A relay communication method and related equipment

Abstract

The embodiment of the present application provides a communication method and related equipment. The method includes: a network management device receives first information from an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, and then generates and sends the first configuration information to the IAB node based on the first information. By implementing this method, the IAB node in the IAB network can obtain accurate configuration information, thereby ensuring the operation of the IAB network.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and more specifically, to a relay communication method and related equipment. Background Art

[0002] The fifth generation (5G) introduces the concepts of Central Unit (CU) and Distributed Unit (DU). A base station, such as a next-generation base station (gNB), can be divided into a gNB-CU and at least one gNB-DU connected to the gNB-CU according to the protocol layer. The gNB-DU may include Radio Link Control (RLC) layer functions, MAC layer functions, and Physical (PHY) layer functions. The CU may include Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer functions, Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer functions, and Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer functions. The gNB-CU and gNB-DU are connected by wire and communicate through the F1 interface.

[0003] The existing network planning and deployment is the responsibility of the network management equipment in the network. For base stations with CU-DU separation architecture, such as gNB, the topological relationship between gNB-CU and gNB-DU is determined by the network management equipment, and the network management equipment configures gNB-CU and gNB-DU respectively. For example, the network management equipment will send configuration information to the gNB-DU. The configuration information may include: gNB-DU identifier (gNB-DU ID), gNB-DU name (gNB-DU Name), identifier of the base station to which the gNB-DU belongs (gNBID), base station identifier length of the base station to which the gNB-DU belongs (gNB ID length), DU-side internet protocol (IP) address corresponding to the F1 interface (i.e., the local IP address of the gNB-DU at the F1 interface), CU-side IP address corresponding to the F1 interface (i.e., the peer IP address of the gNB-DU at the F1 interface, that is, the local IP address of the gNB-CU at the F1 interface, because the peer of the gNB-DU at the F1 interface is the gNB-CU), cell local identifier (cellLocalId), public land mobile network identifier list (PLMN IdList), single network slice selection assistance information list (sNSSAI List), physical cell identifier (PCI) identifier, PCI), tracking area code (TAC), uplink and downlink frequency, synchronization signal and PBCH block (synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block, SSB) frequency, SSB period, SSB carrier spacing, SSB offset (Offset), SSB duration (Duration).

[0004] In an Integrated access and backhaul (IAB) network, the cell identity (CellIdentity) of a cell served by an IAB node includes a first base station identity, and the cell served by an IAB host to which the IAB node is connected includes a second base station identity. The normal operation of the IAB network generally requires ensuring that the first base station identity is equal to the second base station identity. After the IAB node is connected to the IAB host, for the terminal served by the IAB node, the cell served by the IAB node can be considered as the cell served by the IAB host.

[0005] To ensure normal data routing, the IP address of the IAB node and the IP address of the IAB host DU to which the IAB node is connected need to belong to the same network segment or have the same network prefix.

[0006] However, since the IAB-DU and Donor-CU are connected wirelessly, the IAB node can randomly choose to connect to different IAB hosts, or switch between different IAB hosts. This causes the network management device to be unable to timely obtain the topology information in the current IAB network (e.g., the IAB host information to which the IAB node is connected), and thus is unable to provide accurate configuration information for the IAB nodes in the IAB network. Summary of the invention

[0007] In view of this, the present application provides a communication method and related devices, which can enable a network management device to provide accurate configuration information for an IAB node in an IAB network.

[0008] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which may include: a network management device receives first information from an access backhaul integrated IAB node; the network management device generates first configuration information of the IAB node according to the first information; the network management device sends the first configuration information to the IAB node. Through this method, exemplary beneficial effects include: the IAB node in the IAB network can obtain accurate configuration information, thereby ensuring the operation of the IAB network.

[0009] In a feasible design, the first information includes: cell information of the cell accessed by the IAB node, and / or the base station identifier of the IAB host of the IAB node. Through this design, exemplary beneficial effects include: enabling the network management device to obtain the IAB host information of the IAB node, and generating appropriate configuration information for the IAB according to the IAB host information.

[0010] In a feasible design, the cell information includes at least one of the following: a cell identifier, a cell global identifier, and a physical cell identifier.

[0011] In a feasible design, the first information includes: location information or neighboring information of the IAB node. Through this design, exemplary beneficial effects include: enabling the network management device to obtain the IAB host information around the IAB node, and generating a corresponding set of appropriate configuration information for each candidate IAB host, so as to facilitate the IAB node to make appropriate autonomous selection.

[0012] In a feasible design, the first configuration information includes X configuration information, and the X configuration information corresponds to X candidate IAB hosts respectively, where X is a positive integer; the network management device receives the third configuration information from the IAB node or the index corresponding to the third configuration information, and the third configuration information is determined by the IAB node according to the first configuration information, and the third configuration information has a corresponding relationship with the IAB host selected by the IAB node. Through this design, exemplary beneficial effects include: the configuration information autonomously selected by the IAB node can be aligned between the network management device and the IAB node. By exchanging the configuration information autonomously selected by the IAB node through the index, signaling overhead can be saved.

[0013] In a feasible design, the first configuration information includes at least one of the following: the local Internet Protocol IP address of the IAB node at the F1 interface, the opposite IP address of the IAB node at the F1 interface, and the cell information of the cell served by the IAB node; wherein the local end of the F1 interface is the distributed unit DU end of the IAB node, and the opposite end of the F1 interface is the centralized unit CU end of the IAB host of the IAB node. Through this design, exemplary beneficial effects include: it can be ensured that the IP address of the IAB node and the IP address of the IAB host DU belong to the same network segment or have the same network prefix. And it is ensured that the cell identifier of the cell served by the IAB node includes the base station identifier of the IAB host.

[0014] In a feasible design, the network management device generates first configuration information of the IAB node according to the first information, including: the network management device determines the IAB host of the IAB node according to the first information; the network management device generates the first configuration information according to the IAB host.

[0015] In a feasible design, the network management device generates the first configuration information according to the IAB host, including: the network management device determines the local IP address of the IAB node at the F1 interface according to the DU of the IAB host; and / or, the network management device determines the cell information of the cell served by the IAB node according to the CU of the IAB host. Through this design, exemplary beneficial effects include: it can be ensured that the cell identifier of the cell served by the IAB node includes the base station identifier of the IAB host.

[0016] In a feasible design, when the first configuration information does not include the local IP address of the IAB node at the F1 interface, the network management device further sends first indication information to the IAB node, and the first indication information is used to indicate the type of IP address requested by the IAB node to the IAB host; or, the first indication information is used to indicate the prefix of the IP address requested by the IAB node to the IAB host; or, the first indication information is used to indicate the IAB node to request X IP addresses from the IAB host; or, the first indication information is used to indicate the IAB node to request Y IP addresses for the F1-C interface or the F1-C business from the IAB host. The first indication information is used to instruct the IAB node to request Z IP addresses for the F1-U interface or F1-U service from the IAB host; or, the first indication information is used to instruct the IAB node to request the IP address prefix for the F1-C interface or F1-C service from the IAB host; or, the first indication information is used to instruct the IAB node to request the IP address prefix for the F1-U interface or F1-U service from the IAB host; X, Y, Z, M, N are positive integers, the F1-C interface is the control plane interface of the F1 interface, and the F1-U interface is the user plane interface of the F1 interface. Through this design, exemplary beneficial effects include: the IAB node can request appropriate IP address information from the IAB host under the unified control of the network management device.

[0017] In a feasible design, the network management device sends a preconfigured cell set to the target IAB host of the IAB node; the network management device receives cell information from the IAB node; the cell information is determined for the IAB node by the target IAB host of the IAB node from the preconfigured cell set. Through this design, exemplary beneficial effects include: in the scenario where the IAB node switches the IAB host, the cell configuration information can be obtained more quickly.

[0018] In a feasible design, the network management device receives the second indication information from the IAB node; the network management device determines that the physical cell identifier PCI of the IAB node remains unchanged according to the second indication information. Through this design, exemplary beneficial effects include: avoiding updating the PCI during the IAB node switching process, reducing the impact on the communication between the IAB node and its subnodes, improving communication efficiency, and enhancing user experience.

[0019] In a feasible design, the network management device receives the third indication information from the IAB node; the network management device determines whether the IAB node is an IAB node according to the third indication information. Through this design, exemplary beneficial effects include: the network management device can timely understand the situation of the IAB node and realize the control of the IAB node.

[0020] In a feasible design, the network management device receives fourth indication information from the IAB node, and the fourth indication information includes the state of the cell served by the IAB node; wherein the state of the cell served by the IAB node includes: the cell is closed or the cell is in a discontinuous reception DTX state; the network management device determines the state of the cell served by the IAB node according to the fourth indication information. Through this design, exemplary beneficial effects include: the network management device can timely understand the situation of the IAB node and realize the control of the IAB node.

[0021] In a feasible design, when the state of the cell served by the IAB node is that the cell is in the DTX state, the fourth indication information also includes: SSB information of the cell served by the IAB node.

[0022] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which may include: an access backhaul integrated IAB node sends first information to a network management device; and the IAB node receives first configuration information from the network management device.

[0023] A feasible design is characterized in that the first information includes: cell information of a cell accessed by the IAB node, and / or a base station identifier of an IAB host of the IAB node.

[0024] In a feasible design, the cell information includes at least one of the following: a cell identifier, a cell global identifier, and a physical cell identifier.

[0025] In a feasible design, the first information includes: location information or neighboring cell information of the IAB node.

[0026] In a feasible design, the first configuration information includes X configuration information, and the X configuration information respectively corresponds to X candidate IAB hosts, where X is a positive integer; the method also includes: the IAB node selects an IAB host; the IAB node determines the configuration information corresponding to the IAB host in the first configuration information as the third configuration information; and the IAB node sends the third configuration information or an index corresponding to the third configuration information to the network management device.

[0027] In a feasible design, the first configuration information includes at least one of the following: the local Internet Protocol IP address of the IAB node at the F1 interface, the opposite IP address of the IAB node at the F1 interface, and the cell information of the cell served by the IAB node; wherein the local end of the F1 interface is the distributed unit DU end of the IAB node, and the opposite end of the F1 interface is the centralized unit CU end of the IAB host of the IAB node.

[0028] In a feasible design, when the first configuration information does not include the local IP address of the IAB node at the F1 interface, the method includes: the IAB node further receives first indication information from the network management device, the first indication information is used to indicate the type of IP address requested by the IAB node to the IAB host; or, the first indication information is used to indicate the prefix of the IP address requested by the IAB node to the IAB host; or, the first indication information is used to indicate the IAB node to request X IP addresses from the IAB host; or, the first indication information is used to indicate the IAB node to request Y IP addresses for the F1-C interface or the F1-C business from the IAB host. The first indication information is used to instruct the IAB node to request Z IP addresses for the F1-U interface or the F1-U service from the IAB host; or, the first indication information is used to instruct the IAB node to request the IAB host for an IP address prefix for the F1-C interface or the F1-C service; or, the first indication information is used to instruct the IAB node to request the IAB host for an IP address prefix for the F1-U interface or the F1-U service; X, Y, Z, M, N are positive integers, the F1-C interface is the control plane interface of the F1 interface, and the F1-U interface is the user plane interface of the F1 interface.

[0029] In a feasible design, the IAB node sends second information to the IAB host; the second information is used to request the type of the IP address from the IAB host; or, the second information is used to request the prefix of the IP address from the IAB host; or, the second information is used to request X IP addresses from the IAB host; or, the second information is used to request Y IP addresses for the F1-C interface or F1-C service from the IAB host; or, the second information is used to request Z IP addresses for the F1-U interface or F1-U service from the IAB host; or, the second information is used to request the IP address prefix for the F1-C interface or F1-C service from the IAB host; or, the second information is used to request the IP address prefix for the F1-U interface or F1-U service from the IAB host; X, Y, Z, M, N are positive integers, the F1-C interface is the control plane interface of the F1 interface, and the F1-U interface is the user plane interface of the F1 interface.

[0030] In a feasible design, the IAB node receives second configuration information from the IAB host; wherein the second configuration information may include at least one of the following information: an IP address prefix assigned by the IAB host to the IAB node, an IP address assigned by the IAB host to the IAB node, an IP address for an F1-C interface or an F1-C service assigned by the IAB host to the IAB node, an IP address for an F1-U interface or an 1-U service assigned by the IAB host to the IAB node, an IP address prefix for an F1-C interface or an F1-C service assigned by the IAB host to the IAB node, and an IP address prefix for an F1-U interface or an F1-U service assigned by the IAB host to the IAB node.

