Disclosure of Invention
The communication method, the device and the system provided by the application can reduce the occurrence of air interface congestion, reduce the data packet loss rate and the data transmission delay, and improve the user experience.
In order to achieve the above purpose, the embodiment of the present application adopts the following technical scheme:
In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, and a communication apparatus that performs the communication method may be a first network side device, or may be a module, such as a chip or a chip system, that is applied in the first network side device. The following describes an example in which the execution body is a first network side device. The communication method comprises the steps of obtaining first characteristic information of a first service flow and information of a first cell accessed by a first terminal, wherein the first service flow is the service flow of the first terminal, the first characteristic information is used for indicating the bandwidth and the period of the first service flow, the information of the first cell is used for identifying the first cell, first scheduling information is determined according to the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other service flows, the other service flows are the service flows except the first service flow in the first cell, the other service flows comprise a second service flow, the second characteristic information of the second service flow is used for indicating the bandwidth and the period of the second service flow and the sending time of at least one data packet of the second service flow, and the first scheduling information is used for determining the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow.
Based on the method provided in the first aspect, after the first network side device obtains the first feature information of the first service flow and the first cell information, the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow can be determined by combining the feature information of other service flows except the first service flow in the first cell, so that the data packet of the service flow in the first cell can be sent in a peak-shifting manner, thereby reducing the occurrence of air interface congestion, reducing the data packet loss rate and the data transmission delay, and improving the user experience.
With reference to the first aspect, in one possible implementation manner, if the data packet of the first service flow does not start to be sent, the first scheduling information is used to determine a starting sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow, or if the data packet of the first service flow has already started to be sent, the first scheduling information is used to determine a next sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow. Based on the above method, in the case that the data packet of the first service flow does not start to be sent, the first network side device may determine a start sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow, so that at least one data packet of the first service flow may be sent according to the start sending time, so as to reduce occurrence of air interface congestion. In the case that the data packet of the first service flow has already started to be sent, the first network side device may determine a next sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow, so as to adjust the next sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow, thereby reducing occurrence of air interface congestion.
With reference to the first aspect, in one possible implementation manner, if the data packet of the first service flow has already started to be sent, the first characteristic information is further used to indicate a sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow. Based on the above method, when determining the next transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow, the first network side device may consider the transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow, so as to avoid that the adjusted next transmission time differs from the next transmission time before adjustment by too much, which affects the service.
With reference to the first aspect, in one possible implementation manner, the first network side device is a session management network element. Based on the above method, the session management network element may determine a transmission time of at least one data packet of the first traffic flow. In the communication system, the session management network element can acquire the first characteristic information of the first service flow through the existing signaling, so that the session management network element is convenient to realize to determine the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow.
With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the acquiring the first feature information includes receiving the first feature information from the first terminal, or receiving the first feature information from an application network element. Based on the method, the first characteristic information can be acquired in various modes, so that the flexibility and diversity of acquiring the first characteristic information are improved.
With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the acquiring the first feature information includes receiving the first feature information from a user plane network element. Based on the above method, the first feature information may be obtained from the user plane network element, so that the session management network element determines the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow according to the first feature information and the feature information of other service flows.
With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes sending first indication information to the user plane network element, where the first indication information is used to indicate to detect first feature information of the first service flow. Based on the method, the user plane network element can start to detect the first characteristic information after receiving the first indication information of the session management network element, and does not need to continuously detect the first characteristic information, thereby reducing the cost of the user plane network element.
With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first indication information includes configuration information of a detection window, where the configuration information of the detection window is used to configure a detection window, and the detection window is used by the user plane network element to detect the first feature information. Based on the above method, the session management network element may configure a detection window for the user plane network element through the first indication information, so that the user plane network element detects the first feature information in the detection window.
With reference to the first aspect, in one possible implementation manner, the acquiring the first feature information includes receiving identification information of an application corresponding to the first service flow from the user plane network element, and acquiring the first feature information according to the identification information of the application. Based on the above method, the session management network element may obtain the first feature information according to the identification information of the application, and further may determine the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow according to the first feature information and the feature information of other service flows.
With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes sending first indication information to the user plane network element, where the first indication information is used to indicate a detection application, and the first service flow is a service flow of the application. Based on the method, the user plane network element can start detecting the application after receiving the first indication information of the session management network element, and does not need to continuously detect the application, thereby reducing the cost of the user plane network element.
With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first indication information includes at least one of an identifier of an application corresponding to the first service flow, an address of an application server corresponding to the first service flow, a port identifier of an application server corresponding to the first service flow, or a protocol identifier of an application server corresponding to the first service flow. Based on the above method, the user plane network element may determine the application to be detected according to the first indication information.
With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the acquiring information of the first cell includes receiving information of the first cell from a mobility management network element. Based on the above method, the session management network element may acquire the information of the first cell from the mobility management network element, so that the session management network element determines the characteristic information of other service flows except the first service flow in the first cell, and further determines the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow by combining the characteristic information of the first service flow and the characteristic information of other service flows.
With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes receiving second indication information from the first terminal or the application network element, where the second indication information is used to indicate that a sending time of the data packet of the first service flow is adjustable. Based on the above method, the session management network element may determine, according to the indication of the first terminal or the application network element, whether it is necessary to determine the transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow. If the session management network element does not receive the second indication information or the session management network element receives the indication information that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow cannot be adjusted, the session management network element can not determine the sending time of the at least one data packet of the first service flow. In this way, the computational overhead and signaling overhead of the session management network element can be saved.
With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes sending the first scheduling information to a first access network device, where the first scheduling information is used for configuring resources for transmitting data packets of the first service flow by the first access network device. Based on the method, the first scheduling information can be sent to the first access network equipment, so that the first access network equipment reserves resources for the first terminal according to the first scheduling information.
With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes sending the first scheduling information to the first terminal, so that the first terminal sends the first scheduling information to an application network element corresponding to an application corresponding to the first service flow, or so that the first terminal sends a data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information. Based on the above method, the first scheduling information may be transmitted to the first terminal. Therefore, the first terminal can send the data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information, so that the data packet of the first service flow and the data packets of other service flows in the first cell can be sent in a peak-shifting mode, and the occurrence of air interface congestion is reduced. Or the first terminal may send the first scheduling information to an application network element corresponding to the application corresponding to the first service flow, so that the application network element sends the data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information, so that the data packet of the first service flow and the data packets of other service flows in the first cell may be sent in a peak-shifting manner, thereby reducing occurrence of air interface congestion.
With reference to the first aspect, in one possible implementation manner, the first network side device is a policy control network element, a network opening network element, or a first network element. Based on the method, a plurality of network elements for determining the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow can be provided, so that the flexibility and the diversity of the communication method provided by the embodiment of the application are improved.
With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the acquiring the first feature information includes receiving the first feature information from an application network element. Based on the method, the first characteristic information can be obtained from the application network element, and then the first scheduling information is determined according to the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other service flows in the first cell.
With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the acquiring information of the first cell includes receiving information of the first cell from the session management network element, or receiving information of the first cell from a mobility management network element. Based on the method, the information of the first cell can be acquired in various modes, so that the flexibility and diversity of acquiring the information of the first cell are improved.
With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the acquiring the first feature information of the first service flow and the information of the first cell accessed by the first terminal includes receiving the first feature information and the information of the first cell from the session management network element. Based on the method, the first characteristic information and the information of the first cell can be obtained from the session management network element, and then the first scheduling information is determined according to the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other service flows in the first cell.
With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first feature information is included in information of a first quality of service (quality of service, qoS) flow corresponding to the first service flow. Based on the above method, the first traffic flow may be mapped to the first QoS flow. In this way, a mapping relationship between the first traffic flow and the first QoS flow may be established.
With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes sending the first scheduling information to the session management network element, so that the session management network element sends the first scheduling information to the first access network device and/or the first terminal. Based on the method, the first scheduling information can be sent to the session management network element, so that the session management network element can send the first scheduling information to the first access network device and/or the first terminal. In this way, the first access network device may reserve resources for the first terminal according to the first scheduling information. The first terminal may send the data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information, or the first terminal may send the first scheduling information to the application network element, so that the application network element sends the data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information.
With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes receiving third indication information from the session management network element or the application network element, where the third indication information is used to indicate that a sending time of the data packet of the first service flow is adjustable. Based on the above method, it may be determined whether it is necessary to determine a transmission time of at least one data packet of the first traffic flow according to the third indication information. If the third indication information is not received or the indication information that the transmission time of the data packet of the first service flow cannot be adjusted is received, the transmission time of the at least one data packet of the first service flow can be not determined. In this way, computational overhead and signaling overhead may be saved.
With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes sending the first scheduling information to the application network element, so that the application network element sends the data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information, or so that the application network element sends the first scheduling information to the first terminal. Based on the above method, the first scheduling information may be sent to the application network element. Therefore, after receiving the first scheduling information, the application network element can send the data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information, or send the first scheduling information to the first terminal, so that the first terminal can send the data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information.
With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first characteristic information is further used to indicate a start time of a data packet of the first service flow to be sent. Based on the above method, when determining the start transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow, the start time of the data packet of the first service flow is expected to be transmitted, so that the determined start transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow is prevented from being excessively different from the start time of the data packet of the first service flow, which is expected to be transmitted, and the service is influenced.
With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes obtaining information of a second cell, where the information of the second cell is used to identify the second cell, determining second scheduling information according to the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other traffic flows in the second cell, where the other traffic flows in the second cell include a third traffic flow, where the third characteristic information of the third traffic flow is used to indicate a bandwidth, a period, and a sending time of at least one data packet of the third traffic flow, and the second scheduling information is used to determine a next sending time of at least one data packet of the first traffic flow in the second cell. Based on the method, under the condition that the first terminal is switched to or is about to be switched to the second cell, the information of the second cell can be obtained, and the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow is determined by combining the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other service flows except the first service flow in the second cell, so that the data packet of the service flow in the second cell can be sent in a peak-staggering manner, thereby reducing the occurrence of air interface congestion, reducing the data packet loss rate and the data transmission delay, and improving the user experience.
In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, and the communication apparatus performing the communication method may be the first access network device, or may be a module, such as a chip or a chip system, applied in the first access network device. The following describes an example in which the execution body is a first access network device. The communication method comprises the steps of receiving first characteristic information of a first QoS flow, wherein the first QoS flow is a QoS flow corresponding to a first service flow, the first service flow is a service flow of a first terminal, the first characteristic information is used for indicating the bandwidth and the period of the first service flow, determining first scheduling information according to the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other QoS flows, the other QoS flows are QoS flows except the first QoS flow in a first cell of first access network equipment, the other QoS flows comprise a second QoS flow, the second QoS flow is a QoS flow corresponding to a second service flow, the second characteristic information of the second QoS flow is used for indicating the bandwidth and the period of the second QoS flow and the sending time of at least one data packet of the second service flow, the first scheduling information is used for determining the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow, and sending the first scheduling information to a session management network element.
Based on the method provided in the second aspect, after receiving the first characteristic information of the first QoS flow, the first access network device may determine a sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow in combination with the characteristic information of other QoS flows except the first QoS flow in the first cell, so that the data packet of the QoS flow in the first cell may be sent in a peak-shifting manner, thereby reducing occurrence of air interface congestion, reducing a packet loss rate and a transmission delay of data, and improving user experience. In addition, compared with the method for determining the first scheduling information by the first network side equipment, the first access network equipment does not need to acquire the information of the first cell from other equipment in the process of determining the first scheduling information, so that signaling overhead is saved.
With reference to the second aspect, in one possible implementation manner, if the data packet of the first service flow does not start to be sent, the first scheduling information is used to determine a starting sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow, or if the data packet of the first service flow has already started to be sent, the first scheduling information is used to determine a next sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow. Based on the above method, in the case that the data packet of the first service flow does not start to be sent, the first access network device may determine a start sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow, so that at least one data packet of the first service flow may be sent according to the start sending time, so as to reduce occurrence of air interface congestion. In the case that the data packet of the first service flow has already started to be sent, the first access network device may determine a next sending time of the at least one data packet of the first service flow, so as to adjust the next sending time of the at least one data packet of the first service flow, thereby reducing occurrence of air interface congestion.
With reference to the second aspect, in one possible implementation manner, if a packet of the first service flow has already started to be sent, the first characteristic information is further used to indicate a sending time of at least one packet of the first service flow. Based on the above method, when the first access network device determines the next transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow under the condition that the data packet of the first service flow has already started to be transmitted, the transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow can be considered, so that the adjusted next transmission time is prevented from being excessively different from the next transmission time before adjustment, and the service is influenced.
With reference to the second aspect, in one possible implementation manner, the first feature information from the session management network element is received, where the first feature information is obtained by the session management network element from a user plane network element, or the first feature information is obtained according to a policy and charging control rule. Based on the method, the first access network device can acquire the first characteristic information from the session management network element, so that the first access network device can determine the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow by combining the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other QoS flows in the first cell except the first QoS flow, thereby enabling the data packets of the QoS flow in the first cell to be sent in a peak-staggering manner.
With reference to the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes receiving first indication information from the session management network element, where the first indication information is used to indicate that a sending time of a data packet of the first service flow is adjustable. Based on the above method, the first access network device may determine, according to the first indication information, whether it is necessary to determine a transmission time of at least one data packet of the first traffic flow. The first access network device may determine the transmission time of the at least one data packet of the first service flow if the first access network device receives the first indication information, or may not determine the transmission time of the at least one data packet of the first service flow if the first access network device does not receive the first indication information or the first access network device receives the indication information that the transmission time of the data packet of the first service flow cannot be adjusted. In this way, the computational overhead and signaling overhead of the first access network device may be saved.
With reference to the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes receiving characteristic information of the other QoS flows. Based on the above method, before determining the first scheduling information, the first access network device may receive the characteristic information of the other QoS flows, so that the first access network device determines the first scheduling information according to the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of the other QoS flows.
With reference to the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first feature information from the second access network device or the session management network element is received when the first terminal is handed over from the second access network device to the first access network device. Based on the above method, in the case that the first terminal is handed over from the second access network device to the first access network device, the first access network device may acquire the first feature information from the second access network device or the session management network element, so that the first access network device determines the first scheduling information according to the first feature information and the feature information of other QoS flows in the first cell.
With reference to the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes sending the first scheduling information to the second access network device, so that the second access network device sends the first scheduling information to the first terminal. Based on the method, the first access network device can send the first scheduling information to the second access network device, so that the second access network device can send the first scheduling information to the first terminal. In this way, the first terminal may send the first scheduling information to the application network element, so that the application network element may send the data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information after the first terminal is switched to the second access network device, or may send the data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information after the first terminal is switched to the second access network device.
With reference to the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes receiving second indication information from the second access device or the session management network element, where the second indication information is used to indicate that a sending time of the data packet of the first service flow is adjustable. Based on the above method, the first access network device may determine whether it is necessary to determine a transmission time of at least one data packet of the first traffic flow according to the second indication information. The first access network device may determine the transmission time of the at least one data packet of the first service flow if the first access network device receives the second indication information, or may not determine the transmission time of the at least one data packet of the first service flow if the first access network device does not receive the second indication information or the first access network device receives the indication information that the transmission time of the data packet of the first service flow cannot be adjusted. In this way, the computational overhead and signaling overhead of the first access network device may be saved.
