CN116155800A

CN116155800A - Data transmission method and device

Info

Publication number: CN116155800A
Application number: CN202210098312.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 金辉; 窦凤辉
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-11-22
Filing date: 2022-01-27
Publication date: 2023-05-23
Also published as: WO2023088165A1

Abstract

The application provides a data transmission method and device, wherein the method comprises the following steps: the terminal equipment sends first indication information to the network equipment through a first communication path, wherein the first indication information is used for indicating to establish a first QoS flow in the first communication path or a second communication path, and the first QoS flow is used for transmitting data of the terminal equipment; the method comprises the steps that terminal equipment receives first resource configuration information, wherein the first resource configuration information is used for configuring access network resources of a first QoS flow, a first communication path is a direct connection path, and a second communication path is a non-direct connection path; or, the first communication path is a non-direct path, and the second communication path is a direct path. In the method, the first QoS flow can be established in the first communication path or the second communication path through the indication of the terminal equipment and the configuration of the first access network equipment, so that the data of the service is prevented from being transmitted by adopting the fixed communication path, and the requirement of service transmission can be dynamically met.

Description

Data transmission method and device

The present application claims priority from the chinese patent application filed at 22, 11, 2021, filed with the national intellectual property agency under application number 202111383206.3, entitled "method of data transmission", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The embodiment of the application relates to the field of communication, and more particularly, to a method and a device for data transmission.

Background

A User Equipment (UE) may communicate with a Data Network (DN) through two paths. One is that the user equipment directly accesses the operator network (e.g., base station) through which it communicates with the DN, which may be referred to as a direct path; another is that the user equipment accesses the operator network through a relay (relay) device and communicates with the DN through the operator network, and such a path may be referred to as an indirect path (DNs).

In the prior art, a user equipment uses a certain fixed path (direct path or indirect path) to transmit data of a service, and cannot dynamically meet transmission requirements of the service, such as time delay, communication quality, communication capacity, and the like.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the application provides a data transmission method and device, so that the transmission paths between terminal equipment and a data network have diversity, and the requirements of service transmission can be dynamically met.

In a first aspect, a method for data transmission is provided, which may be performed by a terminal device, or may also be performed by a chip or a circuit configured in the terminal device, which is not limited in this application. The following description is made of an example of execution by the terminal device.

The method comprises the following steps: the terminal device sends a first request message to the network device through a first communication path, wherein the first request message comprises first indication information, the first indication information is used for indicating to establish a first quality of service (quality of service, qoS) flow (flow) on the first communication path or a second communication path, and the first QoS flow is used for transmitting data of the terminal device; the method comprises the steps that terminal equipment receives first resource configuration information, wherein the first resource configuration information is used for configuring access network resources of a first QoS flow, a first communication path is a direct connection path, and a second communication path is a non-direct connection path; or, the first communication path is a non-direct path, and the second communication path is a direct path.

According to the scheme, the terminal equipment can send first indication information to the network equipment through the first communication path, the first QoS flow is indicated to be established in the first communication path or the second communication path, the first access network equipment sends first resource configuration information to the terminal equipment through the first communication path, access network resources of the first QoS flow are configured, and the first resource configuration information is determined according to the first indication information and the first QoS configuration information. In the method, the first QoS flow can be established in the first communication path or the second communication path through the indication of the terminal equipment and the configuration of the first access network equipment, so that the data of the service is prevented from being transmitted by adopting the fixed communication path, and the requirement of service transmission can be dynamically met.

With reference to the first aspect, in certain implementation manners of the first aspect, the first indication information is used to indicate that a first QoS flow is established on a first communication path, and the method further includes: the terminal equipment sends a second request message to the network equipment through the first communication path, wherein the second request message comprises second indication information, the second indication information is used for indicating to establish a second QoS flow in the second communication path, and the second QoS flow is used for transmitting data of the terminal equipment; the terminal device receives second resource configuration information, where the second resource configuration information is used to configure access network resources of the second QoS flow.

With reference to the first aspect, in certain implementation manners of the first aspect, the first indication information is used to indicate that a first QoS flow is established on a first communication path, and the method further includes: the terminal equipment sends a third request message to the network equipment through the first communication path, wherein the third request message comprises third indication information and QoS flow identification information of a third QoS flow, the third indication information is used for indicating to transfer the third QoS flow to the second communication path, and the third QoS flow is at least one of the first QoS flows; the terminal device receives third resource configuration information, where the third resource configuration information is used to configure access network resources of the third QoS flow.

With reference to the first aspect, in certain implementation manners of the first aspect, the third resource configuration information is specifically used to: allocating access network resources of the third QoS flow in the second communication path; the access network resources of the third QoS flow on the first communication path are deleted.

With reference to the first aspect, in certain implementation manners of the first aspect, the third resource configuration information is specifically configured to allocate access network resources of the third QoS flow on the second communication path, and the method further includes: the terminal device receives fourth configuration information, where the fourth configuration information is used to delete access network resources of the third QoS flow in the first communication path.

With reference to the first aspect, in certain implementation manners of the first aspect, the first request message further includes fourth indication information, where the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the session management function device supporting multiple paths is determined.

With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first communication path is a path where the terminal device connects directly to the first access network device, the first indication information is used to indicate that a first QoS flow is established on the first communication path, and the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a Uu interface between the terminal device and the first access network device.

With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first communication path is a path where the terminal device directly connects to the first access network device, and the first indication information is used to indicate that a first QoS flow is established on the second communication path, and the method further includes: the terminal device sends a cell identifier of the first relay terminal device, where the cell identifier of the first relay terminal device is used to determine an access network device of the first relay terminal device, and the device of the second communication path includes the first relay terminal device.

With reference to the first aspect, in certain implementation manners of the first aspect, the sending, by the terminal device, a cell identifier of the first relay terminal device includes: the terminal device sends a first measurement report to the first access network device, the first measurement report comprising a cell identity of at least one relay terminal device and a proximity services communication PC5 signal strength of the at least one relay terminal device, the at least one relay terminal device comprising a first relay terminal device, the PC5 signal strength of the at least one relay terminal device being used to determine the first relay terminal device; or, the terminal equipment sends a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message to the first access network equipment, wherein the RRC message comprises a cell identifier of the first relay terminal equipment; or, the first request message includes a cell identity of the first relay terminal device.

With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the access network device of the first relay terminal device is a first access network device, the second communication path is a path that the terminal device connects to the first access network device through the first relay terminal device, and the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a PC5 interface between the terminal device and the first relay terminal device, and configuration information of a Uu interface between the terminal device and the first access network device.

With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the access network device of the first relay terminal device is a second access network device, and the second communication path is a path that the terminal device connects to the second access network device through the first relay terminal device, and the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a PC5 interface between the terminal device and the first relay terminal device, and configuration information of a Uu interface between the terminal device and the second access network device.

With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first communication path is a path where the terminal device connects to the first access network device through the first relay terminal device, the first indication information is used to indicate that a first QoS flow is established in the first communication path, and the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a PC5 interface between the terminal device and the first relay terminal device, and configuration information of a Uu interface between the terminal device and the first access network device.

With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first communication path is a path where the terminal device connects to the first access network device through the first relay terminal device, and the first indication information is used to indicate that a first QoS flow is established on the second communication path, and the method further includes: the terminal device sends a second measurement report to the first access network device, the second measurement report comprising a cell signal strength of a camping cell of the terminal device, the cell signal strength being used to determine the access network device of the terminal device.

With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the access network device of the terminal device is a first access network device, the second communication path is a path of the terminal device directly connected to the first access network device, and the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a Uu interface between the terminal device and the first access network device.

With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the access network device of the terminal device is a second access network device, the second communication path is a path of the terminal device directly connected to the second access network device, and the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a Uu interface between the terminal device and the second access network device.

In a second aspect, a method for data transmission is provided, which may be performed by the first access network device, or may also be performed by a chip or a circuit configured in the first access network device, which is not limited in this application. The following description will be given by taking the example of the execution by the first access network device.

The method comprises the following steps: the method comprises the steps that first access network equipment receives first indication information and first quality of service (QoS) configuration information, wherein the first indication information is used for indicating to establish a first QoS flow on a first communication path or a second communication path, the first QoS configuration information is used for determining access network resources of the first QoS flow, and the first QoS flow is used for transmitting data of terminal equipment; the first access network equipment sends first resource configuration information to the terminal equipment through a first communication path, wherein the first resource configuration information is determined according to first indication information and first QoS configuration information, and the first resource configuration information is used for configuring access network resources of a first QoS flow; the first communication path is a direct connection path, and the second communication path is a non-direct connection path; or, the first communication path is a non-direct path, and the second communication path is a direct path.

With reference to the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the first indication information is used to indicate that a first QoS flow is established on the first communication path, and the method further includes: the first access network equipment receives second indication information and second QoS configuration information, wherein the second indication information is used for indicating that a second QoS flow is established on a second communication path, the second QoS configuration information is used for determining access network resources of the second QoS flow, and the second QoS flow is used for transmitting data of the terminal equipment; the first access network device sends second resource configuration information to the terminal device through the first communication path, the second resource configuration information is determined according to the second indication information and the second QoS configuration information, and the second resource configuration information is used for configuring access network resources of the second QoS flow.

With reference to the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the first indication information is used to indicate that a first QoS flow is established on the first communication path, and the method further includes: the first access network device receives third indication information, third QoS configuration information and QoS flow identification information of a third QoS flow, where the third indication information is used to indicate that the third QoS flow is transferred to the second communication path, the third QoS configuration information is used to determine access network resources of the first QoS flow, and the third QoS flow is at least one of the first QoS flows; the first access network device sends third resource configuration information to the terminal device through the first communication path, the third resource configuration information is determined according to third indication information and third QoS configuration information, and the third resource configuration information is used for configuring access network resources of a third QoS flow.

With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the third resource configuration information is specifically configured to: allocating access network resources of the third QoS flow in the second communication path; the access network resources of the third QoS flow on the first communication path are deleted.

With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the third resource configuration information is specifically configured to allocate access network resources of the third QoS flow on the second communication path, and the method further includes: the first access network device sends fourth configuration information for deleting access network resources of the third QoS flow on the first communication path.

With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first communication path is a path where the terminal device directly connects to the first access network device, and the first indication information is used to instruct establishment of a first QoS flow on the first communication path, and the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a Uu interface between the terminal device and the first access network device.

With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first communication path is a path where the terminal device directly connects to the first access network device, and the first indication information is used to indicate that a first QoS flow is established on the second communication path, and the method further includes: the first access network equipment acquires a cell identifier of first relay terminal equipment, and equipment of a second communication path comprises the first relay terminal equipment; the first access network equipment determines the access network equipment of the first relay terminal equipment according to the cell identification of the first relay terminal equipment.

With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the obtaining, by the first access network device, a cell identifier of the first relay terminal device includes: the first access network equipment determines the first relay terminal equipment and the cell identification of the first relay terminal equipment according to the signal intensity of the adjacent service communication PC5 of the at least one relay terminal equipment; or, the first access network device receives a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message from the terminal device, wherein the RRC message comprises a cell identifier of the first relay terminal device; or, the first access network device receives a first message from the first session management function device or the access and mobility management function device, the first message comprising a cell identity of the first relay terminal device.

With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the access network device of the first relay terminal device is a first access network device, the second communication path is a path that the terminal device connects to the first access network device through the first relay terminal device, and the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a proximity service communication PC5 interface between the terminal device and the first relay terminal device, and configuration information of a Uu interface between the terminal device and the first access network device.

With reference to the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: the first access network device sends fifth resource configuration information to the first relay terminal device, wherein the fifth resource configuration information comprises configuration information of a PC5 interface between the terminal device and the first relay terminal device and configuration information of a Uu interface between the first relay terminal device and the first access network device.

With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the access network device of the first relay terminal device is a second access network device, and the second communication path is a path that the terminal device connects to the second access network device through the first relay terminal device, and the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a PC5 interface between the terminal device and the first relay terminal device, and configuration information of a Uu interface between the terminal device and the second access network device.

With reference to the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: the first access network equipment sends a second message to the second access network equipment, wherein the second message comprises first QoS configuration information; the first access network device receives first resource configuration information from the second access network device.

With reference to the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the second message further includes identification information of the terminal device.

With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the second access network device is configured to send sixth resource configuration information to the first relay terminal device, where the sixth resource configuration information includes configuration information of a PC5 interface between the terminal device and the first relay terminal device, and configuration information of a Uu interface between the first relay terminal device and the second access network device.

With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first communication path is a path where the terminal device connects to the first access network device through the first relay terminal device, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first QoS flow is established in the first communication path, and the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a PC5 interface between the terminal device and the first relay terminal device, and configuration information of a Uu interface between the terminal device and the first access network device.

With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first communication path is a path where the terminal device connects to the first access network device through the first relay terminal device, and the first indication information is used to indicate that a first QoS flow is established on the second communication path, and the method further includes: the first access network equipment determines the access network equipment of the terminal equipment according to the cell signal strength of the cell where the terminal equipment can reside.

With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the access network device of the terminal device is a first access network device, the second communication path is a path of the terminal device directly connected to the first access network device, and the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a Uu interface between the terminal and the first access network device.

With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the access network device of the terminal device is a second access network device, the second communication path is a path of the terminal device directly connected to the second access network device, and the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a Uu interface between the terminal device and the second access network device.

With reference to the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: the first access network equipment sends a third message to the second access network equipment, wherein the third message comprises the first QoS configuration information; the first access network device receives first resource configuration information from the second access network device.

With reference to the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the third message further includes identification information of the terminal device.

In a third aspect, a method for data transmission is provided, which may be performed by an access and mobility management function device, or may also be performed by a chip or circuit configured in the access and mobility management function device, which is not limited in this application. The following description is given by way of example of the access and mobility management function device.

The access and mobility management function device receives a first request message, wherein the first request message comprises fourth indication information, and the fourth indication information is used for indicating the session management function device which determines to support multi-path communication; the access and mobility management function device determines a first session management function device supporting multi-path communication based on the fourth indication information.

According to the scheme, the access and mobility management function device can receive the first request message, and determine the first session management function device according to fourth indication information in the first request message, wherein the first session management function device supports multipath communication. In the method, the first session management function equipment determined by the access and mobility management functions can support multi-path communication, so that the first session management function equipment, the first access network equipment and the terminal equipment together establish a first QoS flow on a first communication path or a second communication path, the data of a service is prevented from being transmitted by adopting a fixed communication path, and the requirement of service transmission can be dynamically met.

With reference to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the first session management function device is configured to determine first QoS configuration information, where the first QoS configuration information is used to determine first resource configuration information, where the first resource configuration information is used to configure access network resources of a first QoS flow, where the first QoS flow is used to transmit data of the terminal device.

With reference to the third aspect, in certain implementations of the third aspect, the method further includes: the access and mobility management function device sends the first request message to the first session management function device.

In a fourth aspect, a method for data transmission is provided, which may be performed by the first session management function device, or may be performed by a chip or a circuit configured in the first session management function device, which is not limited in this application. The following description will be given of an example of the execution by the first session management function device.

The first session management function device receives a first request message including first indication information for indicating establishment of a first quality of service (quality of service, qoS) flow (flow) for transmitting data of the terminal device on the first communication path or the second communication path; the first session management function equipment generates first QoS configuration information according to the first request message, wherein the first QoS configuration information is used for determining first resource configuration information, the first resource configuration information is used for configuring access network resources of a first QoS flow, a first communication path is a direct connection path, and a second communication path is a non-direct connection path; or, the first communication path is a non-direct path, and the second communication path is a direct path.

According to the above scheme, the first session management function device may receive the first request message, determine first QoS configuration information according to the first indication information in the first request message, where the first QoS configuration information is used to determine first resource configuration information, where the first resource configuration information is used to configure access network resources of the first QoS flow, and where the first QoS flow is used to transmit data of the terminal device. In the method, the first session management function device, the first access network device and the terminal device establish the first QoS flow in the first communication path or the second communication path together, so that the data of the service is prevented from being transmitted by adopting the fixed communication path, and the requirement of service transmission can be dynamically met.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the method further includes: the first session management function device sends first QoS configuration information to the first access network device.

In a fifth aspect, there is provided an apparatus for data transmission, where the apparatus may be a terminal device, or may be a chip or a circuit configured in the terminal device, and this application is not limited thereto.

The device comprises: a transceiving unit configured to send a first request message to a network device, the first request message including first indication information for indicating establishment of a first quality of service (quality of service, qoS) flow (flow) on a first communication path or a second communication path, the first QoS flow being used for transmission of data of the apparatus; the transceiver unit is further configured to: receiving first resource allocation information, wherein the first resource allocation information is used for allocating access network resources of a first QoS flow, a first communication path is a direct connection path, and a second communication path is a non-direct connection path; or, the first communication path is a non-direct path, and the second communication path is a direct path.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in certain implementations of the fifth aspect, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first QoS flow is established on the first communication path, and the transceiver unit is further configured to: transmitting a second request message to the network device through the first communication path, the second request message including second indication information for indicating establishment of a second QoS flow in the second communication path, the second QoS flow being for transmitting data of the apparatus; the transceiver unit is further configured to: and receiving second resource configuration information, wherein the second resource configuration information is used for configuring access network resources of a second QoS flow.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in certain implementations of the fifth aspect, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first QoS flow is established on the first communication path, and the transceiver unit is further configured to: transmitting a third request message to the network device through the first communication path, the third request message including third indication information and QoS flow identification information of a third QoS flow, the third indication information being used to indicate a transfer of the third QoS flow to the second communication path, the third QoS flow being at least one of the first QoS flows; the transceiver unit is further configured to: and receiving third resource configuration information, wherein the third resource configuration information is used for configuring access network resources of a third QoS flow.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in certain implementations of the fifth aspect, the third resource configuration information is specifically configured to: allocating access network resources of the third QoS flow in the second communication path; the access network resources of the third QoS flow on the first communication path are deleted.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the third resource configuration information is specifically configured to allocate access network resources of the third QoS flow on the second communication path, and the transceiver unit is further configured to: fourth configuration information is received, the fourth configuration information being used to delete access network resources of the third QoS flow on the first communication path.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in certain implementations of the fifth aspect, the first request message further includes fourth indication information, where the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the session management function device supporting multiple paths is determined.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the first communication path is a path of the apparatus directly connected to the first access network device, the first indication information is used to indicate that a first QoS flow is established on the first communication path, and the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a Uu interface between the apparatus and the first access network device.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the first communication path is a path of the apparatus directly connected to the first access network device, the first indication information is used to indicate that a first QoS flow is established on the second communication path, and the transceiver unit is further configured to: and transmitting a cell identifier of the first relay terminal equipment, wherein the cell identifier of the first relay terminal equipment is used for determining access network equipment of the first relay terminal equipment, and the equipment of the second communication path comprises the first relay terminal equipment.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in certain implementation manners of the fifth aspect, the transceiver unit is specifically configured to: transmitting a first measurement report to a first access network device, the first measurement report including a cell identity of at least one relay terminal device and a proximity services communication, PC5, signal strength of the at least one relay terminal device, the at least one relay terminal device including a first relay terminal device, the PC5 signal strength of the at least one relay terminal device being used to determine the first relay terminal device; or, sending a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message to the first access network device, wherein the RRC message comprises a cell identifier of the first relay terminal device; or, the first request message includes a cell identity of the first relay terminal device.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the access network device of the first relay terminal device is a first access network device, the second communication path is a path that the apparatus connects to the first access network device through the first relay terminal device, and the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a PC5 interface between the apparatus and the first relay terminal device, and configuration information of a Uu interface between the apparatus and the first access network device.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the access network device of the first relay terminal device is a second access network device, and the second communication path is a path that the apparatus connects to the second access network device through the first relay terminal device, and the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a PC5 interface between the apparatus and the first relay terminal device, and configuration information of a Uu interface between the apparatus and the second access network device.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the first communication path is a path where the apparatus connects to the first access network device through the first relay terminal device, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first QoS flow is established in the first communication path, and the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a PC5 interface between the apparatus and the first relay terminal device, and configuration information of a Uu interface between the apparatus and the first access network device.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the first communication path is a path of the apparatus connecting to a first access network device through a first relay terminal device, the first indication information is used to indicate that a first QoS flow is established on a second communication path, and the transceiver unit is further configured to: a second measurement report is sent to the first access network device, the second measurement report comprising a cell signal strength of a campeable cell of the apparatus, the cell signal strength being used to determine the access network device of the apparatus.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the access network device of the apparatus is a first access network device, the second communication path is a path of the apparatus that directly connects to the first access network device, and the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a Uu interface between the apparatus and the first access network device.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the access network device of the apparatus is a second access network device, the second communication path is a path of the apparatus directly connecting to the second access network device, and the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a Uu interface between the apparatus and the second access network device.