[0031] In a feasible design, the IAB node sends the second configuration information to the network management device. Through this design, exemplary beneficial effects include: enabling the network management device and the IAB node to align the configuration information allocated by the IAB host node to the IAB node.

[0032] In a feasible design, the IAB node sends a second indication message to the network management device; wherein the second indication message includes the location information of the IAB node and / or the information of the neighboring cells of the IAB node. Alternatively, the second indication message is used to indicate that the PCI of the cell served by the IAB node remains unchanged.

[0033] In a feasible design, the IAB node sends third indication information to the network management device; wherein the third indication information is used to indicate whether the node is an IAB node.

[0034] In a feasible design, the IAB node sends a fourth indication message to the network management device; wherein the fourth indication message includes the status of the cell served by the IAB node; wherein the status of the cell served by the IAB node includes: the cell is closed or the cell is in a discontinuous reception DTX state.

[0035] In a feasible design, when the state of the cell served by the IAB node is that the cell is in the DTX state, the fourth indication information also includes: SSB information of the cell served by the IAB node.

[0036] In a third aspect, the present application provides a device, which may include: at least one processor and an interface circuit, wherein the program instructions involved are executed in the at least one processor so that the communication device implements the method of the first aspect or the second aspect and any design thereof. The device may be a terminal device or a network device in the method of the first aspect or the second aspect and any design thereof, or a chip therein. Optionally, the communication device may also include at least one memory, which stores the program instructions involved.

[0037] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores relevant program instructions. When the relevant program instructions are executed, the communication device implements the method of the first aspect or the second aspect and any design thereof.

[0038] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product, which includes relevant program instructions, and when the relevant program instructions are executed, they can implement the method of the first aspect and any design thereof.

[0039] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which is used to execute the method of implementing the first aspect or the second aspect and any design thereof. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] The accompanying drawings that may be included in the specification and constitute a part of the specification illustrate exemplary embodiments, or features and aspects of the present application together with the specification, and are used to explain the principles of the present application. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other accompanying drawings can be obtained based on these accompanying drawings without paying any creative work.

[0041] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a possible communication system of the present application;

[0042] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an IAB host provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0043] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a control plane protocol stack in an IAB network provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0044] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a user plane protocol stack in an IAB network provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0045] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of IAB node switching provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0046] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0047] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0049] Fig. 9is a schematic diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] Fig.10 is a schematic diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] Fig.11 is a schematic diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] Fig.12 is a schematic diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0053] Fig.13 is a schematic diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0054] Fig.14 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0055] Fig.15 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0056] Fig.16 It is a schematic block diagram of a device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] In the description of this application, words such as "first", "second", "operation 201", or "operation 202" are only used to distinguish the description and facilitate the context. Different sequence numbers themselves do not have specific technical meanings and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance, nor can they be understood as indicating or implying the order of execution of operations.

[0058] The term "and / or" in this application is only a description of the association relationship of the associated objects, indicating that there can be three kinds of relationships. For example, "A and / or B" can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. A and B can be singular or plural. In addition, the character " / " in this article indicates that the associated objects before and after are in an "or" relationship.

[0059] In this application, "transmission" may include the following three situations: sending of data, receiving of data, or sending of data and receiving of data. In this application, "data" may include service data and / or signaling data.

[0060] Each threshold value, threshold value, offset value, or preset value of the user equipment in this application can be configured by the network equipment, can be stored in the user equipment when the user equipment leaves the factory, or can be specified or defined by the standard. These threshold values, threshold values, offset values, or preset values ​​can be set to 0.

[0061] In this application, the terms "comprises" or "has" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process / method comprising a series of steps, or a system / product / apparatus comprising a series of units, is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to these processes / methods / products / apparatus.

[0062] The solution provided in the embodiments of the present application 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), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, fifth generation (5G) mobile communication system, or new radio (NR) system, as well as other network systems that can be used to provide mobile communication services, etc., and the present application does not limit them.

[0063] Compared with the fourth generation mobile communication system, the fifth generation mobile communication (5G) has put forward more stringent requirements for all network performance indicators. For example, the capacity index has been increased by 1000 times, with wider coverage requirements, ultra-high reliability and ultra-low latency. On the one hand, considering the rich high-frequency carrier frequency resources, in hot spots, in order to meet the ultra-high capacity requirements of 5G, the use of high-frequency small base stations to form a network is becoming more and more popular. The propagation characteristics of high-frequency carriers are poor, and they are severely attenuated by obstruction and have a narrow coverage range. Therefore, a large number of small base stations need to be deployed densely. Correspondingly, the cost of providing optical fiber backhaul for these densely deployed small base stations is very high, and the construction is difficult. Therefore, an economical and convenient backhaul solution is needed; on the other hand, from the perspective of wide coverage requirements, in some remote areas, network coverage is provided, and the deployment of optical fiber is difficult and costly, so a flexible and convenient access and backhaul solution needs to be designed. Integrated access and backhaul (IAB) technology provides ideas for solving the above two problems: its access link and backhaul link both use wireless transmission solutions to avoid optical fiber deployment. In an IAB network, a relay node RN (RN, Relay Node) or IAB node (IAB node) can provide wireless access services for user equipment (UE, User equipment). The service data of the UE is transmitted by the IAB node to the donor node (IAB donor) or donor base station (DgNB, Donor gNodeB) through a wireless backhaul link. The use of IAB nodes can make access and backhaul share antennas, reducing the number of antennas in the base station.

[0064] The embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The features or contents marked with dotted lines in the accompanying drawings can be understood as optional operations or optional structures of the embodiments of the present application.

[0065] Figure 1The user equipment in the term "user equipment" may be an access terminal device, a user unit, a user station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal device, a mobile device, a user terminal device, a wireless terminal device, a user agent, or a user device, etc. It may also be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication function, a computing device, other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device (such as a smart watch, a smart bracelet, etc.), or it may also be a smart furniture or home appliance, a terminal device in a 5G network, a terminal device in a public land mobile network (PLMN) to be evolved in the future, or a vehicle device in a vehicle to everything (V2X), a customer premises equipment (CPE), etc. The present application does not limit the specific implementation form of the user equipment.

[0066] Figure 1 The IAB node in the may be composed of a MT (mobile termination, mobile terminal, referred to as IAB-MT) and a DU (distributed unit, DU, referred to as IAB-DU), wherein, when the IAB node faces its parent node, it may be regarded as a terminal device, that is, the role of MT; when the IAB node faces its child node (the child node may be another IAB node, or an ordinary UE), it may be regarded as a network device, that is, as the role of DU.

[0067] Figure 1 The IAB donor in the 5G network can be a donor base station. The IAB donor can be referred to as DgNB (i.e., donor gNodeB) in the 5G network. The IAB donor can be a complete entity or can be separated into a centralized unit (CU) (referred to as Donor-CU or gNB-CU in this application) and a distributed unit (DU) (referred to as Donor-DU or gNB-DU in this application). Figure 2As shown, the IAB host may be a gNB located in a 5G radio access network (5G RAN). The IAB host may be composed of a gNB-CU and a gNB-DU. The gNB-CU and the gNB-DU are connected via an F1 interface, and the F1 interface may further include a control plane interface (F1-C) and a user plane interface (F1-U). The CU and the core network are connected via a next generation (NG) interface. Among them, the gNB-CU or Donor-CU may also exist in a form in which the user plane (UP) (referred to as CU-UP in this application) and the control plane (CP) (referred to as CU-CP in this application) are separated, that is, the gNB-CU or Donor-CU is composed of a CU-CP and a CU-UP. A gNB-CU may include a gNB-CU-CP and at least one gNB-CU-UP. Alternatively, a Donor-CU may include a Donor-CU-CP and at least one Donor-CU-UP.

[0068] Figure 1 The network management device in the system may be an operation, administration and maintenance (OAM) element. The network management device may include an element management system (EMS) and a network management system (NMS). Figure 2 As shown, the network management device can be a functional network element located in the 5G core network (5G Core, 5GC). Alternatively, the network management device can also be a functional network element deployed in the backbone network behind the 5G core network, or the network management device can also be deployed in other locations. This application does not limit the specific deployment location of the network management device.

[0069] The IAB node is connected to the core network via the IAB host. For example, in the standalone (SA) 5G architecture, the IAB node is connected to the core network (5G core, 5GC) of the 5G network via the IAB host. In the dual connectivity (DC) / multi-connection 5G architecture (for example: non-standalone (NSA), or NR-NR DC scenario, etc.), on the primary path, the IAB node can be connected to the evolved packet core (EPC) via the evolved NodeB (eNB), or connected to the 5G core network via the IAB host.

[0070] In order to ensure the reliability of service transmission, the IAB network supports multi-hop IAB nodes and multi-connection IAB node networking. Therefore, there may be multiple transmission paths between the terminal and the IAB host. On a path, there is a definite hierarchical relationship between the IAB nodes and between the IAB nodes and the IAB hosts connected to the IAB nodes. Each IAB node regards the node that provides backhaul services to it as a parent node. Accordingly, each IAB node can be regarded as a child node of its parent node.

[0071] For example, see Figure 1 , the parent node of IAB node 1 is the IAB host, IAB node 1 is the parent node of IAB node 2 and IAB node 3, IAB node 2 and IAB node 3 are both the parent nodes of IAB node 4, and the parent node of IAB node 5 is IAB node 2. The uplink data packet of the terminal can be transmitted to the IAB host through one or more IAB nodes, and then sent by the IAB host to the mobile gateway device (such as the user plane function (UPF) network element in the 5G network). The downlink data packet will be received by the IAB host from the mobile gateway device and then sent to the terminal through one or more IAB nodes. There are two available paths for the transmission of data packets between terminal 1 and IAB host, namely: terminal 1→IAB node 4→IAB node 3→IAB node 1→IAB host, terminal 1→IAB node 4→IAB node 2→IAB node 1→IAB host. There are three available paths for data packet transmission between terminal 2 and the IAB host, namely: terminal 2→IAB node 4→IAB node 3→IAB node 1→IAB host, terminal 2→IAB node 4→IAB node 2→IAB node 1→IAB host, terminal 2→IAB node 5→IAB node 2→IAB node 1→IAB host.

[0072] It is understandable that in an IAB network, a transmission path between a terminal and an IAB host may include one or more IAB nodes. Each IAB node needs to maintain a wireless backhaul link to the parent node, and also needs to maintain a wireless link with the child node. If an IAB node is a node accessed by a terminal, there is a wireless access link between the IAB node and the child node (i.e., the terminal). If an IAB node is a node that provides backhaul services to other IAB nodes, there is a wireless backhaul link between the IAB node and the child node (i.e., other IAB nodes). For example, see Figure 1, in the path “terminal 1→IAB node 4→IAB node 3→IAB node 1→IAB host”, terminal 1 accesses IAB node 4 through a wireless access link, IAB node 4 accesses IAB node 3 through a wireless backhaul link, IAB node 3 accesses IAB node 1 through a wireless backhaul link, and IAB node 1 accesses the IAB host through a wireless backhaul link.

[0073] The intermediate IAB nodes on the upstream path from the IAB node to the IAB host can be called the upstream node of the IAB node. For example, Figure 1 The IAB node 1 and the IAB node 2 in FIG. 5 can be referred to as the upstream IAB node of the IAB node 5. The intermediate IAB nodes or access IAB nodes on the downlink path from the IAB node to the terminal can be referred to as the downstream nodes of the IAB node, for example Figure 1 IAB node 2, IAB node 3, IAB node 4 and IAB node 5 can all be referred to as downstream nodes of IAB node 1. Downstream nodes include child nodes, child nodes of child nodes (or grandchild nodes), etc. Downstream nodes can be other IAB nodes or terminals. For example, Figure 1 The terminal 1 in the example may be referred to as a downstream node of the IAB node 4 , the IAB node 4 and the IAB node 5 may be referred to as downstream nodes of the IAB node 1 , and the terminal 1 and the terminal 2 may be referred to as downstream nodes of the IAB node 1 .

[0074] The above IAB networking scenarios are merely exemplary. In the IAB scenarios combining multi-hop and multi-connection, there are many other possibilities for IAB networking scenarios, for example, an IAB host and an IAB node under another IAB host form a dual connection to serve a terminal, etc., which are not listed here one by one.

