A configuration method and communication device of IAB node

Abstract

The present application discloses a configuration method and a communication device for an IAB node, the method comprising: a target IAB host receives first information from a source IAB host, and sends first configuration information to the source IAB host; the IAB node comprises an MT and a DU, the first configuration information is determined according to the first information, and is used to indicate the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the target IAB host for the MT, and the first information is used to indicate one or more of the following four types of information: supporting or not supporting MT receiving data while DU sends data; supporting or not supporting MT receiving data while DU receives data; supporting or not supporting MT sending data while DU sends data; supporting or not supporting MT sending data while DU receives data. The first information may be duplex capability information, and the first configuration information is based on the first information, and in the cross-host switching process of the IAB node, the transmission and reception conflicts between DU and MT can be avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a configuration method and a communication device for an IAB node. Background Art

[0002] In order to improve network capacity and coverage, a relay node supporting wireless backhaul transmission is proposed to realize the deployment of dense networks. The node supporting relay function is referred to as relay node. Relay node provides functions and services similar to ordinary base stations to terminals accessing its cell. The communication link between relay node and terminal is called access link. Relay node accesses a base station serving it through a wireless interface in a similar way to a terminal. The base station is called another relay node or a donor base station. The wireless interface link between relay nodes and relay nodes, and between relay nodes and donor base stations is called backhaul link.

[0003] Future communication technologies support larger bandwidth and larger-scale multi-antenna or multi-beam transmission, providing conditions for relays that share air interface resources between access links and backhaul links, that is, providing conditions for relays that integrate wireless access links and wireless backhaul links. Relays that integrate wireless access links and wireless backhaul links can be called integrated access and backhaul (IAB) nodes. It should be understood that an IAB node establishes a wireless backhaul link with one or more upper-level nodes and accesses the core network through the upper-level nodes. The IAB node can also provide access services for multiple lower-level nodes and terminals.

[0004] Poor link status or congestion of the backhaul link or access link may cause the link communication between the IAB node and a superior node to be interrupted, which may involve switching across host base stations. How to configure resources for switching of IAB nodes across host base stations is a problem that needs to be solved. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present application provides a configuration method and a communication device for an IAB node, which can avoid conflicts between MT configuration and DU configuration of the IAB node during cross-host switching of the IAB node.

[0006] In a first aspect, a method for configuring an IAB node is provided. The method can be performed by a first communication device. The first communication device can be a communication device or a communication device that can support the communication device to implement the functions required by the method, such as a chip system. The following description is taken as an example of the communication device as a target IAB host. The method includes:

[0007] The target IAB host receives the first information from the source IAB host, and the target IAB host sends the first configuration information to the source IAB host, the first configuration information is used for the IAB node to switch from the source IAB host to the target IAB host, the IAB node includes an MT function and a DU function, the first configuration information is determined according to the first information, the first configuration information is used to indicate the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the target IAB host for the MT function, and the first information is used to indicate one or more of the following four types of information:

[0008] Supporting or not supporting the DU function to send data while the MT function receives data;

[0009] Supporting or not supporting the DU function receiving data while the MT function receives data;

[0010] Supporting or not supporting the DU function to send data while the MT function sends data;

[0011] The DU function receives data while the MT function sends data or does not support it.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present application, the first information may be used to indicate the above four types of information, and the above four types of information may be considered as the duplex capability or duplex information or multiplexing capability or multiplexing information of the IAB node. The target IAB host determines the first configuration information based on the first information, that is, the target IAB host configures the transmission direction of the time domain resources of the MT function for the IAB node based on the duplex capability of the IAB node. For example, the first information indicates that the DU function receives data while the MT function does not support receiving data. If the transmission direction of the time domain resources of the DU function in a certain time domain resource is an uplink transmission direction (the uplink transmission of the DU function indicates that the DU function receives data), then the first configuration information cannot configure the transmission direction of the time domain resources for the MT function in the time domain resource as a downlink transmission direction (the downlink transmission of the MT function indicates that the MT function receives data). It can be seen that through the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, since the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured for the MT function is based on the first information, in the process of implementing the cross-host switching of the IAB node, the DU function and the MT function of the IAB node can be avoided. The transmission and reception conflicts can then be avoided, thereby avoiding the communication abnormalities of the link between the IAB node and the subordinate node of the IAB node or the link between the IAB node and the upper node of the IAB node.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the target IAB host receives second information from the source IAB host, the second information is used to indicate the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the source IAB host for the DU function, and / or the second information is used to indicate the state of the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the source IAB host for the DU function. In this solution, the source IAB host can provide the target IAB host with the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the source IAB host for the DU function and / or the state of the transmission direction, so that the target IAB host can refer to the configuration of the source IAB host for the DU function to determine how to configure the MT function, so as to avoid conflicts between the configuration of the MT function and the configuration of the DU function.

[0014] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the target IAB host sends second configuration information to the source IAB host, the second configuration information is determined based on the first information, the second configuration information is used to indicate the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the target IAB host for the DU function, and / or, the second configuration information is used to indicate the state of the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the target IAB host for the DU function. In this scheme, considering that before the cross-host switching, the configuration of the DU function is configured by the source IAB host, and after the cross-host switching, the configuration of the MT function is configured by the target IAB host, in this case, the configuration configured by the source IAB host for the DU function may not be optimal. To this end, the target IAB host can also update the configuration of the DU function to maximize the utilization of the DU function configuration.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the first information and / or the second information are carried in a first request message, the first request message is carried in a first interface signaling, the first interface is an interface between a target IAB host and a source IAB host, and the first request message is used to request an IAB node to switch from a source IAB host to a target IAB host; or, the first information and / or the second information is received by the target IAB host through a core network device. The scheme lists two implementations of the first information and the second information, that is, the first information or the second information can be sent through an interface between a source IAB host and a target IAB host, or can also be forwarded through a core network device that can communicate with the source IAB host and the target IAB host, respectively, which is more flexible. Exemplarily, the first information and / or the second information can be carried in a request message for an IAB node to switch from a source IAB host to a target IAB host, which is more compatible with the existing protocol architecture. In addition, the first information and the second information can be sent together through one signaling, that is, the sending of two types of information is realized through one signaling, which can save the signaling overhead; or, the first information and the second information can be sent independently, which will not limit the sending method of the first information and the second information, which is more flexible.

[0016] In a possible implementation, the first configuration information and / or the second configuration information is carried in a first request response message, the first request response message is carried in a first interface signaling, the first interface is an interface between a target IAB host and a source IAB host, and the first request response message is a response message of a request message sent by the target IAB host to the source IAB host for the IAB node to switch from the source IAB host to the target IAB host; or, the first configuration information and / or the second configuration information is forwarded by the target IAB host to the source IAB host through a core network device. This scheme lists two implementations of the first configuration information and the second configuration information, namely, the first configuration information or the second configuration information can be sent through an interface between the target IAB host and the source IAB host, or can also be forwarded through a core network device that can communicate with the target IAB host and the source IAB host, respectively, which is more flexible. Exemplarily, the first configuration information and / or the second configuration information can be carried in a response message of a request message for the IAB node to switch from the source IAB host to the target IAB host, which is more compatible with the existing protocol architecture. In addition, the first configuration information and the second configuration information can be sent together through one signaling, that is, the sending of two types of information can be achieved through one signaling, which can save signaling overhead; or, the first configuration information and the second configuration information can be sent independently, which will not limit the sending method of the first information and the second information, and is more flexible.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the transmission direction of the time domain resource is an uplink transmission direction, a downlink transmission direction, or a flexible transmission direction; the state of the transmission direction of the time domain resource is an available state, a conditional use state, or an unavailable state. This solution lists three possible transmission directions of the time domain resource and three states of each transmission direction.

[0018] In a second aspect, another method for configuring an IAB node is provided, which can be performed by a second communication device, which can be a communication device or a communication device capable of supporting the communication device to implement the functions required by the method, such as a chip system. The following description is made by taking the communication device as a source IAB host as an example. The method includes:

[0019] The source IAB host sends first information to the target IAB host, and the source IAB host receives first configuration information from the target IAB host, the first configuration information is used for the IAB node to switch from the source IAB node to the target IAB host, the IAB node includes an MT function and a DU function, the first configuration information is determined according to the first information, the first configuration information is used to indicate the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the target IAB host for the MT function, and the first information is used to indicate one or more of four types of information:

[0020] Supporting or not supporting the DU function to send data while the MT function receives data;

[0021] Supporting or not supporting the DU function receiving data while the MT function receives data;

[0022] Supporting or not supporting the DU function to send data while the MT function sends data;

[0023] The DU function receives data while the MT function sends data or does not support it.

[0024] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the source IAB host sends second information to the target IAB host, the second information being used to indicate a transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the source IAB host for the DU function, and / or the second information being used to indicate a state of the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the source IAB host for the DU function.

[0025] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the source IAB host receives second configuration information from the target IAB host, the second configuration information is determined based on the first information, the second configuration information is used to indicate the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the target IAB host for the DU function, and / or the second configuration information is used to indicate the state of the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the target IAB host for the DU function.

[0026] In a possible implementation, the first information and / or the second information is carried in a first request message, the first request message is carried in a first interface signaling, the first interface is an interface between a target IAB host and a source IAB host, and the first request message is used to request the IAB node to switch from the source IAB host to the target IAB host; or, the first information and / or the second information is sent by the source IAB host through a core network device.

[0027] In a possible implementation, the first configuration information and / or the second configuration information is carried in a first request response message, the first request response message is carried in a first interface signaling, the first interface is an interface between a target IAB host and a source IAB host, the first request response message is a response message of a request message sent by the target IAB host to the source IAB host to switch the IAB node from the source IAB host to the target IAB host; or, the first configuration information and / or the second configuration information is received by the source IAB host through a core network device.

[0028] In a possible implementation, the transmission direction of the time domain resource is an uplink transmission direction, a downlink transmission direction, or a flexible transmission direction; the state of the transmission direction of the time domain resource is a usable state, a conditional usable state, or an unusable state.

[0029] Regarding the technical effects brought about by the second aspect or various possible implementations of the second aspect, reference may be made to the introduction to the technical effects of the first aspect or various possible implementations of the first aspect.

[0030] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which has the function of implementing the behavior in the method embodiment of the first aspect above. The function can be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. In a possible implementation, it includes a transceiver module and a processing module, wherein:

[0031] The transceiver module is used to receive first information from a source IAB host and send first configuration information to the source IAB host; the processing module is used to generate the first configuration information, which is used for the IAB node to switch from the source IAB host to the communication device;

[0032] The IAB node includes an MT function and a DU function, the first configuration information is determined according to the first information, the first configuration information is used to indicate the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the communication device for the MT function, and the first information is used to indicate one or more of the following four types of information:

[0033] Supporting or not supporting the DU function to send data while the MT function receives data;

[0034] Supporting or not supporting the DU function receiving data while the MT function receives data;

[0035] Supporting or not supporting the DU function to send data while the MT function sends data;

[0036] The DU function receives data while the MT function sends data or does not support it.

[0037] In a possible implementation, the transceiver module is further used for:

[0038] Second information is received from a source IAB host, where the second information is used to indicate a transmission direction of time domain resources configured by the source IAB host for the DU function, and / or the second information is used to indicate a state of a transmission direction of time domain resources configured by the source IAB host for the DU function.

[0039] In a possible implementation, the transceiver module is also used to: send second configuration information to the source IAB host, the second configuration information is determined based on the first information, the second configuration information is used to indicate the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the communication device for the DU function, and / or, the second configuration information is used to indicate the state of the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the communication device for the DU function.

[0040] In a possible implementation, the first information and / or the second information is carried in a first request message, the first request message is carried in a first interface signaling, the first interface is an interface between the communication device and the source IAB host, and the first request message is used to request the IAB node to switch from the source IAB host to the communication device; or, the first information and / or the second information is received by the communication device through a core network device.

[0041] In a possible implementation, the first configuration information and / or the second configuration information is carried in a first request response message, the first request response message is carried in a first interface signaling, the first interface is an interface between the communication device and the source IAB host, the first request response message is a response message of a request message sent by the communication device to the source IAB host to switch the IAB node from the source IAB host to the communication device; or, the first configuration information and / or the second configuration information is forwarded by the communication device to the source IAB node through a core network device.

[0042] In a possible implementation, the transmission direction of the time domain resource is an uplink transmission direction, a downlink transmission direction, or a flexible transmission direction; the state of the transmission direction of the time domain resource is a usable state, a conditional usable state, or an unusable state.