In a sixth aspect, there is provided an apparatus for data transmission, where the apparatus may be a first access network device, or may be a chip or a circuit configured in the first access network device, and this application is not limited thereto.

The device comprises: a transceiver unit, configured to receive first indication information and first QoS configuration information, where the first indication information is used to indicate that a first QoS flow is established on a first communication path or a second communication path, the first QoS configuration information is used to determine an access network resource of the first QoS flow, and the first QoS flow is used to transmit data of a terminal device; the transceiver unit is further configured to: transmitting first resource configuration information to the terminal equipment through a first communication path, wherein the first resource configuration information is determined according to first indication information and first QoS configuration information, and the first resource configuration information is used for configuring access network resources of a first QoS flow; the first communication path is a direct connection path, and the second communication path is a non-direct connection path; or, the first communication path is a non-direct path, and the second communication path is a direct path.

With reference to the sixth aspect, in certain implementations of the sixth aspect, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first QoS flow is established on the first communication path, and the transceiver unit is further configured to: receiving second indication information and second QoS configuration information, wherein the second indication information is used for indicating that a second QoS flow is established in a second communication path, the second QoS configuration information is used for determining access network resources of the second QoS flow, and the second QoS flow is used for transmitting data of terminal equipment; the transceiver unit is further configured to: and sending second resource configuration information to the terminal equipment through the first communication path, wherein the second resource configuration information is determined according to the second indication information and the second QoS configuration information, and the second resource configuration information is used for configuring access network resources of the second QoS flow.

With reference to the sixth aspect, in certain implementations of the sixth aspect, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first QoS flow is established on the first communication path, and the transceiver unit is further configured to: receiving third indication information, third QoS configuration information and QoS flow identification information of a third QoS flow, where the third indication information is used to indicate that the third QoS flow is transferred to the second communication path, the third QoS configuration information is used to determine access network resources of the first QoS flow, and the third QoS flow is at least one of the first QoS flows; the transceiver unit is further configured to: and sending third resource configuration information to the terminal equipment through the first communication path, wherein the third resource configuration information is determined according to the third indication information and the third QoS configuration information, and the third resource configuration information is used for configuring access network resources of the third QoS flow.

With reference to the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the third resource configuration information is specifically configured to: allocating access network resources of the third QoS flow in the second communication path; the access network resources of the third QoS flow on the first communication path are deleted.

With reference to the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the third resource configuration information is specifically configured to allocate access network resources of the third QoS flow on the second communication path, and the transceiver unit is further configured to: and transmitting fourth configuration information, wherein the fourth configuration information is used for deleting the access network resources of the third QoS flow on the first communication path.

With reference to the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the first communication path is a path where the terminal device connects directly to the apparatus, and the first indication information is used to instruct to establish a first QoS flow on the first communication path, and the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a Uu interface between the terminal device and the apparatus.

With reference to the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the first communication path is a path where the terminal device directly connects to the apparatus, and the first indication information is used to instruct to establish a first QoS flow on the second communication path, where the apparatus further includes: the processing unit is used for acquiring the cell identifier of the first relay terminal equipment, and the equipment of the second communication path comprises the first relay terminal equipment; and determining the access network equipment of the first relay terminal equipment according to the cell identification of the first relay terminal equipment.

With reference to the sixth aspect, in certain implementations of the sixth aspect, the processing unit is specifically configured to: determining a first relay terminal device and cell identification of the first relay terminal device according to the signal strength of the proximity service communication PC5 of at least one relay terminal device; or, receiving a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message from the terminal equipment, wherein the RRC message comprises a cell identifier of the first relay terminal equipment; or, a first message is received from the first session management function device or the access and mobility management function device, the first message comprising a cell identity of the first relay terminal device.

With reference to the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the access network device of the first relay terminal device is the apparatus, the second communication path is a path that the terminal device connects to the apparatus through the first relay terminal device, and the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a proximity service communication PC5 interface between the terminal device and the first relay terminal device, and configuration information of a Uu interface between the terminal device and the apparatus.

With reference to the sixth aspect, in certain implementation manners of the sixth aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to: and sending fifth resource configuration information to the first relay terminal equipment, wherein the fifth resource configuration information comprises configuration information of a PC5 interface between the terminal equipment and the first relay terminal equipment and configuration information of a Uu interface between the first relay terminal equipment and the first access network equipment.

With reference to the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the access network device of the first relay terminal device is a second access network device, and the second communication path is a path that the terminal device connects to the second access network device through the first relay terminal device, and the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a PC5 interface between the terminal device and the first relay terminal device, and configuration information of a Uu interface between the terminal device and the second access network device.

With reference to the sixth aspect, in certain implementation manners of the sixth aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to: sending a second message to a second access network device, the second message including the first QoS configuration information; first resource configuration information is received from a second access network device.

With reference to the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the second access network device is configured to send sixth resource configuration information to the first relay terminal device, where the sixth resource configuration information includes configuration information of a PC5 interface between the terminal device and the first relay terminal device, and configuration information of a Uu interface between the first relay terminal device and the second access network device.

With reference to the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the first communication path is a path where the terminal device connects the apparatus through the first relay terminal device, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first QoS flow is established in the first communication path, and the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a PC5 interface between the terminal device and the first relay terminal device, and configuration information of a Uu interface between the terminal device and the apparatus.

With reference to the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the first communication path is a path where the terminal device connects the apparatus through the first relay terminal device, and the first indication information is used to instruct to establish the first QoS flow on the second communication path, and the apparatus further includes a processing unit, configured to determine an access network device of the terminal device according to a cell signal strength of a cell where the terminal device can reside.

With reference to the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the access network device of the terminal device is the apparatus, the second communication path is a path of the terminal device directly connected to the apparatus, and the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a Uu interface between the terminal and the apparatus.

With reference to the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the access network device of the terminal device is a second access network device, the second communication path is a path where the terminal device directly connects to the second access network device, and the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a Uu interface between the terminal device and the second access network device.

With reference to the sixth aspect, in certain implementation manners of the sixth aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to: transmitting a third message to the second access network device, the third message including the first QoS configuration information; first resource configuration information is received from a second access network device.

In a seventh aspect, there is provided an apparatus for data transmission, where the apparatus may be an access and mobility management function device, or may be a chip or a circuit configured in the access and mobility management function device, and this application is not limited thereto.

The device comprises: a transceiver unit configured to receive a first request message, where the first request message includes fourth indication information, where the fourth indication information is used to indicate a session management function device that determines to support multi-path communication; and the processing unit is used for determining first session management function equipment according to the fourth indication information, and the first session management function equipment supports multi-path communication.

With reference to the seventh aspect, in certain implementations of the seventh aspect, the apparatus is configured to determine first QoS configuration information, where the first QoS configuration information is used to determine first resource configuration information, where the first resource configuration information is used to configure access network resources of a first QoS flow, where the first QoS flow is used to transmit data of a terminal device.

With reference to the seventh aspect, in certain implementations of the seventh aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to: the first request message is sent to the first session management function device.

In an eighth aspect, an apparatus for data transmission is provided, where the apparatus may be a first session management function device, or may be a chip or a circuit configured in the first session management function device, and this application is not limited thereto.

The device comprises: a transceiving unit configured to receive a first request message including first indication information for indicating establishment of a first quality of service (quality of service, qoS) flow (flow) for transmitting data of a terminal device on a first communication path or a second communication path; the processing unit is used for generating first QoS configuration information according to the first request message, wherein the first QoS configuration information is used for determining first resource configuration information, the first resource configuration information is used for configuring access network resources of a first QoS flow, a first communication path is a direct connection path, and a second communication path is a non-direct connection path; or, the first communication path is a non-direct path, and the second communication path is a direct path.

With reference to the eighth aspect, in certain implementations of the eighth aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to: and sending the first QoS configuration information to the first access network equipment.

In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a processor configured to perform the method provided in the above aspects.

The operations such as transmitting and acquiring/receiving, etc. related to the processor may be understood as operations such as outputting and receiving, inputting, etc. by the processor, or may be understood as operations such as transmitting and receiving by the radio frequency circuit and the antenna, if not specifically stated, or if not contradicted by actual function or inherent logic in the related description, which is not limited in this application.

In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a communication device comprising: a memory for storing a program; at least one processor configured to execute a computer program or instructions stored in a memory to perform the method provided by any one of the aspects or implementations thereof.

In one implementation, the apparatus is a terminal device, a first access network device, an access and mobility management function device, or a first session management function device.

In another implementation, the apparatus is a chip, a system-on-chip or a circuit for use in a terminal device, a first access network device, an access and mobility management function device or a first session management function device.

In an eleventh aspect, the present application provides a computer readable storage medium storing program code for execution by a device, the program code comprising instructions for performing the method provided in any one of the above aspects or implementations thereof.

In a twelfth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method provided by any one of the above aspects or implementations thereof.

In a thirteenth aspect, the present application provides a chip, the chip including a processor and a communication interface, the processor reading instructions stored on a memory through the communication interface, and performing the method provided in any one of the above aspects or implementation manner thereof.

Optionally, as an implementation manner, the chip further includes a memory, where a computer program or an instruction is stored in the memory, and the processor is configured to execute the computer program or the instruction stored in the memory, where the processor is configured to execute the method provided in any one of the above aspects or implementation manner.

In a fourteenth aspect, the present application provides a communication system comprising the above terminal device, first access network device, access and mobility management function device and/or first session management function device.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system suitable for use in embodiments of the present application.

Fig. 2 is yet another schematic diagram of a communication system suitable for use in embodiments of the present application.

Fig. 3 shows a protocol stack architecture for user plane data transmission by a remote UE over a non-direct path.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic flow chart of user plane data transmission by a remote UE using a non-direct path transmission mode.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a method 500 for data transmission according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of a method 600 for data transmission according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 7 shows a schematic diagram of a change in a transmission path of data of a remote UE after applying the method 600 of the present application.

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of a method 800 for data transmission according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 9 shows a schematic diagram of a change in a transmission path of data of a remote UE after applying the method 800 of the present application.

Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of a method 1000 for data transmission according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 11 shows a schematic diagram of a change in a transmission path of data of a remote UE after applying the method 1000 of the present application.

Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of a method 1200 for data transmission according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 13 shows a schematic diagram of a change in a transmission path of data of a remote UE after applying the method 1200 of the present application.

Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram of a method 1400 for data transmission according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 15 shows a schematic diagram of a change in a transmission path of data of a remote UE after applying the method 1400 of the present application.

Fig. 16 is a schematic diagram of a method 1600 for data transmission according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 17 shows a schematic diagram of a change in a transmission path of data of a remote UE after applying the method 1600 of the present application.

Fig. 18 is a schematic diagram of a method 1800 for data transmission according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 19 shows a schematic diagram of a change in the transmission path of data of a remote UE after applying the method 1800 of the present application.

Fig. 20 is a schematic diagram of a method 2000 for data transmission according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 21 shows a schematic diagram of a change in a transmission path of data of a remote UE after applying the method 2000 of the present application.

Fig. 22 shows a schematic diagram of an apparatus 2200 for data transmission according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 23 shows a schematic diagram of an apparatus 2300 for data transmission according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

The technical solutions in the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The technical scheme provided by the application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: fifth generation (5th generation,5G) or New Radio (NR) systems, long term evolution (long term evolution, LTE) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (frequency division duplex, FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (time division duplex, TDD) systems, and the like. The technical scheme provided by the application can also be applied to future communication systems, such as a sixth generation mobile communication system. The technical solutions provided herein may also be applied to device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-to-machine (machine to machine, M2M) communication, machine type communication (machine type communication, MTC), and internet of things (internet of things, ioT) communication systems or other communication systems.

A network architecture suitable for the present application will first be briefly described as follows.

As an example, fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a network architecture.

As shown in fig. 1, the network architecture 100 is exemplified by a 5G system (the 5th generation system,5GS). The network architecture may include, but is not limited to: a network slice selection function (network slice selection function, NSSF), an authentication server function (authentication server function, AUSF), a unified data management (unified data management, UDM), a network exposure function (network exposure function, NEF), a network storage function (NF repository function, NRF), a policy control function (policy control function, PCF), an application function (application function, AF), an access and mobility management function (access and mobility management function, AMF), a session management function (session management function, SMF), a User Equipment (UE), a radio access network device, a user plane function (user plane function, UPF), a Data Network (DN).

Wherein, DN can be the Internet; NSSF, AUSF, UDM, NEF, NRF, PCF, AF, AMF, SMF, UPF belongs to a network element in the core network, which may be referred to as a 5G core network (5G core network,5GC or 5 GCN) since fig. 1 exemplifies a 5G system.

The following briefly describes the network elements shown in fig. 1.

1. UE (including UE1 and UE2 in fig. 1): a terminal device, access terminal, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user equipment may be referred to as a terminal device.

The terminal device may be a device that provides voice/data to a user, e.g., a handheld device with wireless connection, an in-vehicle device, etc. Currently, some examples of terminals are: a mobile phone, tablet, laptop, palmtop, mobile internet device (mobile internet device, MID), wearable device, virtual Reality (VR) device, augmented reality (augmented reality, AR) device, wireless terminal in industrial control (industrial control), wireless terminal in unmanned (self driving), wireless terminal in teleoperation (remote medical surgery), wireless terminal in smart grid (smart grid), wireless terminal in transportation security (transportation safety), wireless terminal in smart city (smart city), wireless terminal in smart home (smart home), cellular phone, cordless phone, session initiation protocol (session initiation protocol, SIP) phone, wireless local loop (wireless local loop, WLL) station, personal digital assistant (personal digital assistant, PDA), handheld device with wireless communication function, computing device or other processing device connected to wireless modem, wearable device, terminal device in 5G network or terminal in future evolved land mobile communication network (public land mobile network), and the like, without limiting the present application.

By way of example, and not limitation, in embodiments of the present application, the terminal device may also be a wearable device. The wearable device can also be called as a wearable intelligent device, and is a generic name for intelligently designing daily wear by applying wearable technology and developing wearable devices, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothes, shoes and the like. The wearable device is a portable device that is worn directly on the body or integrated into the clothing or accessories of the user. The wearable device is not only a hardware device, but also can realize a powerful function through software support, data interaction and cloud interaction. The generalized wearable intelligent device includes full functionality, large size, and may not rely on the smart phone to implement complete or partial functionality, such as: smart watches or smart glasses, etc., and focus on only certain types of application functions, and need to be used in combination with other devices, such as smart phones, for example, various smart bracelets, smart jewelry, etc. for physical sign monitoring.

In addition, in the embodiment of the application, the terminal device may also be a terminal device in an IoT system, where IoT is an important component of future information technology development, and the main technical feature is to connect the article with a network through a communication technology, so as to implement man-machine interconnection and an intelligent network for interconnecting the articles.

It should be noted that, some air interface technology (such as NR or LTE technology) may be used to communicate between the terminal device and the access network device. The terminal equipment and the terminal equipment can also communicate with each other by adopting a certain air interface technology (such as NR or LTE technology).

In the embodiment of the present application, the device for implementing the function of the terminal device may be the terminal device, or may be a device capable of supporting the terminal device to implement the function, for example, a chip system or a chip, and the device may be installed in the terminal device. In the embodiment of the application, the chip system may be formed by a chip, and may also include a chip and other discrete devices.

2. (radio) access network (R) AN) device: the authorized users of the specific area may be provided with the functionality to access the communication network, which may specifically include wireless network devices in a third generation partnership project (3rd generation partnership project,3GPP) network or may include access points in a non-3GPP (non-3 GPP) network. The following description will be presented using AN apparatus for convenience of description.

AN device may employ different radio access technologies. There are two types of current radio access technologies: 3GPP access technologies (e.g., third generation (3rd generation,3G), fourth generation (4th generation,4G), or wireless access technologies employed in 5G systems) and non-3GPP (non-3 GPP) access technologies. The 3GPP access technology refers to an access technology conforming to the 3GPP standard specification, for example, access network devices in the 5G system are referred to as next generation base station nodes (next generation Node Base station, gNB) or next generation radio access network (next generation radio access network, NG-RAN) devices. Non-3GPP access technologies can include air interface technologies typified by an Access Point (AP) in Wireless Fidelity (wireless fidelity, wiFi), worldwide interoperability for microwave Access (worldwide interoperability for microwave access, wiMAX), code division multiple Access (code division multiple access, CDMA), and so forth. The AN device may allow interworking between the terminal device and the 3GPP core network using non-3GPP technology.

The AN device can be responsible for radio resource management, quality of service (quality of service, qoS) management, data compression, encryption, and other functions on the air interface side. The AN equipment provides access service for the terminal equipment, and further, the forwarding of control signals and user data between the terminal equipment and the core network is completed.

AN devices may include, for example, but are not limited to: macro base stations, micro base stations (also called small stations), radio network controllers (radio network controller, RNC), node bs (Node bs, NB), base station controllers (base station controller, BSC), base transceiver stations (base transceiver station, BTS), home base stations (e.g., home evolved NodeB, or home Node bs, HNB), base Band Units (BBU), APs in WiFi systems, wireless relay nodes, wireless backhaul nodes, transmission points (transmission point, TP), or transmission reception points (transmission and reception point, TRP), etc., as well as a gNB or transmission points (TRP or TP) in 5G (e.g., NR) systems, an antenna panel of one or a group (including multiple antenna panels) of base stations in 5G systems, or as well as network nodes constituting a gNB or transmission point, such as a Distributed Unit (DU), or a base station in next generation communication 6G systems, etc. The embodiment of the application does not limit the specific technology and the specific equipment form adopted by the AN equipment.

3. AMF: the method is mainly used for the functions of access control, mobility management, attachment and detachment and the like.

4. SMF: the method is mainly used for user plane network element selection, user plane network element redirection, internet protocol (internet protocol, IP) address allocation of terminal equipment, session establishment, modification and release and QoS control.

5. UPF: the method is mainly used for receiving and forwarding the user plane data. For example, the UPF may receive user plane data from the DN and send the user plane data to the terminal device through the AN device. The UPF may also receive user plane data from the terminal device through the AN device and forward to the DN.

6. NEF: mainly for safely opening services and capabilities provided by 3GPP network functions to the outside, etc.

7. PCF: the unified policy framework is mainly used for guiding network behaviors, and provides policy rule information and the like for control plane network elements (such as AMF, SMF and the like).

8. AF: the method is mainly used for providing services to the 3GPP network, such as interaction with PCF for policy control and the like.

9. Network slice selection function (network slice selection function, NSSF): the method is mainly used for network slice selection.

10. UDM: the method is mainly used for subscription data management of the UE, and comprises storage and management of the UE identification, access authorization of the UE and the like.

11. DN: the method is mainly used for an operator network for providing data services for the UE. Such as the Internet, a third party's service network, an IP Multimedia Services (IMS) network, etc.

12. AUSF: the method is mainly used for user authentication and the like.

13. NRF: the method is mainly used for storing the network function entity, the description information of the service provided by the network function entity and the like.

In the network architecture shown in fig. 1, the network elements may communicate with each other via interfaces. For example, the UE2 is connected to the AN device through a radio resource control (radio resource control, RRC) protocol, and the UE and the AN device communicate with each other using a Uu interface. The UE1 and the UE2 communicate by adopting a PC5 interface, and the PC5 interface can be used for mutual discovery among the UEs and transmission of data and signaling among the UEs. In fig. 1, N1 is AN interface between UE2 and AMF, N2 is AN interface between (R) AN and AMF, and is used for transmission of non-access stratum (NAS) messages, etc.; n3 is an interface between RAN and UPF, used for transmitting data of user plane, etc.; n4 is an interface between the SMF and the UPF, and is used for transmitting information such as tunnel identification information, data buffer indication information, downlink data notification message, and the like of the N3 connection; the N6 interface is an interface between the UPF and the DN, and is used for transmitting data of the user plane, and the N11 interface is an interface between the AMF and the SMF.

It should be understood that the network architecture shown above is merely an exemplary illustration, and the network architecture to which the embodiments of the present application apply is not limited, and any network architecture capable of implementing the functions of the various network elements described above is applicable to the embodiments of the present application.