In a third aspect, a communication method is provided, and the communication device performing the communication method may be the first terminal, or may be a module, such as a chip or a chip system, applied in the first terminal. The following describes an example in which the execution body is a first terminal. The communication method comprises the steps of obtaining first scheduling information, wherein the first scheduling information is used for determining the sending time of at least one data packet of a first service flow, the first service flow is a service flow of a first terminal, the first scheduling information is determined according to first characteristic information and characteristic information of other service flows, the first characteristic information is used for indicating the bandwidth and the period of the first service flow, the other service flows are service flows except the first service flow in a first cell accessed by the first terminal, the other service flows comprise a second service flow, the second characteristic information of the second service flow is used for indicating the bandwidth and the period of the second service flow and the sending time of at least one data packet of the second service flow, the data packet of the first service flow is sent according to the first scheduling information, or the first scheduling information is sent to an application network element corresponding to the first service flow.
Based on the method provided in the third aspect, the first terminal may obtain the first scheduling information, and send the data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information, so that the data packet of the first service flow and the data packets of other service flows in the first cell may be sent in a peak-shifting manner, so as to reduce occurrence of air interface congestion. Or the first terminal may send the first scheduling information to an application network element corresponding to the application corresponding to the first service flow, so that the application network element sends the data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information, so that the data packet of the first service flow and the data packets of other service flows in the first cell may be sent in a peak-shifting manner, thereby reducing occurrence of air interface congestion.
With reference to the third aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes sending the first feature information to a session management network element. Based on the method, the first terminal can send the first characteristic information of the first service flow to the session management network element, so that the session management network element determines the first scheduling information according to the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other service flows except the first service flow in the first cell. Or the session management network element may be caused to send the first characteristic information to other network elements, for example, a policy control network element, a network opening network element, or a first network element, so that the other network elements determine the first scheduling information according to the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other traffic flows in the first cell, except for the first traffic flow.
With reference to the third aspect, in a possible implementation manner, if the data packet of the first service flow is sent according to the first scheduling information, the obtaining the first scheduling information includes receiving the first scheduling information from the session management network element, or receiving the first scheduling information from the first access network device, or receiving the first scheduling information from the application network element. Based on the method, the first terminal can acquire the first scheduling information in various modes, so that the flexibility and diversity of the first terminal for acquiring the first scheduling information are improved.
With reference to the third aspect, in a possible implementation manner, if the first scheduling information is sent to the application network element, the acquiring the first scheduling information includes receiving the first scheduling information from the session management network element, or receiving the first scheduling information from the first access network device. Based on the method, the first terminal can acquire the first scheduling information in various modes, so that the flexibility and diversity of the first terminal for acquiring the first scheduling information are improved.
With reference to the third aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes sending second indication information to the session management network element or to the application network element, where the second indication information is used to indicate that a sending time of the data packet of the first service flow is adjustable. Based on the above method, the first terminal may indicate to the session management network element or the application network element whether the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow is adjustable, which may enable the session management network element to determine whether the first scheduling information needs to be determined, or enable the session management network element to indicate to other network elements (e.g., the policy control network element, the network opening network element, or the first network element, etc.) whether the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow is adjustable, or enable the application network element to determine whether the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow is adjustable, or enable the application network element to indicate to other network elements (e.g., the session management network element, the policy control network element, the network opening network element, or the first network element, etc.) whether the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow is adjustable.
With reference to the third aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first terminal is about to switch or has been switched to a second cell, where the second cell is a cell of the first access network device or a cell of the second access network device, the method further includes obtaining second scheduling information, where the second scheduling information is used to determine a next transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow in the second cell, the second scheduling information is determined according to the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other service flows in the second cell, where the other service flows in the second cell include a third service flow, and the third characteristic information of the third service flow is used to indicate a bandwidth, a period, and a transmission time of at least one data packet of the third service flow, and transmitting the data packet of the first service flow according to the second scheduling information, or transmitting the second scheduling information to an application network element. Based on the method, under the condition that the first terminal is about to be switched or is already switched to the second cell, the first terminal can acquire the second scheduling information and send the data packet of the first service flow according to the second scheduling information, so that the data packet of the first service flow and the data packets of other service flows in the second cell can be sent in a staggered mode, and the occurrence of the condition of air interface congestion is reduced. Or the first terminal may send the second scheduling information to an application network element corresponding to the application corresponding to the first service flow, so that the application network element sends the data packet of the first service flow according to the second scheduling information, so that the data packet of the first service flow and the data packets of other service flows in the second cell may be sent in a peak-shifting manner, thereby reducing occurrence of air interface congestion.
In a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided, and the communication device performing the communication method may be an application network element, or may be a module applied in the application network element, such as a chip or a chip system. The following description will take the execution body as an application network element as an example. The communication method comprises the steps of obtaining first scheduling information, wherein the first scheduling information is used for determining the sending time of at least one data packet of a first service flow, the first service flow is a service flow of a first terminal, the first scheduling information is determined according to first characteristic information and characteristic information of other service flows, the first characteristic information is used for indicating the bandwidth and the period of the first service flow, the other service flows are service flows except the first service flow in a first cell accessed by the first terminal, the other service flows comprise a second service flow, the second characteristic information of the second service flow is used for indicating the bandwidth and the period of the second service flow and the sending time of at least one data packet of the second service flow, and sending the first scheduling information to the first terminal, or sending the data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information.
Based on the method provided in the fourth aspect, the application network element may acquire the first scheduling information, and send the data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information, so that the data packet of the first service flow and the data packets of other service flows in the first cell may be sent in a peak-shifting manner, so as to reduce occurrence of air interface congestion. Or the application network element can send the first scheduling information to the first terminal, so that the first terminal sends the data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information, and the data packet of the first service flow and the data packets of other service flows in the first cell can be sent in a peak-shifting manner, so that the occurrence of the condition of air interface congestion is reduced.
With reference to the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, if the first scheduling information is sent to the first terminal, the acquiring the first scheduling information includes receiving the first scheduling information from a session management network element or a policy control network element. Based on the method, the application network element can acquire the first scheduling information in various modes, so that the flexibility and diversity of the application network element for acquiring the first scheduling information are improved.
With reference to the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation manner, if the data packet of the first service flow is sent according to the first scheduling information, the obtaining the first scheduling information includes receiving the first scheduling information from the first terminal, a session management network element or a policy control network element. Based on the method, the application network element can acquire the first scheduling information in various modes, so that the flexibility and diversity of the application network element for acquiring the first scheduling information are improved.
With reference to the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes sending the first feature information to the session management network element, the policy control network element, the network release network element, or the first network element. Based on the above method, the application network element may send the first feature information of the first service flow to the session management network element, the policy control network element, the network deployment network element or the first network element, so that these network elements may determine the first scheduling information according to the first feature information and the feature information of the other service flows in the first cell except for the first service flow.
With reference to the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes sending second indication information to the session management network element, the policy control network element, the network opening network element, or the first network element, where the second indication information is used to indicate that a sending time of a data packet of the first service flow is adjustable. Based on the above method, the application network element may indicate to the session management network element, the policy control network element, the network opening network element, or the first network element that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow may be adjusted, so that the session management network element, the policy control network element, the network opening network element, or the first network element determines whether the first scheduling information needs to be determined.
With reference to the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first terminal is about to switch or has switched to a second cell, and the method further includes acquiring second scheduling information, where the second scheduling information is used to determine a next transmission time of at least one data packet of the first traffic flow in the second cell, the second scheduling information is determined according to the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other traffic flows in the second cell, where the other traffic flows in the second cell include a third traffic flow, and the third characteristic information of the third traffic flow is used to indicate a bandwidth, a period, and a transmission time of at least one data packet of the third traffic flow, and transmitting the second scheduling information to the first terminal, or transmitting the data packet of the first traffic flow according to the second scheduling information. Based on the above method, under the condition that the first terminal is about to be switched or has been switched to the second cell, the application network element can acquire the second scheduling information, and send the data packet of the first service flow according to the second scheduling information, so that the data packet of the first service flow and the data packets of other service flows in the second cell can be sent in a peak-shifting manner, thereby reducing the occurrence of air interface congestion. Or the application network element can send the second scheduling information to the first terminal, so that the first terminal sends the data packet of the first service flow according to the second scheduling information, and the data packet of the first service flow and the data packets of other service flows in the second cell can be sent in a staggered mode, so that the occurrence of air interface congestion is reduced.
In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided for implementing the above method. The communication device may be the first network side device in the first aspect, or the device including the first network side device, or the communication device may be the first access network device in the second aspect, or the device including the first access network device, or the communication device may be the first terminal in the third aspect, or the device including the first terminal, or the communication device may be the application network element in the fourth aspect, or the device including the application network element. The communication device comprises corresponding modules, units or means (means) for implementing the above method, where the modules, units or means may be implemented by hardware, software, or implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the functions described above.
With reference to the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the communication device may include a processing module. The processing module may be configured to implement the processing functions of any of the aspects described above and any possible implementation thereof. The processing module may be, for example, a processor.
With reference to the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the communication device may include a processing module and a transceiver module. The processing module may be configured to implement the processing functions of any of the aspects described above and any possible implementation thereof. The processing module may be, for example, a processor. The transceiver module, which may also be referred to as a transceiver unit, is configured to implement the transmitting and/or receiving functions of any of the above aspects and any possible implementation thereof. The transceiver module may be formed by a transceiver circuit, transceiver or communication interface.
With reference to the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation manner, the transceiver module includes a transmitting module and a receiving module, which are respectively configured to implement the transmitting and receiving functions in any one of the foregoing aspects and any possible implementation manner thereof.
In a sixth aspect there is provided a communications device comprising a processor for coupling with a memory and for executing the method of any of the preceding aspects in accordance with instructions in the memory after reading the instructions. The communication device may be the first network side device in the first aspect, or the device including the first network side device, or the communication device may be the first access network device in the second aspect, or the device including the first access network device, or the communication device may be the first terminal in the third aspect, or the device including the first terminal, or the communication device may be the application network element in the fourth aspect, or the device including the application network element.
With reference to the sixth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the communication device further includes a memory, where the memory is used to store necessary program instructions and data.
With reference to the sixth aspect, in one possible implementation manner, the communication device is a chip or a chip system. Alternatively, when the communication device is a chip system, the communication device may be formed by a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices.
In a seventh aspect, there is provided a communications apparatus comprising a processor and interface circuitry, the interface circuitry for receiving a computer program or instructions and transmitting to the processor, the processor for executing the computer program or instructions to cause the communications apparatus to perform a method as described in any of the preceding aspects.
With reference to the seventh aspect, in one possible implementation manner, the communication device is a chip or a chip system. Alternatively, when the communication device is a chip system, the communication device may be formed by a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices.
In an eighth aspect, a computer readable storage medium is provided, in which instructions are stored which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of any of the above aspects.
In a ninth aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of any of the above aspects.
The technical effects of any one of the possible implementation manners of the fifth aspect to the ninth aspect may be referred to the technical effects of any one of the possible implementation manners of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, which are not repeated herein.
In a tenth aspect, a communication system is provided, the communication system including a session management network element and a user plane network element, the user plane network element being configured to send first feature information of a first service flow to the session management network element, or the user plane network element being configured to send identification information of an application corresponding to the first service flow to the session management network element, where the first service flow is a service flow of a first terminal, the first feature information being used to indicate a bandwidth and a period of the first service flow, the session management network element being configured to receive the first feature information from the user plane network element, or the session management network element being configured to receive identification information of the application from the user plane network element, obtain first feature information of the first service flow according to the identification information of the application, and further being configured to obtain information of a first cell to which the first terminal is connected, the information of the first cell being configured to identify the first cell, and further being configured to determine that a first scheduling information is the first service flow according to the first feature information and the feature information of the first service flow, and the second scheduling information being used to determine that the first service flow is the first scheduling information flow, and the second scheduling information is the first service flow, and the time packet is used to send at least one of the first service flow and the second scheduling information.
Based on the communication system of the tenth aspect, the session management network element may acquire the first feature information from the user plane network element, or acquire the first feature information according to the identification information of the application sent by the user plane network element, and determine the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow in combination with the feature information of other service flows except the first service flow in the first cell, so that the data packet of the service flow in the first cell may be sent in a peak-shifting manner, thereby reducing occurrence of air interface congestion, reducing the data packet loss rate and the transmission delay of data, and improving user experience.
With reference to the tenth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the communication system further includes a first access network device, where the first cell is a cell of the first access network device, the session management network element is further configured to send the first feature information and the first scheduling information to the first access network device, and the first access network device is configured to receive the first feature information and the first scheduling information from the session management network element, and configure a first resource for the first terminal, where the first resource is used to transmit a packet of the first service flow. Based on the communication system, the session management network element can send the first characteristic information and the first scheduling information to the first access network device, so that the first access network device can reserve resources for the first terminal according to the first characteristic information and the first scheduling information.
In an eleventh aspect, a communication system is provided, where the communication system includes a second network side device and a session management network element, where the second network side device is a policy control network element, a network opening network element, or a first network element, where the session management network element is configured to send, to the second network side device, first feature information of a first service flow and information of a first cell to which a first terminal is connected, where the first service flow is a service flow of the first terminal, the first feature information is used to indicate a bandwidth and a period of the first service flow, and the information of the first cell is used to identify the first cell, and where the second network side device is configured to receive the first feature information and the information of the first cell from the session management network element, and determine first scheduling information according to the feature information of the first feature information and other service flows, where the other service flows are service flows other than the first service flow, and where the other service flows include a second service flow, where the second feature information of the second service flow is used to indicate a bandwidth and a time for sending at least the first data packet of the first service flow and the first scheduling information.
Based on the communication system of the eleventh aspect, after the second network side device obtains the first feature information and the information of the first cell from the session management network element, the second network side device may determine a sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow in combination with feature information of other service flows except the first service flow in the first cell, so that the data packet of the service flow in the first cell may be sent in a peak-shifting manner, thereby reducing occurrence of air interface congestion, reducing a packet loss rate and a transmission delay of data, and improving user experience.
With reference to the eleventh aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the second network side device is further configured to send the first scheduling information to the session management network element, and the session management network element is further configured to receive the first scheduling information from the second network side device. Based on the communication system, the second network side device may send the first scheduling information to the session management network element, so that the session management network element sends the first scheduling information to the first terminal, and/or the application network element, and/or the first access network device.
With reference to the eleventh aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the communication system further includes a first access network device, where the first cell is a cell of the first access network device, the session management network element is further configured to send the first feature information and the first scheduling information to the first access network device, and the first access network device is configured to receive the first feature information and the first scheduling information from the session management network element, and configure a first resource for the first terminal, where the first resource is used to transmit a packet of the first service flow. Based on the communication system, the session management network element can send the first characteristic information and the first scheduling information to the first access network device, so that the first access network device can reserve resources for the first terminal according to the first characteristic information and the first scheduling information.
In a twelfth aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes a session management network element and a first access network device, where the session management network element is configured to send first characteristic information of a first QoS flow to the first access network device, where the first QoS flow is a QoS flow corresponding to a first traffic flow, the first traffic flow is a traffic flow of a first terminal, the first characteristic information is used to indicate a bandwidth and a period of the first traffic flow, the first access network device is configured to receive the first characteristic information from the session management network element, determine first scheduling information according to the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other QoS flows, and send the first scheduling information to the session management network element, where the other QoS flows are QoS flows other than the first QoS flow in a first cell of the first access network device, the other QoS flows include a second QoS flow, the second traffic flow is a traffic flow corresponding to a second traffic flow, the second characteristic information of the second QoS flow is used to indicate a bandwidth and a period of the second QoS flow, and at least one of the first QoS flow is used to send at least one first scheduling packet of the first access network element to determine the first scheduling information from the first access network element.
