A configuration method, a communication device, and a communication system

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application disclose a configuration method. The host CU can configure the mapping rules of data packets in advance and then send the mapping rules to the host DU. The host DU maps the subsequently received data packets to the corresponding RLC channels for transmission according to the mapping rules. One method in the embodiments of the present application is that the host DU can configure the mapping rules for two mapping processes for the host CU. In the first mapping process, one or more mapping fields are determined according to the values of one or more fields (hereinafter referred to as reference fields for convenience of description) in the data packet. In the second mapping process, the RLC channels are determined according to the values of one or more mapping fields.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to a configuration method, a communication device, and a communication system. Background Art

[0002] Compared with the fourth-generation mobile communication system, the fifth-generation mobile communication (5G) has put forward more stringent requirements for various network performance indicators in all aspects. For example, the capacity indicator is increased by 1000 times, and there are broader coverage requirements and ultra-high reliability and ultra-low latency, etc. The Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) system has emerged as the times require. Through a large number of densely deployed nodes, it can provide flexible and convenient access and backhaul services for terminals, improve the coverage area, and thus meet the more stringent performance indicators of 5G.

[0003] In the IAB network, in order to ensure the QoS requirements of different data packets, different RLC channels can be established between two nodes in the IAB network, and different data packets can be mapped to different RLC channels for transmission. However, the IAB network topology is relatively complex. When any two nodes do not map the data packet to the appropriate RLC channel between the two nodes for transmission, it may cause the QoS performance of the data packet in the entire IAB network to lose guarantee, thus greatly reducing the user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Embodiments of this application provide a configuration method, a communication device, and a communication system, which can enable the host DU to determine the RLC channel to which the data packet is mapped, facilitate mapping the data packet to the appropriate RLC channel for transmission, and ensure the QoS requirements of the data packet.

[0005] In a first aspect, a configuration method is provided. This method can be executed by the host DU or a chip in the host DU. The method includes:

[0006] The host DU receives first configuration information from the host CU. The first configuration information indicates the values of one or more reference fields in the data packet for determining one or more mapping fields of the data packet, or the number of channels between the host DU and the child node of the host DU for determining one or more mapping fields of the data packet, or the first configuration information indicates one or more mapping fields of the data packet. The one or more mapping fields are used to determine the channel for transmitting the data packet between the host DU and the child node;

[0007] The host DU receives a first data packet;

[0008] The host DU determines one or more mapping fields of the first data packet according to the first configuration information.

[0009] The method of instructing the host DU by the host CU to determine one or more mapping fields can determine the mapping fields of data packets according to the characteristics of different data packets, so as to ensure that the data packets are mapped to appropriate RLC channels for transmission, and the mapping rules can be flexibly set to meet the mapping needs of a large number of data packets in the IAB network.

[0010] Optionally, the above channel may be an RLC channel, an RLC bearer or a logical channel.

[0011] Optionally, the method further includes: the host DU determines the channel for transmitting the data packet between the host DU and the child node according to the one or more mapping fields.

[0012] That is to say, there are two steps for the host DU to determine the channel of the data packet. The first step is to determine one or more mapping fields, and the second step is to determine the channel for transmitting the data packet according to the one or more mapping fields.

[0013] Optionally, in the above method, the first configuration information indicates that when the respective values of the one or more reference fields respectively satisfy the first reference value range of the one or more reference fields, the one or more mapping fields of the data packet are the one or more first fields of the data packet.

[0014] Optionally, the first configuration information indicates that when the respective values of the one or more reference fields respectively satisfy the second reference value range of the one or more reference fields, the one or more mapping fields of the data packet are the one or more second fields of the data packet.

[0015] That is to say, the first configuration information can configure multiple sets of reference value ranges for one or more reference fields. The host DU can determine which set of multiple sets of reference value ranges the received data packet of the host DU satisfies, so as to determine one or more mapping fields.

[0016] Optionally, the one or more first fields may have the same fields as the one or more second fields.

[0017] Optionally, the first configuration information includes the mapping relationship between the first reference value range of each of the one or more reference fields and the one or more first fields.

[0018] Optionally, the first configuration information includes the one or more reference fields.

[0019] Optionally, in the above method, the first configuration information indicates that the output value obtained by performing a first operation on the respective values of multiple reference fields in the data packet is used to determine one or more mapping fields of the data packet.

[0020] Optionally, the first configuration information indicates that when the output value obtained by performing a first operation on the respective values of multiple reference fields in the data packet satisfies the first operation value range, one or more mapping fields of the data packet are one or more first fields of the data packet.

[0021] Optionally, the first configuration information includes the mapping relationship between the first operation value range and the one or more first fields.

[0022] Optionally, the first configuration information indicates that when the output value obtained by performing a first operation on the respective values of multiple reference fields in the data packet satisfies the second operation value range, one or more mapping fields of the data packet are one or more second fields of the data packet.

[0023] Optionally, the first configuration information includes the multiple reference fields.

[0024] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0025] The host DU receives second configuration information from the host CU, and the second configuration information indicates that the values of the one or more mapping fields are used to determine the channel for transmitting the data packet between the host DU and the sub-node.

[0026] Optionally, the second configuration information indicates that when the respective values of the one or more mapping fields respectively satisfy the first mapping value ranges of the one or more mapping fields, the channel for transmitting the data packet between the host DU and the sub-node is a first RLC channel.

[0027] Optionally, the second configuration information includes the mapping relationship between the first mapping value ranges of the one or more mapping fields and the identifier of the first RLC channel.

[0028] Optionally, the one or more reference fields include one or more of an IPV4 header field, an IPV6 header field, a source port number, and a destination port number.

[0029] Optionally, the IP header fields of an IPv4 type data packet may include one or more fields of version, header length, type of service (ToS), DSCP, total length, identification, flags, fragment offset, time to live, protocol (i.e., the type of transport layer protocol), header checksum, source IP address, and destination IP address.

[0030] Optionally, the IP header fields of an IPv6 type data packet may include one or more fields among version, traffic class, DSCP, flow label, payload length, next header (i.e., transport layer protocol type), hop limit, source IP address, and destination IP address.

[0031] Optionally, in the above method, the one or more mapping fields include one or more of a flow label field, a DSCP field, an IP source address field, an IP destination address field, a transport layer protocol type field, a source transport layer port number, and a destination transport layer port number.

[0032] In a second aspect, a configuration method is provided, which can be executed by a host CU or a chip in the host CU. The method includes:

[0033] The host CU obtains first configuration information, where the first configuration information indicates that the values of one or more reference fields in the data packet are used to determine one or more mapping fields of the data packet, or the number of channels between the host DU and the child nodes of the host DU is used to determine one or more mapping fields of the data packet, or the first configuration information indicates one or more mapping fields of the data packet, and the one or more mapping fields are used to determine the channel for transmitting the data packet between the host DU and the child nodes;

[0034] The host CU sends the first configuration information to the host DU.

[0035] Optionally, the first configuration information includes the mapping relationship between the first reference value ranges of the one or more reference fields and the one or more first fields.

[0036] Optionally, the first configuration information indicates that the output value obtained by performing a first operation on the values of multiple reference fields in the data packet is used to determine one or more mapping fields of the data packet.

[0037] Optionally, the first configuration information indicates that when the output value obtained by performing a first operation on the values of multiple reference fields in the data packet satisfies the first operation value range, the one or more mapping fields of the data packet are the one or more first fields of the data packet.

[0038] Optionally, the first configuration information includes the mapping relationship between the first operation value range and the one or more first fields.

[0039] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0040] The host CU sends second configuration information to the host DU, and the second configuration information indicates that the values of the one or more mapping fields are used to determine the channel for transmitting the data packet between the host DU and the child node.

[0041] Optionally, the second configuration information indicates that when the respective values of the one or more mapping fields respectively satisfy the first mapping value ranges of the one or more mapping fields, the channel for transmitting the data packet between the host DU and the child node is the first RLC channel.

[0042] Optionally, the second configuration information includes the mapping relationship between the first mapping value ranges of the one or more mapping fields and the identifier of the first RLC channel.

[0043] Optionally, the one or more reference fields include one or more of an IPv4 header field, an IPv6 header field, a source port number, and a destination port number.

[0044] Optionally, the IP header fields of an IPv4 type data packet may include one or more fields of version, header length, type of service (tos), DSCP, total length, identification, flags, fragment offset, time to live, protocol (i.e., the type of transport layer protocol), header checksum, source IP address, and destination IP address.

[0045] Optionally, the IP header fields of an IPv6 type data packet may include one or more fields of version, traffic class, DSCP, flow label, payload length, next header (i.e., the type of transport layer protocol), hop limit, source IP address, and destination IP address.

[0046] Optionally, the one or more mapping fields include one or more of a flow label field, a DSCP field, an IP source address field, an IP destination address field, a transport layer protocol type field, a source transport layer port number, and a destination transport layer port number.

[0047] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a configuration method, which may be executed by a host DU or a chip in the host DU. The method includes:

[0048] The host DU receives first configuration information from the host CU, and the first configuration information indicates that when the respective values of one or more first fields in a data packet respectively satisfy the first value ranges of the one or more first fields, the data packet is transmitted through a first channel between the host DU and the child node;

[0049] The host DU receives a first data packet;

[0050] When the values of one or more first fields in the first data packet respectively meet the value ranges of the one or more first fields, the data packet is transmitted through the first RLC channel between the host DU and the sub-IAB node;

[0051] Wherein, the one or more fields include DSCP and flow label, or include IP address and DSCP, or include IP address and flow label, or include IP address, DSCP and flow label, or include IP address, transport layer protocol type and transport layer port number, and the transport layer port number includes a source transport layer port number and / or a destination transport layer port number.

[0052] Optionally, the first configuration information includes a mapping relationship between the first value ranges of the one or more first fields and the identifier of the first channel.

[0053] Optionally, the first configuration information is further used to indicate that when the values of one or more second fields in the data packet respectively meet the second value ranges of the one or more second fields, the data packet is transmitted through the second channel between the host DU and the sub-IAB node;

[0054] Wherein, when the values of one or more first fields in the data packet respectively meet the first value ranges of the one or more first fields, the value of at least one second field among the one or more second fields in the data packet does not meet the second value range of the at least one second field; and

[0055] When the values of the one or more second fields in the data packet respectively meet the second value ranges of the one or more second fields, the value of at least one first field among the one or more first fields in the data packet does not meet the first value range of the at least one first field.

[0056] Optionally, the first configuration information further includes a mapping relationship between the second value ranges of the one or more second fields and the identifier of the second channel.

[0057] Optionally, the one or more first fields include some of the one or more second fields. The some fields can be one or more fields.

[0058] Optionally, the one or more first fields do not include any of the one or more second fields.

[0059] Optionally, the mapping relationship includes one or more fields, and the one or more first fields are the fields in the mapping relationship that have the first value range.

[0060] Optionally, the one or more second fields include one or more fields among source IP address, destination IP address, DSCP, flowlabel, transport layer protocol type, and transport layer port number.

[0061] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a configuration method, which can be executed by a host CU or a chip in the host CU. The method includes:

[0062] The host CU obtains first configuration information, where the first configuration information indicates that when the values of one or more first fields in a data packet respectively satisfy the first value ranges of the one or more first fields, the data packet is transmitted through a first channel between the host DU and the sub-node;

[0063] The host CU sends the first configuration information to the host DU;

[0064] Wherein, the one or more fields include DSCP and flow label, or include IP address and DSCP, or include IP address and flow label, or include IP address, DSCP and flow label, or include IP address, transport layer protocol type and transport layer port number, and the transport layer port number includes a source transport layer port number and / or a destination transport layer port number.

[0065] Optionally, the first configuration information includes a mapping relationship between the first value ranges of the one or more first fields and the identifier of the first channel.

[0066] Optionally, the first configuration information is further used to indicate that when the values of one or more second fields in the data packet respectively satisfy the second value ranges of the one or more second fields, the data packet is transmitted through a second channel between the host DU and the sub-IAB node;

[0067] Wherein, when the values of one or more first fields in the data packet respectively satisfy the first value ranges of the one or more first fields, the value of at least one second field among the one or more second fields in the data packet does not satisfy the second value range of the at least one second field; and

[0068] When the values of the one or more second fields in the data packet respectively satisfy the second value ranges of the one or more second fields, the value of at least one first field among the one or more first fields in the data packet does not satisfy the first value range of the at least one first field.

[0069] Optionally, the first configuration information further includes a mapping relationship between the second value ranges of the one or more second fields and the identifier of the second channel.

[0070] Optionally, the one or more first fields include some of the one or more second fields. These some fields may be one or more fields.

[0071] Optionally, the one or more first fields do not include any of the one or more second fields.

[0072] Optionally, the mapping relationship includes one or more fields, and the one or more first fields are the fields in the mapping relationship that have the first value range.

[0073] Optionally, the one or more second fields include one or more fields among a source IP address, a destination IP address, a DSCP, a flow label, a transport layer protocol type, and a transport layer port number.

[0074] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a configuration method, which may be executed by a host DU or a chip in the host DU. The method includes:

[0075] The host DU receives first configuration information from the host CU. The first configuration information indicates that the output value obtained by a first operation on the values of the one or more first fields in the data packet is used to determine the channel for transmitting the data packet between the host DU and the sub-down node of the host DU;

[0076] The host DU receives the data packet;

[0077] The host DU determines the channel for transmitting the data packet between the host DU and the sub-IAB node according to the first configuration information.