It should also be understood that the functions or network elements shown in fig. 1, AMF, SMF, UPF, PCF, UDM, NSSF, AUSF, etc., may be understood as network elements for implementing different functions, for example, may be combined into network slices as needed. The network elements may be independent devices, may be integrated in the same device to implement different functions, or may be network elements in hardware devices, or may be software functions running on dedicated hardware, or be virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (for example, a cloud platform), which is not limited to the specific form of the network elements.

It should also be understood that the above designations are merely defined to facilitate distinguishing between different functions and should not be construed as limiting the present application in any way. The present application does not exclude the possibility of using other designations in 6G networks as well as other networks in the future. For example, in a 6G network, some or all of the individual network elements may follow the terminology in 5G, possibly by other names, etc.

To facilitate an understanding of the embodiments of the present application, the terms referred to in this application are briefly described.

1. Direct path: the terminal device directly accesses the access network device, i.e. in the direct connection path, the terminal device directly establishes a connection with the access network device and communicates with the access network device without going through other devices (e.g. relay devices).

It should be understood that in the direct connection path, after the terminal device directly accesses the access network device, data transmission is performed with the data network through the access network device and the core network device.

The direct path may also be referred to as a direct link (link).

2. Non-direct path (indirect path): the terminal equipment accesses the access network equipment through the relay equipment, namely, in the non-direct connection path, the terminal equipment and the access network equipment are connected and communicated through one or more relay equipment. For example, the relay device is a relay (relay) UE, and the terminal device is a remote (remote) UE, in which case the remote UE establishes a connection with the relay UE, and the relay UE establishes a connection with the RAN, so that the remote UE may establish a connection with the RAN through the relay UE.

It should be understood that, in the non-direct connection path, after the terminal device accesses the access network device through the relay device, data transmission is performed with the data network through the relay device, the access network device and the core network device.

In the non-direct connection path, the connection between the terminal device and the relay device may be a connection in 3GPP, for example, proximity service communication 5 (proximity-based services communication, pc 5) connection, or may be a connection in a short-distance communication technology, for example, a bluetooth connection, a WiFi connection, or the like. In addition, when a plurality of relay devices are included in the non-direct connection path, the connection method between the terminal device and the relay devices may be the same as or different from the connection method between any two relay devices.

The non-direct path may also be referred to as a non-direct link (link).

3. Protocol data unit (protocol data unit, PDU) session (PDU session): the 5G core network (5G core network,5GC) supports PDU connectivity services. The PDU connection service may refer to a service of exchanging PDU packets between the terminal device and the DN. The PDU connection service is implemented by the terminal device initiating the establishment of a PDU session. After a PDU session is established, a data transmission channel between the terminal and the DN is established. In other words, the PDU session is UE level. Each terminal device may establish one or more PDU sessions.

As previously mentioned, SMF is mainly responsible for session management in mobile networks. The PDU session can be established, modified or released between the terminal device and the SMF through NAS session management (session management, SM) signaling.

In the embodiment of the present application, one PDU session may be identified by one PDU session identification (PDU session identifier, PDU session ID).

4. Quality of service (quality of service, qoS) flow (flow): qoS differentiation granularity in PDU sessions. A QoS flow identifier (QoS flow identifier, QFI) may be used to identify a QoS flow. Multiple QoS flows may be included in a PDU session, with the QFI of each QoS flow being different. In other words, one QFI may be unique within one PDU session.

Further, the QoS flow corresponding to the service: may refer to a QoS flow for transmitting data for the service. For example, when data of the service is transmitted through a QoS flow in a PDU session, the QoS flow may be referred to as a QoS flow corresponding to the service. Traffic carried by QoS flows: may refer to traffic that is streamed over the QoS.

Further, qoS requirements of QoS flows: may refer to conditions that the QoS parameters corresponding to the QoS flows need to satisfy. QoS parameters may include, but are not limited to: rate, delay, packet loss rate, priority, reliability, etc. For example, the QoS requirements corresponding to QoS flows are: the rate in the QoS parameters corresponding to the QoS flows needs to satisfy 7 megabits per second (Mbps), i.e., greater than or equal to 7Mbps.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram of another network architecture. As shown in fig. 2, the network architecture 200 is a scheme in which one UE (e.g., remote) provided by the 3GPP standard accesses a network through another UE (e.g., relay) based on the architecture 100 shown in fig. 1. In fig. 2, the remote UE may communicate with the DN through two paths, one is a direct path (direct path), specifically, the remote UE directly accesses the AN, accesses the core network of the remote UE (including the AMF of the remote UE, the SMF of the remote UE, and the UPF of the remote UE) through the AN, and performs signaling and data transmission with the DN through the AN and the core network of the remote UE. The other is a non-direct path (direct path), specifically, the remote UE accesses the AN through the relay UE, accesses the core network of the remote UE through the AN, and performs signaling and data transmission with the DN through the AN and the core network of the remote UE. For relay UEs, a direct path may also be employed to communicate with the DN. Specifically, the relay UE may directly access the AN, access the core network of the relay UE (including the AMF of the relay UE, the SMF of the relay UE, and the UPF of the relay UE) through the AN, and then perform signaling and data transmission with the DN through the AN and the core network of the relay UE.

It should be appreciated that the relay UE in fig. 2 is a layer-2 proximity-based services (ProSe) user equipment to network relay (layer-2 ProSe UE-to-network relay).

Fig. 3 shows a protocol stack architecture for user plane data transmission by a remote UE over a non-direct path. As shown in fig. 3, a protocol data unit (protocol data unit, PDU) layer (layer) is used to transfer data generated by application software (APP) between the remote UE and the UPF. The traffic data adaptation protocol (service data adaptation protocol, SDAP) layer is used to map between quality of service (quality of service, qoS) flows (flows) and data radio bearers (data radio bearer, DRBs). It should be understood that QoS flows are data transmission channels with QoS guarantees between the UE and the UPF. QoS flows consist of DRBs between UE and NG-RAN, N3 connections 2 between NG-RAN and UPF. One or more QoS flows may share one DRB connection, and the SDAP is used to map QoS flows to DRBs. The DRB consists of 2 layers, a packet data convergence layer protocol (packet data convergence protocol, PDCP) layer and a radio link control (radio link control, RLC) layer. The PDCP layer is configured by RRC messages, and is used for performing header compression, decompression, ciphering/deciphering, integrity protection, integrity verification, and other functions of user plane data.

A medium access control (mediu access control, MAC) is used to map between logical channels and transport channels and to multiplex MAC data from different logical channels into one transport block. The PHY is a physical layer (PHY). An adaptation layer is used for the relay UE or NG-RAN to indicate to which remote UE the data packet contained in the RLC of the relay UE belongs and to which radio bearer of the remote UE.

A general packet radio service (general packet radio service, GPRS) tunneling protocol-user (GTP-U) is a set of IP-based higher layer protocols located above the transmission control protocol/internet protocol (transmission control protocol/internet protocol, TCP/IP), user datagram protocol/internet protocol (user data protocol, UDP/IP). GTP-U messages are used to carry user data between GTP-U bodies. L2 represents layer 2 (layer 2), and L2 represents layer 1 (layer 1).

As shown in fig. 3, from the NG-RAN point of view, the DRB of the remote UE consists of 2 parts: PDCP layer between NG-RAN and remote UE, RLC layer between NG-RAN and relay UE. From the perspective of the remote UE, the DRB of the remote UE consists of 2 parts: PDCP layer between NG-RAN and remote UE, RLC layer between NG-RAN and relay UE.

Specifically, the uplink data transmission process is as follows: the APP layer of the remote UE generates data, the remote UE maps the data to the QoS flow at the PDU layer and sends the data to the Uu-SDAP layer, the data comprises QoS flow identification, the remote UE maps the QoS flow to the DRB according to the QoS flow identification at the Uu SDAP layer and sends the data of the QoS flow to the Uu PDCP layer corresponding to the DRB. The remote UE sends the data of the Uu PDCP layer to a protocol stack of the PC5 interface for processing and sends the data to the relay UE through the PC5 interface. The relay UE analyzes the Uu PDCP data of the remote UE, and adds an adaptation layer in the data, wherein the adaptation layer comprises the identification of the remote UE. The relay UE sends data to the NG-RAN over the Uu interface with the NG-RAN. After receiving the data, the NG-RAN determines that the data belongs to the remote UE according to the identification of the remote UE in the adaptation layer, and analyzes the data of the remote UE by using the context of the remote UE, and the NG-RAN sends the data of the remote UE to the UPF through an N3 interface between the NG-RAN and the UPF.

Similarly, the transmission process of the downlink data is as follows: and the NG-RAN receives the data sent to the remote UE by the UPF, and determines that the remote UE uses the relay UE to carry out data transmission according to the context of the remote UE. Further, the NG-RAN adds the identification of the remote UE in the adaptation layer and sends the identification to the relay UE. After the relay UE analyzes the data, the data is determined to belong to the remote UE according to the identification of the remote UE in the adaptation layer, the data is sent to the remote UE through the PC5 interface of the relay UE and the remote UE, and the remote UE performs data analysis.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic flow chart of user plane data transmission by a remote UE using an indirect path transmission mode. As shown in fig. 4, the method 400 includes the following steps.

S410, the relay UE and the remote UE are respectively and independently registered to the 5G network.

S420, the relay UE and the remote UE respectively and independently acquire authorization and authentication work for executing the relay service, and acquire related authorization and authentication information.

S430, the remote UE executes a relay UE discovery procedure and selects a final UE.

S440, if the relay UE selected by the remote UE is in idle state, the relay UE enters a connection state through a Service Request (SR) process after receiving the request of the remote UE

S450, the remote UE and the relay UE establish PC5 connection.

S460, the remote UE establishes an RRC connection with the NG-RAN through the relay UE, which is the same as the base station of the relay UE. That is, the remote UE establishes an Access Stratum (AS) connection.

S470, the remote UE sends a NAS message to the AMF, the NAS message is encapsulated in an RRC message, and the RRC message is sent to the NG-RAN through the PC5 interface between the relay UE and the remote UE. That is, the remote UE establishes a NAS connection.

S480, the remote UE initiates a PDU session establishment procedure.

After this, the data of the remote UE is forwarded through the UPF, NG-RAN and relay UE.

In current data transmission, a remote UE uses a fixed path (a direct path or a non-direct path) to transmit data of a service, for example, if a terminal device determines that the transmission path is the direct path, the terminal device initiates a PDU session request to an access network device, establishes a PDU session and a QoS flow of the direct path, and then the terminal device transmits data with a data network through the QoS flow of the direct path. Or if the terminal equipment determines that the transmission path is a non-direct connection path, the terminal equipment initiates a PDU session request to the access network equipment through the relay equipment, establishes a PDU session and a QoS stream of the non-direct connection path, and then transmits data through the QoS stream of the non-direct connection path and the data network. Such a transmission manner cannot dynamically meet the transmission requirements of the service, such as time delay or communication quality or communication capacity.

The application provides a data transmission method and device, so that the data transmission paths between terminal equipment and a data network have diversity and can dynamically meet service requirements.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a method 500 for data transmission according to an embodiment of the present application. The method 500 may include the following steps.

S510, the terminal device sends a first request message to the network device through a first communication path.

Accordingly, the network device receives the first request message.

In particular, the network device may be a first session management function device.

The first request message includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate that a first QoS flow is established on a first communication path or a second communication path.

As an example, the first indication information may be a "direct (direct) indication", or an "direct (non-direct) indication". Wherein, the "direct (direct) indication" indicates that the QoS flow is established on the direct path, and the "indirect (non-direct) indication" indicates that the QoS flow is established on the non-direct path.

For example, assuming that the first communication path is a direct path and the second communication path is a non-direct path, if the first indication information is used to indicate that the first QoS flow is established in the first communication path, the first indication information is a direct (direct) indication; if the first indication information is used for indicating that the first QoS flow is established in the second communication path, the first indication information is an indication of direct (non-direct connection).

For another example, assuming that the first communication path is a non-direct path, the second communication path is a direct path, if the first indication information is used to indicate that the first QoS flow is established in the first communication path, the first indication information is an indication of direct (non-direct); if the first indication information is used for indicating that the first QoS flow is established in the second communication path, the first indication information is direct indication.

Specifically, the terminal device may determine, according to the service transmission requirement and the usage situation of each communication path, that the path established by the first QoS flow is the first communication path or the second communication path, so as to better meet the service transmission requirement.

The first request message may be a non-access stratum (NAS) message, such as a PDU session establishment request message or a PDU session modification request message. Wherein the first request message may include identification information of the first PDU session, which may be used to identify the first PDU session, e.g., PDU session ID.

In one example, the first communication path is a direct path and the second communication path is a non-direct path.

For example, the first communication path is a path where the terminal device directly connects to the first access network device. In this case, the terminal device transmits a message #a (the message #a may be a first request message, or may be a second request message or a third request message) to the network device via the first communication path, including: the terminal device sends a message #A to the first access network device through the Uu interface, and the first access network device sends the message #A to the first session management function device. It will be appreciated that in this case the first access network device is a device providing access services for the terminal device.

In yet another example, the first communication path is a non-direct path and the second communication path is a direct path.

For example, the first communication path is a path through which the terminal device connects to the first access network device through the first relay terminal device. In this case, the terminal device transmits a message #a (the message #a may be a first request message, or may be a second request message or a third request message) to the network device via the first communication path, including: the terminal equipment sends a message #A to the first relay terminal equipment through the PC5 interface, the first relay terminal equipment sends the message #A to the first access network equipment, and the first access network equipment sends the message #A to the first session management function equipment. It will be appreciated that in this case the first access network device is a device providing access services for the first relay terminal device.

Wherein the first QoS flow is used for transmitting data of the terminal device.

For example, the first QoS flow may be used to transmit data of traffic #a of the terminal equipment.

S520, the first session management function device determines the first QoS configuration information according to the first request message.

Wherein the first QoS configuration information is used to determine access network resources of the first QoS flow. The access network resources (access network recourse) of the first QoS flow may also be understood as radio resources (radio resources) corresponding to the first QoS flow or radio configurations corresponding to the first QoS flow. For example, the radio resource information or configuration information of PDCP, RLC, MAC, PHY or the like corresponding to the first QoS flow.

Specifically, the first session management function device may determine first QoS configuration information according to the first request message, where the first QoS configuration information includes QoS parameters of the first QoS flow, and for example, the QoS parameters may include: a 5G QoS identifier (5G QoS identifier,5QI) (representing a set of QoS parameters including bandwidth, delay jitter, etc.), an assigned reservation priority (allocation retention priority, ARP), a guaranteed bit rate (guaranteed bit rate, GBR), a Maximum Bit Rate (MBR), qoS notification control (QoS notification control, QNC), etc.

As an example, the first QoS configuration information may be a QoS profile (QoS profile) of the first QoS flow.

Further, the first session management function device stores a correspondence of the first QoS flow and the path indicated by the first indication information. In other words, the first session management function device stores the path of the first QoS flow.

For example, the first indication information is a direct indication, and the first session management function device stores a correspondence between the first QoS flow and the direct path, where the correspondence indicates that the first QoS flow is a QoS flow established on the direct path.

For another example, the first indication information is an indication, and the first session management function device stores a correspondence between the first QoS flow and the non-direct path, where the correspondence indicates that the first QoS flow is a QoS flow that is established on the non-direct path.

S530, the first session management function device sends first indication information and first QoS configuration information to the first access network device.

Accordingly, the first access network device receives the first indication information and the first QoS configuration information.

The first session management function device may send the first indication information and the determined first QoS configuration information to the terminal device so that the terminal device configures access network resources of the first QoS flow.

S540, the first access network equipment sends first resource configuration information to the terminal equipment through a first communication path.

Accordingly, the terminal device receives the first resource configuration information through the first communication path.

The first resource configuration information is used to configure access network resources of the first QoS flow.

In particular, access network resources of the first QoS flow include data radio bearers (data radio bearer, DRBs) of the first QoS flow.

Specifically, the DRB of the first QoS flow may include a Uu interface DRB, or the DRB of the first QoS flow may include a Uu interface DRB and a PC5 interface DRB.

Wherein the first resource configuration information is determined according to the first indication information and the first QoS configuration information.

As one example, the first resource configuration information is determined by the first access network device.

For example, the first access network device determines to establish the first QoS flow on the first communication path according to the first indication information, in which case, the access network resource of the first QoS flow is the access network resource of the first communication path, and the first access network device may determine the first resource configuration information according to the first QoS configuration information and send the first resource configuration information to the terminal device through the first communication path.

As yet another example, the first resource configuration information is determined by the second access network device.

For example, the first access network device determines, according to the first indication information, to establish the first QoS flow in the second communication path, where access network resources of the first QoS flow are access network resources of the second communication path, and assuming that the second communication path includes the second access network device, the first access network device may send the first QoS configuration information to the second access network device, and the second access network device determines, according to the first QoS configuration information, the first resource configuration information and then sends the first resource configuration information to the first access network device.

According to the method provided by the above embodiment, the terminal device may send, through the first communication path, first indication information to the network device, to indicate that the first QoS flow is established in the first communication path or the second communication path, and the first access network device sends, through the first communication path, first resource configuration information to the terminal device, to configure access network resources of the first QoS flow, where the first resource configuration information is determined according to the first indication information and the first QoS configuration information. In the method, the first QoS flow can be established in the first communication path or the second communication path through the indication of the terminal equipment and the configuration of the first access network equipment, so that the data of the service is prevented from being transmitted by adopting the fixed communication path, and the requirement of service transmission can be dynamically met.

It should be appreciated that the first QoS flow may be one or more QoS flows of the first PDU session, without limitation. For example, assume that in the above-described embodiment, the terminal device, the first access network device, and the core network device establish 2 QoS flows on the first communication path or the second communication path: qoS flow 1, qoS flow 2, the first QoS flow herein being referred to as QoS flow 1 and QoS flow 2.

Optionally, the terminal device is a remote terminal device.

Optionally, step S510 includes: the terminal device sends the first request message to the access and mobility management function device, and the access and mobility management function device sends the first request message to the first session management function device.

Specifically, the terminal device may send a first request message to the access and mobility management function device through an Uplink (UP) NAS message. Further, the access and mobility management function device may send the first request message to the first session management function device through an N11 message, where the N11 message may be a PDU session creation context (nsmf_pdu use_ createSMcontext request) request, etc.

It should be appreciated that the NAS message and the N11 message may each include identification information of the first PDU session, which may be the first PDU session ID.

Optionally, step S530 includes: the first session management function device sends the first indication information and the first QoS configuration information to the access and mobility management function device, and the access and mobility management function device sends the first indication information and the first QoS configuration information to the first access network device.

Specifically, the first session management function device may send the first indication information and the first QoS configuration information to the access and mobility management function device through an N11 message. As an example, the N11 message may be an N1N2 messaging (namf_communication_n1n2messagetransfer) message, the N11 message including an N1 SM container (N1 SM container) and an N2 SM container (N2 SM container), the N2 SM container including the first indication information and the first QoS configuration information. Further, the access and mobility management function device sends the first indication information and the first QoS configuration information to the first access network device through an N2message, where the N2message may be a PDU session resource establishment request (PDU session resource setup request) message or a PDU session resource modification request (PDU session resource modify request) message, etc.

It should be appreciated that the N11 message and the N2message may each include identification information of a first PDU session, which may be a first PDU session ID.

In addition, the N11 message may further include an N1 SM container (N1 SM container) including a PDU session establishment accept (accept) message or a PDU session modification accept message. The access and mobility management function device may send the N1 SM container to the terminal device.

Optionally, in an implementation scenario of the foregoing embodiment, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first QoS is established on the first communication path, and the method 500 may further include: the terminal device sends a second request message to the network device via the first communication path.

Accordingly, the network device receives the second request message.

Wherein the second request message includes second indication information for indicating establishment of a second QoS flow on a second communication path.

It should be appreciated that the second QoS flow may be one or more QoS flows of the first PDU session, without limitation. For example, assume that 2 QoS flows have been established on the first communication path: qoS flows 1 and 2, the terminal device requests to establish QoS flows 3 and 4 on the second communication path, here QoS flows 3 and 4.

As an example, the second indication information may be a "direct (direct) indication", or an "direct (non-direct) indication". Wherein, the "direct (direct) indication" indicates that the QoS flow is established on the direct path, and the "indirect (non-direct) indication indicates that the QoS flow is established on the non-direct path.

For example, if the second communication path is a non-direct path, the second indication information is an indirect (non-direct) indication.

For another example, if the second communication path is a direct path, the second indication information is a direct (direct) indication.