Based on the communication system of the twelfth aspect, after receiving the first characteristic information of the first QoS flow, the first access network device may determine a sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow in combination with the characteristic information of other QoS flows in the first cell except for the first QoS flow, so that the data packet of the QoS flow in the first cell may be sent in a peak-shifting manner, thereby reducing occurrence of air interface congestion, reducing a packet loss rate and a transmission delay of data, and improving user experience.
With reference to the twelfth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the communication system further includes an application network element, where the session management network element is further configured to send the first scheduling information to the application network element, and the application network element is configured to receive the first scheduling information from the session management network element, and send a data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information. Based on the communication system, the application network element can send the data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information so as to realize the data packet peak-shifting sending of the QoS flow in the first cell, thereby reducing the occurrence of air interface congestion, reducing the data packet loss rate and the data transmission delay and improving the user experience.
It will be appreciated that the relevant matters of any possible implementation manner of the first aspect to the fourth aspect may be cited in the communication system of the tenth aspect to the twelfth aspect, without limitation.
Detailed Description
The following describes in detail the implementation of the embodiment of the present application with reference to the drawings.
As shown in fig. 2, a communication system 20 is provided according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication system 20 comprises a session management network element 201 and a user plane network element 202.
In the communication system 20 shown in fig. 2, the user plane network element 202 may send the first characteristic information of the first service flow to the session management network element 201. The session management network element 201 may receive the first feature information from the user plane network element 202, obtain information of a first cell accessed by the first terminal, and determine first scheduling information according to the first feature information and feature information of other service flows in the first cell. Or the user plane element 202 may send identification information of the application corresponding to the first service flow to the session management element 201. The session management network element 201 may receive the identification information of the application from the user plane network element 202, obtain first feature information of the first service flow according to the identification information of the application, obtain information of a first cell accessed by the first terminal, and determine first scheduling information according to the first feature information and feature information of other service flows in the first cell. The details of the above method may be described with reference to the method shown in fig. 10, which is not described herein.
Optionally, the communication system 20 further comprises an access network device 203. The access network device 203 may receive the first characteristic information and the first scheduling information from the session management network element 201, and configure the first resource for the first terminal according to the first characteristic information and the first scheduling information.
Optionally, the communication system 20 further comprises an application network element 204. The application network element 204 may receive the first scheduling information from the session management network element 201 and send the data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information.
Optionally, the communication system 20 further comprises an access network device 205. In case the first terminal is about to switch or has switched to the second cell of the access network device 205, the access network device 205 may receive the second scheduling information from the session management network element 201 and obtain the first characteristic information, and configure resources for the first terminal according to the first characteristic information and the second scheduling information.
It will be appreciated that the devices or network elements in the communication system 20 may communicate directly, or may communicate via forwarding by other devices, which is not particularly limited in the embodiments of the present application.
It can be understood that fig. 2 is only a schematic diagram, and does not limit the applicable scenario of the technical solution provided by the present application. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in a particular implementation, communication system 20 may include fewer devices or network elements than those shown in fig. 2, or communication system 20 may include other devices or other network elements, and that the number of devices or network elements in communication system 20 may be determined according to particular needs.
As shown in fig. 3, yet another communication system 30 is provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present application. The communication system 30 comprises a session management network element 301 and a network side device 302. The network side device 302 may be a policy control network element, a network opening network element, or a first network element. The network-side device 302 may correspond to a second network-side device in the embodiments described below. The first network element may be a newly set network element, and may be independently deployed in the network, or may be an existing network element, without limitation.
In the communication system 30 shown in fig. 3, the session management network element 301 may send first characteristic information of the first service flow to the network side device 302. The network side device 302 may receive the first characteristic information from the session management network element 301. The network side device 302 may further obtain information of a first cell accessed by the first terminal, and determine first scheduling information according to the first feature information and feature information of other service flows in the first cell. The detailed description of the above method can be described in the method shown in fig. 12, and will not be described here.
Optionally, the communication system 30 further comprises an access network device 303. The access network device 303 may receive the first characteristic information and the first scheduling information from the session management network element 301, and configure a first resource for the first terminal according to the first characteristic information and the first scheduling information.
Optionally, the communication system 30 further comprises an application network element 304. The application network element 304 may receive the first scheduling information from the session management network element 301 or the network side device 302, and send the data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information.
Optionally, the communication system 30 further comprises a user plane network element 305. The user plane network element 305 may send the first characteristic information of the first service flow to the session management network element 301, or the user plane network element 305 may send the identification information of the application corresponding to the first service flow to the session management network element 301.
Optionally, the communication system 30 further comprises an access network device 306. In case the first terminal is about to switch or has switched to the second cell of the access network device 306, the access network device 306 may receive the second scheduling information from the session management network element 301, obtain the first characteristic information, and configure resources for the first terminal according to the first characteristic information and the second scheduling information.
It will be appreciated that the devices or network elements in the communication system 30 may communicate directly, or may communicate via forwarding by other devices, which is not particularly limited in the embodiments of the present application.
It can be understood that fig. 3 is only a schematic diagram, and does not limit the applicable scenario of the technical solution provided by the present application. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in a particular implementation, communication system 30 may include fewer devices or network elements than those shown in fig. 3, or communication system 30 may include other devices or other network elements, and that the number of devices or network elements in communication system 30 may be determined according to particular needs.
As shown in fig. 4, yet another communication system 40 is provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present application. The communication system 40 comprises a session management network element 401 and an access network device 402.
In the communication system 40 shown in fig. 4, the session management network element 401 may send first characteristic information of the first quality of service (quality of service, qoS) flow to the access network device 402. The access network device 402 may receive the first characteristic information from the session management network element 401, determine first scheduling information according to the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other QoS flows in the first cell, except for the first QoS flow, and send the first scheduling information to the session management network element 401. The details of the above method may be described with reference to the method shown in fig. 14, which is not described herein.
Optionally, the communication system 40 further comprises an application network element 403. The application network element 403 may receive the first scheduling information from the session management network element 401, and send the data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information.
Optionally, the communication system 40 further comprises a user plane network element 404. The user plane network element 404 may send the first characteristic information of the first service flow to the session management network element 401, or the user plane network element 404 may send the identification information of the application corresponding to the first service flow to the session management network element 401.
Optionally, the communication system 40 further comprises an access network device 405. When the first terminal is about to switch or has switched into the third cell of the access network device 405, the access network device 405 may determine third scheduling information according to the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other QoS flows in the third cell, except for the first QoS flow, and send the third scheduling information to the session management network element 401.
It will be appreciated that the devices or network elements in the communication system 40 may communicate directly or may communicate via forwarding from other devices, which is not particularly limited in the embodiments of the present application.
It can be understood that fig. 4 is only a schematic diagram, and does not limit the applicable scenario of the technical solution provided by the present application. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in the specific implementation, communication system 40 may include fewer devices or network elements than those shown in fig. 4, or communication system 40 may include other devices or other network elements, and the number of devices or network elements in communication system 40 may be determined according to specific needs without limitation.
Alternatively, the communication system 20, the communication system 30, or the communication system 40 may be applicable to the 5G network in question, or may be applicable to other networks in the future, which is not limited in particular by the embodiment of the present application.
Illustratively, taking an example that the communication system 20, the communication system 30 or the communication system 40 may be applicable to the 5G network in question, the device or entity corresponding to the session management network element may be a session management function (session managent function, SMF) in the 5G network as described in fig. 5 a. The network element or entity corresponding to the access network device may be a radio access network (radio access network, RAN) device in the 5G network described in fig. 5 a. The device or entity corresponding to the application network element may be an application function (application function, AF) in the 5G network described in fig. 5 a. The device or entity corresponding to the user plane element may be a user plane function (user plane function, UPF) in the 5G network described in fig. 5 a. The device or entity corresponding to the policy control element may be a policy control function (policy control function, PCF) in the 5G network described in fig. 5 a. The device or entity corresponding to the network element may be a network opening function (network exposure function, NEF) in the 5G network described in fig. 5 a.
In addition, as shown in fig. 5a, the 5G network may further include an authentication server function (authentication server function, AUSF), a mobility management function (ACCESS AND mobility management function, AMF), a charging function (charging function, CHF), a network slice selection function (network slice selection function, NSSF), a network function storage function (network exposure function Repository Function, NRF), a policy control function (policy control function, PCF), unified data management (unified DATA MANAGEMENT, UDM), unified data storage (unified data repository, UDR), or a data network, etc.
As shown in fig. 5a, the terminal accesses to the 5G network through the RAN device, the terminal communicates with the AMF through an N1 interface (abbreviated as N1), the RAN device communicates with the AMF through an N2 interface (abbreviated as N2), the RAN device communicates with the UPF through an N3 interface (abbreviated as N3), the SMF communicates with the UPF through an N4 interface (abbreviated as N4), and the UPF accesses to the data network through an N6 interface (abbreviated as N6). In addition, AUSF, AMF, SMF, NSSF, NEF, NRF, PCF, UDM, UDR, CHF or AF control plane functions shown in fig. 5a use a service interface to interact. For example, nausf serves interfaces for external provision of AUSF, namf serves interfaces for external provision of AMF, nsmf serves interfaces for external provision of SMF, nnssf serves interfaces for external provision of NSSF, nnef serves interfaces for external provision of NEF, nnrf serves interfaces for external provision of NRF, npcf serves interfaces for external provision of PCF, nudm serves interfaces for external provision of UDM, nudr serves interfaces for external provision of UDR, nchf serves interfaces for external provision of CHF, and Naf serves interfaces for external provision of AF. The related functional descriptions and interface descriptions may refer to the 5G system architecture (5G system architecture) diagram in the 23501 standard, which is not described herein.
Optionally, the 5G network further includes a first network element, and the description of the first network element may be described with reference to fig. 3. The first network element may communicate with the SMF.
Fig. 5a is a schematic diagram of a conventional 5G network service architecture. Fig. 5b is a schematic diagram of the reference point-based 5G network architecture corresponding to fig. 5a. As shown in fig. 5b, the terminal accesses the 5G network through the RAN device, the terminal communicates with the AMF through an N1 interface (abbreviated as N1), the RAN device communicates with the AMF through an N2 interface (abbreviated as N2), the RAN device communicates with the UPF through an N3 interface (abbreviated as N3), the different UPFs communicate with each other through an N9 interface (abbreviated as N9), and the UPF accesses the Data Network (DN) through an N6 interface (abbreviated as N6). In addition, SMF communicates with UPF via an N4 interface (N4), AMF communicates with SMF via an N11 interface (N11), AMF communicates with UDM via an N8 interface (N8), AMF communicates with AUSF via an N12 interface (N12), AMF communicates with PCF via an N15 interface (N15), AMF communicates with NSSF via an N22 interface (N22), different AMFs communicate with PCF via an N14 interface (N14), SMF communicates with PCF via an N7 interface (N7), SMF communicates with UDM via an N10 interface (N10), SMF communicates with NEF via an N29 interface (N29), SMF communicates with NRF via an Nnrf, SMF communicates with CHF via an N Nchf interface (N Nchf), AMR communicates with PCF via an N36 interface (N36), UDR communicates with NEF via an N37 interface (N37), and SMR communicates with NEM 13 via an N13 interface (N498). The first network element may communicate with the SMF.
Alternatively, each network element or device (such as a session management network element, an access network device, an application network element, a user plane network element, a policy control network element, a network release network element, or a first network element) in fig. 2, 3, or 4 may also be referred to as a communication apparatus, which may be a general device or a special device, and embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto specifically.
Optionally, the relevant functions of each network element or device in fig. 2, fig. 3, or fig. 4 in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented by one device, or may be implemented by multiple devices together, or may be implemented by one or more functional modules in one device, which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application. It will be appreciated that the functions described above may be either network elements in a hardware device, or software functions running on dedicated hardware, or a combination of hardware and software, or virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).
In particular implementations, each device or network element shown in fig. 2, 3, or 4 may employ the constituent structure shown in fig. 6, or include the components shown in fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of a hardware configuration of a communication device applicable to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 60 comprises at least one processor 601 and at least one communication interface 604 for implementing the method provided by the embodiments of the present application. Optionally, the communication device 60 may also include a communication line 602 and a memory 603.
The processor 601 may be a general purpose central processing unit (central processing unit, CPU), microprocessor, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of the programs of the present application.
Communication line 602 may include a pathway to transfer information between the aforementioned components, such as a bus.
Communication interface 604 for communicating with other devices or communication networks. The communication interface 604 may be any transceiver-like device such as an ethernet interface, a radio access network (radio access network, RAN) interface, a wireless local area network (wireless local area networks, WLAN) interface, a transceiver, a pin, a bus, or transceiver circuitry, etc.
The memory 603 may be, but is not limited to, a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (random access memory, RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device that can store information and instructions, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (ELECTRICALLY ERASABLE PROGRAMMABLE READ-only memory, EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (compact disc read-only memory) or other optical disc storage, a compact disc storage (including compact disc, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc, blu-ray disc, etc.), a magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. The memory may be self-contained and coupled to the processor 601 via communication line 602. The memory 603 may also be integrated with the processor 601. The memory provided by embodiments of the present application may generally have non-volatility.
The memory 603 is used for storing computer-executable instructions related to executing the scheme provided by the embodiment of the present application, and the processor 601 controls the execution. The processor 601 is configured to execute computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 603, thereby implementing the method provided by the embodiment of the present application.
Alternatively, in the embodiment of the present application, the processor 601 may perform the functions related to the processing in the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, and the communication interface 604 is responsible for communicating with other devices or communication networks, which is not specifically limited in the embodiment of the present application.
Alternatively, the computer-executable instructions in the embodiments of the present application may be referred to as application program codes, which are not particularly limited in the embodiments of the present application.
The coupling in the embodiments of the present application is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, which may be in electrical, mechanical, or other forms for information interaction between the devices, units, or modules.
As one example, processor 601 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 in fig. 6.
As one example, the communication device 60 may include a plurality of processors, such as the processor 601 and the processor 607 in fig. 6. Each of these processors may be a single-core (single-CPU) processor or may be a multi-core (multi-CPU) processor. Processors herein may include, but are not limited to, at least one of a central processing unit (central processing unit, CPU), microprocessor, digital Signal Processor (DSP), microcontroller (microcontroller unit, MCU), or artificial intelligence processor, etc. running various types of software computing devices, each of which may include one or more cores for executing software instructions to perform operations or processes.
As one example, the communication apparatus 60 may also include an output device 605 and/or an input device 606. The output device 605 is coupled to the processor 601 and can display information in a variety of ways. For example, the output device 605 may be a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) CRYSTAL DISPLAY, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display device, a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) display device, or a projector (projector), or the like. The input device 606 is coupled to the processor 601 and can receive user input in a variety of ways. For example, the input device 606 may be a mouse, a keyboard, a touch screen device, a sensing device, or the like.
It will be appreciated that the constituent structures shown in fig. 6 do not constitute a limitation of the communication device, and that the communication device may include more or less components than those shown in fig. 6, or may combine some components, or may be arranged in different components.
The following will take the architectures shown in fig. 2, fig. 3 and fig. 4 as examples, respectively, to describe a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. Each network element in the following embodiments may be provided with the components shown in fig. 6, which are not described in detail.
It should be noted that, in the following embodiments of the present application, a name of a message between each network element or a name of each parameter in a message is only an example, and in specific implementations, other names may also be used, which is not limited in particular by the embodiments of the present application.
