CN110876159B

CN110876159B - Method and device for improving time delay certainty

Info

Publication number: CN110876159B
Application number: CN201811005661.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 苏琪; 王岩
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-08-30
Filing date: 2018-08-30
Publication date: 2022-02-11
Anticipated expiration: 2038-08-30
Also published as: CN110876159A

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of wireless communication, and provides a method for improving time delay certainty, which comprises the following steps: the first network element receives the identifier of the first message and the identifier of the second message from the communication device. The first network element obtains a sending time interval, wherein the sending time interval is a time difference between the communication equipment sending the first message and the communication equipment sending the second message. And the first network element determines that the second message reaches the first network element in a delayed manner according to the identifier of the first message, the identifier of the second message, the sending time interval and the arrival time interval, wherein the arrival time interval is the time difference between the arrival of the first message at the first network element and the arrival of the second message at the first network element. And the first network element preferentially schedules the second message. By the scheme provided by the embodiment, the node in the network can determine the message with the time delay in transmission and perform priority scheduling on the message, so that the time delay certainty of the service flow in the end-to-end transmission process is improved under the condition of not performing time synchronization.

Description

Method and device for improving time delay certainty

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a method and an apparatus for improving delay certainty.

Background

In the 5th-Generation (5G) mobile communication technology, different services have different requirements on transmission performance. The service requiring the delay is called a delay sensitive service, and includes: some services that have severe requirements on the transmission performance of the network in an ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLLC) scenario. For example, the end-to-end delay requirement of the motion control service is 1ms, the delay jitter is 1us, and the reliability is 99.9999%. For these services, if the message is not delivered as required, serious consequences can be caused. The transmission services provided by the network for these services are called deterministic transmission services, which satisfy a bounded quality of service (QoS) with very high reliability (e.g., an end-to-end delay bound, a delay jitter bound, etc.). In addition, delay sensitive traffic also includes: services that do not have strict requirements on the transmission performance of the network (e.g., Virtual Reality (VR) service, Augmented Reality (AR) service), or enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) services that have certain requirements on the transmission performance (e.g., online game service), which are allowed if a few messages are not delivered as required.

In existing 5G networks, a QoS model is used for different services, and the QoS model is a framework based on QoS flows. In a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session, the network provides the same transport service for the user plane packets belonging to the same QoS flow. Different QoS flows are distinguished using different QoS Flow Identities (QFI). The 5G network informs the transmission requirements of QoS flows to nodes in the network through a framework of differentiated services (DiffServ). As shown in fig. 1, a transmission scene of a QoS flow is schematically illustrated, uplink transmission and downlink transmission of the QoS flow may be performed between a user equipment and an Application server (APP server). The uplink transmission path of the QoS flow is: user equipment-Radio Access Network (RAN) equipment-non-anchor User Plane Function (UPF) network element-anchor UPF network element-application server. The downlink transmission path of the QoS flow is: an application server-anchor UPF network element-non-anchor UPF network element-RAN-user equipment. In fig. 1, when QoS flow 1 performs uplink transmission, RAN and a non-anchor UPF network element mark a Differentiated Services Code Point (DSCP) field (i.e., DSCP1) for a message in QoS flow 1; when QoS flow 2 performs uplink transmission, the RAN and the non-anchor UPF network element mark the DSCP field (i.e., DSCP2) for the message in QoS flow 2. In the 5G network, each node network element in the transmission path provides transmission services with different priorities for different QoS flows according to the DSCP field in the message. For example, the DSCP field (DSCP1) in QoS flow 1 is different from the DSCP field (DSCP1) in QoS flow 2, and the priorities of the transmission services provided by the respective node network elements are also different.

In the prior art, since the DSCP fields in the packets of the same QoS flow are the same, the priority of the transmission service provided by the network to these packets is also the same. However, due to network congestion and other reasons, delay occurs when some messages reach a certain node network element in a transmission path, so that the transmission time of the messages does not meet the transmission performance requirement, and the quality of network transmission service is affected.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the invention provides a method and a device for improving the delay certainty.

In one aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for improving delay certainty, where the method includes:

a first network element (e.g., an intermediate node in a message transmission path) receives an identification of a first message and an identification of a second message from a communication device (e.g., an originating node in the message transmission path). The first network element obtains a sending time interval, wherein the sending time interval is a time difference between the communication equipment sending the first message and the communication equipment sending the second message. And the first network element determines that the second message reaches the first network element in a delayed manner according to the identifier of the first message, the identifier of the second message, the sending time interval and the arrival time interval, wherein the arrival time interval is the time difference between the arrival of the first message at the first network element and the arrival of the second message at the first network element. And the first network element preferentially schedules the second message.

According to the method, the first network element can distinguish different messages of the same QoS flow according to the identification of the different messages, and can determine the messages which delay to reach the first network element according to the sending time interval and the receiving time interval of the different messages in the QoS flow. Since the sending time interval is the time difference between the sending node in the transmission path sending different messages, and the receiving time interval is the time difference between the first network element receiving different messages, the sending time interval and the receiving time interval do not need to be acquired by synchronizing the time of the first network element and the time of the sending node. Therefore, the first network element can improve the delay certainty of the QoS flow in the end-to-end transmission process by carrying out the priority scheduling on the message which is delayed to reach the first network element under the condition of not needing time synchronization.

In one possible design, the first network element receives a second message from the communication device, where the second message includes an identifier of the first message and an identifier of the second message, and a transmission time of the first message is not later than a transmission time of the second message. Therefore, by adding a new protocol layer in the existing protocol stack of the message or reusing fields in the existing protocol layer of the message, the identifier of the message can be carried in the message, so that the first network element can obtain the identifier of the first message and the identifier of the second message.

In one possible design, the second packet includes a sending time interval, and the first network element obtains the sending time interval from the second packet, where the sending time of the first packet is not later than the sending time of the second packet. Therefore, by adding a new protocol layer in the existing protocol stack of the message or reusing fields in the existing protocol layer of the message, the sending time interval can be carried in the message, so that the first network element can obtain the sending time interval.

In one possible design, the first network element receives first indication information of a traffic flow from a second network element (e.g., an SMF network element or an AMF network element), where the traffic flow includes a first packet and a second packet, and the first indication information is used to indicate a transmission time interval. Thus, the first network element may receive the transmission time interval from the second network element during the session setup.

In one possible design, the traffic flow is a delay sensitive traffic flow. Therefore, the first network element can improve the delay certainty of the delay sensitive service flow in the end-to-end transmission process by carrying out the priority scheduling on the message which is delayed to reach the first network element in the delay sensitive service flow.

In one possible design, the first network element receives identification information of the traffic flow from the second network element, where the identification information is used to identify the traffic flow as a delay-sensitive traffic flow. Therefore, the first network element can determine the delay-sensitive service flow by receiving the identification information of the service flow from the second network element, so as to perform priority scheduling on the message which is delayed to reach the first network element in the delay-sensitive service flow.

In one possible design, the first network element receives second indication information from a third network element (e.g., a source RAN device or an SMF network element), where the second indication information is used to instruct the first network element to release the traffic flow. And the first network element deletes the identifier of the first message, the identifier of the second message, the sending time interval and the arrival time interval according to the second indication information. Therefore, the first network element can save resources in the first network element by deleting the identifier of the first message, the identifier of the second message, the sending time interval and the arrival time interval.

In one possible design, the first network element receives the first message first and then receives the second message, and the arrival time interval is greater than the transmission time interval, wherein the transmission time of the first message is not later than the transmission time of the second message. Therefore, the first network element can determine that the second message reaches the first network element in a delayed manner according to the sending time interval and the arrival time interval.

In one possible design, the first network element is a non-anchor user plane function network element or a radio access network device.

In another aspect, the present application further discloses a method for improving the delay certainty, which includes: the method includes the steps that a first network element (e.g., an SMF network element) receives first indication information of a traffic flow from a second network element (e.g., an UDR network element), the traffic flow includes a first message and a second message, the first indication information is used for indicating a sending time interval, and the sending time interval is a time difference between a communication device (e.g., a starting node in a message transmission path) sending the first message to a third network element (e.g., an intermediate node in the message transmission path) and the communication device sending the second message to the third network element. The first network element sends the first indication information to the third network element.

According to the method, the first network element can obtain the sending time interval and send the sending time interval to the intermediate node in the message transmission path, so that the intermediate node in the message transmission path can determine that the second message reaches the first network element in a delayed manner according to the identifier of the first message, the identifier of the second message, the sending time interval and the arrival time interval, and therefore the second message is scheduled preferentially.

In one possible design, the traffic flow is a delay sensitive traffic flow. Therefore, the first network element can obtain the sending time interval of the message in the delay-sensitive service flow and send the sending time interval to the intermediate node in the message transmission path, so that the intermediate node in the message transmission path determines that the second message in the delay-sensitive service flow reaches the first network element in a delayed manner, and then performs priority scheduling on the second message, and the delay certainty of the delay-sensitive service flow in the end-to-end transmission process can be improved.

In one possible design, the first network element sends identification information of the service flow to the third network element, where the identification information is used to identify the service flow as a delay-sensitive service flow. Therefore, the third network element can determine the delay-sensitive service flow by receiving the identification information of the service flow from the first network element, so as to perform priority scheduling on the message which is delayed to reach the first network element in the delay-sensitive service flow.

In a possible design, the first network element sends second indication information to the third network element, where the second indication information is used to indicate the third network element to release the service flow. Therefore, the third network element can delete the identifier of the first message, the identifier of the second message, the sending time interval and the arrival time interval according to the second indication information, so that resources in the third network element are saved.

In a possible design, the first network element sends third indication information to the communication device, where the third indication information is used to indicate that the communication device acquires the identifier of the first packet and the identifier of the second packet. Therefore, the communication equipment acquires the identifier of the first message and the identifier of the second message according to the third indication information.