[0043] Regarding the technical effects brought about by the third aspect or various possible implementations of the third aspect, reference may be made to the introduction to the technical effects of the first aspect or various possible implementations of the first aspect.

[0044] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which has the function of implementing the behavior in the method embodiment of the second aspect above. The function can be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. In a possible implementation, it includes a transceiver module and a processing module, wherein:

[0045] The processing module is used to generate first information;

[0046] The transceiver module is used to send the first information to the target IAB host, and receive first configuration information from the target IAB host, the first configuration information is used for the IAB node to switch from the communication device to the target IAB host;

[0047] The IAB node includes an MT function and a DU function, the first configuration information is determined according to the first information, the first configuration information is used to indicate the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the target IAB host for the MT function, and the first information is used to indicate one or more of the four types of information:

[0048] Supporting or not supporting the DU function to send data while the MT function receives data;

[0049] Supporting or not supporting the DU function receiving data while the MT function receives data;

[0050] Supporting or not supporting the DU function to send data while the MT function sends data;

[0051] The DU function receives data while the MT function sends data or does not support it.

[0052] In a possible implementation, the transceiver module is also used to: send second information to the target IAB host, the second information is used to indicate the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the communication device for the DU function, and / or, the second information is used to indicate the state of the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the communication device for the DU function.

[0053] In a possible implementation, the transceiver module is also used to: receive second configuration information from the target IAB host, the second configuration information is determined based on the first information, the second configuration information is used to indicate the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the target IAB host for the DU function, and / or, the second configuration information is used to indicate the state of the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the target IAB host for the DU function.

[0054] In a possible implementation, the first information and / or the second information is carried in a first request message, the first request message is carried in a first interface signaling, the first interface is an interface between the target IAB host and the communication device, and the first request message is used to request the IAB node to switch from the communication device to the target IAB host; or, the first information and / or the second information is sent by the communication device through a core network device.

[0055] In a possible implementation, the first configuration information and / or the second configuration information is carried in a first request response message, the first request response message is carried in a first interface signaling, the first interface is an interface between the target IAB host and the communication device, the first request response message is a response message of a request message sent by the target IAB host to the communication device to switch the IAB node from the communication device to the target IAB host; or, the first configuration information and / or the second configuration information is received by the communication device through a core network device.

[0056] In a possible implementation, the transmission direction of the time domain resource is an uplink transmission direction, a downlink transmission direction, or a flexible transmission direction; the state of the transmission direction of the time domain resource is a usable state, a conditional usable state, or an unusable state.

[0057] Regarding the technical effects brought about by the fourth aspect or various possible implementation methods of the fourth aspect, reference may be made to the introduction to the technical effects of the second aspect or various possible implementation methods of the second aspect.

[0058] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which may be the communication device in the third aspect or the fourth aspect of the above-mentioned embodiment, or a chip arranged in the communication device in the third aspect or the fourth aspect. The communication device includes a communication interface and a processor, and optionally, also includes a memory. The memory is used to store computer programs or instructions or data, and the processor is coupled to the memory and the communication interface. When the processor reads the computer program or instructions or data, the communication device executes the method executed by the target IAB host or the source IAB host in the above-mentioned first aspect or second aspect method embodiment.

[0059] It should be understood that the communication interface may be a transceiver in the communication device, for example, implemented by an antenna, a feeder, and a codec in the communication device, or, if the communication device is a chip provided in a network device, the communication interface may be an input / output interface of the chip, such as an input / output pin, etc. The transceiver is used for the communication device to communicate with other devices. Exemplarily, when the communication device is a target IAB host, the other device is a source IAB host; or, when the communication device is a source IAB host, the other device is a target IAB host.

[0060] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip system, which includes a processor and may also include a memory, for implementing the method performed by the communication device in the third aspect or the fourth aspect. In a possible implementation, the chip system also includes a memory for storing program instructions and / or data. The chip system may be composed of a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0061] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which includes the communication device described in the third aspect and the communication device described in the fourth aspect.

[0062] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, which, when executed, implements the methods performed by the target IAB host in the above aspects; or implements the methods performed by the source IAB host in the above aspects.

[0063] In a ninth aspect, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product comprising: a computer program code, which, when executed, causes the method performed by the target IAB host in the above aspects to be performed, or causes the method performed by the source IAB host in the above aspects to be performed.

[0064] The beneficial effects of the fifth to ninth aspects and their implementations can refer to the description of the beneficial effects of the method of the first or second aspect and its implementation.

[0065] In the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, during the cross-host switching process of the IAB node, the target IAB host configures the transmission direction of the time domain resources for the MT function based on the duplex capability of the MT function and the DU function of the IAB node. This can avoid conflicts between the transmission direction of the time domain resources of the MT function of the IAB node and the transmission direction of the time domain resources of the DU function, thereby avoiding communication anomalies of the IAB node as much as possible. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0066] Figure 1 An architecture diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0067] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of an IAB node provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0068] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a backhaul link and an access link provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0069] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the architecture of an exemplary communication system applicable to the embodiments of the present application;

[0070] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the architecture of an exemplary communication system applicable to the embodiments of the present application;

[0071] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the architecture of an exemplary communication system applicable to the embodiments of the present application;

[0072] Figure 7A schematic diagram of a user plane protocol stack of an IAB node provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0073] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a control plane protocol stack of an IAB node provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0074] Fig. 9 A schematic diagram of switching of IAB nodes across hosts provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0075] Fig.10 Another schematic diagram of switching of IAB nodes across hosts provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0076] Fig.11 A flowchart of a method for configuring an IAB node provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0077] Fig.12 A schematic diagram of an exemplary flow chart of a method for configuring an IAB node provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0078] Fig.13 Another exemplary flowchart of the method for configuring an IAB node provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0079] Fig.14 A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0080] Fig.15 Another schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0081] Fig.16 A schematic diagram of a structure of an exemplary communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0082] Fig.17 Another structural schematic diagram of an exemplary communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0083] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the embodiments of the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0084] Before introducing the present application, some terms in the embodiments of the present application are briefly explained first to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0085] 1) Terminal side equipment is a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to users. The terminal side equipment involved in this application can be a terminal device or a terminal, or a hardware component inside the terminal device that can realize the functions of the terminal device.

[0086] In the embodiment of the present application, the terminal side device may be referred to as user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc., and may include, for example, a handheld device with a wireless connection function, or a processing device connected to a wireless modem. The terminal may communicate with the core network via a radio access network (RAN) and exchange voice and / or data with the RAN. Some examples of terminal devices are: personal communication service (PCS) phone, cordless phone, session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, wireless local loop (WLL) station, personal digital assistant (PDA), barcode, radio frequency identification (RFID), sensor, satellite navigation system, such as global positioning system (GPS), Beidou positioning system, laser scanner and other information sensing devices and other devices.

[0087] The terminal side device can also be a wearable device. Wearable devices can also be called wearable smart devices. They are a general term for wearable devices that use wearable technology to intelligently design and develop wearable devices for daily wear, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing and shoes. Wearable devices are portable devices that are worn directly on the body or integrated into the user's clothes or accessories. Wearable devices are not just hardware devices, but also achieve powerful functions through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. Broadly speaking, wearable smart devices include full-featured, large-sized, and independent of smartphones to achieve complete or partial functions, such as smart watches or smart glasses, as well as those that only focus on a certain type of application function and need to be used in conjunction with other devices such as smartphones, such as various smart bracelets, smart helmets, and smart jewelry for vital sign monitoring. The terminal may also be a virtual reality (VR) device, an augmented reality (AR) device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home, a terminal device in a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN), or a vehicle device in vehicle to everything (V2X), customer premises equipment (CPE), etc.

[0088] The functions of the terminal side device can be realized by hardware components inside the terminal device, and the hardware components can be processors and / or programmable chips inside the terminal device. Optionally, the chip can be realized by application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC) or programmable logic devices (PLD). The above-mentioned PLD can be any one of complex programmable logical devices (CPLD), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), generic array logic (GAL), and system on a chip (SOC) or any combination thereof.

[0089] The various terminals introduced above, if located on a vehicle (eg, placed in or installed in a vehicle), can be considered as vehicle-mounted terminal devices, which are also called on-board units (OBU).

[0090] 2) Donor base station, also known as donor node, refers to a node through which the core network can be accessed. It is a device in the communication system that connects the terminal side device to the wireless network. The donor base station is generally connected to the core network through a wired link (such as an optical fiber cable). The donor base station can be responsible for receiving data from the core network and forwarding it to the wireless backhaul device, or receiving data from the wireless backhaul device and forwarding it to the core network. The donor base station can generally be connected to the network by wire.

[0091] As an example, the donor base station may include a radio network controller (RNC), a node B (NB), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a home base station (e.g., home evolved NodeB, or home Node B, HNB), a base band unit (BBU), etc., and may also include an evolved base station (NodeB or eNB or e-NodeB, evolutionary Node B) in an evolved LTE system (LTE-Advanced, LTE-A), or may also include a next generation node B (next generation node B, gNB) in a fifth generation mobile communication technology (fifth generation, 5G) new radio (new radio, NR) system, etc. As another example, the donor base station may include a centralized unit (CU) (abbreviated as Donor-CU or gNB-CU in this application) and a distributed unit (DU) (abbreviated as Donor-DU or gNB-DU in this application). The gNB-CU and gNB-DU are connected through the 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 through 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.

[0092] The functions of the host base station may be implemented by hardware components inside the host base station, for example, a processor and / or a programmable chip inside the host base station. For example, the chip may be implemented by an ASIC or a PLD. The PLD may be any one of a CPLD, an FPGA, a GAL, and a SOC, or any combination thereof.

[0093] 3) In the embodiments of the present application, "multiple" refers to two or more than two. In view of this, in the embodiments of the present application, "multiple" can also be understood as "at least two". "At least one" can be understood as one or more, for example, one, two or more. For example, including at least one means including one, two or more, and there is no restriction on which ones are included. For example, including at least one of A, B and C, then A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C may be included. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / ", unless otherwise specified, generally indicates that the objects associated before and after are in an "or" relationship. The terms "system" and "network" in the embodiments of the present application can be used interchangeably.

[0094] Unless otherwise specified, the ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of the present application are used to distinguish multiple objects and are not used to limit the order, timing, priority or importance of the multiple objects.

[0095] The following describes technical features related to the embodiments of the present application.

[0096] In order to improve spectrum utilization, base station deployment will be more intensive in the future. However, since the deployment cost of optical fiber is very high, establishing a connection with the core network through the backhaul link of the wireless backhaul device can save some of the optical fiber deployment cost. The wireless backhaul device can provide wireless access services to the terminal side device through the access link (AL). The wireless backhaul device is connected to the host base station through the backhaul link (BL) to transmit the service data of the terminal side device, and expands the coverage of the mobile communication system by retransmitting or forwarding the service data. As an example, in long term evolution (LTE), the wireless backhaul device can be called a relay node (RN), or a relay device, or a relay transmission and reception point (rTRP) or a transmission point (TP), etc.

[0097] The wireless backhaul device can establish a wireless backhaul link with one or more upper-level nodes (parent nodes) and access the core network through the upper-level nodes. The upper-level node can control the wireless backhaul device to a certain extent (for example, data scheduling, timing modulation, power control, etc.) through various signaling. In addition, the wireless backhaul device can provide services for one or more lower-level nodes (child nodes). The upper-level node of the wireless backhaul device can be a base station or another relay node. The lower-level node of the wireless backhaul device can be a terminal or another relay node.

[0098] In order to improve the utilization of spectrum, the link between the wireless backhaul device and the upper node and the link between the wireless backhaul device and the lower node can share the same frequency band. This solution is also called in-band relay. In-band relay generally has a half-duplex constraint. That is, the wireless backhaul device cannot send a downlink signal to its lower node when receiving a downlink signal sent by its upper node, and the wireless backhaul device cannot send an uplink signal to its upper node when receiving an uplink signal sent by its lower node.

[0099] The relay scheme of the new radio (NR) wireless communication system is called IAB, and the corresponding wireless backhaul equipment is called IAB node. When the IAB node is working normally, the link between the IAB node and the upper node and the link between the IAB node and the lower node can be reused in time division, space division or frequency division.

[0100] Figure 1 An IAB system is shown, where the IAB node provides wireless access and wireless backhaul of access services for the terminal. The IAB donor node (IAB host node) provides wireless backhaul function to the IAB node and provides an interface between the terminal and the core network. The IAB node is connected to the IAB donor node via a wireless backhaul link, so that the terminal side device served by the IAB node is connected to the core network.