It should be noted that, in the embodiments of the present application, "and/or" may be used to describe that there are three relationships between the associated objects, for example, a and/or B, which may mean that a exists alone, while a and B exist alone, and B exists alone, where a and B may be singular or plural. Furthermore, expressions similar to "at least one of A, B and C" or "at least one of A, B or C" are generally used to denote any of A alone, B alone, C alone, both A and B together, both A and C together, both B and C together, and both A, B and C together. The above is an alternative entry for the item exemplified by A, B and C together with the three elements, the meaning of which can be obtained according to the rules described above when there are more elements in the expression.
In order to facilitate description of the technical solution of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, the words "first", "second", etc. may be used to distinguish between technical features that are the same or similar in function. The terms "first," "second," and the like do not necessarily denote any order of quantity or order of execution, nor do the terms "first," "second," and the like. In embodiments of the application, the words "exemplary" or "such as" are used to mean examples, illustrations, or descriptions, and any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "such as" should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. The use of the word "exemplary" or "such as" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a concrete fashion to facilitate understanding.
In the embodiment of the present application, for one technical feature, the technical features of the technical features are distinguished by "first", "second", "third", "a", "B", "C", and "D", and there is no sequence or order of magnitude between the technical features described by "first", "second", "third", "a", "B", "C", and "D".
It will be appreciated that the same steps or technical features having the same function in the embodiments of the present application may be referred to and referred to in different embodiments.
It will be understood that, in the embodiments of the present application, each network element or device may perform some or all of the steps in the embodiments of the present application, these steps are merely examples, and the embodiments of the present application may also perform other steps or variations of the steps. Furthermore, the various steps may be performed in a different order presented in accordance with embodiments of the application, and it is possible that not all of the steps in an embodiment of the application may be performed.
As shown in fig. 7, a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application includes S701-S702.
S701, a first network side device acquires first characteristic information of a first service flow and information of a first cell accessed by a first terminal.
In the embodiment of the present application, the first network side device may be a session management network element or a second network side device. For example, the first network-side device may be the session management network element 201 in fig. 2, or the network-side device 302 in fig. 3. Or the first network side device may also be SMF, PCF, NEF or the first network element in fig. 5a or fig. 5 b.
In the embodiment of the present application, the first service flow may be a service flow of the first terminal. The information of the first cell may be used to identify the first cell. For example, the information of the first cell may include an identification of the first cell. The first cell may be a cell of a first RAN apparatus. If the first network-side device is the session management network element 201 in fig. 2, the first RAN device may be the access network device 203 in fig. 2. If the first network side device is the network side device 302 in fig. 3, the first RAN device may be the access network device 303 in fig. 3. If the first network-side device is SMF, NEF, PCF or the first network element in fig. 5a or fig. 5b, the first RAN device may be the RAN device in fig. 5a or fig. 5 b.
In the embodiment of the application, the first characteristic information can be used for indicating the bandwidth and the period of the first service flow. Alternatively, the first characteristic information may indicate a transmission rule of the data packet of the first traffic flow, for example, the first characteristic information may include at least one of a time interval of two adjacent bursts (or frames), a bandwidth size occupied by each burst (or frame), a transmission mode of the burst (or frame) included in one period, and the like. Alternatively, the first characteristic information may at least recover the transmission rule of the larger burst of the first traffic flow, for example, the first characteristic information may include at least one of a time interval of two adjacent larger burst (or frame) frames, and a bandwidth size occupied by the larger burst (or frame). In embodiments of the present application, frames and bursts may be interchanged. At least one data packet of the first traffic stream may be transmitted in one burst (or frame).
As an example, if the transmission rule of the data packet of the first traffic flow is as shown in fig. 1, the first characteristic information may indicate a transmission mode of the I frame and the P frame (in this example, the transmission mode is IPPP, that is, 1I frame is transmitted, 3P frames are further transmitted, 1I frame is further transmitted, 3P frames are further transmitted, and so on, where an I frame is a burst, a P frame is another burst), a period corresponding to the transmission mode (that is, a time interval between one I frame and a next I frame), a time interval between two adjacent P frames in one period, a time interval between two adjacent I frames and P frames in one period, a size of the data packet transmitted by the I frame (that is, a bandwidth size occupied by the I frame) and a size of the data packet transmitted by the P frame (that is, a bandwidth size occupied by the P frame). In a specific application, the time interval between two adjacent frames may be the same. For example, in the above example, the time interval between an I frame and its adjacent P frame, the time interval between two adjacent P frames, and the time interval between the last P frame in the previous period and the I frame in the next subsequent period are all the same, in which case the first characteristic information may be reduced to the transmission mode (such as IPPP) of the I frame and the P frame, the frame interval (or frequency), the bandwidth occupied by the I frame, and the bandwidth occupied by the P frame.
As another example, to reduce the complexity of the first network side device, the first feature information may be simplified. For example, the first feature information may not indicate information of a smaller frame (e.g., P frame) but indicate information of a larger frame (e.g., I frame), so that the first network side device restores the transmission rule of the larger frame according to the first feature information. For example, the first characteristic information may include a transmission period (or frequency) of the I-frame, and a bandwidth size occupied by the I-frame. The first characteristic information may further include a transmission duration of the I frame and/or the P frame. The transmission duration of the I frame may also be referred to as the transmission duration of the large data packet, i.e., the duration of the I frame. The transmission duration of the P frame may also be referred to as the transmission duration of the small data packet, i.e., the duration of the P frame. The transmission duration of the I frame and the transmission duration of the P frame may be the same or different.
Alternatively, if the data packet of the first traffic flow does not start to be transmitted, the first characteristic information may be further used to indicate an expected start transmission time of the data packet of the first traffic flow. The first characteristic information may also be used to indicate a transmission time of at least one data packet of the first traffic stream, or a transmission time of at least one frame, or a start time of at least one period, if the data packet of the first traffic stream has already started to be transmitted. The first characteristic information may also indicate, for example, a time of transmission of a first packet of the first traffic stream, or the first characteristic information may also indicate a time of start of a period (e.g., a period starts with an I-frame, the first characteristic information may also indicate a time of transmission of an I-frame, or a time of transmission of a first packet of an I-frame), or the first characteristic information may also indicate a time of transmission of any one of the frames (or at least one packet of the frame). If the first characteristic information indicates the transmission time of at least one frame (or at least one data packet of the frame), the first characteristic information may further indicate which frame in a period corresponds to the frame (or the frame corresponding to the data packet), so that the first network side device determines the transmission time of the first traffic stream (i.e., the position of the first traffic stream on the time axis).
It can be understood that after the first network side device obtains the first feature information, the sending rule of the data packet of the first service flow can be recovered according to the first feature information. Or, after the first network side device obtains the first feature information, at least a sending rule of a larger frame in the first service flow can be recovered according to the first feature information. In this way, the first network side device can combine the characteristic information of other service flows except the first service flow in the first cell to determine the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow, so that the data packet of the service flow in the first cell can be sent in a peak-shifting manner, and the occurrence of air interface congestion is reduced.
And S702, the first network side equipment determines first scheduling information according to the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other service flows.
Wherein the other traffic flows are traffic flows in the first cell other than the first traffic flow. That is, after the first network side device obtains the information of the first cell, the first network side device may obtain the feature information of other service flows transmitted through the first cell according to the information of the first cell, and then determine the first scheduling information according to the first feature information and the feature information of other service flows. Wherein the other traffic flows include a second traffic flow. The second traffic flow is different from the first traffic flow. The second traffic flow may be a traffic flow of the first terminal, or may be a traffic flow of other terminals, except the first terminal, that are accessed into the first cell. The data packets of the second traffic stream have already been sent or have not yet been sent.
Wherein the second characteristic information of the second traffic flow may be used to indicate a bandwidth, a period of the second traffic flow and a transmission time of at least one data packet of the second traffic flow. The second characteristic information may enable the first network side device to recover a transmission rule of the data packet of the second service flow. Or, the second characteristic information at least can enable the first network side device to recover the sending rule of the larger frame in the second service flow. Taking the sending rule of the data packet of the second service flow as shown in fig. 1 as an example, the second characteristic information may indicate the sending mode of the I frame and the P frame, a period corresponding to the sending mode, a time interval between two adjacent P frames in one period, a time interval between two adjacent I frames and P frames in one period, a start time of any period of the second service flow, a bandwidth size occupied by the I frame, and a bandwidth size occupied by the P frame. Or the second characteristic information may indicate a transmission period (or frequency) of the I frame, a transmission time of any I frame of the second traffic stream, and a bandwidth size occupied by the I frame.
In one possible implementation manner, the second characteristic information is acquired by the first network side device before S702. The process of the first network side device obtaining the second characteristic information is similar to the process of the first network side device obtaining the first characteristic information, and the following description of the first network side device obtaining the first characteristic information may be referred to, which is not repeated.
In the embodiment of the present application, the first scheduling information is used to determine a transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow. For example, the first scheduling information may include a transmission time of at least one data packet of the first traffic flow, or the first scheduling information may indicate at least one time interval within which the transmission time of the at least one data packet of the first traffic flow may be located. The at least one packet may be at least one packet of the first frame of the first traffic flow (that is, the first scheduling information is used to determine a start transmission time of the first frame of the first traffic flow), or the at least one packet may be at least one packet of the first frame of the at least one period of the first traffic flow (that is, the first scheduling information is used to determine a start time of the at least one period of the first traffic flow).
Optionally, the first scheduling information may further include a coding rate, and/or a modulation order. If the first traffic flow has a high reliability requirement, the first network side device may determine a lower coding rate or lower modulation order.
It will be appreciated that if the data packet of the first traffic flow does not start to be transmitted, the first scheduling information is used to determine a start transmission time of at least one data packet of the first traffic flow, or a start transmission time of a first frame of at least one period. If the data packet of the first service flow has already started to be sent, the first scheduling information is used to determine a next sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow or a next sending time of at least one frame, where the at least one frame may be any frame including the first frame in one period. It will be appreciated that if the data packet of the first traffic flow has already begun to be transmitted, the first scheduling information may include an adjustment time of the transmission time of at least one data packet of the first traffic flow, for example, delayed by 10 ms.
In the embodiment of the application, the first network side equipment can determine the first scheduling information according to the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other service flows, so that the data packet of the first service flow can be sent at the moment that the air interface is not congested, or the situation that the air interface is congested caused by that a larger frame of the first service flow and a larger frame of other service flows are sent at the same time is avoided.
In a possible implementation manner, in a case where the data packet of the second service flow is sent according to the second characteristic information and the data packet of the first service flow is sent according to the first scheduling information, a maximum value of a sum of bandwidths occupied by the data packet of the second service flow and the data packet of the first service flow at the same time is smaller than or equal to a first threshold value.
Illustratively, the first cell includes a first traffic stream and a second traffic stream, where the bandwidth and period of the first traffic stream is the same as the bandwidth and period of the second traffic stream, as illustrated in fig. 8. In fig. 8, the transmission modes of the first traffic stream and the second traffic stream are that one I frame is transmitted first, two P frames are transmitted, one I frame is transmitted, two P frames are transmitted, and so on. The periods corresponding to the transmission modes of the first service flow and the second service flow are T, and the time interval of two adjacent frames in the first service flow and the second service flow is T1. If the transmission time of the first frame of the second traffic flow is t0, the first network side device may determine that the transmission time of the first I frame of the first traffic flow is in the time interval 801, or the first network side device may determine that the transmission time of the next I frame of the first traffic flow is in the time interval 801. The time interval 801 is [ t0+ [ delta ] t+i ] t1, t0+ (i+1) t1], where I is an integer greater than or equal to 0 and Δt is the transmission duration of the I frame. In fig. 8, the transmission duration of the I frame is the same as the transmission duration of the P frame. It can be seen that the time interval 801 comprises a plurality of intervals, only one of which is shown in fig. 8. If the bandwidth occupied by the P frame packet of the second traffic flow is smaller, for example, the sum of the bandwidth occupied by the P frame of the second traffic flow and the bandwidth occupied by the I frame of the first traffic flow is smaller than or equal to the first threshold, the first network side device may determine that the transmission time of the first I frame of the first traffic flow is located in the time interval 802, or the first network side device may determine that the transmission time of the next I frame of the first traffic flow is located in the time interval 802. Time interval 802 is [ t0+ [ delta ] t+i ] T, t0+ (i+1) T ]. It can be seen that the time interval 802 includes a plurality of intervals, only one of which is shown in fig. 8.
It should be appreciated that in the above examples, for ease of understanding, the bandwidth and period of the first traffic stream is described as being the same as the bandwidth and period of the second traffic stream. In a specific application, the number of other traffic flows in the first cell may be greater than 1, and the bandwidth and the period of the first traffic flow may be the same as those of the other traffic flows, may be different from those of the other traffic flows, may be the same as those of part of the traffic flows in the other traffic flows, and are not limited.
It may be appreciated that if the first characteristic information indicates an expected start transmission time of a data packet of the first traffic flow, the first network side device may consider the expected start transmission time when determining the first scheduling information. For example, if the predicted initial transmission time is located in the time interval indicated by the first scheduling information, for example, in the time interval 801 or the time interval 802, the transmission time of the first packet of the first traffic flow may be determined as the predicted initial transmission time, and if the predicted initial transmission time is not located in the time interval indicated by the first scheduling information, the transmission time of the first packet of the first traffic flow may be located in the time interval indicated by the first scheduling information and adjacent to the predicted initial transmission time.
For example, taking an example that the first network side device determines that the transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow may be located in a time interval 1, a time interval 2, and a time interval 3, the time interval 1, the time interval 2, and the time interval 3 may be as shown in fig. 9. If the estimated initial transmission time is time 901, the transmission time of the first packet of the first traffic stream is time 901. If the expected starting transmission time is time 902, the transmission time of the first packet of the first traffic stream may be located in time interval 1 or time interval 2. If the expected start transmission time is time 903, the transmission time of the first packet of the first traffic stream may be in time interval 2 or time interval 3.
Based on the method shown in fig. 7, after the first network side device obtains the first feature information of the first service flow and the first cell information, the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow can be determined by combining the feature information of other service flows except the first service flow in the first cell, so that the data packet of the service flow in the first cell can be sent in a peak-shifting manner, thereby reducing the occurrence of air interface congestion, reducing the data packet loss rate and the data transmission delay, and improving the user experience.
The actions of the first network side device in S701 to S702 may be performed by the processor 601 in the communication apparatus 60 shown in fig. 6 calling the application program code stored in the memory 603, which is not limited in any way in the embodiment of the present application.
In the embodiment of the present application, in the case that the first network side device is a session management network element or a second network side device, the steps included in the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application are different. The communication method provided by the embodiment of the application is described below by taking the first network side device as an SMF and the first network side device as a PCF as examples.
First, a communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application is described in detail by taking a first network side device as an SMF as an example. In particular, reference may be made to the methods shown in FIGS. 10-11 below.
As shown in fig. 10, in a possible implementation manner of the method shown in fig. 7, the SMF may obtain the first characteristic information and the information of the first cell at least in any one of the following four manners. Of course, the four acquisition modes are not limited.
Mode 1:s701 may include S1001 and S1002.
And S1001, the first terminal sends first characteristic information to the SMF. Accordingly, the SMF receives the first characteristic information from the first terminal.
Optionally, the first terminal sends the first feature information to the SMF when the data packet of the first service flow is about to start to be sent.
One possible implementation, the first terminal sends the first characteristic information to the first RAN device. And after receiving the first characteristic information, the first RAN equipment sends the first characteristic information to the AMF. After the AMF receives the first characteristic information, the AMF sends the first characteristic information to the SMF. The AMF may be the AMF of fig. 5a or fig. 5b, among others.