[0075] The access IAB node in the embodiment of the present application refers to the IAB node accessed by the terminal, and the intermediate IAB node refers to the IAB node that provides wireless backhaul services for the IAB node (for example, the access IAB node or other intermediate IAB node). Figure 1 In the path terminal 1→IAB node 4→IAB node 3→IAB node 1→IAB host”, IAB node 4 is an access IAB node, and IAB node 3 and IAB node 1 are intermediate IAB nodes. It should be noted that an IAB node is an access IAB node for a terminal accessing the IAB node. For a terminal accessing other IAB nodes, it is an intermediate IAB node. Therefore, whether an IAB node is an access IAB node or an intermediate IAB node is not fixed and needs to be determined according to a specific application scenario.

[0076] Figure 3and Figure 4 They are respectively a schematic diagram of a control plane protocol stack and a schematic diagram of a user plane protocol stack in an IAB network provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 3 and Figure 4 Provide explanation.

[0077] For the control plane, Figure 3 As shown, a Uu interface is established between terminal 1 and IAB2-DU, and the peer protocol layers include RLC layer, MAC layer and PHY layer. An F1-C interface is established between IAB2-DU and IAB donor CU 1, and the peer protocol layers include F1 application protocol (F1AP) layer and stream control transmission protocol (SCTP) layer. IAB donor DU 1 and IAB donor CU 1 are connected by wire, and the peer protocol layers include Internet protocol IP (internet protocol) layer, L2 and L1. BL is established between IAB node 2 and IAB node 3, between IAB node 3 and IAB node 1, and between IAB node 1 and IAB donor DU 1, and the peer protocol layers include Backhaul Adaptation Protocol (BAP) layer, RLC layer, MAC layer and PHY layer. In addition, a peer RRC layer and a peer PDCP layer are established between the terminal 1 and the IAB donor CU 1, and a peer IP layer is established between the IAB2-DU and the IAB donor DU 1.

[0078] It can be seen that compared with the control plane protocol stack of a single air interface, the control plane protocol stack of the IAB network, the DU connected to the IAB node realizes the functions of the gNB-DU of a single air interface (i.e., the functions of establishing a peer RLC layer, MAC layer and PHY layer with the terminal, and the functions of establishing a peer F1AP layer and SCTP layer with the CU). It can be understood that the DU connected to the IAB node in the IAB network realizes the functions of the gNB-DU of a single air interface; the IAB donor CU realizes the functions of the gNB-CU of a single air interface.

[0079] On the control plane, the RRC message is encapsulated in the F1AP message between the access IAB node and the IAB donor CU for transmission. Specifically, in the uplink direction, the terminal 1 encapsulates the RRC message in the PDCP protocol data unit (PDU), and sends it to the IAB2-DU after being processed by the RLC layer, MAC layer and PHY layer in sequence. The IAB2-DU is processed by the PHY layer, MAC layer and RLC layer in sequence to obtain the PDCP PDU, and the PDCP PDU is encapsulated in the F1AP message, and is processed by the SCTP layer and IP layer in sequence to obtain the IP packet. The IAB2-MT sends the IP packet to the IAB3-DU after being processed by the BAP layer, RLC layer, MAC layer and PHY layer respectively. The IAB3-DU is processed by the PHY layer, MAC layer, RLC layer and BAP layer in sequence to obtain the IP packet, and then the IAB3-MT uses the operation similar to the IAB2-MT to send the IP packet to the IAB1-DU. Similarly, the IAB1-MT sends the IP packet to the IAB donor DU 1. After IAB donor DU1 parses and obtains the IP packet, it sends the IP packet to IAB donor CU 1. IABdonor CU 1 processes the IP packet through the SCTP layer, F1AP layer and PDCP layer in sequence to obtain the RRC message. The downlink direction is similar and will not be described here.

[0080] For the user plane, Figure 4 As shown, a Uu interface is established between terminal 1 and IAB2-DU, and the equivalent protocol layers include RLC layer, MAC layer and PHY layer. An F1-U interface is established between IAB2-DU and IAB donor CU 1, and the equivalent protocol layers include GPRS tunnelling protocol for the user plane (GTP-U) layer and user datagram protocol (UDP) layer. IAB donor DU 1 and IAB donor CU 1 are connected via a wired connection, and the equivalent protocol layers include IP layer, L2 and L1. BL is established between IAB node 2 and IAB node 3, between IAB node 3 and IAB node 1, and between IAB node 1 and IAB donor DU 1, and the equivalent protocol layers include BAP layer, RLC layer, MAC layer and PHY layer. In addition, a peer SDAP layer and a peer PDCP layer are established between the terminal 1 and the IAB donor CU 1, and a peer IP layer is established between the IAB2-DU and the IAB donor DU 1.

[0081] It can be seen that compared with the user plane protocol stack of the single air interface, the user plane protocol stack of the IAB network, the DU of the IAB access node implements some functions of the gNB-DU of the single air interface (i.e., the functions of establishing a peer RLC layer, MAC layer and PHY layer with the terminal, and the functions of establishing a peer GTP-U layer and UDP layer with the IAB donor CU 1). It can be understood that the DU of the IAB access node implements the functions of the gNB-DU of the single air interface; the IAB donor CU implements the functions of the gNB-CU of the single air interface.

[0082] On the user plane, PDCP packets are encapsulated and transmitted in the GTP-U tunnel between the access IAB node and the IAB donor CU. The GTP-U tunnel is established on the F1-U interface.

[0083] It should be noted that an IAB node may have one or more roles, and the IAB node may have a protocol stack for the one or more roles; or the IAB node may have a set of protocol stacks, and the protocol stack may use the protocol layers corresponding to different roles for processing different roles of the IAB node. The following is an example of the IAB node having a protocol stack for the one or more roles:

[0084] (1) Protocol stack of common terminals

[0085] When an IAB node accesses the IAB network, it can act as a common terminal. At this time, the MT of the IAB node has the protocol stack of a common terminal, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 The protocol stack of terminal 1 in the embodiment includes the RRC layer, PDCP layer, RLC layer, MAC layer and PHY layer. On the control plane, the RRC message of the IAB node is encapsulated in the F1AP message between the parent node of the IAB node and the IAB donor CU for transmission; on the user plane, the PDCP data packet of the IAB node is encapsulated in the GTP-U tunnel between the parent node of the IAB node and the IABdonor CU for transmission.

[0086] In addition, after the IAB node accesses the IAB network, the IAB node can still act as a common terminal, for example, transmitting its own uplink and / or downlink data packets (such as OAM data packets) with the IAB donor, performing measurements through the RRC layer, and so on.

[0087] (2) Protocol stack for accessing IAB nodes

[0088] After the IAB node is connected to the IAB network, the IAB node can provide access services to the terminal, thereby acting as an access IAB node. At this time, the IAB node has a protocol stack for accessing the IAB node, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 The protocol stack of IABnode 2 in.

[0089] In this case, the interface of the IAB node facing its parent node may have two sets of protocol stacks, one set is a protocol stack for ordinary terminals, and the other set is a protocol stack for providing backhaul services for terminals (i.e., a protocol stack for accessing the IAB node). Optionally, the same protocol layers of the two sets of protocol stacks may be shared, for example, the two sets of protocol stacks correspond to the same RLC layer, MAC layer, PHY layer, or BAP layer.

[0090] (3) Protocol stack of intermediate IAB node

[0091] After the IAB node is connected to the IAB network, the IAB node can act as an intermediate IAB node. At this time, the IAB node has the protocol stack of the intermediate IAB node, for example Figure 3 and Figure 4 The protocol stack of IAB node 3 or IAB node 1 in the protocol stack.

[0092] In this case, the interface of the IAB node facing its parent node may have two sets of protocol stacks, one is a protocol stack for ordinary terminals, and the other is a protocol stack for providing backhaul services for child IAB nodes (i.e., the protocol stack of the intermediate IAB node). Optionally, the same protocol layers of the two sets of protocol stacks may be shared, for example, the two sets of protocol stacks correspond to the same RLC layer, MAC layer, PHY layer, or BAP layer.

[0093] In addition, the IAB node can simultaneously assume the roles of the access IAB node and the intermediate IAB node. For example, the IAB node can be an access IAB node for some terminals and an intermediate IAB node for other terminals. In this case, the IAB node can have three sets of protocol stacks, one set for the above-mentioned ordinary terminal protocol stack, one set for the access IAB node protocol stack, and one set for the intermediate IAB node protocol stack. Optionally, the same protocol layers of the three sets of protocol stacks can be shared, for example, the three sets of protocol stacks all correspond to the same RLC layer, MAC layer, PHY layer, or BAP layer.

[0094] It should be noted that Figure 3 and Figure 4 The IAB network was used as an example to introduce the Figure 3 and Figure 4 The content of this article is also applicable to relay networks other than IAB networks. The control plane protocol stack architecture of the relay network can be referenced in Figure 3 The user plane protocol stack architecture of the relay network can be referenced Figure 4 . Figure 3 and Figure 4The IAB nodes in the protocol can be replaced by relays, for example, IABnode 2 can be replaced by relay node 2, IAB node 3 can be replaced by relay node 3, IAB node 1 can be replaced by relay node 1, and IAB donor 1 can be replaced by host node 1. The host node has CU and DU protocol stacks, and the rest of the content is the same as Figure 3 and Figure 4 The contents described in are the same, please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The description will not be repeated here.

[0095] like Figure 5 As shown, the IAB nodes in the IAB network may be switched. The switching of the IAB node from the source IAB host to the target IAB host may be referred to as inter-IAB host switching, or inter-donor CU migrating. The switching of the IAB node from the source IAB parent node to the target IAB parent node without changing the IAB host may be referred to as switching within the IAB host, or switching within the donor CU (intra-donor CU migrating). The IAB switching scenarios described in the present application may include inter-donor CU migrating and / or intra-donor CU migrating.

[0096] In the present application, the MT of the IAB node may be referred to as IAB-MT, the DU of the IAB node may be referred to as IAB-DU, the CU of the IAB host may be referred to as Donor-CU, and the DU of the IAB host may be referred to as Donor-DU.

[0097] In the present application, the cell served by the IAB node may include the cell served by the DU of the IAB node or the cell deployed by the DU of the IAB node. The cell accessed by the IAB node may include the cell accessed by the MT of the IAB node or the service cell where the MT of the IAB node is located.

[0098] In the present application, the IAB host to which the IAB node is connected may be referred to as the IAB host of the IAB node. The cell served by the IAB host of the IAB node may include the cell served by the DU of the IAB host or the cell deployed by the DU of the IAB host. Among them, the IAB node may be directly connected to the IAB host, or the IAB node may be connected to the IAB host through other IAB nodes. In the present application, the IAB node at the local end of the F1 interface may refer to the DU end of the IAB node, and the IAB node at the opposite end of the F1 interface may refer to the CU end of the IAB host of the IAB node.

[0099] Figure 6 A communication method according to an embodiment of the present application is shown, and the communication method 200 includes:

[0100] Operation 201: The IAB node sends first information to a network management device.

[0101] Exemplarily, before the IAB node sends the first information to the network management device, the IAB-MT may first initiate an attach process, and establish a protocol data unit session (PDU session) with a core network device (such as a user plane function (UPF)) through the IAB host. The established PDU session may be considered as a data transmission channel, and the IAB node sends the first information to the network management device through the channel. Specifically, the IAB-DU may send the first information to the network management device through the data transmission channel established by the IAB-MT. The first information may be carried in a configuration request message, and is used to request the network management device to generate a corresponding configuration for the IAB node (or IAB-DU).

[0102] Optionally, before the IAB node sends the first information to the network management device, the IAB node may have just switched from the source IAB host to the target IAB host, and established a data transmission channel with the core network device through the target IAB host. The IAB node sends the first information to the network management device through the data transmission channel. The first information may be carried in a configuration update request message, and is used to request the network management device to update the corresponding configuration for the IAB node (or IAB-DU).

[0103] The first information may include at least one of the following information: cell information of the cell accessed by the IAB node, and a base station identifier (gNB ID) of the IAB host of the IAB node. The cell information may include at least one of the following: a physical cell identifier, a cell identifier, and a cell global identification (CGI). The cell identifier is composed of a base station identifier and a cell local identifier. The cell global identifier is composed of a public land mobile network identifier (PLMNId), a base station identifier, and a cell local identifier (cellLocalId).