[0101] It should be noted that in Figure 1 In the network architecture diagram shown, although the terminal side device, wireless backhaul device and host base station are shown, the network architecture may not be limited to the terminal side device, wireless backhaul device and host base station. For example, it may also include core network devices or devices for carrying virtualized network functions, etc. These are obvious to ordinary technicians in this field and are not described in detail here. In addition, if Figure 1In the illustrated system, although one terminal side device, one wireless backhaul device, and one host base station are illustrated, the network architecture does not limit the number of terminal side devices, wireless backhaul devices, and host base stations, and may include, for example, multiple terminal side devices, multiple wireless backhaul devices, and multiple host base stations, etc. In the following description, the wireless backhaul device is taken as an example of an IAB node.

[0102] Figure 2 A structural diagram of an IAB node is shown. The IAB node in NR may include a mobile terminal (MT) and a distributed unit (DU). MT can also be understood as a component similar to a terminal in the IAB node. DU is relative to the centralized unit (CU) function of the network device. Therefore, it can also be considered that the IAB node includes MT function and DU function. For the sake of simplicity, in the following text, the MT function is referred to as MT and the DU function is referred to as DU. Since MT is similar to the function of an ordinary terminal, it can be understood that MT is used for the IAB node to communicate with the upper node (parent node). DU is used for the IAB node to communicate with the lower node (child node). It should be understood that the parent node can be a base station or other IAB node, and the child node can be a terminal or other IAB node. The link for MT to communicate with the parent node is called the parent backhaul link, the link for DU to communicate with the lower IAB node is called the child backhaul link, and the link for DU to communicate with the subordinate terminal is called the access link. The IAB node can be connected to the host node through multiple parent nodes. In some embodiments, the lower level backhaul link is also referred to as an access link, wherein the upper level backhaul link includes an upper level backhaul uplink (uplink, UL) and an upper level backhaul downlink (downlink, DL), the lower level backhaul link includes a lower level backhaul UL and a lower level backhaul DL, and the access link includes an access UL and an access DL, such as Figure 3 shown.

[0103] The configuration method of the IAB node provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to various communication systems including wireless backhaul equipment, such as NR system, LTE system, LTE-A system, worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), or wireless local area networks (WLAN).

[0104] Exemplarily, the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to Figure 1The network architecture shown in Figure 1 In the network architecture shown, the terminal side device is connected to the wireless backhaul device by wireless means, and the wireless backhaul device is connected to the host base station by wireless means. The terminal side device and the wireless backhaul device, as well as the wireless backhaul device and the host base station, can communicate through the licensed spectrum, can also communicate through the unlicensed spectrum, or can communicate through both the licensed spectrum and the unlicensed spectrum. For example, the licensed spectrum can be a spectrum below 6 GHz, which is not limited here. It should be understood that Figure 1 This is only an exemplary description and does not specifically limit the number of terminal side devices and wireless backhaul devices included in the wireless communication system. Figure 1 In the network architecture shown, the wireless backhaul device regards the node that provides backhaul services for it as the only parent node. For example, the wireless backhaul device regards the host base station as the parent node. After the wireless backhaul device receives the wireless bearer carrying uplink information from the terminal side device, it transmits the wireless bearer to the host base station, and then the host base station sends the uplink information in the wireless bearer to the mobile gateway device (for example, the user plane function entity (UPF) in the 5G network). The wireless bearer carrying downlink information sent by the mobile gateway device is sent to the host base station, and then sent to the terminal side device via the wireless backhaul device in turn.

[0105] It should be understood that the IAB node is used in the embodiment of the present application only for the purpose of description, and does not mean that the solution of the embodiment of the present application is only used for the NR scenario. In the embodiment of the present application, the IAB node can generally refer to any node or device with a wireless backhaul function. The use of the IAB node and the relay node in the implementation of the present application should be understood to have the same meaning.

[0106] As an example, see Figure 4 , which is an example of a communication system including multiple terminals and multiple IAB nodes. Figure 4 Take two terminals and two IAB nodes as an example, wherein the two terminals are terminal 1 and terminal 2, and the two IAB nodes are IAB node 1 and IAB node 2. Terminal 1 and terminal 2 can access IAB node 2, IAB node 2 is connected to IAB node 1 by wireless, and IAB node 1 is connected to the host base station by wireless. It should be understood that IAB node 1 is the parent node of IAB node 2, and the host base station is the parent node of IAB node 1. IAB node 2 is connected to the host base station by access link ( Figure 4The wireless bearer sent by terminal 1 and terminal 2 is transmitted to the host base station via IAB node 2 and IAB node 1 in turn, and then the host base station sends the uplink information in the wireless bearer to the mobile gateway device. Conversely, the mobile gateway device can send a wireless bearer for carrying downlink information to the host base station, and then send it to terminal 1 and terminal 2 via IAB node 1 and IAB node 2 in turn. Figure 4 It can be seen that the wireless bearer sent by any terminal is transmitted to the host base station through two IAB nodes in sequence, which can be understood as a multi-hop wireless backhaul scenario, which can ensure the coverage of the network.

[0107] As another example, see Figure 5 , which is an example of a communication system including 1 terminal and multiple IAB nodes. Figure 5 Take a case where there is one terminal and three IAB nodes, where the three IAB nodes are IAB node 1, IAB node 2, and IAB node 3. Figure 4 The difference is that Figure 5 In the example, the terminal can access the host base station through two paths. One path passes through the terminal, IAB node 2, IAB node 1 and the host base station in sequence; the other path passes through the terminal, IAB node 2, IAB node 3, IAB node 1 and the host base station in sequence. The terminal accesses the host base station through multiple paths, which can be understood as a multi-connection wireless backhaul scenario, which can ensure the reliability of service transmission. So compared to Figure 4 , Figure 5 The architecture shown can be understood as a multi-hop + multi-connection networking scenario.

[0108] As another example, see Figure 6 , which is an example of a communication system including multiple terminals and multiple IAB nodes. Figure 6 Take 2 terminals and 5 IAB nodes as an example, wherein the 2 terminals are terminal 1 and terminal 2, and the 5 IAB nodes are IAB node 1 to IAB node 5. It should be understood that Figure 6 The thick line indicates the access link, and the thin line indicates the backhaul link. Among them, the terminal 1 can be connected to the host base station via the IAB node 5, the IAB node 2 and the IAB node 1. The terminal 1 can also be connected to the host base station via the IAB node 4, the IAB node 2 and the IAB node 1. Alternatively, the terminal 1 can also be connected to the host base station via the IAB node 4, the IAB node 3 and the IAB node 1. The terminal 2 can be connected to the host base station via the IAB node 4, the IAB node 3 and the IAB node 1. The terminal 2 can be connected to the host base station via the IAB node 4, the IAB node 2 and the IAB node 1.

[0109] It should be noted that Figures 4 to 6 The network structure shown is only an example and does not limit the application scenarios to which the embodiments of the present application are applicable. For example, the embodiments of the present application may also be applicable to a scenario in which a terminal communicates with a host base station via an IAB node, which will not be exemplified one by one here.

[0110] It should be understood that an F1 interface needs to be established between the DU of the IAB node and the CU of the IAB host, and the configuration of routing and bearer mapping is completed, so as to perform data transmission between the IAB node and the target IAB host according to the configuration. Of course, the F1 interface can also be called an F1* interface, and the embodiment of the present application does not limit the name of the interface. And in this article, the interface is called an F1 interface as an example.

[0111] The F1 interface can support user plane protocols (F1-U / F1*-U) and control plane protocols (F1-C / F1*-C). The user plane protocol includes one or more of the following protocol layers: General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) tunneling protocol user plane (GPRS tunnelling protocol user plane, GTP-U) protocol layer, user datagram protocol (UDP) protocol layer, Internet protocol (IP) protocol layer, etc.; the control plane protocol includes one or more of the following protocol layers: F1 application protocol (F1AP), stream control transport protocol (SCTP), IP protocol layer, etc. Through the control plane of the F1 / F1* interface, the IAB node and the IAB host can perform interface management, manage IAB-DU, and perform terminal context-related configuration. Through the user plane of the F1 / F1* interface, the IAB node and the IAB host can perform user plane data transmission, downlink transmission status feedback and other functions.

[0112] For example, see Figure 7 and Figure 8 ,in Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the user plane protocol architecture in the IAB network, Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the control plane protocol architecture in an IAB network.

[0113] like Figure 7As shown, for the user plane, a Uu interface is established between the terminal and IAB2-DU, and the equivalent protocol layers include the RLC layer, the MAC layer, and the PHY layer. An F1-U interface is established between the IAB node 2-DU and the IAB donor CU-UP, and the equivalent protocol layers include the GPRS tunnelling protocol for the user plane (GTP-U) layer and the user datagram protocol (UDP) layer. The IAB donor DU1 and IABdonor CU 1 are connected by wire, and the equivalent protocol layers include the IP layer, L2, and L1. BL is established between IAB node 2 and IAB node 1, and between IAB node 1 and IAB donor DU, and the equivalent protocol layers include the BAP layer, the RLC layer, the MAC layer, and the PHY layer. In addition, a peer SCTP layer and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer are established between the terminal and the IAB donor CU-UP, and a peer IP layer is established between the IAB node2-DU and the IAB donor DU-UP.

[0114] It can be seen that compared with the user plane protocol stack of a single air interface, the DU of the IAB access node implements some functions of the gNB-DU of a single air interface (i.e., the functions of establishing a peer-to-peer radio link control (RLC) layer, media access control (MAC) layer and PHY layer with the terminal, and the functions of establishing a peer-to-peer GTP-U layer and UDP layer with the IAB donor CU-UP). It can be understood that the DU of the IAB access node (IAB node2) implements the functions of the gNB-DU of a single air interface; the IAB donor CU-UP implements the functions of the gNB-CU of a single air interface.

[0115] On the user plane, PDCP packets are encapsulated and transmitted in the GTP-U tunnel between the access IAB node (IAB node 2) and the IAB donor CU-UP. The GTP-U tunnel is established on the F1-U interface.

[0116] For the control plane, Figure 8As shown, a Uu interface is established between the terminal and IAB node 2-DU, and the equivalent protocol layers include the RLC layer, MAC layer and PHY layer. An F1-C interface is established between the IAB node 2-DU and the IAB donor CU 1, and the equivalent protocol layers include the F1 application protocol (F1AP) and the SCTP layer. The IAB donor DU and the IABdonor CU-UP are connected via a wired connection, and the equivalent protocol layers include the IP layer, L2 and L1. BL is established between the IAB node 2 and the IAB node1, and between the IAB node 1 and the IAB donor DU, and the equivalent protocol layers include the Bakhaul Adaptation Protocol (BAP) layer, the RLC layer, the MAC layer and the physical (PHY) layer. In addition, an equivalent RRC layer and PDCP layer are established between the terminal and the IAB donor CU-UP, and an equivalent IP layer is established between the IAB node1-DU and the IAB donor DU. The BAP layer has at least one of the following capabilities: adding routing information (Routing info) that can be identified by the IAB node to the data packet, performing routing selection based on the routing information that can be identified by the IAB node, and performing quality of service (QoS) mapping for the data packet on multiple links containing the IAB node. The bearer mapping on the multiple links can be: based on the identifier of the radio bearer (RB) of the terminal carried by the data packet in the backhaul link, the mapping from the RB of the terminal to the RLC bearer or RLC channel or logical channel on the backhaul link is performed. For example, BAP performs the data radio bearer (DRB) or signaling radio bearer (SRB) of the terminal to the RLC bearer on the backhaul link. Based on the correspondence between any two or more of the RLC bearers, RLC channels and logical channels of the ingress link (i.e. the link for receiving data packets) and the egress link (i.e. the link for sending data packets), the mapping from the RB or RLC bearer or RLC channel or logical channel of the ingress link to the RB or RLC bearer or RLC channel or logical channel of the egress link is performed. Among them, RLC is carried in Figure 7 or Figure 8 A channel, such as a backhaul (BH) RLC channel (channel, CH) is taken as an example.

[0117] 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 (IAB node 2) 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 C-UP realizes the functions of the gNB-CU of a single air interface.

