Methods and apparatus for signal transmission

Abstract

This application provides a method and apparatus for signal transmission. The method is applied to a communication system comprising at least three nodes, wherein a second node of the at least three nodes communicates with a third node through a first node. The method includes: the first node determining the link status between the first node and the second node; and, if the first node determines that the link between the first node and the second node is abnormal, sending a first notification message to the third node, the first notification message indicating the link abnormality between the first node and the second node. Embodiments of this application can improve communication efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communications, and more specifically, to a method and apparatus for signal transmission. Background Technology

[0002] Due to deployment cost constraints, operators cannot rely solely on limited Transmission and Reception Points (TRPs) to solve coverage blind spots in New Radio (NR). Therefore, a communication system with Relaying TRPs (rTRPs) featuring wireless backhaul links has been introduced.

[0003] In this communication system, beam failures can occur in the links between devices. If a beam failure cannot be quickly recovered, further link failures may occur, or other reasons may also cause link failures. Regardless of the cause of the link anomaly, the current node will be unable to communicate with its superior or subordinate nodes for a certain period of time, preventing the superior node from providing services to its subordinate nodes. Therefore, how to handle link anomalies between devices in a communication system to improve communication quality or efficiency is a pressing issue that needs to be addressed. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a method and apparatus for signal transmission, which can improve communication quality or communication efficiency.

[0005] In a first aspect, a signal transmission method is provided, which is applied to a communication system including at least three nodes, wherein a second node of the at least three nodes communicates with a third node through a first node, the method comprising: the first node determining the link status between the first node and the second node; and the first node sending a first notification message to the third node when determining that the link between the first node and the second node is abnormal, the first notification message indicating that the link between the first node and the second node is abnormal.

[0006] The first node determines the link status between itself and the second node, and if the link status is abnormal, it sends a first notification message to the third node to indicate that the link between the first node and the second node is abnormal. The third node then performs corresponding signal processing based on the first notification message, thereby improving communication efficiency.

[0007] In some possible implementations, the first node sending a first notification message to the third node when it determines that the link between the first node and the second node is abnormal includes: the first node restoring the link when it determines that the link between the first node and the second node is abnormal; and the first node sending the first notification message to the third node when the link restoration fails after a first preset time threshold is reached.

[0008] In this way, the first node can avoid wasting signaling overhead by sending the first notification information during a brief link failure.

[0009] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: if the link is successfully restored within a second preset time threshold, the first node sends a second notification message to the third node, the second notification message being used to indicate that the link has returned to normal.

[0010] The first node sends the second notification information to the third node, so that the third node can quickly restore the link with the second node, avoid re-establishing the link, and thus save communication latency.

[0011] In some possible implementations, the second node is the next level node of the first node, and the first notification information also includes at least one of the following: the type of the link anomaly and the amount of data cached by the first node for sending to the third node.

[0012] If the amount of cached data is large, the third node can quickly switch links; if the amount of cached data is small, the third node can wait for link recovery, thereby improving communication efficiency.

[0013] In some possible implementations, the second node is the parent node of the first node, and the first notification information also includes at least one of the waiting link recovery duration and the time-frequency resource location for waiting link recovery.

[0014] The first node can set a waiting time for link recovery and inform the third node through a first notification message. In this way, the third node will wait for link recovery within the specified waiting time and only perform link switching if the waiting time exceeds the specified waiting time, thus avoiding low communication efficiency caused by waiting for link recovery indefinitely or not waiting for link recovery at all.

[0015] The first node can also set the time-frequency resource location to wait for the link to be restored, and inform the third node through the first notification information. In this way, the third node can detect the second notification information at the time-frequency resource location. The second notification information is used to indicate that the link has been restored successfully, avoiding the third node from switching to other links, thereby saving the latency of establishing a link connection with other links.

[0016] In some possible implementations, the second node is the next level node of the first node, and the first node determines the link status between the first node and the second node by: if the first node does not receive a response message of uplink scheduling information or feedback information on whether downlink signal has been successfully received from the second node within a third preset time threshold, then the link between the first node and the second node is abnormal.

[0017] In some possible implementations, the second node is the next-level node of the first node, and the method further includes: the first node determining the link quality between the first node and the second node; wherein, the first node determining the link status between the first node and the second node includes: if the link quality is less than a preset quality threshold, the first node determines that the link between the first node and the second node is abnormal.

[0018] Secondly, a signal transmission method is provided, which is applied to a communication system including at least three nodes, wherein a second node of the at least three nodes communicates with a third node through a first node, the method comprising: the third node receiving first notification information, the first notification information being used to indicate a link anomaly between the first node and the second node; and the third node performing signal processing based on the first notification information.

[0019] When the second node is the parent node of the first node, and the first node is the parent node of the third node, the third node measures other available links, switches links, or waits for links to recover. When the second node is the next level node of the first node, and the first node is the next level node of the third node, the third node stops sending data belonging to the second node through the first node, thereby improving signal processing efficiency.

[0020] In some possible implementations, the second node is the next level node of the first node, and the first notification information also includes at least one of the following: the type of the link anomaly and the amount of data cached by the first node for sending to the third node.

[0021] In some possible implementations, the second node is the parent node of the first node, and the first notification information also includes at least one of the waiting link recovery duration and the first time-frequency resource location waiting for link recovery.