In another aspect, the present application further discloses a method for improving the delay certainty, which includes: a communication device (e.g., an originating node in a message transmission path) obtains an identification of a first message and an identification of a second message. The communication device sends the identifier of the first packet, the identifier of the second packet, and a sending time interval to a first network element (e.g., an intermediate node in a packet transmission path), where the sending time interval is a time difference between the sending of the first packet by the communication device and the sending of the second packet by the communication device.

According to the method, the communication equipment sends the identifier of the first message, the identifier of the second message and the sending time interval to the first network element, so that the first network element can distinguish different messages of the same QoS flow according to the identifiers of the different messages, and can determine the messages which delay to reach the first network element according to the sending time interval and the receiving time interval of the different messages in the QoS flow. The first network element can improve the delay certainty of the QoS flow in the end-to-end transmission process by carrying out priority scheduling on the message which is delayed to reach the first network element.

In one possible design, the communication device includes a user equipment, a radio access network device, or an anchor user plane function network element.

In one possible design, the communication device sends a second packet to the first network element, where the second packet includes an identifier of the first packet and an identifier of the second packet, and a sending time of the first packet is not later than a sending time of the second packet. Therefore, by adding a new protocol layer in the existing protocol stack of the message or reusing fields in the existing protocol layer of the message, the identifier of the message can be carried in the message, so that the first network element can obtain the identifier of the first message and the identifier of the second message from the second message.

In one possible design, the time when the communication device sends the first message to the first network element is no later than the time when the communication device sends the second message to the first network element, and the second message includes a sending time interval. Therefore, by adding a new protocol layer in the existing protocol stack of the message or reusing fields in the existing protocol layer of the message, the sending time interval can be carried in the message, so that the first network element can obtain the sending time interval from the second message.

In one possible design, before the communication device obtains the identifier of the first packet and the identifier of the second packet, the communication device receives indication information from a second network element (e.g., an SMF network element), where the indication information is used to instruct the communication device to obtain the identifier of the first packet and the identifier of the second packet. Therefore, the communication equipment can acquire the identifier of the first message and the identifier of the second message according to the indication information.

In one possible design, the communication device generates an identification of the first message and an identification of the second message.

In another aspect, the present application further discloses a method for improving the delay certainty, which includes: the method includes the steps that a first network element (e.g., a UDR network element) acquires indication information of a service flow, wherein the service flow comprises a first message and a second message, and the indication information is used for indicating a sending time interval, and the sending time interval is a time difference between a communication device (e.g., an initial node in a message transmission path) sending the first message to the second network element (e.g., an intermediate node in the message transmission path) and a communication device sending the second message to the second network element. The first network element sends the indication information to a third network element (e.g., an SMF network element).

According to the method, the first network element may send the sending time interval to the third network element, so that the third network element can send the sending time interval to the intermediate node in the message transmission path.

In another aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an apparatus for improving delay certainty, where the apparatus has a function of implementing a radio access network device/non-anchor UPF network element behavior in the foregoing method. The functions can be realized by hardware, and the functions can also be realized by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-described functions. In one possible design, the structure of the apparatus includes a processor and a transceiver, and the processor is configured to process the apparatus to perform the corresponding functions of the method. The transceiver is used for realizing the communication between the device and the user equipment/the wireless access network equipment/the non-anchor UPF network element/the anchor UPF network element. The apparatus may also include a memory, coupled to the processor, that retains program instructions and data necessary for the apparatus.

In another aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a device for improving the certainty of delay, where the device has a function of implementing an SMF network element behavior in the foregoing method. The functions can be realized by hardware, and the functions can also be realized by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-described functions. In one possible design, the structure of the apparatus includes a processor and a transceiver, and the processor is configured to process the apparatus to perform the corresponding functions of the method. The transceiver is used for realizing the communication between the device and the UDR network element/wireless access network equipment/non-anchor UPF network element/anchor UPF network element. The apparatus may also include a memory, coupled to the processor, that retains program instructions and data necessary for the apparatus.

In another aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an apparatus for improving delay certainty, where the apparatus has a function of implementing a ue/ran equipment/anchor UPF network element behavior in the foregoing method. The functions can be realized by hardware, and the functions can also be realized by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-described functions. In one possible design, the structure of the apparatus includes a processor and a transceiver, and the processor is configured to process the apparatus to perform the corresponding functions of the method. The transceiver is used for realizing the communication between the device and the wireless access equipment/non-anchor UPF network element. The apparatus may also include a memory, coupled to the processor, that retains program instructions and data necessary for the apparatus.

In another aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a device for improving the certainty of time delay, where the device has a function of implementing a UDR network element behavior in the foregoing method. The functions can be realized by hardware, and the functions can also be realized by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-described functions. In one possible design, the structure of the apparatus includes a processor and a transceiver, and the processor is configured to process the apparatus to perform the corresponding functions of the method. The transceiver is used for realizing the communication between the device and the SMF network element. The apparatus may also include a memory, coupled to the processor, that retains program instructions and data necessary for the apparatus.

In yet another aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium having stored therein instructions, which when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of the above aspects.

In yet another aspect, the present application provides a computer program product containing instructions which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of the above aspects.

In yet another aspect, the present application provides a chip system, which includes a processor, configured to enable the apparatus or the user equipment to implement the functions recited in the above aspects, for example, to generate or process information recited in the above methods. In one possible design, the system-on-chip further includes a memory for storing program instructions and data necessary for the data transmission device. The chip system may be constituted by a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the embodiments or background of the present invention will be described below.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a transmission scenario of a QoS flow;

fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a 5G communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 3 is a method for improving delay certainty according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 4A and 4B are schematic structural diagrams of a reused message field according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 5A and 5B are schematic structural diagrams of another reused message field according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 6A is a flowchart of a method for improving delay certainty according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 6B is a flowchart of another method for improving delay certainty according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 7 is a flowchart of another method for improving delay certainty according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 8 is a flowchart of another method for improving delay certainty according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 9A and 9B are schematic structural diagrams of an apparatus for improving delay certainty according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. In the description of the present application, "/" indicates an OR meaning, for example, A/B may indicate A or B; in the present application, "and/or" is only an association relationship describing an associated object, and means that there may be three relationships, for example, a and/or B, and may mean: a exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. In addition, in the description of the present application, "a plurality" means two or more.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a 5G communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application. In the 5G mobile network architecture, the control plane function and the forwarding plane function of the mobile gateway are decoupled, and the separated control plane function is merged with a Mobility Management Entity (MME) of a 3GPP conventional control network element into a unified control plane (control plane). The UPF network element can implement user plane functions (SGW-U and PGW-U) of a Serving Gateway (SGW) and a packet data network gateway (PGW). Further, the unified control plane network element may be decomposed into an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element and a Session Management Function (SMF) network element.

As shown in fig. 2, the communication system includes at least a User Equipment (UE) 201, a RAN device 202, an non-anchor UPF network element 203, an anchor UPF network element 209, an AMF network element 204, an SMF network element 205, and a Unified Data Repository (UDR) network element 208.

The ue 201 involved in the present system is not limited to the 5G network, and includes: the system comprises a mobile phone, an internet of things device, an intelligent household device, an industrial control device, a vehicle device and the like. The User Equipment may also be referred to as a Terminal Equipment (Terminal Equipment), a Mobile Station (Mobile Station), a Mobile Station (Mobile), a Remote Station (Remote Station), a Remote Terminal (Remote Terminal), an Access Terminal (Access Terminal), a User Equipment (User Terminal), and a User Agent (User Agent), which are not limited herein. The user device may also be an automobile in Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication, a machine in machine-to-machine communication, or the like.

The RAN apparatus 202 is a means for providing a wireless communication function for the user equipment 201. The RAN equipment 202 may include various forms of base stations, such as: macro base stations, micro base stations (also referred to as small stations), relay stations, access points, etc. In systems using different radio access technologies, names of devices having a base station function may be different, for example, in an LTE system, the device is called an evolved node B (eNB or eNodeB), and in a third generation (3G) system, the device is called a node B (node B). In a new generation system, called gnb (gnnodeb).

The UPF network element (non-anchor UPF network element 203 or anchor UPF network element 209) involved in the system can realize the functions of forwarding, counting, detecting and the like of the user message. The non-anchor UPF network element 203 is a UPF network element connected to the RAN equipment 202. For example, the non-anchor UPF network element 203 generally serves as an intermediate node network element of the transmission path of the PDU session. A non-anchor UPF network element may also be referred to as a non-anchor UPF device or a non-anchor UPF entity. The anchor UPF network element 209 is interconnected with the external data network in a PDU session. An anchor UPF network element may also be referred to as an anchor UPF device or an anchor UPF entity.

The AMF element 204 involved in the system may be responsible for registration of terminal equipment, mobility management, tracking area update procedures, and the like. The AMF network element may also be referred to as an AMF device or an AMF entity.

The SMF network element 205 involved in the present system may be responsible for session management of the terminal device. For example, session management includes selection of a user plane device, reselection of a user plane device, IP address assignment, QoS control, and establishment, modification, or release of a session, etc. An SMF network element may also be referred to as an SMF device or an SMF entity.

The UDR network element 208 involved in the present system may be used to store Data in a Unified Data Management (UDM) 207, a Policy Control Function (PCF) network element 206, and a network capability exposure function (NEF). For example, UDM subscription data and PCF-provided policy data, as well as NEF-provided structured data for publishing and application, may be stored in the UDR network element 208. Optionally, the UDR network element 208 is also responsible for authentication credential processing and user identification processing. Optionally, the UDR network element 208 is capable of access authorization, registration or mobility management, and subscription management. A UDR network element may also be referred to as a UDR device or UDR entity.