S1002 the AMF sends information of the first cell to the SMF. Accordingly, the SMF receives information from the first cell of the AMF.
In one possible implementation, the AMF sends the locally stored information of the first cell to the SMF. Illustratively, the SMF may subscribe to the AMF for cell information accessed by the first terminal. When the cell accessed by the first terminal changes, the AMF may send information of the cell accessed by the first terminal to the SMF.
In another possible implementation manner, after receiving the first feature information, the first RAN device may send information of the first cell to the AMF. The first RAN device may send the first characteristic information and the information of the first cell to the AMF at the same time, or may send the first characteristic information and the information of the first cell to the AMF in different steps, respectively. After the AMF receives the information of the first cell, the AMF sends the information of the first cell to the SMF. The AMF may send the first feature information and the information of the first cell to the SMF at the same time, or may send the first feature information and the information of the first cell to the SMF in different steps, respectively.
The embodiment of the present application does not limit the execution order of S1001 and S1002. For example, the embodiment of the present application may execute S1001 first and then execute S1002, may execute S1002 first and then execute S1001, and may execute S1001 and S1002 simultaneously.
It can be appreciated that through the above S1001-S1002, the SMF may acquire the first characteristic information from the first terminal, and acquire the information of the first cell from the AMF. Thus, the SMF may determine the characteristic information of other service flows of the first cell according to the information of the first cell, and determine the first scheduling information by combining the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other service flows.
Mode 2:s701 may include S1003 and S1004.
And S1003, the AF sends the first characteristic information to the SMF. Accordingly, the SMF receives the first feature information from the AF.
The AF may be an AF of an application corresponding to the first service flow. For example, the AF may be application network element 204 in fig. 2. The AF may also be AF in fig. 5a or fig. 5 b.
Optionally, the AF sends the first characteristic information to the SMF in case that a packet of the first traffic flow is about to start to be sent.
In one possible implementation, the AF sends the first characteristic information to a NEF (not shown in the figure). After receiving the first feature information, the NEF sends the first feature information to the PCF (not shown in the figure). After receiving the first feature information, the PCF sends the first feature information to the SMF. Wherein the NEF may be the NEF in fig. 5a or fig. 5b and the PCF may be the PCF in fig. 5a or fig. 5 b.
And S1004, the AMF sends the information of the first cell to the SMF. Accordingly, the SMF receives information from the first cell of the AMF.
The AMF may be the AMF in fig. 5a or fig. 5 b.
One possible implementation, the SMF may subscribe to the AMF for cell information accessed by the first terminal. When the cell accessed by the first terminal changes, the AMF may send information of the cell accessed by the first terminal to the SMF.
Illustratively, after the first terminal is handed over from the other cell to the first cell, the AMF sends information of the first cell to the SMF.
The embodiment of the present application does not limit the execution order of S1003 and S1004. For example, the embodiment of the present application may execute S1003 before S1004, may execute S1004 before S1003, and may execute S1003 and S1004 simultaneously.
It can be appreciated that, through S1003-S1004 described above, the SMF may acquire the first feature information from the AF and acquire the information of the first cell from the AMF. Thus, the SMF may determine the characteristic information of other service flows in the first cell according to the information of the first cell, and determine the first scheduling information by combining the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other service flows.
Mode 3S 701 may include S1005 and S1006.
S1005, the UPF transmits the first feature information to the SMF. Accordingly, the SMF receives the first characteristic information from the UPF.
The UPF may be the user plane network element 202 in fig. 2. The UPF may also be the UPF in fig. 5a or fig. 5 b.
Optionally, before S1005, the SMF sends first indication information to the UPF. The first indication information is used for indicating first characteristic information of the detected first service flow or the first indication information is used for indicating characteristics of the detected application. The first traffic flow is a traffic flow of the application.
As an example, in case the first indication information indicates that the first characteristic information of the first traffic flow is detected, the first indication information may include an identification of the first traffic flow. The identifier of the first service flow may be, for example, a quintuple or a triplet corresponding to the first service flow or an address of an application server corresponding to the first service flow. After the UPF receives the first indication information, the UPF can detect the characteristics of the first service flow to obtain first characteristic information, and send the first characteristic information to the SMF.
As another example, in case the first indication information is used to indicate detecting a feature of the application, the first indication information may include at least one of an identification of the application (e.g., an ID of the application, or a fully qualified domain name (fully qualified domain name, FQDN) of the application), an address of an application server corresponding to the first traffic flow (e.g., an internet protocol (internet protocol, IP) address of the application server), a port identification of the application server corresponding to the first traffic flow (e.g., a port number of the application server), or a protocol identification of the application server corresponding to the first traffic flow (e.g., a protocol number of the application server). After the UPF receives the first indication information, the UPF can detect the characteristics of the application, obtain the characteristic information of the application, and send the characteristic information of the application to the SMF. The characteristic information of the application may include an identification of a service flow (including the first service flow) of the application, and characteristic information of the service flow (including the characteristic information of the first service flow) identified by the identification of each service flow. Thus, after the SMF receives the feature information of the application, the first feature information of the first service flow may be determined according to the feature information of the application.
In the embodiment of the application, the SMF can indicate which applications are detected to the UPF, can also indicate which service flows in the applications are detected to the UPF, and can also indicate which features are detected without limitation. Illustratively, the SMF may indicate to the UPF the size of each frame detecting the first traffic flow, the time interval of the frame, and the transmission mode.
Optionally, the first indication information further includes configuration information of the detection window. The configuration information of the detection window is used for configuring the detection window, and the detection window is used for UPF detection of the first characteristic information.
The detection window may be, for example, a time window, e.g., the detection window comprises 1ms. After the UPF receives the first indication information, sampling is performed by taking 1ms as a window so as to determine the information such as the number, the size and the like of the data packets corresponding to the first service flow within the 1ms. After the 1ms is adopted, the UPF continues to adopt the next 1ms, and the information such as the number, the size and the like of the data packets corresponding to the first service flow in the next 1ms is calculated. Thus, the UPF, after performing consecutive 1ms window samples, can determine characteristic information of the first traffic stream (e.g., when to send a data frame (e.g., I-frame or P-frame), the size of the data frame, etc.).
It will be appreciated that the SMF may configure different detection windows for different applications. In addition, for method 3, the upf has started transmitting packets of the first traffic stream when detecting a characteristic of the first traffic stream or a characteristic of the application. That is, when the SMF receives the first characteristic information, the data packet of the first traffic flow has already started to be transmitted. In this case, the first characteristic information reported by the UPF may include a start transmission time of at least one frame of the first traffic flow, and the SMF determines a next transmission time of at least one packet of the first traffic flow. It may be appreciated that if the UPF receives the first indication information, the UPF may detect the characteristics of the first service flow or the characteristics of the application after the data packet of the first service flow starts to be sent.
S1006, AMF sends information of first cell to SMF. Accordingly, the SMF receives information from the first cell of the AMF.
The specific process of S1006 is similar to S1004, so reference may be made to the corresponding description in S1004 above, and details are not repeated here.
The embodiment of the present application does not limit the execution order of S1005 and S1006. For example, the embodiment of the present application may execute S1005 first and then execute S1006, may execute S1006 first and then execute S1005, and may execute S1005 and S1006 simultaneously.
It will be appreciated that through the above-described S1005-S1006, the SMF may obtain the first characteristic information from the UPF and the information of the first cell from the AMF. Thus, the SMF may determine the characteristic information of other service flows in the first cell according to the information of the first cell, and determine the first scheduling information by combining the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other service flows.
Mode 4S 701 may include S1007-S1009.
S1007. The UPF sends the SMF identification information of the application corresponding to the first service flow. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the identification information of the application corresponding to the first service flow from the UPF.
The UPF may be the user plane network element 202 in fig. 2. The UPF may also be the UPF in fig. 5a or fig. 5 b.
Optionally, before S1007, the SMF sends first indication information to the UPF. The first indication information is used for indicating detection of the application.
The first indication information may include at least one of an identification of an application, an address of an application server corresponding to the first traffic flow, a port identification of the application server corresponding to the first traffic flow, or a protocol identification of the application server corresponding to the first traffic flow. After the UPF receives the first indication information, the application may be detected. If the UPF detects that the data packet corresponding to the application is sent, or if the UPF detects that the data packet of the service flow corresponding to the application starts to be sent, the UPF may send the identification information of the application corresponding to the first service flow to the SMF, so that the SMF determines that the data packet of the service flow corresponding to the application has already started to be sent.
And S1008, the SMF acquires first characteristic information of the first service flow according to the identification information of the application.
In one possible implementation, the SMF stores a correspondence between an identification of the application and first feature information of the first traffic flow. Therefore, after the SMF receives the identification information of the application, the first feature information may be obtained according to the identification information of the application.
It will be appreciated that in mode 4, the identification information of the application may be replaced by the identification information of the first traffic flow. That is, the UPF may send the identification information of the first traffic flow to the SMF. The SMF stores a correspondence between the identifier of the first service flow and the first feature information, and after the SMF receives the identifier of the first service flow, the SMF may obtain the first feature information according to the identifier of the first service flow and the correspondence between the identifier of the first service flow and the first feature information. Correspondingly, in the first indication information, the SMF indicates the UPF to detect a data packet corresponding to the first service flow, where the first indication information includes identification information of the first service flow, and after the UPF detects the data packet corresponding to the first service flow, the SMF sends the identification information of the first service flow to the SMF.
S1009, the AMF transmits the information of the first cell to the SMF. Accordingly, the SMF receives information from the first cell of the AMF.
The specific process of S1009 is similar to S1004, and thus reference may be made to the corresponding description in S1004 above, and details are not repeated here.
The embodiment of the present application does not limit the execution order of S1007, S1008, and S1009. For example, the embodiment of the present application may execute S1007-S1008 first, then S1009, execute S1009 first, then S1007-S1008, and execute S1007-S1008 and S1009 simultaneously.
It may be appreciated that, through the above-mentioned S1007-S1009, the SMF may receive the identification information of the application corresponding to the first service flow from the UPF, obtain the first feature information according to the identification information of the application, and obtain the information of the first cell from the AMF. Thus, the SMF can determine the characteristic information of other service flows in the first cell according to the information of the first cell, and determine the first scheduling information by combining the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other service flows
The actions of the first terminal, AF, UPF, AMF, or SMF in S1001 to S1009 may be performed by the processor 601 in the communication device 60 shown in fig. 6 calling the application program code stored in the memory 603, which is not limited in any way in the embodiment of the present application.
Alternatively, in a possible implementation of the method shown in fig. 7, the first terminal or AF may indicate to the SMF that the transmission time of the data packet of the first traffic flow is adjustable. In this case, the SMF may determine the first scheduling information. Specifically, as shown in fig. 11, the method shown in fig. 7 further includes S1101.
S1101 the first terminal or AF sends second indication information to the SMF. Accordingly, the SMF receives second indication information from the first terminal or the AF.
The first terminal and the AF may be described with reference to the foregoing. The second indication information may be used to indicate that the transmission time of the data packet of the first traffic stream is adjustable. The transmission time of the data packets of the first traffic stream can be adjusted or alternatively described as the first traffic stream supporting off-peak scheduling.
In one possible implementation, the first terminal or AF sends the second indication information to the SMF before S702.
It may be appreciated that, if the SMF does not receive the second indication information or the SMF receives the indication information that the transmission time of the data packet of the first service flow cannot be adjusted, the first terminal or the AF may transmit the data packet of the first service flow according to the expected initial transmission time of the data packet of the first service flow as described above.
It can be appreciated that the SMF may acquire the first characteristic information even if the transmission time of the data packet of the first traffic flow cannot be adjusted. In this way, the SMF may subsequently determine, according to the first characteristic information, scheduling information of other traffic flows whose transmission times of the data packets can be adjusted.
It is to be understood that S1101 may also be performed in the method shown in fig. 10, for example, in S1001 or S1003, without limitation. For another example, S1101 may be performed before S702 in the method shown in fig. 10.
It can be appreciated that, through S1101 described above, the SMF may determine whether the first scheduling information needs to be determined according to an instruction of the first terminal or AF. The SMF may determine the first scheduling information if the SMF receives the second indication information, or may not perform S701-S702 or S702 if the SMF does not receive the second indication information or the SMF receives the indication information that the transmission time of the data packet of the first traffic flow cannot be adjusted. In this way, the computation overhead and signaling overhead of the SMF can be saved.
Alternatively, in a possible implementation manner of the method shown in fig. 7, after the SMF determines the first scheduling information, the first characteristic information and the first scheduling information may be sent to the first RAN device. After receiving the first characteristic information and the first scheduling information, the first RAN device may configure resources for the first terminal to transmit a data packet of the first service flow. Specifically, as shown in fig. 11, the method shown in fig. 7 further includes S1102-S1103.
The SMF transmits the first characteristic information and the first scheduling information to the first RAN apparatus S1102. Accordingly, the first RAN device receives the first characteristic information and the first scheduling information from the SMF.
The description of the first RAN device may be referred to above.
One possible implementation, the SMF sends the first characteristic information and the first scheduling information to the first RAN device through the AMF.
In one possible implementation, the SMF sends the first characteristic information and the first scheduling information to the first RAN device via a protocol data unit (protocol data unit, PDU) session modification request. The PDU session modification request includes information of the QoS flow. The QoS flow is a QoS flow corresponding to the first traffic flow. The information of the QoS flow includes first characteristic information and first scheduling information.
It is understood that the first characteristic information in S1102 may not be sent by the SMF to the first RAN device. For example, with the above-described mode 1, the smf may transmit the first scheduling information to the first RAN apparatus without transmitting the first characteristic information to the first RAN apparatus, which may be transmitted to the first RAN apparatus by the first terminal.
Optionally, after S1102, the first RAN device may send the first scheduling information to the first terminal. For example, the first RAN apparatus may transmit first scheduling information to the first terminal when transmitting information of the first resource described below to the first terminal. If the first traffic flow is an uplink traffic flow, that is, the first traffic flow is a traffic flow sent by the first terminal, the first terminal may send a data packet of the first traffic flow according to the first scheduling information after receiving the first scheduling information. For example, after receiving the first scheduling information, the first terminal may send the first scheduling information to an application layer of the first terminal. The application layer of the first terminal is an application layer corresponding to the first service flow. After receiving the first scheduling information, the application layer of the first terminal may send a data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information. Or if the first service flow is a downlink service flow, that is, the first service flow is a service flow received by the first terminal, after receiving the first scheduling information, the first terminal may send the first scheduling information to an application server corresponding to the first terminal. After receiving the first scheduling information, the application server may send a data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information. It may be appreciated that, if the first scheduling information indicates at least one time interval, the first terminal may also determine a first time interval in the at least one time interval (the first time interval is included in the at least one time interval), and send information of the first time interval to the application server, and the first terminal may also determine one or more specific times in the at least one time interval, and send the one or more specific times to the application server.
In the embodiment of the application, the AF and the application server can be the same network element or equipment or different network elements or equipment, and are not limited.
S1103, the first RAN device configures a first resource for the first terminal.
Wherein the first resource may be used to transmit data packets of the first traffic flow. The first resource may be a resource corresponding to the QoS flow. The first resource may comprise at least one of a time domain resource, a frequency domain resource, or a spatial domain resource.
Optionally, after S1103, the first RAN device sends response information to the SMF. The response information may be used to indicate that the first resource configuration is complete.
It is to be understood that S1102-S1103 may also be executed in the method shown in fig. 10, without limitation. For example, S1102-S1103 may be performed after S702 in the method shown in fig. 10.