[0104] Optionally, in a switching scenario, that is, the IAB node switches from the source IAB host to the target IAB host, the IAB node sends the first information to the network management device through the target IAB host to request a configuration update, wherein the first information may also include identification information of the IAB node, specifically, the identification of the IAB-DU (IAB-DU ID), and / or the name of the IAB-DU (IAB-DU Name). Exemplarily, the network management device may find the original configuration of the cell served by the IAB-DU based on the identification information of the IAB node, and update the original configuration.

[0105] Operation 202: The network management device generates first configuration information of the IAB node according to the first information.

[0106] After receiving the first information, the network management device learns the IAB host of the IAB node and generates first configuration information for the IAB node. Specifically, the first configuration information can be generated for the IAB-DU.

[0107] The first configuration information includes at least one of the following parameters: the local IP address of the IAB node on the F1 interface, the opposite IP address of the IAB node on the F1 interface, the gNB ID of the base station to which the IAB node belongs, the identification information of the IAB-DU (such as DU ID or DU Name), gNB ID length, cellLocalId, PLMNIdList, sNSSAIList, PCI, service cell bandwidth, TAC, uplink and downlink frequencies, SSB frequency, SSB period, SSB carrier interval, SSB Offset, SSB Duration, and the cell information of the cell served by the IAB node.

[0108] In the present application, the cell information of the cell served by the IAB node may include at least one of the following: PCI, cell identity (CellIdentity), CGI. Among them, the cell identity is composed of gNB Id+cellLocalId. The cell global identity CGI is composed of PLMNId+gNB Id+cellLocalId.

[0109] In the present application, the IP address type may include IPv4 and / or IPv6 types. The peer IP address of the IAB node at the F1 interface includes at least one of the following: the CU-end address corresponding to the F1 interface (for example, the IP address of the Donor-CU, or the IP address of the Donor-CU-CP, or the IP address of the Donor-CU-UP). For example, considering the CP-UP separation architecture of the Donor-CU, the CU-end address corresponding to the F1-C interface is the IP address of the Donor-CU-CP, and the CU-end address corresponding to the F1-U interface is the IP address of the Donor-CU-UP.

[0110] In an IAB network, it is generally required that the IP address of an IAB node and the IP address of an IAB host of the IAB node belong to the same network segment or have the same network prefix to ensure normal data routing. In addition, it is generally required that the base station identifier included in the cell identifier of the cell served by the IAB node is the same as the base station identifier of the IAB host of the IAB node.

[0111] In the embodiment of the present application, in order to save signaling overhead, various configuration information can be indicated by defining an index value. For example, the different configuration information sent by the network management device to the IAB node corresponds to a configuration index one by one, and through the interaction of the index value, the other party can know which configuration information is sent or reported. The corresponding relationship can be shown in the following Table 1:

[0112] Table 1:

[0113] Configuring Indexes Configuration Information 0 Parameters 1, 2, ... 1 Parameters 1', 2', ... …… ……

[0114] Exemplarily, the network management device may determine the IAB host of the IAB node according to the first information. For example, the network management device may determine the Donor-CU and / or Donor-DU of the IAB node according to the first information.

[0115] Exemplarily, the network management device determines the Donor-CU of the IAB node according to the first information, which can be specifically: considering that the Donor-CU corresponds to a unique base station identifier, a base station identifier also uniquely identifies a Donor-CU. The network management device can determine the Donor-CU of the IAB node according to the cell information of the cell accessed by the IAB node included in the first information. For example: when the cell information is CellIdentity or CGI, the network management device can determine the IAB host (or Donor-CU) of the IAB node according to the base station identifier contained in the cell identifier.

[0116] Exemplarily, the network management device determines the Donor-DU of the IAB node based on the first information, which may be specifically: considering that after each IAB node accesses the network, the network management device will configure the cell information of the cell served by the IAB node for the IAB node. That is to say, since the cell information of the cell served by each IAB node in the IAB network is configured by the network management device, the topological relationship of the IAB network may be stored inside the network management device. For example, the topological relationship may be a correspondence between the cell information of the cell served by each IAB node in the IAB network and the cell information of the cell served by the Donor-DU. Alternatively, the topological relationship may be a correspondence between the cell information of the cell served by the IAB node and the Donor-DU. The network management device may determine the Donor-DU of the IAB node based on the topological relationship and the first information.

[0117] Exemplarily, when the parent node of the IAB node is the IAB host, since the cell information of the cell served by the Donor-DU is configured by the network management device, the network management device stores the cell information of the cell served by the Donor-DU and the correspondence between the Donor-DU. Accordingly, the network management device can determine the Donor-DU of the IAB node based on the cell information of the cell accessed by the IAB node included in the first information (i.e., including the cell information of the cell served by the Donor-DU) and the stored correspondence.

[0118] After the network management device determines the Donor-CU and / or the Donor-DU of the IAB node, the network management device may further generate first configuration information for the IAB node according to the Donor-CU and / or the Donor-DU.

[0119] For example, after the network management device determines the Donor-CU of the IAB node, the cell identifier of the cell served by the IAB node can be configured for the IAB node, thereby ensuring that the base station identifier contained in the cell identifier of the cell served by the IAB node is the same as the base station identifier of the IAB host of the IAB node. For another example, after the network management device determines the Donor-DU of the IAB node, the network management device can allocate the local IP address of the F1 interface to the IAB node, so that the IP address of the IAB node and the IP address of the Donor-DU belong to the same network segment or have the same network prefix.

[0120] Operation 203: The network management device sends the first configuration information to the IAB node.

[0121] The first configuration information may be carried in a configuration response message, and is used to respond to the configuration request message sent by the IAB node.

[0122] Exemplarily, after receiving the first configuration information, the IAB node triggers to initiate an F1 interface establishment (F1-Setup) process to the corresponding IAB host, so as to establish an F1 interface between the IAB node and the corresponding IAB host. Specifically, after receiving the first configuration information sent by the network management device, the IAB-DU triggers to initiate an F1 interface establishment process to the Donor-CU, so as to establish an F1 interface between the IAB-DU and the Donor-CU.

[0123] Optionally, if the first configuration information does not include the IP address information of the IAB node (for example, does not include the local IP address of the IAB node at the F1 interface, or the peer IP address of the IAB node at the F1 interface), this embodiment may further include the following further operations 204-206;

[0124] Optionally, the network management device may instruct the IAB node to request the corresponding IP address information from the IAB host. Exemplarily, the network management device may send first indication information to the IAB node. The first indication information may be sent as a separate message or may be carried in the first configuration information and sent.

[0125] The first indication information may include at least one of the following information: indicating the type of IP address requested by the IAB node to the IAB host (for example, requesting an IPv4 type IP address from the IAB host, and / or requesting an IPv6 type IP address from the IAB host), indicating the IAB node to request an IP address or an IP address prefix from the IAB host, indicating the number of IP addresses requested by the IAB node to the IAB host, indicating the number of IP addresses requested by the IAB node to the IAB host for the F1-C interface or F1-C service, indicating the number of IP addresses requested by the IAB node to the IAB host for the F1-U interface or F1-U service, indicating the IAB node to request an IP address prefix for the F1-C interface or F1-C service from the IAB host, and indicating the IAB node to request an IP address prefix for the F1-U interface or F1-U service from the IAB host.

[0126] When the IAB node receives the first indication information, this embodiment may further include the following further operations 204-206.

[0127] Operation 204: The IAB node sends second information to the IAB host.

[0128] The second information is used to request the IAB host of the IAB node to allocate corresponding IP address information to the IAB node. Specifically, the IAB-MT sends an RRC message to the Donor-CU, and the RRC message carries the second information, so that the Donor-CU allocates the corresponding IP address information to the IAB node according to the second information. Alternatively, the Donor-CU sends an F1AP message to the Donor-DU, and the F1AP message carries the second information, so that the Donor-DU allocates the corresponding IP address information to the IAB node according to the second information.

[0129] Exemplarily, the information included in the second information may refer to the content of the first indication information. For example, the second information includes at least one of the following information: indicating the type of IP address requested by the IAB node to the IAB host, indicating the IP address or IP address prefix requested by the IAB node to the IAB host, indicating the number of IP addresses requested by the IAB node to the IAB host for the F1-C interface or F1-C service, indicating the number of IP addresses requested by the IAB node to the IAB host for the F1-U interface or F1-U service, indicating the IP address prefix requested by the IAB node to the IAB host for the F1-C interface or F1-C service, and indicating the IP address prefix requested by the IAB node to the IAB host for the F1-U interface or F1-U service.

[0130] Operation 205: The IAB host sends second configuration information to the IAB node.

[0131] After receiving the second information from the IAB node, the IAB host may allocate corresponding IP address information to the IAB node according to the second information, and send the allocated IP address information to the IAB node by carrying it in the second configuration information.

[0132] Optionally, during the switching process, when the IAB node switches from the source IAB host to the target IAB host, the target IAB host allocates a corresponding IP address or IP prefix to the IAB node, carries the allocated IP address or IP prefix in the second configuration information, and sends the switching command message generated by the target IAB node to the IAB node. Specifically, the target Donor-CU generates a switching command message, which carries the second configuration information, and the target Donor-CU sends the generated switching command message to the IAB-MT through the source Donor-CU, so that the IAB-MT sends it to the IAB-DU through the internal interface.

[0133] Among them, the second configuration information may include at least one of the following information: an IP address prefix allocated by the IAB host to the IAB node, an IP address allocated by the IAB host to the IAB node, an IP address for the F1-C interface / F1-C service allocated by the IAB host to the IAB node, an IP address for the F1-U interface / F1-U service allocated by the IAB host to the IAB node, an IP address prefix for the F1-C interface / F1-C service allocated by the IAB host to the IAB node, and an IP address prefix for the F1-U interface / F1-U service allocated by the IAB host to the IAB node.

[0134] Operation 206: The IAB node sends the second configuration information to the network management device.

[0135] After receiving the IP address information assigned by the IAB host, the IAB node carries the IP address information assigned by the IAB host in the second configuration information and sends it to the network management device. Specifically, the second configuration information may include at least one of the following information: the IP address prefix assigned by the IAB host to the IAB node, the IP address assigned by the IAB host to the IAB node, the IP address for the F1-C interface / F1-C service assigned by the IAB host to the IAB node, the IP address for the F1-U interface / F1-U service assigned by the IAB host to the IAB node, the IP address prefix for the F1-C interface / F1-C service assigned by the IAB host to the IAB node, and the IP address prefix for the F1-U interface / F1-U service assigned by the IAB host to the IAB node.

[0136] Optionally, in addition to the IP address or IP prefix assigned by the IAB host to the IAB node, the second configuration information may also include at least one of the following other information: identification information of the IAB-DU (for example, the ID of the IAB-DU, or the name of the IAB-DU), the peer IP address of the IAB node at the F1 interface (i.e., the IP address of the Donor-CU). Exemplarily, the network management device may find the original configuration of the cell served by the IAB-DU according to the identification information of the IAB node, and update the original configuration.

[0137] Operation 206 is an optional operation, that is, after the IAB node obtains the IP address information, it may choose not to send it to the network management device.

[0138] Operation 206 may also be replaced by: the IAB host sends the second configuration information to the network management device. That is, after the IAB host allocates the corresponding IP address information to the IAB node, it may also send the second configuration information to the network management device. In this way, the IAB node does not need to send the second configuration information to the network management device.

[0139] Operations 204-205 in the embodiment of the present application may constitute an embodiment alone. That is, once the IAB node determines that the received first configuration information does not include the IP address information of the IAB node, or after the IAB node receives the above-mentioned first indication information, the IAB node may execute steps 204-205 to obtain the IP address information of the IAB node. Operation 206 is an optional operation, that is, after the IAB node obtains the IP address information, it may also choose not to send it to the network management device.

[0140] This embodiment mainly solves how the network management device obtains the IAB host information (including: Donor-DU and / or Donor-CU) of the IAB node during the initial access process of the IAB node or the IAB node switching process, so that the network management device can configure the IAB node in a timely and accurate manner. In this embodiment, the IAB node sends the cell information of the cell accessed by the IAB node to the network management device, so that the network management device obtains the IAB host of the IAB node, thereby allocating the corresponding cell identifier and / or IP address information to the IAB node; or, the network management device can instruct the IAB node to request the IAB host to allocate the corresponding IP address information by an implicit method (the IP address information of the IAB node is not included in the first configuration information) or an explicit method (the first indication information is included in the first configuration information). Through this embodiment, the IAB node can obtain the corresponding configuration information, ensuring the normal operation of the IAB node.