In particular, the second request message may be a PDU session modification request message. Wherein the second request message may include identification information of the first PDU session, for example, PDU session ID.

Wherein the second QoS flow is used for transmitting data of the terminal device.

As an implementation, the second QoS flow may be used to transmit data of traffic #a of the terminal equipment.

That is, the data of the traffic #a of the terminal equipment may be transmitted through both the first QoS flow of the first communication path and the second QoS flow of the second communication path.

In this implementation, the data of the same service are transmitted through two different communication paths, so that the reliability of data transmission of the terminal device can be improved.

As yet another implementation, the second QoS flow may be used to transmit data for traffic #b of the terminal equipment.

That is, data of service #a of the terminal equipment may be transmitted through a first QoS flow of the first communication path, and data of service #b of the terminal equipment may be transmitted through a second QoS flow of the second communication path.

In this implementation, the data of two services are transmitted through two different communication paths, so that the data transmission rate of the terminal device can be improved.

Optionally, the second QoS flow and the first QoS flow both belong to the first PDU session.

In the above implementation scenario, the method 500 further includes: the first session management function device determines second QoS configuration information from the second request message.

Wherein the second QoS configuration information is used to determine access network resources for the second QoS flow. The access network resources of the second QoS flow may also be understood as radio resources (radio resources) corresponding to the second QoS flow or radio configurations corresponding to the second QoS flow. For example, the radio resource information or configuration information of PDCP, RLC, MAC, PHY or the like corresponding to the second QoS flow.

Specifically, the first session management function device may determine second QoS configuration information according to the second request message, where the second QoS configuration information includes QoS parameters of the second QoS flow, for example, the QoS parameters may include: 5QI, ARP, GBR, MBR, QNC, etc.

As an example, the second QoS configuration information may be a QoS profile (QoS profile) of the second QoS flow.

Further, the first session management function device may store a correspondence of the second QoS flow and the path indicated by the second indication information. In other words, the first session management function device stores the path of the second QoS flow.

For example, the second indication information is a direct indication, and the first session management function device stores a correspondence between the second QoS flow and the direct path, which indicates that the second QoS flow is a QoS flow established on the direct path.

For another example, the second indication information is an indication, and the first session management function device stores a correspondence between the second QoS flow and the non-direct path, which indicates that the second QoS flow is a QoS flow established on the non-direct path.

In the above implementation scenario, the method 500 further includes: the first session management function device sends second indication information and second QoS configuration information to the first access network device.

Accordingly, the first access network device receives the second indication information and the second QoS configuration information.

In the above implementation scenario, the method 500 further includes: the first access network device sends second resource configuration information to the terminal device through the first communication path.

Accordingly, the terminal device receives the second resource configuration information through the first communication path.

The second resource configuration information is used to configure access network resources of the second QoS flow.

Specifically, the access network resources of the second QoS flow include DRBs of the second QoS flow.

Specifically, the DRB of the second QoS flow may include a DRB of the Uu interface, or the DRB of the second QoS flow may include a DRB of the Uu interface and a DRB of the PC5 interface.

Wherein the second resource configuration information is determined according to the second indication information and the second QoS configuration information.

As one example, the second resource configuration information is determined by the first access network device.

For example, the second communication path is a path where the terminal device is directly connected to the first access network device, in which case the first access network device may determine a path of the second QoS flow according to the second indication information, determine second resource configuration information according to the second QoS configuration information, and send the second resource configuration information to the terminal device through the first communication path.

As yet another example, the second resource configuration information is determined by the second access network device.

For example, the second communication path is a path where the terminal device is directly connected to the second access network device, in which case, the first access network device may determine a path of the second QoS flow according to the second indication information, send the second QoS configuration information to the second access network device, and the second access network device determines the second resource configuration information according to the second QoS configuration information and then sends the second resource configuration information to the first access network device.

According to the method provided by the implementation scenario, the terminal device and the first access network device may further establish a second QoS flow in the second communication path, where the second QoS flow is used to transmit data of the terminal device, so that the communication path between the terminal device and the data network has diversity, and the rate of data transmission can be improved, or the reliability of data transmission is provided.

Optionally, in another implementation scenario of the above embodiment, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first QoS is established on the first communication path, and the method 500 may further include: the terminal device sends a third request message to the network device via the first communication path.

Accordingly, the network device receives the third request message.

Wherein the third request message includes third indication information for indicating to transfer the third QoS flow to the second communication path and QoS flow identification information of the third QoS flow.

As an example, the third indication information may be any one of the following: "direct (direct) indication", "direct (non-direct) indication", "transfer (transfer) indication", "transfer to direct (transfer to direct) indication", "transfer to indirect (transfer to non-direct) indication", "transfer (transfer) indication+direct (non-direct) indication).

Wherein "direct (direct) indication", "transfer to direct (transfer to direct) indication" and "transfer) +direct (direct) indication" denote that the third QoS flow is transferred to the direct path; "direct (not direct) indication", "transfer to indirect (transfer to not direct) indication" and "transfer) +direct (not direct) indication" mean that the third QoS flow is transferred to the non-direct path. The "transfer indication" indicates that the communication path of the third QoS flow is transferred, and the first session management function device and the first access network device may determine the transferred path according to the current path of the third QoS flow.

For example, if the second communication path is a non-direct path, the third instruction information is "direct instruction", "transfer to indirect (transition to non-direct) instruction", "transfer) +direct instruction.

For another example, if the second communication path is a direct path, the third indication information is "direct indication", "transfer to direct (transfer to direct) indication", "transfer) +direct indication".

As another example, assuming that the third indication information is a "transfer indication", if the current path of the third QoS flow is a non-direct connection path, the first session management function device and the first access network device determine to transfer the third QoS flow to the direct connection path according to the "transfer indication"; if the current path of the third QoS flow is a direct path, the first session management function device and the first access network device determine to transfer the third QoS flow to a non-direct path according to a transfer instruction.

In particular, the third request message may be a PDU session modification request message. Wherein the third request message may include identification information of the first PDU session, for example, PDU session ID.

Wherein the third QoS flow is at least one of the first QoS flows.

It should be appreciated that the third QoS flow may be one or more QoS flows of the first PDU session, without limitation. For example, assume that 2 QoS flows have been established on the first communication path: qoS flows 1 and 2, the terminal device requests to transfer QoS flow 1 from the first communication path to the second communication path, where the first QoS flow refers to QoS flow 1 and QoS flow 2, and the third QoS flow refers to QoS flow 1.

Wherein the QoS flow identification information of the third QoS flow may be QFI of the third QoS flow.

Wherein the third QoS flow is used for transmitting data of the terminal device.

As an implementation, the third QoS flow may be used to transmit data of traffic #a of the terminal equipment.

That is, the third QoS flow may be transferred from the first communication path to the second communication path and the data of the traffic #a of the terminal apparatus may be continuously transmitted using the third QoS flow.

On the other hand, if the first communication path cannot meet the transmission requirement of the service #a, the terminal device transfers at least one third QoS flow in the first communication path to the second communication path, and transmits the service #a through the third QoS flow in the second communication path, so that the transmission requirement of the service #a can be ensured.

As yet another implementation, the third QoS flow may be used to transmit data for traffic #b of the terminal equipment.

That is, the third QoS flow may be transferred from the first communication path to the second communication path and data of traffic #b of the terminal apparatus may be transmitted through the third QoS flow.

In such an implementation, if the first communication path fails to meet the transmission requirements of traffic #b, the terminal device transfers at least one third QoS flow in the first communication path to the second communication path, and transmits traffic #b through the third QoS flow in the second communication path. By the method, transmission requirements of the service #B are ensured, and meanwhile, transmission resources occupied by newly built QoS flows can be avoided, so that the data transmission efficiency of the system is improved.

In the above implementation scenario, the method 500 further includes: the first session management function device determines third QoS configuration information from the third request message.

Wherein the third QoS configuration information is used to determine access network resources for the third QoS flow. The access network resources of the third QoS flow may also be understood as radio resources (radio resources) corresponding to the third QoS flow or radio configurations corresponding to the third QoS flow. For example, the radio resource information or configuration information of PDCP, RLC, MAC, PHY or the like corresponding to the third QoS flow.

Specifically, the first session management function device may determine third QoS configuration information according to the third request message, where the third QoS configuration information includes QoS parameters of the third QoS flow, and for example, the QoS parameters may include: 5QI, ARP, GBR, MBR, QNC, etc.

As an example, the third QoS configuration information may be a QoS profile (QoS profile) of the third QoS flow.

Further, the first session management function device may update the correspondence between the third QoS flow and the path of the third QoS flow according to the third indication information.

For example, the third indication information is a direct indication, and the first session management function device stores a correspondence between the third QoS flow and the direct path, which indicates that the third QoS flow is a QoS flow established on the direct path after the transfer.

For another example, the current path of the third QoS flow is a direct indication, the third indication information is a transfer indication, and the first session management function device stores a correspondence between the third QoS flow and the non-direct path, which indicates that the third QoS flow is a QoS flow established in the non-direct path after the transfer.

In the above implementation scenario, the method 500 further includes: the first session management function device sends third indication information and third QoS configuration information to the first access network device.

Accordingly, the first access network device receives the third indication information and the third QoS configuration information.

In the above implementation scenario, the method 500 further includes: the first access network device sends third resource configuration information to the terminal device through the first communication path.

Accordingly, the terminal device receives the third resource configuration information through the first communication path.

The third resource configuration information is used to configure access network resources of a third QoS flow.

Specifically, the access network resources of the third QoS flow include DRBs of the third QoS flow.

Specifically, the DRB of the third QoS flow may include a DRB of the Uu interface, or the DRB of the third QoS flow may include a DRB of the Uu interface and a DRB of the PC5 interface.

Wherein the third resource configuration information is determined according to the third indication information and the third QoS configuration information.

As one example, the third resource configuration information is determined by the first access network device.

For example, the second communication path is a path where the terminal device is directly connected to the first access network device, in which case the first access network device may determine a path of the third QoS flow according to the third indication information, determine third resource configuration information according to the third QoS configuration information, and send the third resource configuration information to the terminal device through the first communication path.

As yet another example, the third resource configuration information is determined by the second access network device.

For example, the second communication path is a path where the terminal device is directly connected to the second access network device, in which case, the first access network device may determine a path of the third QoS flow according to the third indication information, send the third QoS configuration information to the second access network device, and the second access network device determines third resource configuration information according to the third QoS configuration information and then sends the third resource configuration information to the first access network device.

In the above implementation scenario, the method 500 further includes: and the first access network equipment deletes the access network resources of the third QoS flow in the first communication path according to the third indication information.

Specifically, as an implementation manner, in the implementation scenario, the third resource configuration information is specifically used to: and allocating the access network resources of the third QoS flow in the second communication path, and deleting the access network resources of the third QoS flow in the first communication path. That is, the third resource configuration information is used not only to allocate the access network resources of the third QoS flow in the second communication path to the terminal device, but also to configure the terminal device to delete the access network resources of the third QoS flow in the first communication path.

Specifically, as another implementation manner, in the implementation scenario, the third resource configuration information is specifically used to: allocating access network resources of the third QoS flow on the second communication path, the method further comprising: the first access network device sends fourth configuration information to the terminal device, where the fourth configuration information is used to delete access network resources of the third QoS flow in the first communication path. That is, the third resource configuration information is used to allocate the access network resource of the third QoS flow in the second communication path to the terminal device, and the fourth configuration information is used to configure the terminal device to delete the access network resource of the third QoS flow in the first communication path.

According to the method provided by the implementation scenario, the terminal device and the first access network device can shift the third QoS flow to the second communication path, so that the communication paths between the terminal device and the data network have diversity, and the data transmission rate can be improved, or the data transmission reliability can be provided.

Optionally, in an implementation scenario of the foregoing embodiment, the first request message includes fourth indication information, where the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the session management function device supporting the multipath communication is determined.

Specifically, the fourth indication information may be a "Multi-Path indication".

The session management function device supporting multipath communication means that the session management function device supports to manage both a direct connection path and a non-direct connection communication path.

Optionally, in the implementation scenario described above, the method 500 further includes: the access and mobility management function device determines a first session management function device according to the fourth indication information, the first session management function device supporting multi-path communication.

Specifically, the access and mobility management function device may select the first session management function device from the plurality of session management function devices supporting multi-path communication according to the fourth indication information.

Further, the access and mobility management function device sends the first request message to the first session management function device.

According to the method provided by the implementation scenario, the terminal device and the first access network device can also transfer the third QoS flow to the second communication path, so that the communication path between the terminal device and the data network has diversity, and the data transmission rate can be improved, or the reliability of the data transmission is provided

The following description is made in terms of specific paths referred to by the first communication path and the second communication path as case 1 and case 2.

In case 1, the first communication path is a direct connection path, specifically, the direct connection path is a path where the terminal device is directly connected to the first access network device, and the second communication path is a non-direct connection path.

It should be understood that in case 1, the first access network device is a device providing access services for the terminal device.

Furthermore, in case 1, the information interaction between the terminal device and the first access network device is via a direct connection path.

In case 1, descriptions are made on the basis of the specific contents indicated by the first indication information, divided into case 1-1 and case 1-2.

Case 1-1, the first indication information is used to indicate that a first QoS flow is established on the first communication path.

In this case, the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a Uu interface between the terminal device and the first access network device.

In particular, the configuration information of the Uu interface between the terminal device and the first access network device may be understood as a configuration of a Uu-PDCP layer, a Uu-RLC layer, a Uu-MAC layer, a Uu-PHY layer, where the terminal device establishes a connection with the first access network device.

In case 1-1, the access network resources of the first QoS flow may include resources configured by the first resource configuration information.

Case 1-2, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first QoS flow is established on the second communication path.

In this case, the method 500 may further include: the first access network device obtains a cell identifier of the first relay terminal device, and the device of the second communication path includes the first relay terminal device.

The cell identifier of the first relay terminal device may be understood as the cell identifier of the access cell of the first relay terminal device. The cell identity of the first relay terminal device is used to determine the access network device of the first relay terminal device.

In particular, the first access network device may obtain the cell identity of the first relay terminal device in the following manner.

In the first mode, the first access network device determines the first relay terminal device and the cell identifier of the first relay terminal device according to the PC5 signal strength of at least one relay terminal device.

Specifically, the first access network device may send first measurement configuration information to the terminal device according to the first indication information, where the first measurement configuration information is used to instruct the terminal device to measure the PC5 signal strength of the at least one relay terminal device, and the first measurement configuration information includes an identifier of the at least one relay terminal device.

The Identifier (ID) of the relay terminal device may be a cell radio network temporary identifier (cell-radio network temporary identifier, C-RNTI), a globally unique temporary UE identifier (globally unique temporary UE identity, GUTI), or a temporary mobile subscriber identifier (serving-temporary mobile subscriber identity, S-TMSI).

The terminal equipment receives the first measurement configuration information, and then measures the PC5 signal strength of at least one relay terminal equipment according to the first measurement configuration information.

Wherein the PC5 signal strength of the at least one relay terminal device refers to the signal strength of the PC5 connection between each of the at least one relay terminal device and the terminal device.

The terminal device sends a first measurement report to the first access network device, the first measurement report comprising an identity of the at least one relay terminal device, a cell identity of the at least one relay terminal device and a PC5 signal strength of the at least one relay terminal device.

Wherein the cell identity of the at least one relay terminal device may be a new radio cell global identity (NR cell global identifier, NCGI).

The first access network device determines the first relay terminal device according to the PC5 signal strength of the at least one relay terminal device.

Specifically, as an example, the first access network device may select the first relay terminal device according to the PC5 signal strength of the at least one relay terminal device, for example, select, as the first relay terminal device, a relay terminal device with the best PC5 signal strength from the at least one relay terminal device.

Specifically, as yet another example, the first access network device may select at least one candidate relay terminal device according to the cell identity of the at least one relay terminal device, and determine the first relay terminal device according to the PC5 signal strength of the at least one candidate relay terminal device.

For example, the at least one relay terminal device includes N relay terminal devices, where N is a positive integer, the first access network device determines M candidate relay terminal devices according to cell identifiers of the N relay terminal devices, where the cell identifiers of the M candidate relay terminal devices correspond to the same access network device, for example, all the cell identifiers of the M candidate relay terminal devices correspond to the first access network device, and the first access network device selects, from the M candidate relay terminal devices, a relay terminal device with the best PC5 signal strength as the first relay terminal device.

Further, after determining the first relay terminal device, the first access network device may determine a cell identifier of the first relay terminal device according to a correspondence between at least one relay terminal device and a cell identifier of the at least one relay terminal device.

In the second mode, the first access network device receives a radio resource control (radio resource control, RRC) message from the terminal device, where the RRC message includes a cell identity of the first relay terminal device.

Specifically, in the case where the connection between the terminal device and the PC5 of the first relay terminal device is already in a connected state, the first access network device sends an RRC message, for example, a relay terminal request message, to the terminal device, where the relay terminal request message is used to request the terminal device to report information of the relay terminal device. Further, the terminal device replies an RRC message, e.g. a relay terminal response message, to the first access network device, the relay terminal response message comprising the identity of the first relay terminal device and the cell identity of the first relay terminal device.

In the third mode, the first access network device receives a first message from the first session management function device or the access and mobility management function device, where the first message includes a cell identifier of the first relay terminal device.

Specifically, in the case that the connection between the terminal device and the PC5 of the first relay terminal device is already in a connected state, the terminal device may carry the identifier of the first relay terminal device and the cell identifier of the first relay terminal device in the first request message, and the first session management function device or the access and mobility management function device may send a first message to the first access network device, where the first message includes the cell identifier of the first relay terminal device.

For example, in S530, the first message is transmitted together with the first QoS configuration information.

In cases 1-2, the method 500 may further include: the first access network equipment determines the access network equipment of the first relay terminal equipment according to the cell identification of the first relay terminal equipment.

Specifically, the first access network device may determine, according to the cell identifier of the first relay terminal device, a device that provides an access service for the first relay terminal device, that is, the access network device of the first relay terminal device.

It should be understood that the cell identifier and the access network device have a corresponding relationship, and the first access network device may determine the access network device of the first relay terminal device according to the cell identifier of the first relay terminal device and the corresponding relationship. For example, the cell identifier includes an identifier of the access network device, and the first access network device determines the access network device of the first relay terminal device according to the identifier of the access network device in the cell identifier.

In one embodiment, the access network device of the first relay terminal device is a first access network device, and the second communication path is a non-direct connection path, where the non-direct connection path is a path where the terminal device connects to the first access network device through the first relay terminal device.

At this time, the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a PC5 interface between the terminal device and the first relay terminal device, and configuration information of a Uu interface between the terminal device and the first access network device.

Specifically, the configuration information of the PC5 interface between the terminal device and the first relay terminal device may be understood as the configuration of the PC5-RLC layer, the PC5-MAC layer, and the PC5-PHY layer, in which the terminal device establishes a connection with the first relay terminal device, and the configuration information of the Uu interface between the terminal device and the first access network device may be understood as the configuration of the Uu-PDCP layer, in which the terminal device establishes a connection with the first access network device through the first relay terminal device.

At this time, the first resource configuration information is determined by the first access network device.

Furthermore, in such an implementation, the method 500 further includes: the first access network device generates fifth resource configuration information according to the first QoS configuration information, wherein the fifth resource configuration information comprises configuration information of a PC5 interface between the terminal device and the first relay terminal device and configuration information of a Uu interface between the first relay terminal device and the first access network device. Further, the first access network device sends fifth resource configuration information to the first relay terminal device.

Specifically, the configuration information of the PC5 interface between the terminal device and the first relay terminal device may be understood as the configuration of the PC5-RLC layer, the PC5-MAC layer, and the PC5-PHY layer, in which the first relay terminal device establishes a connection with the terminal device, and the configuration information of the Uu interface between the first relay terminal device and the first access network device may be understood as the configuration of the Uu-RLC layer, the Uu-MAC layer, and the Uu-PHY layer, in which the first relay terminal device establishes a connection with the first access network device.

That is, the first access network device may send configuration information of the PC5 interface between the first relay terminal device and the terminal device, and configuration information of the Uu interface between the first relay terminal device and the first access network device to the first relay terminal device, thereby completing resource configuration of the first relay terminal device.

Wherein in such an implementation, the access network resources of the first QoS flow may include resources configured by the first resource configuration information and the fifth resource configuration information.

In yet another embodiment, the access network device of the first relay terminal device is a second access network device, and the second communication path is a non-direct path, where the non-direct path is a path where the terminal device connects to the second access network device through the first relay terminal device.