Optionally, the network device in the 5G communication system shown in fig. 2 further includes a PCF network element 206. The network element comprises the functions of policy control and flow-based charging control. For example, PCF network element 206 may implement a user subscription data management function, a policy control function, a charging policy control function, QoS control, and the like. A PCF network element may also be referred to as a PCF entity or PCF device.

Optionally, the 5G communication system further includes a UDM network element 207. The UDM network element 207 is able to store subscription data for the user. For example, the subscription data of the user includes subscription data related to mobility management and subscription data related to session management. The UDM network element may also be referred to as a UDM device or a UDM entity.

The network elements may be network elements implemented on dedicated hardware, or may be software instances running on dedicated hardware, or may be instances of virtualized functions on a suitable platform, for example, the virtualized platform may be a cloud platform.

In addition, the embodiment of the application can also be applied to other communication technologies facing the future. The network architecture and the service scenario described in this application are for more clearly illustrating the technical solution of this application, and do not constitute a limitation to the technical solution provided in this application, and it can be known by those skilled in the art that the technical solution provided in this application is also applicable to similar technical problems along with the evolution of the network architecture and the appearance of new service scenarios.

The following takes the 5G communication system shown in fig. 2 as an example, and the technical solution of the present application is described in detail through some embodiments. The following several embodiments may be combined with each other and may not be described in detail in some embodiments for the same or similar concepts or processes.

Fig. 3 is a method for improving delay certainty according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. By the method, the first network element can determine that the transmission of the second message has time delay, and the time delay certainty of the service flow in the end-to-end transmission process can be improved by carrying out priority scheduling on the second message. As shown in fig. 3, the method may include:

s301, the first network element receives the identifier of the first message and the identifier of the second message from the communication equipment.

The first network element is an intermediate node in a message transmission path, and the communication device is an initial node in the message transmission path. For example, in the uplink transmission path of the packet, the first network element is a non-anchor UPF network element, and the communication device is a UE, RAN device, or other non-anchor UPF network element located between the UE and the first network element. For another example, in the downlink transmission path of the packet, the first network element is a RAN device, and the communication device is a non-anchor UPF network element or an anchor UPF network element; or the first network element is a non-anchor point UPF network element, and the communication device is an anchor point UPF network element or other non-anchor point UPF network elements positioned between the anchor point UPF network element and the first network element.

For example, the UE is the user equipment 201 in fig. 2, the RAN equipment is the RAN equipment 202 in fig. 2, the non-anchor UPF network element is the non-anchor UPF network element 203 in fig. 2, and the anchor UPF network element is the anchor UPF network element 209 in fig. 2.

It should be noted that the message transmission path described in the present invention includes an end-to-end transmission path between any two or more node network elements in the uplink transmission path, the downlink transmission path, or the uplink transmission path/the downlink transmission path in fig. 1. For example, the message transmission path may be UE — RAN equipment, and then the UE is communication equipment in S301, and the RAN equipment is a first network element in S301. For another example, the packet transmission path may be an anchor UPF network element — a non-anchor UPF network element — RAN, where the anchor UPF network element is the communication device in S301, and the non-anchor UPF network element or the RAN device is the first network element in S301. For example, the first network element may receive the identifier of the first packet and the identifier of the second packet from the communication device by: the first network element receives a second message from the communication device, wherein the second message comprises the identifier of the first message and the identifier of the second message.

For example, the identifier of the message may include a Sequence Number (SN) of the message.

For example, a new protocol layer may be added to an existing protocol stack of a packet to carry an identifier of the packet. For example, the added Protocol layer may be located between a Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer and a PDU layer, or between a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Tunneling Protocol (GTP) layer and the PDU layer.

For example, a field in an existing protocol layer of the packet may be reused to carry an identifier of the packet. For example, fields in Packet Data Convergence layer Protocol (PDCP) or GTP may be reused. The format in which fields in the existing protocol layer of the reused packet carry the identifier of the packet may be further described with reference to fig. 5A and 5B.

S302, the first network element obtains the sending time interval. The sending time interval is the time difference between the communication equipment sending the first message and the communication equipment sending the second message.

For example, the first network element may acquire the transmission time interval in any one of the following three ways.

The first method is as follows: the first network element obtains the sending time interval from the message.

For example, a new protocol layer is added to an existing protocol stack of a message to carry a sending time interval, and when the first network element receives the message, the sending time interval may be obtained from the message. The sending time interval and the identifier of the packet in step S301 may be carried by the same newly added protocol layer. For example, the added protocol layer may be located between the SDAP layer and the PDU layer, or between the GTP layer and the PDU layer. It should be noted that the present invention does not limit the sequence of the positions of the identification field and the transmission time interval field of the message in the newly added protocol layer. That is, the identification field of the message may precede the transmission interval field or the identification field of the message may follow the transmission interval field.

For example, a field in an existing protocol layer of a message may be reused to carry the transmission time interval. For example, fields in the PDCP or GTP may be reused. The format in which fields in the existing protocol layer of the reused packet carry the transmission time interval may be further described with reference to fig. 5A and 5B.

For example, the first network element obtains the transmission time interval by: the sending time of the first message is not later than that of the second message. The second message includes a sending time interval, and the first network element obtains the sending time interval from the second message. That is, the second message includes the identifier of the first message, the identifier of the second message, and the transmission time interval.

The second method comprises the following steps: the first network element receives first indication information of a service flow from the second network element, wherein the service flow comprises a first message and a second message, and the first indication information is used for indicating a sending time interval.

For example, the second network element is the SMF network element 205 or the AMF network element 204 in fig. 2.

For example, the first indication information may be in the following three forms:

(1) one message is sent every 20 ms. At this time, the first indication information indicates that the transmission time interval is 20 ms.

(2) And sending a message every 10ms, and sending a message every 5ms, and repeating the steps. At this time, the identifier of the message includes an SN of the message, and the sending time interval indicated by the first indication information is: cycles of 10ms and 5 ms. Wherein, the value of the sending time interval is related to the SN of the message. For example, the SN starts at 0 and adds 1 to the SN every time a message is sent. When SN is even number, the value of the sending time interval is 10 ms; when the SN is odd, the transmission time interval takes a value of 5 ms.

(3) The k +1(k is a positive integer) th packet is (5+0.1 × k) ms apart from the k-th packet. At this time, the first indication information indicates that the transmission time interval is: starting at 5ms, increments with a 0.1ms complement. Wherein, the value of the sending time interval is related to the SN of the message. For example, the SN starts at 0 and adds 1 to the SN every time a message is sent. The value of the transmission time interval is (5+0.1 × k) ms, where k is SN + 1.

With regard to the above manner (2) or (3), the first indication information may be regarded as a rule, and the rule may be transferred to the first network element by the second network element during the session establishment. When the first network element subsequently receives the message, the sending time interval can be determined according to the SN in the message and the rule.

It should be noted that the form of the first indication information is not limited to the above three descriptions, and other indication information that can be used to indicate the transmission time interval is also applicable.

For example, the first network element may receive, from the second network element, first indication information indicating a transmission time interval in a PDU session establishment procedure, and a specific procedure may be further described in conjunction with fig. 8.

The third method comprises the following steps: the first network element obtains the sending time of the message from the message and obtains the sending time interval according to the sending time of the message.

For example, the first network element obtains the sending time t1 of the first message from the first message, and the first network element obtains the sending time t2 of the second message from the second message. The first network element may obtain a sending time interval of (t2-t1) according to the sending time t1 of the first packet and the sending time t2 of the second packet.

For example, a new protocol layer is added to an existing protocol stack of a message to carry sending time, and when a first network element receives the message, the sending time of the message can be obtained from the message. The sending time and the identifier of the packet in step S301 may be carried by the same newly added protocol layer. For example, the added protocol layer may be located between the SDAP layer and the PDU layer, or between the GTP layer and the PDU layer. It should be noted that the present invention does not limit the sequence of the positions of the identification field and the sending time field of the message in the newly added protocol layer. That is, the identification field of the message may precede the transmission time field, or the identification field of the message may follow the transmission time field.

For example, a field in an existing protocol layer of the packet may be reused to carry the transmission time. For example, fields in the PDCP or GTP may be reused. The format in which the field in the existing protocol layer of the reused packet carries the sending time may be further described with reference to fig. 5A and 5B.

S303, the first network element determines that the second message reaches the first network element in a delayed manner according to the identifier of the first message, the identifier of the second message, the sending time interval and the arrival time interval. The arrival time interval is the time difference between the arrival of the first message at the first network element and the arrival of the second message at the first network element.

And the first network element respectively identifies the first message and the second message according to the identifier of the first message and the identifier of the second message. The sending time of the first message is not later than that of the second message, so when the first network element receives the second message from the communication equipment, the obtained sending time interval is determined to be the sending time interval between the first message and the second message according to the identifier of the first message and the identifier of the second message in the second message, and the arrival time interval is calculated according to the arrival time of the first message and the arrival time of the second message.

For example, the first network element determines that the second packet has delayed arrival at the first network element by: the sending time of the first message is not later than that of the second message, the first network element receives the first message and then receives the second message, and the arrival time interval is greater than the sending time interval. For example, the time for the communication device to send the first message is 10ms earlier than the time for sending the second message, i.e., the sending time interval is 10ms, and the time for the first network element to receive the first message is 15ms earlier than the time for receiving the second message, i.e., the receiving time interval is 15 ms. It means that the transmission time of the second message is 5ms longer than that of the first message, that is, there is a delay in the transmission of the second message. The first network element may determine that the second message is delayed from reaching the first network element. For another example, the communication device sends the first message and the second message simultaneously, that is, the sending time interval is 0ms, and the time for the first network element to receive the first message is 15ms earlier than the time for the second message, that is, the receiving time interval is 15 ms. It means that the transmission time of the second message is 15ms longer than the transmission time of the first message, i.e. there is a delay in the transmission of the second message. The first network element may determine that the second message is delayed from reaching the first network element.