[0078] Optionally, the first configuration information indicates that when the output value obtained by performing a first operation on the values of multiple first fields in the data packet satisfies the first value range, the channel for transmitting the data packet is the first channel.

[0079] Optionally, the first configuration information includes a mapping relationship between the first value range and the identifier of the first channel.

[0080] Optionally, the first configuration information indicates that when the output value obtained by performing a first operation on the values of multiple first fields in the data packet satisfies a second value range, the channel for transmitting the data packet is the second channel.

[0081] Optionally, the first configuration information includes a mapping relationship between the second value range and the identifier of the second channel.

[0082] Optionally, the first configuration information includes the multiple reference fields.

[0083] Optionally, the one or more first fields include one or more of a flow label field, a DSCP field, an IP source address field, an IP destination address field, a transport layer protocol type field, a source transport layer port number, and a destination transport layer port number.

[0084] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a configuration method, which can be executed by a host CU or a chip in the host CU. The method includes:

[0085] The host CU obtains first configuration information, where the first configuration information indicates that the output value obtained by performing a first operation on the values of one or more first fields in the data packet is used to determine the channel for transmitting the data packet between the host DU and the sub-down node of the host DU;

[0086] The host DU sends the first configuration information to the host CU.

[0087] Optionally, the first configuration information indicates that when the output value obtained by performing a first operation on the values of multiple first fields in the data packet satisfies a first value range, the channel for transmitting the data packet is the first channel.

[0088] Optionally, the first configuration information includes a mapping relationship between the first value range and the identifier of the first channel.

[0089] Optionally, the first configuration information indicates that when the output value obtained by performing a first operation on the values of multiple first fields in the data packet satisfies a second value range, the channel for transmitting the data packet is the second channel.

[0090] Optionally, the first configuration information includes a mapping relationship between the second value range and the identifier of the second channel.

[0091] Optionally, the first configuration information includes the multiple reference fields.

[0092] Optionally, the one or more first fields include one or more of a flow label field, a DSCP field, an IP source address field, an IP destination address field, a transport layer protocol type field, a source transport layer port number, and a destination transport layer port number.

[0093] Optionally, in the methods of the first to sixth aspects above, the channel may be an RLC channel, and the channel may be replaced with an RLC channel, an RLC bearer, or a logical channel.

[0094] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an apparatus. The apparatus provided in the present application has the function of implementing the host CU or the host DU in the above method aspects, and includes components (means) corresponding to the steps or functions described in the methods of the first to sixth aspects above. The steps or functions may be implemented by software, or by hardware, or by a combination of hardware and software.

[0095] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, which may be a host DU or a chip in the host DU. The communication apparatus includes a processor, and the processor is configured to execute a computer program or instruction, so that the communication apparatus executes the methods in the first, third, and fifth aspects.

[0096] Optionally, the communication apparatus further includes the memory. The processor is coupled to the memory, and the memory is configured to store a computer program or instruction, and the processor is configured to execute the computer program or instruction in the memory.

[0097] Optionally, the communication apparatus may further include a communication unit, and the communication unit is configured to communicate with other devices or other components in the communication apparatus. For example, when the communication apparatus is a host DU, the communication unit includes an interface between the host DU and the host CU. Optionally, the communication unit may further include a transceiver and an antenna of the host DU. For example, when the communication apparatus is a chip in the host DU, the communication unit is an input / output circuit or interface of the chip.

[0098] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, which may be a host CU or a chip in the host CU. The communication apparatus includes a processor, and the processor is configured to execute a computer program or instruction, so that the communication apparatus executes the methods in the second, fourth, and sixth aspects.

[0099] Optionally, the communication apparatus further includes the memory. The processor is coupled to the memory, and the memory is configured to store a computer program or instruction, and the processor is configured to execute the computer program or instruction in the memory.

[0100] Optionally, the communication device may further include a communication unit, which is used to communicate with other devices or other components in the communication device. For example, if the communication device is a host CU, the communication unit is the interface between the host CU and the host DU. For example, if the communication device is a chip in the host CU, the communication unit is the input / output circuit or interface of the chip.

[0101] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip, which includes a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is coupled to the processor. The processor is used to run a computer program or instruction to implement the method according to any one of the first to sixth aspects. The interface circuit is used to communicate with other modules outside the chip.

[0102] In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer storage medium, which stores a program for implementing the method according to any one of the first to sixth aspects. When the program runs in a wireless communication device, the wireless communication device is caused to execute the method according to any one of the first to sixth aspects.

[0103] In a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, which includes a program. When the program is run, the method according to any one of the first to sixth aspects is caused to be executed.

[0104] In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which includes a host CU (or a chip in the host CU) in the method according to the first aspect and a host DU (or a chip in the host DU) in the method according to the second aspect. Alternatively, the communication system includes the communication device according to the eighth aspect and the communication device according to the ninth aspect.

[0105] Through the method of the embodiment of the present application, the mapping rules of each data packet can be flexibly set to ensure that each data packet is mapped to a suitable RLC channel, guarantee the QoS requirements, and thus improve the user experience. Description of the Drawings

[0106] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the background technology, the following will describe the drawings required to be used in the embodiments of the present application or the background technology.

[0107] Figure 1 is an architecture diagram of a mobile communication system 100 provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0108] Figure 2 is an architecture diagram of an IAB network 200 provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0109] Figure 3 is an architecture diagram of an IAB network 300 provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0110] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the mapping relationship among the RLC channel, logical channel, and protocol entity provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0111] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of another mapping relationship among the RLC channel, logical channel, and protocol entity provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0112] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of a configuration method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0113] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of another configuration method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0114] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of another configuration method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0115] Figure 9 It is a schematic diagram of another configuration method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0116] Figure 10 It is a schematic diagram of another configuration method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0117] Figure 11 It is a schematic diagram of another configuration method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0118] Figure 12A It is a schematic diagram of another configuration method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0119] Figure 12B It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the IAB donor provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0120] Figure 13 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0121] Figure 14 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 1400 provided by an embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0122] The embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0123] Figure 1 It is an architecture diagram of a mobile communication system 100 provided by an embodiment of the present application. The mobile communication system 100 includes at least one terminal (for example, Figure 1 the terminal 110, terminal 120 in Figure 1The wireless backhaul device 130), at least one access network device (e.g., Figure 1 the access network device 140) in Figure 1 and at least one core network device (e.g.,

[0124] the core network device 150) in Figure 1 In the above communication system, the terminal is connected to the wireless backhaul device wirelessly, and the wireless backhaul device is connected to the access network device wirelessly, which can be directly or indirectly connected to the access network device through other wireless backhaul devices. The access network device can be connected to the core network device by wire or wirelessly. For example, in

[0125] the terminal 110 is connected to the wireless backhaul device 130 wirelessly, the wireless backhaul device 130 is directly or indirectly connected to the access network device 140 through other wireless backhaul devices, and the access network device 140 is connected to the core network device 150 by wire.

[0126] The terminal in the embodiments of the present application may be a device that provides voice or data connectivity to users. The terminal may be referred to as user equipment (UE), mobile station, subscriber unit, station, terminal equipment (TE), etc. The terminal may be a cellular phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), wireless modem, handheld device, laptop computer, cordless phone, wireless local loop (WLL) station, tablet computer (pad), etc. With the development of wireless communication technologies, any device that can access a wireless communication network, communicate with the wireless network side, or communicate with other objects through a wireless network can be the terminal in the embodiments of the present application. For example, terminals and vehicles in intelligent transportation, household devices in smart homes, power meter reading instruments, voltage monitoring instruments, environmental monitoring instruments in smart grids, video surveillance instruments, cash registers, etc. in intelligent security networks. The terminal may be static or mobile.

[0127] The access network device in the embodiments of the present application may be a device on the access network side that supports the access of terminals to the communication system. The access network device may be referred to as a base station (BS). For example, an evolved node B (eNB) in a 4G access technology communication system, a next generation node B (gNB) in a 5G access technology communication system, a transmission reception point (TRP), a relay node, an access point (AP), etc. Or the access network device may be referred to as a host node, an IAB donor, or a donor gNB (DgNB).

[0128] As a possible approach, since the future access network can be implemented using a cloud radio access network (C-RAN) architecture, a possible way is to split the protocol stack architecture and functions of traditional access network devices into two parts. One part is called the central unit (CU), and the other part is called the distributed unit (DU). A CU can be connected to one DU, or multiple DUs can share one CU, which can save costs and facilitate network expansion. The split of CU and DU can be based on the protocol stack split. One possible way is to deploy the radio resource control (RRC), service data adaptation protocol (SDAP), and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layers in the CU, and deploy the remaining radio link control (RLC) layer, media access control (MAC) layer, and physical layer in the DU.

[0129] The core network device in the embodiments of this application can control one or more access network devices, or uniformly manage the resources in the system, or can configure resources for the terminal. For example, the core network device can be a mobile management entity (MME) or a serving gateway (SGW) in a 4G access technology communication system, an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) network element or a User Plane Function (UPF) network element in a 5G access technology communication system, and so on.

[0130] The wireless backhaul node in the embodiments of this application can be a node that provides wireless backhaul services. The wireless backhaul service refers to the data and / or signaling backhaul service provided through a wireless backhaul link. On the one hand, the wireless backhaul node can provide wireless access services for the terminal through the access link (AL); on the other hand, the wireless backhaul node can be connected to the access network device through one-hop or multi-hop backhaul links (BL). Thus, the wireless backhaul node can forward the data and / or signaling between the terminal and the access network device, expanding the coverage of the communication system.

[0131] Wireless backhaul devices can have different names in different communication systems. For example, in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system or an LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) system, the wireless backhaul device can be referred to as a relay node (RN); in a fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication technology system, the wireless backhaul device can be called an integrated access and backhaul node (IAB node). Of course, in other communication systems, the wireless backhaul device can also have different names, which are not restricted here. th In a fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication technology system, the wireless backhaul device can be called an integrated access and backhaul node (IAB node). Of course, in other communication systems, the wireless backhaul device can also have different names, which are not restricted here.

[0132] Figure 2 FIG. is an architecture diagram of the IAB network 200 provided by an embodiment of the present application. The following will be combined with Figure 2 , to Figure 1 The terminal, wireless backhaul device, and access network device in are further described.

[0133] In Figure 2 , the terminal 1 or terminal 2 can correspond to Figure 1 the terminal 110 in; the IAB nodes 1, 2, 3, and 4 correspond to Figure 1 the wireless backhaul device 130 shown in; the host node can correspond to Figure 1 the access network device 140 in; the host node can be connected to Figure 1 the core network device 150 in by a wired manner. The host node can be simply referred to as an IAB donor or DgNB (i.e., donor gNodeB).

[0134] As Figure 2 shown, in the IAB network 200, a terminal can be connected to one or more IAB nodes wirelessly, one or more IAB nodes can be connected to each other wirelessly, and one or more IAB nodes can be connected to the host node wirelessly. Among them, the link between the terminal and the IAB node can be called an access link, and the link between IAB nodes and the link between the IAB node and the host node can be called a backhaul link.

[0135] To ensure the reliability of service transmission, the IAB network supports multi-hop IAB nodes and multi-connected IAB node networking. Therefore, there may be multiple transmission paths between the terminal and the host node. On one path, there is a definite hierarchical relationship between IAB nodes and between the IAB node and the host node serving the IAB node. Each IAB node regards the node providing backhaul service for it as its parent node. Correspondingly, each IAB node can be regarded as the child node of its parent node.

[0136] Exemplarily, refer to Figure 2 , the parent node of IAB node 1 is the host node, IAB node 1 is the parent node of IAB node 2 and IAB node 3, and both IAB node 2 and IAB node 3 are the parent nodes of IAB node 4. The uplink data packet of the terminal can be transmitted to the host node through one or more IAB nodes and then sent by the host node to the mobile gateway device (such as the user plane function (UPF) network element in a 5G network), and the downlink data packet will be received by the host node from the mobile gateway device and then sent to the terminal through one or more IAB nodes. There are two available paths for the data packet transmission between terminal 1 and the host node, which are: terminal 1 → IAB node 4 → IAB node 3 → IAB node 1 → host node, terminal 1 → IAB node 4 → IAB node 2 → IAB node 1 → host node. There are three available paths for the data packet transmission between terminal 2 and the host node, which are: terminal 2 → IAB node 4 → IAB node 3 → IAB node 1 → host node, terminal 2 → IAB node 4 → IAB node 2 → IAB node 1 → host node, terminal 2 → IAB node 2 → IAB node 1 → host node.

[0137] It can be understood that in the IAB network, one transmission path between the terminal and the host node may include one or more IAB nodes. Each IAB node needs to maintain a wireless backhaul link facing the parent node and also needs to maintain a wireless link with the child nodes. If an IAB node is the node accessed by the terminal, the link between this IAB node and the child node (i.e., the terminal) is a wireless access link. If an IAB node is the node providing backhaul services for other IAB nodes, the link between this IAB node and the child node (i.e., other IAB nodes) is a wireless backhaul link. Exemplarily, refer to Figure 2 , in the path "terminal 1 → IAB node 4 → IAB node 3 → IAB node 1 → host node". Terminal 1 accesses IAB node 4 through a wireless access link, IAB node 4 accesses IAB node 3 through a wireless backhaul link, IAB node 3 accesses IAB node 1 through a wireless backhaul link, and IAB node 1 accesses the host node through a wireless backhaul link.