[0141] Figure 7 A communication method according to an embodiment of the present application is shown, and the communication method 200B includes:

[0142] Operation 201B: The network management device sends first indication information to the IAB node.

[0143] Optionally, the network management device may instruct the IAB node to request the corresponding IP address information from the IAB host. Exemplarily, the network management device may send the first indication information to the IAB node.

[0144] The first indication information may include at least one of the following information: indicating the type of IP address requested by the IAB node to the IAB host (for example, requesting an IPv4 type IP address from the IAB host, and / or requesting an IPv6 type IP address from the IAB host), indicating the IAB node to request an IP address or an IP address prefix from the IAB host, indicating the number of IP addresses requested by the IAB node to the IAB host, indicating the number of IP addresses requested by the IAB node to the IAB host for the F1-C interface or F1-C service, indicating the number of IP addresses requested by the IAB node to the IAB host for the F1-U interface or F1-U service, indicating the IAB node to request an IP address prefix for the F1-C interface or F1-C service from the IAB host, and indicating the IAB node to request an IP address prefix for the F1-U interface or F1-U service from the IAB host.

[0145] Operation 202B: The IAB node sends second information to the IAB host.

[0146] The second information is used to request the IAB host of the IAB node to allocate corresponding IP address information to the IAB node. Specifically, the IAB-MT sends an RRC message to the Donor-CU, and the RRC message carries the second information, so that the Donor-CU allocates the corresponding IP address information to the IAB node according to the second information. Alternatively, the Donor-CU sends an F1AP message to the Donor-DU, and the F1AP message carries the second information, so that the Donor-DU allocates the corresponding IP address information to the IAB node according to the second information.

[0147] Exemplarily, the information included in the second information may refer to the content of the first indication information. For example, the second information includes at least one of the following information: indicating the type of IP address requested by the IAB node to the IAB host, indicating the IP address or IP address prefix requested by the IAB node to the IAB host, indicating the number of IP addresses requested by the IAB node to the IAB host for the F1-C interface or F1-C service, indicating the number of IP addresses requested by the IAB node to the IAB host for the F1-U interface or F1-U service, indicating the IP address prefix requested by the IAB node to the IAB host for the F1-C interface or F1-C service, and indicating the IP address prefix requested by the IAB node to the IAB host for the F1-U interface or F1-U service.

[0148] Operation 203B: The IAB host sends second configuration information to the IAB node.

[0149] After receiving the second information from the IAB node, the IAB host may allocate corresponding IP address information to the IAB node according to the second information, and send the allocated IP address information to the IAB node by carrying it in the second configuration information.

[0150] Optionally, during the switching process, when the IAB node switches from the source IAB host to the target IAB host, the target IAB host allocates a corresponding IP address or IP prefix to the IAB node, carries the allocated IP address or IP prefix in the second configuration information, and sends the switching command message generated by the target IAB node to the IAB node. Specifically, the target Donor-CU generates a switching command message, which carries the second configuration information, and the target Donor-CU sends the generated switching command message to the IAB-MT through the source Donor-CU, so that the IAB-MT sends it to the IAB-DU through the internal interface.

[0151] Among them, the second configuration information may include at least one of the following information: an IP address prefix allocated by the IAB host to the IAB node, an IP address allocated by the IAB host to the IAB node, an IP address for the F1-C interface / F1-C service allocated by the IAB host to the IAB node, an IP address for the F1-U interface / F1-U service allocated by the IAB host to the IAB node, an IP address prefix for the F1-C interface / F1-C service allocated by the IAB host to the IAB node, and an IP address prefix for the F1-U interface / F1-U service allocated by the IAB host to the IAB node.

[0152] Operation 204B: The IAB node sends the second configuration information to the network management device.

[0153] After receiving the IP address information assigned by the IAB host, the IAB node carries the IP address information assigned by the IAB host in the second configuration information and sends it to the network management device. Specifically, the second configuration information may include at least one of the following information: the IP address prefix assigned by the IAB host to the IAB node, the IP address assigned by the IAB host to the IAB node, the IP address for the F1-C interface / F1-C service assigned by the IAB host to the IAB node, the IP address for the F1-U interface / F1-U service assigned by the IAB host to the IAB node, the IP address prefix for the F1-C interface / F1-C service assigned by the IAB host to the IAB node, and the IP address prefix for the F1-U interface / F1-U service assigned by the IAB host to the IAB node.

[0154] Optionally, in addition to the IP address or IP prefix assigned by the IAB host to the IAB node, the second configuration information may also include at least one of the following other information: identification information of the IAB-DU (for example, the ID of the IAB-DU, or the name of the IAB-DU), the peer IP address of the IAB node at the F1 interface (i.e., the IP address of the Donor-CU). Exemplarily, the network management device may find the original configuration of the cell served by the IAB-DU according to the identification information of the IAB node, and update the original configuration.

[0155] Operation 204B is an optional operation, that is, after the IAB node obtains the IP address information, it may choose not to send it to the network management device.

[0156] Operation 204B may also be replaced by: the IAB host sends the second configuration information to the network management device. That is, after the IAB host allocates the corresponding IP address information to the IAB node, it may also send the second configuration information to the network management device. In this way, the IAB node does not need to send the second configuration information to the network management device.

[0157] Figure 8 A communication method according to an embodiment of the present application is shown, and the communication method 300 includes:

[0158] Operation 301: The IAB node sends first information to a network management device.

[0159] The first information includes the location information of the IAB node and / or the information of the neighboring cells of the IAB node. The location information of the IAB node refers to the geographical location information of the IAB node, such as the longitude and latitude information of the IAB node. The information of the neighboring cells of the IAB node refers to the cell identifier of the neighboring cell measured by the IAB node and / or the geographical location information of the neighboring cell.

[0160] Operation 302: The network management device generates first configuration information of the IAB node according to the first information.

[0161] The network management device may first determine a candidate IAB host of the IAB node according to the first information. The candidate IAB host may be at least one IAB host around the IAB node.

[0162] Exemplarily, for each candidate IAB host, the network management device generates a corresponding set of configuration information, as shown in Table 2:

[0163] Table 2:

[0164] Candidate IAB host 1 Configuration information 1 Candidate IAB host 2 Configuration information 2 …… …… Candidate IAB Host X Configuration InformationX

[0165] The network management device may include configuration information corresponding to X (X is a positive integer) candidate IAB hosts in the first configuration information to generate the first configuration information of the IAB node. The configuration information corresponding to each candidate IAB host of the IAB node may include at least one of the following parameters: the local IP address of the IAB node at the F1 interface, the opposite IP address of the IAB node at the F1 interface (i.e., the IP address of the Donor-CU), the base station identifier of the candidate IAB host, the DU identification information of the IAB node (such as DU ID or DU Name), gNB ID length, cellLocalId, PLMNIdList, sNSSAIList, PCI, CGI, service cell bandwidth, TAC, uplink and downlink frequency, SSB frequency, SSB period, SSB carrier interval, SSB Offset, SSBDuration, IP address of the security gateway, and cell information of the cell served by the IAB node.

[0166] Operation 303: The network management device sends the first configuration information to the IAB node.

[0167] Operation 304: The IAB node determines third configuration information according to the first configuration information.

[0168] The IAB node can select one from the candidate IAB hosts for access based on factors such as the quality of the access link. The IAB host selected by the IAB node can be referred to as the target IAB host. For example, in the scenario where the IAB node initially accesses the network, the IAB node can use the IAB host that it is preparing to access or has selected as the target IAB host. Alternatively, in the scenario where the IAB node switches, the IAB node can use the target IAB host for switching as the target IAB host.

[0169] The IAB node determines configuration information corresponding to the target IAB host from the first configuration information according to the selected target IAB host, and uses the configuration information as the third configuration information.

[0170] Exemplarily, the IAB node (or the IAB-MT of the IAB node) receives system information or broadcast information from a parent node (e.g., a target IAB host, or an IAB node connected to the target IAB host), and determines the configuration information corresponding to the target IAB host from the first configuration information according to the received system information or broadcast information, and uses it as the third configuration information. For example, the IAB node can obtain the CGI of the cell served by the parent node from the system information or broadcast information, and thereby determine the configuration information corresponding to the target IAB host from the first configuration information according to the CGI, and use it as the third configuration information.

[0171] Optionally, in the scenario where the IAB node is switched, the source IAB host may send fifth indication information to the IAB node, where the fifth indication information includes at least one of the following: a base station identifier of the target IAB host, an IP address of the CU of the target IAB host, information for indicating cross-Donor-CU switching, and information for indicating a change in the IAB host. The fifth indication information may be carried in an RRC message (e.g., an RRC reconfiguration message) generated by the source IAB host, or carried in an F1AP message generated by the source IAB host.

[0172] When the fifth indication information includes the base station identifier of the target IAB host, the IAB node may determine the configuration information corresponding to the target IAB host from the first configuration information according to the base station identifier of the target IAB host, and use the configuration information as the third configuration information.

[0173] When the fifth indication information includes the IP address of the CU of the target IAB host, the IAB node triggers the establishment process of the F1 interface to the CU of the target IAB host indicated by the IP address after determining the third configuration information. The establishment process of the F1 interface may include reporting the determined third configuration information to the CU of the target IAB host. Optionally, the IAB node may also determine the configuration information corresponding to the target IAB host from the first configuration information according to the IP address, and use it as the third configuration information.

[0174] When the fifth indication information includes information for indicating cross-Donor-CU switching or information for indicating a change in the IAB host (or Donor-CU), the IAB node can be informed that the IAB host (or Donor-CU) to which it is connected has changed, and it is necessary to determine the configuration information corresponding to the target IAB host from the first configuration information and use it as the third configuration information. In other words, the fifth indication information can be used to trigger the IAB node to determine the configuration information corresponding to the target IAB host from the first configuration information and use it as the third configuration information.

[0175] Exemplarily, after the IAB node determines the third configuration information, it can initiate an F1 interface establishment (F1-Setup) process to the corresponding target IAB host to establish the F1 interface between the IAB node and the corresponding target IAB host. Specifically, after the IAB-DU determines the third configuration information, it triggers the initiation of the F1 interface establishment process to the target Donor-CU to establish the F1 interface between the IAB-DU and the target Donor-CU. It can also be considered that the fifth indication information triggers the IAB node to initiate the F1 interface establishment (F1-Setup) process to the corresponding target IAB host to establish the F1 interface between the IAB node and the corresponding target IAB host.

[0176] Optionally, after determining the third configuration information, the IAB node may establish an IP security association with a security gateway according to the IP address of the security gateway. The security gateway is a security gateway on the path between the IAB node and the target IAB host.

[0177] The fifth indication information may be the source IAB

[0178] It should be noted that operations 303 to 304 may constitute a separate embodiment, for the IAB node to obtain multiple configurations from the network management device and select the correct configuration from the multiple configurations. That is, the network management device does not necessarily generate the first configuration information according to operation 301.

[0179] If the first configuration information does not include the IP address of the security gateway, the IAB node may send a request message to the target IAB host to request the IP address of the security gateway.

[0180] Operation 305: The IAB node sends the third configuration information to the network management device.

[0181] As an implementation manner, in order to save signaling overhead, if the configuration information corresponding to each candidate IAB host in the first configuration information corresponds to an index value, then in operation 305, the IAB node may send the index value corresponding to the third configuration information to the network management device.

[0182] Operation 305 is an optional operation, that is, the network management device may not need the third configuration information, or the network management device may also obtain the third configuration information in other ways.

[0183] Optionally, if the first configuration information does not include the IP address information of the IAB node (for example, does not include the local IP address of the IAB node at the F1 interface), this embodiment may further include the following further operations 306-308;

[0184] Optionally, the network management device may instruct the IAB node to request the corresponding IP address information from the IAB host. Exemplarily, the network management device may send first indication information to the IAB node. The first indication information may be sent as a separate message or may be carried in the first configuration information. When the IAB node receives the first indication information, the embodiment may further include the following operations 306-308.

[0185] The first indication information may include at least one of the following information: indicating the type of IP address requested by the IAB node to the IAB host, indicating the IP address or IP address prefix requested by the IAB node to the IAB host, indicating the number of IP addresses requested by the IAB node to the IAB host for the F1-C interface or F1-C service, indicating the number of IP addresses requested by the IAB node to the IAB host for the F1-U interface or F1-U service, indicating the IAB node to request the IP address prefix for the F1-C interface or F1-C service from the IAB host, and indicating the IAB node to request the IP address prefix for the F1-U interface or F1-U service from the IAB host.