[0118] On the control plane, the RRC message is encapsulated in the F1AP message between the access IAB node and the IAB donor CU-UP for transmission. Specifically, in the uplink direction, the terminal encapsulates the RRC message in the PDCP protocol data unit (PDU), and sends it to the IAB node 2-DU after being processed by the RLC layer, MAC layer and PHY layer in sequence. The IAB node2-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 IAB node 2-MT processes the IP packet by the BAP layer, RLC layer, MAC layer and PHY layer respectively to obtain the IAB node 1-DU. Similarly, the IAB node1-MT sends the IP packet to the IAB donorDU. After the IAB donor DU parses the IP packet, it sends the IP packet to the IAB donor CU-UP, which 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.

[0119] 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:

[0120] (1) Protocol stack of common terminals

[0121] 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 7 and Figure 8The protocol stack of the terminal in the embodiment includes the RRC layer, the PDCP layer, the RLC layer, the MAC layer and the 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 IAB donor CU for transmission.

[0122] In addition, after the IAB node is connected to the IAB network, the IAB node can still act as a common terminal, for example, transmitting its own uplink and / or downlink data packets with the IAB donor, performing measurements through the RRC layer, and so on.

[0123] (2) Protocol stack for accessing IAB nodes

[0124] 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 7 and Figure 8 The protocol stack of IABnode 2 in.

[0125] 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.

[0126] (3) Protocol stack of intermediate IAB node

[0127] 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 7 and Figure 8 The protocol stack of IAB node 1 in.

[0128] 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.

[0129] 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.

[0130] It should be noted that Figure 7 and Figure 8 The IAB network was used as an example to introduce the Figure 7 and Figure 8 The content of this article is also applicable to other types of relay networks other than IAB networks. The control plane protocol stack architecture of the relay network can be referenced in Figure 8 The user plane protocol stack architecture of the relay network can be referenced Figure 7 . Figure 7 and Figure 8 The IAB nodes in the protocol can be replaced by relays, for example, IAB node 2 can be replaced by relay node 2, IAB node 1 can be replaced by relay node 1, and IAB donor can be replaced by a host node. The host node has CU and DU protocol stacks, and the rest of the content is the same as Figure 7 and Figure 8 The contents described in are the same, please refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8 The description will not be repeated here.

[0131] In a possible application scenario, Fig. 9 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of IAB node switching across host nodes. If the backhaul link between the IAB node and its directly connected upper node (i.e., the host node) is interrupted or the communication quality of the backhaul link is degraded, in order to ensure the communication quality of the backhaul link of the IAB node, the backhaul link of the IAB node can be migrated to another upper node (i.e., the host node). Fig. 9 It should be noted that one or more IAB nodes may be included between the IAB node and the two host nodes, and one or more IAB nodes may also be included downstream of the IAB node.

[0132] Specifically, see Fig.10 ,for Fig. 9Another example of . Since the IAB node includes MT and DU, for MT, the switching mechanism of the terminal can be used, that is, the source IAB host (current serving base station) will send a measurement configuration to the MT. The MT performs measurements according to the configuration, and determines whether to report the measurement results according to the preconfigured threshold. The source IAB host decides whether to allow the MT to switch (that is, decides whether to allow the IAB node to switch) based on the received measurement results. If the source IAB host decides to allow the MT or the IAB node to switch, it will send a switching request to the target IAB host. The target IAB host decides whether to allow the MT or the IAB node to switch based on the switching request of the source IAB host. If allowed, a switching request response is sent to the source IAB host, which carries configurations such as random access resources for the MT and the transmission direction of the MT's time domain resources.

[0133] However, for DU, the configuration of DU is configured by the source IAB host, so there may be a resource conflict between the configuration of MT and the configuration of DU. For example, for an IAB node subject to half-duplex constraints, the DU of the IAB node can serve one or more terminals and act as a base station. Usually the DU is configured for downlink transmission, for example, the DU is configured to send a synchronization signal block (SSB) to the terminal to serve the terminal. In order not to affect the terminal, the resource location of the SSB generally does not change. However, if the IAB node switches across host nodes, the target IAB host will send an SSB measurement configuration to the MT of the IAB node for the MT to receive and measure the SSB of the upper node, so that the MT is configured for downlink transmission. Due to the constraints of half-duplex, it is impossible for an IAB node to send SSB and receive SSBs sent from other devices at the same time. If the resource location of the target IAB host sending the SSB overlaps with the resource location of the IAB node's own DU sending the SSB, a resource conflict will occur.

[0134] In view of this, an embodiment of the present application provides a switching method for an IAB node, in which the target IAB host can configure the MT and / or DU of the IAB node according to the duplex capability of the IAB node, that is, according to whether the MT and DU of the IAB node are allowed to send and / or receive at the same time, the MT and / or DU of the IAB node are configured. Since the configuration of the MT and DU of the IAB node is based on the duplex capability of the IAB node, in the process of implementing the switching of the IAB node across host nodes, it is possible to avoid conflicts between the resources of the DU of the IAB node sending, for example, SSB and the resources of the MT of the IAB node sending SSB, thereby avoiding the inability to receive or send due to resource conflicts and avoiding unnecessary packet loss.

[0135] The following describes in detail the configuration method of the IAB node provided in the embodiment of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0136] See also Fig.11 , is a flow chart of a configuration method of an IAB node provided in an embodiment of the present application. In the following introduction, the method is applied to Figure 9-10 The communication system shown is taken as an example. In addition, the method can be executed by three communication devices, such as a first communication device, a second communication device and a third communication device. For the convenience of introduction, in the following, the method is taken as an example of being executed by an IAB node, a source IAB host and a target IAB host, that is, the first communication device is an IAB node, the second communication device is a source IAB host, and the third communication device is a target IAB host. The IAB node can be an IAB node that performs switching, or it can be a downstream IAB node of the IAB node that performs switching. It should be noted that the embodiment of the present application is only based on Figure 7 and Figure 8 The communication system is taken as an example, but is not limited to this scenario.

[0137] It should be understood that the IAB node includes MT and DU, MT can be used to communicate with the superior node of the IAB node or the source IAB host or the target IAB host, and DU can be used to communicate with the subordinate node or terminal of the IAB node. The source IAB host refers to the host base station to which the IAB node is currently connected. The IAB node here refers to the IAB node to be switched, and can also be called the IAB node to be migrated, that is, the IAB node of the currently connected source host base station to be switched. It should be noted that the subsequent scheme involved in the present invention is also applicable to the downstream IAB node of the IAB node to be switched. The target IAB host refers to the base station to which the IAB node is to be migrated or switched. In this article, the source IAB host may also be called the source IAB Donor, and the target IAB host may be called the target IAB Donor. It should be noted that when the IAB host exists in the form of 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), the IAB host or host base station in the subsequent embodiments involved in the present invention refers to the centralized unit of the IAB host.

[0138] Specifically, the process of the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application is described as follows.

[0139] S1101: A source IAB host sends first information to a target IAB host, and the target IAB host receives the first information, where the first information is used to indicate a duplex capability of an IAB node.

[0140] In an embodiment of the present application, the duplex capability of an IAB node refers to whether the DU is supported to receive or send data while the MT of the IAB node is receiving or sending data on the same time domain resource. That is, the duplex capability of an IAB node refers to the transmission direction (also referred to as the transmission direction of the time domain resource) in which the MT and DU of the IAB node transmit data on the same time domain resource. If the IAB node does not support the MT and DU to have the same transmission direction in the same time domain resource at the same time, and during the cross-host switching process of the IAB node, the transmission direction of the time domain resource configured by the target IAB host for the MT is the same as the transmission direction of the time domain resource of the DU, it will obviously cause a conflict in the time domain resource and may also cause abnormal communication of the IAB node.

[0141] To this end, during the cross-host switching of the IAB node, the source IAB host determines the duplex capability of the IAB node, generates first information, and sends the first information to the target IAB host. The first information can be used to indicate the duplex capability of the IAB node. Since the source IAB host informs the target IAB host of the duplex capability of the IAB node, the target IAB host configures the transmission direction of the time domain resources for the MT according to the duplex capability, thereby avoiding the transmission direction of the time domain resources of the MT and the transmission direction of the time domain resources of the DU.

[0142] It should be noted that, since the first information can be used to indicate the duplex capability of the IAB node, in some embodiments, the first information can be referred to as duplex information. Or the duplex capability of the IAB node refers to whether the MT and DU of the IAB node can reuse the same time domain resources. Therefore, in some embodiments, the first information can be referred to as multiplexing information or multiplexing capability. It is uniformly referred to as the first information hereinafter. Specifically, the first information can be used to indicate one or more of the following four situations:

[0143] In the first case, whether the IAB node supports the DU sending data while the MT receives data. In other words, it can be considered whether the IAB node has the ability to send data while the DU sends data while the MT receives data. For the sake of convenience, the ability to send data while the DU sends data while the MT receives data may be referred to as the first capability below. On the contrary, if the IAB node does not support the DU sending data while the MT receives data, then the IAB node does not have the first capability.

[0144] In the second case, whether the IAB node supports the DU receiving data at the same time as the MT receiving data. Similarly, the IAB node can be considered to have the second capability if it has the capability of the DU receiving data at the same time as the MT receiving data. On the contrary, if the IAB node does not support the DU receiving data at the same time as the MT receiving data, then the IAB node does not have the second capability.

[0145] The third case is whether the IAB node supports the DU to send data at the same time as the MT sends data. Similarly, the IAB node can be considered to have the third capability if it has the ability to send data at the same time as the DU to send data at the same time as the MT sends data. On the contrary, if the IAB node does not support the DU to send data at the same time as the MT sends data, then the IAB node does not have the third capability.

[0146] The fourth case is whether the IAB node supports the DU receiving data while the MT sends data. Similarly, the IAB node can be considered to have the fourth capability if it has the ability to send data while the DU receives data. On the contrary, if the IAB node does not support the DU receiving data while the MT sends data, then the IAB node does not have the fourth capability.

[0147] It should be noted that the above four situations are for one or more cells on the DU and one or more cells on the MT. In other words, for each MT cell and each DU pairing, the duplex capabilities between them are independent. Whether the MT supports the DU to receive or send data at the same time as the MT receives or sends data refers to whether a specific cell of the MT supports a specific cell of the DU to receive or send data at the same time as the MT receives or sends data.

[0148] It should be understood that the MT is used to communicate with the superior node of the IAB node or the source IAB host. If the IAB node can communicate directly with the source IAB host, the MT can directly send the duplex information of the IAB node to the source IAB host of the IAB node. If there is a superior node of the IAB node between the IAB node and the source IAB host, the MT can report the duplex information of the IAB node to the superior node of the IAB node, and the superior node forwards it to the source IAB host.

[0149] In some embodiments, the first information may be carried on one or more fields of the existing signaling, which is conducive to compatibility with the existing signaling. For example, the first information may be carried in the X2 / Xn interface signaling between the CU node of the source IAB host and the CU node of the target IAB host. The above one or more fields may be defined fields of the X2 / Xn interface signaling, or may be newly defined X2 / Xn interface signaling. This is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. Of course, the first information may also be carried in the newly defined signaling.

[0150] As an example, the first information may be carried in the Xn interface signaling between the CU node of the source IAB host and the CU node of the target IAB host. For example, the first information may be carried in a first request message sent by the source IAB host to the target IAB host through the Xn interface signaling, and the first request message is used to request the IAB node to switch from the source IAB host to the target IAB host. Since the first request message is used to request the IAB node to switch from the source IAB host to the target IAB host, in some embodiments, the first request message may be referred to as a switching request message. For example, a new field may be added to the switching request message, and the newly added field may be used to carry the first information.

[0151] It should be understood that when there is no X2 / Xn interface between the source IAB host and the target IAB host, since the core network device between the source IAB host and the target IAB host can communicate with both the source IAB host and the target IAB host, the source IAB host can forward the first information to the target IAB host through the core network device. That is, the source IAB host sends the first information to the core network device, and the core network device may not parse the first information but encapsulate it through the protocol layer and then transparently transmit it to the target IAB host, or the core network device may parse the first information and then send it to the target IAB host. Among them, the core network device can be a Mobility Management Entity (MME) or an Access and Mobility Function (AMF).

[0152] S1102: The target IAB host sends first configuration information to the source IAB host, and the source IAB host receives the first configuration information, where the first configuration information is used to indicate a transmission direction of time domain resources configured by the target IAB host for the MT function of the IAB node.