At this time, the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a PC5 interface between the terminal device and the first relay terminal device, and configuration information of a Uu interface between the terminal device and the second access network device.

Specifically, the configuration information of the PC5 interface between the terminal device and the first relay terminal device may be understood as the configuration of the PC5-RLC layer, the PC5-MAC layer, and the PC5-PHY layer, in which the terminal device establishes a connection with the first relay terminal device, and the configuration information of the Uu interface between the terminal device and the second access network device may be understood as the configuration of the Uu-PDCP layer, in which the terminal device establishes a connection with the second access network device through the first relay terminal device.

At this point, the first resource configuration information is determined by the second access network device.

That is, the method 500 further includes: the first access network device sends a second message to the second access network device, the second message including first QoS configuration information, the second access network device determines first resource configuration information according to the first QoS configuration information, and further, the second access network device sends the first resource configuration information to the first access network device.

Optionally, the second message further comprises an identification of the first relay terminal device and an identification of the terminal device.

Furthermore, in such an implementation, the method 500 further includes: the second access network device generates sixth resource configuration information according to the first QoS configuration information, wherein the sixth resource configuration information comprises configuration information of a PC5 interface between the terminal device and the first relay terminal device and configuration information of a Uu interface between the first relay terminal device and the second access network device. Further, the second terminal device sends the sixth resource configuration information to the first relay terminal device.

Specifically, the configuration information of the PC5 interface between the terminal device and the first relay terminal device may be understood as the configuration of the PC5-RLC layer, the PC5-MAC layer, and the PC5-PHY layer, in which the first relay terminal device establishes a connection with the terminal device, and the configuration information of the Uu interface between the first relay terminal device and the second access network device may be understood as the configuration of the Uu-RLC layer, the Uu-MAC layer, and the Uu-PHY layer, in which the first relay terminal device establishes a connection with the second access network device.

That is, the second access network device may send configuration information of the PC5 interface between the terminal device and the first relay terminal device, and configuration information of the Uu interface between the first relay terminal device and the second access network device to the first relay terminal device, thereby completing resource configuration of the first relay terminal device.

Wherein in such an implementation, the access network resources of the first QoS flow may include resources configured by the first resource configuration information and the sixth resource configuration information.

It should be understood that, for the case 1-1, if the terminal device further transmits the second request message or the third request message, the specific method for determining the first relay terminal device in the second communication path and the specific method for determining the access network device of the first relay terminal device may refer to the case 1-2, and further, the content of the access network resource of the first QoS flow may refer to the description in the case 1-2.

In case 2, the first communication path is a non-direct connection path, specifically, the non-direct connection path is a path that the terminal device connects to the first access network device through the first relay terminal device, and the second communication path is a direct connection path.

It should be understood that in case 2, the first access network device is a device providing access services for the first relay terminal device.

Furthermore, in case 2, the information interaction between the terminal device and the first access network device is via a non-direct path.

In case 2, descriptions are made on the basis of the specific contents indicated by the first indication information, divided into case 2-1 and case 2-2.

Case 2-1, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first QoS flow is established on the first communication path.

In this case, the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a PC5 interface between the terminal device and the first relay terminal device, and configuration information of a Uu interface between the terminal device and the first access network device.

In case 2-1, the access network resources of the first QoS flow may include resources configured by the first resource configuration information.

Case 2-2, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first QoS flow is established on the second communication path.

In this case, the method 500 may further include: the first access network device acquires access network devices of the terminal device.

Specifically, the first access network device acquiring the access network device of the terminal device may be implemented in the following manner.

In the first mode, the first access network device determines the access network device of the terminal device according to the signal strength of the cell where the terminal device can reside.

Specifically, the first access network device may send second measurement configuration information to the terminal device according to the first indication information, where the second measurement configuration information is used to instruct the terminal device to measure the cell signal strength of the campable cell and the campable cell of the terminal device.

The terminal equipment receives the second measurement configuration information, and then the cell signal strength of the resident cell and the cell signal strength of the resident cell are measured according to the second measurement configuration information.

The terminal device sends a second measurement report to the first access network device, the second measurement report comprising a cell identity of a campeable cell of the terminal device and a cell signal strength of the campeable cell.

Wherein the cell identity of the campeable cell may be a new radio cell global identity (NR cell global identifier, NCGI).

Further, the first access network device may determine an access cell of the terminal device according to the cell signal strength of the cell where the cell may reside, and determine a device that provides an access service for the terminal device according to a cell identifier of the access cell of the terminal device, that is, the access network device of the terminal device.

For example, the first access network device selects a resident cell with the best cell signal strength as an access cell of the terminal device, and determines the access network device of the terminal device according to the cell identifier of the access cell and the corresponding relation between the cell identifier and the access network device.

In the second mode, the first access network device receives an RRC message from the terminal device, where the RRC message includes a cell identifier of the terminal device, and the first access network device determines the access network device of the terminal device according to the cell identifier of the terminal device.

Specifically, in the case that a connection has been directly established between the terminal device and a certain access network device, the first access network device sends an RRC message to the terminal device, where the RRC message is used to request the terminal device to report cell information of the terminal device. Further, the terminal device replies an RRC response message to the first access network device, where the RRC response message includes an identity of the terminal device and a cell identity of the terminal device.

The first access network equipment determines equipment for providing access service for the terminal equipment, namely the access network equipment of the terminal equipment according to the cell identification of the terminal equipment. For example, the cell identifier includes an identifier of the access network device, and the first access network device determines the access network device of the terminal device according to the identifier of the access network device in the cell identifier.

In a third mode, the first access network device receives a fourth message from the first session management function device or the access and mobility management function device, where the fourth message includes a cell identifier of the terminal device, and the first access network device determines the access network device of the terminal device according to the cell identifier of the terminal device.

Specifically, in the case that a connection has been directly established between the terminal device and a certain access network device, the terminal device may carry the identifier of the terminal device and the cell identifier of the terminal device in the first request message, and the first session management function device or the access and mobility management function device may send a fourth message to the first access network device, where the fourth message includes the cell identifier of the terminal device.

For example, in S530, the fourth message is transmitted together with the first QoS configuration information.

In the first to third modes, the cell identifier of the terminal device may be understood as the cell identifier of the access cell of the terminal device.

In one embodiment, the access network device of the terminal device is a first access network device, and the second communication path is a direct connection path, where the direct connection path is a path of the terminal device directly connecting to the first access network device.

At this time, the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a Uu interface between the terminal device and the first access network device.

Wherein in such an implementation, the access network resources of the first QoS flow may comprise resources configured by the first resource configuration information.

In yet another embodiment, the access network device of the terminal device is a second access network device, and the second communication path is a direct connection path, where the direct connection path is a path of the terminal device directly connecting to the second access network device.

At this time, the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a Uu interface between the terminal device and the second access network device.

In particular, the configuration information of the Uu interface between the terminal device and the second access network device may be understood as a configuration of a Uu-PDCP layer, a Uu-RLC layer, a Uu-MAC layer, a Uu-PHY layer, where the terminal device establishes a connection with the second access network device.

That is, the method 500 further includes: the first access network device sends a third message to the second access network device, the third message including first QoS configuration information, the second access network device determines first resource configuration information according to the first QoS configuration information, and further, the second access network device sends the first resource configuration information to the first access network device.

Optionally, the third message further comprises an identification of the terminal device.

It should be understood that, for case 2-1, if the terminal device also sends the second request message or the third request message, the specific method for determining the access network device of the terminal device may refer to case 2-2, and further, the content of the access network resource of the first QoS flow may refer to the description in case 2-2.

It should be noted that the implementation scenarios of the embodiment of the method 500 may be implemented separately or in combination with each other, and are not limited.

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of a method 600 for data transmission according to an embodiment of the present application. Method 600 may be considered a specific implementation of method 500, and method 600 may include the following steps.

S601, the remote UE sends a request message #1 to the AMF on the direct path.

Specifically, the remote UE transmits a request message #1 (an example of a first request message) to the gNB1, and the gNB1 transmits the request message #1 to the AMF.

The request message #1 includes indication information #1 (an example of first indication information), and the indication information #1 is a direct indication for indicating establishment of a QoS flow on a direct path.

The request message #1 further includes indication information #4 (an example of fourth indication information), and the indication information #4 indicates a Multi-Path for indicating that the AMF selects an SMF supporting Multi-Path communication.

The request message #1 may be a PDU session establishment request (PDU session establish request) message.

The remote UE may transmit the request message #1 through an UL NAS message.

The request message #1 may include a PDU session ID of PDU session #1.

The gNB1 is a base station serving a remote UE.

S602, the AMF sends a request message #1 to the SMF.

The AMF determines the SMF supporting the multipath according to the indication information #4 and transmits a request message #1 to the SMF.

The AMF may send the request message #1 to the SMF through an N11 message, which may be a PDU session creation context request (nsmf_pdu use_ createSMcontext request) message or the like.

S603, the SMF determines QoS configuration information #1 from the request message #1.

The SMF determines QoS configuration information #1 (an example of the first QoS configuration information) from the request message #1, the QoS configuration information #1 including QoS parameters of the QoS flow #1 (an example of the first QoS flow).

In addition, the SMF records that the path of the established QoS flow #1 is a direct path.

S604, the SMF sends instruction information #1, qoS configuration information #1, and response message #1 to the gNB 1.

Specifically, the response message #1 is used to respond to the request message #1.

The response message #1 may be a PDU session establishment receive (PDU session establish accept) message.

Specifically, the SMF may first send an N11 message to the AMF, the N11 message including an N1 SM container and an N2 SM container, the N1 SM container including a response message #1, the N2 SM container including an indication information #1 and a QoS configuration information #1, wherein the N11 message may be an N1N2 messaging (namf_communication_n1n2message transfer) message.

Further, the AMF sends N2 SM Container and N1 SM Container to gNB1.

S605, the gNB1 transmits resource configuration information #1 and a response message #1 to the remote UE.

The gNB1 determines resource configuration information #1 (an example of the first resource configuration information) according to the QoS configuration information #1, where the resource configuration information #1 is used to configure air interface resources of Uu interfaces (including Uu-PDCP layer, uu-RLC layer, uu-MAC layer, uu-PHY layer of the remote UE) between the remote UE and the gNB1.

The gNB1 transmits resource configuration information #1 and N1 SM container to the remote UE.

Through S601 to S605, qoS flow #1 is established on the direct path of the remote UE.

It should be understood that in the processes of S601 to S605, the QoS flows may be one or more, and the method 600 is illustrated by taking one QoS flow as QoS flow #1 as an example.

S606, the remote UE sends a request message #2 to the AMF on the direct path.

If the remote UE has a need to transmit data on a non-direct path, the remote UE sends a request message #2 to the AMF on the direct path.

Specifically, the remote UE transmits a request message #2 (an example of a second request message) to the gNB1, and the gNB1 transmits a request message #2 to the AMF.

The request message #2 includes indication information #2 (an example of second indication information), and the indication information #2 is an indication indicating that QoS flows are established on a non-direct path.

The request message #2 may be a PDU session modification request (PDU session modification request) message, and the request message #2 may include a PDU session ID of the PDU session # 1.

The remote UE may transmit the request message #2 through the UL NAS message.

S607, the AMF sends a request message #2 to the SMF.

The AMF may send the request message #2 to the SMF through an N11 message, which may be a PDU session update context request (nsmf_pdu use_ updateSMcontext request) message or the like.

S608, the SMF determines QoS configuration information #2 from the request message #2.

The SMF determines QoS configuration information #2 (an example of second QoS configuration information) from the request message #2, the QoS configuration information #2 including QoS parameters of the QoS flow #2 (an example of second QoS flow).

In addition, the SMF records that the path of the established QoS flow #2 is a non-direct path.

S609, the SMF transmits the indication information #2, qoS configuration information #2, and response message #2 to the gNB 1.

Specifically, the response message #2 is used to respond to the request message #2.

The response message #2 may be a PDU session modification receive (PDU session modification accept) message.

Specifically, the SMF may first send an N11 message to the AMF, the N11 message including an N1 SM container and an N2 SM container, the N1 SM container including a response message #2, the N2 SM container including an indication information #2 and a QoS configuration information #2, wherein the N11 message may be a PDU session update context response (nsmf_pdu use_ updateSMcontext response) message.

Further, the AMF sends N2 SM Container and N1 SM Container to gNB1.

S610, the gNB1 transmits measurement configuration information #1 to the remote UE according to the indication information #2.

The measurement configuration information #1 is used to instruct the remote UE to report the PC5 strength signal of one or more relay UEs.

S611, the remote UE sends measurement report #1 to gNB1.

Specifically, the remote UE measures the PC5 signal strength of one or more relay UEs and sends a measurement report #1 to the gNB1, the measurement report #1 including the ID of the one or more relay UEs, the cell identity (cell ID), and the PC5 signal strength.

S612, gNB1 determines relay UE1.

The gNB1 determines the relay UE1 from the PC5 signal strengths of one or more relay UEs.

S613, gNB1 determines the base station of relay UE1.

The gNB1 determines that the base station providing the access service for the relay UE1 is gNB1 according to the cell identification of the relay UE1.

S614, the gNB1 transmits the resource configuration information #2 to the relay UE1.

Specifically, the gNB1 determines resource configuration information #2 (an example of fifth resource configuration information) according to QoS configuration information #2, where the resource configuration information #2 is used to configure air interface resources of Uu interfaces (including Uu-RLC layer, uu-MAC layer, uu-PHY layer of the relay UE 1) between the relay UE1 and the gNB1, and air interface resources of PC5 interfaces (including PC5-RLC layer, PC5-MAC layer, PC5-PHY layer of the relay UE 1) between the remote UE and the relay UE1.

Further, the gNB1 transmits the resource configuration information #2 to the relay UE1. The resource configuration information #2 is transmitted to the relay UE1 through, for example, an RRC configuration message.

S615, the gNB1 sends the resource configuration information #13 and the response message #2 to the remote UE.

Specifically, the gNB1 determines resource configuration information #13 (an example of the second resource configuration information) according to the QoS configuration information #2, where the resource configuration information #13 is used to configure air interface resources of a Uu interface between the remote UE and the gNB1 (including a Uu-PDCP layer of the remote UE) and air interface resources of a PC5 interface between the remote UE and the relay UE1 (including a PC5-RLC layer, a PC5-MAC layer, and a PC5-PHY layer of the remote UE).

The gNB1 may send an RRC configuration message to the remote UE, the RRC configuration message including resource configuration information #13 and N1 SM container.

Through S601 to S615, qoS flow #1 is established in the direct path of the remote UE, qoS flow #2 is established in the non-direct path of the remote UE, and the base station of the direct path is the same as the base station of the non-direct path.

It should be understood that S610 to S612 are mainly applicable to a scenario where a remote UE is not connected to a relay UE, and in a case where the remote UE is not connected to a relay UE, S610 to S612 may be used to determine relay UE1 from information of one or more relay UEs.

In another implementation, in case the remote UE is already in a connected state with the relay UE1, the following alternatives are included.

Alternative 1, including S616 and S617, replaces S610 through S612 with S616 and S617. Specifically:

s616, the gNB1 sends an RRC message to the remote UE, where the RRC message is used to request information of the relay UE.

S617, the remote UE sends an RRC message to the gNB1, where the RRC message is used to respond S616, where the RRC message includes the identity of the relay UE1 and the cell identity of the relay UE 1.

Alternative 2, deletions S610 to S612, S606, S607 and S609 include the identity of UE1 and the cell identity of relay UE 1. Specifically:

in S606 and S607, the identity of the relay UE1 and the cell identity of the relay UE1 are included, and in S609, the SMF sends the identity of the relay UE1 and the cell identity of the relay UE1 to the gNB1 through the N2 container.

Alternative 3: s610 to S612 are deleted, and S606 and S609 include the identity of relay UE1 and the cell identity of relay UE 1. Specifically:

in S606, the identity of the relay UE1 and the cell identity of the relay UE1 are included, and in S609, when the AMF sends the N2 container to the gNB1, the N2 SM container includes the identity of the relay UE1 and the cell identity of the relay UE 1.

The UPF is used for providing service for the remote UE, and the AMF is used for providing service for the remote UE. Fig. 7 (a) is a schematic diagram of a data transmission path of the remote UE after S601 to S605, and as shown in fig. 7 (a), the data transmission path between the remote UE and the UPF is a direct connection path. Fig. 7 (b) is a schematic diagram of a transmission path of data of the remote UE after S606 to S615, and as shown in fig. 7 (b), the data transmission path between the remote UE and the UPF is a direct connection path and a non-direct connection path.

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of a method 800 for data transmission according to an embodiment of the present application. Method 800 may be considered a specific implementation of method 500, and method 800 may include the following steps.

S801 to S812 may refer to S601 to S612.

S813, gNB1 determines the base station of relay UE 1.

The gNB1 determines, according to the cell identifier of the relay UE1, that the base station providing the access service for the relay UE1 is the gNB2.

S814, the gNB1 transmits an addition request message #1 to the gNB2.

The add request message #1 is used to request an add data channel.

The addition request message #1 includes an uplink tunnel address of the UPF, information of the remote UE, qoS configuration information #2, an identity of the relay UE, and QFI of the QoS flow # 2. The information of the remote UE includes an identifier of the remote UE, capability information of the remote UE, security related information of the remote UE, subscription information, and the like.

S815, the gNB2 transmits an addition response message #1 to the gNB 1.

The addition response message #1 includes the downlink tunnel address of the gNB2, resource configuration information #3 (further example of sixth resource configuration information), and resource configuration information #14 (example of second resource configuration information).

Specifically, the gNB2 determines resource configuration information #3 according to the QoS configuration information #2, where the resource configuration information #3 is used to configure air interface resources of Uu interfaces (including Uu-RLC layer, uu-MAC layer, uu-PHY layer of the relay UE 1) between the relay UE1 and the gNB2, and air interface resources of PC5 interfaces (including PC5-RLC layer, PC5-MAC layer, and PC5-PHY layer of the relay UE 1) between the remote UE and the relay UE 1.

In addition, the gNB2 may further determine resource configuration information #14 (an example of the second resource configuration information) according to the QoS configuration information #2 and the information of the remote UE, where the resource configuration information #14 is used to configure air interface resources of a Uu interface between the remote UE and the gNB2 (including a Uu-PDCP layer of the remote UE) and air interface resources of a PC5 interface between the remote UE and the relay UE1 (including a PC5-RLC layer, a PC5-MAC layer, and a PC5-PHY layer of the remote UE).

S816, the gNB1 sends the resource configuration information #14 and the response message #2 to the remote UE.

The gNB1 may send an RRC configuration message to the remote UE, the RRC configuration message including resource configuration information #14 and N1 SM container.

S817, the gNB2 transmits the resource configuration information #3 to the relay UE 1.

For example, the gNB2 transmits the resource configuration information #3 to the relay UE1 through an RRC configuration message.

S818, the gNB1 sends the QFI of QoS flow #2 and downlink tunnel address information of gNB2 to the SMF.

Specifically, gNB1 may send a PDU session resource modification request (PDU session resource modify request) message to the AMF, including the downlink tunnel address information of gNB2 and the QFI of QoS flow # 2.

Further, the AMF may send an N11 message to the SMF, the N11 message may be a PDU session update context request (nsmf_pdu use_ updateSMcontext request) message, etc., the N11 message including downlink tunnel address information of the gNB2 and QFI of the QoS flow # 2.

S819, the SMF replies to the gNB1 with the updated UPF upstream tunnel address.

Specifically, the SMF may send an N11 message to the AMF, the N11 message may be a PDU session update context response (nsmf_pdu use_ updateSMcontext response) message, etc., and the N11 message includes an uplink tunnel address of the updated UPF.

Further, the AMF may send a PDU session resource modification response (PDU session resource modify response) message to the gNB1, the PDU session resource modification response message including the uplink tunnel address of the updated UPF.

S820, the gNB1 sends the updated uplink tunnel address of the UPF to the gNB2, and the gNB2 replies with a response message.

Specifically, gNB1 may send a modification request (modification request) message to gNB2 that includes the uplink tunnel address of the updated UPF.

The response message replied to by the gNB2 may be a modification response message.

It should be understood that S818 to S820 are procedures for establishing an N3 tunnel for QoS flow #2, where the N3 tunnel is a tunnel between the gNB2 and the UPF, the uplink tunnel address of the N3 tunnel is the uplink tunnel address of the updated UPF, and the downlink tunnel address of the N3 tunnel is the downlink tunnel address of the gNB 2.