It should be noted that the first network element determines that the second packet reaches the first network element with a delay, which does not mean that the first packet does not reach the first network element with a delay, but only that the delay time of the second packet is longer, so that the second packet needs to be scheduled preferentially.

S304, the first network element preferentially schedules the second message.

For example, the first network element may preferentially schedule the second packet by one or more of the following methods: and the first network element sets the DSCP value of the second message as the DSCP value with higher priority, or the first network element preferentially sends the second message.

Therefore, according to the method of the embodiment of the present invention, the first network element can distinguish different messages of the same QoS flow according to the identifiers of the different messages, and can determine the message delayed from reaching the first network element according to the sending time interval and the receiving time interval of the different messages in the QoS flow. Since the sending time interval is the time difference between the sending node in the transmission path sending different messages, and the receiving time interval is the time difference between the first network element receiving different messages, the sending time interval and the receiving time interval do not need to be acquired by synchronizing the time of the first network element and the time of the sending node. Therefore, the first network element can improve the delay certainty of the QoS flow in the end-to-end transmission process by carrying out the priority scheduling on the message which is delayed to reach the first network element under the condition of not needing time synchronization.

Fig. 4A is a schematic structural diagram of a reused message field according to an embodiment of the present application. The structure in fig. 4A is used for the packets of delay sensitive traffic flows.

As shown in fig. 4A, for fields in the existing protocol layer, each field has 8 bits (bit). For example, in the first field, when the identification bit F of the first bit is 1, it indicates that this packet is a packet of a delay-sensitive traffic flow. The 7 bits following the identification bit F in the first field can be used as the identification of the packet. Alternatively, 7 bits after the identification bit F in the first field and one or more fields after the first field may be used as the identification of the packet. For example, if the currently reused packet is the second packet, the identifier field of the packet includes the identifier of the first packet and the identifier of the second packet. The second message is a message for comparing transmission time with the first message, that is, the first network element may determine whether there is a delay in transmission of the second message according to a transmission time interval and a reception time interval between the second message and the first message. For example, the identifier of the message is SN, which indicates the sequence number of the message in the message of the service flow. Where SN may be marked starting from 0. As shown in FIG. 4A, SN2 identifies the identity of the second message, and SN1 represents the identity of the first message. The identifier of the message is followed by the payload, i.e. the message data of the higher layer.

For example, for an initial node network element in a packet transmission path, for example, a UE, a RAN device, a non-anchor UPF network element, or an anchor UPF network element, the identifier of the packet may be added in the SN field according to the structure shown in fig. 4A. One possible implementation is: SN starts from 0 and adds 1 to SN every time a message is sent. And the initial node network element adds the identifier of the message and then transmits the identifier to a lower-layer protocol stack for processing.

For example, for an intermediate node network element in a packet transmission path, for example, a non-anchor UPF network element or RAN equipment, after receiving a packet with the structure shown in fig. 4A, judging that the F bit is 1, ignoring an identification field of the packet (i.e., the identification bit F and the identification field of the packet), and handing the packet to an upper protocol stack for processing.

Therefore, according to the method of the embodiment of the present invention, after receiving the packet, the intermediate node network element can distinguish different packets in the delay-sensitive service flow according to the identifier of the packet in the field of the original protocol stack by reusing the field in the existing protocol stack of the packet to carry the identifier of the packet, and then determine the packet with delay transmission according to the arrival time interval of the different packets in the subsequent process.

Fig. 4B is a schematic structural diagram of another reused packet field provided in the embodiment of the present application. The structure in fig. 4A is used for packets of non-delay sensitive traffic flows.

As shown in fig. 4B, for fields in the existing protocol layer, each field has 8 bits (bit). In the first field, when the identification bit F of the first bit is 0, it indicates that this packet is a packet of a non-delay-sensitive traffic flow. The identification bit F is followed by 7 bits of a Reserved (Reserved) field. In this embodiment, the value of the reserved field is not limited. For example, the reserved field may be set to all 0 s. The reserved field is followed by the payload, i.e. the data of the higher layer message.

For example, for an initial node network element in a packet transmission path, for example, a UE, a RAN device, a non-anchor UPF network element, or an anchor UPF network element, the F bit may be set to 0 according to the structure shown in fig. 4B. And the initial node network element transmits the reused message to a lower-layer protocol stack for processing.

For example, for an intermediate node network element in the message transmission path, for example, a non-anchor UPF network element or RAN equipment, after receiving the message with the structure shown in fig. 4B, it determines that the F bit is 0, ignores the first 8 bits of the message, and hands the message to the upper protocol stack for processing.

Therefore, according to the method of the embodiment of the present invention, the field in the existing protocol stack of the message is reused to identify the message of the non-delay-sensitive service flow, so that the intermediate node network element, after receiving the message, delivers the message to the higher layer protocol stack for processing without distinguishing the identification of the message.

Fig. 5A is a schematic structural diagram of another structure for reusing a message field to carry a message identifier and a sending time interval according to an embodiment of the present application. The structure in fig. 5A is used for packets of delay sensitive traffic flows. FIG. 5A will be described in conjunction with FIG. 4A, as shown in FIG. 5A:

the first bit is an identification bit F, and 7 bits after the identification bit F can be used as an identification of the packet. Alternatively, 7 bits after the identification bit F in the first field and one or more fields after the first field may be used as the identification of the packet. . The identifier bit F and the identifier of the packet may refer to the description in fig. 4A, and are not described herein again. The one or more fields following the identification of the message may be transmission time interval (interval)/transmission time. Wherein, the sending time represents the sending time of the current message. For example, the unit of the transmission time interval and the transmission time is nanoseconds. The identifier of the message is followed by the payload, i.e. the message data of the higher layer.

For example, for an initial node network element in a packet transmission path, for example, a UE, a RAN device, a non-anchor UPF network element, or an anchor UPF network element, an identifier of a packet may be added in an SN field, a sending time interval may be added in a sending time interval field, or sending time may be added in a sending time field according to the structure shown in fig. 5A.

For example, for an intermediate node network element in a packet transmission path, for example, a non-anchor UPF network element or RAN equipment, after receiving a packet with the structure shown in fig. 5A, it is determined: if SN is 0, the intermediate node network element transmits the message to a lower layer protocol stack for processing; if the SN is not 0, determining whether the current message reaches the intermediate node in a delayed way or not according to the current arrival time interval and the sending time interval/sending time field, if the current message reaches the intermediate node in a delayed way, the intermediate node network element preferentially schedules the message when the lower-layer protocol stack processes the message (for example, setting a DSCP value with higher priority and the like).

Therefore, according to the method of the embodiment of the present invention, after receiving a packet, an intermediate node network element can distinguish different packets in a delay-sensitive service flow according to the identifier of the packet in the field of the original protocol stack, and obtain the transmission time interval between the packet and the packet, thereby determining the packet with delay transmission according to the transmission time interval and the arrival time interval in the subsequent process, by reusing the field in the existing protocol stack of the packet to carry the identifier and the transmission time interval of the packet.

Fig. 5B is a schematic structural diagram of another reused packet field provided in the embodiment of the present application.

The structure of the reuse packet field in fig. 5B may refer to the description in fig. 4B, and is not described herein again.

Fig. 6A is a flowchart of a method for improving delay certainty according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 6A is a process of receiving, by the first network element, first indication information indicating a transmission time interval from the third network element in a PDU session establishment procedure in which no non-anchor UPF network element exists in a second manner of step S302 in fig. 3. Fig. 6A will be described in conjunction with fig. 3, and as shown in fig. 6A, the method may include:

s601a, the UE sends a PDU session setup request to the AMF network element. Accordingly, the AMF network element receives a PDU session setup request from the UE.

And S602a, the AMF network element selects the SMF network element.

S603a, the AMF network element sends a Request for creating a session management Context (e.g., Nsmf _ pdusesion _ CreateSM Context Request message) to the SMF network element. Accordingly, the SMF network element receives a create session management context request from the AMF network element.

For example, the create session management context request further includes information for creating a PDU session, such as one or more of a user Permanent Identifier (SUPI), a Data Network Name (DNN), a PDU session ID, or an AMF ID.

S604a, the SMF network element obtains subscription data from the UDM network element. For example, the SMF network element invokes a service requesting acquisition of subscription data to the UDM network element, and sends a request message (e.g., a numdm _ SubscriberData _ GetRequest message) to the UDM network element for requesting acquisition of subscription data of the UE. The UDM network element sends a response message (e.g., a Nudm _ SubscriberData _ GetResponse message) to the SMF network element, sending the subscription data of the UE to the SMF network element.

Optionally, the SMF network element obtains the identification information from the UDM network element via a response message (e.g., a Nudm _ SubscriberData _ GetResponse message). The identification information is used for identifying the service flow as a delay sensitive service flow.

Or, optionally, the subscription data of the UE includes identification information, and the UDM network element sends the identification information to the SMF network element through the subscription data of the UE.

S605a, the SMF network element obtains the first indication information from the UDR network element. Wherein the first indication information is used for indicating a transmission time interval.

For example, the description of the first indication information may refer to the description in the second mode of step S302 in fig. 3, and is not repeated here.

S606a, the SMF network element sends a create session management Context Response (e.g., Nsmf _ pdusesion _ CreateSM Context Response message) to the AMF network element. Accordingly, the AMF network element receives a create session management context response from the SMF network element.