[0022] In some possible implementations, where the first notification information includes the waiting link recovery time, the signal processing performed by the third node based on the first notification information includes: the third node detecting second notification information during the waiting link recovery time, the second notification information indicating that the link has returned to normal; and the third node restoring the link connection with the second node upon receiving the second notification information.

[0023] In this way, the third node can quickly restore its connection with the second node through the first node, saving the latency of re-establishing the link.

[0024] In some possible implementations, where the first notification information includes the time-frequency resource location where the link is awaiting recovery, the signal processing performed by the third node based on the first notification information includes: the third node detecting second notification information at the first time-frequency resource location where the link is awaiting recovery, the second notification information indicating that the link has returned to normal; and the third node restoring the link connection with the second node upon receiving the second notification information.

[0025] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: if the third node does not receive the second notification information when the waiting link recovery time has elapsed, switching to the link between the third node and the fourth node, wherein the fourth node is used for communication between the third node and the second node, and the fourth node is different from the first node.

[0026] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: the third node sending the second notification information to the fifth node, wherein the fifth node is able to communicate with the first node through the third node.

[0027] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: the third node sending the first notification information to the fifth node, wherein the fifth node is able to communicate with the first node through the third node.

[0028] Thirdly, a signal transmission apparatus is provided, which may be an access network device or a chip within the access network device. This apparatus has the functions of the embodiments of the first aspect described above. These functions can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units corresponding to the aforementioned functions.

[0029] In one possible design, when the device is an access network device, the access network device includes a processing unit and a transceiver unit. The processing unit may be, for example, a processor, and the transceiver unit may be, for example, a transceiver including radio frequency circuitry. Optionally, the access network device further includes a storage unit, which may be, for example, a memory. When the access network device includes a storage unit, the storage unit is used to store computer-executed instructions. The processing unit is connected to the storage unit and executes the computer-executed instructions stored in the storage unit to cause the access network device to perform the signal transmission method described in any of the first aspects above.

[0030] In another possible design, when the device is a chip within an access network device, the chip includes a processing unit and a transceiver unit. The processing unit may be, for example, a processor, and the transceiver unit may be, for example, an input / output interface, pins, or circuits on the chip. The processing unit can execute computer execution instructions stored in a storage unit to cause the chip within the terminal to perform the signal transmission method described in any of the first aspects above. Optionally, the storage unit may be a storage unit within the chip, such as a register or cache. Alternatively, the storage unit may be a storage unit located outside the chip within the access network device, such as read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices capable of storing static information and instructions, such as random access memory (RAM).

[0031] The processor mentioned above can be a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for executing a program to control the signal transmission method described in the first aspect.

[0032] Fourthly, this application provides a signal transmission apparatus, which may be an access network device, a terminal device, a chip within the access network device, or a chip within the terminal device. The signal transmission apparatus has the functions of the embodiments described in the second aspect above. These functions can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units corresponding to the aforementioned functions.

[0033] In one possible design, when the signal transmission device is an access network device or a terminal device, the access network device or terminal device includes: a processing unit and a transceiver unit. The processing unit may be, for example, a processor, and the transceiver unit may be, for example, a transceiver that includes radio frequency circuitry. Optionally, the terminal device further includes a storage unit, which may be, for example, a memory. When the terminal device includes a storage unit, the storage unit is used to store computer execution instructions. The processing unit is connected to the storage unit and executes the computer execution instructions stored in the storage unit to cause the terminal device to perform the signal transmission method of any of the second aspects described above.

[0034] In another possible design, when the device is a chip within an access network device or a chip within a terminal device, the chip includes a processing unit and a transceiver unit. The processing unit may be, for example, a processor, and the transceiver unit may be, for example, an input / output interface, pins, or circuits on the chip. The processing unit can execute computer execution instructions stored in a storage unit to cause the chip within the terminal device to perform the signal transmission method described in any of the second aspects above. Optionally, the storage unit may be an internal storage unit within the chip, such as a register or cache. Alternatively, the storage unit may be an external storage unit within the terminal device, such as a ROM or other types of static storage devices capable of storing static information and instructions, such as RAM.

[0035] The processor mentioned above can be a CPU, a microprocessor, an ASIC, or one or more integrated circuits that execute a program for controlling the signal transmission method described in the second aspect.

[0036] Fifthly, a computer storage medium is provided, wherein program code is stored therein, the program code being used to instruct instructions for performing the methods of any one of the first and second aspects or any possible implementation thereof.

[0037] In a sixth aspect, a computer program product containing instructions is provided, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods of any one of the first and second aspects above, or any possible implementation thereof.

[0038] Based on the above scheme, the first node in this application embodiment determines the link status between the first node and the second node, and when the link status is abnormal, sends a first notification message to the third node to indicate that the link between the first node and the second node is abnormal, so that the third node performs corresponding signal processing according to the first notification message, thereby improving communication efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0039] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an application scenario of an embodiment of this application;

[0040] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another application scenario of an embodiment of this application;

[0041] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of beam failure and link failure;

[0042] Figure 4 This is a schematic flowchart of a signal transmission method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0043] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a signal processing method according to another embodiment of this application;

[0044] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a signal processing method according to yet another embodiment of this application;

[0045] Figure 7 This is a schematic block diagram of a signal processing apparatus according to an embodiment of this application;

[0046] Figure 8 This is a schematic structural diagram of a signal processing apparatus according to an embodiment of this application;

[0047] Figure 9 This is a schematic block diagram of a signal processing apparatus according to another embodiment of this application;

[0048] Figure 10 This is a schematic structural diagram of a signal processing apparatus according to another embodiment of this application;

[0049] Figure 11 This is a schematic block diagram of the communication system for signal processing in this application. Detailed Implementation

[0050] The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0051] The technical solutions of this application embodiment can be applied to various communication systems, such as: Global System of Mobile communication (GSM) system, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) system, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) system, LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD) system, Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) communication system, future 5th Generation (5G) system, or New Radio (NR), etc.