[0138] The above IAB network is only exemplary. In the IAB network combining multi-hop and multi-connection, there are more other possibilities for the IAB network. For example, the host node and the IAB nodes under another host node form a dual connection to serve the terminal, etc., which will not be listed one by one here.

[0139] Figure 3 is the architecture diagram of the IAB network 300 provided by the embodiments of the present application. Next, in combination with Figure 3 , for Figure 2Further explanations are given to the IAB nodes and host nodes in it.

[0140] In the IAB network, the host node can be in a form where the centralized unit (abbreviated as CU) (which can be called the host CU, Donor-CU) and the distributed unit (abbreviated as DU) (which can be called the host DU, Donor-DU) are separated.

[0141] Among them, Donor-CU can be in a form where the user plane (abbreviated as UP) (abbreviated as CU-UP in this article) and the control plane (abbreviated as CP) (abbreviated as CU-CP in this article) are separated, that is, Donor-CU is composed of CU-CP and CU-UP.

[0142] In the IAB network, when the IAB node acts as a parent node, it can act as a role similar to an access network device, and allocate uplink resources for its child nodes to transmit uplink data through scheduling on the available radio interface resources managed by the host base station. When the IAB node acts as a child node, it can act as a terminal device for the parent node that provides services to this IAB node, access the wireless network like a terminal device, and execute the functions of a terminal device. Through operations such as cell selection and random access, establish a connection with the parent node, and obtain the uplink resources scheduled by the parent node for it to transmit uplink data. By way of example and not limitation, the embodiments of the present application refer to the IAB node acting as the function of a terminal device as the mobile terminal (MT) side of the IAB node or the MT functional unit of the IAB node, and refer to the IAB node acting as an access network device similar to a base station as the DU side of the IAB node or the DU functional unit of the IAB node. The MT functional unit and the DU functional unit can be just a logical division and integrated in the IAB node; or the MT functional unit and the DU functional unit can be different physical devices.

[0143] Such as Figure 3 As shown, the host node is composed of Donor-CU and Donor-DU; IAB node 1 is composed of the MT side of IAB node 1 and the DU side of IAB node 1; IAB node 2 is composed of the MT side of IAB node 2 and the DU side of IAB node 2.

[0144] Such as Figure 3 As shown, in the downlink direction, the host CU can send data packets to the host DU, or the operations, administration and maintenance (OAM) server can send data packets to the host DU ( Figure 3(not shown in the figure), the host DU sends the data packet to IAB node 1 through the BL link, then IAB node 1 sends the data packet to IAB node 2 through the BL link, and finally IAB node 2 sends the data packet to the terminal through the AL link.

[0145] In the uplink direction, the terminal can send a data packet to IAB node 2 through the AL link, IAB node 2 sends the data packet to IAB node 1 through the BL link, IAB node 1 sends the data packet to the host DU through the BL link, and finally the host DU sends the data packet to the host CU, or the host DU sends the data packet to the OAM server ( Figure 3 (not shown in the figure).

[0146] See Figure 4 and Figure 5 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 are schematic diagrams of the mapping relationships between RLC channels, logical channels (LCH), and protocol entities. As Figure 4 or Figure 5 shows, the RLC channel is the channel between the RLC entity and the upper-layer protocol entity of the RLC entity. For example, if the upper layer of the RLC entity is the PDCP entity, the RLC channel on the backhaul link is the channel between the RLC entity and the PDCP entity. Another example is that if the upper layer of the RLC entity is the adaptation (also known as the Backhaul Adaptation Protocol, BAP) layer entity, the RLC channel on the backhaul link is the channel between the RLC entity and the BAP entity. Therefore, the definition of the RLC channel depends specifically on the upper-layer protocol entity of the RLC entity.

[0147] The logical channel is the channel between the RLC entity and the lower-layer protocol entity of the RLC entity. For example, if the lower layer of the RLC entity is the MAC layer, the logical channel is the channel between the RLC entity and the MAC entity.

[0148] The RLC channel of the IAB node corresponds one-to-one to an RLC entity and also one-to-one to an RLC bearer.

[0149] Among them, between the BAP entity and the RLC entity, there can be multiple RLC entities corresponding to one BAP entity, as Figure 4 shows, or there can be one RLC entity corresponding to one BAP entity, as Figure 5 shows, and this application does not make any limitations on this.

[0150] In addition, the BAP layer has one or more of the following capabilities: adding routing information recognizable by a wireless backhaul node (IAB node) to a data packet, performing route selection based on the routing information recognizable by the wireless backhaul node, adding identification information related to quality of service (QoS) requirements recognizable by the wireless backhaul node to the data packet, performing QoS mapping for the data packet on multi-hop links including wireless backhaul nodes, adding data packet type indication information to the data packet, and sending flow control feedback information to a node with flow control capabilities. It should be noted that the name of the protocol layer with these capabilities is not necessarily the BAP layer and can also be other names. Those skilled in the art can understand that as long as the protocol layer has these capabilities, it can be understood as the BAP layer in the embodiments of the present application. The RLC channel on the BH link can be understood as a service differentiation channel on the BH link between two nodes, and this service differentiation channel can provide specific quality of service (QoS) guarantee for the transmission of data packets. The RLC channel on the BH link can be understood as a logical concept rather than a physical channel concept.

[0151] Specifically, the RLC channel on the BH link can be understood as the peer RLC channels of two IAB nodes on the BH link. For example, in Figure 3 the host DU has RLC channel 1 and RLC channel 2; IAB node 1 has RLC channel 1 and RLC channel 2; among them, the RLC entity of RLC channel 1 of the host DU and the RLC entity of RLC channel 1 of IAB node 1 are peer RLC entities, and the RLC entity of RLC channel 2 of the host DU and the RLC entity of RLC channel 1 of IAB node 1 are peer RLC entities. Further, it can be understood that RLC channel 1 of the host DU is peer to RLC channel 1 of IAB node 1, and RLC channel 2 of the host DU is peer to RLC channel 2 of IAB node 1. The RLC channel 1 on the BH link between the host node DU and IAB node 1 can refer to RLC channel 1 of the host DU and RLC channel 1 of IAB node 1, and the RLC channel 2 on the BH link between the host node DU and IAB node 1 can refer to RLC channel 2 of the host DU and RLC channel 2 of IAB node 1.

[0152] Since the RLC channel, RLC bearer, and logical channel are in one-to-one correspondence, in the embodiments of the present application, these three statements can be substituted for each other. For example, in the embodiments of the present application, the RLC channel can be replaced with the RLC bearer or the logical channel. Similarly, the RLC bearer on the BH link can also be referred to as the BH bearer or the bearer of the BH link. Therefore, the RLC channel on the BH link can be replaced with the RLC actual bearer on the BH link, or the logical channel on the BH link, or the BH bearer, or the bearer of the BH link.

[0153] To make the embodiments of the present application clearer, the following provides a unified introduction to some content and concepts related to the embodiments of the present application.

[0154] 1) Access IAB node and intermediate IAB node

[0155] In the embodiments of the present application, the access IAB node refers to the IAB node to which the terminal is connected, and the intermediate IAB node refers to the IAB node that provides wireless backhaul services for other IAB nodes (for example, the access IAB node or other intermediate IAB nodes).

[0156] Exemplarily, refer to Figure 2 , in the path "Terminal 1 → IAB node 4 → IAB node 3 → IAB node 1 → host node", IAB node 4 is the access IAB node, and IAB nodes 3 and 1 are intermediate IAB nodes. IAB node 3 provides backhaul services for IAB node 4, and IAB node 1 provides backhaul services for IAB node 3.

[0157] It should be noted that an IAB node is an access IAB node for the terminal accessing this IAB node. For the terminal accessing other IAB nodes, it is an intermediate IAB node. Therefore, whether an IAB node is specifically an access IAB node or an intermediate IAB node is not fixed and needs to be determined according to the specific application scenario.

[0158] 2) Link, access link, and backhaul link

[0159] Link: It refers to the path between two adjacent nodes in a path.

[0160] An access link refers to the link through which a terminal accesses, which can refer to the link between the terminal and an access network device, or between the terminal and an IAB node, or between the terminal and a host node, or between the terminal and a host DU. Alternatively, the access link includes the wireless link used when an IAB node communicates with its parent node in the role of an ordinary terminal device. When an IAB node acts as an ordinary terminal device, it does not provide backhaul services for any child nodes. The access link includes an uplink access link and a downlink access link. In this application, the access link of the terminal is a wireless link, so the access link can be referred to as a wireless access link.

[0161] A backhaul link refers to the link between an IAB node and its parent node when the IAB node acts as a wireless backhaul node. When an IAB node acts as a wireless backhaul node, it provides wireless backhaul services for child nodes. The backhaul link includes an uplink backhaul link and a downlink backhaul link. In this application, the backhaul link between the IAB node and its parent node is a wireless link, so the backhaul link can also be referred to as a wireless backhaul link.

[0162] 3) The previous-hop node of a node, the next-hop node of a node, the ingress link of a node, and the egress link of a node

[0163] The previous-hop node of a node: refers to the node that is the last to receive a data packet before this node in the path containing this node.

[0164] The next-hop node of a node: refers to the node that is the first to receive a data packet after this node in the path containing this node.

[0165] The ingress link of a node: refers to the link between this node and its previous-hop node, and can also be called the previous-hop link of the node.

[0166] The egress link of a node: refers to the link between this node and its next-hop node, and can also be called the next-hop link of the node.

[0167] 4) Parent node and child node: Each IAB node regards the node that provides wireless access services and / or wireless backhaul services for this IAB node as the parent node. Correspondingly, each IAB node can be regarded as the child node of its parent node. Alternatively, the child node can also be called the subordinate node, and the parent node can also be called the superior node.

[0168] 5) Data packet

[0169] The data packet can be a data packet in a radio bearer (RB), and the RB can be a data radio bearer (DRB). It can be understood that the data packet is a data packet in the user plane; or it can be a signaling radio bearer (SRB), and it can be understood that the data packet is a data packet in the control plane; or, the data packet can be an operation, administration, and maintenance (OAM) data packet, and it can be understood that the data packet is a data packet in the management plane.

[0170] 6) Transmission: It can be understood as sending and / or receiving. For example, data packets are transmitted through the RLC channel between the host DU and the next-hop IAB node. For the host DU, the data packet is sent to the next-hop IAB node through this RLC channel, and for the next-hop IAB node, the data packet is received from the host DU through this RLC channel.

[0171] 7) Value range: In the embodiments of this application, the value range can refer to a range of values or a single value. The range of values can include multiple continuous or discrete values. The value range can be referred to as a value interval. When the left and right intervals of the value interval are equal, the value interval includes only one value. When the left and right intervals of the value interval are not equal, the value interval includes all values that fall within the value interval. Or, the value range can be referred to as a value list, and the value list can include one value or multiple continuous or discrete values.

[0172] 8) In the embodiments of this application, "a plurality of" means two or more. In view of this, in the embodiments of this application, "a plurality of" can also be understood as "at least two". "At least one" can be understood as one or more, for example, it can be understood as one, two or more. For example, including at least one means including one, two or more, and it does not limit which ones are included. For example, including at least one of A, B, and C, then what can be included are A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects and indicates that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / ", unless otherwise specified, generally represents an "or" relationship between the front and back associated objects. The terms "system" and "network" in the embodiments of this application can be used interchangeably. Unless there is a contrary description, the ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish multiple objects and are not used to limit the order, timing, priority or importance of multiple objects.

[0173] In the above Figures 1 to 3 communication scenario or communication network, in order to ensure the QoS requirements of different data packets, different RLC channels can be established on the wireless backhaul link, and different data packets can be mapped to different RLC channels for transmission. For example, there are two ways to map data packets to RLC channels. One is one-to-one mapping, that is, the data packets in one RB are uniquely mapped to one RLC channel, and this RLC channel is only used to transmit the data packets in this RB. For the radio bearers of some UEs, such as the RBs with relatively high QoS requirements (QoS requirements can include aspects such as latency, bandwidth, and reliability), the one-to-one mapping method can be considered to ensure the transmission performance of the data packets. The other is many-to-one mapping, that is, the data packets in multiple RBs (which can belong to the same UE or different UEs) are mapped to one RLC channel, and this RLC channel is used to transmit the data packets in these multiple RBs. For the radio bearers of other UEs, such as the RBs with low QoS requirements, the many-to-one mapping method can be considered. In this way, the data packets of multiple RBs can share one RLC channel, so that the IAB network can support serving multiple users without expanding to support a large number of RLC channel quantities.

[0174] However, a large number of data packets may need to be transmitted in the IAB network, and the host DU and the child node of the host DU (that is, the next-hop node for the host DU to perform downlink transmission, for example, refer to Figure 3, there are multiple RLC channels between the host DU and its child node, the IAB node 1). When the host DU receives a downlink data packet, it may not be able to determine which RLC channel to map a certain data packet to for transmission, so the data packet is not mapped to the appropriate RLC channel for transmission, resulting in the inability to ensure the QoS requirements of the data packet and ultimately greatly reducing the user experience.