[0153] After receiving the first information, the target IAB host can configure the MT according to the first information and generate the first configuration information. For example, the target IAB host can configure the transmission direction of the time domain resources of the MT for the IAB node according to the first information. For example, the first information indicates that the DU does not support receiving data while the MT receives data, that is, the IAB node does not have the second capability. In this case, within a certain time domain unit, if the time domain resource direction of the DU is the uplink transmission direction, the target IAB host cannot configure the time domain resource transmission direction for the MT as the downlink transmission direction. It should be noted that the time domain unit can be a symbol, a time slot, such as a time slot in LTE or a time slot in NR, etc. Time domain resource indication granularity. Since the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured for the MT function is based on the first information, in the process of implementing the cross-host switching of the IAB node, the DU function and the MT function of the IAB node can be avoided. Conflicts in sending and receiving, and thus the abnormal communication between the IAB node and the subordinate node of the IAB node or the link between the IAB node and the superior node of the IAB node can be avoided.

[0154] As an example, the first configuration information may include the time slot format configuration of the MT, such as the TDD uplink and downlink time slot configuration (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated and / or TDD-UL-DL-ConfigCommon) of the IAB node, which is mainly used to configure the resource transmission direction of one or more symbols or time slots on the time domain resources, such as the uplink transmission direction or the downlink transmission direction or the flexible transmission direction. The MT of the IAB node communicates with the DU of the superior node of the IAB node according to the time slot format configuration of the MT. It should be understood that the flexible transmission direction can be considered as a transmission direction to be determined, and may be used as an uplink transmission direction or a downlink transmission direction in the future. Whether the subsequent flexible transmission direction is used as a downlink transmission direction or an uplink transmission direction may be indicated by the target IAB host or parent node.

[0155] It should be understood that the target IAB host may send the first configuration information to the source IAB host, which then forwards it to the IAB node. After receiving the first configuration information, the source IAB host may send the first configuration information of the MT to the IAB node via RRC signaling.

[0156] Similar to the first information, the first configuration information may also be carried on one or more fields of the existing signaling. For example, the first configuration information may be carried on one or more of RRC signaling, MAC CE signaling, DCI signaling, or X2 / Xn interface signaling between the CU node of the source IAB host and the CU node of the target IAB host. The above one or more fields may be fields defined in RRC signaling, fields defined in MAC CE signaling, or fields defined in DCI signaling or X2 / Xn interface signaling, or may be newly defined RRC fields, MAC CE fields, DCI fields, or X2 / Xn interface signaling. The embodiments of the present application are not limited to this. Of course, the first configuration information may also be carried in newly defined signaling.

[0157] As an example, the first configuration information may be carried in the Xn interface signaling between the CU node of the target IAB host and the CU node of the source IAB host. For example, the first configuration information may be carried in a first request response message sent by the target IAB host to the source IAB host through the Xn interface signaling, and the first request response message is a response message of the above-mentioned first request message sent by the source IAB host to the target IAB host. Since the first request response message is used to respond to the first request message, in some embodiments, the first request message may be referred to as a switching request response message. For example, a new field may be added to the switching request response message, and the newly added field may be used to carry the first configuration information.

[0158] It should be understood that when there is no X2 / Xn interface between the target IAB host and the source IAB host, the target IAB host can forward the first configuration information to the source IAB host through the core network device. It should be understood that the core network device can communicate with the source IAB host and the target IAB host. That is, the target IAB host sends the first configuration information to the core network device, and the core network device may not parse the first configuration information but encapsulate it through the protocol layer and then transparently transmit it to the source IAB host, or the core network device may parse the first configuration information and then send it to the source IAB host. Among them, the core network device can be a Mobility Management Entity (MME) or an Access and Mobility Function (AMF).

[0159] S1103: The source IAB host sends second information to the target IAB host, and the target IAB host receives the second information, where the second information is used to indicate a transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the source IAB host for the DU, and / or the second information is used to indicate a state of the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the source IAB host for the DU.

[0160] It should be understood that the DU configuration of the IAB node is configured by the source IAB host, and during the cross-host switching of the IAB node, the MT of the IAB node is configured by the target IAB host. In order to avoid possible conflicts between the configuration of the MT and the configuration of the DU, the source IAB host can provide the configuration of the DU to the target IAB host, so that the target IAB host can configure the MT with reference to the configuration of the DU by the source IAB host, so as to avoid conflicts between the configuration of the MT and the configuration of the DU.

[0161] As an example, the source IAB host may generate second information, which may be used to indicate the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the source IAB host for the DU. For example, the second information may include the time domain resource configuration information of one or more cells of the DU. Exemplarily, the second information may be used to indicate that one or more time slots (or symbols) configured for each cell of the DU are uplink time slots (or uplink symbols), one or more time slots (or symbols) configured for each cell of the DU are downlink time slots (or downlink symbols), and one or more time slots (or symbols) configured for each cell of the DU are flexible time slots (or flexible symbols). The second information may also include the state of the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured for the DU, such as a usable state, a conditional use state, or an unusable state. Among them, if the state of the transmission direction of the time domain resource is a hard state, then the time domain resource configured for the DU can be considered to be available. If the state of the transmission direction of the time domain resource is a soft state, then it can be considered that the time domain resource configured for the DU needs to be further indicated by the parent node to determine whether it is available (i.e., conditional use state). If the state of the transmission direction of the time domain resource is (not available, NA) state, then it can be considered that the time domain resource configured for the DU is unavailable. Of course, in some embodiments, the second information can be used to indicate the transmission direction of the time domain resource configured by the source IAB host for the DU, and the state of the transmission direction of the time domain resource configured by the source IAB host for the DU.

[0162] The target IAB host can configure the MT according to the first information and the second information, that is, the target IAB host configures the MT according to the duplex capability of the IAB node and the configuration of the DU given by the source IAB host. The first configuration information generated by the target IAB host may be partial configuration information of the MT, that is, reconfigure the configuration that conflicts with the DU configuration, and the remaining configurations can follow the configuration made by the source IAB host for the MT. In this case, the other part of the configuration information of the MT can be indicated as the original configuration information of the MT of the IAB node by the network side. That is, when the network side indicates the migration of the IAB node through signaling, the partial configuration information of the MT received (that is, the first configuration information) is applied, and the other part of the configuration information that the MT already has is applied. Of course, the network side does not necessarily send signaling, and it can also be a system or protocol agreement that when the IAB node migrates, the partial configuration information of the MT received is applied, and the other part of the configuration information that the MT already has is applied. That is, for the configuration that is not in the received configuration information, the MT defaults to using the existing configuration.

[0163] Similar to the first information, the second information may also be carried on one or more fields of the existing signaling. For example, the second information may be carried on the X2 / Xn interface signaling between the CU node of the source IAB host and the CU node of the target IAB host. The one or more fields may be defined fields of the X2 / Xn interface signaling, or may be newly defined X2 / Xn interface signaling. This is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. Of course, the second information may also be carried in the newly defined signaling.

[0164] The second information can be sent to the target IAB host with the first information through one signaling, that is, two types of information can be sent through one signaling, which can save signaling overhead. Alternatively, the second information and the first information can also be sent separately, that is, there is no restriction on the sending method of the second information, which is more flexible.

[0165] As an example, the second information may be carried in the Xn interface signaling between the CU node of the source IAB host and the CU node of the target IAB host. For example, the second information may be carried in the above-mentioned first request message (switching request message) sent by the source IAB host to the target IAB host through the Xn interface signaling. For example, a new field may be added to the switching request message, and the newly added field may be used to carry the second information.

[0166] It should be understood that when there is no X2 / Xn interface between the source IAB host and the target IAB host, the source IAB host can forward the second information to the target IAB host through the core network device. That is, the source IAB host sends the second information to the core network device, and the core network device may not parse the second information but encapsulate it through the protocol layer and then transparently transmit it to the target IAB host, or the core network device may parse the second information and then send it to the target IAB host. Among them, the core network device can be a Mobility Management Entity (MME) or an Access and Mobility Function (AMF).

[0167] It should be noted that, since the target IAB host can configure the MT according to the first information to avoid the configuration conflict between the MT and the DU, the second information is not essential, that is, the second information is optional. Therefore, S1103 is an optional step. Fig.11 In addition, the target IAB host may also configure the MT according to the first information and the second information, then S1103 may be executed before S1102, that is, Fig. 9 There is no restriction on the execution order of S1103 and S1102.

[0168] S1104. The target IAB host sends second configuration information to the source IAB host, and the source IAB host receives the second configuration information, where the second configuration information is determined according to the first information, and the second configuration information is used to indicate a transmission direction of time domain resources configured by the target IAB host for the DU, and / or the second configuration information is used to indicate a state of a transmission direction of time domain resources configured by the target IAB host for the DU.

[0169] In the embodiment of the present application, considering that before the cross-host switching, the configuration of the DU of the IAB node is configured by the source IAB host, and after the cross-host switching, the configuration of the MT of the IAB node is configured by the target IAB host, in this case, the configuration of the DU may conflict with the new configuration of the MT, or the configuration of the DU configured by the source IAB host may not be optimal. To this end, the target IAB host can also update the configuration of the DU function to avoid the configuration conflict between the DU configuration and the MT configuration, while trying to improve the utilization rate of the DU function configuration.

[0170] For example, after receiving the first information, the target IAB host can also configure the DU according to the first information and generate the second configuration information. That is, the target IAB host can also update the configuration configured by the source IAB host for the DU during the IAB node cross-host switching process. Exemplary, for example, the first information indicates that the DU receives data while the MT is not supported to receive data. If the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the target IAB host for the MT is the downlink transmission direction, but the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the source IAB host for the DU is the uplink transmission direction, then the target IAB host can reconfigure the DU, that is, configure the transmission direction of the time domain resources for the DU to be the downlink transmission direction, thereby ensuring that the configuration of the MT and the configuration of the DU will not conflict.

[0171] Furthermore, the target IAB host can also configure the DU according to the first information and the second information, that is, reconfigure the DU according to the configuration of the source IAB host for the DU. That is, the target IAB host reconfigures the DU with reference to the configuration of the source IAB host for the DU. In this way, the second configuration information generated by the target IAB host may be partial configuration information of the DU, that is, reconfigure the configuration that conflicts with the MT configuration, and the remaining configurations can continue to use the configuration made by the source IAB host for the DU. In this case, the other part of the configuration information of the DU can be indicated by the network side as the original configuration information of the DU of the IAB node. That is, when the network side indicates the migration of the IAB node through signaling, the partial configuration information of the DU received (that is, the first configuration information) is applied, and the other part of the configuration information already existing in the DU is applied. Of course, the network side does not necessarily send signaling, and it can also be a system or protocol agreement that when the IAB node migrates, the partial configuration information of the DU received is applied, and the other part of the configuration information already existing in the DU is applied. That is, for the configuration that is not in the received configuration information, the DU defaults to using the existing configuration.

[0172] After the target IAB host determines the configuration for the DU, it can generate second configuration information and forward the second configuration information to the DU of the IAB node via the source IAB host. That is, the target IAB host can send the second configuration information to the source IAB host, which is forwarded to the IAB node by the source IAB host. After receiving the second configuration information, the source IAB host sends the second configuration information to the IAB node via an F1-AP message. In some embodiments, the F1-AP message can also be carried in the RRC signaling for transmission.

[0173] With the second information type, the second configuration information can be used to indicate the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the target IAB host for the DU, and one or more of the states of the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the target IAB host for the DU. The second configuration information can be the time domain resource configuration information of a cell of the DU, or it can be the time domain resource configuration information of multiple cells of the DU. Exemplarily, the second information can be used to indicate that one or more time slots (or symbols) configured for each cell of the DU are uplink time slots (or uplink symbols), one or more time slots (or symbols) configured for each cell of the DU are downlink time slots (or downlink symbols), and one or more time slots (or symbols) configured for each cell of the DU are flexible time slots (or flexible symbols). Alternatively, the second configuration information may also indicate the state of the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured for the DU, such as an available state, a conditional use state, or an unusable state. That is, the second configuration information may also include available resources, unavailable resources, hard type resources, soft type resources, etc. configured for the DU. Of course, in some embodiments, the second configuration information may include TDD uplink time slot configuration and TDD downlink time slot configuration, as well as available resources, unavailable resources, hard type resources, soft type resources, etc. configured for the DU.

[0174] The second configuration information can be carried on one or more fields of the existing signaling. For example, the second configuration information can be carried on one or more of RRC signaling, MAC CE signaling, DCI signaling, or X2 / Xn interface signaling between the CU node of the source IAB host and the CU node of the target IAB host. The above one or more fields can be fields defined in RRC signaling, fields defined in MAC CE signaling, or fields defined in DCI signaling or X2 / Xn interface signaling, or they can be newly defined RRC fields, MAC CE fields, DCI fields, or X2 / Xn interface signaling. The embodiments of the present application are not limited to this. Of course, the first configuration information can also be carried in newly defined signaling.