[0052] The terminal device in this application embodiment can refer to user equipment, access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user device. The terminal device can also be a cellular phone, cordless phone, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, Wireless Local Loop (WLL) station, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, in-vehicle device, wearable device, terminal device in future 5G networks, or terminal device in future evolved Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), etc., and this application embodiment does not limit this to these categories.

[0053] The access network device in this application embodiment can be an access network device used to communicate with terminal devices. The access network device can be a base station (BTS) in a Global System of Mobile communication (GSM) system or Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), a base station (NodeB, NB) in a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) system, an evolved NodeB (eNB or eNodeB) in an LTE system, or a radio controller in a Cloud Radio Access Network (CRAN) scenario. Alternatively, the access network device can be a relay station, access point, vehicle-mounted equipment, wearable device, or access network device in a future 5G network or an access network device in a future evolved PLMN network, etc. The embodiments of this application are not limited to these.

[0054] Due to deployment cost issues, operators cannot rely solely on limited transmission and reception points (TRPs) to solve coverage blind spots in New Radio (NR). Therefore, relay transmission and reception points (rTRPs) with wireless backhaul links have been introduced.

[0055] Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating an application scenario of an embodiment of this application is shown. In such a case... Figure 1 The communication system shown contains three types of nodes: access network devices, relay devices, and terminal devices. The link between the access network devices and the relay devices can be called a "backhaul (BH) link," and the link between the relay devices and the terminal devices can be called an "access (AC) link."

[0056] Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrating another application scenario of this application embodiment is shown. Figure 2 The communication system shown includes access network devices, multi-hop relay nodes, and terminal devices; that is, the access network devices can pass through multiple relay nodes (e.g., Figure 2 Relay nodes 2 and 3 communicate with the terminal device. The link between the two relay nodes can also be called a "backhaul link".

[0057] It should be understood that the communication system in this application embodiment does not limit the number of relay devices. For example, the communication system may include 4 or 5 relay devices.

[0058] It should also be understood that this application does not limit the names of access network devices and relay devices, links between two relay devices, or links between relay devices and terminal devices.

[0059] For example, in high-frequency bands, there is a possibility of beam failure in links between devices, such as... Figure 3 As shown, if beam failure cannot be quickly recovered, further link failures may occur. Other reasons can also cause link failures between devices. Regardless of the cause of the link anomaly, if the current node cannot communicate with its superior or subordinate node for a certain period, the superior node will also be unable to provide services to the subordinate node. For example, as... Figure 2 As shown, both backhaul link 1 and backhaul link 2 may experience link failures. When one of the backhaul links fails, for example, backhaul link 2 fails, then relay node 2 and relay node 3 cannot communicate, and communication between relay node 2 and terminal device 2 will also be interrupted.

[0060] The upstream node can be any of the above-mentioned access network devices, or a relay node (RN), or an rTRP; the current node can be an RN or an rTRP; the downstream node can be an RN or an rTRP, or any of the above-mentioned terminal devices.

[0061] When a link anomaly occurs between devices in a communication system, it is urgent to find a solution for how to handle the subsequent processing to improve communication quality or efficiency.

[0062] Figure 4 A schematic flowchart of a signal transmission method according to an embodiment of this application is shown.

[0063] The embodiments of this application are applied to a communication system that includes at least three nodes. For example, the communication system includes a first node, a second node, and a third node, and the second node communicates with the third node through the first node, that is, the second node needs to communicate with the third node through the relay of the first node.

[0064] It should be noted that the first node can be the parent node of the second node, and the third node is the parent node of the first node. In this case, the third node can be any of the above-mentioned access network devices, or a relay node (RN), or an rTRP; the first node can be an RN or an rTRP; the second node can be an RN or an rTRP, or any of the above-mentioned terminal devices.

[0065] Alternatively, the first node may be the parent node of the third node, and the second node may be the parent node of the first node. This application does not limit this. In this case, the second node may be any of the above-mentioned access network devices, a relay node (RN), or an rTRP; the first node may be an RN or an rTRP; the third node may be an RN or an rTRP, or any of the above-mentioned terminal devices.

[0066] 401, the first node determines the link status between the first node and the second node.

[0067] Specifically, the link status includes at least two states: normal and abnormal. A link abnormality between two nodes can be a beam failure, a link failure, or a link abnormality determined by other criteria. Beam failure can further lead to link failure. It should be noted that beam failure, link failure, etc., can only be determined by the first node when the first node is a subordinate node of the second node. When the first node is a superior node of the second node, the first node can determine link quality problems through other methods, but will not explicitly define states such as beam failure or link failure.

[0068] It should be noted that a beam failure can be considered a link anomaly simply by detecting the beam failure, or it can be considered a link anomaly only when beam recovery after a beam failure also fails. Similarly, a link failure can be considered a link anomaly simply by detecting the failure, or it can be considered a link anomaly only when link recovery fails.

