit rate requested by the terminal.

[0383] In some embodiments, the second MAC CE is also used to indicate the first QoS flow, wherein the granularity of the second MAC CE is the QoS flow granularity.

[0384] In some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving a second RRC message sent by a terminal, the second RRC message including eighth information, the eighth information being used to indicate at least one first QoS flow, the at least one first QoS flow being carried in the same DRB.

[0385] Figure 4B is a schematic diagram of a terminal according to an exemplary embodiment. Terminal 4200 is used to perform any of the above methods. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 4B, terminal 4200 may include a transceiver module 4201 configured to receive a first MAC CE sent by a network device. The first MAC CE includes first information indicating a first bit rate recommended by the network device, the first bit rate being the bit rate for at least one first Quality of Service (QoS) flow. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to perform at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps S2101, S2103, S2104, S2201, S2205, S2206, S3101, but not limited thereto) performed by the terminal in any of the above methods, which will not be elaborated further here. Optionally, the terminal 4200 may also include a processing module for performing at least one of the other steps (e.g., steps S2105, S2207, but not limited thereto) executed by the terminal in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here.

[0386] In some embodiments, the first MAC CE is also used to indicate a first QoS flow, wherein the granularity of the first MAC CE is the QoS flow granularity.

[0387] In some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving a first RRC message sent by a network device, the first RRC message including second information, the second information being used to indicate at least one first QoS flow, the at least one first QoS flow being carried in the same DRB; the granularity of the first MAC CE is the granularity of the data radio bearer DRB.

[0388] In some embodiments, the granularity of the first MAC CE is determined according to the protocol, or the granularity of the first MAC CE is determined by the network device.

[0389] In some embodiments, the first MAC CE further includes one of the following: first identification information for identifying the first DRB; second identification information for identifying the first QoS flow, the first QoS flow being carried in the first DRB; the first DRB being associated with the MAC layer of the network device that sent the first MAC CE.

[0390] In some embodiments, the first DRB includes one of the following: a primary cell group MCG bearer; a secondary cell group SCG bearer.

[0391] In some embodiments, the first DRB includes an MCG bearer, and the first MAC CE is sent by the master node MN; or, the first DRB includes an SCG bearer, and the first MAC CE is sent by the slave node SN.

[0392] In some embodiments, the method further includes: sending fifth information to a network device, the fifth information including one of the following: third indication information for indicating at least one third QoS flow, the fifth information for indicating that the terminal expects the network device to determine the bit rate for at least one third QoS flow; fourth indication information for indicating at least one second DRB, the fifth information for indicating that the terminal expects the network device to determine the bit rate for at least one second DRB.

[0393] In some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving a sixth message sent by a network device, the sixth message being used to configure a first timer, the first timer being used to prevent the terminal from sending a fifth message during the operation of the first timer.

[0394] In some embodiments, the first timer includes one of the following: a timer configured for each QoS flow; a timer configured for each DRB.

[0395] In some embodiments, the fifth information is transmitted via a signaling radio bearer (SRB).

[0396] In some embodiments, the fifth information is sent by the terminal to the SN via SRB3, the network device is the SN, and the SN is configured with SRB3; or, the fifth information is sent by the terminal to the MN via SRB1, and forwarded by the MN to the SN, the network device is the SN, and the SN is not configured with SRB3.

[0397] In some embodiments, the method further includes: sending a second MAC CE to a network device, the second MAC CE including seventh information, the seventh information being used to indicate a first bit rate requested by the terminal.

[0398] In some embodiments, the second MAC CE is also used to indicate the first QoS flow, wherein the granularity of the second MAC CE is the QoS flow granularity.

[0399] In some embodiments, the method further includes: determining that the granularity of the second MAC CE is the DRB granularity; sending a second RRC message to the network device, the second RRC message including eighth information, the eighth information being used to indicate at least one first QoS flow, the at least one first QoS flow being carried in the same DRB.

[0400] In some embodiments, the transceiver module may include a transmitting module and / or a receiving module, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the transceiver module may be interchangeable with a transceiver.

