With the quick proliferation of extended reality (XR) services, the mobile communications networks are faced with gigantic challenges to meet the diversified and challenging service requirements. A tight coordination or even convergence of applications and mobile networks is highly motivated. In this paper, a multi-domain (e.g. application layer, transport layer, the core network, radio access network, user equipment) coordination scheme is first proposed, which facilitates a tight coordination between applications and networks based on the current 5G networks. Toward the convergence of applications and networks, a network architectures with cross-domain joint processing capability is further proposed for 6G mobile communications and beyond. Both designs are able to provide more accurate information of the quality of experience (QoE) and quality of service (QoS), thus paving the path for the joint optimization of applications and networks. The benefits of the QoE assisted scheduling are further investigated via simulations. A new QoE-oriented fairness metric is further proposed, which is capable of ensuring better fairness when different services are scheduled. Future research directions and their standardization impacts are also identified. Toward optimized end-to-end service provision, the paradigm shift from loosely coupled to converged design of applications and wireless communication networks is indispensable.

翻译：随着扩展现实（XR）服务的快速普及，移动通信网络面临着满足多样化且具有挑战性服务需求的巨大挑战。应用与移动网络之间的紧密协同乃至融合具有高度必要性。本文首先提出了一种多域（例如应用层、传输层、核心网、无线接入网、用户设备）协同方案，该方案基于现有5G网络实现了应用与网络间的紧密协同。面向应用与网络的融合，进一步提出了一种具备跨域联合处理能力的网络架构，适用于6G及未来移动通信系统。两种设计均能提供更精确的体验质量（QoE）与服务质量（QoS）信息，从而为应用与网络的联合优化奠定基础。通过仿真进一步研究了QoE辅助调度的优势，并提出了一种新的面向QoE的公平性度量指标，该指标能够在调度不同业务时确保更好的公平性。此外，本文还指出了未来研究方向及其标准化影响。为达成端到端服务优化的目标，从松散耦合转向应用与无线通信网络融合设计的范式转变不可或缺。