[0069] It should be noted that the beam failure and corresponding recovery process in this application can also be referred to as link reconfiguration procedures. In the link reconfiguration process, beam failure can be defined as the link quality of several reference signals falling below a specified threshold; similarly, beam recovery failure can also be referred to as link reconfiguration failure.

[0070] Optionally, the second node is the next level node of the first node, that is, the second node is the lower level node and the first node is the upper level node. Then the upper level node can determine the link status through the link quality between itself and the lower level node.

[0071] Specifically, the first node can determine the link quality through the transmission signals between it and the second node. If the link quality is less than a preset quality threshold, the first node determines the link status between it and the second node as abnormal. Conversely, if the link quality is greater than or equal to the preset quality threshold, the first node determines the link status between it and the second node as normal.

[0072] Alternatively, the link quality can be the channel quality of the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH).

[0073] Optionally, the quality of the control channel is determined by the demodulation reference signal (DMRS) of the control channel, or it can be the channel quality at the reference signal (such as the sounding reference signal (SRS), DMRS, etc.) sent by the lower-level node.

[0074] It should be noted that both link failure and beam failure can be determined based on the relationship between the channel quality of the control channel and the preset quality threshold, but the preset quality thresholds for judging link failure and beam failure can be different.

[0075] It should be understood that the method by which the upper-level node determines the link status with the lower-level node based on link quality can also be applied to the lower-level node determining the link status with the upper-level node, and this application does not limit this. Optionally, the link quality can be the channel quality of the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH). Optionally, the control channel quality is determined by the DMRS of the control channel, or it can be the channel quality at the reference signal sent by the upper-level node (such as the channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), synchronized signal (SS) / Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) block, etc.).

[0076] Optionally, if the second node is a sub-node of the first node, and since the second node needs to communicate with the third node through the first node, then the first node is a sub-node of the third node. The first node can determine the link status between itself and the second node based on whether it receives a response message of uplink scheduling information sent by the second node or feedback information on whether the downlink signal was successfully received within a third preset time threshold.

[0077] Specifically, the first node determines the link status between itself and the second node; that is, the upper-level node needs to determine the link status with the lower-level node. The first node can send uplink scheduling information to the second node. After receiving the uplink scheduling information, the second node will perform uplink signal transmission on the scheduling resource indicated by the uplink scheduling information. If the first node receives the response message or receives the uplink signal on the scheduling resource indicated by the uplink scheduling information, the first node determines the link status between itself and the second node as normal; otherwise, it determines the link status as abnormal.

[0078] The first node can also send downlink signals to the second node. Upon receiving the downlink signal, the second node can send feedback information (e.g., an acknowledgement (ACK) or a negative acknowledgement (NACK)) to the first node to inform it whether the downlink signal was successfully received. If the first node receives K consecutive NACKs, or if the first node fails to receive ACK / NACK information K consecutively, the first node will determine the link status between it and the second node as abnormal.

[0079] 402. When the first node determines that the link between the first node and the second node is abnormal, it sends a first notification message to the third node. The first notification message is used to indicate that the link between the first node and the second node is abnormal.

[0080] Optionally, the first notification information can be sent via dedicated signaling or carried in other signaling.

[0081] For example, the first notification information may be carried in physical layer signaling (L1) (e.g., downlink control information (DCI) or uplink control information (UCI) signaling), data link layer signaling (L2) (e.g., medium access control-control element (MAC CE) signaling), or network layer signaling (L3) (e.g., radio resource control (RRC)), and this application does not limit this.

[0082] Optionally, the first notification information may be transmitted in a random access channel (RACH).

[0083] Optionally, when the second node is the parent node of the first node and the first node is the parent node of the third node, the first notification information may further include at least one of the following: the type of the link anomaly, the waiting time for link recovery, the location of the time-frequency resources waiting for link recovery, the amount of data cached by the first node, an indication of whether the third node needs to immediately perform cell search, an indication of whether the third node needs to provide feedback on cell search results, and an indication of whether the first notification information needs to be forwarded to the next-level node of the third node.

[0084] Specifically, the type of link anomaly can be caused by beam failure, other reasons, or link quality falling below a preset quality threshold. The third node can determine the subsequent handling based on the type of link anomaly. For example, waiting for the link to recover or switching to another link.

[0085] For example, the first node can set a waiting time for link recovery and inform the third node through a first notification message. In this way, the third node will wait for link recovery within the specified waiting time and only perform link switching if the waiting time exceeds the specified waiting time, thus avoiding low communication efficiency caused by waiting for link recovery indefinitely or not waiting for link recovery at all.

[0086] The first node can also set the time-frequency resource location to wait for the link to be restored, and inform the third node through the first notification information. In this way, the third node can detect the second notification information at the time-frequency resource location. The second notification information is used to indicate that the link has been restored successfully, avoiding the third node from switching to other links, thereby saving the latency of establishing a link connection with other links.

[0087] The first notification information may include the amount of data cached by the first node, enabling the third node to determine link processing based on this data amount. For example, if the amount of cached data is large, the third node can quickly switch links; if the amount of cached data is small, the third node can wait for link recovery.

[0088] The first notification information may include instructions on whether the third node needs to immediately perform a cell search. In other words, the first notification information directly indicates whether the third node needs to perform a link handover.