[0401] In some embodiments, the processing module may be a single module or may include multiple sub-modules. Optionally, the multiple sub-modules may each perform all or part of the steps required by the processing module.

[0402] In some embodiments, the processing module can be replaced by the processor, and the transceiver module can be replaced by the transceiver.

[0403] Figure 5A is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a communication device according to an exemplary embodiment. The communication device 5100 can be a network device (e.g., access network device, core network device, etc.), a terminal (e.g., user equipment, etc.), a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the network device in implementing any of the above methods, or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the terminal in implementing any of the above methods. The communication device 5100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments; for details, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0404] As shown in Figure 5A, the communication device 5100 is used to execute any of the above methods. In some embodiments, the communication device 5100 includes one or more processors 5101. The processor 5101 may be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor may be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit may be used to control communication devices (e.g., base stations, baseband chips, terminal devices, terminal device chips, DUs or CUs, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. Optionally, the communication device 5100 is used to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, one or more processors 5101 are used to invoke instructions to cause the communication device 5100 to execute any of the above methods.

[0405] In some embodiments, the communication device 5100 further includes one or more transceivers 5103. When the communication device 5100 includes one or more transceivers 5103, the transceiver 5103 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (e.g., steps S2101, S2103, S2104, S2202, S2203, S2204, S2205, S2206, S3101, but not limited thereto), and the processor 5101 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., steps S2102, S2105, S2202, S2207, but not limited thereto). In optional embodiments, the transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated together. Optionally, terms such as transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, interface circuit, and interface can be used interchangeably; terms such as transmitter, transmitter unit, transmitter, and transmitter circuit can be used interchangeably; and terms such as receiver, receiver unit, receiver, and receiver circuit can be used interchangeably.

[0406] In some embodiments, the communication device 5100 further includes one or more memories 5102 for storing data and / or instructions. Optionally, one or more processors 5101 are used to invoke instructions stored in the memory 5102 to cause the communication device 5100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, all or part of the memory 5102 may also be located outside the communication device 5100. In an optional embodiment, the communication device 5100 may include one or more interface circuits 5104. Optionally, the interface circuit 5104 is connected to the memory 5102 and can be used to receive data and / or instructions from the memory 5102 or other devices, and can be used to send data and / or instructions to the memory 5102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 5104 can read data and / or instructions stored in the memory 5102 and send the data and / or instructions to the processor 5101.

[0407] The communication device 5100 described in the above embodiments may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 5100 described in this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 5100 may not be limited by FIG. 5A. The communication device may be a standalone device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: (1) a standalone integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the IC collection may also include storage components for storing data, programs and / or instructions; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, terminal device, smart terminal device, cellular phone, wireless device, handheld device, mobile unit, vehicle device, network device, cloud device, artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0408] Figure 5B is a schematic diagram of a chip structure according to an exemplary embodiment. For cases where the communication device 6100 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of the chip 5200 shown in Figure 5B, but it is not limited thereto.

[0409] Chip 5200 includes one or more processors 5201. Chip 5200 is used to perform any of the methods described above.

[0410] In some embodiments, chip 5200 further includes one or more interface circuits 5202. Optionally, terms such as interface circuit, interface, and transceiver pin can be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, chip 5200 further includes one or more memories 5203 for storing data and / or instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 5203 may be located outside of chip 5200. Optionally, the interface circuit 5202 is connected to the memories 5203, and the interface circuit 5202 can be used to receive data and / or instructions from the memories 5203 or other devices, and the interface circuit 5202 can be used to send data and / or instructions to the memories 5203 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 5202 can read data and / or instructions stored in the memories 5203 and send the data and / or instructions to the processor 5201.

[0411] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 5202 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above-described method (e.g., steps S2101, S2103, S2104, S2202, S2203, S2204, S2205, S2206, S3101, but not limited thereto). The interface circuit 5202 performing the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above-described method refers, for example, to the interface circuit 5202 performing data and / or instruction interaction between the processor 5201, the chip 5200, the memory 5203, or the transceiver device. In some embodiments, the processor 5201 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., steps S2102, S2105, S2202, S2207, but not limited thereto).