It may be appreciated that, through the above S1102-S1103, after determining the first scheduling information, the SMF may send the first characteristic information and the first scheduling information to the first RAN device, so that the first RAN device reserves resources for the QoS flow according to the first characteristic information and the first scheduling information.
Optionally, in a possible implementation manner of the method shown in fig. 7, after the SMF determines the first scheduling information, the first scheduling information may be sent to the first terminal, so that the first terminal sends the first scheduling information to the AF corresponding to the application corresponding to the first service flow, or so that the first terminal sends the data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information. Specifically, as shown in fig. 11, the method shown in fig. 7 further includes S1104.
The SMF transmits the first scheduling information to the first terminal S1104. Accordingly, the first terminal receives the first scheduling information from the SMF.
In one possible implementation, the SMF sends the first scheduling information to the first terminal via a non-access stratum (non access stratum, NAS) message.
In one possible implementation manner, if the SMF acquires the first feature information in the above manner 1, after determining the first scheduling information, the SMF sends the first scheduling information to the first terminal.
Optionally, if the first traffic flow is an uplink traffic flow, after S1104, the first terminal may send a data packet of the first traffic flow according to the first scheduling information. For example, the first terminal may transmit the first scheduling information to an application layer of the first terminal. The application layer of the first terminal is the application layer corresponding to the first service flow. After receiving the first scheduling information, the application layer of the first terminal may send a data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information.
Optionally, if the first traffic flow is a downlink traffic flow, after S1104, the first terminal may send first scheduling information to an application server corresponding to the first terminal. After receiving the first scheduling information, the application server may send a data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information. It may be appreciated that, if the first scheduling information indicates at least one time interval, the first terminal may also determine the first time interval in the at least one time interval, and send information of the first time interval to the application server, and the first terminal may also determine one or more specific times in the at least one time interval, and send the one or more specific times to the application server.
It will be appreciated that S1104 may also be performed in the method shown in fig. 10, without limitation. For example, S1104 may be performed after S702 in the method shown in fig. 10.
It can be appreciated that if the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application includes both S1102-S1103 and S1104, S1102-S1103 may be executed before S1104, may be executed after S1104, or may be executed simultaneously with S1104. In addition, if in S1102-S1103, the first RAN sends the first scheduling information to the first terminal, the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application may not include S1104.
Alternatively, in a possible implementation manner of the method shown in fig. 7, after the SMF determines the first scheduling information, the first scheduling information may be sent to the AF, so that the AF sends the first scheduling information to the first terminal, or so that the AF sends the data packet of the first traffic flow according to the first scheduling information. Specifically, as shown in fig. 11, the method shown in fig. 7 further includes S1105.
S1105 the SMF sends the first scheduling information to the AF. Accordingly, the AF receives the first scheduling information from the SMF.
In one possible implementation, the SMF may send the first scheduling information directly to the AF. The SMF may also send the first scheduling information to the AF through the PCF or NEF.
In a possible implementation manner, if the SMF acquires the first feature information in the above manner 2, after determining the first scheduling information, the SMF sends the first scheduling information to the AF.
In the embodiment of the present application, after S1105, the AF and the application server are the same network element or device, and the operation performed by the AF is different from the operation performed by the AF and the application server are different network elements or devices. If the AF and the application server are the same network element or device, after S1105, the AF may send a data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information, or the AF network element may send the first scheduling information to the first terminal. If the AF and the application server are different network elements or devices, the AF may send the first scheduling information to the application server after S1105. After receiving the first scheduling information, the application server may send a data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information, or send the first scheduling information to the first terminal. In particular, reference may be made to the following description of two examples.
As an example, in the case where the AF and the application server are the same network element or device, if the first traffic flow is a downlink traffic flow, the AF may send a packet of the first traffic flow according to the first scheduling information after S1105. If the first traffic flow is an uplink traffic flow, the AF may send first scheduling information to the first terminal after S1105. After receiving the first scheduling information, the first terminal may send a data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information. It may be understood that, if the first scheduling information indicates at least one time interval, the AF may also determine the first time interval in the at least one time interval and send information of the first time interval to the first terminal, and the AF may also determine one or more specific times in the at least one time interval and send the one or more specific times to the first terminal.
As another example, in the case where the AF and the application server are different network elements or devices, if the first traffic flow is a downlink traffic flow, the AF may send the first scheduling information to the application server after S1105. After receiving the first scheduling information, the application server may send a data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information. If the first traffic flow is an uplink traffic flow, the AF may send first scheduling information to the application server after S1105. After receiving the first scheduling information, the application server may send the first scheduling information to the first terminal. After receiving the first scheduling information, the first terminal may send a data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information. It may be appreciated that, if the first scheduling information indicates at least one time interval, the application server may also determine the first time interval in the at least one time interval, and send information of the first time interval to the first terminal, and the application server may also determine one or more specific times in the at least one time interval, and send the one or more specific times to the first terminal.
It will be appreciated that S1105 may also be performed in the method shown in fig. 10, without limitation. For example, S1105 may be performed after S702 in the method shown in fig. 10.
It may be appreciated that, in the embodiment of the present application, after the SMF determines the first scheduling information, the first scheduling information may be sent to the first terminal and the AF, respectively. The SMF may also send the first scheduling information to the first terminal, and then send the first scheduling information to the AF through the first terminal. The SMF may also send the first scheduling information to the AF, and then send the first scheduling information to the first terminal through the AF. It should be understood that if the first traffic flow is an uplink traffic flow, the SMF or the first terminal may not transmit the first scheduling information to the AF, and if the first traffic flow is a downlink traffic flow, the SMF or the AF may not transmit the first scheduling information to the first terminal.
Alternatively, in a possible implementation manner of the method shown in fig. 7, the first terminal has been or is about to be handed over from the first cell of the first RAN device to the second cell, and the SMF may acquire information of the second cell, and determine, according to the first feature information and feature information of other traffic flows in the second cell, a next transmission time of at least one data packet of the first traffic flow in the second cell. Specifically, as shown in fig. 11, the method shown in fig. 7 further includes S1106-S1107.
And S1106, the SMF acquires the information of the second cell.
Wherein the information of the second cell may be used to identify the second cell. The second cell may or may not be a cell of the first RAN device. For example, the second cell may be a cell of a second RAN device that is different from the first RAN device. The second RAN device may be the access network device 205 in fig. 2.
For example, if the second cell is a cell of the first RAN device, the first RAN device may send information of the second cell to the SMF, and correspondingly, the SMF may receive information of the second cell from the first RAN device. For example, the first RAN device sends information of the second cell to the SMF through the AMF, and correspondingly, the SMF receives information of the second cell from the first RAN device through the AMF.
For example, if the second cell is a cell of the second RAN apparatus, the second RAN apparatus may send information of the second cell to the SMF, and accordingly, the SMF may receive information of the second cell from the second RAN apparatus. For example, the second RAN device sends information of the second cell to the SMF through the AMF, and correspondingly, the SMF receives information of the second cell from the second RAN device through the AMF.
The SMF may also subscribe to the AMF for cell information accessed by the first terminal, for example. When a cell to which the first terminal accesses changes (e.g., after the cell to which the first terminal accesses is handed over from the first cell to the second cell), the AMF may send information of the cell to which the first terminal newly accesses (e.g., information of the second cell) to the SMF.
And S1107, the SMF determines second scheduling information according to the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other service flows in the second cell.
Wherein the other traffic in the second cell may be other traffic in the second cell than the first traffic. That is, after the SMF acquires the information of the second cell, the SMF may acquire, according to the information of the second cell, the characteristic information of other traffic flows transmitted through the second cell, and determine the second scheduling information according to the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other traffic flows in the second cell. Wherein the other traffic flows in the second cell comprise a third traffic flow. The third traffic stream is different from the first traffic stream. The third traffic flow may be a traffic flow of the first terminal, or may be a traffic flow of another terminal, other than the first terminal, accessing the second cell. The data packets of the third traffic flow have already started to be sent or have not yet started to be sent.
In the embodiment of the present application, the third characteristic information of the third service flow may be used to indicate the bandwidth, the period and the sending time of at least one data packet of the third service flow. The third characteristic information may enable the SMF to recover the transmission rule of the data packet of the third service flow. Or, the third characteristic information may at least enable the SMF to recover the transmission rule of the larger frame in the third service flow.
In one possible implementation, the third characteristic information is obtained by the SMF before S1107. The process of the SMF obtaining the third feature information is similar to the process of the SMF obtaining the first feature information, and the description of the SMF obtaining the first feature information may be referred to, which is not described herein.
In the embodiment of the present application, the second scheduling information may be used to determine a next transmission time of at least one data packet of the first traffic flow in the second cell. For example, the second scheduling information may include a next transmission time of the at least one packet of the first traffic flow, or the second scheduling information may indicate at least one time interval within which the next transmission time of the at least one packet of the first traffic flow may be located, or the second scheduling information may indicate an adjustment time of the transmission time of the at least one packet of the first traffic flow, for example, the at least one packet of the first traffic flow is delayed for 10 ms.
Optionally, the second scheduling information may further include a coding rate, and/or a modulation order. If the first traffic stream has a high reliability requirement, the SMF may determine a lower coding rate or lower modulation order.
It can be appreciated that the process of determining the second scheduling information by the SMF according to the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of the other traffic flows in the second cell is similar to the process of determining the first scheduling information by the SMF according to the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of the other traffic flows in the first cell. Therefore, the description of S1107 may refer to the corresponding description in S702, which is not repeated herein.
It may be appreciated that after S1107, the SMF may transmit second scheduling information to the first RAN apparatus, the second RAN apparatus, the first terminal, or the AF. This process may refer to the corresponding descriptions in S1102-S1103, S1104 or S1105 described above. Note that, the SMF sends the second scheduling information to the second RAN device, which may cause the second RAN device to reserve resources for the first terminal. This process may occur after the first terminal has handed over to the second cell or before the first terminal has handed over to the second cell.
For example, during the Xn interface based handover, the second RAN device may send the information of the second cell to the SMF through the AMF in a path handover request (PATH SWITCH request), and the SMF may send the second scheduling information to the second RAN device through the AMF in a response message of the handover request.
Illustratively, during the N2-based handover, the SMF may obtain information of the second cell from the first RAN device (via the AMF) and send the second scheduling information to the second RAN device in a handover request message (via the AMF). In this way, in the handover preparation stage, the second RAN device may reserve resources for the first terminal according to the second scheduling information, so that the first terminal may timely receive or send the data packet of the first service flow according to the reserved resources.
Or if the first terminal has not been handed over to the second cell, the SMF may send second scheduling information to the first RAN device, and subsequently, the first RAN device may send the second scheduling information to the second RAN device, so that the second RAN device reserves resources for the first terminal. For example, the first RAN device may send information of the second cell to the SMF before preparing for handover, and may receive second scheduling information from the SMF, where the second scheduling information is included in the handover information sent by the first RAN device to the second RAN device. It will be appreciated that if the first RAN apparatus has reserved resources for the first terminal according to the first scheduling information before receiving the second scheduling information. After receiving the second scheduling information, the first RAN device may re-reserve resources for the first terminal according to the second scheduling information.
In addition to the above method, the SMF may send the second scheduling information to the second RAN device through an update message after the cell handover is completed, without limitation.
In one possible implementation, if the second cell is a cell of the first RAN device, the SMF may send the second scheduling information to the first RAN device through an update message. It will be appreciated that if the first RAN apparatus has reserved resources for the first terminal according to the first scheduling information before receiving the second scheduling information. After receiving the second scheduling information, the first RAN device may re-reserve resources for the first terminal according to the second scheduling information.
It may be appreciated that in the foregoing S1106-S1107, in the case that the first terminal has been or is about to be handed over from the first cell of the first RAN device to the second cell, the SMF may acquire information of the second cell, and determine, according to the first feature information and feature information of other service flows in the second cell, a next transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow in the second cell, so that the data packet of the service flow in the second cell may be transmitted in a peak-shifting manner, thereby reducing occurrence of air interface congestion, reducing a data packet loss rate and a transmission delay of data, and improving user experience.
The actions of the first terminal, AF, SMF or the first RAN apparatus in S1101 to S1107 may be performed by the processor 601 in the communication apparatus 60 shown in fig. 6 calling the application program code stored in the memory 603, which is not limited in any way according to the embodiment of the present application.
The method shown in fig. 10 to fig. 11 is a communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application and described by taking the first network side device as an SMF as an example. The following describes in detail the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application, taking the first network side device as the PCF as an example. Specifically, reference may be made to the methods shown in fig. 12 to 13 described below. It will be appreciated that in the methods shown in fig. 12 and 13, the PCF may also be replaced by the NEF or the first network element.
As shown in fig. 12, in one possible implementation of the method shown in fig. 7, the PCF may obtain the first characteristic information and the information of the first cell at least in at least one of the following manners 5-7. Of course, the method is not limited to these three methods.
Mode 5S 701 may include S1201 and S1202.
And S1201, the AF sends the first characteristic information to the PCF. Accordingly, the PCF receives the first characteristic information from the AF.
The AF may be an AF of an application corresponding to the first service flow. For example, AF is the application network element 304 in FIG. 3. The AF may also be AF in fig. 5a or fig. 5 b.
Optionally, the AF sends the first feature information to the PCF in the case that the data packet of the first traffic flow is about to start to be sent.
Optionally, the AF may further send the identification of the first terminal to the PCF, so that the PCF determines the first characteristic information to be characteristic information of a first traffic flow of the first terminal. The identity of the first terminal may be an IP address of the first terminal, a general public user identity (generic public subscription identifier, GPSI) of the first terminal, or a user identity (subscription PERMANENT IDENTIFIER, SUPI) of the first terminal.
S1202 the SMF sends the information of the first cell to the PCF. Accordingly, the PCF receives information from the first cell of the SMF.
Wherein the SMF may be the session management network element 301 in fig. 3. The SMF may also be the SMF in fig. 5a or fig. 5 b. The SMF may obtain the information of the first cell by any of the methods 1 to 4 described above, and send the information of the first cell to the PCF.
The embodiment of the present application does not limit the execution order of S1201 and S1202. For example, the embodiment of the present application may execute S1201 first and then S1202, execute S1202 first and then S1201, and execute S1201 and S1202 simultaneously.
It can be appreciated that through the above S1201-S1202, the PCF may obtain the first feature information from the AF and obtain the information of the first cell from the SMF. In this way, the PCF may determine the characteristic information of other service flows in the first cell according to the information of the first cell, and determine the first scheduling information by combining the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other service flows.
Mode 6S 701 may include S1203 and S1204.
And S1203, the AF sends the first characteristic information to the PCF. Accordingly, the PCF receives the first characteristic information from the AF.
The specific process of S1203 is similar to S1201, and thus reference may be made to the corresponding description in S1201, and detailed description is omitted here.
And S1204, the AMF sends the information of the first cell to the PCF. Accordingly, the PCF receives information from the first cell of the AMF.
The AMF may be the AMF in fig. 5a or fig. 5 b.
As an example, if the AF sends the IP address of the first terminal to the PCF in S1203, the PCF may obtain the SUPI of the first terminal according to the IP address of the first terminal, and obtain the information of the AMF serving the first terminal from unified data management (unified DATA MANAGEMENT, UDM) according to the SUPI of the first terminal. Subsequently, the PCF may send a request message to the AMF to request to acquire cell information currently accessed by the first terminal, i.e. information of the first cell. If the AF sends the SUPI of the first terminal to the PCF in S1203, the PCF may acquire information of the AMF serving the first terminal from the UDM according to the SUPI of the first terminal. Subsequently, the PCF may send a request message to the AMF to request to acquire cell information currently accessed by the first terminal, i.e. information of the first cell.