[0089] The first notification information may include instructions on whether the third node needs to forward the first notification information to its next-level node, so that subsequent nodes can also process the information accordingly.

[0090] Optionally, when the second node is a next-level node of the first node and the first node is a next-level node of the third node, the first notification information may further include at least one of the following: the type of the link anomaly and the size of the amount of data cached by the first node for sending to the third node.

[0091] Specifically, the source node for the amount of data cached by the first node and intended for transmission to the third node can be the first node itself. Alternatively, the source node for this data amount can be the second node, meaning that the data from the second node needs to be forwarded to the third node via the first node.

[0092] Optionally, if the first node determines that the link is abnormal as soon as it detects a link failure, it can also attempt to restore the link with the second node and set a first preset time threshold. If the link restoration fails when the first preset time threshold is reached, the first node sends the first notification information to the second node. If the link is successfully restored when or before the first preset time threshold is reached, the first node does not need to send the first notification information to the second node.

[0093] It should be understood that if the link status between the first node and the second node is determined based on whether the first node receives a response message of uplink scheduling information sent by the second node or feedback information of whether downlink signals are successfully received within a third preset time threshold, then the first preset time threshold is greater than the third preset time threshold.

[0094] For example, such as Figure 5 As shown, when the first node determines that the link between the first node and the second node is abnormal, the first node attempts to restore the link within the time period T1. If the link restoration still fails by the time T1 is reached, the first node sends a first notification message to the third node.

[0095] Optionally, when the second node is a next-level node of the first node, the first notification information can be interpreted as information indicating that the second node has lost its information.

[0096] Optionally, after sending the first notification information, the first node may continue to restore the link. If the link is successfully restored, the first node sends a second notification information to the third node, which is used to indicate that the link has returned to normal.

[0097] Optionally, the first node can also set a second time threshold. If the link is successfully restored before the second time threshold is reached, the first node sends the second notification information to the third node. If the link is successfully restored after the second time threshold is exceeded, the first node may not send the second notification information to the third node.

[0098] It should be understood that the second preset time threshold is greater than the aforementioned first preset time threshold.

[0099] In one possible implementation, the second notification information is implicit, meaning that although the second notification information does not contain an explicit link recovery instruction, the third node can clearly know that the link has been restored after receiving the second notification information.

[0100] For example, when the third node is a subordinate node, after the first node sends the first notification message, it will no longer schedule the third node to send PUSCH, that is, it will no longer send DCI containing uplink scheduling. After the link is restored, the first node will resume sending PUSCH containing uplink scheduling DCI. Therefore, if the PUSCH received by the third node contains uplink scheduling DCI, the third node can determine that the link has been restored. In this example, the uplink scheduling DCI can be considered as an implicit second notification message.

[0101] Optionally, the link status may also include the link interruption status.

[0102] Specifically, when a link anomaly occurs, the processing procedure is as described above. If the first node fails to restore the link within a preset time, it enters a link interruption state and notifies the third node of this link interruption state via a third notification message.

[0103] 403, the third node performs signal processing based on the first notification information.

[0104] Specifically, if the third node receives the first notification information and determines that the link between the first node and the second node is abnormal, the third node can perform corresponding signal processing.

[0105] For example, if the second node is the parent node of the first node, and the first node is the parent node of the third node, then the third node measures other available links, switches links, or waits for links to recover.

[0106] If the second node is the next level node of the first node, and the first node is the next level node of the third node, then the third node will stop sending data belonging to the second node through the first node.

[0107] Optionally, if the first notification information includes the waiting link recovery time, the third node detects a second notification information indicating that the link has returned to normal within the waiting link recovery time. Upon receiving the second notification information, the third node restores the link connection with the first node. In this way, the third node can quickly restore the connection with the second node through the first node, saving the latency of link re-establishment.

[0108] For example, such as Figure 6As shown, if the waiting time for the link to be restored is T2, and the third node detects the second notification information, then the link connection between the third node and the first node is restored.

[0109] Optionally, the waiting time for the link to recover can be infinite, meaning the third node needs to continuously monitor the second notification information.

[0110] Optionally, the first node can also send a link connection interruption indication message to the third node, so that the third node can stop detecting the second notification message and avoid wasting resources.

[0111] Accordingly, if the third node does not receive the second notification information when the waiting link recovery time expires, the third node can perform other link detection and then perform link switching. For example, the third node can switch to a link connected to other relay nodes (e.g., a fourth node, which can be a relay node of the second and third nodes, and the fourth node is different from the first node).

[0112] Optionally, the third node can perform other link detections and search for suitable link connections during the waiting period for link recovery. This allows it to find a suitable link connection even if it has not received the second notification information by the time the waiting period for link recovery has elapsed, and thus directly perform link switching, thereby further improving communication efficiency.

[0113] Optionally, if the first notification information includes the time-frequency resource location of the waiting link recovery, the third node detects the second notification information indicating that the link has recovered normally at the first time-frequency resource location of the waiting link recovery, and upon receiving the second notification information, can quickly restore the link connection with the second node through the first node, saving the latency of link establishment.

[0114] Accordingly, if the third node does not receive the second notification information on the time-frequency resources where the link is waiting to be restored, the third node can perform other link detection and then perform link switching.