[0412] The modules and / or devices described in the various embodiments, such as virtual devices, physical devices, and chips, can be combined or separated arbitrarily as needed. Optionally, some or all steps can also be performed collaboratively by multiple modules and / or devices, which is not limited here.

[0413] This disclosure also proposes a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a temporary storage medium.

[0414] This disclosure also proposes a program product, including a program and / or instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, cause the communication device to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product. Optionally, the program product is stored on the storage medium.

[0415] This disclosure also proposes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the above methods.

[0416] Other embodiments of the invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. This disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention that follow the general principles of the invention and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The specification and examples are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of the invention are indicated by the following claims.

[0417] It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise structure described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An information processing method, wherein, Performed by a network device, the method includes: A first Media Access Control (MAC) control unit (CE) is sent to the terminal. The first MAC CE includes first information indicating a first bit rate recommended by the network device. The first bit rate is the bit rate for at least one first Quality of Service (QoS) flow.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The first MAC CE is also used to indicate the first QoS flow, and the granularity of the first MAC CE is the QoS flow granularity.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The method further includes: The granularity of the first MAC CE is determined to be the granularity of the Data Radio Bearer (DRB). A first Radio Resource Control (RRC) message is sent to the terminal. The first RRC message includes second information, which is used to indicate the at least one first QoS flow, and the at least one first QoS flow is carried in the same DRB.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The granularity of the first MAC CE is determined according to the protocol, or the granularity of the first MAC CE is determined by the network device.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein, The method further includes: The RRC layer of the network device sends third information to the MAC layer of the network device. The third information is used to indicate the at least one first QoS flow, and the granularity of the first MAC CE is the DRB granularity.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein, Before the RRC layer sends the third information to the MAC layer, the method further includes: The MAC layer sends a fourth message to the RRC layer, the fourth message being used by the RRC layer to determine the at least one first QoS flow.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein, The fourth piece of information includes one of the following: First indication information is used to indicate at least one second QoS flow, wherein the first QoS flow is determined by the RRC layer from the at least one second QoS flow; The second indication information is used to indicate the at least one first QoS flow, which is determined by the MAC layer.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein, The third information is transmitted based on the F1 control plane F1-C interface; and / or, the fourth information is transmitted based on the F1-C interface; The network device includes a centralized unit (CU) control plane (CU-CP) and a distributed unit (DU). The RRC layer is configured in the CU-CP, and the MAC layer is configured in the DU.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, The first MAC CE also includes one of the following: First identification information, used to identify the first DRB; The second identification information is used to identify the first QoS flow, which is carried in the first DRB; The first DRB is associated with the MAC layer of the network device that sent the first MAC CE.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The first DRB includes one of the following: primary cell group MCG bearer; secondary cell group SCG bearer.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein, The first DRB includes the MCG bearer, and the first MAC CE is sent by the master node MN; or, the first DRB includes the SCG bearer, and the first MAC CE is sent by the slave node SN.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein, The method further includes: The terminal sends a fifth message, which includes one of the following: The third indication information is used to indicate at least one third QoS flow, and the fifth information is used to indicate that the terminal expects the network device to determine the bit rate for the at least one third QoS flow; The fourth indication information is used to indicate at least one second DRB, and the fifth information is used to indicate that the terminal expects the network device to determine the bit rate for the at least one second DRB.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein, The method further includes: A sixth message is sent to the terminal, the sixth message being used to configure a first timer, the first timer being used to prevent the terminal from sending the fifth message during the operation of the first timer.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The first timer includes one of the following: A timer configured for each QoS flow; A timer configured for each DRB.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein, The fifth piece of information is transmitted via the Signaling Radio Bearer (SRB).

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein, The fifth message received from the terminal includes one of the following: The network device is an SN, and the SN is configured with SRB3. The fifth information sent by the terminal via SRB3 is received. The terminal receives a fifth message sent by the MN via SRB1. The network device is an SN, and the SN is not configured with SRB3.

17. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein, The method further includes: The terminal sends a second MAC CE, which includes seventh information indicating the first bit rate requested by the terminal.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein, The second MAC CE is also used to indicate the first QoS flow, and the granularity of the second MAC CE is the QoS flow granularity.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein, The method further includes: The terminal receives a second RRC message, which includes eighth information, indicating the at least one first QoS flow, which is carried in the same DRB.