For example, the create session management context response message includes indication information indicating whether the PDU session establishment is successful. If the PDU session is successfully established, the creating session management context response message also comprises the session management context identification.

S607a, PDU session grant.

S608a, the SMF network element selects a PCF network element.

It should be noted that step S608a is an optional step, and the SMF network element may also select the PCF network element in other manners, which is not limited in the present invention.

S609a, the SMF network element obtains Policy and Charging Control (PCC) rule from the PCF network element.

For example, the SMF network element sends a request message (e.g., Npcf _ SMPolicyControl _ Get message) to the PCF network element to request the PCF network element for the allowed services and PCC rule information by invoking the service requesting for obtaining PCC rule information.

It should be noted that step S609a is an optional step, and the SMF network element may also obtain the PCC rule in other manners, which is not limited in the present invention.

S610a, the SMF network element selects the UPF network element.

For example, the request type in the request for creating the Session management context in step S603 is an Initial request (Initial request), and the SMF network element selects a Session and Service Continuity (SSC) mode for the PDU Session. And the SMF network element selects the UPF network element according to the SSC mode. For example, the SMF network element also selects the UPF network element according to the deployment situation of the UPF network element. If the type of the PDU session is Internet Protocol version four (4, IPv4) or Internet Protocol version six (6, IPv6), the SMF network element allocates an IP address for the UE.

S611a, the SMF network element modifies the session management policy.

For example, the SMF network element may obtain the updated session management policy provided by the PCF network element by performing a session management policy modification. The updated session management policy includes an authorized Aggregate Maximum Bit Rate (AMBR), a 5G QoS indicator (5G QoS indicator, 5QI), and an Allocation and Retention Priority (ARP) value.

It should be noted that step S611a is an optional step, and the SMF network element may also modify the session management policy in other manners, which is not limited in the present invention.

S612a, the SMF network element sends an N4session establishment/modification request to the anchor UPF network element. Accordingly, the anchor UPF network element receives an N4session establishment/modification request from the SMF network element.

For example, the N4session setup/modification request message includes rules for message detection, implementation, and reporting related to the PDU session.

Optionally, the session establishment/modification request message of N4 further includes GTP tunnel information allocated by the SMF network element.

It should be noted that step S612a is an optional step.

S613a, the anchor UPF network element sends an N4session establishment/modification response to the SMF network element. Accordingly, the SMF network element receives an N4session establishment/modification response from the anchor UPF network element.

Optionally, the session setup/modification response message of N4 further includes GTP tunnel information allocated by the anchor UPF network element.

Step S613a is an optional step.

S614a, the SMF network element sends the first indication information to the AMF network element. Accordingly, the AMF network element receives the first indication information from the SMF network element.

For example, the SMF network element sends a request message (e.g., a Namf _ Communication _ N1N2MessageTransfer message) to the AMF network element by calling the service of information transmission of the N1, N2 interface, for sending the first indication information to the AMF network element.

For example, Session Management (SM) information (N2SM) of the N2 interface and a session management container (N1SM container) of the N1 interface are also included in the request message (e.g., the naf _ Communication _ N1N2MessageTransfer message). Wherein, the N2SM information includes: GTP tunnel information of the N3 interface, QoS information, and QFI corresponding to the session. Wherein, N1SM container includes information for indicating that the PDU session establishment is accepted.

As another example, the SMF network element sends the first indication information to the AMF network element via the N2SM information in the request message (e.g., the Namf _ Communication _ N1N2MessageTransfer message).

Optionally, the request message (e.g., the naf _ Communication _ N1N2MessageTransfer message) further includes the identification information acquired by the SMF network element in step S604 a.

S615a, the AMF network element sends the first indication information to the RAN device. Accordingly, the RAN device receives the first indication information from the AMF network element.

For example, the AMF network element sends the first indication information to the RAN device through an N2PDU Session Request message (e.g., an N2PDU Session Request message).

For example, the N2PDU session request message further includes an access stratum (NAS) message and N2SM information. Wherein, the NAS message contains PDU session identification and N1SM container.

Optionally, the N2PDU session request message further includes the identification information received by the AMF network element in step S614 a.

S616a, the RAN device performs PDU session establishment with the UE.

For example, radio resources are allocated for the session between the RAN equipment and the UE and an N3 tunnel is established. The RAN device sends a NAS message to the UE.

S617a, the RAN equipment sends a PDU session response to the AMF network element. Accordingly, the AMF network element receives a PDU session response from the RAN device.

For example, the RAN device sends a PDU Session Response to the AMF network element through an N2PDU Session Response message (e.g., an N2PDU Session Response message).

Therefore, according to the method of the embodiment of the present invention, the method described in the second mode of step S302 in fig. 3 can be implemented: in a PDU session setup procedure in which a non-anchor UPF network element does not exist, a first network element (e.g., RAN equipment) receives first indication information indicating a transmission time interval from a third network element (e.g., SMF network element). Thus, after receiving the messages of the QoS flow, the first network element can determine the messages with delay transmission according to the sending time interval and the arrival time interval between the messages, and can perform priority scheduling on the messages with delay transmission. Further, the QoS flow corresponding to the first indication information is a delay-sensitive service flow.

Fig. 6B is a flowchart of another method for improving the delay certainty according to the embodiment of the present application. Fig. 6B is a process of the first network element receiving, in a PDU session setup procedure in which a non-anchor UPF network element exists, first indication information indicating a transmission time interval from a third network element in the method two of step S302 in fig. 3. Fig. 6B will be described in conjunction with fig. 6A, and as shown in fig. 6B, the method may include:

the steps S601b to S613b can refer to the descriptions of the steps S601a to S613a in fig. 6A, and are not repeated herein.

The method shown in fig. 6B further comprises: s614b, the SMF network element sends the first indication information to the non-anchor UPF network element. Correspondingly, the non-anchor UPF network element receives the first indication information from the SMF network element. Wherein the first indication information is used for indicating a transmission time interval.

For example, the SMF network element sends the first indication information to the non-anchor UPF network element via the N4session setup/modify request message.

For example, the N4session setup/modification request message also includes rules for message detection, implementation, and reporting related to the PDU session.

Optionally, the N4session establishment/modification request message further includes the identification information obtained by the SMF network element in step S604 b.

S615b, the non-anchor UPF network element sends a N4session establishment/modification response to the SMF network element. Accordingly, the SMF network element receives an N4session establishment/modification response from the non-anchor UPF network element.

Optionally, the N4session setup/modification response message further includes GTP tunnel information.

It should be noted that the embodiment of the present application does not limit the execution sequence of steps S612b, S613b and steps S614b, S615 b. That is, in the embodiment of the present application, S612b and S613b may be performed first, and then S614b and S615b may be performed; alternatively, S614b and S615b may be performed first, followed by S612b and S613 b; alternatively, S612b, S613b, and S614b, S615b may be performed simultaneously.

The steps S616b to S619b can refer to the descriptions of the steps S614a to S617a in fig. 6A, and are not repeated herein.

Therefore, according to the method of the embodiment of the present invention, the method described in the second mode of step S302 in fig. 3 can be implemented: in a PDU session establishment procedure in which a non-anchor UPF network element exists, a first network element (e.g., the non-anchor UPF network element or RAN equipment) receives first indication information for indicating a transmission time interval from a third network element (e.g., an SMF network element). Thus, after receiving the messages of the QoS flow, the first network element can determine the messages with delay transmission according to the sending time interval and the arrival time interval between the messages, and can perform priority scheduling on the messages with delay transmission. Further, the QoS flow corresponding to the first indication information is a delay-sensitive service flow.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart of another method for improving delay certainty according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure in which, in a second mode of step S302 in fig. 3, the first network element receives, from the third network element, first indication information indicating a transmission time interval in the RAN equipment handover procedure. The RAN device handover scenario shown in fig. 7 is specifically that a source RAN is handed over to a target RAN, and reselection of an anchor UPF network element and a non-anchor UPF network element does not exist. As shown in fig. 7, the method may include:

s701, the target RAN device sends an N2Path switching Request (e.g., an N2Path Switch Request message) to the AMF network element. Accordingly, the AMF network element receives an N2path switch request from the target RAN device.

For example, the N2path switch request message is used to inform the AMF network element that the UE has moved to a new cell. The N2path switch request message also includes the PDU session information to be switched.

S702, the AMF network element sends the N2 session management information to the SMF network element. Accordingly, the SMF network element receives N2 session management information from the AMF network element.

For example, the AMF network element sends N2 session management information to the SMF network element by updating an SM context Request message (e.g., an Nsmf _ transaction _ update smcontext Request message). Wherein, the SMF network element is the SMF network element associated with the PDU session that needs to be switched in step S701. The update SM context request message is used by the SMF network element to decide whether the current UPF network element can continue to serve the UE.

S703, the SMF network element sends an N4Session Modification Request (e.g., an N4Session Modification Request message) to the UPF network element. Accordingly, the UPF network element receives an N2 session modification request from the SMF network element.

Optionally, the session modification request message of N4 further includes GTP tunnel information of the RAN side allocated by the SMF network element.

S704, the UPF network element sends a N4Session Modification Response (e.g., N4Session Modification Response message) to the SMF network element. Accordingly, the SMF network element receives an N4session modification response from the UPF network element.

S705, the UPF network element sends termination indication information (e.g., end marker information) to the source RAN device. Accordingly, the SMF network element receives termination indication information from the UPF network element.

For example, the UPF network element sends the termination indication information to the source RAN device through the N3 tunnel.

S706, the source RAN device sends termination indication information to the target RAN device. Accordingly, the target RAN device receives termination indication information from the source RAN device.

The termination indication information is used for reordering messages by the target RAN equipment.