[0115] Optionally, if the first notification information includes the waiting link recovery duration and the time-frequency resource location of the waiting link recovery, the third node detects the second notification information indicating that the link has returned to normal at the first time-frequency resource location of the waiting link recovery and within the waiting link recovery duration, and restores the link connection with the first node upon receiving the second notification information. This allows the third node to restore communication with the second node more quickly, saving the latency of link re-establishment.

[0116] Accordingly, if the third node does not receive the second notification information on the time-frequency resources for waiting for the link to recover, and within the waiting time for the link to recover, the third node can perform other link detection and then perform link switching.

[0117] Optionally, the third node may send the first notification information to the fifth node, which is the next level node of the third node.

[0118] Specifically, the third node may decide to send the first notification information to the fifth node on its own, or it may decide to send the first notification information to the fifth node based on the instruction in the first notification information that the first notification information needs to be forwarded to the fifth node.

[0119] Optionally, after receiving the first notification from the first node, the third node may decide on its own to send the first notification to the fifth node.

[0120] Optionally, if the waiting time for the link to recover is T3, and the third node does not detect the second notification information when the T3 time period arrives, the third node sends the first notification information to the fifth node.

[0121] Optionally, if the third node detects the second notification information, the third node may also send the second notification information to the fifth node.

[0122] For example, such as Figure 6 As shown, the third node receives the first notification information and determines that the link between the first node and the second node is abnormal based on the first notification information. The third node waits for the link recovery notification during the T2 time period. If the second notification information is not received by the T2 time period, the third node sends the first notification information to the fifth node. The fifth node determines that the link between the first node and the second node is abnormal based on the first notification information. If the third node receives the second notification information and detects that the link has been successfully restored, the third node sends the second notification information to the fifth node.

[0123] It should be noted that the first and second notification messages from the third node to the fifth node indicate link failure and recovery, respectively. These first and second notification messages can be carried in different signaling messages or in dedicated signaling messages. Therefore, the signaling message carrying the first notification message sent from the third node to the fifth node can be the same as the signaling message carrying the first notification message sent from the first node to the third node. Alternatively, the signaling message carrying the first notification message processed by the third node can be different from the signaling message carrying the first notification message processed by the first node.

[0124] Optionally, the information sent from the third node to the fifth node explicitly indicates the link anomaly and recovery between the first and second nodes.

[0125] Optionally, the information sent from the third node to the fifth node indicates the anomaly and recovery of the link between the third node and the first node. In this case, the fifth node only knows that the link above the third node has a problem, but does not know the specific link that has the problem.

[0126] Optionally, if the third node does not receive the second notification information within a preset time, the link between the first and second nodes can be assumed to be in a link interruption state.

[0127] Therefore, in the signal transmission method of this application embodiment, the first node determines the link status between the first node and the second node, and in the case of abnormal link status, sends a first notification message to the third node to indicate the abnormal link between the first node and the second node, so that the third node performs corresponding signal processing according to the first notification message, thereby improving communication efficiency.

[0128] It should be understood that the specific examples in the embodiments of this application are only for the purpose of helping those skilled in the art to better understand the embodiments of this application, and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application.

[0129] It should be understood that in the various embodiments of this application, the order of the above-mentioned processes does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0130] The signal transmission method of the present application embodiments has been described in detail above. The signal transmission apparatus of the present application embodiments will be described below.

[0131] Figure 7 This is a signal transmission device 700 according to an embodiment of this application. The signal transmission device 700 can be the first node described above.

[0132] It should be understood that the signal transmission device 700 may correspond to the first node in the above method embodiment and may have any function of the first node in the method.

[0133] The device 700 is applied to a communication system comprising at least three nodes, wherein a second node of the at least three nodes communicates with a third node through a first node, and the device 700 comprises:

[0134] Processing module 710 is used to determine the link status between the first node and the second node;

[0135] The transceiver module 720 is used to send a first notification message to the third node when it is determined that the link between the first node and the second node is abnormal. The first notification message is used to indicate that the link between the first node and the second node is abnormal.

[0136] Optionally, the transceiver module 720 is specifically used for:

[0137] If it is determined that the link between the first node and the second node is abnormal, the link is restored;

[0138] If the link recovery fails when the first preset time threshold is reached, the first notification information is sent to the third node.

[0139] Optionally, the transceiver module 720 is further configured to send a second notification message to the third node if the link is successfully restored within a second preset time threshold, wherein the second notification message is used to indicate that the link has returned to normal.

[0140] Optionally, the second node is the next level node of the first node, and the first notification information further includes at least one of the following: the type of the link anomaly and the amount of data cached by the first node for sending to the third node.

[0141] Optionally, the second node is the parent node of the first node, and the first notification information further includes at least one of the waiting link recovery duration and the time-frequency resource location waiting for link recovery.

[0142] Optionally, the second node is the next-level node of the first node, and the processing module 710 is specifically used for:

[0143] If no response message for uplink scheduling information or feedback on whether downlink signals have been successfully received is received from the second node within the third preset time threshold, then the link between the first node and the second node is determined to be abnormal.

[0144] Optionally, the second node is the next level node of the first node, and the processing module 710 is further configured to determine the link quality between the first node and the second node;

[0145] The processing module 710 is specifically used for:

[0146] If the link quality is less than a preset quality threshold, the link between the first node and the second node is determined to be abnormal.