As another example, the PCF may subscribe to the AMF for cell information accessed by the first terminal. When the cell accessed by the first terminal changes, the AMF may send information of the cell accessed by the first terminal to the PCF. Illustratively, after the first terminal is handed over from the other cell to the first cell, the AMF sends information of the first cell to the PCF.
It can be understood that, in the case where the PCF requests the AMF for the cell information currently accessed by the first terminal, the embodiment of the present application may execute S1203 first and then execute S1204. For the case where the PCF subscribes to the AMF for the cell information accessed by the first terminal, the embodiment of the present application does not limit the execution sequence of S1203 and S1204. For example, the embodiment of the present application may execute S1203 first and then S1204, may execute S1204 first and then S1203, and may execute S1203 and S1204 simultaneously.
It can be appreciated that through the above-described S1203-S1204, the PCF may acquire the first characteristic information from the AF and the information of the first cell from the AMF. In this way, the PCF may determine the characteristic information of other service flows in the first cell according to the information of the first cell, and determine the first scheduling information by combining the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other service flows.
Mode 7:s701 may include S1205.
S1205, the SMF sends the first feature information and the information of the first cell to the PCF. Accordingly, the PCF receives the first characteristic information from the SMF and the information of the first cell.
Wherein the SMF may be the session management network element 301 in fig. 3. The SMF may also be the SMF in fig. 5a or fig. 5 b. The SMF may obtain the first characteristic information and the information of the first cell by any one of the methods 1 to 4, and send the first characteristic information and the information of the first cell to the PCF.
It will be appreciated that the SMF may send the first feature information and the information of the first cell to the PCF by different messages, respectively, or may send the first feature information and the information of the first cell to the PCF by including them in one message. The first characteristic information and/or the information of the first cell may be included in information of a first QoS flow corresponding to the first traffic flow.
It can be understood that the SMF may acquire the first characteristic information and the information of the first cell by the methods described in modes 1 to 4.
It can be appreciated that through S1205 described above, the PCF may obtain the first characteristic information and the information of the first cell from the SMF. In this way, the PCF may determine the characteristic information of other service flows in the first cell according to the information of the first cell, and determine the first scheduling information by combining the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other service flows.
The actions of AF, SMF, AMF or PCF in S1201-S1205 described above may be performed by processor 601 in communication device 60 shown in fig. 6 invoking application code stored in memory 603, which is not limited in any way by the embodiment of the present application.
Alternatively, in one possible implementation of the method shown in fig. 7, after the PCF determines the first scheduling information, the PCF may send the first scheduling information to the SMF, so that the SMF sends the first scheduling information to the first RAN device, and/or the first terminal, and/or the AF. Specifically, as shown in fig. 13, the method shown in fig. 7 further includes S1301.
S1301, PCF sends first scheduling information to SMF. Accordingly, the SMF receives the first scheduling information from the PCF.
In one possible implementation, the first scheduling information may be sent to the SMF in policy AND CHARGING control (PCC) rules.
In one possible implementation, after S1301, the SMF may send the first scheduling information to the first RAN device, the first terminal, or the AF. Specifically, reference may be made to the corresponding descriptions in S1102-S1103, S1104 or S1105, which are not described herein. In the embodiment of the application, the PCF may send the first scheduling information to the AF directly, without limitation, in addition to sending the first scheduling information to the AF through the SMF.
It is understood that S1301 may also be performed in the method shown in fig. 12. For example, S1301 may be performed after S702 in the method shown in fig. 12.
The actions of the SMF or PCF in S1301 may be performed by the processor 601 in the communication apparatus 60 shown in fig. 6 calling the application program code stored in the memory 603, which is not limited in any way according to the embodiment of the present application.
It will be appreciated that the PCF may also send the first scheduling information directly to the AF.
Alternatively, in one possible implementation of the method shown in fig. 7, the SMF or AF may indicate to the PCF that the transmission time of the data packet of the first traffic flow is adjustable. In this case, the PCF may determine the first scheduling information. Specifically, as shown in fig. 13, the method shown in fig. 7 further includes S1302.
And S1302, the SMF or AF sends third indication information to the PCF. Accordingly, the PCF receives a third indication from the SMF or AF.
The SMF or AF may be described with reference to the foregoing. The third indication information may be used to indicate that the transmission time of the data packet of the first traffic stream is adjustable. The transmission time of the data packets of the first traffic stream can be adjusted or alternatively described as the first traffic stream supporting off-peak scheduling.
In one possible implementation, before S702, the SMF or AF sends third indication information to the PCF.
It may be appreciated that, if the PCF does not receive the third indication information, or if the PCF receives the indication information that the transmission time of the data packet of the first traffic flow cannot be adjusted, the first terminal or the AF may transmit the data packet of the first traffic flow according to the expected initial transmission time of the data packet of the first traffic flow as described above.
It can be appreciated that the PCF may obtain the first characteristic information even if the transmission time of the data packet of the first traffic stream is not adjustable. In this way, the subsequent second network side device can determine the scheduling information of the service flow with adjustable sending time of the data packet according to the first characteristic information.
It will be appreciated that S1302 may also be performed in the method shown in fig. 12. For example, S1302 may be performed before S702 in the method shown in fig. 12.
It can be appreciated that through S1302 described above, the PCF may determine whether the first scheduling information needs to be determined according to the indication of the SMF or the AF. If the PCF receives the third indication information, the PCF may determine the first scheduling information, and if the PCF does not receive the third indication information, or if the PCF receives the indication information that the sending time of the data packet of the first traffic flow cannot be adjusted, the PCF may not execute S701-S702, or the PCF may not execute S702. In this way, the computation overhead and signaling overhead of the PCF may be saved.
The actions of SMF, AF or PCF in S1302 may be performed by the processor 601 in the communication device 60 shown in fig. 6 calling the application program code stored in the memory 603, which is not limited in any way by the embodiment of the present application.
Alternatively, in a possible implementation manner of the method shown in fig. 7, the first terminal has been or is about to be handed over from the first cell of the first RAN device to the second cell, and the PCF may acquire information of the second cell, and determine, according to the first feature information and feature information of other traffic flows in the second cell, a next transmission time of at least one data packet of the first traffic flow in the second cell. Specifically, as shown in fig. 13, the method shown in fig. 7 further includes S1303-S1304.
And S1303, the PCF acquires information of the second cell.
Wherein the information of the second cell may be used to identify the second cell. The second cell may or may not be a cell of the first RAN device. For example, the second cell may be a cell of a second RAN device that is different from the first RAN device. The second RAN device may be the access network device 306 in fig. 3.
In a possible implementation manner, the SMF obtains the information of the second cell through the method described in S1106, and sends the information of the second cell to the PCF.
Another possible implementation is for the AMF to send information of the second cell to the PCF. For example, the PCF may subscribe to the AMF for cell information accessed by the first terminal. When the cell to which the first terminal accesses changes (e.g., after the cell to which the first terminal accesses switches from the first cell to the second cell), the AMF may send information of the cell to which the first terminal newly accesses (e.g., information of the second cell) to the PCF.
And 1304, the PCF determines second scheduling information according to the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other service flows in the second cell.
In the embodiment of the present application, the process of S1304 is similar to the process of S1107. Therefore, the description of S1304 may refer to the corresponding description in S1107, which is not described herein.
It will be appreciated that after S1304, the PCF may send second scheduling information to the SMF so that the SMF sends the second scheduling information to the first RAN device, the second RAN device, the first terminal, or the AF. The PCF may also send the second scheduling information directly to the AF.
It can be understood that, through the above S1303-S1304, in the case that the first terminal has been or is about to be switched from the first cell of the first RAN device to the second cell, the PCF may acquire information of the second cell, and determine, according to the first feature information and the feature information of other service flows in the second cell, a next transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow in the second cell, so that the data packet of the service flow in the second cell may be transmitted in a peak-shifting manner, thereby reducing occurrence of air interface congestion, reducing a data packet loss rate and a transmission delay of data, and improving user experience.
The actions of the SMF or PCF in S1303-S1304 may be performed by the processor 601 in the communication apparatus 60 shown in fig. 6 calling the application program code stored in the memory 603, which is not limited in any way by the embodiment of the present application.
In the methods shown in fig. 7 and fig. 10 to fig. 13, the device for determining the first scheduling information is the first network side device. In a specific application, the device that determines the first scheduling information may also be a RAN device. The following describes a communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application, taking an example that the device for determining the first scheduling information is a first RAN device.
As shown in fig. 14, there is provided still another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application, which includes S1401-S1403.
S1401, the SMF sends first feature information of the first QoS flow to the first RAN device. Accordingly, the first RAN device receives first characteristic information of the first QoS flow from the SMF.
Wherein the SMF may be the session management network element 401 in fig. 4. The SMF may also be the SMF in fig. 5a or fig. 5 b. The first RAN device may be the access network device 402 in fig. 4. The first RAN device may also be the RAN device in fig. 5a or fig. 5 b. The first QoS flow may be a QoS flow corresponding to the first traffic flow. The first traffic stream may be a traffic stream of a first terminal. The first characteristic information may be used to indicate a bandwidth and a period of the first traffic stream. Alternatively, the first characteristic information may indicate a transmission rule of a data packet of the first service flow, or the first characteristic information may at least enable the first RAN device to recover a transmission rule of a larger frame in the first service flow. The detailed description of the first feature information may refer to the corresponding description in S701, which is not repeated herein. In this embodiment, qoS flows and traffic flows may be replaced with each other.
One possible implementation manner, the SMF obtains the first feature information in any one of the foregoing manners 1 to 4, or the SMF may obtain the first feature information according to a PCC rule. After the SMF obtains the first feature information, mapping the first service flow into a first QoS flow, and sending the first feature information to the first RAN device.
One possible implementation, the SMF sends a PDU session modification request to the first RAN device. The PDU session modification request includes first characteristic information of a first QoS flow.
S1402, the first RAN device determines first scheduling information according to the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other QoS flows.
Wherein the other QoS flows are QoS flows in the first cell of the first RAN device other than the first QoS flow. The other QoS flows include a second QoS flow. The second QoS flow is different from the first QoS flow. The second QoS flow may be a QoS flow corresponding to the second traffic flow. The second traffic flow may be a traffic flow of the first terminal, or may be a traffic flow of other terminals, except the first terminal, that are accessed into the first cell. The data packets of the second traffic stream have already been sent or have not yet been sent.
Wherein the second characteristic information of the second QoS flow may be used to indicate a bandwidth, a period of the second QoS flow and a transmission time of at least one data packet of the second traffic flow. The second characteristic information may enable the first RAN device to recover a transmission rule of the data packet of the second service flow. Or, the second characteristic information may at least enable the first RAN device to recover the transmission rule of the larger frame in the second service flow.
In one possible implementation, the second characteristic information is acquired by the first RAN device before S1402. The process of the first RAN device obtaining the second feature information is similar to the process of the first RAN device obtaining the first feature information, and the description of the first RAN device obtaining the first feature information may be referred to, which is not repeated.
In the embodiment of the present application, the first scheduling information is used to determine a transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow. The detailed description of the first scheduling information and the specific process of determining the first scheduling information by the first RAN device according to the first feature information and the feature information of other QoS flows may refer to the corresponding description in S702 above, which is not repeated herein.
S1403 the first RAN device sends the first scheduling information to the SMF. Accordingly, the SMF receives first scheduling information from the first RAN apparatus.
One possible implementation, the first RAN device sends first scheduling information to the AMF. After the AMF receives the first scheduling information, the AMF sends the first scheduling information to the SMF.
In one possible implementation, after receiving the first scheduling information, the SMF may send the first scheduling information to the first terminal and/or the AF. Specifically, reference may be made to those described in S1104 and S1105 above.
In one possible implementation manner, after determining the first scheduling information, the first RAN device may configure the first resource for the first terminal according to the first scheduling information. For details, reference may be made to the corresponding description in S1103 described above.
In one possible implementation, after determining the first scheduling information, the first RAN device may send the first scheduling information to the first terminal. For details, reference may be made to the corresponding description in S1102 above.
Based on the method shown in fig. 14, after receiving the first characteristic information of the first QoS flow, the first RAN device may determine the sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow in combination with the characteristic information of other QoS flows in the first cell except for the first QoS flow, so that the data packet of the QoS flow in the first cell may be sent in a peak-shifting manner, thereby reducing occurrence of air congestion, reducing the packet loss rate and the transmission delay of data, and improving user experience. In addition, compared with the method of determining the first scheduling information by the first network side device, the method shown in fig. 14 can save signaling overhead without acquiring the information of the first cell.
Alternatively, in a possible implementation of the method shown in fig. 14, the SMF may indicate to the first RAN device that the transmission time of the data packets of the first traffic flow is adjustable. In this case, the first RAN apparatus may determine the first scheduling information. Specifically, the method shown in fig. 14 further includes S1404.
The SMF sends the first indication information to the first RAN apparatus S1404. Accordingly, the first RAN apparatus receives first indication information from the SMF.
The first indication information may be used to indicate that a transmission time of the data packet of the first service flow is adjustable. The transmission time of the data packets of the first traffic stream can be adjusted or alternatively described as the first traffic stream supporting off-peak scheduling.
In one possible implementation, before S1402, the SMF sends first indication information to the first RAN device. For example, the SMF transmits first indication information in S1401.
It may be appreciated that, if the first RAN device does not receive the first indication information, or the first RAN device receives indication information that the transmission time of the data packet of the first traffic flow cannot be adjusted, the first terminal or the AF may send the data packet of the first traffic flow according to the expected starting transmission time of the data packet of the first traffic flow, that is, the first RAN device does not determine the first scheduling information.
It will be appreciated that the first RAN device may obtain the first characteristic information even if the transmission time of the data packets of the first traffic flow is not adjustable. In this way, the subsequent first RAN device may determine, according to the first characteristic information, scheduling information of a traffic flow whose transmission time of the data packet can be adjusted.
It may be appreciated that, through S1404 described above, the first RAN apparatus may determine whether the first scheduling information needs to be determined according to the first indication information. The first RAN device may determine the first scheduling information if the first RAN device receives the first indication information, or may not perform S1401-S1403 or may not perform S1402-S1403 if the first RAN device does not receive the first indication information or the first RAN device receives the indication information that the transmission time of the data packet of the first traffic flow cannot be adjusted. In this way, the computational overhead and signaling overhead of the first RAN device may be saved.
Optionally, in a possible implementation manner of the method shown in fig. 14, the first terminal has been or is about to be handed over from the first cell of the first RAN device to the second cell of the first RAN device, and the first RAN device may determine the next transmission time of at least one data packet of the first traffic flow in the second cell according to the first characteristic information and the characteristic information of other QoS flows in the second cell. Specifically, the method shown in fig. 14 further includes S1405.
The first RAN apparatus determines second scheduling information according to the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other QoS flows in the second cell S1405.
In the embodiment of the present application, the process of S1405 is similar to the process of S1402. Therefore, the description of S1405 may refer to the corresponding description in S1402, which is not described herein.
It will be appreciated that after S1405, the first RAN device may send the second scheduling information to the SMF, so that the SMF sends the second scheduling information to the first RAN device, the first terminal, or the AF. The first RAN apparatus may also transmit the second scheduling information to the first terminal. It may be appreciated that the first RAN device transmits the second scheduling information to the SMF or the first terminal when the transmission time of the first traffic flow needs to be adjusted.