S707, the SMF network element sends the first indication information to the AMF network element. Accordingly, the AMF network element receives the first indication information from the SMF network element. Wherein the first indication information is used for indicating a transmission time interval.

For example, the SMF network element sends the first indication information to the AMF by updating an SM context Response message (e.g., an Nsmf _ transaction _ update smcontext Response message). Wherein, the update SM context response message is used for informing the AMF network element that the PDU session of the path switching is completed.

Optionally, the Nsmf _ pdusesion _ UpdateSMContext Response message further includes identification information. The identification information is used for identifying the service flow as a delay sensitive service flow.

S708, the AMF network element sends the first indication information to the target RAN device. Accordingly, the target RAN device receives the first indication information from the AMF network element.

For example, the AMF network element sends the first indication information to the target RAN device through an N2Path Switch Request response message (e.g., an N2Path Switch Request Ack message). Wherein, the update SM context response message also contains information of the aggregated GTP tunnel and PDU session information of failed switching.

Optionally, the update SM context response message further includes identification information.

S709, the target RAN device sends a resource release message to the source RAN device. Accordingly, the source RAN device receives a release resource message from the target RAN device. Wherein, the release resource message is used to instruct the source RAN device to release the service flow.

For example, the source RAN device confirms that the RAN device handover has been successful according to the release resource message.

Optionally, the source RAN device deletes the identifier and the first indication information of the packet in the service flow according to the release resource message.

Therefore, according to the method of the embodiment of the present invention, the method described in the second mode of step S302 in fig. 3 can be implemented: in the RAN device handover procedure, the target RAN device receives first indication information indicating a transmission time interval from a third network element (e.g., an SMF network element). The RAN equipment switching scene in the embodiment of the invention is specifically switching from a source RAN to a target RAN, and reselection of an anchor UPF network element and a non-anchor UPF network element does not exist. Thus, after receiving the messages of the QoS flow, the first network element can determine the messages with delay transmission according to the sending time interval and the arrival time interval between the messages, and then can perform priority scheduling on the messages with delay transmission. Further, the QoS flow corresponding to the first indication information is a delay-sensitive service flow. Further, after the RAN device is successfully switched, the source RAN device deletes the identifier and the first indication information of the packet in the service flow, thereby saving resources (e.g., memory space and Central Processing Unit (CPU) computing resources) of the source RAN device.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart of another method for improving delay certainty according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure in which, in a second mode of step S302 in fig. 3, the first network element receives, from the third network element, first indication information indicating a transmission time interval in the RAN equipment handover procedure. The RAN device handover scenario shown in fig. 8 is specifically that after the RAN device is handed over from the source RAN device to the target RAN device, since the original non-anchor UPF network element is not suitable for serving the target RAN device, the non-anchor UPF network element is reselected. Fig. 8 will be described in conjunction with fig. 7, and as shown in fig. 8, the method may include:

s801, the target RAN device sends an N2path switching request to the AMF network element. Accordingly, the AMF network element receives an N2path switch request from the target RAN device.

And S802, the AMF network element sends the N2 session management information to the SMF network element. Accordingly, the SMF network element receives N2 session management information from the AMF network element.

Steps S801 to S802 can refer to the descriptions of steps S701 to S702 in fig. 7, and are not repeated herein.

In the example of fig. 8, the method may further include:

and S803, the SMF network element selects a target non-anchor UPF network element.

For example, the SMF network element determines that the source non-anchor UPF network element cannot continue to serve the UE, and then selects an appropriate target non-anchor UPF network element.

S804, the SMF network element sends first indication information to the target non-anchor UPF network element. Correspondingly, the target non-anchor UPF network element receives the first indication information from the SMF network element. Wherein the first indication information is used for indicating a transmission time interval.

For example, the SMF network element sends the first indication information to the target non-anchor UPF network element via an N4Session Establishment Request message (e.g., an N4Session Establishment Request message).

Optionally, the N4session establishment request message further includes identification information. The identification information is used for identifying the service flow as a delay sensitive service flow.

S805, the target non-anchor UPF network element sends a N4Session Establishment Response message (e.g., N4Session Establishment Response message) to the SMF network element. Accordingly, the SMF network element receives an N4session establishment response message from the target non-anchor UPF network element.

S806, the SMF network element sends a N4Session Modification request message (e.g., N4Session Modification message) to the anchor UPF network element. Accordingly, the anchor UPF network element receives an N4session modification request from the SMF network element.

S807, the anchor UPF network element sends a N4Session Modification Response message (e.g., N4Session Modification Response message) to the SMF network element. Accordingly, the SMF network element receives an N4session modification response from the anchor UPF network element.

And S808, the SMF network element sends an N4session modification request to the H-SMF network element. Accordingly, the H-SMF network element receives an N4session modification request from the SMF network element.

For example, in the home routing roaming scenario, a visited UPF (V-UPF) network element terminating the N9 interface is changed, and the SMF network element sends an N4session modification Request through an Nsmf _ PDU _ Update Request message H-SMF network element by invoking a PDU session Update Request service.

And S809, the H-SMF network element sends an N4session modification response to the SMF network element. Accordingly, the SMF network element receives an N4session modification response from the H-SMF network element.

For example, in a home routing roaming scenario, when a home UPF (H-UPF) network element updates information of an uplink tunnel, the H-SMF network element sends an N4session modification Response to the SMF network element through an Nsmf _ pdusesion _ Update Response message by invoking a PDU session Update Response service.

S810, the anchor UPF network element sends termination indication information (e.g., end marker information) to the source non-anchor UPF network element. Correspondingly, the source non-anchor UPF network element receives the termination indication information from the anchor UPF network element.

For example, the anchor UPF network element sends termination indication information to the source non-anchor UPF network element through an N3 tunnel.

S811, the source non-anchor point UPF network element sends termination indication information to the source RAN equipment. Accordingly, the source RAN device receives termination indication information from the source non-anchor UPF network element.

S812, the source non-anchor RAN device sends termination indication information to the target RAN device. Accordingly, the target RAN device receives termination indication information from the source RAN device.

For example, the termination indication information is used for reordering messages by the target RAN device.

It should be noted that steps S806 to S812 are optional steps.

S813, the SMF network element sends the first indication information to the AMF network element. Accordingly, the AMF network element receives the first indication information from the SMF network element.

S814, the AMF network element sends the first indication information to the target RAN device. Accordingly, the target RAN device receives the first indication information from the AMF network element.

S815, the target RAN device sends a resource release message to the source RAN device. Accordingly, the source RAN device receives a resource release message from the target RAN device. The resource release message is used to instruct the source RAN device to release the service flow.

Steps S813 to S815 refer to the descriptions of steps S707 to S709 in fig. 7, and are not described herein again.

S816, the SMF network element sends an N4Session Release Request (e.g., an N4Session Release Request message) to the source non-anchor UPF network element. Accordingly, the source non-anchor UPF network element receives an N4session release request from the SMF network element.

For example, in step S805, the SMF network element starts a timer after receiving the N4session establishment response from the target non-anchor UPF network element, and when the timer expires, the SMF network element sends an N4session release request to the source non-anchor UPF network element.

Optionally, when releasing the session resource non-anchor point, the source non-anchor point UPF network element deletes the identifier and the first indication information of the packet in the service flow.

And S817, the source non-anchor UPF network element sends a N4Session Release Response (for example, an N4Session Release Response message) to the SMF network element. Accordingly, the SMF network element receives an N4session release response from the source non-anchor UPF network element.

For example, the N4session release response message is used to inform the SMF network element of the release of the non-anchor resource.

Therefore, according to the method of the embodiment of the present invention, the method described in the second mode of step S302 in fig. 3 can be implemented: in a RAN device handover procedure, a first network element (e.g., a target non-anchor UPF network element or a target RAN device) receives first indication information indicating a transmission time interval from a third network element (e.g., an SMF network element). Specifically, a RAN device handover scenario in the embodiment of the present invention is handover from a source RAN to a target RAN, and reselection of a UPF network element exists. Thus, after receiving the messages of the QoS flow, the first network element can determine the messages with delay transmission according to the sending time interval and the arrival time interval between the messages, and then can perform priority scheduling on the messages with delay transmission. Further, the QoS flow corresponding to the first indication information is a delay-sensitive service flow. Further, after the RAN device is successfully switched, the source RAN device and the source UPF network element delete the identifier and the first indication information of the packet in the service flow, thereby saving resources (e.g., memory space and Central Processing Unit (CPU) computing resources) of the source RAN device and the source UPF network element.

In the embodiments provided in the present application, the schemes of the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application are introduced from the perspective of each network element itself and from the perspective of interaction between each network element. It will be appreciated that the respective network elements and devices, such as the above-described radio access network device, access and mobility management function network element, user equipment, data management function network element and network slice selection function network element, for implementing the above-described functions, comprise corresponding hardware structures and/or software modules for performing the respective functions. Those of skill in the art would 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 performed as hardware or computer software drives 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.

For example, when the network element implements the corresponding functions through software modules. The apparatus for improving the delay certainty may include a receiving module 901 and a transmitting module 903, as shown in fig. 9A.

In one embodiment, the apparatus for improving the delay certainty may be configured to perform the operations of the first network element (e.g., the intermediate node in the packet transmission path) in fig. 3, the RAN device in fig. 6A, the target RAN device and/or the non-anchor UPF network element in fig. 6B, the target RAN device and/or the non-anchor UPF network element in fig. 7, and the target RAN device and/or the target non-anchor UPF network element in fig. 8. For example:

a receiving module 901 is configured to receive an identifier of the first packet and an identifier of the second packet from a communication device (e.g., an originating node in a packet transmission path). The processing module 902 is configured to obtain a sending time interval, where the sending time interval is a time difference between sending the first packet by the communication device and sending the second packet by the communication device. The processing module 902 is further configured to determine, according to the identifier of the first packet, the identifier of the second packet, a sending time interval, and an arrival time interval, that the second packet reaches the first network element in a delayed manner, where the arrival time interval is a time difference between the arrival time of the first packet at the first network element and the arrival time of the second packet at the first network element. The processing module 902 is further configured to preferentially schedule the second packet.

Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, the first network element can distinguish different messages of the same QoS flow according to the identifiers of the different messages, and can determine the message which delays to reach the first network element according to the sending time interval and the receiving time interval of the different messages in the QoS flow. Since the sending time interval is the time difference between the sending node in the transmission path sending different messages, and the receiving time interval is the time difference between the first network element receiving different messages, the sending time interval and the receiving time interval do not need to be acquired by synchronizing the time of the first network element and the time of the sending node. Therefore, the first network element can improve the delay certainty of the QoS flow in the end-to-end transmission process by carrying out the priority scheduling on the message which is delayed to reach the first network element under the condition of not needing time synchronization.

Optionally, the receiving module 901 is configured to receive a second message from the communication device, where the second message includes an identifier of the first message and an identifier of the second message, and a sending time of the first message is not later than a sending time of the second message.

Optionally, the second packet includes a sending time interval, and the processing module 902 is configured to obtain the sending time interval from the second packet, where the sending time of the first packet is not later than the sending time of the second packet.

Optionally, the receiving module 901 is configured to receive, from a second network element (for example, an SMF network element or an AMF network element), first indication information of a service flow, where the service flow includes a first packet and a second packet, and the first indication information is used to indicate a sending time interval.

Optionally, the service flow is a delay sensitive service flow.

Optionally, the receiving module 901 is further configured to receive, from the second network element, identification information of the service flow, where the identification information is used to identify that the service flow is a service flow sensitive to delay.

Optionally, the receiving module 901 is further configured to receive second indication information from a third network element (e.g., a source RAN device or an SMF network element), where the second indication information is used to instruct the first network element to release the service flow. The processing module 902 is further configured to delete the identifier of the first packet, the identifier of the second packet, the sending time interval, and the arrival time interval according to the second indication information.

Optionally, the receiving module 901 is configured to receive the first message and then receive the second message, and an arrival time interval is greater than a sending time interval, where a sending time of the first message is not later than a sending time of the second message.

Optionally, the device for improving the delay certainty is a non-anchor user plane function network element or a radio access network device.

In addition, the receiving module 901 and the processing module 902 in the apparatus for improving the delay certainty may also implement other operations or functions of the first network element in fig. 3 (for example, an intermediate node in a packet transmission path), the RAN device in fig. 6A, the target RAN device and/or the non-anchor UPF network element in fig. 6B, the target RAN device and/or the non-anchor UPF network element in fig. 7, and the target RAN device and/or the target non-anchor UPF network element in fig. 8, which are not described herein again.

In another embodiment, the apparatus for improving the delay certainty shown in fig. 9A can be further configured to perform the operations of the SMF network element in fig. 6A to 8. For example:

a receiving module 901, configured to receive first indication information of a traffic flow from a second network element (e.g., a UDR network element), where the traffic flow includes a first packet and a second packet, and the first indication information is used to indicate a sending time interval, where the sending time interval is a time difference between when a communication device (e.g., a starting node in a packet transmission path) sends the first packet to a third network element (e.g., an intermediate node in the packet transmission path) and when the communication device sends a second packet to the third network element. A sending module 903, configured to send the first indication information to the third network element.

Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, the SMF network element may obtain the sending time interval, and send the sending time interval to the intermediate node in the packet transmission path, so that the intermediate node in the packet transmission path may determine, according to the identifier of the first packet, the identifier of the second packet, the sending time interval, and the arrival time interval, that the second packet delays to reach the first network element, thereby performing priority scheduling on the second packet.

Optionally, the service flow is a delay sensitive service flow.

Optionally, the sending module 903 is further configured to send identification information of the service flow to the third network element, where the identification information is used to identify that the service flow is a delay-sensitive service flow.

Optionally, the sending module 903 is further configured to send second indication information to the third network element, where the second indication information is used to indicate the SMF network element to release the service flow.

Optionally, the sending module 903 is further configured to send third indication information to the communication device, where the third indication information is used to indicate that the communication device acquires the identifier of the first packet and the identifier of the second packet.

In addition, the receiving module 901 and the sending module 903 in the apparatus for improving the delay certainty may also implement other operations or functions of the SMF network element in the above method, which is not described herein again.

In another embodiment, the apparatus for improving the delay certainty shown in fig. 9A can be further used to perform the operations of the communication device (e.g., the originating node in the packet transmission path) in fig. 3, the UE and/or the RAN device in fig. 6A, the UE and/or the target RAN device and/or the non-anchor UPF network element in fig. 6B, the target RAN device and/or the non-anchor UPF network element in fig. 7, and the target RAN device and/or the target non-anchor UPF network element in fig. 8. For example:

the processing module 902 is configured to obtain an identifier of the first packet and an identifier of the second packet. A sending module 903, configured to send, to a first network element (for example, an intermediate node in a message transmission path), an identifier of a first message, an identifier of a second message, and a sending time interval, where the sending time interval is a time difference between a device that improves delay certainty and sends the second message.

Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, the communication device sends the identifier of the first packet, the identifier of the second packet, and the sending time interval to the first network element, so that the first network element can distinguish different packets of the same QoS flow according to the identifiers of the different packets, and can determine the packet that is delayed to reach the first network element according to the sending time interval and the receiving time interval of the different packets in the QoS flow. The first network element can improve the delay certainty of the QoS flow in the end-to-end transmission process by carrying out priority scheduling on the message which is delayed to reach the first network element.

Optionally, the communication device includes a user equipment, a radio access network device, or an anchor user plane function network element.

Optionally, the sending module 903 is configured to send a second message to the first network element, where the second message includes an identifier of the first message and an identifier of the second message, and a sending time of the first message is not later than a sending time of the second message.

Optionally, the time for the sending module 903 to send the first message to the first network element is not later than the time for the sending module 903 to send the second message to the first network element, where the second message includes a sending time interval.

Optionally, before the processing module 902 obtains the identifier of the first packet and the identifier of the second packet, the receiving module 901 is further configured to receive indication information from a second network element (e.g., an SMF network element), where the indication information is used to indicate the communication device to obtain the identifier of the first packet and the identifier of the second packet.

Optionally, the processing module 902 is configured to generate an identifier of the first packet and an identifier of the second packet.

In addition, the receiving module 901, the processing module 902, and the sending module 903 in the apparatus for improving the delay certainty may also implement other operations or functions of the communication device in fig. 3 (for example, an initial node in a packet transmission path), the UE and/or the RAN device in fig. 6A, the UE and/or the target RAN device and/or the non-anchor UPF network element in fig. 6B, the target RAN device and/or the non-anchor UPF network element in fig. 7, and the target RAN device and/or the target non-anchor UPF network element in fig. 8, which are not described herein again.

In another embodiment, the apparatus for improving the delay certainty shown in fig. 9A can be further used to perform the above-mentioned operations of the UDR network element in fig. 6A and 6B. For example:

the processing module 902 is configured to obtain indication information of a service flow, where the service flow includes a first packet and a second packet, and the indication information is used to indicate a sending time interval, where the sending time interval is a time difference between when a communication device (e.g., an initial node in a packet transmission path) sends the first packet to a second network element (e.g., an intermediate node in the packet transmission path) and when the communication device sends the second packet to the second network element. A sending module 903, configured to send indication information to the third network element.

Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, the UDR network element may send the sending time interval to the third network element, so that the third network element can send the sending time interval to the intermediate node in the packet transmission path.

In addition, the processing module 902 and the sending module 903 in the apparatus for improving the delay certainty may also implement other operations or functions of the UDR network element in the above method, which is not described herein again.

Fig. 9B shows another possible structure diagram of the apparatus for improving the delay certainty in the above embodiment. The means for improving the delay certainty comprises a transceiver 904 and a processor 905 as shown in fig. 9B. For example, the processor 905 may be a general purpose microprocessor, a data processing circuit, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) circuit. The means for improving the delay certainty may further include a memory 906, for example, a Random Access Memory (RAM). The memory is coupled to the processor 905 and stores a computer program 9061 necessary for the apparatus for improving the certainty of the delay.

In addition, the method for improving the delay certainty in the above embodiments further provides a carrier 907, in which a computer program 9071 of the apparatus for improving the delay certainty is stored, and the computer program 9071 may be loaded into the processor 905. The carrier may be an optical signal, an electrical signal, an electromagnetic signal, or a computer readable storage medium (e.g., a hard disk).

The

computer program

9061 or 9071 may be configured to cause a computer to perform the method described above when the computer program runs on the computer (e.g., the processor 905).

For example, in one embodiment, processor 905 is configured to other operations or functions of the RAN equipment/non-anchor UPF network element. The transceiver 904 is configured to implement communication between the RAN device/non-anchor UPF network element and the first mobility management network element/data management network element/second mobility management network element.

In another embodiment, the processor 905 is configured as other operations or functions of the SMF network element. The transceiver 904 is used to implement the communication between the apparatus for improving the certainty of the delay and the UDR network element/RAN device/non-anchor UPF network element/anchor UPF network element.

In another embodiment, the processor 905 is configured to other operations or functions of the user equipment/RAN equipment/anchor UPF network element. The transceiver 904 is used to enable communication between the apparatus for improving delay certainty and the RAN equipment/non-anchor UPF network element.

In another embodiment, the processor 905 is configured as other operations or functions of the UDR network element. The transceiver 904 is used to enable communication between the means for improving the certainty of the delay and the SMF network element.