[0147] Therefore, in the signal transmission apparatus of this application embodiment, the first node determines the link status between the first node and the second node, and in the case of an abnormal link status, sends a first notification message to the third node to indicate the abnormal link between the first node and the second node, so that the third node performs corresponding signal processing according to the first notification message, thereby improving communication efficiency.

[0148] Optionally, the signal transmission device 700 in this application embodiment may be an access network device or a chip within the access network device.

[0149] It should be understood that the signal transmission device 700 according to the embodiments of this application may correspond to Figures 4-6 The first node in the signal transmission method of the embodiment, and the above and other management operations and / or functions of each module in the signal transmission apparatus 700 are respectively for implementing the corresponding steps of the aforementioned methods, which will not be described in detail here for the sake of brevity.

[0150] Optionally, if the signal transmission device 700 is an access network device, then the transceiver module 720 in this embodiment can be implemented by a transceiver 810, and the processing module 710 can be implemented by a processor 820. For example... Figure 8 As shown, the signal transmission device 800 may include a transceiver 810, a processor 820, and a memory 830. The memory 830 may be used to store indication information, as well as code and instructions executed by the processor 820. The transceiver 810 may include radio frequency circuitry. Optionally, the access network device may further include a storage unit.

[0151] The storage unit may be, for example, a memory. When the access network device includes a storage unit, the storage unit is used to store computer-executed instructions. The processing unit is connected to the storage unit and executes the computer-executed instructions stored in the storage unit to cause the access network device to perform the above-described signal transmission method.

[0152] Optionally, if the signal transmission device 700 is a chip within an access network device, then the chip includes a processing module 710 and a transceiver module 720. The transceiver module 720 can be implemented by a transceiver 810, and the processing module 710 can be implemented by a processor 820. The transceiver module can be, for example, an input / output interface, pins, or circuits. The processing module can execute computer-executable instructions stored in the storage unit. The storage unit can be a storage unit within the chip, such as a register or cache. The storage unit can also be a storage unit located outside the chip within the terminal, such as a read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices capable of storing static information and instructions, such as random access memory (RAM).

[0153] Figure 9 This is a signal transmission device 900 according to an embodiment of this application. The signal transmission device 900 can be the third node mentioned above.

[0154] It should be understood that the signal transmission device 900 may correspond to the third node in each method embodiment and may have any function of the third node in the method.

[0155] The device is applied in a communication system comprising at least three nodes, wherein a second node of the at least three nodes communicates with a third node through a first node, and the device comprises:

[0156] Transceiver module 910 is used to receive first notification information, which indicates an anomaly in the link between the first node and the second node;

[0157] The processing module 920 is used to perform signal processing based on the first notification information.

[0158] Optionally, the second node is the next level node of the first node, and the first notification information further includes at least one of the following: the type of the link anomaly and the amount of data cached by the first node for sending to the third node.

[0159] Optionally, the second node is the parent node of the first node, and the first notification information further includes at least one of the waiting link recovery duration and the first time-frequency resource location waiting for link recovery.

[0160] Optionally, if the first notification information includes the waiting link recovery time, the processing module 920 is specifically configured to: detect a second notification information during the waiting link recovery time, the second notification information being used to indicate that the link has returned to normal; and, upon receiving the second notification information, restore the link connection with the second node.

[0161] Optionally, if the first notification information includes the time-frequency resource location where the link is waiting to be restored, the processing module 920 is specifically configured to: detect second notification information at the first time-frequency resource location where the link is waiting to be restored, the second notification information being used to indicate that the link has been restored to normal; and restore the link connection with the second node upon receiving the second notification information.

[0162] Optionally, the processing module 920 is further configured to switch to the link between the third node and the fourth node if the second notification information is not received when the waiting link recovery time is reached. The fourth node is used for communication between the third node and the second node, and the fourth node is different from the first node.

[0163] Optionally, the transceiver module 910 is further configured to send the second notification information to the fifth node, which is able to communicate with the first node through the third node.

[0164] Optionally, the transceiver module 910 is further configured to send the first notification information to the fifth node, wherein the fifth node is able to communicate with the first node through the third node.

[0165] Therefore, in the signal transmission apparatus of this application embodiment, the third node receives a first notification message sent in the event of an abnormal link status between the first node and the second node, indicating an abnormal link status between the first node and the second node, and performs corresponding signal processing based on the first notification message, thereby improving communication efficiency.

[0166] Optionally, the signal transmission device 900 in this application embodiment may be an access network device or a chip within the access network device.

[0167] It should be understood that the signal transmission device 900 according to the embodiments of this application may correspond to Figures 4-6 The second device in the signal transmission method of the embodiment, and the above and other management operations and / or functions of each module in the signal transmission apparatus 900 are respectively for implementing the corresponding steps of the aforementioned methods, which will not be described in detail here for the sake of brevity.

[0168] Optionally, if the signal transmission device 900 is an access network device, then the transceiver module 920 in this embodiment can be implemented by the transceiver 1010, and the processing module 910 can be implemented by the processor 1020. For example... Figure 10As shown, the signal transmission device 1000 may include a transceiver 1010, a processor 1020, and a memory 1030. The memory 1030 may be used to store indication information, and may also be used to store code, instructions, etc., executed by the processor 1020. The transceiver 1010 may include radio frequency circuitry; optionally, the access network device may also include a storage unit.