Through S801 to S820, qoS flow #1 is established in the direct path of the remote UE, qoS flow #2 is established in the non-direct path of the remote UE, and the base station of the direct path is different from the base station of the non-direct path.

It should be appreciated that the alternatives in method 600 are also applicable to method 800.

The UPF is used for providing service for the remote UE, and the AMF is used for providing service for the remote UE. Fig. 9 (a) is a schematic diagram of a data transmission path of the remote UE after S801 to S805, and as shown in fig. 9 (a), the data transmission path between the remote UE and the UPF is a direct connection path. Fig. 9 (b) is a schematic diagram of a transmission path of data of the remote UE after S806 to S820, and as shown in fig. 9 (b), the data transmission path between the remote UE and the UPF is a direct connection path and a non-direct connection path.

Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of a method 1000 for data transmission according to an embodiment of the present application. Method 1000 may be considered a specific implementation of method 500, and method 1000 may include the following steps.

S1001, the remote UE sends a request message #3 to the AMF on the non-direct path.

Specifically, the remote UE relays UE transmission request message #3 (an example of the first request message), the relay UE transmits request message #3 to gNB1, and gNB1 transmits request message #3 to AMF.

The request message #3 includes indication information #3 (an example of first indication information), and the indication information #3 is an indication indicating that QoS flows are established on a non-direct path.

The request message #3 further includes indication information #4 (an example of fourth indication information), and the indication information #4 indicates a Multi-Path for indicating that the AMF selects an SMF supporting Multi-Path communication.

The request message #3 may be a PDU session establishment request (PDU session establish request) message.

The remote UE may transmit the request message #1 through an UL NAS message.

The request message #3 may include a PDU session ID of PDU session #1.

The gNB1 is a base station serving the relay UE.

S1002, the AMF sends a request message #3 to the SMF.

The AMF determines the SMF supporting the multipath according to the indication information #4 and transmits a request message #3 to the SMF.

The AMF may send the request message #3 to the SMF through an N11 message, which may be a PDU session creation context request (nsmf_pdu use_ createSMcontext request) message or the like.

S1003, the SMF determines QoS configuration information #3 from the request message #3.

The SMF determines QoS configuration information #3 (an example of the first QoS configuration information) from the request message #3, the QoS configuration information #3 including QoS parameters of the QoS flow #3 (an example of the first QoS flow).

In addition, the SMF records that the path of the established QoS flow #3 is a non-direct path.

S1004, the SMF transmits the indication information #3, qoS configuration information #3, and response message #3 to the gNB 1.

Specifically, the response message #3 is used to respond to the request message #3.

The response message #3 may be a PDU session establishment receive (PDU session establish accept) message.

Specifically, the SMF may first send an N11 message to the AMF, the N11 message including an N1 SM container and an N2SM container, the N1 SM container including a response message #3, the N2SM container including an indication information #3 and a QoS configuration information #3, wherein the N11 message may be an N1N2 messaging (namf_communication_n1n2message transfer) message.

Further, the AMF sends N2 SM Container and N1 SM Container to gNB1.

S1005, the gNB1 transmits the resource configuration information #4 and the response message #3 to the remote UE.

The gNB1 determines resource configuration information #4 (an example of the first resource configuration information) from the QoS configuration information #3, where the resource configuration information #4 is used to configure air interface resources of a PC5 interface (including a PC5-RLC layer, a PC5-MAC layer, and a PC5-PHY layer of the remote UE) between the remote UE and the relay UE, and air interface resources of a Uu interface (including a Uu-PDCP layer of the remote UE) between the remote UE and the gNB1.

In addition, the gNB1 determines resource configuration information #15 according to the QoS configuration information #3, where the resource configuration information #15 is used to configure air interface resources of the PC5 interface (including the PC5-RLC layer, the PC5-MAC layer, and the PC5-PHY layer of the relay UE 1) between the relay UE and the gNB1, and air interface resources of the Uu interface (including the Uu-RLC layer, the Uu-MAC layer, and the Uu-PHY layer of the relay UE) between the relay UE1 and the gNB1.

gNB1 transmits resource configuration information #4 and N1 SM connector to the remote UE, and transmits resource configuration information #15 to the relay UE.

Through S1001 to S1005, qoS flow #3 is established on the non-direct path of the remote UE.

It should be understood that in the processes from S1001 to S1005, the QoS flows may be one or more, and the method 1000 is illustrated by taking one QoS flow as QoS flow #3 as an example.

S1006, the remote UE sends a request message #4 to the AMF on the non-direct path.

If the remote UE has a need to transmit data on the direct path, the remote UE sends a request message #4 to the AMF on the non-direct path.

Specifically, the remote UE transmits a request message #4 (an example of a second request message) to the gNB1, and the gNB1 transmits the request message #4 to the AMF.

The request message #4 includes indication information #5 (an example of second indication information), and the indication information #5 is a direct indication for indicating establishment of a QoS flow on a direct path.

The request message #4 may be a PDU session modification request (PDU session modification request) message, and the request message #4 may include a PDU session ID of the PDU session # 1.

The remote UE may transmit the request message #4 through the UL NAS message.

S1007, the AMF sends a request message #4 to the SMF.

The AMF may send the request message #4 to the SMF through an N11 message, which may be a PDU session update context request (nsmf_pdu use_ updateSMcontext request) message or the like.

S1008, the SMF determines QoS configuration information #4 from the request message #4.

The SMF determines QoS configuration information #4 (an example of the second QoS configuration information) from the request message #4, the QoS configuration information #4 including QoS parameters of the QoS flow #4.

In addition, the SMF records that the path of the established QoS flow #4 is a direct path.

S1009, the SMF transmits the indication information #5, qoS configuration information #4, and response message #4 to the gNB1.

Specifically, the response message #4 is used to respond to the request message #4.

The response message #4 may be a PDU session modification receive (PDU session modification accept) message.

Specifically, the SMF may first send an N11 message to the AMF, the N11 message including N1 SM container and N2 SM container, the N1 SM container including the response message #4, the N2 SM container including the indication information #5 and the QoS configuration information #4, wherein the N11 message may be a PDU session update context response (nsmf_pdu use_ updateSMcontext response) message.

Further, the AMF sends N2 SM Container and N1 SM Container to gNB1.

S1010, the gNB1 transmits measurement configuration information #2 to the remote UE according to the instruction information # 5.

The measurement configuration information #2 is used to instruct the remote UE to report the camping cell.

S1011, the remote UE sends measurement report #2 to the gNB1.

Specifically, the remote UE measures the signal strength of the campeable cell and sends a measurement report #2 to the gNB1, the measurement report #2 including the cell identity of the campeable cell and the cell signal strength of the campeable cell.

S1012, gNB1 determines the base station of the remote UE.

gNB1 determines the base station of the remote UE as gNB1 according to the cell identification of the resident cell and the cell signal strength of the resident cell.

S1013, the gNB1 transmits the resource configuration information #5 and the response message #4 to the remote UE.

Specifically, the gNB1 determines resource configuration information #5 (an example of the second resource configuration information) according to the QoS configuration information #4, where the resource configuration information #5 is used to configure air interface resources of Uu interfaces (including Uu-PDCP layer, uu-RLC layer, uu-MAC layer, uu-PHY layer of the remote UE) between the remote UE and the gNB1.

The gNB1 may send an RRC configuration message to the remote UE, the RRC configuration message including resource configuration information #5 and N1 SM container.

In another implementation, the following alternatives are included in case the remote UE has established a connection with a certain gNB.

Alternative 1, including S1014 and S1016, replaces S1010 through S1012 with S1014 and S1015. Specifically:

s1014, the gNB1 transmits an RRC message to the remote UE, the RRC message requesting information of the remote UE.

S1015, the remote UE sends an RRC message to the gNB1, where the RRC message is used to respond S1014, and the RRC message includes the cell identity of the remote UE.

S1016, gNB1 determines that gNB1 connected with the remote UE is gNB1 according to the cell identification of the remote UE.

Alternative 2, delete S1010 to S1012, S1006, S1007 and S1009 include the cell identity of the remote UE. Specifically:

the cell identity of the remote UE is included in S1006 and S1007, and the SMF transmits the cell identity of the remote UE to the gNB1 through the N2 container in S1009.

Alternative 2 also includes S1016 described above.

Alternative 3: the deletions S1010 to S1012, S1006 and S1009 include the cell identity of the remote UE. Specifically:

in S1006, the cell identifier of the remote UE is included, and in S1009, when the AMF sends the N2 container to the gNB1, the N2 SM container includes the cell identifier of the remote UE.

Alternative 3 also includes S1016 described above.

Through S1001 to S1013, qoS flow #3 is established in the non-direct path of the remote UE, qoS flow #4 is established in the direct path of the remote UE, and the base station of the direct path is the same as the base station of the non-direct path.

The UPF is used for providing service for the remote UE, and the AMF is used for providing service for the remote UE. Fig. 11 (a) is a schematic diagram of a data transmission path of the remote UE after S1001 to S1005, and as shown in fig. 11 (a), the data transmission path between the remote UE and the UPF is a non-direct connection path. Fig. 11 (b) is a schematic diagram of a transmission path of data of the remote UE after S1006 to S1013, and as shown in fig. 11 (b), the data transmission path between the remote UE and the UPF is a non-direct connection path and a direct connection path.

Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of a method 1200 for data transmission according to an embodiment of the present application. Method 1200 may be considered a specific implementation of method 500, and method 1200 may include the following steps.

S1201 to S1211 may refer to S1001 to S1011.

S1212, gNB1 determines the base station of the remote UE.

The gNB1 determines that the base station of the remote UE is gNB2 according to the cell identification of the resident cell and the cell signal strength of the resident cell.

S1213, the gNB1 transmits an addition request message #2 to the gNB2.

The add request message #2 is used to request an add data channel.

The addition request message #2 includes an uplink tunnel address of the UPF, information of the remote UE, qoS configuration information #4, and QFI of the QoS flow # 4. The information of the remote UE includes security related information, subscription information, and the like of the remote UE.

S1214, the gNB2 transmits the addition response message #2 to the gNB 1.

The addition response message #2 includes the downlink tunnel address of the gNB2 and resource configuration information #6 (further example of the second resource configuration information).

Specifically, the gNB2 determines resource configuration information #6 according to the QoS configuration information #4, where the resource configuration information #6 is used to configure air interface resources of Uu interfaces (including Uu-PDCP layer, uu-RLC layer, uu-MAC layer, uu-PHY layer of the remote UE) between the remote UE and the gNB2.

S1215, the gNB1 transmits the resource configuration information #6 and the response message #4 to the remote UE.

The gNB1 may send an RRC configuration message to the remote UE, the RRC configuration message including resource configuration information #6 and N1 SM container.

S1216, gNB1 transmits downlink tunnel address information of gNB2 and QFI of QoS flow #4 to the SMF.

Specifically, gNB1 may send a PDU session resource modification request (PDU session resource modify request) message to the AMF, including the downlink tunnel address information of gNB2 and the QFI of QoS flow #4.

Further, the AMF may send an N11 message to the SMF, the N11 message may be a PDU session update context request (nsmf_pdu use_ updateSMcontext request) message, etc., the N11 message including downlink tunnel address information of the gNB2 and QFI of the QoS flow #4.

S1217, the SMF replies to the gNB1 with the updated UPF uplink tunnel address.

S1218, the gNB1 sends the updated UPF uplink tunnel address to the gNB2, and the gNB2 replies with a response message.

It should be understood that S1216 to S1218 are procedures for establishing an N3 tunnel for QoS flow #4, where the N3 tunnel is a tunnel between the gNB2 and the UPF, an uplink tunnel address of the N3 tunnel is an uplink tunnel address of the updated UPF, and a downlink tunnel address of the N3 tunnel is a downlink tunnel address of the gNB 2.

Through S1201 to S1218, qoS flow #3 is established in the non-direct path of the remote UE, qoS flow #4 is established in the direct path of the remote UE, and the base station of the direct path is different from the base station of the non-direct path.

It should be appreciated that the alternatives in method 1000 are also applicable to method 1200.

The UPF is used for providing service for the remote UE, and the AMF is used for providing service for the remote UE. Fig. 13 (a) is a schematic diagram of a transmission path of data of the remote UE after S1201 to S1205, and as shown in fig. 13 (a), the data transmission path between the remote UE and the UPF is a non-direct connection path. Fig. 13 (b) is a schematic diagram of a transmission path of data of the remote UE after S1206 to S1218, and as shown in fig. 13 (b), the data transmission path between the remote UE and the UPF is a non-direct connection path and a direct connection path.

Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram of a method 1400 for data transmission according to an embodiment of the present application. Method 1400 may be viewed as a specific implementation of method 500, and method 1400 may include the following steps.

S1401 to S1405 may refer to S601 to S605, and the method 1400 is described by taking as an example the establishment of two QoS flows, i.e., qoS flow #1 and QoS flow #5 (two examples of the first QoS flow) on the direct path of the remote UE.

S1406, the remote UE sends a request message #5 to the AMF on the direct path.

If the remote UE has a need to transmit data on a non-direct path, the remote UE sends a request message #5 (an example of a third request message) to the AMF on the direct path.

Specifically, the remote UE sends a request message #5 to gNB1, and gNB1 sends a request message #5 to the AMF.

The request message #5 includes QFI of the indication information #6 (an example of the third indication information) and the QoS flow #5 (an example of the third QoS flow), the indication information #6 being "transfer to indirect (transition to non-direct connection) indication", and the "transfer to indirect (transition to non-direct connection) indication" indicating that the QoS flow #5 is to be transferred to the non-direct connection path.

The request message #5 may be a PDU session modification request (PDU session modification request) message, and the request message #5 may include a PDU session ID of PDU session # 1.

The remote UE may transmit the request message #5 through the UL NAS message.

S1407, the AMF sends a request message #5 to the SMF.

The AMF may send the request message #5 to the SMF through an N11 message, which may be a PDU session update context request (nsmf_pdu use_ updateSMcontext request) message, or the like.

S1408, the SMF determines QoS configuration information #5 from the request message #5.

The SMF determines QoS configuration information #5 (an example of third QoS configuration information) from the request message #5, the QoS configuration information #5 including QoS parameters of the QoS flow #5.

In addition, the SMF records that the path after QoS flow #5 transition is a non-direct path.

S1409, the SMF transmits the instruction information #6, QFI of the QoS flow #5, qoS configuration information #5, and response message #5 to the gNB 1.

Specifically, the response message #5 is used to respond to the request message #5.

The response message #5 may be a PDU session modification receive (PDU session modification accept) message.

Specifically, the SMF may first send an N11 message to the AMF, the N11 message including an N1 SM container and an N2 SM container, the N1 SM container including a response message #5, the N2 SM container including an indication information #6, a QFI of the QoS flow #5, and the QoS configuration information #5, wherein the N11 message may be a PDU session update context response (nsmf_pdu use_ updateSMcontext response) message.

Further, the AMF sends N2 SM Container and N1 SM Container to gNB1.

S1410, the gNB1 transmits measurement configuration information #3 to the remote UE according to the indication information # 6.

The measurement configuration information #3 is used to instruct the remote UE to report the PC5 strength signal of one or more relay UEs.

S1411, the remote UE sends measurement report #3 to the gNB1.

Specifically, the remote UE measures the PC5 signal strength of one or more relay UEs and sends a measurement report #3 to the gNB1, the measurement report #3 including the ID of the one or more relay UEs, the cell identity (cell ID), and the PC5 signal strength.

S1412, gNB1 determines relay UE1.

S1413, gNB1 determines the base station of relay UE1.

S1414, the gNB1 transmits the resource configuration information #7 to the relay UE1.

Specifically, the gNB1 determines resource configuration information #7 (an example of sixth resource configuration information) according to the QoS configuration information #5, where the resource configuration information #7 is used to configure air interface resources of Uu interfaces (including Uu-RLC layer, uu-MAC layer, uu-PHY layer of the relay UE 1) between the relay UE1 and the gNB1, and air interface resources of PC5 interfaces (including PC5-RLC layer, PC5-MAC layer, and PC5-PHY layer of the relay UE 1) between the remote UE and the relay UE1.

Further, the gNB1 transmits the resource configuration information #7 to the relay UE 1. For example, the resource configuration information #7 is transmitted to the relay UE1 through an RRC configuration message.

S1415, the gNB1 transmits the resource configuration information #16, the resource configuration information #8, and the response message #5 to the remote UE.

Specifically, the gNB1 determines resource configuration information #16 (an example of third resource configuration information) according to the QoS configuration information #5, where the resource configuration information #16 is used to configure air interface resources of a Uu interface between the remote UE and the gNB1 (including a Uu-PDCP layer of the remote UE) and air interface resources of a PC5 interface between the remote UE and the relay UE1 (including a PC5-RLC layer, a PC5-MAC layer, and a PC5-PHY layer of the remote UE).

The gNB1 may send an RRC configuration message to the remote UE, the RRC configuration message including resource configuration information #16 and N1 SM container.

In addition, the gNB1 transmits resource allocation information #8 (an example of the third resource allocation information, and an example of the fourth resource allocation information) to the remote UE according to the QFI of the instruction information #6 and the QoS flow #5, and the resource allocation information #8 is used to allocate the remote UE to delete the air interface resource of the QoS flow #5 on the direct path.

Through S1401 to S1415, qoS flow #5 of the direct path of the far-end UE is transferred to the non-direct path, and the base station of the direct path is the same as the base station of the non-direct path.

It should be appreciated that the alternatives in method 600 are also applicable to method 1400.

The method 1400 differs from the method 600 mainly in that: the content indicated by the indication information #6 and the content indicated by the indication information #2 are different, and the method 1400 configures the non-direct path of the QoS flow #5, and also deletes the air interface resource of the QoS flow #5 in the direct path.

The UPF is used for providing service for the remote UE, and the AMF is used for providing service for the remote UE. Fig. 15 (a) is a schematic diagram of a transmission path of data of the remote UE after S1401 to S1405, and as shown in fig. 15 (a), the data transmission path between the remote UE and the UPF is a direct connection path. Fig. 15 (b) is a schematic diagram of a transmission path of data of the remote UE after S1406 to S1415, and as shown in fig. 15 (b), the data transmission path between the remote UE and the UPF is a direct connection path and a non-direct connection path.

Fig. 16 is a schematic diagram of a method 1600 for data transmission according to an embodiment of the present application. Method 1600 may be viewed as a specific implementation of method 500, and method 1600 may include the following steps.

S1601 to S1612 may refer to S1401 to S1412.

S1613, the gNB1 determines the base station of the relay UE 1.

S1614, the gNB1 transmits an addition request message #3 to the gNB2.

The add request message #3 is used to request an add data channel.

The addition request message #3 includes an uplink tunnel address of the UPF, information of the remote UE, qoS configuration information #5, an identity of the relay UE, and QFI of the QoS flow # 5. The information of the remote UE includes an identifier of the remote UE, capability information of the remote UE, security related information of the remote UE, subscription information, and the like.

S1615, the gNB2 transmits an add response message #3 to the gNB 1.

The addition response message #3 includes the downlink tunnel address of the gNB2, resource configuration information #9 (further example of sixth resource configuration information), and resource configuration information #17 (example of third resource configuration information).

Specifically, the gNB2 determines resource configuration information #9 according to QoS configuration information #5, where the resource configuration information #9 is used to configure air interface resources of Uu interfaces (including Uu-RLC layer, uu-MAC layer, uu-PHY layer of the relay UE 1) between the relay UE1 and the gNB2, and air interface resources of PC5 interfaces (including PC5-RLC layer, PC5-MAC layer, and PC5-PHY layer of the relay UE 1) between the remote UE and the relay UE 1.

In addition, the gNB2 may further determine resource configuration information #17 (an example of the third resource configuration information) according to the QoS configuration information #5 and the information of the remote UE, where the resource configuration information #17 is used to configure air interface resources of a Uu interface between the remote UE and the gNB2 (including a Uu-PDCP layer of the remote UE) and air interface resources of a PC5 interface between the remote UE and the relay UE1 (including a PC5-RLC layer, a PC5-MAC layer, and a PC5-PHY layer of the remote UE).

S1616, the gNB1 transmits the resource configuration information #17, the resource configuration information #8, and the response message #5 to the remote UE.

The gNB1 may send an RRC configuration message to the remote UE, the RRC configuration message including resource configuration information #17 and N1 SM container.

S1617, the gNB2 transmits the resource configuration information #9 to the relay UE 1.