20. An information processing method, wherein, The method, executed by a terminal, includes: The network device receives a first MAC CE, the first MAC CE including first information, the first information indicating a first bit rate recommended by the network device, the first bit rate being the bit rate for at least one first Quality of Service (QoS) flow.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein, The first MAC CE is also used to indicate the first QoS flow, and the granularity of the first MAC CE is the QoS flow granularity.

22. The method according to claim 20, wherein, The method further includes: The network device receives a first RRC message, which includes second information indicating at least one first QoS flow, all of which are carried in the same DRB. The granularity of the first MAC CE is the granularity of the data radio bearer DRB.

23. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein, The granularity of the first MAC CE is determined according to the protocol, or the granularity of the first MAC CE is determined by the network device.

24. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein, The first MAC CE also includes one of the following: First identification information, used to identify the first DRB; The second identification information is used to identify the first QoS flow, which is carried in the first DRB; The first DRB is associated with the MAC layer of the network device that sent the first MAC CE.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein, The first DRB includes one of the following: primary cell group MCG bearer; secondary cell group SCG bearer.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein, The first DRB includes the MCG bearer, and the first MAC CE is sent by the master node MN; or, the first DRB includes the SCG bearer, and the first MAC CE is sent by the slave node SN.

27. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 26, wherein, The method further includes: Send a fifth message to the network device, the fifth message including one of the following: The third indication information is used to indicate at least one third QoS flow, and the fifth information is used to indicate that the terminal expects the network device to determine the bit rate for the at least one third QoS flow; The fourth indication information is used to indicate at least one second DRB, and the fifth information is used to indicate that the terminal expects the network device to determine the bit rate for the at least one second DRB.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein, The method further includes: The terminal receives a sixth message sent by the network device. The sixth message is used to configure a first timer, which is used to prevent the terminal from sending the fifth message during the operation of the first timer.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein, The first timer includes one of the following: A timer configured for each QoS flow; A timer configured for each DRB.

30. The method according to any one of claims 27 to 29, wherein, The fifth piece of information is transmitted via the Signaling Radio Bearer (SRB).

31. The method according to claim 30, wherein, The fifth piece of information is sent by the terminal to the SN via SRB3, where the network device is the SN and the SN is configured with SRB3; or, The fifth piece of information is sent by the terminal to the MN via SRB1 and forwarded by the MN to the SN. The network device is the SN, and the SN is not configured with SRB3.

32. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 31, wherein, The method further includes: A second MAC CE is sent to the network device, the second MAC CE including seventh information, the seventh information being used to indicate the first bit rate requested by the terminal.

33. The method according to claim 32, wherein, The second MAC CE is also used to indicate the first QoS flow, and the granularity of the second MAC CE is the QoS flow granularity.

34. The method according to claim 32, wherein, The method further includes: The granularity of the second MAC CE is determined to be the DRB granularity; Send a second RRC message to the network device. The second RRC message includes eighth information, which is used to indicate the at least one first QoS flow, which is carried in the same DRB.

35. An information processing method, wherein, Performed by a communication system, the method includes: The network device sends a first Media Access Control (MAC) control unit (CE) to the terminal. The first MAC CE includes first information, which indicates a first bit rate recommended by the network device. The first bit rate is the bit rate for at least one first Quality of Service (QoS) flow.

36. A communication device, wherein, The communication device is used to perform the information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 19 and 20 to 34.

37. A communication system, characterized in that, The device includes a terminal and a network device, wherein the network device is configured to implement the information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 19, and the terminal is configured to implement the information processing method according to any one of claims 20 to 34.

38. A storage medium storing instructions, characterized in that, When the instruction is executed on the communication device, the communication device performs the information processing method as described in any one of claims 1 to 19, 20 to 34.

39. A program product comprising at least one of a program and instructions, characterized in that, When at least one of the programs or instructions is executed by a communication device, it implements the steps of the information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 19 and 20 to 34.

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