[0186] Operation 306: The IAB node sends second information to the IAB host.

[0187] This operation may refer to operation 204 and may include optional operations of operation 204, which will not be described in detail here.

[0188] Operation 307: The IAB host sends second configuration information of the IAB node to the IAB node.

[0189] This operation may refer to operation 205 and may include optional operations of operation 205, which will not be described in detail here.

[0190] Operation 308: The IAB node sends the second configuration information to the network management device.

[0191] This operation may refer to operation 206 and may include optional operations of operation 206, which will not be described in detail here.

[0192] Operation 308 is an optional operation, that is, after the IAB node obtains the IP address information, it may choose not to send it to the network management device.

[0193] Operation 308 may be combined with operation 305, that is, the second configuration information and the third configuration information may be sent to the network management device together in operation 308. Operation 305 may be omitted as an optional operation.

[0194] Operation 308 may also be replaced by: the IAB host sends the second configuration information to the network management device. That is, after the IAB host allocates the corresponding IP address information to the IAB node, it may also send the second configuration information to the network management device. In this way, the IAB node does not need to send the second configuration information to the network management device.

[0195] The IAB node in the embodiment of the present application may be a switching IAB node (such as Figure 53), or it may be a downstream node of the switching IAB (such as Figure 5 3 in IAB node 3).

[0196] In this embodiment, the IAB node sends the IAB location information and / or neighbor information to the network management device, so that the network management device learns the candidate IAB hosts that are accessible / allowed to access around the IAB node, and configures the IAB node with configuration information corresponding to each candidate IAB host and sends it to the IAB node.

[0197] The IAB node can determine the corresponding configuration information from the first configuration information according to its target IAB host. The network management device can instruct the IAB node to request the IAB host to allocate the corresponding IP address information by an implicit method (the first configuration information does not include the IP address information of the IAB node) or an explicit method (the first configuration information includes the first indication information).

[0198] Through this embodiment, the IAB node can select a set of configuration information from multiple sets of configuration information sent by the network management device, and further the IAB node and the network management device can align the configuration information selected by the IAB node, thereby ensuring the normal operation of the IAB node.

[0199] Fig. 9 A communication method according to an embodiment of the present application is shown, and the communication method 400 includes:

[0200] Operation 401: The network management device sends a cell set to a target IAB host.

[0201] Optionally, the network management device sends a cell set to each IAB host node in advance.

[0202] The cell set may include cell information of one or more cells, for example, may be one or more combinations of PCI, CGI or CellIdentity.

[0203] This operation 401 is an optional operation. For example, if the target IAB host has a cell set pre-stored inside, or the cell set is pre-defined by the protocol, it is not necessary to enable the target IAB host to obtain the cell set through interaction between the network management device and the IAB host. For another example, the target IAB host can generate the fourth configuration information of the IAB node based on the configuration information of the IAB node in S402. For another example, the target IAB host can obtain information from other devices to generate the fourth configuration information of the IAB node, not necessarily from the network management device.

[0204] Operation 402: The source IAB host sends a switching request message to the target IAB host.

[0205] The handover request message includes configuration information of the IAB node. The configuration information may include at least one of the following parameters: the local IP address of the IAB node on the F1 interface, gNB ID, DU identification information of the IAB node (such as DU ID or DUName), gNB ID length, cellLocalId, PLMNIdList, sNSSAIList, PCI, CGI, serving cell bandwidth, TAC, uplink and downlink frequency, SSB frequency, SSB period, SSB carrier interval, SSB Offset, SSB Duration, and cell information of the cell served by the IAB node.

[0206] Optionally, the configuration information may also include: an indication of whether the cell is activated. The indication information corresponds one-to-one with the cell information of the cell served by the IAB node, and is used to indicate whether the cell served by the IAB node is currently activated. The configuration information may be included in the handover request message and sent as context information of the IAB node.

[0207] The source IAB host may send the switching request message to the target IAB host after receiving the measurement report of the IAB node.

[0208] Operation 403: The target IAB host generates fourth configuration information of the IAB node according to the configuration information of the IAB node.

[0209] The fourth configuration information may also be referred to as the configuration information of the IAB node under the target IAB host. The fourth configuration information may include at least one of the following parameters: cell information of the cell served by the IAB node, the local IP address of the IAB node at the F1 interface, the opposite IP address of the IAB node at the F1 interface, wherein the F1 interface further includes the F1-C interface and / or the F1-U interface, identification information of the IAB-DU (for example: the ID of the IAB-DU, or the name of the IAB-DU), SSB information of the cell served by the IAB node, system information of the cell served by the IAB node, indication information of whether the cell served by the IAB node is activated, and the IP address of the security gateway.

[0210] Exemplarily, after receiving the configuration information of the IAB node sent by the source IAB host, the target IAB host selects new configuration information for the IAB node from a locally stored cell set, for example: assigning a cell identifier of the cell served by the IAB node, and / or assigning IP address information of the IAB node, and includes the selected new configuration information in the fourth configuration information.

[0211] Operation 404: The target IAB host sends the fourth configuration information to the source IAB host.

[0212] The fourth configuration information may be carried in a handover request response message sent by the target IAB host to the source IAB host. The fourth configuration information may be present in the handover request response message in the form of a container.

[0213] The fourth configuration information may be carried in an RRC message (eg, a handover command message, also referred to as an RRC reconfiguration message) generated by the CU of the target IAB donor.

[0214] Optionally, the fourth configuration information may be carried in an F1AP message generated by the CU of the target IAB donor.

[0215] Operation 405: The source IAB host sends the fourth configuration information to the IAB node.

[0216] After the source IAB host obtains the fourth configuration information, it may not parse it and further transparently transmit it to the IAB node. The fourth configuration information may be carried in a switching command or a reconfiguration message sent by the source IAB host to the IAB node. Specifically, the source Donor-CU may carry the fourth configuration information to the IAB-DU via an F1AP message, or the source Donor-CU may carry the fourth configuration information to the IAB-MT via an RRC message, and then the IAB-MT may send it to the IAB-DU via an internal interface.

[0217] Exemplarily, after the CU of the source IAB donor obtains the RRC message in operation 404 from the CU of the target IAB donor, it forwards it to the MT of the IAB node, and then the MT of the IAB node forwards it to the DU of the IAB node through the internal interface.

[0218] Exemplarily, after the CU of the source IAB donor obtains the F1AP message in operation 404 from the CU of the target IAB donor, it is further encapsulated in the RRC message generated by the CU of the source IAB donor and sent to the MT of the IAB node, which is then forwarded to the DU of the IAB node through the internal interface by the MT of the IAB node. Alternatively, after the CU of the source IAB donor obtains the F1AP message from the CU of the target IAB donor, it is further encapsulated in the F1AP message generated by the CU of the source IAB donor and sent to the DU of the IAB node.

[0219] Optionally, after receiving the fourth configuration information, the IAB node triggers to initiate an F1 interface establishment (F1-Setup) process to the target IAB host, so as to establish an F1 interface between the IAB node and the target IAB host. Specifically, after receiving the fourth configuration information, the IAB-DU triggers to initiate an F1 interface establishment process to the target Donor-CU, so as to establish an F1 interface between the IAB-DU and the target Donor-CU.

[0220] Optionally, after receiving the fourth configuration information, the IAB node may establish an IP security association with a security gateway according to the IP address of the security gateway in the fourth configuration information. The security gateway is a security gateway on the path between the IAB node and the target IAB host.

[0221] Operations 402 to 405 may constitute a separate embodiment, which is used for the IAB node to obtain the fourth configuration information from the target IAB host.

[0222] Operation 406: The IAB node sends the fourth configuration information to the network management device.

[0223] Operation 406 establishes an F1 interface between the IAB node and the target IAB host, in no particular order.

[0224] Operation 406 is an optional operation, that is, after the IAB node obtains the fourth configuration information, it may choose not to send it to the network management device.

[0225] Operation 406 may also be replaced by: the target IAB host or the source IAB host sends the fourth configuration information to the network management device. That is, after the target IAB host or the source IAB host obtains the fourth configuration information, it may also send the fourth configuration information to the network management device. In this way, the IAB node does not need to send the fourth configuration information to the network management device.

[0226] The IAB node in the embodiment of the present application may be a switching IAB node (such as Figure 5 3), or it may be a downstream node of the switching IAB (such as Figure 5 3 in IAB node 3).

[0227] This embodiment enables the IAB node to complete the configuration update of the corresponding IAB node during the switching process, thereby improving communication efficiency.

[0228] Fig.10 A communication method according to an embodiment of the present application is shown, and the communication method 500A includes:

[0229] Operation 501A: The IAB node sends second indication information to the network management device.

[0230] The second indication information includes the location information of the IAB node and / or the information of the neighboring cells of the IAB node. Optionally, the second indication information may also be indication information for indicating that the PCI of the cell served by the IAB node remains unchanged.

[0231] Exemplarily, the IAB node may send the second indication information to the network management device after switching to the target IAB host.

[0232] Exemplarily, the second indication information may be included in any message sent by the IAB node to the network management device in all the above embodiments, such as a configuration update request message, or other newly defined messages, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0233] Operation 502A: The network management device determines whether the cell identity of the IAB node remains unchanged.

[0234] The network management device can obtain the current location of the IAB node according to the second indication information, and determine whether the physical cell identifier PCI of the serving cell of the IAB node remains unchanged or needs to be changed.

[0235] Fig.11 A communication method according to an embodiment of the present application is shown, and the communication method 500B includes:

[0236] Operation 501B: The IAB node sends second indication information to the IAB host of the IAB node.

[0237] The IAB node may send the second indication information to the target IAB host during the switching process. The IAB node may send the second indication information to the target IAB host directly, or the source IAB host may send the second indication information to the target IAB host.

[0238] The second indication information includes location information of the IAB node and / or information of neighboring cells of the IAB node. Optionally, the second indication information may be indication information for indicating that the PCI of the cell served by the IAB node remains unchanged.

[0239] Exemplarily, the second indication information may be included in any message sent by the IAB node to the target IAB host in all the above embodiments, such as a configuration update request message, or other newly defined messages, or the second indication information may also be included in a switching request message sent by the source IAB host to the target IAB host in the above embodiments, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0240] Operation 502B: The IAB host determines whether the cell identity of the IAB node remains unchanged.

[0241] The IAB host can obtain the current location of the IAB node according to the second indication information, and determine whether the physical cell identifier of the serving cell of the IAB node remains unchanged or needs to be changed.

[0242] This embodiment can avoid updating the PCI during the IAB node switching process, reduce the impact on the communication between the IAB node and its sub-nodes, improve communication efficiency, and enhance user experience.

[0243] Fig.12 A communication method according to an embodiment of the present application is shown, and the communication method 600 includes:

[0244] Operation 601: The first node sends third indication information to a network management device.

[0245] The third indication information is used to indicate whether the first node is an IAB node or an IAB-DU, or an IAB host or a Donor-DU. Alternatively, the third indication information is used to indicate whether the first node is an IAB node or an IAB-DU. Alternatively, the third indication information is used to indicate whether the first node is an IAB host or a Donor-DU. The network management device can identify the IAB node / IAB-DU and / or the IAB host or the Donor-DU according to the received third indication information, and generate configuration information for the IAB-DU and / or the Donor-DU respectively.

[0246] Specifically, the third indication information may be an explicit indication or an implicit indication. The implicit indication means that the third indication information may be an identifier of an IAB node or an IAB host, such as an IAB-DU ID / name or a Donor-DU ID / name; or, the third indication information may also be any information that can identify the identity of an IAB node or an IAB host, such as an identity identifier of an IAB-DU / Donor-DU.

[0247] Exemplarily, the third indication information may be included in any message sent by the IAB node to the network management device in all the above embodiments, such as a configuration update request message or a configuration request message, or other newly defined messages, which is not limited in this embodiment.

[0248] This embodiment mainly solves the problem of how the network management device learns whether the IAB node is the IAB host, so that the network management device can timely understand the status of the IAB node and implement control over the IAB node.

[0249] Fig.13A communication method according to an embodiment of the present application is shown, and the communication method 700 includes:

[0250] Operation 701: The IAB node sends fourth indication information to a network management device.

[0251] The fourth indication information is used to indicate energy-saving state information of the IAB node.