For example, the gNB2 transmits the resource configuration information #9 to the relay UE1 through an RRC configuration message.

S1618, gNB1 transmits downlink tunnel address information of gNB2 and QFI of QoS flow #5 to the SMF.

Specifically, gNB1 may send a PDU session resource modification request (PDU session resource modify request) message to the AMF, including the downlink tunnel address information of gNB2 and the QFI of QoS flow # 5.

Further, the AMF may send an N11 message to the SMF, the N11 message may be a PDU session update context request (nsmf_pdu use_ updateSMcontext request) message, etc., the N11 message including downlink tunnel address information of the gNB2 and QFI of the QoS flow # 5.

S1619, the SMF replies to the gNB1 with the updated UPF uplink tunnel address.

S1620, the gNB1 sends the updated UPF uplink tunnel address to the gNB2, and the gNB2 replies with a response message.

It should be understood that S1618 to S1620 are processes of updating the N3 tunnel for QoS flow #5, where the updated N3 tunnel is a tunnel between the gNB2 and the UPF, the uplink tunnel address of the N3 tunnel is the uplink tunnel address of the updated UPF, and the downlink tunnel address of the N3 tunnel is the downlink tunnel address of the gNB 2.

Through S1601 to S1620, qoS flow #5 of the direct path of the remote UE is transferred to the non-direct path, and the base station of the direct path is different from the base station of the non-direct path.

It should be appreciated that the alternatives in method 600 are also applicable to method 1600.

The UPF is used for providing service for the remote UE, and the AMF is used for providing service for the remote UE. Fig. 17 (a) is a schematic diagram of a data transmission path of the remote UE after S1601 to S1605, and as shown in fig. 17 (a), the data transmission path between the remote UE and the UPF is a direct connection path. Fig. 17 (b) is a schematic diagram of a transmission path of data of the remote UE after S1606 to S1620, and as shown in fig. 17 (b), the data transmission path between the remote UE and the UPF is a direct connection path and a non-direct connection path.

Fig. 18 is a schematic diagram of a method 1800 for data transmission according to an embodiment of the present application. Method 1800 may be considered a specific implementation of method 500, and method 1800 may include the following steps.

S1801 to S1805 may refer to S1001 to S1005, and the method 1800 will be described by taking as an example the establishment of two QoS flows, i.e., qoS flow #3 and QoS flow #6 (two examples of the first QoS flow) on the non-direct path of the remote UE.

S1806, the remote UE sends a request message #6 to the AMF on the non-direct path.

If the remote UE has a need to transmit data on the direct path, the remote UE sends a request message #6 (an example of a third request message) to the AMF on the non-direct path.

Specifically, the remote UE sends a request message #6 to gNB1, and gNB1 sends a request message #6 to the AMF.

The request message #6 includes QFI of indication information #7 (an example of third indication information) and QoS flow #6 (an example of third QoS flow), and the indication information #7 is "transfer) +direct indication" for indicating transfer of QoS flow #6 to a direct path.

The request message #6 may be a PDU session modification request (PDU session modification request) message, and the request message #6 may include a PDU session ID of PDU session # 1.

The remote UE may transmit the request message #6 through the UL NAS message.

S1807, the AMF sends a request message #6 to the SMF.

The AMF may send the request message #6 to the SMF through an N11 message, which may be a PDU session update context request (nsmf_pdu use_ updateSMcontext request) message or the like.

S1808, the SMF determines QoS configuration information #6 from the request message #6.

The SMF determines QoS configuration information #6 (an example of third QoS configuration information) from the request message #6, the QoS configuration information #6 including QoS parameters of the QoS flow #6.

In addition, the SMF records that the path after QoS flow #6 transition is a direct path.

S1809, the SMF transmits the instruction information #7, QFI of the QoS flow #6, qoS configuration information #6, and response message #6 to the gNB 1.

Specifically, the response message #6 is used to respond to the request message #6.

The response message #6 may be a PDU session modification receive (PDU session modification accept) message.

Specifically, the SMF may first send an N11 message to the AMF, the N11 message including an N1 SM container and an N2 SM container, the N1 SM container including the response message #6, the N2 SM container including the indication information #7, the QFI of the QoS flow #6, and the QoS configuration information #6, wherein the N11 message may be a PDU session update context response (nsmf_pdu use_ updateSMcontext response) message.

Further, the AMF sends N2 SM Container and N1 SM Container to gNB1.

S1810, the gNB1 transmits measurement configuration information #4 to the remote UE according to the instruction information # 7.

The measurement configuration information #4 is used to instruct the remote UE to report the camping cell.

S1811, the remote UE sends measurement report #4 to gNB1.

Specifically, the remote UE measures the signal strength of the campeable cell and sends a measurement report #4 to the gNB1, the measurement report #4 including the cell identity of the campeable cell and the cell signal strength of the campeable cell.

S1812, gNB1 determines the base station of the remote UE.

S1813, the gNB1 transmits resource configuration information #10, resource configuration information #11, and response message #6 to the remote UE.

Specifically, the gNB1 determines resource configuration information #10 (an example of third resource configuration information) according to the QoS configuration information #6, where the resource configuration information #10 is used to configure air interface resources of Uu interfaces (including Uu-PDCP layer, uu-RLC layer, uu-MAC layer, uu-PHY layer of the remote UE) between the remote UE and the gNB1.

The gNB1 may send an RRC configuration message to the remote UE, the RRC configuration message including resource configuration information #10 and N1 SM container.

In addition, the gNB1 transmits resource allocation information #11 (an example of the third resource allocation information, and an example of the fourth resource allocation information) to the remote UE according to the QFI of the instruction information #7 and the QoS flow #6, and the resource allocation information #11 is used to allocate the remote UE to delete the air interface resource of the QoS flow #6 on the non-direct path.

Through S1801 to S1813, qoS flow #6 of the non-direct path of the remote UE is transferred to the direct path, and the base station of the direct path is the same as the base station of the non-direct path.

It should be appreciated that the alternatives in method 1000 are also applicable to method 1800.

The UPF is used for providing service for the remote UE, and the AMF is used for providing service for the remote UE. Fig. 19 (a) is a schematic diagram of a data transmission path of the remote UE after S1801 to S1805, and as shown in fig. 19 (a), the data transmission path between the remote UE and the UPF is a non-direct path. Fig. 19 (b) is a schematic diagram of a data transmission path of the remote UE after S1806 to S1813, and as shown in fig. 19 (b), the data transmission path between the remote UE and the UPF is a non-direct connection path and a direct connection path.

Fig. 20 is a schematic diagram of a method 2000 for data transmission according to an embodiment of the present application. Method 2000 may be considered a specific implementation of method 500, and method 2000 may include the following steps.

S2001 to S2011 may refer to S1801 to S1811.

S2012, gNB1 determines the base station of the remote UE.

S2013, the gNB1 sends an add request message #4 to the gNB2.

The add request message #4 is used to request an add data channel.

The addition request message #4 includes an uplink tunnel address of the UPF, information of the remote UE, qoS configuration information #6, and QFI of the QoS flow #6. The information of the remote UE includes security related information, subscription information, and the like of the remote UE.

S2014, gNB2 sends an add response message #4 to gNB 1.

The addition response message #6 includes the downlink tunnel address of the gNB2 and the resource configuration information #12 (further example of the third resource configuration information).

Specifically, the gNB2 determines resource configuration information #12 according to the QoS configuration information #6, where the resource configuration information #12 is used to configure air interface resources of Uu interfaces (including Uu-PDCP layer, uu-RLC layer, uu-MAC layer, uu-PHY layer of the remote UE) between the remote UE and the gNB2.

S2015, the gNB1 transmits the resource configuration information #12, the resource configuration information #11, and the response message #6 to the remote UE.

The gNB1 may send an RRC configuration message to the remote UE, the RRC configuration message including resource configuration information #12 and N1 SM container.

S2016, gNB1 transmits the QFI of QoS flow #6 and the downlink tunnel address information of gNB2 to the SMF.

Specifically, gNB1 may send a PDU session resource modification request (PDU session resource modify request) message to the AMF, including the downlink tunnel address information of gNB2 and the QFI of QoS flow # 6.

Further, the AMF may send an N11 message to the SMF, the N11 message may be a PDU session update context request (nsmf_pdu use_ updateSMcontext request) message, etc., the N11 message including downlink tunnel address information of the gNB2 and QFI of the QoS flow # 6.

S2017, the SMF replies to the gNB1 with the updated UPF uplink tunnel address.

S2018, the gNB1 sends the updated UPF uplink tunnel address to the gNB2, and the gNB2 replies with a response message.

It should be understood that S2016 to S2018 are processes of updating an N3 tunnel for QoS flow #6, where the updated N3 tunnel is a tunnel between gNB2 and UPF, an uplink tunnel address of the N3 tunnel is an uplink tunnel address of the updated UPF, and a downlink tunnel address of the N3 tunnel is a downlink tunnel address of gNB 2.

Through S2001 to S2018, qoS flow #6 of the non-direct path of the remote UE is transferred to the direct path, and the base station of the direct path is different from the base station of the non-direct path.

It should be appreciated that the alternatives in method 1000 are also applicable to method 2000.

The UPF is used for providing service for the remote UE, and the AMF is used for providing service for the remote UE. Fig. 21 (a) is a schematic diagram of a data transmission path of the remote UE after S2001 to S2005, and as shown in fig. 21 (a), the data transmission path between the remote UE and the UPF is a non-direct connection path. Fig. 21 (b) is a schematic diagram of a transmission path of data of the remote UE after S2006 to S2018, and as shown in fig. 21 (b), the data transmission path between the remote UE and the UPF is a non-direct connection path and a direct connection path.

The apparatus 2200 comprises a transceiver unit 2210, the transceiver unit 2210 may be used for implementing corresponding communication functions, and the transceiver unit 2210 may also be referred to as a communication interface or a communication unit

Optionally, the apparatus 2200 may further comprise a processing unit 2220, where the processing unit 2220 may be configured to perform data processing.

Optionally, the apparatus 2200 further comprises a storage unit, where the storage unit may be configured to store instructions and/or data, and the processing unit 2220 may read the instructions and/or data in the storage unit, so that the apparatus implements the actions of the different devices in the foregoing method embodiments, for example, actions of the terminal device, the first access network device, the second access network device, the access and mobility management function device, or the first session management function device.

As a design, the apparatus 2200 is configured to perform the actions performed by the terminal device in the above method embodiments.

Specifically, the transceiver unit 2210 is configured to send a first request message to the network device, where the first request message includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate that a first QoS flow is established on the first communication path or the second communication path, and the first QoS flow is used to transmit data of the apparatus; the transceiver unit 2210 is further configured to: receiving first resource allocation information, wherein the first resource allocation information is used for allocating access network resources of a first QoS flow, a first communication path is a direct connection path, and a second communication path is a non-direct connection path; or, the first communication path is a non-direct path, and the second communication path is a direct path.

Optionally, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first QoS flow is established on the first communication path, and the transceiver unit 2210 is further configured to: transmitting a second request message to the network device through the first communication path, the second request message including second indication information for indicating establishment of a second QoS flow in the second communication path, the second QoS flow being for transmitting data of the apparatus; the transceiver unit 2210 is further configured to: and receiving second resource configuration information, wherein the second resource configuration information is used for configuring access network resources of a second QoS flow.

Optionally, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first QoS flow is established on the first communication path, and the transceiver unit 2210 is further configured to: transmitting a third request message to the network device through the first communication path, the third request message including third indication information and QoS flow identification information of a third QoS flow, the third indication information being used to indicate a transfer of the third QoS flow to the second communication path, the third QoS flow being at least one of the first QoS flows; the transceiver unit 2210 is further configured to: and receiving third resource configuration information, wherein the third resource configuration information is used for configuring access network resources of a third QoS flow.

Optionally, the third resource configuration information is specifically used for: allocating access network resources of the third QoS flow in the second communication path; the access network resources of the third QoS flow on the first communication path are deleted.

Optionally, the third resource configuration information is specifically configured to allocate access network resources of the third QoS flow on the second communication path, and the transceiver unit 2210 is further configured to: fourth configuration information is received, the fourth configuration information being used to delete access network resources of the third QoS flow on the first communication path.

Optionally, the first request message further includes fourth indication information for indicating a session management function device determined to support multipath.

Optionally, the first communication path is a path that the apparatus directly connects to a first access network device, the first indication information is used to indicate that a first QoS flow is established on the first communication path, and the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a Uu interface between the apparatus and the first access network device.

Optionally, the first communication path is a path of the apparatus directly connecting to the first access network device, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first QoS flow is established on the second communication path, and the transceiver unit 2210 is further used to: and transmitting a cell identifier of the first relay terminal equipment, wherein the cell identifier of the first relay terminal equipment is used for determining access network equipment of the first relay terminal equipment, and the equipment of the second communication path comprises the first relay terminal equipment.

Optionally, the transceiver unit 2210 is specifically configured to: transmitting a first measurement report to a first access network device, the first measurement report including a cell identity of at least one relay terminal device and a proximity services communication, PC5, signal strength of the at least one relay terminal device, the at least one relay terminal device including a first relay terminal device, the PC5 signal strength of the at least one relay terminal device being used to determine the first relay terminal device; or, sending a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message to the first access network device, wherein the RRC message comprises a cell identifier of the first relay terminal device; or, the first request message includes a cell identity of the first relay terminal device.

Optionally, the access network device of the first relay terminal device is a first access network device, the second communication path is a path that the apparatus connects to the first access network device through the first relay terminal device, and the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a PC5 interface between the apparatus and the first relay terminal device, and configuration information of a Uu interface between the terminal device and the first access network device.

Optionally, the access network device of the first relay terminal device is a second access network device, the second communication path is a path that the apparatus connects to the second access network device through the first relay terminal device, and the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a PC5 interface between the apparatus and the first relay terminal device, and configuration information of a Uu interface between the terminal device and the second access network device.

Optionally, the first communication path is a path that the apparatus connects to the first access network device through the first relay terminal device, the first indication information is used to indicate that a first QoS flow is established in the first communication path, and the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a PC5 interface between the apparatus and the first relay terminal device, and configuration information of a Uu interface between the terminal device and the first access network device.

Optionally, the first communication path is a path of the apparatus connecting to the first access network device through the first relay terminal device, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first QoS flow is established in the second communication path, and the transceiver unit 2210 is further configured to: a second measurement report is sent to the first access network device, the second measurement report comprising a cell signal strength of a campeable cell of the apparatus, the cell signal strength being used to determine the access network device of the apparatus.

Optionally, the access network device of the apparatus is a first access network device, the second communication path is a path of the apparatus directly connected to the first access network device, and the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a Uu interface between the apparatus and the first access network device.

Optionally, the access network device of the apparatus is a second access network device, the second communication path is a path of the apparatus directly connecting to the second access network device, and the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a Uu interface between the apparatus and the second access network device.

The apparatus 2200 may implement steps or flows corresponding to those performed by the terminal device in the method embodiment according to the embodiment of the present application, and the apparatus 2200 may include units for performing the method performed by the terminal device in the embodiment shown in fig. 5, or units for performing the method by the remote UE in the embodiment shown in fig. 6, fig. 8, fig. 10, fig. 12, fig. 14, fig. 16, fig. 18 and fig. 20.

It should be understood that the specific process of each unit performing the corresponding steps has been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and is not described herein for brevity.

As a design, the apparatus 2200 is configured to perform the actions performed by the first access network device in the above method embodiments.

Specifically, the transceiver unit 2210 is configured to receive first indication information and first quality of service QoS configuration information, where the first indication information is used to indicate that a first QoS flow is established on a first communication path or a second communication path, the first QoS configuration information is used to determine access network resources of the first QoS flow, and the first QoS flow is used to transmit data of a terminal device; the transceiver unit 2210 is further configured to: transmitting first resource configuration information to the terminal equipment through a first communication path, wherein the first resource configuration information is determined according to first indication information and first QoS configuration information, and the first resource configuration information is used for configuring access network resources of a first QoS flow; the first communication path is a direct connection path, and the second communication path is a non-direct connection path; or, the first communication path is a non-direct path, and the second communication path is a direct path.

Optionally, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first QoS flow is established on the first communication path, and the transceiver unit 2210 is further configured to: receiving second indication information and second QoS configuration information, wherein the second indication information is used for indicating that a second QoS flow is established in a second communication path, the second QoS configuration information is used for determining access network resources of the second QoS flow, and the second QoS flow is used for transmitting data of terminal equipment; the transceiver unit 2210 is further configured to: and sending second resource configuration information to the terminal equipment through the first communication path, wherein the second resource configuration information is determined according to the second indication information and the second QoS configuration information, and the second resource configuration information is used for configuring access network resources of the second QoS flow.

Optionally, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first QoS flow is established on the first communication path, and the transceiver unit 2210 is further configured to: receiving third indication information, third QoS configuration information and QoS flow identification information of a third QoS flow, where the third indication information is used to indicate that the third QoS flow is transferred to the second communication path, the third QoS configuration information is used to determine access network resources of the first QoS flow, and the third QoS flow is at least one of the first QoS flows; the transceiver unit 2210 is further configured to: and sending third resource configuration information to the terminal equipment through the first communication path, wherein the third resource configuration information is determined according to the third indication information and the third QoS configuration information, and the third resource configuration information is used for configuring access network resources of the third QoS flow.

Optionally, the third resource configuration information is specifically configured to allocate access network resources of the third QoS flow on the second communication path, and the transceiver unit 2210 is further configured to: and transmitting fourth configuration information, wherein the fourth configuration information is used for deleting the access network resources of the third QoS flow on the first communication path.

Optionally, the first communication path is a path of the terminal device directly connected to the apparatus, and the first indication information is used to indicate that a first QoS flow is established on the first communication path, and the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a Uu interface between the terminal device and the apparatus.

Optionally, the first communication path is a path of the terminal device directly connected to the apparatus, and the first indication information is used to indicate that a first QoS flow is established in the second communication path, and the apparatus further includes: a processing unit 2220, configured to obtain a cell identifier of a first relay terminal device, where the device of the second communication path includes the first relay terminal device; and determining the access network equipment of the first relay terminal equipment according to the cell identification of the first relay terminal equipment.

Optionally, the processing unit 2220 is specifically configured to: determining a first relay terminal device and cell identification of the first relay terminal device according to the signal strength of the proximity service communication PC5 of at least one relay terminal device; or, receiving a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message from the terminal equipment, wherein the RRC message comprises a cell identifier of the first relay terminal equipment; or, a first message is received from the first session management function device or the access and mobility management function device, the first message comprising a cell identity of the first relay terminal device.

Optionally, the access network device of the first relay terminal device is the apparatus, the second communication path is a path that the terminal device connects to the apparatus through the first relay terminal device, and the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a proximity service communication PC5 interface between the terminal device and the first relay terminal device, and configuration information of a Uu interface between the terminal device and the apparatus.

Optionally, the processing unit 2220 is configured to: and sending fifth resource configuration information to the first relay terminal equipment, wherein the fifth resource configuration information comprises configuration information of a PC5 interface between the terminal equipment and the first relay terminal equipment and configuration information of a Uu interface between the first relay terminal equipment and the first access network equipment.

Optionally, the access network device of the first relay terminal device is a second access network device, and the second communication path is a path that the terminal device connects to the second access network device through the first relay terminal device, and the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a PC5 interface between the terminal device and the first relay terminal device, and configuration information of a Uu interface between the terminal device and the second access network device.

Optionally, the transceiver unit 2210 is further configured to: sending a second message to a second access network device, the second message including the first QoS configuration information; first resource configuration information is received from a second access network device.

Optionally, the second access network device is configured to send sixth resource configuration information to the first relay terminal device, where the sixth resource configuration information includes configuration information of a PC5 interface between the terminal device and the first relay terminal device, and configuration information of a Uu interface between the first relay terminal device and the second access network device.

Optionally, the first communication path is a path of the terminal device connected to the apparatus through the first relay terminal device, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first QoS flow is established in the first communication path, and the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a PC5 interface between the terminal device and the first relay terminal device, and configuration information of a Uu interface between the terminal device and the apparatus.

Optionally, the first communication path is a path that the terminal device connects to the apparatus through the first relay terminal device, and the first indication information is used to instruct to establish the first QoS flow on the second communication path, and the apparatus further includes a processing unit 2220, configured to determine an access network device of the terminal device according to a cell signal strength of a cell where the terminal device can reside.

Optionally, the access network device of the terminal device is the apparatus, the second communication path is a path of the terminal device directly connected to the apparatus, and the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of Uu interface between the terminal and the apparatus.