[0169] The storage unit may be, for example, a memory. When the access network device includes a storage unit, the storage unit is used to store computer-executed instructions. The processing unit is connected to the storage unit and executes the computer-executed instructions stored in the storage unit to cause the access network device to perform the above-described signal transmission method.

[0170] Optionally, if the signal transmission device 900 is a chip within an access network device, then the chip includes a processing module 910 and a transceiver module 920. The transceiver module 920 can be implemented by a transceiver 1010, and the processing module 910 can be implemented by a processor 1020. The transceiver module can be, for example, an input / output interface, pins, or circuits. The processing module can execute computer-executable instructions stored in the storage unit. The storage unit can be a storage unit within the chip, such as a register or cache. The storage unit can also be a storage unit located outside the chip within the terminal, such as a read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices capable of storing static information and instructions, such as random access memory (RAM).

[0171] Optionally, the storage unit can be an in-chip storage unit, such as a register or cache. Alternatively, the storage unit can be an external storage unit located within the terminal, such as read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices capable of storing static information and instructions, such as random access memory (RAM).

[0172] Figure 11 A communication system 1100 according to an embodiment of this application is shown. The communication system 1100 includes:

[0173] like Figure 7The signal transmission device 700 in the illustrated embodiment and such Figure 9 The signal transmission device 900 shown in the embodiment.

[0174] This application also provides a computer storage medium that can store program instructions for instructing any of the above methods.

[0175] Alternatively, the storage medium may specifically be a memory 830 or 1030.

[0176] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0177] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0178] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0179] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0180] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0181] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0182] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for signal transmission, characterized in that, The method is applied to a communication system comprising at least three nodes, wherein a second node of the at least three nodes communicates with a third node through a first node, the second node being a parent node of the first node, and the third node being a child node of the first node. The method includes: The first node detects the status of the backhaul link between the first node and the second node; If the first node detects an anomaly in the backhaul link between the first node and the second node, it restores the backhaul link. The first node sends information indicating the recovery result of the backhaul link between the first node and the second node; The method further includes: When the backhaul link fails to recover, the first node sends a first notification message to the third node. The first notification message indicates that the backhaul link between the first node and the second node has failed to recover. The first notification message includes the waiting time for the link to recover. When the backhaul link is successfully restored, the first node sends a second notification message to the third node, the second notification message being used to indicate that the backhaul link between the first node and the second node has returned to normal.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: From the moment the first node determines that the link between the first node and the second node is abnormal, within a first preset time threshold, the first node restores the backhaul link between the first node and the second node.

3. A method for signal transmission, characterized in that, The method is applied to a communication system comprising at least three nodes, wherein a second node of the at least three nodes communicates with a third node through a first node, the second node being a parent node of the first node, and the third node being a child node of the first node. The method includes: The third node receives information indicating the recovery result of the backhaul link between the first node and the second node; The third node performs signal processing based on the information used to indicate the recovery result of the backhaul link between the first node and the second node; The information used to indicate the recovery result of the backhaul link between the first node and the second node includes: a first notification message or a second notification message sent by the first node to the third node; The first notification information is used to indicate that the backhaul link between the first node and the second node has failed to recover, and the first notification information includes the waiting time for the link to recover; The second notification information is used to indicate that the backhaul link between the first node and the second node has returned to normal.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The first notification information also includes the first time-frequency resource location awaiting link recovery.

5. A signal transmission device, characterized in that, The device is applied to a communication system comprising at least three nodes, wherein a second node of the at least three nodes communicates with a third node through a first node, the second node being a parent node of the first node, and the third node being a child node of the first node. The device comprises: The processing module is used to detect the status of the backhaul link between the first node and the second node; The transceiver module is configured to restore the backhaul link when an anomaly is detected in the backhaul link between the first node and the second node; and, The transceiver module is also used to send information indicating the recovery result of the backhaul link between the first node and the second node; The transceiver module is further configured to send a first notification message to the third node when the backhaul link fails to recover. The first notification message is used to indicate that the backhaul link between the first node and the second node has failed to recover, and the first notification message includes the waiting time for the link to recover. The transceiver module is further configured to, when the backhaul link is successfully restored, send a second notification message to the third node, wherein the second notification message is used to indicate that the backhaul link between the first node and the second node has been restored to normal.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, The transceiver module is further configured to, from the moment the first node determines that the link between the first node and the second node is abnormal, within a first preset time threshold, perform link restoration on the backhaul link between the first node and the second node.

7. A signal transmission device, characterized in that, The device is applied to a communication system comprising at least three nodes, wherein a second node of the at least three nodes communicates with a third node through a first node, the second node being a parent node of the first node, and the third node being a child node of the first node. The device comprises: The transceiver module is used to receive information indicating the recovery result of the backhaul link between the first node and the second node; The processing module is used to perform signal processing based on the information indicating the recovery result of the backhaul link between the first node and the second node; The information used to indicate the recovery result of the backhaul link between the first node and the second node includes: a first notification message or a second notification message sent by the first node to the third node; The first notification information is used to indicate that the backhaul link between the first node and the second node has failed to recover, and the first notification information includes the waiting time for the link to recover; The second notification information is used to indicate that the backhaul link between the first node and the second node has returned to normal.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first notification information also includes the first time-frequency resource location awaiting link recovery.

9. A computer storage medium, characterized in that, The computer storage medium stores program code, which is used to instruct instructions to perform the method of any one of claims 1-4.

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