[0175] The second configuration information can be sent to the target IAB host with the first configuration information through one signaling, that is, two types of information can be sent through one signaling, which can save signaling overhead. Alternatively, the second configuration information and the first configuration information can also be sent independently, that is, the sending method of the second configuration information is not limited, which is more flexible.

[0176] As an example, the second configuration information may be carried in the X2 interface signaling between the CU node of the target IAB host and the CU node of the source IAB host. For example, the second configuration information may be carried in the above-mentioned first request response message (switching request response message) sent by the target IAB host to the source IAB host through the X2 interface signaling. For example, a new field may be added to the switching request response message, and the newly added field may be used to carry the second configuration information.

[0177] It should be understood that when there is no X2 / Xn interface between the target IAB host and the source IAB host, the target IAB host can forward the second configuration information to the source IAB host through the core network device. That is, the target IAB host sends the second configuration information to the core network device, and the core network device may not parse the second configuration information but encapsulate it at the protocol layer and transparently transmit it to the source IAB host.

[0178] It should be noted that the second configuration information is not required to be configured by the target IAB host, that is, S1104 is an optional step. Fig.11 It is indicated by a dotted line.

[0179] In order to facilitate understanding of the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application, several specific implementation forms of the embodiments of the present application are introduced below.

[0180] For example 1, see Fig.12 , is a flow chart of an exemplary IAB node configuration method provided in an embodiment of the present application. In the following description, the method is applied to Figure 9-10 In addition, the method is performed by the IAB node, the source IAB host and the target IAB host as an example. It should be noted that the embodiment of the present application is only based on the Fig. 9 and Fig.10 The communication system of is taken as an example, but is not limited to this scenario. The process is described as follows.

[0181] S1201: An IAB node sends a measurement report to a source IAB host, and the source IAB host receives the measurement report, where the measurement report is used to indicate a result of the IAB node measuring a plurality of candidate target IAB hosts.

[0182] It should be understood that the source IAB host can configure the measurement configuration for the IAB node, that is, the measurement related information, which may include, for example, parameters for measuring multiple candidate target IAB hosts. The IAB node measures multiple candidate target IAB hosts according to the measurement configuration, and reports the measurement results to the source IAB host. The source IAB host can determine the target IAB host to be migrated from the multiple candidate target IAB hosts according to the measurement results.

[0183] It should be noted that, in some embodiments, the source host base station may not necessarily determine the target IAB host based on the measurement results of the IAB node. For example, the source IAB host may determine the target IAB host based on historical information or information specified by the network. Therefore, S1201 is an optional step and is not essential. Fig.12 Dotted lines are used for illustration.

[0184] It should be understood that if there is a parent node between the IAB node and the source IAB host, the IAB node can send the measurement report to the source IAB host through the parent node. That is, the IAB node sends the measurement report to the parent node, and the parent node can forward the received measurement report to the source IAB host. For ease of description, in this article, the parent node between the IAB node and the source IAB host can be referred to as the source parent node ( Fig.12 Take this as an example). Similarly, the parent node between the IAB node and the target IAB host is called the target parent node ( Fig.12 Take this as an example). For example, the measurement report may be encapsulated in an F1-AP message between the DU of the source parent node and the CU of the source IAB host. Of course, the F1-AP message may also be carried in the RRC signaling for transmission.

[0185] S1202: The source IAB host sends a switching request message to the target IAB host. The switching request message is used to request the IAB node to switch from the source IAB host to the target IAB host.

[0186] In some embodiments, the handover request message may be carried by X2 / Xn interface signaling between the CU of the source IAB host and the CU of the target IAB host. The handover request message may include the aforementioned first information. The content indicated by the specific first information and the implementation form may refer to the introduction of the relevant embodiments of the aforementioned S901, which will not be repeated here.

[0187] Since the first information can be used to indicate the duplex capability of the IAB node, that is, whether the MT of the IAB node supports DU data transmission while transmitting and receiving data, the target IAB host can configure the transmission direction of the time domain resources for the MT according to the first information to avoid the configuration conflict between the MT and the DU of the IAB node as much as possible.

[0188] In some other embodiments, the switching request message may also include second information, i.e., configuration information configured by the source IAB host for the DU of the IAB node, such as the transmission direction of the time domain resource configured by the source IAB node for the DU and / or the state of the transmission direction of the time domain resource configured by the source IAB node for the DU. The specific content indicated by the first information and the implementation form can be referred to the introduction of the relevant embodiments of the aforementioned S903, which will not be repeated here.

[0189] Since the second information can be used to indicate the configuration information of the DU configuration of the source IAB host for the IAB node, the target IAB host can reconfigure the DU according to the second information to avoid conflict between the configuration of the target IAB host for the MT according to the first information and the configuration of the DU of the source IAB node for the IAB node.

[0190] S1203: The target IAB host sends a switching request response message to the source IAB host, and the source IAB host receives the switching request response message.

[0191] It should be understood that if there is an X2 / Xn interface between the CU of the target IAB host and the CU of the source IAB host, the handover request response message can be carried by the X2 / Xn interface signaling between the CU of the target IAB host and the CU of the source IAB host.

[0192] In some embodiments, the handover request response message may include configuration information of the MT whose target IAB host is an IAB node, such as the aforementioned first configuration information. The specific content indicated by the first configuration information and the implementation form can refer to the introduction of the relevant embodiment of the aforementioned S1102, which will not be repeated here. Since the first configuration information is configured according to the first information, the configuration conflict between the configuration given to the MT and the configuration of the DU of the IAB node can be avoided as much as possible.

[0193] In other embodiments, the switching request response message may include the first configuration information and the configuration information of the DU of the target IAB host being the IAB node, such as the aforementioned second configuration information. The specific content indicated by the second configuration information and the form of implementation may refer to the introduction of the relevant embodiment of the aforementioned S1104, which will not be repeated here. The second configuration information may be configured with reference to the second information. If the second information indicates that the configuration of the source IAB host being the DU does not conflict with the configuration of the target IAB host being the MT, then the second configuration information may continue to use the configuration of the source IAB host being the DU. If the second information indicates that the configuration of the source IAB host being the DU conflicts with the configuration of the target IAB host being the MT, then the second configuration information may be reconfigured for the DU so that the configuration of the DU does not conflict with the configuration of the MT. And the second configuration information can be used to update the configuration of the DU, so that while ensuring that the configuration of the MT of the IAB node does not conflict with the configuration of the DU, the better performance of the DU can be guaranteed as much as possible.

[0194] S1204: The source IAB host sends an RRC reconfiguration message to the IAB node. Correspondingly, the IAB node receives the RRC reconfiguration message.

[0195] It should be understood that after receiving the switching request response message, the source IAB host can obtain the first configuration information configured by the target IAB host for the MT of the IAB node, or obtain the first configuration information configured by the target IAB host for the MT of the IAB node and the second configuration information configured for the DU of the IAB node, and notify the IAB node of the configuration performed by the target IAB host for the IAB node.

[0196] As an example, after the source IAB host obtains the first configuration information, an RRC reconfiguration message may be generated, and the RRC reconfiguration message may include the first configuration information. It should be understood that if the source IAB host obtains the first configuration information and the second configuration information, the RRC reconfiguration message may also include the first configuration information and the second configuration information. The RRC reconfiguration information may be encapsulated in an F1-AP message between the DU of the source parent node and the CU of the source IAB host, and carried through RRC signaling.

[0197] In some embodiments, the RRC reconfiguration message may also include configuration information for the IAB node to perform random access on the target parent node. For example, the RRC reconfiguration message may also include physical random access channel (PRACH) resource configuration, etc.

[0198] It should be noted that if the RRC reconfiguration message does not include the second configuration information, the second configuration information can be sent to the IAB node through another signaling, for example, through the F1-AP message between the CU of the source IAB node and the IAB node. If the first configuration information and the second configuration information are sent to the IAB node through different messages, the IAB node should try to ensure that the first configuration information and the second configuration information are effective at the same time, that is, the IAB node can try to apply the first configuration information and the second configuration information at the same time. That is, if the IAB node receives the first configuration information first, it may not use the first configuration information immediately until the second configuration information is received, and the first configuration information and the second configuration information can be applied at the same time. Alternatively, if the source IAB host sends the first configuration information and the second configuration information respectively through two signalings, it can try to ensure that the sending time of the first configuration information and the second configuration information is the same, so as to try to ensure that the IAB node receives the first configuration information and the second configuration information at the same time.

[0199] S1205: The IAB node performs a random access process with the DU of the target parent node.

[0200] The random access process of the IAB node and the DU of the target parent node may follow the random access process in the prior art, which will not be described in detail here.

[0201] S1206: The IAB node sends an RRC reconfiguration completion message to the target IAB host through the target parent node.

[0202] The RRC reconfiguration complete message may be used to instruct the IAB node to randomly access the target parent node and update the configuration of the MT, or update the configuration of the MT and the configuration of the DU, to complete the RRC link with the target IAB host. In a possible implementation, the RRC reconfiguration complete message may be encapsulated in an F1-AP message between the DU of the target parent node and the target IAB host.

[0203] S1207: The IAB node establishes an FI interface with the target IAB host and completes the configuration of routing and bearer mapping.

[0204] After the IAB node completes the RRC link with the target IAB host, it may establish an F1 interface with the target IAB host and complete the configuration of routing and bearer mapping to perform data transmission between the IAB node and the target IAB host according to the configuration.

[0205] It should be noted that Fig.12 For example, if the IAB node has no subordinate nodes (child nodes), if there are subordinate nodes of the IAB node or subordinate nodes of the subordinate nodes, the target IAB host can also configure the DUs of the subordinate nodes of the IAB node and the subordinate nodes to update the configurations of the DUs of the subordinate nodes of the IAB node and the subordinate nodes.

[0206] It should be understood that Fig.12 In the illustrated embodiment, an X2 / Xn interface exists between the CU of the source IAB host and the CU of the target IAB host. If there is no X2 / Xn interface between the CU of the source IAB host and the CU of the target IAB host, that is, the CU of the source IAB host and the CU of the target IAB host do not have the ability to directly perform interface signaling interaction, then the message to be sent needs to be forwarded through the core network device. The following introduces the configuration method of the IAB node provided in the embodiment of the present application, assuming that there is no X2 / Xn interface between the CU of the source IAB host and the CU of the target IAB host.

[0207] For example 2, see Fig.13 , is a flow chart of an exemplary IAB node configuration method provided in an embodiment of the present application. In the following description, the method is applied to Figure 9-10 In addition, the method is performed by the IAB node, the source IAB host and the target IAB host as an example. It should be noted that the embodiment of the present application is only based on the Fig. 9 and Fig.10 The communication system of is taken as an example, but is not limited to this scenario. The process is described as follows.

[0208] S1301: An IAB node sends a measurement report to a source IAB host, and the source IAB host receives the measurement report, where the measurement report is used to indicate a result of the IAB node measuring a plurality of candidate target IAB hosts.

[0209] It should be understood that the implementation of S1301 is the same as that of the aforementioned S1201. For details, please refer to the description of the aforementioned S1201, which will not be repeated here.

[0210] S1302: The source IAB host sends a switching request message to the core network device. Correspondingly, the core network device receives the switching request message.

[0211] S1303: The core network device sends a switching request message to the target IAB host. Correspondingly, the target IAB host receives the switching request message.

[0212] Since there is no X2 / Xn interface between the CU of the source IAB host and the CU of the target IAB host, the source IAB host can forward the above-mentioned handover request message to the target IAB host through the core network device. The implementation of the handover request message can refer to the aforementioned Fig.12 The relevant contents in the illustrated embodiment will not be repeated here.

[0213] S1304: The target IAB host sends a handover request response message to the core network device. Correspondingly, the core network device receives the handover request response message.

[0214] S1305. The core network device sends a handover request response message to the source IAB host. Correspondingly, the source IAB host receives the handover request response message.

[0215] Similarly, since there is no X2 / Xn interface between the CU of the source IAB host and the CU of the target IAB host, the target IAB host can forward the above-mentioned handover request response message to the source IAB host through the core network device. The implementation of the handover request response message can refer to the aforementioned Fig.12 The relevant contents in the illustrated embodiment will not be repeated here.

[0216] S1306. The source IAB host sends an RRC reconfiguration message to the IAB node.