Optionally, the access network device of the terminal device is a second access network device, the second communication path is a path that the terminal device is directly connected to the second access network device, and the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of Uu interface between the terminal device and the second access network device.

Optionally, the transceiver unit 2210 is further configured to: transmitting a third message to the second access network device, the third message including the first QoS configuration information; first resource configuration information is received from a second access network device.

The apparatus 2200 may implement steps or flows corresponding to those performed by the first access network device in the method embodiment according to the embodiments of the present application, and the apparatus 2200 may include units for performing the method performed by the first access network device in the embodiment shown in fig. 5, or units for performing the method by the gNB1 in the embodiment shown in fig. 6, fig. 8, fig. 10, fig. 12, fig. 14, fig. 16, fig. 18 and fig. 20.

As a design, the apparatus 2200 is configured to perform the actions performed by the access and mobility management function device in the method embodiments above.

Specifically, the transceiver unit 2210 is configured to receive a first request message, where the first request message includes fourth indication information, where the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the session management function device supporting the multipath communication is determined; the processing unit 2220 is configured to determine a first session management function device according to the fourth indication information, where the first session management function device supports multipath communication.

Optionally, the apparatus is configured to determine first QoS configuration information, where the first QoS configuration information is used to determine first resource configuration information, where the first resource configuration information is used to configure access network resources of a first QoS flow, where the first QoS flow is used to transmit data of a terminal device.

Optionally, the transceiver unit 2210 is further configured to: the first request message is sent to the first session management function device.

The apparatus 2200 may implement steps or flows corresponding to those performed by the access and mobility management function device in the method embodiment according to the embodiment of the present application, and the apparatus 2200 may include a unit for performing the method performed by the access and mobility management function device in the embodiment shown in fig. 5, or include a unit for performing the method performed by the AMF in the embodiment shown in fig. 6, fig. 8, fig. 10, fig. 12, fig. 14, fig. 16, fig. 18, and fig. 20.

As a design, the apparatus 2200 is configured to perform the actions performed by the first session management function device in the above method embodiments.

Specifically, the transceiver unit 2210 is configured to receive a first request message, where the first request message includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate that a first quality of service (quality of service, qoS) flow (flow) is established on the first communication path or the second communication path, and the first QoS flow is used to transmit data of the terminal device; a processing unit 2220, configured to generate first QoS configuration information according to the first request message, where the first QoS configuration information is used to determine first resource configuration information, and the first resource configuration information is used to configure access network resources of the first QoS flow, where the first communication path is a direct connection path, and the second communication path is a non-direct connection path; or, the first communication path is a non-direct path, and the second communication path is a direct path.

Optionally, the transceiver unit 2210 is further configured to: and sending the first QoS configuration information to the first access network equipment.

The apparatus 2200 may implement steps or flows corresponding to those performed by the first session management function device in the method embodiment according to the embodiments of the present application, and the apparatus 2200 may include units for performing the method performed by the first session management function device in the embodiment shown in fig. 5, or units for performing the method performed by the SMF in the embodiment shown in fig. 6, fig. 8, fig. 10, fig. 12, fig. 14, fig. 16, fig. 18 and fig. 20.

Fig. 23 shows a schematic diagram of an apparatus 2300 for data transmission according to an embodiment of the present application. The apparatus 2300 includes a processor 2310, the processor 2310 being coupled to a memory 2320, the memory 2320 for storing computer programs or instructions and/or data, the processor 2310 for executing the computer programs or instructions stored by the memory 2320 or for reading data stored by the memory 2320 to perform the methods in the method embodiments above. As shown in fig. 23, the apparatus 2300 further includes a transceiver 2330, the transceiver 2330 being configured to receive and/or transmit signals. For example, the processor 2310 is configured to control the transceiver 2330 to receive and/or transmit signals.

Optionally, the processor 2310 is one or more.

Optionally, memory 2320 is one or more.

Alternatively, the memory 2320 may be integrated with the processor 2310 or provided separately.

As an aspect, the apparatus 2300 is configured to implement the operations performed by the terminal device, the first access network device, the second access network device, the access and mobility management function device, or the first session management function device in the above method embodiments.

For example, the processor 2310 is configured to execute a computer program or instructions stored in the memory 2320 to implement the relevant operations of the first access network device in the above method embodiments. For example, the method performed by the first access network device in the embodiment shown in fig. 4, or the method performed by the gNB1 in any of the embodiments shown in fig. 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20.

As another example, the processor 2310 is configured to execute a computer program or instructions stored in the memory 2320 to implement the relevant operations of the terminal device in the above method embodiments. For example, the method performed by the terminal device in the embodiment shown in fig. 4, or the method performed by the UE in any of the embodiments shown in fig. 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20.

It should be appreciated that the processors referred to in the embodiments of the present application may be central processing units (central processing unit, CPU), but may also be other general purpose processors, digital signal processors (digital signal processor, DSP), application specific integrated circuits (application specific integrated circuit, ASIC), off-the-shelf programmable gate arrays (field programmable gate array, FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, or the like. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may be any conventional processor or the like.

It should also be understood that the memories mentioned in the embodiments of the present application may be volatile memories and/or nonvolatile memories. The nonvolatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a Programmable ROM (PROM), an Erasable PROM (EPROM), an electrically Erasable EPROM (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be random access memory (random access memory, RAM). For example, RAM may be used as an external cache. By way of example, and not limitation, RAM includes the following forms: static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), synchronous DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct memory bus RAM (DR RAM).

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

It should also be noted that the memory described herein is intended to comprise, without being limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

The present application also provides a computer readable medium having stored thereon a computer program which, when executed by a computer, performs the functions of any of the method embodiments described above.

The present application also provides a computer program product which, when executed by a computer, implements the functions of any of the method embodiments described above.

The application also provides a system which comprises the first access network device, the second access network device, the access and mobility management function device and the first session management function device.

In the above embodiments, it may be implemented in whole or in part 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 the computer instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in accordance with embodiments of the present application are produced in whole or in part. The computer may be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable apparatus. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium, for example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center by a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (digital subscriber line, DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.). The computer readable storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server, data center, etc. that contains an integration of one or more available media. The usable medium may be a magnetic medium (e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., a high-density digital video disc (digital video disc, DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., a Solid State Disk (SSD)), or the like.

In the embodiments of the present application, words such as "exemplary," "for example," and the like are used to indicate by way of example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, the term use of an example is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion.

It should be appreciated that reference throughout this specification to "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present application. Thus, various embodiments are not necessarily referring to the same embodiments throughout the specification. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

It should be understood that, in various embodiments of the present application, the sequence numbers of the foregoing processes do not mean the order of execution, and the order of execution of the processes should be determined by the functions and internal logic thereof, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application. The names of all nodes and messages in the present application are merely names set for convenience of description of the present application, and names in actual networks may be different, and it should not be understood that the present application defines the names of various nodes and messages, but any names having the same or similar functions as those of the nodes or messages used in the present application are regarded as methods or equivalent alternatives of the present application, and are within the scope of protection of the present application.

It should also be understood that, in this application, "when …," "if," and "if" all refer to that the UE or the base station will make a corresponding process under some objective condition, and are not limited in time, nor do they require that the UE or the base station must have a judgment action when it is implemented, nor are they meant to have other limitations.

In this embodiment of the present application, the "preset", "preconfiguration", etc. may be implemented by pre-storing corresponding codes, tables, or other manners that may be used to indicate relevant information in a device (e.g., a terminal device), and the present application is not limited to a specific implementation manner thereof, for example, a preset rule, a preset constant, etc. in the embodiment of the present application.

In addition, the terms "system" and "network" are often used interchangeably herein. The term "and/or" is herein merely an association relationship describing an associated object, meaning that there may be three relationships, e.g., a and/or B, may represent: a exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone.

The term "at least one of … …" or "at least one of … …" herein means all or any combination of the listed items, e.g., "at least one of A, B and C," may mean: there are six cases where A alone, B alone, C alone, both A and B, both B and C, and both A, B and C. The term "at least one" as used herein means one or more. "plurality" means two or more.

It should be understood that in embodiments of the present application, "B corresponding to a" means that B is associated with a, from which B may be determined. It should also be understood that determining B from a does not mean determining B from a alone, but may also determine B from a and/or other information. The terms "comprising," "including," "having," and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to," unless expressly specified otherwise.

It should be understood that in the various embodiments of the present application, the first, second and various numerical numbers are merely for ease of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. For example, different information is distinguished, etc.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative elements and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, or combinations of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software 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.

It will be clear to those skilled in the art that, for convenience and brevity of description, specific working procedures of the above-described systems, apparatuses and units may refer to corresponding procedures in the foregoing method embodiments, and are not repeated herein.

In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices, and methods may be implemented in other manners. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative, e.g., the division of the units is merely a logical function division, and there may be additional divisions when actually implemented, e.g., multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be omitted or not performed. Alternatively, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed with each other may be an indirect coupling or communication connection via some interfaces, devices or units, which may be in electrical, mechanical or other form.

The units described as separate units may or may not be physically separate, and units shown as units may or may not be physical units, may be located in one place, or may be distributed on a plurality of network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated in one processing unit, or each unit may exist alone physically, or two or more units may be integrated in one unit.

The functions, if implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as a stand-alone product, may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solution of the present application may be embodied essentially or in a part contributing to the prior art or in a part of the technical solution, in the form of a software product stored in a storage medium, including several instructions for causing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the methods described in the embodiments of the present application. And the aforementioned storage medium includes: a U-disk, a removable hard disk, a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a random access Memory (Random Access Memory, RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk, or other various media capable of storing program codes.

The foregoing is merely specific embodiments of the present application, but the scope of the present application is not limited thereto, and any person skilled in the art can easily think about changes or substitutions within the technical scope of the present application, and the changes and substitutions are intended to be covered by the scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method of data transmission, comprising:

the method comprises the steps that terminal equipment sends a first request message to network equipment through a first communication path, wherein the first request message comprises first indication information, the first indication information is used for indicating to establish a first quality of service (QoS) flow in the first communication path or a second communication path, and the first QoS flow is used for transmitting data of the terminal equipment;

the terminal device receives first resource configuration information, the first resource configuration information is used for configuring access network resources of the first QoS flow,

the first communication path is a direct connection path, and the second communication path is a non-direct connection path; or alternatively, the first and second heat exchangers may be,

the first communication path is a non-direct connection path, and the second communication path is a direct connection path.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate that the first QoS flow is established on the first communication path, the method further comprising:

the terminal equipment sends a second request message to the network equipment through the first communication path, wherein the second request message comprises second indication information, the second indication information is used for indicating to establish a second QoS flow on the second communication path, and the second QoS flow is used for transmitting data of the terminal equipment;

The terminal equipment receives second resource configuration information, wherein the second resource configuration information is used for configuring access network resources of the second QoS flow.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate that the first QoS flow is established on the first communication path, the method further comprising:

the terminal device sends a third request message to the network device through the first communication path, wherein the third request message comprises third indication information and QoS flow identification information of a third QoS flow, the third indication information is used for indicating to transfer the third QoS flow to the second communication path, and the third QoS flow is at least one of the first QoS flows.

And the terminal equipment receives third resource configuration information, wherein the third resource configuration information is used for configuring access network resources of the third QoS flow.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the third resource configuration information is specifically used for:

allocating access network resources of the third QoS flow on the second communication path;

and deleting the access network resources of the third QoS flow in the first communication path.

5. A method according to claim 3, wherein the third resource configuration information is specifically used for allocating access network resources of the third QoS flow on the second communication path, the method further comprising:

The terminal equipment receives fourth configuration information, wherein the fourth configuration information is used for deleting access network resources of the third QoS flow in the first communication path.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first request message further comprises fourth indication information for indicating a session management function device that determines to support multipath.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first communication path is a path through which the terminal device directly connects to a first access network device,

the first indication information is used for indicating that the first QoS flow is established in the first communication path, and the first resource configuration information comprises configuration information of a Uu interface between the terminal equipment and the first access network equipment.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first communication path is a path through which the terminal device directly connects to a first access network device,

wherein the first indication information is used for indicating that the first QoS flow is established on the second communication path, and the method further includes:

the terminal device sends a cell identifier of a first relay terminal device, where the cell identifier of the first relay terminal device is used to determine an access network device of the first relay terminal device, and the device of the second communication path includes the first relay terminal device.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the terminal device transmitting the cell identity of the first relay terminal device comprises:

the terminal device sends a first measurement report to the first access network device, wherein the first measurement report comprises a cell identifier of the at least one relay terminal device and a proximity service communication PC5 signal strength of the at least one relay terminal device, the at least one relay terminal device comprises the first relay terminal device, and the PC5 signal strength of the at least one relay terminal device is used for determining the first relay terminal device; or alternatively, the first and second heat exchangers may be,

the terminal equipment sends a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message to the first access network equipment, wherein the RRC message comprises a cell identifier of the first relay terminal equipment; or alternatively, the first and second heat exchangers may be,

the first request message includes a cell identity of the first relay terminal device.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the access network device of the first relay terminal device is the first access network device, the second communication path is a path through which the terminal device connects to the first access network device through the first relay terminal device,

The first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a PC5 interface between the terminal device and the first relay terminal device, and configuration information of a Uu interface between the terminal device and the first access network device.

11. The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the access network device of the first relay terminal device is a second access network device, the second communication path is a path through which the terminal device connects to the second access network device through the first relay terminal device,

the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a PC5 interface between the terminal device and the first relay terminal device, and configuration information of a Uu interface between the terminal device and the second access network device.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first communication path is a path through which the terminal device connects to a first access network device through a first relay terminal device,

the first indication information is used for indicating that the first QoS flow is established in the first communication path, and the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a PC5 interface between the terminal device and the first relay terminal device, and configuration information of a Uu interface between the terminal device and the first access network device.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first communication path is a path through which the terminal device connects to a first access network device through a first relay terminal device,

the terminal equipment sends a second measurement report to the first access network equipment, wherein the second measurement report comprises the cell signal strength of a resident cell of the terminal equipment, and the cell signal strength is used for determining the access network equipment of the terminal equipment.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the access network device of the terminal device is the first access network device, the second communication path is a path through which the terminal device directly connects to the first access network device,

wherein the first resource configuration information comprises configuration information of a Uu interface between the terminal equipment and the first access network equipment.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the access network device of the terminal device is a second access network device, the second communication path is a path through which the terminal device directly connects to the second access network device,

Wherein the first resource configuration information comprises configuration information of a Uu interface between the terminal equipment and the second access network equipment.

16. A method of data transmission, comprising:

the method comprises the steps that first access network equipment receives first indication information and first quality of service (QoS) configuration information, wherein the first indication information is used for indicating that a first QoS flow is established on a first communication path or a second communication path, the first QoS configuration information is used for determining access network resources of the first QoS flow, and the first QoS flow is used for transmitting data of terminal equipment;

the first access network device sends first resource configuration information to the terminal device through a first communication path, wherein the first resource configuration information is determined according to the first indication information and the first QoS configuration information, and the first resource configuration information is used for configuring access network resources of the first QoS flow;

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate that the first QoS flow is established on the first communication path, the method further comprising:

The first access network device receives second indication information and second QoS configuration information, wherein the second indication information is used for indicating that a second QoS flow is established in the second communication path, the second QoS configuration information is used for determining access network resources of the second QoS flow, and the second QoS flow is used for transmitting data of the terminal device;

the first access network device sends second resource configuration information to the terminal device through the first communication path, the second resource configuration information is determined according to the second indication information and the second QoS configuration information, and the second resource configuration information is used for configuring access network resources of the second QoS flow.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate that the first QoS flow is established on the first communication path, the method further comprising:

the first access network device receives third indication information, third QoS configuration information and QoS flow identification information of a third QoS flow, where the third indication information is used to indicate that the third QoS flow is transferred to the second communication path, the third QoS configuration information is used to determine access network resources of the first QoS flow, and the third QoS flow is at least one of the first QoS flows;

The first access network device sends the third resource configuration information to the terminal device through the first communication path, the third resource configuration information is determined according to the third indication information and the third QoS configuration information, and the third resource configuration information is used for configuring access network resources of the third QoS flow.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the third resource configuration information is specifically configured to:

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein the third resource configuration information is specifically used for allocating access network resources of the third QoS flow on the second communication path, the method further comprising:

the first access network device sends fourth configuration information, where the fourth configuration information is used to delete access network resources of the third QoS flow on the first communication path.

21. The method according to any of the claims 16 to 20, wherein the first communication path is a path where the terminal device is directly connected to the first access network device,

22. The method according to any of the claims 16 to 20, wherein the first communication path is a path where the terminal device is directly connected to the first access network device,

the first access network equipment acquires a cell identifier of first relay terminal equipment, and the equipment of the second communication path comprises the first relay terminal equipment;

the first access network equipment determines the access network equipment of the first relay terminal equipment according to the cell identification of the first relay terminal equipment.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the first access network device obtains a cell identity of a first relay terminal device, comprising:

the first access network equipment determines the first relay terminal equipment and the cell identification of the first relay terminal equipment according to the signal strength of the adjacent service communication PC5 of at least one relay terminal equipment; or alternatively, the first and second heat exchangers may be,

The first access network equipment receives a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message from terminal equipment, wherein the RRC message comprises a cell identifier of the first relay terminal equipment; or alternatively, the first and second heat exchangers may be,

the first access network device receives a first message from a first session management function device or an access and mobility management function device, the first message comprising a cell identity of the first relay terminal device.

24. The method according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the access network device of the first relay terminal device is the first access network device, the second communication path is a path through which the terminal device connects to the first access network device through the first relay terminal device,

wherein the first resource configuration information includes configuration information of a proximity service communication PC5 interface between the terminal device and the first relay terminal device, and configuration information of a Uu interface between the terminal device and the first access network device.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the method further comprises:

the first access network device sends fifth resource configuration information to the first relay terminal device, wherein the fifth resource configuration information comprises configuration information of a PC5 interface between the terminal device and the first relay terminal device and configuration information of a Uu interface between the first relay terminal device and the first access network device.

26. The method according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the access network device of the first relay terminal device is a second access network device, the second communication path is a path through which the terminal device connects to the second access network device through the first relay terminal device,

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the method further comprises:

the first access network device sends a second message to the second access network device, wherein the second message comprises the first QoS configuration information;

the first access network device receives the first resource configuration information from the second access network device.

28. The method according to claim 26 or 27, wherein the second access network device is configured to send sixth resource configuration information to the first relay terminal device, the sixth resource configuration information comprising configuration information of a PC5 interface between the terminal device and the first relay terminal device, and configuration information of a Uu interface between the first relay terminal device and the second access network device.

29. The method according to any of the claims 16 to 20, wherein the first communication path is a path through which the terminal device connects to the first access network device via a first relay terminal device,

30. The method according to any of the claims 16 to 20, wherein the first communication path is a path through which the terminal device connects to the first access network device via a first relay terminal device,

the first access network equipment determines the access network equipment of the terminal equipment according to the cell signal strength of the resident cell of the terminal equipment.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the access network device of the terminal device is the first access network device, wherein the second communication path is a path through which the terminal device directly connects to the first access network device,

32. The method of claim 30, wherein the access network device of the terminal device is a second access network device, the second communication path is a path through which the terminal device directly connects to the second access network device,

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the method further comprises:

the first access network device sends a third message to the second access network device, wherein the third message comprises the first QoS configuration information;

34. A method of data transmission, comprising:

the method comprises the steps that an access and mobility management function device receives a first request message, wherein the first request message comprises fourth indication information, and the fourth indication information is used for indicating a session management function device which determines to support multi-path communication;

And the access and mobility management function equipment determines first session management function equipment according to the fourth indication information, wherein the first session management function equipment supports the multi-path communication.

35. An apparatus for data transmission, comprising: a unit for performing the method of any one of claims 1 to 34.

36. An apparatus for data transmission, comprising:

a processor for executing a computer program stored in a memory to cause the apparatus to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 34.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, further comprising the memory.

38. A computer readable storage medium, characterized in that the computer readable storage medium has stored thereon a computer program which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method according to any of claims 1 to 34.

39. A computer program product, characterized in that the computer program product comprises instructions for performing the method of any one of claims 1 to 34.

40. A system for data transmission, comprising: a first access network device and an access and mobility management function device,

-said first access network device for performing the method of any of claims 16 to 33;

the access and mobility management function device configured to perform the method of claim 34.