[0175] To ensure that the host DU can map the data packet to the appropriate RLC channel for transmission, the embodiment of the present application provides a method. Since the host CU can obtain the situation of the downlink transmission of the entire IAB network, the host CU can pre-configure the mapping rule of the data packet and then send the mapping rule to the host DU. The host DU maps the data packet received next to the corresponding RLC channel for transmission according to the mapping rule. This method is applicable to both one-to-one mapping and many-to-one mapping. Regarding the mapping rule, the embodiment of the present application provides the following solutions:

[0176] Solution 1: The RLC channel to which the data packet is mapped can be determined according to the value of one or more fields in the data packet. For example, the host CU can instruct the host DU that when the value of one or more fields meets a specific condition, map the data packet to a specific RLC channel. By using the existing fields in the data packet, the data packet can be mapped to the appropriate RLC channel. While ensuring the QoS requirements of the data packet, no additional information interaction is required between the host CU and the host DU, which can save communication resources.

[0177] Solution 2: When a large number of data packets of different service types need to be transmitted in the IAB network, the mapping rule of the data packet may be relatively complex. Just according to the value of a certain one or more fields may not be able to flexibly meet the need to configure the mapping rules of a large number of data packets. At this time, different fields can be considered to determine the RLC channel to which different data packets are mapped. For example, the RLC channel to which data packet 1 is mapped can be determined according to field 1 and field 2 in data packet 1, and the RLC channel to which data packet 2 is mapped can be determined according to field 3 and field 4 in data packet 2. Field 1, field 2, field 3, and field 4 are different from each other.

[0178] However, in this case, after the host DU receives a data packet, it may not be able to determine which fields in the data packet are used for the mapping of the RLC channel. Therefore, in Solution 2, two mapping processes can be set. The first mapping process is to determine one or more mapping fields according to the values of one or more fields in the data packet (hereinafter, for the sake of convenience of expression, these fields are referred to as reference fields), and the second mapping process is to determine the RLC channel according to the values of one or more mapping fields.

[0179] In this way, the mapping rules of each data packet can be flexibly set to ensure that each data packet is mapped to an appropriate RLC channel, guarantee the QoS requirements, and both mapping processes utilize the existing fields in the data packet, without bringing additional information interaction between the host CU and the host DU, saving communication resources.

[0180] Next, Solution 1 and Solution 2 will be described in conjunction with specific drawings.

[0181] Solution 1

[0182] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a configuration method provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 6 shown, Figure 6 the method includes:

[0183] S601: The host CU obtains first configuration information, which indicates that when the values of one or more first fields in the data packet respectively satisfy the first value ranges of the one or more first fields, the data packet is transmitted through the first RLC channel between the host DU and the child node of the host DU. Optionally, the data packet is a downlink data packet, which may refer to any data packet that the host DU may receive, rather than a specific data packet received by the host DU. The first configuration information may not carry the identifier of the data packet. That is to say, after the host DU receives the data packet, it can determine the RLC channel for transmitting the data packet according to the first configuration information.

[0184] S602: The host CU sends the first configuration information to the host DU.

[0185] Optionally, the above first configuration information may be carried in an F1 application protocol (F1AP) message sent by the host CU to the host DU.

[0186] Optionally, after receiving the first configuration information, the host DU may save the first configuration information.

[0187] S603: The host DU receives the first data packet.

[0188] S604: The host DU determines whether the value of each of one or more first fields in the first data packet satisfies the first value range of each of the one or more first fields.

[0189] S605: When satisfied, the host DU sends the first data packet to the child node of the host DU through the first RLC channel.

[0190] For example, referring to Figure 3 , the child node of the host DU is IAB node 1.

[0191] Among them, S603 - S605 are optional.

[0192] In the Figure 6 method, each first field has a value and a first value range. When the value of each first field satisfies the first value range of the first field, the data packet is transmitted through the first RLC channel.

[0193] Optionally, the first value range of each first field may include one value, or may include multiple consecutive or discrete values.

[0194] For example, in the first configuration information, multiple first fields include field 1 and field 2. The value range of field 1 is A1 - A2, and the value range of field 2 is B1 - B2. In the first data packet received by the host DU, the value of field 1 is a, and the value of field 2 is b. When the value a falls within the value range A1 - A2 and the value b falls within the value range B1 - B2, the host DU transmits the first data packet through the first RLC channel.

[0195] Optionally, the first configuration information may include the mapping relationship between the first value range of each of the one or more first fields and the identifier of the first RLC channel. For example, the first configuration information includes the mapping relationship between the value range A1 - A2 of field 1 and the value range B1 - B2 of field 2, and the identifier of the first RLC channel.

[0196] Optionally, the first configuration information may further include the one or more first fields. That is, the first configuration information includes the one or more first fields, the first value range of each first field, and the identifier of the first RLC channel. Optionally, at this time, the first configuration information may include one or more fields, where the one or more first fields are the fields with the first value range among the one or more fields, and the fields other than the one or more first fields among the one or more fields do not have a first value range, or the first value range is empty.

[0197] Optionally, the first configuration information may not include the one or more first fields, and the host DU and the host CU may pre-configure the one or more first fields.

[0198] The pre-configuration in the embodiments of the present application can be understood as being written into the host DU and / or the host CU in a static manner. For example, the one or more first fields are written when the host DU and / or the host CU leave the factory, or the pre-configuration can be understood that the host CU can indicate the one or more first fields to the host DU through configuration information other than the first configuration information. The concept of pre-configuration will not be elaborated below.

[0199] In the first implementation manner above, the first configuration information may further indicate that when the values of one or more second fields in the data packet each satisfy the second value range of the one or more second fields, the data packet is transmitted through the second RLC channel between the host DU and the child node of the host DU.

[0200] Similarly, each second field has a value and a second value range, and the value of each second field should satisfy the second value range of the second field.

[0201] For example, in the first configuration information, the multiple second fields include field 1 and field 3. The value range of field 1 is A3 - A4, and the value range of field 3 is C1 - C2. In the first data packet received by the host DU, the value of field 1 is a, and the value of field 3 is c. When the value a falls within the value range A3 - A4 and the value c falls within the value range C1 - C2, the host DU transmits the first data packet through the second RLC channel.

[0202] Optionally, the first configuration information may include the mapping relationship between the second value ranges of the one or more second fields and the second RLC channel. For example, the first configuration information includes the mapping relationship between the value range A3 - A4 of field 1 and the value range C1 - C2 of field 3 and the identifier of the second RLC channel.

[0203] Optionally, the first configuration information may include the one or more second fields or may not include the one or more fields, and the host DU and the host CU may pre-configure the one or more fields. For details, reference may be made to the content of the one or more first fields above, which will not be elaborated here.

[0204] Table 1 is a schematic table of a first configuration information in the embodiments of the present application. It should be noted that Table 1 is only for illustration. The first configuration information may have other carrying methods, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this. In addition, all the tables appearing in the embodiments of the present application are only for illustration, and the configuration information all has other carrying methods, which will not be elaborated one by one below.

[0205] Assume that there are N fields in the data packet, as shown in the first row of Table 1, which are Field 1, Field 2, Field 3... Field N respectively, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 1. One or more of the above first fields may be some or all of the N fields. For example, Field 1 and Field 2 in Table 1. The first configuration information indicates that when the value of Field 1 in the data packet satisfies the first reference value range of Field 1 (such as A1 - A2), and the value of Field 2 in the data packet satisfies the first reference value range of Field 2 (such as B1 - B2), the data packet is transmitted through the first RLC channel. Among them, the first configuration information may include Field 1, Field 2,... to Field N, the first reference value range of Field 1, the first reference value range of Field 2, and the identifier of the first RLC channel. Among them, the reference value ranges of Field 3... Field N are NULL. In the embodiments of the present application, when the reference value range is NULL, it can be understood as the reference value range is N / A, or not applicable, etc.

[0206] One or more of the above second fields may be some or all of the N fields. For example, Field 1 and Field 3 in Table 1. The first configuration information indicates that when the value of Field 1 in the data packet satisfies the second reference value range of Field 1 (such as A3 - A4), and the value of Field 3 in the data packet satisfies the second reference value range of Field 3 (such as C1 - C2), the data packet is transmitted through the second RLC channel. Among them, the first configuration information may include Field 1, Field 2,... Field N, the second reference value range of Field 1, the second reference value range of Field 3, and the identifier of the second RLC channel. Among them, the reference value ranges of Field 2, Field 4... Field N are NULL.

[0207] By analogy, one or more of the Kth fields may be some or all of the N fields. When the respective values of one or more of the Kth fields in the data packet satisfy the respective value ranges of one or more of the Kth fields, the data packet is transmitted through the Kth RLC channel, where K is an integer greater than or equal to 1. Among them, the first configuration information may include Field 1, Field 2,... Field N, the respective value ranges of one or more of the Kth fields, and the identifier of the Kth RLC channel. Among them, the reference value ranges of the fields other than one or more of the Kth fields are NULL.

[0208] Table 1

[0209]

[0210] Optionally, a data packet can only meet the first value range of each of the one or more first fields, or the second value range of each of the one or more second fields. That is, a data packet cannot meet both the first value range of each of the one or more first fields and the second value range of each of the one or more second fields. Referring to Table 1, a data packet can only meet one row in Table 1, and cannot meet two rows, three rows, or more in Table 1.

[0211] That is to say, when the values of one or more first fields in the data packet respectively meet the first value range of each of the one or more first fields, the value of at least one second field among the one or more second fields in the data packet does not meet the second value range of the at least one second field; and when the values of the one or more second fields in the data packet respectively meet the second value range of each of the one or more second fields, the value of at least one first field among the one or more first fields in the data packet does not meet the first value range of the at least one first field.

[0212] By ensuring that a data packet can only meet one of the first value range of each of the one or more first fields and the second value range of each of the one or more second fields, it can be guaranteed that the host DU can uniquely determine that the RLC channel for transmitting the data packet is the first RLC channel or the second RLC channel, so as to map the data packet to the appropriate RLC channel for transmission. This avoids the situation where when the data packet meets both of the above conditions, the host DU cannot determine whether to transmit the data packet through the first RLC channel or the second RLC channel, resulting in the failure to select an appropriate RLC channel for transmitting the data packet finally.

[0213] The first and second in the above one or more first fields and the above one or more second fields only play a role of identification and do not play a limiting role, and the first and second can be interchanged.

[0214] Optionally, there may be overlapping (the overlap can be understood as being the same) fields in the above one or more first fields and the above one or more second fields. That is to say, the above one or more first fields can include some fields (which can be one or more fields) in the above one or more second fields. For example, the overlapping fields are called overlapping fields, and the first value range of the overlapping fields and the second value range of the overlapping fields can be the same or different.

[0215] For example, the above one or more first fields and the above one or more second fields can be partially the same.

[0216] For example, one or more of the above-mentioned first fields and one or more of the above-mentioned second fields may be exactly the same. In this case, it can be ensured that the first value range of at least one overlapping field is different from the second value range of the overlapping field, as long as the data packet does not simultaneously satisfy two rows in Table 1.

[0217] Optionally, one or more of the above-mentioned first fields and one or more of the above-mentioned second fields may not overlap (non-overlap can be understood as being different), that is, one or more of the above-mentioned first fields do not include any of the one or more of the above-mentioned second fields.

[0218] Optionally, one or more of the above-mentioned first fields and one or one of the above-mentioned second fields may be any one or more fields carried in the downlink data packet in the IAB network. For example, they may be one or more fields in the data headers of various protocol layers of the downlink data packet in the IAB network. The embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0219] Optionally, the one or more first fields may include one or more fields among the following 7 fields: source Internet Protocol (IP) address (or can be expressed as IP source address), destination IP address (or can be expressed as IP destination address), differentiated services code point (DSCP), flow label, transport layer protocol type, source transport layer port number, and destination transport layer port number. It can be understood that the one or more first fields can be any one of the above 7 fields, or any combination of any n (n is a positive integer greater than 1 and less than or equal to 7) of them.

[0220] Optionally, the flow label can be used to distinguish data packets of different RBs of each UE of an IAB node under the host DU. The DSCP can be used to distinguish data packets of different RBs of a UE of an IAB node under the host DU. The IP address can distinguish data packets of certain special types of services in the IAB network, such as data packets of the OAM service. The transport layer protocol type and the transport layer port number can distinguish data packets of certain special types of services, such as data packets of the OAM service (using the TCP protocol at the transport layer), interaction data packets related to the stream control transmission protocol (SCTP), such as handshake packets when an SCTP association is established between an IAB node and the host CU, SCTP heartbeat packets, etc. One or a combination of multiple fields can be selected according to the situation in the IAB network, so as to flexibly formulate mapping rules for the data packets that the host DU may receive, and then map the data packets to appropriate RLC channels to ensure the QoS requirements of different data packets.

[0221] For example, the one or more first fields can be an IP address (source IP address or destination IP address, the same below, not repeated one by one), or DSCP, or flow label, or transport layer protocol type, or transport layer port number, or flow label + DSCP, or IP address + flow label, or IP address + DSCP, or IP address + flow label + DSCP, or IP address + transport layer protocol type + transport layer port number. Here, the IP address includes the source IP address and / or the destination IP address, and the transport layer port number here includes the source port number and / or the destination port number. Of course, the one or more first fields can also be other combinations of the above 7 fields, which are not listed one by one here.

[0222] Optionally, the one or more second fields can include one or more fields among the 7 fields of source IP address, destination IP address, DSCP, flow label, transport layer protocol type, source transport layer port number, and destination transport layer port number. It can be understood that the one or more second fields can be any one of the above 7 fields, or any combination of n (n is a positive integer greater than 1 and less than or equal to 7) of them.