[0217] It should be understood that the implementation of S1306 is the same as that of the aforementioned S1204. For details, please refer to the description of the aforementioned S1204, which will not be repeated here.

[0218] In the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, during the cross-host switching process of the IAB node, the target IAB host configures the transmission direction of the time domain resources for the MT function based on the duplex capability of the MT function and the DU function of the IAB node. This can avoid conflicts between the transmission direction of the time domain resources of the MT function of the IAB node and the transmission direction of the time domain resources of the DU function, thereby avoiding communication anomalies of the terminal as much as possible. In addition, in this method, the target IAB host can also update the configuration of the DU of the IAB node, that is, the target IAB host configures both the MT of the IAB node and the DU of the IAB node, and tries to ensure the better performance of the DU while avoiding conflicts between the configuration of the MT and the configuration of the DU.

[0219] In the embodiments provided by the present application, the methods provided by the embodiments of the present application are introduced from the perspectives of the interaction between the IAB node to be migrated, the source IAB host, the target IAB host, and the IAB node to be migrated, the source host base station, and the target host base station. In order to implement the various functions in the methods provided by the embodiments of the present application, the IAB node to be migrated, the source IAB host, and the target IAB host may include hardware structures and / or software modules, and the above functions are implemented in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or hardware structures plus software modules.

[0220] The following describes the communication device used to implement the above method in the embodiment of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the above contents can be used in subsequent embodiments, and repeated contents will not be repeated.

[0221] Fig.14 A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 1400 is shown. The communication device 1400 can implement the functions or steps implemented by the source IAB host or the target IAB host in the above-mentioned various method embodiments. The communication device may include a processing module 1410 and a transceiver module 1420. Optionally, a storage unit may be included, which may be used to store instructions (codes or programs) and / or data. The processing module 1410 and the transceiver module 1420 may be coupled to the storage unit. For example, the processing module 1410 may read the instructions (codes or programs) and / or data in the storage unit to implement the corresponding method. The above-mentioned units may be independently arranged or partially or fully integrated. For example, the transceiver module 1420 may include a sending module and a receiving module.

[0222] In some possible implementations, the communication device 1400 can implement the behaviors and functions of the target IAB host in the above method embodiments. For example, the communication device 1400 can be the target IAB host, or a component (such as a chip or circuit) used in the target IAB host. The transceiver module 1420 can be used to perform Fig. 9 , Fig.10 or Fig.13 In the embodiment of the present invention, all receiving or sending operations performed by the target IAB host, such as Fig. 9 S901-S904 in the embodiment shown, and / or other processes for supporting the technology described herein, wherein the processing module 1410 is used to perform the following steps: Fig. 9 In the embodiment shown, all operations except the sending and receiving operations are performed by the target IAB host; for example, the sending and receiving module 1420 can be used to perform Fig.10 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1002, S1003, S1006, S1007, and / or other processes for supporting the technology described herein, the processing module 1410 is used to perform the following steps: Fig.10 In the embodiment shown, all operations except the sending and receiving operations are performed by the target IAB host; for example, the sending and receiving module 1420 can be used to perform Fig.13 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1303 and FIG. 1304, and / or other processes for supporting the technology described herein, the processing module 1410 is used to perform the following steps: Fig.11 In the illustrated embodiment, all operations except the sending and receiving operations are performed by the target IAB host.

[0223] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 1420 is used to receive first information from a source IAB host and send first configuration information to the source IAB host; the processing module 1410 is used to generate the first configuration information, which is used for the IAB node to switch from the source IAB host to the communication device 1400, the IAB node includes an MT function and a DU function, the first configuration information is determined according to the first information, the first configuration information is used to indicate the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the communication device 1400 for the MT function, and the first information is used to indicate one or more of the following four types of information:

[0224] Supporting or not supporting the DU function to send data while the MT function receives data;

[0225] Supporting or not supporting the DU function receiving data while the MT function receives data;

[0226] Supporting or not supporting the DU function to send data while the MT function sends data;

[0227] The DU function receives data while the MT function sends data or does not support it.

[0228] As an optional implementation method, the transceiver module 1420 is also used to: receive second information from the source IAB host, the second information is used to indicate the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the source IAB host for the DU function, and / or, the second information is used to indicate the state of the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the source IAB host for the DU function.

[0229] As an optional implementation method, the transceiver module 1420 is also used to: send second configuration information to the source IAB host, the second configuration information is determined based on the first information, the second configuration information is used to indicate the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the communication device 1400 for the DU function, and / or, the second configuration information is used to indicate the state of the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the communication device 1400 for the DU function.

[0230] As an optional implementation method, the first information and / or the second information are carried in a first request message, the first request message is carried in a first interface signaling, the first interface is an interface between the communication device 1400 and the source IAB host, and the first request message is used to request the IAB node to switch from the source IAB host to the communication device 1400; or, the first information and / or the second information is received by the communication device 1400 through a core network device.

[0231] As an optional implementation method, the first configuration information and / or the second configuration information is carried in a first request response message, the first request response message is carried in a first interface signaling, the first interface is the interface between the communication device 1400 and the source IAB host, the first request response message is a response message of a request message sent by the communication device 1400 to the source IAB host to switch the IAB node from the source IAB host to the communication device 1400; or, the first configuration information and / or the second configuration information is forwarded by the communication device 1400 to the source IAB node through the core network device.

[0232] As an optional implementation manner, the transmission direction of the time domain resources is an uplink transmission direction, a downlink transmission direction, or a flexible transmission direction; the state of the transmission direction of the time domain resources is a usable state, a conditional usable state, or an unusable state.

[0233] In some other possible implementations, the communication device 1400 can implement the behaviors and functions of the source IAB host in the above method embodiments. For example, the communication device 1400 can be the source IAB host, or a component (such as a chip or circuit) used in the source IAB host. The transceiver module 1420 can be used to perform Fig. 9 / Fig.10 or Fig.13 In the embodiment of the present invention, all receiving or sending operations performed by the source IAB host, such as Fig. 9S901-S904 in the embodiment shown, and / or other processes for supporting the technology described herein, wherein the processing module 1410 is used to perform the following steps: Fig. 9 In the embodiment shown, all operations except the transceiver operation are performed by the source IAB host; for example, the transceiver module 1420 can be used to perform Fig.10 S1001-S1004 in the embodiment shown, and / or other processes for supporting the technology described herein, wherein the processing module 1410 is used to perform the following steps: Fig.10 In the embodiment shown, all operations except the transceiver operation are performed by the source IAB host; for example, the transceiver module 1420 can be used to perform Fig.13 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1301, S1302, S1305, S1306, and / or other processes for supporting the technology described herein, the processing module 1410 is used to perform the following steps: Fig.11 In the illustrated embodiment, all operations except the sending and receiving operations are performed by the source IAB host.

[0234] In some embodiments, the processing module 1410 is used to generate first information; the transceiver module 1420 is used to send the first information to the target IAB host, and receive first configuration information from the target IAB host, the first configuration information is used for the IAB node to switch from the communication device 1400 to the target IAB host, the IAB node includes an MT function and a DU function, the first configuration information is determined according to the first information, the first configuration information is used to indicate the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the target IAB host for the MT function, and the first information is used to indicate one or more of the four types of information:

[0235] Supporting or not supporting the DU function to send data while the MT function receives data;

[0236] Supporting or not supporting the DU function receiving data while the MT function receives data;

[0237] Supporting or not supporting the DU function to send data while the MT function sends data;

[0238] The DU function receives data while the MT function sends data or does not support it.

[0239] As an optional implementation method, the transceiver module 1420 is also used to: send second information to the target IAB host, the second information is used to indicate the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the communication device 1400 for the DU function, and / or, the second information is used to indicate the state of the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the communication device for the DU function.

[0240] As an optional implementation method, the transceiver module 1420 is also used to: receive second configuration information from the target IAB host, the second configuration information is determined based on the first information, the second configuration information is used to indicate the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the target IAB host for the DU function, and / or, the second configuration information is used to indicate the state of the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the target IAB host for the DU function.

[0241] As an optional implementation method, the first information and / or the second information are carried in a first request message, the first request message is carried on a first interface signaling, the first interface is an interface between the target IAB host and the communication device 1400, and the first request message is used to request the IAB node to switch from the communication device 1400 to the target IAB host; or, the first information and / or the second information is sent by the communication device 1400 through a core network device.

[0242] As an optional implementation method, the first configuration information and / or the second configuration information is carried in a first request response message, the first request response message is carried in a first interface signaling, the first interface is an interface between the target IAB host and the communication device, the first request response message is a response message of a request message sent by the target IAB host to the communication device 1400 for the IAB node to switch from the communication device 1400 to the target IAB host; or, the first configuration information and / or the second configuration information is received by the communication device 1400 through a core network device.

[0243] In a possible implementation, the transmission direction of the time domain resource is an uplink transmission direction, a downlink transmission direction, or a flexible transmission direction; the state of the transmission direction of the time domain resource is a usable state, a conditional usable state, or an unusable state.

[0244] like Fig.15 The communication device 1500 provided in the embodiment of the present application is shown, wherein the communication device 1500 may be a source IAB host, capable of implementing the functions of the source IAB host in the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, or the communication device 1500 may be a target IAB host, capable of implementing the functions of the target IAB host in the method provided in the embodiment of the present application; or the communication device 1500 may also be a device capable of supporting the source IAB host to implement the corresponding functions in the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, or a device capable of supporting the target IAB host to implement the corresponding functions in the method provided in the embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1500 may be a chip system. In the embodiment of the present application, the chip system may be composed of a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0245] In terms of hardware implementation, the transceiver module 1420 may be a transceiver, which is integrated into the communication device 1500 to form the communication interface 1510 .

[0246] The communication device 1500 includes at least one processor 1520, which is used to implement or support the communication device 1500 to implement the functions of the source IAB host or the target IAB host in the method provided in the embodiment of the present application. For details, please refer to the detailed description in the method example, which will not be repeated here.

[0247] The communication device 1500 may also include at least one memory 1530 for storing program instructions and / or data. The memory 1530 is coupled to the processor 1520. The coupling in the embodiment of the present application is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units or modules, which may be electrical, mechanical or other forms, and is used for information exchange between devices, units or modules. The processor 1520 may operate in conjunction with the memory 1530. The processor 1520 may execute program instructions and / or data stored in the memory 1530 so that the communication device 1500 implements the corresponding method. At least one of the at least one memory may be included in the processor.

[0248] The communication device 1500 may also include a communication interface 1510, which is used to communicate with other devices through a transmission medium, so that the device in the communication device 1500 can communicate with other devices. Exemplarily, when the communication device is a source IAB host, the other device is a target IAB host; or, when the communication device is a target IAB host, the other device is a source IAB host. The processor 1520 can use the communication interface 1510 to send and receive data. The communication interface 1510 can specifically be a transceiver.

[0249] The specific connection medium between the communication interface 1510, the processor 1520 and the memory 1530 is not limited in the embodiment of the present application. Fig.15 The memory 1530, the processor 1520 and the communication interface 1510 are connected via a bus 1540. Fig.15 The connections between the other components are shown in bold lines, which are only for illustration and are not intended to be limiting. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, Fig.15 Only one thick line is used in the diagram, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0250] In the embodiment of the present application, the processor 1520 may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component, and may implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiment of the present application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiment of the present application may be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware processor, or may be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor.

[0251] In the embodiment of the present application, the memory 1530 may be a non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), etc., or a volatile memory (volatile memory), such as a random access memory (RAM). The memory is any other medium that can be used to carry or store the desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory in the embodiment of the present application may also be a circuit or any other device that can implement a storage function, for storing program instructions and / or data.

[0252] It should be understood that when the communication device 1500 is a source IAB host or a target IAB host, Fig.16 Another form of communication device 1300 is shown. Fig.16 In the embodiment, the communication device 1500 is a source IAB host or a target IAB host. It should be understood that the source IAB host or the target IAB host includes a CU and a DU. The CU may include a communication interface, a processor, and a memory, and a bus connecting the communication interface, the processor, and the memory, wherein the communication interface may be used to communicate with a CU of another IAB host or a DU of an IAB node. The DU may also include a communication interface, a processor, and a memory, and a bus connecting the communication interface, the processor, and the memory, wherein the communication interface is used to communicate with an MT of an IAB node.