[0252] Specifically, the IAB node includes IAB-DU and IAB-MT. Energy saving of the IAB node can be achieved in the following ways: IAB-MT enters the inactive state, IAB-DU shuts down the cell served, or the cell served by IAB-DU enters the discontinuous transmission state, for example: DTX state (discontinuous transmission). Among them, the cell served by IAB-DU enters the DTX state means that the service cell only sends public information such as system broadcast, paging message (Paging) and long-period SSB, and does not transmit data.

[0253] Once the IAB-DU enters the energy-saving state, the IAB node needs to promptly notify the network management device. For example, once the IAB-DU shuts down the serving cell or the serving cell of the IAB-DU enters the DTX state, the IAB node needs to promptly notify the network management device. That is, the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the cell served by the IAB-DU is shut down, and / or, to indicate that the cell served by the IAB-DU enters the DTX state.

[0254] Optionally, when the serving cell of the IAB-DU enters the DTX state, the fourth indication information may also include: SSB information used by the IAB-DU in the DTX state, for example: the period of the SSB.

[0255] Exemplarily, the fourth indication information may be included in any message sent by the IAB node to the network management device in all the above embodiments, such as a configuration update request message, or other newly defined messages, which is not limited in this embodiment.

[0256] Operation 702: The network management device determines energy-saving state information of the IAB node according to the fourth indication information.

[0257] This embodiment mainly solves the problem of how the network management device learns the cell status of the IAB node in the energy-saving state, so that the network management device can timely understand the status of the IAB node and implement control over the IAB node.

[0258] Based on the above similar technical concepts, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which may be a relay device or a network device or a user device in the communication method provided by any of the aforementioned embodiments and any possible design thereof, and the relay device or the network device or the user device may include at least one corresponding unit for executing the method steps or operations or behaviors performed by the relay device or the network device or the user device in the communication method provided by any of the aforementioned embodiments. The setting of the at least one unit may have a one-to-one correspondence with the method steps or operations or behaviors performed by the relay device or the network device or the user device.

[0259] Fig.14 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 800 provided in an embodiment of the present application. Fig.14 , the structure and function of the communication device 800 are described in detail. The communication device 800 may include: an acquisition module 800, configured to receive first information from an access backhaul integrated IAB node; a processing module 802, configured to generate first configuration information of the IAB node according to the first information; and a sending module 803, configured to send the first configuration information to the IAB node.

[0260] Optionally, the first information includes: cell information of a cell accessed by the IAB node, and / or a base station identifier of an IAB host of the IAB node.

[0261] Optionally, the cell information includes at least one of the following: a cell identifier, a cell global identifier, and a physical cell identifier.

[0262] Optionally, the first information includes: location information or neighboring cell information of the IAB node.

[0263] Optionally, the first configuration information includes X configuration information, and the X configuration information respectively corresponds to X candidate IAB hosts, where X is a positive integer; the method also includes: the network management device receives third configuration information from the IAB node or an index corresponding to the third configuration information, the third configuration information is determined by the IAB node according to the first configuration information, and the third configuration information has a corresponding relationship with the IAB host selected by the IAB node.

[0264] Optionally, the first configuration information includes at least one of the following: the local Internet Protocol IP address of the IAB node at the F1 interface, the opposite IP address of the IAB node at the F1 interface, and the cell information of the cell served by the IAB node; wherein the local end of the F1 interface is the distributed unit DU end of the IAB node, and the opposite end of the F1 interface is the centralized unit CU end of the IAB host of the IAB node.

[0265] Optionally, the processing module 802 generates first configuration information of the IAB node according to the first information, including: the processing module 802 determines an IAB host of the IAB node according to the first information; and the processing module 802 generates the first configuration information according to the IAB host.

[0266] Optionally, the processing module 802 generates the first configuration information according to the IAB host, including: the processing module 802 determines the local IP address of the IAB node at the F1 interface according to the DU of the IAB host; and / or the processing module 802 determines the cell information of the cell served by the IAB node according to the CU of the IAB host.

[0267] Optionally, when the first configuration information does not include the local IP address of the IAB node at the F1 interface, the sending module 803 further sends first indication information to the IAB node, where the first indication information is used to indicate the type of IP address requested by the IAB node to the IAB host; or, the first indication information is used to indicate the prefix of the IP address requested by the IAB node to the IAB host; or, the first indication information is used to indicate the IAB node to request X IP addresses from the IAB host; or, the first indication information is used to indicate the IAB node to request Y IP addresses for the F1-C interface or F1-C service from the IAB host. IP address; or, the first indication information is used to instruct the IAB node to request Z IP addresses for the F1-U interface or F1-U service from the IAB host; or, the first indication information is used to instruct the IAB node to request the IAB host for an IP address prefix for the F1-C interface or F1-C service; or, the first indication information is used to instruct the IAB node to request the IAB host for an IP address prefix for the F1-U interface or F1-U service; X, Y, Z, M, N are positive integers, the F1-C interface is the control plane interface of the F1 interface, and the F1-U interface is the user plane interface of the F1 interface.

[0268] Optionally, the sending module 803 sends a preconfigured cell set to a target IAB host of the IAB node; the acquiring module 801 receives cell information from the IAB node; the cell information is determined for the IAB node from the preconfigured cell set by the target IAB host of the IAB node.

[0269] Optionally, the acquisition module 801 receives second indication information from the IAB node; and the processing module 802 determines, according to the second indication information, that the physical cell identifier PCI of the IAB node remains unchanged.

[0270] Optionally, the acquisition module 801 receives third indication information from the IAB node; and the processing module 802 determines, according to the third indication information, that the first node is an IAB node or an IAB host.

[0271] Optionally, the acquisition module 801 receives fourth indication information from the IAB node, and the fourth indication information includes the status of the cell served by the IAB node; wherein the status of the cell served by the IAB node includes: the cell is turned off or the cell is in a discontinuous reception DTX state; the processing module 802 determines the status of the cell served by the IAB node based on the fourth indication information.

[0272] Optionally, when the state of the cell served by the IAB node is that the cell is in the DTX state, the fourth indication information also includes: SSB information of the cell served by the IAB node.

[0273] Fig.15 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 900 provided in an embodiment of the present application. Fig.15 , the structure and function of the communication device 900 are described in detail. The communication device 900 may include: a sending module 901, used to send first information to a network management device; and an obtaining module 902, used to receive first configuration information from the network management device.

[0274] Optionally, the first information includes: cell information of a cell accessed by the IAB node, and / or a base station identifier of an IAB host of the IAB node.

[0275] Optionally, the cell information includes at least one of the following: a cell identifier, a cell global identifier, and a physical cell identifier.

[0276] Optionally, the first information includes: location information or neighboring cell information of the IAB node.

[0277] Optionally, the first configuration information includes X configuration information, and the X configuration information respectively corresponds to X candidate IAB hosts, where X is a positive integer; the method also includes: the IAB node selects an IAB host; the IAB node determines the configuration information corresponding to the IAB host in the first configuration information as third configuration information; and the IAB node sends the third configuration information or an index corresponding to the third configuration information to the network management device.

[0278] Optionally, the first configuration information includes at least one of the following: the local IP address of the IAB node at the F1 interface, the opposite IP address of the IAB node at the F1 interface, and the cell information of the cell served by the IAB node; wherein the local end of the F1 interface is the distributed unit DU end of the IAB node, and the opposite end of the F1 interface is the centralized unit CU end of the IAB host of the IAB node.

[0279] Optionally, when the first configuration information does not include the local IP address of the IAB node at the F1 interface, the acquisition module 902 further receives first indication information from the network management device, the first indication information is used to indicate the type of IP address requested by the IAB node to the IAB host; or, the first indication information is used to indicate the prefix of the IP address requested by the IAB node to the IAB host; or, the first indication information is used to indicate the IAB node to request X IP addresses from the IAB host; or, the first indication information is used to indicate the IAB node to request Y IP addresses for the F1-C interface or F1-C service from the IAB host. IP address; or, the first indication information is used to instruct the IAB node to request Z IP addresses for the F1-U interface or F1-U service from the IAB host; or, the first indication information is used to instruct the IAB node to request the IAB host for an IP address prefix for the F1-C interface or F1-C service; or, the first indication information is used to instruct the IAB node to request the IAB host for an IP address prefix for the F1-U interface or F1-U service; X, Y, Z, M, N are positive integers, the F1-C interface is the control plane interface of the F1 interface, and the F1-U interface is the user plane interface of the F1 interface.

[0280] Optionally, the sending module 901 is used to send second information to the IAB host. The second information is used to request the type of the IP address from the IAB host; or the second information is used to request the prefix of the IP address from the IAB host; or the second information is used to request X IP addresses from the IAB host; or the second information is used to request Y IP addresses for the F1-C interface or F1-C service from the IAB host; or the second information is used to request Z IP addresses for the F1-U interface or F1-U service from the IAB host; or the second information is used to request the IP address prefix for the F1-C interface or F1-C service from the IAB host; or the second information is used to request the IP address prefix for the F1-U interface or F1-U service from the IAB host; X, Y, Z, M, N are positive integers, the F1-C interface is the control plane interface of the F1 interface, and the F1-U interface is the user plane interface of the F1 interface. The acquisition module 902 is used to receive second configuration information from the IAB host; wherein the second configuration information may include at least one of the following information: an IP address prefix allocated by the IAB host to the IAB node, an IP address allocated by the IAB host to the IAB node, an IP address for an F1-C interface or an F1-C service allocated by the IAB host to the IAB node, an IP address for an F1-U interface or an 1-U service allocated by the IAB host to the IAB node, an IP address prefix allocated by the IAB host to the IAB node for an F1-C interface or an F1-C service, and an IP address prefix allocated by the IAB host to the IAB node for an F1-U interface or an F1-U service.

[0281] Optionally, the sending module 901 is further configured to send the second configuration information to the network management device.

[0282] Optionally, the sending module 901 is further used to send second indication information to the network management device; wherein the second indication information includes the location information of the IAB node and / or the information of the neighboring cells of the IAB node. Alternatively, the second indication information is used to indicate that the PCI of the cell served by the IAB node remains unchanged.

[0283] Optionally, the sending module 901 is further used to send third indication information to the network management device; wherein the third indication information is used to indicate whether the node is an IAB node.

[0284] Optionally, the sending module 901 is also used to send fourth indication information to the network management device; wherein the fourth indication information includes the status of the cell served by the IAB node; wherein the status of the cell served by the IAB node includes: the cell is closed or the cell is in a discontinuous reception DTX state.

[0285] Optionally, when the state of the cell served by the IAB node is that the cell is in the DTX state, the fourth indication information also includes: SSB information of the cell served by the IAB node.

[0286] Based on the same technical concept, the embodiment of the present application further provides a device 1000. Fig.16 , the structure and function of the device 1000 are described in detail. The device may include at least one processor 1001 and an interface circuit 1002. When the program instructions involved are executed in the at least one processor 1001, the device 1000 can implement the communication method provided by any of the aforementioned embodiments and any possible design thereof. The interface circuit 1002 can be used to receive program instructions and transmit them to the processor, or the interface circuit 1002 can be used for the device 1000 to communicate and interact with other communication devices, such as interactive control signaling and / or business data. The interface circuit 1002 can be a code and / or data reading and writing interface circuit, or the interface circuit 1002 can be a signal transmission interface circuit between a communication processor and a transceiver. Optionally, the communication device 1000 may also include at least one memory 1003, which can be used to store the required program instructions and / or data involved. Optionally, the device 1000 may further include a power supply circuit 1004, which may be used to supply power to the processor 1001. The power supply circuit 1004 may be located in the same chip as the processor 1001, or in another chip other than the chip where the processor 1001 is located. Optionally, the device 1000 may further include a bus 1005, and various parts of the device 1000 may be interconnected through the bus 1005.

[0287] It should be understood that the processor in the embodiment of the present application may be a central processing unit (CPU), and the processor may also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or the processor may also be any conventional processor, etc.

[0288] It should also be understood that the memory in the embodiments of the present application may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, many forms of random access memory (RAM) are available, such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link DRAM (SLDRAM), or direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0289] The power supply circuit described in the embodiments of the present application includes but is not limited to at least one of the following: a power supply line, a power supply subsystem, a power management chip, a power consumption management processor, or a power consumption management control circuit.