[0223] For example, the one or more second fields may be an IP address, or a DSCP, or a flow label, or a transport layer protocol type, or a transport layer port number, or a flow label + DSCP, or an IP address + flow label, or an IP address + DSCP, or an IP address + flow label + DSCP, or an IP address + transport layer protocol type + transport layer port number. Here, the IP address includes a source IP address and / or a destination IP address, and the transport layer port number here includes a source port number and / or a destination port number. Of course, the one or more second fields may also be other combinations of the above seven fields, which are not listed one by one here.

[0224] Of course, the one or more second fields are not exactly the same as the one or more first fields, that is, there is at least one different field.

[0225] For example, the one or more first fields may be an IP address, and the one or more second fields are an IP address + DSCP.

[0226] Table 2 is a schematic table of the first configuration information. The content in the first embodiment above will be described below with reference to Table 2. The first row in Table 2 represents the fields, the second to eighth rows in Table 2 represent the value ranges or values of the corresponding fields. The "IP address" in Table 2 may represent a source IP address or a destination IP address, the "transport layer port number" in Table 2 may represent a source port number or a destination port number, and "N / A" in Table 2 represents that the first configuration information does not include the value range of the field corresponding to "N / A".

[0227] As shown in Table 2, when the IP address is 120.109.1.1 - 120.109.1.10, data packets are transmitted through the RLC channel identified by #1 of the RLC channel (that is, there is a mapping relationship between the IP addresses 120.109.1.1 - 120.109.1.10 and the RLC channel identifier #1. Each row in Table 2 below is a mapping relationship and will not be described further); when the flow label is 121, data packets are transmitted through the RLC channel identified by #2 of the RLC channel; when the DSCP is 122, data packets are transmitted through the RLC channel identified by #3 of the RLC channel; when the flow label is 123 and the DSCP is 124, data packets are transmitted through the RLC channel identified by #4 of the RLC channel; when the IP address is 125.130.1.1 and the DSCP is 126, data packets are transmitted through the RLC channel identified by #5 of the RLC channel; when the IP address is 127.168.2.101 and the flow label is 128, data packets are transmitted through the RLC channel identified by #6 of the RLC channel; when the IP address is 129.113.105.0, the flow label is 130 and the DSCP is 131, data packets are transmitted through the RLC channel identified by #7 of the RLC channel; when the IP address is 225.230.12.101, the transport layer protocol type is TCP, and the transport layer port number is 68, data packets are transmitted through the RLC channel identified by #8 of the RLC channel.

[0228] Table 2

[0229]

[0230]

[0231] Optionally, the first configuration information may indicate any row in Table 2. For example, the first configuration information may indicate the first row in Table 2, that is, when the IP address is 120.109.1.1 - 120.109.1.10, data packets are transmitted through the RLC channel identified by #1 of the RLC channel. At this time, the first configuration information may include the IP address

[0232] The mapping relationship between 120.109.1.1 - 120.109.1.10 and the RLC channel identifier #1.

[0233] Optionally, the first configuration information may indicate any multiple rows in Table 2 (for example, 2 rows, 3 rows or more). For example, the first configuration information may indicate the first row and the fifth row in Table 2. That is, when the IP address is 120.109.1.1 - 120.109.1.10, data packets are transmitted through the RLC channel identified as #1, and when the IP address is 125.130.1.1 and the DSCP is 126, data packets are transmitted through the RLC channel identified as #5. At this time, the first configuration information may include the mapping relationship between the IP addresses 120.109.1.1 - 120.109.1.10 and the RLC channel identifier #1, and the mapping relationship between the IP address 125.130.1.1, the DSCP of 126, and the RLC channel identifier #5.

[0234] For example, if the IP address in the first data packet received by the host DU is 125.130.1.1 and the value of the DSCP is 126, the host DU can determine to transmit the first data packet through the RLC channel identified as #5 according to Table 2.

[0235] By Figure 6 means of the method, data packets can be mapped to appropriate RLC channels by using the existing fields in the data packets. While ensuring the QoS requirements of the data packets, no additional information interaction is required between the host CU and the host DU, which can save communication resources. In addition, the host CU can flexibly select the mapped fields for different data packets according to the characteristics of different data packets, configure flexible mapping rules, and a large number of data packets in the IAB network can be uniformly mapped using this mapping rule, improving the mapping efficiency.

[0236] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of another configuration method provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 7 shown, Figure 7 the method includes:

[0237] S701: The host CU obtains the first configuration information, and the first configuration information indicates that the output value of the first operation on the respective values of one or more first fields in the data packet is used to determine the RLC channel for transmitting the data packet between the host DU and the sub-node of the host DU.

[0238] Optionally, the data packet is a downlink data packet, which may refer to any data packet that the host DU may receive, rather than a specific data packet received by the host DU. The first configuration information may not carry the identifier of the data packet. That is, after the host DU receives the data packet, it can determine the RLC channel for transmitting the data packet according to the first configuration information.

[0239] S702: The host CU sends the first configuration information to the host DU.

[0240] Optionally, the above first configuration information may be carried in the F1AP message sent by the host CU to the host DU.

[0241] Optionally, after receiving the first configuration information, the host DU may save the first configuration information.

[0242] S703: The host DU receives the first data packet.

[0243] S704: The host DU determines the RLC channel for transmitting the first data packet between the host DU and the child node of the host DU according to the output value of the first operation based on the respective values of one or more first fields in the first data packet.

[0244] S705: Transmit the first data packet to the child node of the host DU according to the RLC channel.

[0245] For example, refer to Figure 3 , the child node of the host DU is the IAB node 1.

[0246] In Figure 7 's method, each first field has a value, and an output value can be obtained by performing the first operation on the values of each field.

[0247] The first configuration information may indicate that when the output value obtained by performing the first operation on the respective values of multiple first fields in the data packet satisfies the first value range, the data packet is transmitted through the first RLC channel.

[0248] Optionally, the first value range of the output value may include one value, or include multiple consecutive or discrete values.

[0249] Optionally, the first operation may be a hash operation, or an exclusive OR operation, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the type of the first operation, and any operation may be the first operation in the embodiments of the present application.

[0250] Optionally, the first configuration information may include the mapping relationship between the first value range and the identifier of the first RLC channel.

[0251] Optionally, the first configuration information may include the multiple first fields. That is, the first configuration information includes multiple first fields, the first value range, and the identifier of the first RLC channel.

[0252] Optionally, the first configuration information may not include multiple first fields, and the host DU and the host CU may pre-configure the one or more first fields. The concept of pre-configuration here may refer toFigure 6 the relevant content in

[0253] Optionally, the first configuration information may include a first operation; or the first configuration information may not include the first operation, and the host DU and the host CU may be pre-configured with the first operation; or the host CU may, outside the first configuration information, indicate the first operation to the host DU through other information. The concept of pre-configuration here may refer to the relevant content in Figure 6 the relevant content in

[0254] Table 3 is a schematic table of the first configuration information. The content of Figure 7 will be described below in conjunction with Table 3. The first row in Table 3 represents the field, and the second to eighth rows in Table 3 represent the value range or value of the corresponding field.

[0255] As shown in Table 3, when the output value (hereinafter, for the sake of convenience of expression, referred to as the output value) of the respective values of one or more first fields after the first operation satisfies the range O1, the data packet is transmitted through the first RLC channel (that is, there is a mapping relationship between the range O1 of the output value and the first RLC channel. Each row in Table 3 below is a mapping relationship and will not be described again); when the output value satisfies the range O2, the data packet is transmitted through the second RLC channel; when the output value satisfies the range O3, the data packet is transmitted through the third RLC channel; and so on. When the output value satisfies the range O k , the data packet is transmitted through the Kth RLC channel. Among them, K may be an integer greater than or equal to 1. For example, when K is 1, the output value corresponds to only the range O1, and when K is 2, the output value corresponds to the ranges O1 and O2. It should be noted that the range O k in Table 3 may include one value, or include multiple consecutive or discrete values.

[0256] Table 3

[0257]

[0258]

[0259] Optionally, the ranges O1, O2, O3... O k of the output values in Table 3 may cover the output values of one or more first fields of all data packets that the host DU may receive after the first operation. In this way, according to the first configuration information, the host DU can determine the RLC channel for transmitting the data packet regardless of the output value of one or more first fields of the received data packet.

[0260] Optionally, the ranges O1, O2, O3... O nThey do not overlap with each other. In this way, when the host DU receives a data packet, it can uniquely determine the RLC channel for transmitting the data packet according to the first configuration information, and thus map the data packet to the appropriate RLC channel for transmission.

[0261] Optionally, the first configuration information may indicate any row in Table 3. For example, the first configuration information may indicate the first row in Table 3. At this time, the first configuration information may include the mapping relationship between the range O1 of the output value and the first RLC channel.

[0262] Optionally, the first configuration information may indicate multiple rows (such as 2 rows, 3 rows, more or all rows) of Table 3. For example, the first configuration information may indicate the first row and the second row in Table 3. At this time, the first configuration information may include the mapping relationship between the range O1 of the output value and the first RLC channel, and the mapping relationship between the range O2 of the output value and the second RLC channel.

[0263] For example, when the output value obtained by the first operation of the value of one or more first fields in the first data packet satisfies the range O3 in Table 3, the host DU sends the first data packet to the child node of the host DU through the third RLC channel.

[0264] Optionally, one or more first fields may be any one or more fields carried in the downlink data packet in the IAB network. For example, they may be one or more fields in the data headers of various protocol layers of the downlink data packet in the IAB network. The embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0265] Optionally, the one or more first fields may include one or more fields among the seven fields of source IP address, destination IP address, DSCP, flowlabel, transport layer protocol type, source transport layer port number, and destination transport layer port number. It can be understood that the one or more first fields may be any one of the above seven fields, or any combination of any n (n is a positive integer greater than 1 and less than or equal to 7) of them.

[0266] For example, the one or more first fields may be an IP address, or DSCP, or flow label, or transport layer protocol type, or transport layer port number, or flow label + DSCP, or IP address + flow label, or IP address + DSCP, or IP address + flow label + DSCP, or IP address + transport layer protocol type + transport layer port number. Here, the IP address includes the source IP address and / or the destination IP address. Of course, the one or more first fields may also be other combinations of the above seven fields, which are not listed one by one here.

[0267] Through Figure 7The method is such that since the values of one or more fields may be relatively numerous, but the value space of the output value after the first operation on the values of one or more fields may shrink, when using the values of one or more fields to determine the RLC channel, the limited RLC channels can be utilized to meet the mapping requirements of a large number of data packets, thereby mapping the data packets to the appropriate RLC channel to ensure the QoS requirements of the data packets. And Figure 7 The method uses the existing values of one or more fields and does not require additional information interaction between the host CU and the host DU, saving communication resources.

[0268] As described above in combination with Figure 6 and Figure 7 Scheme 1 of the embodiment of the present application is introduced. In Scheme 1, the host CU directly instructs the method for determining the RLC channel of the data packet, thereby realizing mapping the data packet to the appropriate RLC channel for transmission.

[0269] Next, Scheme 2 of the embodiment of the present application is introduced. The difference between Scheme 2 and Scheme 1 is that the host CU first instructs the host DU which fields to use to determine the RLC channel to which the data packet is mapped, and then the host DU determines the RLC channel to which the data packet is mapped according to these fields. For the convenience of description below, the fields used to determine the RLC channel to which the data packet is mapped are called mapping fields, and the fields used to determine the mapping fields are called reference fields.

[0270] Solution 2

[0271] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of another configuration method provided by the embodiment of the present application, as Figure 8 shown:

[0272] S801 to S804 are the processes of the first mapping. The host CU can instruct the host DU to determine one or more mapping fields.

[0273] S801: The host CU obtains the first configuration information, and this first configuration information instructs the host DU to determine one or more mapping fields.

[0274] Here, "obtains" can be understood as generating, determining, or the host CU receiving from other network elements. For example, it can be received from the network management.

[0275] Among them, the one or more mapping fields are used to determine the RLC channel for transmitting data packets between the host DU and the sub-node of the host DU.

[0276] As the first implementation manner, the first configuration information can instruct that the values of one or more reference fields in the data packet are used to determine one or more mapping fields of the data packet.

[0277] In the first example, the first configuration information may indicate that when the values of one or more reference fields respectively satisfy the first reference value ranges of the one or more reference fields, one or more mapping fields of the data packet are one or more first fields of the data packet.

[0278] In the second example, the first configuration information indicates that the output value obtained by performing a first operation on the values of multiple reference fields in the data packet is used to determine one or more mapping fields of the data packet.

[0279] Optionally, the first configuration information may indicate that when the output value obtained by performing a first operation on the values of multiple reference fields in the data packet satisfies the first operation value range, one or more mapping fields of the data packet are one or more first fields of the data packet.

[0280] As a second implementation manner, the first configuration information may indicate that the number of RLC channels between the host DU and the child node of the host DU is used to determine one or more mapping fields of the data packet.

[0281] As a third implementation manner, the first configuration information indicates one or more mapping fields.

[0282] In the above several implementation manners, the data packet is a downlink data packet, which may refer to any data packet that the host DU may receive, rather than a specific data packet received by the host DU. The first configuration information may not carry the identifier of the data packet. That is to say, after the host DU receives the data packet, it can determine one or more mapping fields according to the first configuration information.