[0253] Fig.17 Another form of a communication device is shown. For ease of understanding and illustration, Fig.17 In the example, the communication device is a source IAB host or a target IAB host. The communication device 1700 can be applied to Figure 7 or Figure 8 In the system shown, it can be Figure 7 and Figure 8The host node in the embodiment performs the functions of the source IAB host or the target IAB host in the above method embodiment. The communication device 1700 may include one or more radio frequency units, such as a remote radio unit (RRU) 1710 and one or more baseband units (BBU) (also referred to as digital units, digital units, DU) 1720. The RRU 1710 may be referred to as a communication module. Fig.14 The communication module 1710 corresponds to the transceiver module 1420 in the communication module 1700. Optionally, the communication module can also be called a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, or a transceiver, etc., which may include at least one antenna 1711 and a radio frequency unit 1712. The RRU 1710 part is mainly used for receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals and converting radio frequency signals into baseband signals. For example, the communication device 1700 is used by the source IAB host to send the above-mentioned first information to the target IAB host. The BBU 1720 part is mainly used for baseband processing, controlling the base station, etc. The RRU 1710 and the BBU 1720 can be physically arranged together or physically separated, that is, a distributed base station.

[0254] The BBU 1720 is the control center of the base station, which can also be called a processing module. Fig.14 The processing module 1410 in the embodiment corresponds to the baseband processing module 1410, which is mainly used to complete baseband processing functions, such as channel coding, multiplexing, modulation, spread spectrum, etc. For example, the BBU (processing module) can be used to control the base station to execute the operation process of the network device in the above method embodiment, for example, to generate the above indication information, etc.

[0255] In one example, the BBU 1720 may be composed of one or more single boards, and multiple single boards may jointly support a wireless access network of a single access standard (such as an LTE network), or may respectively support wireless access networks of different access standards (such as an LTE network, a 5G network, or other networks). The BBU 1720 also includes a memory 1721 and a processor 1722. The memory 1721 is used to store necessary instructions and data. The processor 1722 is used to control the base station to perform necessary actions, for example, to control the base station to execute the operation process of the source IAB host or the target IAB host in the above method embodiment. The memory 1721 and the processor 1722 can serve one or more single boards. In other words, a memory and a processor may be separately set on each single board. It is also possible that multiple single boards share the same memory and processor. In addition, necessary circuits may be set on each single board.

[0256] The embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system. Specifically, the communication system includes an IAB node, a source IAB host, and a target IAB host, or may further include more IAB nodes, source IAB hosts, and target IAB hosts.

[0257] The source IAB host and the target IAB host are respectively used to implement the above Fig. 9 , Fig.10 or Fig.13 For details, please refer to the relevant description in the above method embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0258] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium including instructions, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to execute Fig. 9 , Fig.10 or Fig.13 The method is performed by the source IAB host and the target IAB host.

[0259] The present application also provides a computer program product, including instructions, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to execute Fig. 9 , Fig.10 or Fig.13 The method is performed by the source IAB host and the target IAB host.

[0260] The embodiment of the present application provides a chip system, which includes a processor and may also include a memory, for implementing the functions of the source IAB host and the target IAB host in the above method. The chip system may be composed of a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0261] It should be understood that in the various embodiments of the present application, the size of the serial numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not mean the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0262] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are 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.

[0263] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0264] In the several embodiments provided in 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 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 through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0265] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components shown 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 solution of this embodiment.

[0266] 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.

[0267] If the functions are implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application can be essentially or partly embodied in the form of a software product that contributes to the prior art. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage media include: various media that can store program codes, such as USB flash drives, mobile hard disks, read-only memories (ROM), random access memories (RAM), magnetic disks or optical disks.

[0268] The above is only a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the embodiments 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 embodiments of the present application, which should be included in the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application should be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A configuration method for an integrated access and backhaul IAB node, characterized in that: include: The target IAB host receives the first information from the source IAB host, and the target IAB host sends first configuration information to the source IAB host, where the first configuration information is used for the IAB node to switch from the source IAB host to the target IAB host; The IAB node includes an MT function and a DU function, the first configuration information is determined according to the first information, the first configuration information is used to indicate the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the target IAB host for the MT function, and the first information is used to indicate one or more of the following four types of information: Supporting or not supporting the DU function to send data while the MT function receives data; Supporting or not supporting the DU function receiving data while the MT function receives data; Supporting or not supporting the DU function to send data while the MT function sends data; The DU function receives data while the MT function sends data or does not support it.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: The target IAB host receives second information from the source IAB host, where the second information is used to indicate a transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the source IAB host for the DU function, and / or the second information is used to indicate a state of the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the source IAB host for the DU function.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The method further comprises: The target IAB host sends second configuration information to the source IAB host, where the second configuration information is determined based on the first information, and the second configuration information is used to indicate the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the target IAB host for the DU function, and / or, the second configuration information is used to indicate the state of the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the target IAB host for the DU function.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The first information and / or the second information are carried in a first request message, the first request message is carried in a first interface signaling, the first interface is an interface between the target IAB host and the source IAB host, and the first request message is used to request the IAB node to switch from the source IAB host to the target IAB host; or The first information and / or the second information is received by the target IAB host through a core network device.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The first configuration information and / or the second configuration information are carried in a first request response message, the first request response message is carried in a first interface signaling, the first interface is an interface between the target IAB host and the source IAB host, and the first request response message is a response message of a request message sent by the target IAB host to the source IAB host for the IAB node to switch from the source IAB host to the target IAB host; or, The first configuration information and / or the second configuration information is forwarded by the target IAB host to the source IAB host through a core network device.

6. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The transmission direction of the time domain resource is an uplink transmission direction, a downlink transmission direction, or a flexible transmission direction; The state of the transmission direction of the time domain resource is an available state, a conditional available state or an unavailable state.

7. A configuration method for an integrated access and backhaul IAB node, characterized in that: include: The source IAB host sends first information to the target IAB host, and the source IAB host receives first configuration information from the target IAB host, where the first configuration information is used for the IAB node to switch from the source IAB host to the target IAB host; The IAB node includes an MT function and a DU function, the first configuration information is determined according to the first information, the first configuration information is used to indicate the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the target IAB host for the MT function, and the first information is used to indicate one or more of four types of information: Supporting or not supporting the DU function to send data while the MT function receives data; Supporting or not supporting the DU function receiving data while the MT function receives data; Supporting or not supporting the DU function to send data while the MT function sends data; The DU function receives data while the MT function sends data or does not support it.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The method further comprises: The source IAB host sends second information to the target IAB host, where the second information is used to indicate a transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the source IAB host for the DU function, and / or the second information is used to indicate a state of the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the source IAB host for the DU function.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that The method further comprises: The source IAB host receives second configuration information from the target IAB host, where the second configuration information is determined based on the first information, and the second configuration information is used to indicate a transmission direction of time domain resources configured by the target IAB host for the DU function, and / or, the second configuration information is used to indicate a state of a transmission direction of time domain resources configured by the target IAB host for the DU function.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The first information and / or the second information are carried in a first request message, the first request message is carried in a first interface signaling, the first interface is an interface between the target IAB host and the source IAB host, and the first request message is used to request the IAB node to switch from the source IAB host to the target IAB host; or The first information and / or the second information is sent by the source IAB host through a core network device.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The first configuration information and / or the second configuration information are carried in a first request response message, the first request response message is carried in a first interface signaling, the first interface is an interface between the target IAB host and the source IAB host, and the first request response message is a response message of a request message sent by the target IAB host to the source IAB host for the IAB node to switch from the source IAB host to the target IAB host; or The first configuration information and / or the second configuration information is received by the source IAB host through a core network device.

12. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The transmission direction of the time domain resource is an uplink transmission direction, a downlink transmission direction, or a flexible transmission direction; The state of the transmission direction of the time domain resource is an available state, a conditional available state or an unavailable state.

13. A communication device, characterized in that: The transceiver module and the processing module, wherein: The transceiver module is used to receive first information from a source IAB host, and send first configuration information to the source IAB host, where the first configuration information is used for the IAB node to switch from the source IAB host to the communication device; The processing module is used to generate the first configuration information; The IAB node includes an MT function and a DU function, the first configuration information is determined according to the first information, the first configuration information is used to indicate the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the communication device for the MT function, and the first information is used to indicate one or more of the following four types of information: Supporting or not supporting the DU function to send data while the MT function receives data; Supporting or not supporting the DU function receiving data while the MT function receives data; Supporting or not supporting the DU function to send data while the MT function sends data; The DU function receives data while the MT function sends data or does not support it.

14. The communication device according to claim 13, wherein: The transceiver module is also used for: receiving second information from a source IAB host, wherein the second information is used to indicate a transmission direction of time domain resources configured by the source IAB host for the DU function, and / or the second information is used to indicate a state of a transmission direction of time domain resources configured by the source IAB host for the DU function.

15. The communication device according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that: The transceiver module is also used for: Sending second configuration information to the source IAB host, where the second configuration information is determined based on the first information, and the second configuration information is used to indicate the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the communication device for the DU function, and / or, the second configuration information is used to indicate the state of the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the communication device for the DU function.

16. The communication device according to claim 15, characterized in that The first information and / or the second information are carried in a first request message, the first request message is carried in a first interface signaling, the first interface is an interface between the communication device and the source IAB host, and the first request message is used to request the IAB node to switch from the source IAB host to the communication device; or The first information and / or the second information is received by the communication device through a core network device.

17. The communication device according to claim 16, wherein: The first configuration information and / or the second configuration information are carried in a first request response message, the first request response message is carried in a first interface signaling, the first interface is an interface between the communication device and the source IAB host, and the first request response message is a response message sent by the communication device to the source IAB host to request that the IAB node switch from the source IAB host to the communication device; or, The first configuration information and / or the second configuration information is forwarded by the communication device to the source IAB node through a core network device.

18. The communication device according to claim 14, characterized in that: The transmission direction of the time domain resource includes an uplink transmission direction, a downlink transmission direction or a flexible transmission direction; The state of the transmission direction of the time domain resource is an available state, a conditional available state or an unavailable state.

19. A communication device, characterized in that: It includes a transceiver module and a processing module, wherein: The processing module is used to generate first information; The transceiver module is used to send the first information to the target IAB host and receive first configuration information from the target IAB host, wherein the first configuration information is used for the IAB node to switch from the communication device to the target IAB host; The IAB node includes an MT function and a DU function, the first configuration information is determined according to the first information, the first configuration information is used to indicate the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the target IAB host for the MT function, and the first information is used to indicate one or more of four types of information: Supporting or not supporting the DU function to send data while the MT function receives data; Supporting or not supporting the DU function receiving data while the MT function receives data; Supporting or not supporting the DU function to send data while the MT function sends data; The DU function receives data while the MT function sends data or does not support it.

20. The communication device according to claim 19, characterized in that The transceiver module is also used for: Sending second information to the target IAB host, wherein the second information is used to indicate the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the communication device for the DU function, and / or the second information is used to indicate the state of the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the communication device for the DU function.

21. The communication device according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that: The transceiver module is also used for: Receive second configuration information from the target IAB host, where the second configuration information is determined based on the first information, and the second configuration information is used to indicate a transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the target IAB host for the DU function, and / or, the second configuration information is used to indicate a state of the transmission direction of the time domain resources configured by the target IAB host for the DU function.

22. The communication device according to claim 21, characterized in that The first information and / or the second information are carried in a first request message, the first request message is carried in a first interface signaling, the first interface is an interface between the target IAB host and the communication device, and the first request message is used to request the IAB node to switch from the communication device to the target IAB host; or The first information and / or the second information is sent by the communication device through a core network device.

23. The communication device according to claim 22, characterized in that The first configuration information and / or the second configuration information are carried in a first request response message, the first request response message is carried in a first interface signaling, the first interface is an interface between the target IAB host and the communication device, and the first request response message is a response message of a request message sent by the target IAB host to the communication device for the IAB node to switch from the communication device to the target IAB host; or, The first configuration information and / or the second configuration information is received by the communication device through a core network device.

24. The communication device according to claim 20, characterized in that The transmission direction of the time domain resource is an uplink transmission direction, a downlink transmission direction, or a flexible transmission direction; The state of the transmission direction of the time domain resource is an available state, a conditional available state or an unavailable state.

25. A communication device, characterized in that: include: The communication device comprises a processor, the processor is coupled to a memory, the memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor is used to execute the computer program stored in the memory, so that the communication device implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 or 7 to 12.

26. A communication system, characterized in that: The communication system comprises the communication device according to any one of claims 13 to 18 and the communication device according to any one of claims 19 to 24.

27. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, and when the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 or 7 to 12.

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