[0290] The transceiver, interface circuit, or transceiver described in the embodiments of the present application may include a separate transmitter and / or a separate receiver, or may be an integrated transmitter and receiver. The transceiver, interface circuit, or transceiver may operate under the instruction of a corresponding processor. Optionally, the transmitter may correspond to a transmitter in a physical device, and the receiver may correspond to a receiver in a physical device.

[0291] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that for the convenience and simplicity of description, only the division of the above-mentioned functional modules is used as an example. In actual applications, the above-mentioned functions can be assigned to different functional modules as needed, that is, the internal structure of the device is divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above. The specific working process of the system, device and unit described above can refer to the corresponding process in the aforementioned method embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0292] In the embodiments of the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic. For example, the division of the modules or units is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be an indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0293] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the units or algorithmic operations of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented by hardware, or by software, or by a combination of software and hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of this application.

[0294] In the present application, "implemented by software" may refer to a processor reading and executing program instructions stored in a memory to implement the functions corresponding to the above modules or units, wherein a processor refers to a processing circuit having the function of executing program instructions, including but not limited to at least one of the following: a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller unit (MCU), or an artificial intelligence processor and other types of processing circuits capable of running program instructions. In other embodiments, the processor may also include circuits for other processing functions (such as hardware circuits, buses and interface circuits for hardware acceleration, etc.). The processor may be presented in the form of an integrated chip, for example, in the form of an integrated chip whose processing function only includes the function of executing software instructions, or in the form of a SoC (system on a chip), that is, on a chip, in addition to a processing circuit (usually referred to as a "core") capable of running program instructions, other hardware circuits for implementing specific functions are also included (of course, these hardware circuits may also be implemented separately based on ASIC or FPGA), and accordingly, in addition to the function of executing software instructions, the processing function may also include various hardware acceleration functions (such as AI calculation, encoding and decoding, compression and decompression, etc.).

[0295] In the present application, "implemented by hardware" means that the functions of the above modules or units are realized by hardware processing circuits that do not have program instruction processing functions. The hardware processing circuits can be composed of discrete hardware components or integrated circuits. In order to reduce power consumption and size, it is usually implemented in the form of integrated circuits. The hardware processing circuits may include ASICs or PLDs (programmable logic devices); wherein PLDs may include FPGAs, CPLDs (complex programmable logic devices), and the like. These hardware processing circuits may be a separately packaged semiconductor chip (such as packaged into an ASIC); or they may be integrated with other circuits (such as CPUs, DSPs) and then packaged into a semiconductor chip. For example, a variety of hardware circuits and CPUs may be formed on a silicon substrate and packaged into a single chip. Such a chip is also called SoC, or circuits and CPUs for realizing FPGA functions may be formed on a silicon substrate and packaged into a single chip. Such a chip is also called SoPC (system on a programmable chip).

[0296] It should be noted that when the present application is implemented by software, hardware or a combination of software and hardware, different software and hardware can be used, and it is not limited to only one software or hardware. For example, one of the modules or units can be implemented using a CPU, and another module or unit can be implemented using a DSP. Similarly, when implemented using hardware, one of the modules or units can be implemented using an ASIC, and another module or unit can be implemented using an FPGA. Of course, it is not limited that some or all of the modules or units are implemented using the same software (such as all through a CPU) or the same hardware (such as all through an ASIC). In addition, it can be known to those skilled in the art that software is generally more flexible, but its performance is not as good as hardware, and the opposite is true for hardware. Therefore, those skilled in the art can choose software or hardware or a combination of the two to implement in combination with actual needs.

[0297] In the above embodiments, the description of each embodiment has its own emphasis. For parts that are not described in detail in a certain embodiment, reference can be made to the relevant description of other embodiments. The embodiments of the present application can be combined with each other, and some technical features in the embodiments can also be decoupled from the specific embodiments. In combination with the prior art, the technical problems involved in the embodiments of the present application can be solved.

[0298] In the embodiments of the present application, the units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components displayed as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed on multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the embodiments of the present application.

[0299] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit. The above-mentioned integrated unit may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional units.

[0300] If the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application is essentially or the part that contributes to the prior art or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, and the computer software product is stored in a storage medium, which may include a number of instructions to enable a computer device, such as a personal computer, a server, or a network device, or a processor to perform all or part of the operations of the methods described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium may include: various media or computer-readable storage media that can store program codes, such as USB flash drives, mobile hard disks, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0301] The above description is only a specific implementation manner of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any technician familiar with the technical field can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, which should be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: The communication method is applied to a network management device, including: receiving first information from an access and backhaul integrated IAB node, wherein the first information is used to determine an IAB host of the IAB node; generating first configuration information of the IAB node according to the first information; The first configuration information is sent to the IAB node.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first information includes: cell information of a cell accessed by the IAB node, and / or a base station identifier of an IAB host of the IAB node.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The cell information includes at least one of the following: a cell identifier, a cell global identifier, and a physical cell identifier.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first information includes: location information or neighboring cell information of the IAB node.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The first configuration information includes X pieces of configuration information, the X pieces of configuration information respectively correspond to X candidate IAB hosts, and X is a positive integer; The method further comprises: receiving third configuration information from the IAB node or an index corresponding to the third configuration information, wherein the third configuration information is determined by the IAB node according to the first configuration information, and the third configuration information has a corresponding relationship with the IAB host selected by the IAB node.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The first configuration information includes at least one of the following: a local Internet Protocol IP address of the IAB node at the F1 interface, a peer IP address of the IAB node at the F1 interface, and cell information of a cell served by the IAB node; The local end of the F1 interface is a distributed unit DU end of the IAB node, and the opposite end of the F1 interface is a centralized unit CU end of the IAB host of the IAB node.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that Generating first configuration information of the IAB node according to the first information includes: determining an IAB host of the IAB node according to the first information; The first configuration information is generated according to the IAB host.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that Generating the first configuration information according to the IAB host includes: Determine the local IP address of the IAB node at the F1 interface according to the DU of the IAB host; and / or, According to the CU of the IAB host, cell information of the cell served by the IAB node is determined.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that When the first configuration information does not include the local IP address of the IAB node at the F1 interface, it includes: The first indication information is also sent to the IAB node, where the first indication information is used to indicate the type of IP address requested by the IAB node to the IAB host; or, the first indication information is used to indicate the prefix of the IP address requested by the IAB node to the IAB host; or, the first indication information is used to indicate the IAB node to request X IP addresses from the IAB host; or, the first indication information is used to indicate the IAB node to request Y IP addresses for the F1-C interface or the F1-C service from the IAB host; or, the first indication information is used to indicate the IAB node to request Y IP addresses for the F1-C interface or the F1-C service from the IAB host. The AB node requests Z IP addresses for the F1-U interface or F1-U service from the IAB host; or, the first indication information is used to instruct the IAB node to request the IP address prefix for the F1-C interface or F1-C service from the IAB host; or, the first indication information is used to instruct the IAB node to request the IP address prefix for the F1-U interface or F1-U service from the IAB host; X, Y, Z, M, N are positive integers, the F1-C interface is the control plane interface of the F1 interface, and the F1-U interface is the user plane interface of the F1 interface.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that include: Sending a preconfigured cell set to a target IAB host of the IAB node; receiving cell information from the IAB node; The cell information is determined by a target IAB host of the IAB node for the IAB node from the preconfigured cell set.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that include: receiving second indication information from the IAB node; According to the second indication information, it is determined that the physical cell identifier PCI of the IAB node remains unchanged.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that include: receiving third indication information from the first node; According to the third indication information, it is determined that the first node is an IAB node or an IAB host.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that include: receiving fourth indication information from the IAB node, the fourth indication information including a state of a cell served by the IAB node; wherein the state of the cell served by the IAB node includes: the cell is turned off or the cell is in a discontinuous reception DTX state; Determine, according to the fourth indication information, a state of a cell served by the IAB node.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that When the state of the cell served by the IAB node is that the cell is in the DTX state, the fourth indication information further includes: SSB information of the cell served by the IAB node.

15. A communication method, characterized in that: The communication method is applied to an IAB node with integrated access and backhaul, including: Sending first information to a network management device, where the first information is used to determine an IAB host of the IAB node; Receive first configuration information from the network management device.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The first information includes: cell information of a cell accessed by the IAB node, and / or a base station identifier of an IAB host of the IAB node.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The cell information includes at least one of the following: a cell identifier, a cell global identifier, and a physical cell identifier.

18. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The first information includes: location information or neighboring cell information of the IAB node.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The first configuration information includes X pieces of configuration information, the X pieces of configuration information respectively correspond to X candidate IAB hosts, and X is a positive integer; The method further comprises: Select an IAB host; Determine the configuration information corresponding to the IAB host in the first configuration information as the third configuration information; Send the third configuration information or an index corresponding to the third configuration information to the network management device.

20. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 19, characterized in that The first configuration information includes at least one of the following: a local Internet Protocol IP address of the IAB node at the F1 interface, a peer IP address of the IAB node at the F1 interface, and cell information of a cell served by the IAB node; The local end of the F1 interface is a distributed unit DU end of the IAB node, and the opposite end of the F1 interface is a centralized unit CU end of the IAB host of the IAB node.

21. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 19, characterized in that When the first configuration information does not include the local IP address of the IAB node at the F1 interface, it includes: The first indication information is also received from the network management device, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the type of IP address requested by the IAB node to the IAB host; or, the first indication information is used to indicate the prefix of the IP address requested by the IAB node to the IAB host; or, the first indication information is used to indicate the IAB node to request X IP addresses from the IAB host; or, the first indication information is used to indicate the IAB node to request Y IP addresses for the F1-C interface or the F1-C service from the IAB host; or, the first indication information is used to indicate the IAB node to request Y IP addresses for the F1-C interface or the F1-C service from the IAB host. The AB node requests Z IP addresses for the F1-U interface or F1-U service from the IAB host; or, the first indication information is used to instruct the IAB node to request the IP address prefix for the F1-C interface or F1-C service from the IAB host; or, the first indication information is used to instruct the IAB node to request the IP address prefix for the F1-U interface or F1-U service from the IAB host; X, Y, Z, M, N are positive integers, the F1-C interface is the control plane interface of the F1 interface, and the F1-U interface is the user plane interface of the F1 interface.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that include: Sending second information to the IAB host; the second information is used to request the type of the IP address from the IAB host; or, the second information is used to request the prefix of the IP address from the IAB host; or, the second information is used to request X IP addresses from the IAB host; or, the second information is used to request Y IP addresses for the F1-C interface or F1-C service from the IAB host; or, the second information is used to request Z IP addresses for the F1-U interface or F1-U service from the IAB host; or, the second information is used to request the IP address prefix for the F1-C interface or F1-C service from the IAB host; or, the second information is used to request the IP address prefix for the F1-U interface or F1-U service from the IAB host; X, Y, Z, M, N are positive integers, the F1-C interface is the control plane interface of the F1 interface, and the F1-U interface is the user plane interface of the F1 interface; receiving second configuration information from the IAB host; The second configuration information includes at least one of the following information: an IP address prefix assigned by the IAB host to the IAB node, an IP address assigned by the IAB host to the IAB node, an IP address for an F1-C interface or an F1-C service assigned by the IAB host to the IAB node, an IP address for an F1-U interface or an 1-U service assigned by the IAB host to the IAB node, an IP address prefix for an F1-C interface or an F1-C service assigned by the IAB host to the IAB node, and an IP address prefix for an F1-U interface or an F1-U service assigned by the IAB host to the IAB node.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that include: Send the second configuration information to the network management device.

24. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 19, characterized in that include: Sending second indication information to the network management device; The second indication information includes the location information of the IAB node and / or the information of the neighboring cells of the IAB node; or the second indication information is used to indicate that the PCI of the cell served by the IAB node remains unchanged.

25. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 19, characterized in that include: Sending third indication information to the network management device; The third indication information is used to indicate whether the node is an IAB node.

26. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 19, characterized in that include: Sending fourth indication information to the network management device; The fourth indication information includes the state of the cell served by the IAB node; wherein the state of the cell served by the IAB node includes: the cell is turned off or the cell is in a discontinuous reception DTX state.

27. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that When the state of the cell served by the IAB node is that the cell is in the DTX state, the fourth indication information further includes: SSB information of the cell served by the IAB node.

28. A communication device, characterized in that: include: At least one processor and an interface circuit, wherein the computer program is executed in the at least one processor so that the communication device executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 27.

29. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, and when the computer program is run, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 27 is executed.

30. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, and when the computer program is run, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 27 is executed.

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