It can be appreciated that, through the above S1405, in the case that the first terminal has been or is about to be handed over from the first cell of the first RAN device to the second cell of the first RAN device, the first RAN device may determine, according to the first feature information and the feature information of other QoS flows in the second cell, a next transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow in the second cell, so that the data packet of the QoS flow in the second cell may be transmitted in a peak-shifting manner, thereby reducing occurrence of air interface congestion, reducing a packet loss rate and a transmission delay of data, and improving user experience.
Optionally, in a possible implementation manner of the method shown in fig. 14, the first terminal has been or is about to be handed over from the first cell of the first RAN device to the third cell of the second RAN device, and the first RAN device or the SMF may send the first feature information to the second RAN device, so that the second RAN device determines, according to the first feature information and the feature information of other QoS flows in the third cell, a next sending time of at least one data packet of the first service flow in the third cell. Specifically, the method shown in FIG. 14 further includes S1406-S1407.
S1406, the first RAN device or SMF sends the first characteristic information to the second RAN device.
Wherein the second RAN device may be the access network device 405 in fig. 4.
One possible implementation, the first RAN device sends a handover request message to the second RAN device. The handover request message includes first characteristic information, e.g., included in a transparent container that the first RAN device sends to the second RAN device. Or in another possible implementation, the SMF sends the first characteristic information to the second RAN device, e.g., during N2 handover preparation, the SMF sends the first characteristic information to the second RAN device.
The second RAN apparatus determines third scheduling information according to the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other QoS flows in the third cell S1407.
In the embodiment of the present application, the process of S1407 is similar to that of S1402. Therefore, the description of S1407 may refer to the corresponding description in S1402, which is not described herein.
In one possible implementation, the second RAN device may send the third scheduling information to the first RAN device, so that the first RAN device sends the first scheduling information to the first terminal. The third scheduling information sent by the first RAN device to the first terminal may be included in the handover command message.
In one possible implementation, the second RAN device may send the third scheduling information to the SMF, so that the SMF sends the third scheduling information to the first RAN device, the first terminal, or the AF. For example, the third scheduling information sent by the second RAN device to the SMF may be included in a path switch request (PATH SWITCH request).
In one possible implementation manner, the second RAN device may also directly send the third scheduling information to the first terminal, so that the first terminal sends an uplink packet of the first service flow according to the third scheduling information, or the first terminal sends the third scheduling to the AF, so as to adjust the downlink sending time of the first service flow. For example, the second RAN apparatus may transmit third scheduling information to the first terminal after the first terminal accesses the third lower region.
In one possible implementation, after S1407, the second RAN device may configure the second resource for the first terminal according to the third scheduling information. Wherein the second resource may be used to transmit data packets of the first traffic stream. The second resource may be a resource corresponding to the first QoS flow. The second resource may comprise at least one of a time domain resource, a frequency domain resource, or a spatial domain resource.
In one possible implementation, prior to S1407, the second RAN device may receive second indication information from the first RAN device or the SMF. The second indication information is used for indicating that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted.
It can be understood that, through the above S1406-S1407, in the case that the first terminal has been or is about to be handed over from the first cell of the first RAN device to the third cell of the second RAN device, the second RAN device may acquire the first feature information from the first RAN device or the SMF, and determine, according to the first feature information and the feature information of other QoS flows in the third cell, a next transmission time of at least one data packet of the first service flow in the third cell, so that the data packet of the QoS flow in the third cell may be transmitted in a peak-shifting manner, thereby reducing occurrence of air interface congestion, reducing a packet loss rate and a transmission delay of data, and improving user experience.
The actions of the SMF, the first RAN device, or the second RAN device in S1401-S1407 may be performed by the processor 601 in the communication apparatus 60 shown in fig. 6 calling the application program code stored in the memory 603, which is not limited in any way in the embodiment of the present application.
It will be appreciated that in the above embodiments, the method and/or step implemented by the first network side device may also be implemented by a component (e.g. a chip or a circuit) that may be used in the first network side device, the method and/or step implemented by the first access network device may also be implemented by a component (e.g. a chip or a circuit) that may be used in the first access network device, the method and/or step implemented by the first terminal may also be implemented by a component (e.g. a chip or a circuit) that may be used in the first terminal, the method and/or step implemented by the application network element may also be implemented by a component (e.g. a chip or a circuit) that may be used in the application network element, and the method and/or step implemented by the user plane network element may also be implemented by a component (e.g. a chip or a circuit) that may be used in the user plane network element.
The scheme provided by the embodiment of the application is mainly introduced from the interaction angle among the network elements. Correspondingly, the embodiment of the application also provides a communication device, which can be the first network side equipment, or the device comprising the first network side equipment, or the component which can be used for the first network side equipment in the embodiment of the method, or the communication device can be the first RAN equipment, or the device comprising the first RAN equipment, or the component which can be used for the first RAN equipment in the embodiment of the method, or the communication device can be the first terminal, or the device comprising the first terminal, or the component which can be used for the first terminal in the embodiment of the method, or the communication device can be the application network element, or the device comprising the application network element, or the component which can be used for the application network element in the embodiment of the method. It will be appreciated that the communication device, in order to achieve the above-described functions, comprises corresponding hardware structures and/or software modules performing the respective functions. Those of skill in the art will readily appreciate that the various illustrative elements and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as hardware or combinations of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is implemented as hardware or computer software driven hardware depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the solution. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present application.
Fig. 15 shows a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 150. The communication device 150 comprises a transceiver module 1501 and a processing module 1502. The transceiver module 1501 may also be referred to as a transceiver unit, and may be, for example, a transceiver circuit, a transceiver, or a communication interface.
In one implementation, taking the communication apparatus 150 as the first network side device in the above method embodiment as an example:
The transceiver module 1501 is configured to obtain first feature information of a first service flow and information of a first cell to which the first terminal is connected, where the first service flow is a service flow of the first terminal, the first feature information is used to indicate a bandwidth and a period of the first service flow, and the information of the first cell is used to identify the first cell. Illustratively, in connection with fig. 7, a transceiver module 1501 may be used to perform S701.
The processing module 1502 is further configured to determine first scheduling information according to the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other traffic flows, where the other traffic flows are traffic flows in the first cell except for the first traffic flow, and the other traffic flows include a second traffic flow, where the second characteristic information of the second traffic flow is used to indicate a bandwidth, a period of the second traffic flow, and a transmission time of at least one data packet of the second traffic flow, and the first scheduling information is used to determine the transmission time of at least one data packet of the first traffic flow. For example, in connection with fig. 7, the processing module 1502 may be configured to perform S702.
Optionally, the processing module 1502 is configured to receive, in particular, the first feature information from the first terminal through the transceiver module 1501, or the processing module 1502 is configured to receive, in particular, the first feature information from the application network element through the transceiver module 1501.
Optionally, the processing module 1502 is specifically configured to receive, through the transceiver module 1501, first feature information from a user plane network element.
Optionally, the transceiver module 1501 is configured to send first indication information to the user plane network element, where the first indication information is used to indicate first feature information of the detected first service flow.
Optionally, the processing module 1502 is specifically configured to receive, through the transceiver module 1501, identification information of an application corresponding to a first service flow from a user plane network element, and the processing module 1502 is further specifically configured to obtain first feature information according to the identification information of the application.
Optionally, the transceiver module 1501 is further configured to send first indication information to the user plane network element, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the application is detected, and the first service flow is a service flow of the application.
Optionally, the transceiver module 1501 is further configured to receive second indication information from the first terminal or the application network element, where the second indication information is used to indicate that a sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted.
Optionally, the processing module 1502 is specifically configured to receive, through the transceiver module 1501, the first feature information from the application network element.
Optionally, the processing module 1502 is specifically configured to receive information from the first cell of the session management network element through the transceiver module 1501, or optionally, the processing module 1502 is specifically configured to receive information from the first cell of the mobility management network element through the transceiver module 1501.
Optionally, the processing module 1502 is specifically configured to receive, through the transceiver module 1501, the first feature information and the information of the first cell from the session management network element.
Optionally, the transceiver module 1501 is further configured to send the first scheduling information to the session management network element, so that the session management network element sends the first scheduling information to the first access network device and/or the first terminal.
Optionally, the transceiver module 1501 is further configured to receive third indication information from the session management network element or the application network element, where the third indication information is used to indicate that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted.
In another implementation, taking the communication apparatus 150 as an example of the first RAN apparatus in the above method embodiment:
The transceiver module 1501 is configured to receive first characteristic information of a first QoS flow, where the first QoS flow is a QoS flow corresponding to a first traffic flow, and the first traffic flow is a traffic flow of a first terminal, and the first characteristic information is used to indicate a bandwidth and a period of the first traffic flow. Illustratively, in connection with fig. 14, a transceiver module 1501 may be used to perform S1401.
The processing module 1502 is configured to determine first scheduling information according to the first characteristic information and characteristic information of other QoS flows, where the other QoS flows are QoS flows in a first cell of the first access network device and are other than the first QoS flow, the other QoS flows include a second QoS flow, the second QoS flow is a QoS flow corresponding to a second traffic flow, the second characteristic information of the second QoS flow is used to indicate a bandwidth and a period of the second QoS flow and a transmission time of at least one packet of the second traffic flow, and the first scheduling information is used to determine the transmission time of at least one packet of the first traffic flow. For example, in connection with fig. 14, the processing module 1502 may be configured to execute S1402.
The transceiver module 1501 is further configured to send the first scheduling information to a session management network element. Illustratively, in connection with fig. 14, a transceiver module 1501 may be used to perform S1403.
Optionally, the transceiver module 1501 is further configured to receive first indication information from the session management network element, where the first indication information is used to indicate that a sending time of a data packet of the first service flow is adjustable.
Optionally, the transceiver module 1501 is further configured to receive the first feature information from the second access network device or the session management network element when the first terminal is handed over from the second access network device to the first access network device.
Optionally, the transceiver module 1501 is further configured to receive second indication information from the second access device or the session management network element, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the sending time of the data packet of the first traffic flow can be adjusted.
In another implementation, taking the communication device 150 as the first terminal in the above method embodiment as an example:
the processing module 1502 is configured to obtain first scheduling information, where the first scheduling information is used to determine a transmission time of at least one data packet of a first service flow, the first service flow is a service flow of a first terminal, the first scheduling information is determined according to first feature information and feature information of other service flows, the first feature information is used to indicate a bandwidth and a period of the first service flow, the other service flows are service flows in a first cell accessed by the first terminal and other service flows except the first service flow, the other service flows include a second service flow, and the second feature information of the second service flow is used to indicate a bandwidth and a period of the second service flow and a transmission time of at least one data packet of the second service flow. For example, in connection with fig. 11, the processing module 1502 may be configured to perform S1104.
A transceiver module 1501 for transmitting the data packet of the first service flow according to the first scheduling information, or the transceiver module 1501 for transmitting the first scheduling information to the application network element corresponding to the first service flow.
Optionally, the transceiver module 1501 is further configured to send the first feature information to a session management network element.
Optionally, the transceiver module 1501 is further configured to send second indication information to the session management network element or to the application network element, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the sending time of the data packet of the first service flow is adjustable.
In another implementation, taking the communication device 150 as an example of the application network element in the above method embodiment:
The processing module 1502 is configured to obtain first scheduling information, where the first scheduling information is used to determine a transmission time of at least one data packet of a first service flow, the first service flow is a service flow of a first terminal, the first scheduling information is determined according to first feature information and feature information of other service flows, the first feature information is used to indicate a bandwidth and a period of the first service flow, the other service flows are service flows in a first cell accessed by the first terminal and other service flows except the first service flow, the other service flows include a second service flow, and the second feature information of the second service flow is used to indicate a bandwidth, a period of the second service flow, and a transmission time of at least one data packet of the second service flow. For example, in connection with fig. 11, the processing module 1502 may be configured to perform S1105.
A transceiver module 1501 for transmitting the first scheduling information to the first terminal, or a transceiver module 1501 for transmitting the data packet of the first traffic stream according to the first scheduling information.
The transceiver module 1501 is further configured to send the first feature information to the session management network element, the policy control network element, the network deployment network element, or the first network element.
The transceiver module 1501 is further configured to send second indication information to the session management network element, the policy control network element, the network deployment network element, or the first network element, where the second indication information is used to indicate that a sending time of the data packet of the first service flow can be adjusted.
All relevant contents of each step related to the above method embodiment may be cited to the functional description of the corresponding functional module, which is not described herein.
In the present embodiment, the communication device 150 is presented in a form in which respective functional modules are divided in an integrated manner. A "module" herein may refer to a particular ASIC, an electronic circuit, a processor and memory that execute one or more software or firmware programs, an integrated logic circuit, and/or other device that can provide the described functionality. In a simple embodiment, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the communication device 150 may take the form of the communication device 60 shown in fig. 6.
For example, the processor 601 in the communication apparatus 60 shown in fig. 6 may cause the communication apparatus 60 to execute the communication method in the above-described method embodiment by calling the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 603.
Specifically, the functions/implementation procedures of the transceiver module 1501 and the processing module 1502 in fig. 15 may be implemented by the processor 601 in the communication device 60 shown in fig. 6 calling computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 603. Or the function/implementation of the processing module 1502 in fig. 15 may be implemented by the processor 601 in the communication device 60 shown in fig. 6 invoking computer executable instructions stored in the memory 603, and the function/implementation of the transceiver module 1501 in fig. 15 may be implemented by the communication interface 604 in the communication device 60 shown in fig. 6.
Since the communication device 150 provided in the present embodiment can execute the above-mentioned communication method, the technical effects obtained by the communication device can be referred to the above-mentioned method embodiment, and will not be described herein.
It should be noted that one or more of the above modules or units may be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of both. When any of the above modules or units are implemented in software, the software exists in the form of computer program instructions and is stored in a memory, a processor can be used to execute the program instructions and implement the above method flows. The processor may be built in a SoC (system on a chip) or ASIC, or may be a separate semiconductor chip. The processor may further include necessary hardware accelerators, such as field programmable gate arrays (field programmable GATE ARRAY, FPGAs), PLDs (programmable logic devices), or logic circuits implementing dedicated logic operations, in addition to the cores for executing software instructions for operation or processing.
When the above modules or units are implemented in hardware, the hardware may be any one or any combination of a CPU, microprocessor, digital Signal Processing (DSP) chip, micro control unit (microcontroller unit, MCU), artificial intelligence processor, ASIC, soC, FPGA, PLD, special purpose digital circuitry, hardware accelerator, or non-integrated discrete devices that may run the necessary software or that do not rely on software to perform the above method flows.
Optionally, an embodiment of the present application further provides a chip system, including at least one processor and an interface, where the at least one processor is coupled to the memory through the interface, and when the at least one processor executes a computer program or instructions in the memory, the method in any of the above method embodiments is caused to be performed. In one possible implementation, the communication device further includes a memory. Alternatively, the chip system may be formed by a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices, which are not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present application.
In the above embodiments, it may be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using a software program, it may be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in accordance with embodiments of the present application are produced in whole or in part. The computer may be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable apparatus. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium, for example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center by a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (digital subscriber line, DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.). The computer readable storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device including one or more servers, data centers, etc. that can be integrated with the medium. The usable medium may be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., solid State Disk (SSD)), etc.
Although the application is described herein in connection with various embodiments, other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed application, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.
Although the application has been described in connection with specific features and embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that various modifications and combinations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the application. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are merely exemplary illustrations of the present application as defined in the appended claims and are considered to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations, or equivalents that fall within the scope of the application. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present application without departing from the spirit or scope of the application. Thus, it is intended that the present application also include such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.