[0283] S802: The host CU sends the first configuration information to the host DU.

[0284] Optionally, after receiving the first configuration information, the host DU may save the first configuration information.

[0285] Optionally, the above first configuration information may be carried in the F1AP message sent by the host CU to the host DU.

[0286] S803: The host DU receives the first data packet.

[0287] S804: The host DU determines one or more mapping fields of the first data packet according to the first configuration information.

[0288] In the above first implementation manner, the host DU determines one or more mapping fields of the data packet according to the values of one or more reference fields in the first data packet.

[0289] In the first example, the host DU can determine whether the respective values of one or more reference fields each meet the first reference value range of one or more reference fields. When satisfied, one or more mapping fields of the data packet are one or more first fields of the first data packet.

[0290] In the second example, when the host DU can determine whether the output value obtained by the first operation on the respective values of multiple reference fields in the first data packet meets the first operation value range, when satisfied, one or more mapping fields of the first data packet are one or more first fields of the data packet.

[0291] In the above second embodiment, the number of RLC channels between the host DU and the child node of the host DU of the data packet is used to determine one or more mapping fields of the first data packet.

[0292] That is to say, the second configuration information instructs the host DU to determine one or more mapping fields of the first data packet according to the number of RLC channels between the host DU and the child node of the host DU.

[0293] In the above third embodiment, the host DU can obtain one or more mapping fields according to the first configuration information.

[0294] S805 to S808 are the processes of the second mapping. The host CU can instruct the host DU to determine the RLC channel according to the values of one or more mapping fields.

[0295] S805 - S808 are optional.

[0296] S805: The host CU obtains the second configuration information, and the second configuration information indicates that the values of the above one or more mapping fields are used to determine the RLC channel for transmitting the data packet between the host DU and the child node of the host DU.

[0297] Optionally, S805 can be performed simultaneously with S801, for example, carried by the same message.

[0298] As the first embodiment, the second configuration information indicates that the output value of the first operation on the respective values of one or more mapping fields in the data packet is used to determine the RLC channel for transmitting the data packet between the host DU and the child node of the host DU. One or more mapping fields here are Figure 7 one or more first fields in Figure 7 The method in can be specifically referred to and will not be elaborated here.

[0299] As a second implementation, the second configuration information indicates that when the respective values of the one or more mapping fields each satisfy the first mapping value range of each of the one or more mapping fields, the RLC channel for transmitting the data packet between the host DU and the child node of the host DU is the first RLC channel. The following introduces the second implementation.

[0300] Optionally, the second configuration information includes the mapping relationship between the first mapping value range of each of the one or more mapping fields and the identifier of the first RLC channel.

[0301] It should be noted that the first reference value range of each mapping field among the above one or more mapping fields may be different from the first reference value range of other mapping fields.

[0302] Optionally, the first reference value range of each mapping field may include one value, or include multiple consecutive or discrete values.

[0303] Table 4 is a schematic table of a second configuration information provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0304] Assume that the one or more mapping fields are M mapping fields, as shown in the first row of Table 4, that is, mapping field 1, mapping field 2, ··· mapping field M, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0305] As shown in the second row of Table 4, when the value of mapping field 1 of the data packet satisfies the first mapping value range of mapping field 1, the value of mapping field 2 satisfies the first mapping value range of mapping field 2, and the value of mapping field K satisfies the first mapping value range of mapping field K, the RLC channel for transmitting the data packet is the first RLC channel.

[0306] As shown in the third row of Table 4, when the value of mapping field 1 of the data packet satisfies the second mapping value range of mapping field 1, the value of mapping field 2 satisfies the second mapping value range of mapping field 2, and the value of mapping field K satisfies the second mapping value range of mapping field K, the RLC channel for transmitting the data packet is the second RLC channel.

[0307] And so on, the second configuration information may further indicate that when the respective values of the one or more mapping fields each satisfy the Y-th mapping value range of each of the one or more mapping fields, the RLC channel for transmitting the data packet is the Y-th RLC channel, where Y is an integer greater than or equal to 1. As shown in the fifth row of Table 4, it will not be elaborated here.

[0308] Table 4

[0309]

[0310] Optionally, all rows in Table 4 can cover all possible values of the M mapping fields in the data packet, so that after the host DU receives the data packet, regardless of the values of the M mapping fields in the data packet, it can determine the RLC channel for transmitting the data packet according to the second configuration information.

[0311] Optionally, by setting the mapping value range of each row in Table 4, the value of one or more mapping fields in the data packet can only satisfy one row of Table 4, so that after the host DU receives the data packet, it can uniquely determine the RLC channel for transmitting the data packet according to the second configuration information, and then map the data packet to the appropriate RLC channel for transmission.

[0312] For example, in S804, the host DU determines that one or more mapping fields of the data packet are the IP address, DSCP, and flow label.

[0313] At this time, the second configuration information indicates that the RLC channel for transmitting the data packet between the host DU and the child node of the host DU is determined according to the values of the IP address, DSCP, and flow label.

[0314] Table 5 is a schematic table of the second configuration information in the embodiments of the present application. As shown in Table 5, the first row in Table 5 represents the field, and the second to fifth rows in Table 5 represent the value range or value of the corresponding field.

[0315] Table 5

[0316] IP address DSCP Flow label RLC channel identifier 120.109.1.1-120.109.1.10 121 122-124 #1 120.109.1.1-120.109.1.10 122-130 125 #2 ··· ··· ··· ··· 225.230.12.0-225.230.12.101 130-150 126-121 #Y

[0317] S806: The host CU sends the second configuration information to the host DU.

[0318] Optionally, the order between S806 and S802 is not limited. S806 and S802 can occur simultaneously, for example, they can be carried in the same F1AP message, or S802 occurs first, and then S806 occurs; or S806 can occur first, and then S802 occurs.

[0319] S807: The host DU determines the RLC channel for transmitting the first data packet between the host DU and the child node of the host DU according to the second configuration information.

[0320] Optionally, S807 and S804 can occur simultaneously, or S804 occurs first, and then S807 occurs.

[0321] For example, referring to Table 5, for example, the IP address of the data packet is 120.109.1.8, the DSCP is 123, and the flow label is 125, then the host DU can determine to transmit the data packet through the RLC channel identified as #2.

[0322] S808: The host DU sends the first data packet to the child node of the host DU through this RLC channel.

[0323] For example, the host DU sends the first data packet to the child node of the host DU through the RLC channel identified as #1.

[0324] Alternatively, S805 - S808 can be replaced by the method in Figure 6 and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0325] Optionally, S805 - S808 can be executed independently and does not depend on S801 - S804, that is, S801 - S804 is optional.

[0326] Through the method of Figure 8 , the host CU can first indicate one or more mapping fields to the host DU, and the mapping fields of the data packet can be determined according to the characteristics of different data packets, so as to flexibly set the mapping rules and meet the mapping requirements of a large number of data packets in the IAB network.

[0327] Next, the first mapping process in Figures 9 to 11 will be described separately in conjunction with Figure 8 . It should be noted that the content in Figures 8 to 11 can be cross - referenced and referred to each other.

[0328] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of another configuration method provided by the embodiments of the present application, Figure 9 corresponding to the first example in the first implementation manner in Figure 8 . As shown in Figure 9 , the method of Figure 9 includes:

[0329] S901: The host CU obtains first configuration information, and the first configuration information can indicate that when the respective values of one or more reference fields in the data packet respectively meet the first reference value ranges of the one or more reference fields, the one or more mapping fields of the data packet are the one or more first fields of the data packet.

[0330] Among them, the one or more mapping fields are used to determine the RLC channel for transmitting the data packet between the host DU and the child node of the host DU.

[0331] Here, "obtains" can be understood as generating, determining, or the host CU receives from other network elements, for example, it can receive from the network management.

[0332] Optionally, the first configuration information includes a mapping relationship between the first reference value range of each of the one or more reference fields and the one or more first fields.

[0333] It should be noted that although the first reference value ranges of each of the one or more reference fields have the same name, which is the first reference value range, their values can be different.

[0334] Optionally, the first reference value range of each reference field may include one value, or may include multiple consecutive or discrete values.

[0335] Table 6 is a schematic table of a first configuration information provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0336] Assume that the one or more reference fields are K reference fields, as shown in the first row of Table 6, that is, reference field 1, reference field 2... reference field K, where K is an integer greater than or equal to 1. The second to fifth rows of Table 6 represent the value ranges, values, or mapped fields of the corresponding fields.

[0337] As shown in the second row of Table 6, when the value of reference field 1 of the data packet satisfies the first reference value range of reference field 1, the value of reference field 2 satisfies the first reference value range of reference field 2, and the value of reference field K satisfies the first reference value range of reference field K, the one or more mapped fields are the one or more first fields.

[0338] As shown in the third row of Table 6, when the value of reference field 1 of the data packet satisfies the second reference value range of reference field 1, the value of reference field 2 satisfies the second reference value range of reference field 2, and the value of reference field K satisfies the second reference value range of reference field K, the one or more mapped fields are the one or more second fields.

[0339] By analogy, the first configuration information can also indicate that when the values of the one or more reference fields respectively satisfy the Xth reference value ranges of the one or more reference fields, the one or more mapped fields of the data packet are the one or more Xth fields of the data packet, where X is an integer greater than or equal to 1. As shown in the fifth row of Table 6, it will not be elaborated here.

[0340] Table 6

[0341]

[0342] Optionally, in Table 6, the one or more mapped fields in any two rows may have overlapping fields. For example, the one or more first fields and the one or more second fields may have the same fields.

[0343] Optionally, all rows in Table 6 can cover all possible values of K reference fields in the data packet, such that after the host DU receives the data packet, regardless of the values of the K reference fields in the data packet, one or more mapping fields can be determined according to the first configuration information.

[0344] Optionally, by setting the reference value ranges of each row in Table 6, it can be ensured that the values of one or more reference fields in the data packet can only satisfy a certain row in Table 6, such that after the host DU receives the data packet, one or more mapping fields can be uniquely determined according to the first configuration information, so as to map the data packet to an appropriate RLC channel for transmission.

[0345] Optionally, the first configuration information includes the one or more reference fields.

[0346] Optionally, the one or more reference fields include any one or more of the fields in the IP header of an Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) type data packet, the fields in the IP header of an Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) type data packet, the source port number (i.e., the source port number of the transport layer, or the source transport layer port number), and the destination port number (i.e., the destination port number of the transport layer, or the destination transport layer port number).

[0347] Among them, any field in the IP header of an IPv4 type data packet may include one or more of the following: version, header length, type of service, DSCP, total length, identification, flags, fragment offset, time to live, protocol (i.e., the transport layer protocol type), header checksum, source IP address, destination IP address. Since some bits (e.g., 6 bits) in the type of service field are the DSCP field, optionally, the reference field included in the first configuration information may include either the DSCP field or the type of service field.

[0348] Any field in the IP header of an IPv6 type data packet may include one or more of the following: version, traffic class, DSCP, flow label, payload length, next header (i.e., the transport layer protocol type), hop limit, source IP address, destination IP address. Since some bits (e.g., 6 bits) in the traffic class field are the DSCP field, optionally, the reference field included in the first configuration information may include either the DSCP field or the traffic class field.

[0349] Optionally, one or more mapping fields may be any one or more fields carried in the downlink data packet in the IAB network. For example, they may be one or more fields in the data headers of various protocol layers of the downlink data packet in the IAB network. The embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0350] Optionally, the one or more mapping fields include one or more of a flow label field, a DSCP field, an IP source address field, an IP destination address field, a transport layer protocol type field, a source transport layer port number, and a destination transport layer port number. Specifically, reference may be made to Figure 7 the relevant content therein, which will not be elaborated here.

[0351] Table 7 is a schematic table of a first configuration information provided by an embodiment of the present application. Table 7 can be understood as an example of Table 6.

[0352] The first row in Table 7 represents the DSCP field, and the second to eighth rows in Table 7 represent the value range of the DSCP field and one or more mapping fields. In Table 7, the DSCP is used as an example of one or more first fields for introduction. Those skilled in the art can understand that the DSCP in Table 7 can be replaced by any field in the IP header of the above-mentioned IPv4 type data packet, any field in the IP header of the IPv6 type data packet, one or more fields among the source port number and the destination port number. When replaced by multiple fields, each row in Table 7 represents what the one or more mapping fields are when the values of the multiple fields are respectively satisfied.

[0353] As shown in Table 7, when the value of the DSCP in the data packet satisfies the range D1, the one or more mapping fields are IP and flow label; when the value of the DSCP in the data packet satisfies the range D2, the one or more mapping fields are flow label; when the output value satisfies the range D3, the one or more mapping fields are DSCP; when the output value satisfies the range D4, the one or more mapping fields are IP address; when the output value satisfies the range D5, the one or more mapping fields are IP address and DSCP; when the output value satisfies the range D6, the one or more mapping fields are IP address, DSCP, and flow label; when the output value satisfies the range D7, the one or more mapping fields are flow label and DSCP; when the output value satisfies the range D8, the one or more mapping fields are IP address, transport layer protocol type, and transport layer port number; and so on. Here, the IP address may be the source IP address and / or the destination IP address; the transport layer port number may be the source transport layer port number and / or the destination transport layer port number.