The controller/processor for implementing the radio access network devices described above may be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), general purpose processor, Digital Signal Processor (DSP), Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, transistor logic device, hardware component, or any combination thereof. Which may implement or perform the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the disclosure. The processor may also be a combination of computing functions, e.g., comprising one or more microprocessors, DSPs, and microprocessors, among others.

The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the disclosure herein may be embodied in hardware or in software instructions executed by a processor. The software instructions may consist of corresponding software modules that may be stored in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium may also be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. Additionally, the ASIC may reside in a radio access network device. Of course, the processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in a radio access network device.

In the above embodiments, the implementation may be wholly or partially realized by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, 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 loaded and executed on a computer, cause the processes or functions described in accordance with the embodiments of the invention to occur, in whole or in part. The computer may be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a network of computers, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer readable storage medium to another, for example, from one website site, computer, server, or data center to another website site, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.). The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device, such as a server, a data center, etc., that incorporates one or more of the available media. 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)), among others.

The above-mentioned embodiments, objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention are further described in detail, it should be understood that the above-mentioned embodiments are only exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, and any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements and the like made on the basis of the technical solutions of the present invention should be included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for improving delay certainty, comprising:

the first network element receives the identifier of the first message and the identifier of the second message from the communication equipment;

the first network element acquires a sending time interval, wherein the sending time interval is a time difference between the sending of the first message by the communication equipment and the sending of the second message by the communication equipment;

the first network element determines that the second message reaches the first network element in a delayed manner according to the identifier of the first message, the identifier of the second message, the sending time interval and the arrival time interval, wherein the arrival time interval is the time difference between the arrival of the first message at the first network element and the arrival of the second message at the first network element;

the first network element preferentially schedules the second message;

wherein the obtaining, by the first network element, the transmission time interval includes:

the first network element receives first indication information of a service flow from a second network element, where the service flow includes the first packet and the second packet, and the first indication information is used to indicate the sending time interval.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving, by the first network element, the identifier of the first packet and the identifier of the second packet from the communication device comprises:

and the first network element receives the second message from the communication equipment, wherein the second message comprises the identifier of the first message and the identifier of the second message, and the sending time of the first message is not later than that of the second message.

3. The method of claim 1,

the service flow is a delay sensitive service flow.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

and the first network element receives the identification information of the service flow from the second network element, wherein the identification information is used for identifying the service flow as the service flow sensitive to the time delay.

5. The method of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first network element determines that the second packet arrives at the first network element with a delay according to the identifier of the first packet, the identifier of the second packet, the sending time interval, and the arrival time interval, and comprises:

and the first network element receives the first message and then receives the second message, and the arrival time interval is greater than the sending time interval, wherein the sending time of the first message is not later than the sending time of the second message.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

the first network element is a non-anchor user plane function network element or a wireless access network device.

7. A method for improving delay certainty, comprising: a first network element receives first indication information of a service flow from a second network element, wherein the service flow comprises a first message and a second message, the first indication information is used for indicating a sending time interval, and the sending time interval is a time difference between a communication device sending the first message to a third network element and a communication device sending the second message to the third network element;

the first network element sends the first indication information to the third network element;

the third network element is configured to receive, from the communication device, an identifier of the first packet and an identifier of the second packet; obtaining a sending time interval, and determining that the second message reaches the third network element in a delayed manner according to the identifier of the first message, the identifier of the second message, the sending time interval and an arrival time interval, wherein the arrival time interval is a time difference between the arrival of the first message at the third network element and the arrival of the second message at the third network element; and the third network element schedules the second message preferentially.

8. The method of claim 7,

the service flow is a delay sensitive service flow.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

and the first network element sends identification information of the service flow to the third network element, wherein the identification information is used for identifying the service flow as the service flow sensitive to time delay.

10. A method for improving delay certainty, comprising:

the communication equipment acquires the identifier of the first message and the identifier of the second message; the communication equipment sends the identifier of the first message and the identifier of the second message to a first network element;

the first network element is used for receiving an identifier of a first message and an identifier of a second message from the communication equipment; acquiring a sending time interval, wherein the sending time interval is a time difference between the sending of the first message by the communication equipment and the sending of the second message by the communication equipment; determining that the second message reaches the first network element in a delayed manner according to the identifier of the first message, the identifier of the second message, the sending time interval and the arrival time interval, wherein the arrival time interval is the time difference between the arrival of the first message at the first network element and the arrival of the second message at the first network element; the first network element preferentially schedules the second message; wherein the obtaining, by the first network element, the transmission time interval includes: the first network element receives first indication information of a service flow from a second network element, where the service flow includes the first packet and the second packet, and the first indication information is used to indicate the sending time interval.

11. The method of claim 10,

the communication equipment comprises user equipment, wireless access network equipment or an anchor user plane function network element.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the sending, by the communication device, the identifier of the first packet and the identifier of the second packet to the first network element comprises:

and the communication equipment sends the second message to the first network element, wherein the second message comprises the identifier of the first message and the identifier of the second message, and the sending time of the first message is not later than that of the second message.

13. The method according to any of claims 10 to 11, wherein the sending, by the communication device, the identifier of the first packet and the identifier of the second packet to the first network element comprises:

and the time for the communication equipment to send the first message to the first network element is not later than the time for the communication equipment to send the second message to the first network element.

14. An apparatus for improving delay certainty, comprising:

a receiving module, configured to receive, from a communication device, an identifier of a first packet and an identifier of a second packet;

a processing module, configured to obtain a sending time interval, where the sending time interval is a time difference between sending the first packet by the communication device and sending the second packet by the communication device;

the processing module is further configured to determine, according to the identifier of the first packet, the identifier of the second packet, the sending time interval, and an arrival time interval, that the second packet reaches a first network element in a delayed manner, where the arrival time interval is a time difference between arrival of the first packet at the first network element and arrival of the second packet at the first network element;

the processing module is further configured to preferentially schedule the second packet;

the receiving module is configured to receive first indication information of a service flow from a second network element, where the service flow includes the first packet and the second packet, and the first indication information is used to indicate the sending time interval.

15. The apparatus for improving delay certainty of claim 14,

the receiving module is configured to receive the second packet from the communication device, where the second packet includes an identifier of the first packet and an identifier of the second packet, and a sending time of the first packet is not later than a sending time of the second packet.

16. The apparatus for improving delay certainty of claim 14,

the service flow is a delay sensitive service flow.

17. The apparatus for improving delay certainty according to claim 16,

the receiving module is further configured to receive, from the second network element, identification information of the service flow, where the identification information is used to identify that the service flow is the delay-sensitive service flow.

18. The apparatus for improving delay certainty according to any one of claims 14 to 17,

the receiving module is used for receiving the first message and then receiving the second message, and the arrival time interval is greater than the sending time interval, wherein the sending time of the first message is not later than the sending time of the second message.

19. The apparatus for improving delay certainty according to any one of claims 14 to 17,

the device for improving the time delay certainty is a non-anchor user plane function network element or wireless access network equipment.

20. An apparatus for improving delay certainty, comprising:

a receiving module, configured to receive first indication information of a service flow from a second network element, where the service flow includes a first packet and a second packet, the first indication information is used to indicate a sending time interval, and the sending time interval is a time difference between sending the first packet to a third network element by a communication device and sending the second packet to the third network element by the communication device;

a sending module, configured to send the first indication information to the third network element;

the third network element is configured to receive, from the communication device, an identifier of the first packet and an identifier of the second packet; acquiring a sending time interval, wherein the sending time interval is a time difference between the sending of the first message by the communication equipment and the sending of the second message by the communication equipment; determining that the second packet reaches the third network element in a delayed manner according to the identifier of the first packet, the identifier of the second packet, the sending time interval and the arrival time interval, wherein the arrival time interval is a time difference between the arrival of the first packet at the third network element and the arrival of the second packet at the third network element; and the third network element schedules the second message preferentially.

21. The apparatus for improving delay certainty of claim 20,

the service flow is a delay sensitive service flow.

22. The apparatus for improving delay certainty of claim 21,

the sending module is further configured to send identification information of the service flow to the third network element, where the identification information is used to identify that the service flow is the delay-sensitive service flow.

23. An apparatus for improving delay certainty, comprising:

the processing module is used for acquiring the identifier of the first message and the identifier of the second message;

a sending module, configured to send the identifier of the first packet and the identifier of the second packet to a first network element;

the first network element is configured to receive an identifier of a first packet and an identifier of a second packet from the apparatus for improving delay certainty; acquiring a sending time interval, wherein the sending time interval is a time difference between the first message sent by the device for improving the delay certainty and the second message sent by the device for improving the delay certainty; determining that the second message reaches the first network element in a delayed manner according to the identifier of the first message, the identifier of the second message, the sending time interval and the arrival time interval, wherein the arrival time interval is the time difference between the arrival of the first message at the first network element and the arrival of the second message at the first network element; the first network element preferentially schedules the second message; wherein the obtaining, by the first network element, the transmission time interval includes: the first network element receives first indication information of a service flow from a second network element, where the service flow includes the first packet and the second packet, and the first indication information is used to indicate the sending time interval.

24. The apparatus for improving delay certainty of claim 23,

the device for improving the delay certainty comprises user equipment, wireless access network equipment or an anchor point user plane function network element.

25. The apparatus for improving delay certainty according to claim 23 or 24,

the sending module is configured to send the second packet to the first network element, where the second packet includes an identifier of the first packet and an identifier of the second packet, and a sending time of the first packet is not later than a sending time of the second packet.

26. The apparatus for improving delay certainty according to any one of claims 23 to 24,

the time for the sending module to send the first message to the first network element is not later than the time for the sending module to send the second message to the first network element.

27. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that,

the computer readable storage medium has stored therein instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 13.