[0354] Table 7

[0355]

[0356]

[0357] Optionally, the first configuration information may indicate each row in Table 7. For example, it may include the mapping relationship between the range of DSCP for each row and one or more mapping fields.

[0358] S902: The host CU sends the first configuration information to the host DU.

[0359] S903: The host DU receives the first data packet.

[0360] S904: The host DU determines whether the values of one or more reference fields of the first data packet respectively satisfy the first reference value range of one or more reference fields.

[0361] Referring to Table 6, the host DU can determine whether the values of one or more reference fields of the first data packet respectively satisfy the value range of one or more reference fields in a certain row in Table 6. If satisfied, the one or more mapping fields of the first data packet are the one or more mapping fields corresponding to that row.

[0362] For example, referring to Table 7, if the value of DSCP of the first data packet satisfies the range D6, the one or more mapping fields of the first data packet are IP address + DSCP + flow label.

[0363] S905: When satisfied, the host DU determines that the one or more mapping fields of the first data packet are the one or more first fields of the data packet.

[0364] Optionally, Figure 9 the method may further include Figure 8 S805 - S808 in Figure 8 , and for details, reference can be made to

[0365] , which will not be elaborated here. Figure 9 Through the method of

[0366] Figure 10 , by using the comparison between the values of one or more existing reference fields and the value range of one or more reference fields, one or more mapping fields can be determined, which is simple, efficient, does not bring additional information interaction between the host CU and the host DU, and can save communication resources. Figure 10 corresponds to Figure 8 the second example in the first implementation manner in Figure 10 As shown in Figure 10 the method of

[0367] S1001: The host CU obtains first configuration information, where the first configuration information indicates that the output value obtained by performing a first operation on the respective values of multiple reference fields in a data packet is used to determine one or more mapping fields of the data packet.

[0368] Each reference field has a value, and an output value can be obtained by performing a first operation on the values of each reference field.

[0369] Optionally, the first configuration information may indicate the mapping relationship between the output value and one or more mapping fields.

[0370] Optionally, the first configuration information may indicate that when the output value obtained by performing a first operation on the respective values of multiple reference fields in a data packet satisfies a first value range, one or more mapping fields of the data packet are one or more first fields.

[0371] Optionally, the first operation may be a hash operation, an exclusive OR operation, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the type of the first operation, and any operation can be the first operation in the embodiments of the present application.

[0372] Optionally, the first value range of the output value may include one value, or may include multiple consecutive or discrete values.

[0373] Optionally, the first configuration information may include the mapping relationship between the first value range of the output value and one or more first fields.

[0374] Optionally, the first configuration information may include the multiple reference fields. That is, the first configuration information includes multiple reference fields, a first value range, and one or more first fields.

[0375] Optionally, the first configuration information may not include multiple reference fields, and the host DU and the host CU may pre-configure the multiple reference fields.

[0376] Optionally, the first configuration information may include the first operation; or the first configuration information may not include the first operation, and the host DU and the host CU may pre-configure the first operation.

[0377] The pre-configuration may refer to Figure 6 the relevant content therein, which will not be elaborated here.

[0378] Optionally, the first configuration information may further indicate that when the output value obtained by performing a first operation on the respective values of multiple reference fields in a data packet satisfies a second value range, one or more mapping fields of the data packet are one or more second fields.

[0379] Table 8 is a schematic table of the first configuration information, which will be described below in conjunction with Table 8. The first row in Table 8 represents the field, and the second to sixth rows in Table 3 represent the value range or value of the corresponding field.

[0380] As shown in Table 8, when the output value (hereinafter, for convenience of description, referred to as the output value) after the values of one or more first fields are respectively subjected to the first operation satisfies the range O1, one or more mapping fields are one or more first fields (that is, there is a mapping relationship between the range O1 of the output value and one or more first fields. Each row in Table 8 below is a mapping relationship and will not be described again); when the output value satisfies the range O2, one or more mapping fields are one or more second fields; when the output value satisfies the range O3, one or more mapping fields are one or more third fields; and so on. When the output value satisfies the range O z Z, one or more mapping fields are one or more Zth fields. Wherein, Z can be an integer greater than or equal to 1. For example, when Z is 1, the output value corresponds to only the range O1, and when Z is 2, the output value corresponds to the ranges O1 and O2.

[0381] Table 8

[0382] Output value One or more mapping fields <![CDATA[Range O1]]> One or more first fields <![CDATA[Range O2]]> One or more second fields <![CDATA[Range O3]]> One or more third fields ... ... <![CDATA[Range O z > One or more Z fields

[0383] Optionally, the ranges O1, O2, O3... O z of the output value in Table 8 may cover the output values after the first operation of one or more reference fields of all data packets that the host DU may receive. In this way, according to the first configuration information, regardless of the output value after the first operation of one or more reference fields of the received data packet, the host DU can determine to transmit one or more mapping fields.

[0384] Optionally, the ranges O1, O2, O3... O z in Table 8 do not overlap with each other. In this way, when the host DU receives a data packet, it can uniquely determine one or more mapping fields according to the first configuration information, and thus map the data packet to an appropriate RLC channel for transmission according to one or more mapping fields.

[0385] Optionally, the first configuration information may indicate any row in Table 8. For example, the first configuration information may indicate the first row in Table 8. In this case, the first configuration information may include the mapping relationship between the range O1 of the output value and one or more first fields.

[0386] Optionally, the first configuration information may indicate multiple rows (e.g., 2 rows, 3 rows, more or all rows) of Table 8. For example, the first configuration information may indicate the first row and the second row in Table 8. At this time, the first configuration information may include the mapping relationship between the range O1 of output values and one or more first fields, and the mapping relationship between the range O2 of output values and one or more second fields.

[0387] Optionally, it is only necessary that the one or more first fields and the one or more second fields are not exactly the same, that is, there is at least one first field that is different from all of the one or more second fields. The one or more first fields and the one or more second fields may have overlapping fields.

[0388] Optionally, the one or more reference fields include one or more of any fields in the IP header of an IPv4-type packet, any fields in the IP header of an IPv6-type packet, a source port number (i.e., the source port number of the transport layer, or the source transport layer port number), and a destination port number (i.e., the destination port number of the transport layer, or the destination transport layer port number). Among them, the IP header fields of the IPv4-type packet and the IP header fields of the IPv4-type packet can refer to Figure 9 the relevant content in, which will not be elaborated here.

[0389] Optionally, the one or more mapping fields may be any one or more fields carried in the downlink packet in the IAB network. For example, they may be one or more fields in the data headers of various protocol layers of the downlink packet in the IAB network. The embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0390] Optionally, the one or more mapping fields may include one or more of the 7 fields: source IP address, destination IP address, DSCP, flowlabel, transport layer protocol type, source transport layer port number, and destination transport layer port number. It can be understood that the one or more first fields may be any one of the above 7 fields, or any combination of any n (n is a positive integer greater than 1 and less than or equal to 7) of them.

[0391] For example, the one or more mapping fields may be an IP address, or a DSCP, or a flow label, or a transport layer protocol type, or a transport layer port number, or a flow label + DSCP, or an IP address + flow label, or an IP address + DSCP, or an IP address + flow label + DSCP, or an IP address + transport layer protocol type + transport layer port number. Here, the IP address includes a source IP address and / or a destination IP address, and the transport layer port number includes a source transport layer port number and / or a destination transport layer port number. Of course, the one or more mapping fields may also be other combinations of the above seven fields, which are not listed one by one here.

[0392] Table 9 is another schematic table of a first configuration information provided by an embodiment of the present application. The first row in Table 9 represents a field, and the second to eighth rows in Table 9 represent the value range or value of the corresponding field. Table 9 can be understood as an example of Table 8.

[0393] As shown in Table 9, when the output value (hereinafter referred to as the output value for convenience of description) after the respective values of one or more first fields are subjected to a first operation satisfies the range O1, the one or more mapping fields are an IP address and a flow label (that is, there is a mapping relationship between the range O1 of the output value and the one or more first fields. Each row in Table 9 below is a mapping relationship and will not be described again); when the output value satisfies the range O2, the one or more mapping fields are a Flow label; when the output value satisfies the range O3, the one or more mapping fields are a DSCP... when the output value satisfies the range O8, the one or more mapping fields are an IP address + transport layer protocol type and a transport layer port number.

[0394] Table 9

[0395]

[0396]

[0397] S1002: The host CU sends the first configuration information to the host DU.

[0398] S1003: The host DU receives the first data packet.

[0399] S1004: The host DU determines one or more mapping fields of the first data packet according to the output value obtained by performing a first operation on the respective values of multiple reference fields in the first data packet.

[0400] For example, referring to Table 8, when the output value obtained by performing a first operation on the respective values of multiple reference fields of the first data packet satisfies the range O1, the one or more mapping fields are the one or more first fields.

[0401] For example, referring to Table 9, when the output values obtained by performing a first operation on the respective values of multiple reference fields of the first data packet satisfy the range O1, one or more mapping fields are IP address + flow label.

[0402] Optionally, Figure 10 the method may further include Figure 8 S805 - S808 in Figure 8 , for details, reference can be made to

[0403] and details are not elaborated herein. Figure 10 Through the method of

[0404] Figure 11 , by comparing the output value obtained by operating on the value of one or more existing reference fields with an output value range, one or more mapping fields can be determined, which is simple, efficient, and does not bring additional information interaction between the host CU and the host DU, thus saving communication resources. Figure 11 corresponding to Figure 8 the second implementation manner in Figure 11 . As shown in Figure 11 , the method of

[0405] S1101: The host CU obtains first configuration information, which indicates the number of RLC channels between the host DU and the sub - nodes of the host DU for determining one or more mapping fields of the data packet.

[0406] The first configuration information may indicate the mapping relationship between the number of RLC channels between the host DU and the sub - nodes of the host DU of the data packet and one or more mapping fields.

[0407] Optionally, the first configuration information may indicate that when the number of RLC channels between the host DU and the sub - nodes of the host DU of the data packet satisfies a first value range, one or more mapping fields of the data packet are one or more first fields.

[0408] Optionally, the first value range may include one value, or multiple consecutive or discrete values.

[0409] Optionally, the first configuration information may include the mapping relationship between the first value range and one or more first fields.

[0410] Table 10 is a schematic table of the first configuration information, which is described below with reference to Table 10. The first row in Table 10 represents the content of each column (the range of the number of RLC channels and one or more mapping fields), and the second to sixth rows in Table 10 represent the value ranges of the content in the first row.

[0411] As shown in Table 10, when the number of RLC channels between the host DU and the child nodes of the host DU (hereinafter referred to as the number of RLC channels for convenience of description) satisfies the range O1, one or more mapping fields are one or more first fields (i.e., there is a mapping relationship between the range O1 of the number of RLC channels and one or more first fields. Each row in Table 10 below is a mapping relationship and will not be described further); when the number of RLC channels satisfies the range O2, one or more mapping fields are one or more second fields; when the number of RLC channels satisfies the range O3, one or more mapping fields are one or more third fields; and so on. When the number of RLC channels satisfies the range O z Z, one or more mapping fields are one or more Z-th fields. Where Z can be an integer greater than or equal to 1. For example, when Z is 1, the output value corresponds to only the range O1, and when Z is 2, the output value corresponds to the ranges O1 and O2.

[0412] Table 10

[0413]

[0414] Optionally, the ranges O1, O2, O3,..., O of the output values in Table 10 z can cover all possible numbers of RLC channels. In this way, the host DU can determine to transmit one or more mapping fields regardless of the number of RLC channels according to the first configuration information.

[0415] Optionally, the ranges O1, O2, O3,..., O in Table 10 z do not overlap with each other. In this way, when the host DU receives a data packet, it can uniquely determine one or more mapping fields according to the first configuration information, and then map the data packet to the appropriate RLC channel for transmission according to one or more mapping fields.

[0416] Optionally, the first configuration information can indicate any row in Table 10. For example, the first configuration information can indicate the first row in Table 10. In this case, the first configuration information can include the mapping relationship between the range O1 of the number of RLC channels and one or more first fields.

[0417] Optionally, the first configuration information can indicate multiple rows (such as 2 rows, 3 rows, more or all rows) of Table 10. For example, the first configuration information can indicate the first row and the second row in Table 10. In this case, the first configuration information can include the mapping relationship between the range O1 of the number of RLC channels and one or more first fields, and the mapping relationship between the range O2 of the number of RLC channels and one or more second fields.

[0418] Optionally, it is only necessary that one or more of the above first fields and one or more of the second fields are not exactly the same, that is, there is at least one first field that is different from all of the one or more second fields. One or more of the first fields and one or more of the second fields may have overlapping fields.

[0419] Optionally, one or more mapping fields may be any one or more fields carried in the downlink data packet in the IAB network. For example, they may be one or more fields in the data headers of various protocol layers of the downlink data packet in the IAB network. The embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0420] Optionally, the one or more mapping fields may include one or more of the following 7 fields: source IP address, destination IP address, DSCP, flowlabel, transport layer protocol type, source transport layer port number, and destination transport layer port number. It can be understood that one or more of the first fields may be any one of the above 7 fields, or any combination of any n (n is a positive integer greater than 1 and less than or equal to 7) of them.

[0421] For example, the one or more mapping fields may be an IP address, or DSCP, or flow label, or transport layer protocol type, or transport layer port number, or flow label + DSCP, or IP address + flow label, or IP address + DSCP, or IP address + flow label + DSCP, or IP address + transport layer protocol type + transport layer port number. Here, the IP address includes the source IP address and / or the destination IP address. Of course, the one or more mapping fields may also be other combinations of the above 7 fields, which are not listed one by one here.

[0422] S1102: The host CU sends the first configuration information to the host DU.

[0423] S1103: The host DU receives the first data packet.

[0424] S1104: The host DU determines one or more mapping fields of the first data packet.

[0425] For example, referring to Table 10 above, when the number of RLC channels satisfies the range O1, one or more mapping fields of the first data packet are one or more first fields.

[0426] Optionally, Figure 11 It may also include S805 - S808, and specific reference may be made to Figure 8 for the description, which will not be elaborated here.

[0427] Through Figure 11The method can flexibly determine the RLC channel to which a data packet is mapped according to the number of RLC channels between the host DU and the child nodes of the host DU. For example, when the number of RLC channels is relatively large, it indicates that the resources of the RLC channels are relatively sufficient, and the data packet can be mapped to an exclusive RLC channel according to the flow label field in the data packet, such as a one-to-one mapping method; when the number of RLC channels is relatively small, it indicates that the resources of the RLC channels are relatively scarce, and the data packet can be mapped to a shared RLC channel according to the DSCP field in the data packet, such as a many-to-one mapping method, so as to ensure that each data packet is mapped to a suitable RLC channel for transmission. Moreover, using the number of RLC channels between the host DU and the child nodes of the host DU to determine the RLC channel to which the data packet is mapped will not bring additional information interaction between the host CU and the host DU, saving communication resources.

[0428] Figure 12A is a schematic diagram of another configuration method provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 12A Corresponding to Figure 8 the third implementation manner in Figure 12A As shown in Figure 12A the method of

[0429] S1201: The host CU obtains first configuration information, and the first configuration information indicates one or more mapping fields of the data packet.

[0430] Optionally, the first configuration information may carry an identifier of the data packet. At this time, the first configuration information may include one or more mapping fields respectively corresponding to multiple data packets. For example, the multiple data packets are data packets that the host DU will receive in the next period of time.

[0431] Optionally, the first configuration information may not carry an identifier of the data packet. For example, before the host CU sends one or more data packets to the host DU, the host CU sends the first configuration information to the host DU, indicating one or more mapping fields respectively corresponding to one or more data packets to be sent in the next period of time.

[0432] Optionally, the one or more mapping fields may include one or more fields among the 7 fields of source IP address, destination IP address, DSCP, flowlabel, transport layer protocol type, source transport layer port number, and destination transport layer port number. It can be understood that the one or more mapping fields may be any one of the above 7 fields, or any combination of any n (n is a positive integer greater than 1 and less than or equal to 7) of them.

[0433] For example, the one or more mapping fields may be an IP address, or a DSCP, or a flow label, or a transport layer protocol type, or a transport layer port number, or a flow label + DSCP, or an IP address + flow label, or an IP address + DSCP, or an IP address + flow label + DSCP, or an IP address + transport layer protocol type + transport layer port number. Here, the IP address includes the source IP address and / or the destination IP address. Of course, the one or more mapping fields may also be other combinations of the above 7 fields, which are not listed one by one here.

[0434] S1202: The host CU sends the first configuration information to the host DU.

[0435] S1203: The host DU receives the first data packet.

[0436] S1204: The host DU determines one or more mapping fields of the first data packet.

[0437] The host DU can determine one or more mapping fields by reading the first configuration information.

[0438] Optionally, Figure 12A It may also include S805 - S808, and for details, reference can be made to Figure 8 the description, which will not be elaborated here.

[0439] Through Figure 11 the method, the host CU can directly indicate one or more mapping fields of the data packet to the host DU, which is simple and direct, without operations such as comparison and calculation by the host DU, ensuring that each data packet is mapped to an appropriate RLC channel for transmission and guaranteeing the QoS requirements.

[0440] In the above Solution 1 and Solution 2, the data packets received by the host DU may be received from the host CU or other network devices (such as an OAM server or a network management station, etc.). When the host CU generates a data packet, it is necessary to set one or more values for the one or more mapping fields in the data packet, so that the host DU can determine which RLC channel to map the data packet according to the values of the one or more mapping fields in the data packet, and Figures 6 to 12A the first configuration information and / or the second configuration information in

[0441] Figure 12B is a schematic diagram of the structure of the IAB donor provided in the embodiment of the present application, as shown in Figure 12BAs shown, the IAB donor (i.e., the host base station, or IAB host, or host node) may include a CU of the IAB donor and one or more DUs of the IAB donor, such as IAB donor DU 1 and IAB donor DU 2. The CU of the IAB donor consists of the user plane (UP) of the IAB donor CU and the control plane (CP) of the IAB donor CU. Among them, the interface between the UP of the IAB donor CU (which can be abbreviated as IAB donor CU-UP) and the IAB donor DU (such as IAB donor DU 1 and IAB donor DU 2) is the F1-U interface, and the interface between the CP of the IAB donor CU and the IAB donor DU (such as IAB donor DU 1 and IAB donor DU 2) is the F1-C interface.

[0442] The UP of the IAB donor CU can generate data packets and set the values of one or more mapping fields for the data packets. However, the UP of the IAB donor CU may not be able to determine how to set the values of one or more mapping fields for the data packets. Accordingly, an embodiment of the present application provides a method, which includes:

[0443] M1: The CP of the IAB donor CU sends configuration information to the UP of the IAB donor CU.

[0444] The configuration information includes the correspondence between the bearer information and one or more mapping fields.

[0445] Optionally, the bearer information may be information for identifying a bearer, which may be a GTP TEID, or a GTP, a TEID, and a target IP address; alternatively, the bearer information may include an identifier of the UE and an identifier of the UE's data radio bearer (DRB). The GTP TEID refers to the tunnel endpoint identifier (TEID) of a general packet radio service tunneling protocol (GTP) tunnel. The GTP tunnel is a user plane tunnel of the F1 interface between the IAB donor CU-UP and the IAB node accessed by the UE, and corresponds to the UE's DRB one by one. In this application, the GTP TEID may be a downlink GTP TEID (i.e., the TEID allocated by the IAB node), or an uplink GTP TEID (i.e., the TEID allocated by the IAB donor CU-UP), and the target IP address is the IP address of the IAB node.

[0446] Optionally, when the data packets under the IAB donor CU can distinguish the UE's DRB through the GTP TEID field, the bearer information may only include the GTP TEID. When the data packets under the IAB donor CU cannot distinguish the UE's DRB only through the GTP TEID field, the bearer information may further include the target IP address.

[0447] Optionally, the one or more mapping fields may refer to Figures 6 to 12A the content in, for example, the one or more mapping fields may be one or more of DSCP and flow label.

[0448] For example, Table 11 is a schematic table of configuration information, which may indicate that when the IP address is the first IP address and the GTP TEID is the first GTP TEID, the value of the DSCP of the data packet is the first DSCP, and the value of the flow label field of the data packet is the first flow label.

[0449] Table 11

[0450] IP address GTP TEID DSCP flow label First IP address First GTP TEID First DSCP First flow label ... ... ... ...

[0451] Optionally, both the CP of the IAB donor CU and the UP of the IAB donor CU store the bearer information.

[0452] M2: The UP of the IAB donor CU determines the values of one or more mapping fields of the data packet according to the configuration information.

[0453] Optionally, the UP of the IAB donor CU may store bearer information. After receiving the configuration information, the UP of the IAB donor CU may determine the value of one or more mapping fields of the data packet in combination with the bearer information stored by the IAB donor CU-UP, thereby generating the data packet.

[0454] For example, the IAB donor CU-UP receives a first data packet, which is a user-plane downlink data packet of the UE and needs to be sent to the UE through the IAB donor DU and the IAB node. The IAB donor CU-UP first determines the bearer information of the first data packet. For example, when the IAB donor CU-UP receives the first data packet, the first data packet is encapsulated with information related to the QoS flow. According to the pre-configured mapping relationship between the QoS flow and the UE DRB, it can be determined which UE DRB the data packet belongs to, and then the bearer information can be determined. Then, according to the correspondence between the bearer information and the mapping fields in the configuration information, the value of one or more mapping fields is determined, and the first data packet can be encapsulated to obtain the data packet to be sent. The determined value of one or more mapping fields is carried in the newly encapsulated header.

[0455] M3: The UP of the IAB donor CU sends a data packet to the IAB donor DU.

[0456] Through this method, the IAB-donor-CU-UP can add appropriate DSCP and / or flow label values to the data packet, so that the IAB-donor-DU can perform bearer mapping on the data packet according to the pre-configured mapping rules.

[0457] As described above in combination with Figures 6 to 12B Scenarios 1 and 2 in the embodiments of the present application are introduced. It should be noted that Scenarios 1 and 2 are introduced by taking the following behavior as an example, and the content of Scenarios 1 and 2 is equally applicable to the uplink. At this time Figures 6 to 12B the host DU in Figure 3 can be replaced with an access IAB node (such as Figures 6 to 12B the IAB node 2 in Figures 6 to 12B the RLC channel between the host DU and the host DU sub-node in Figures 6 to 12BThe configuration information and the determination process involved in the RLC channel for the host DU to determine the data packets transmitted between the host DU and the child nodes are the same.

[0458] Figure 13 FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a network device provided by an embodiment of the present application. For example, it can be a schematic structural diagram of a base station. Exemplarily, it can be a schematic structural diagram of a host base station. When the base station 110 is a host base station, the DU included therein may refer to a host DU, and the CU included therein may refer to a host CU. As Figure 13 shown, the base station can be applied to a system as Figures 1 to 3 shown, and perform the functions of the host base station in the above method embodiments. The base station 110 may include one or more DUs 1101 and one or more CUs 1102. The DU 1101 may include at least one antenna 11011, at least one radio frequency unit 11012, at least one processor 11013, and at least one memory 11014. The DU 1101 part is mainly used for the transceiver of radio frequency signals, the conversion between radio frequency signals and baseband signals, and partial baseband processing. The CU 1102 may include at least one processor 11022 and at least one memory 11021. Communication can be carried out between the CU 1102 and the DU 1101 through an interface. Among them, the control plane (Control plan) interface may be Fs-C, such as F1-C, and the user plane (User Plan) interface may be Fs-U, such as F1-U.

[0459] The CU 1102 part is mainly used for baseband processing and controlling the base station, etc. The DU 1101 and the CU 1102 may be physically set together or physically separated, that is, a distributed base station. The CU 1102 is the control center of the base station and can also be called a processing unit, mainly used to complete the baseband processing function. For example, the CU 1102 can be used to control the base station to execute the operation process of the network device in the above method embodiments.

[0460] Optionally, the baseband processing on the CU and DU can be divided according to the protocol layers of the wireless network. For example, the functions of the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer and above protocol layers are set on the CU, and the protocol layers below PDCP, such as the radio link control (RLC) layer and the media access control (MAC) layer, etc., are set on the DU. Another example is that the CU implements the functions of radio resource control (RRC) and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, and the DU implements the functions of radio link control (RLC), media access control (MAC), and physical (PHY) layer.

[0461] In addition, optionally, the host base station 110 may include one or more radio frequency units (RUs), one or more DUs, and one or more CUs. Among them, the DU may include at least one processor 11013 and at least one memory 11014, the RU may include at least one antenna 11011 and at least one radio frequency unit 11012, and the CU may include at least one processor 11022 and at least one memory 11021.

[0462] In one instance, the CU 1102 may be composed of one or more single boards. The multiple single boards may jointly support a wireless access network with a single access indication (such as a 5G network), or may separately support wireless access networks with different access systems (such as an LTE network, a 5G network, or other networks). The memory 11021 and the processor 11022 may serve one or more single boards. That is to say, the memory and the 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 provided on each single board. The DU 1101 may be composed of one or more single boards. The multiple single boards may jointly support a wireless access network with a single access indication (such as a 5G network), or may separately support wireless access networks with different access systems (such as an LTE network, a 5G network, or other networks). The memory 11014 and the processor 11013 may serve one or more single boards. That is to say, the memory and the 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 provided on each single board.

[0463] Optionally, the processor 11022 of CU1102 may execute the program or instruction in the memory 11021, so as to execute Figures 6 to 12B the functions of the host CU therein.

[0464] Optionally, the processor 11013 of DU1101 may execute the program or instruction in the memory 11014, so as to execute Figures 6 to 12B the functions of the host DU therein.

[0465] Optionally, the processor 11022 of CU1102 may obtain Figures 6 to 12B the first configuration information and / or the second configuration information in Figures 6 to 12B The memory 11021 of CU1102 may store the first configuration information and / or the second configuration information in Figures 6 to 12B CU1102 may send the configuration information to DU1101 through the interface between CU1102 and DU1101, and the configuration information may be

[0466] the first configuration information and / or the second configuration information in

[0467] Optionally, DU1101 may receive data packets from CU1102 through the interface between CU1102 and DU1101, or receive data packets from other network devices through the network interface, for example, receive data packets from the OAM server through the network interface.

[0467] Optionally, the processor 11013 of DU1101 may perform corresponding operations according to Figures 6 to 12B the first configuration information and / or the second configuration information in

[0468] Optionally, the processor 11013 of DU1101 may use the antenna 11011 to send data packets to the sub-node of the DU, such as the IAB node 1, through the first RLC channel, such as the operations of S605, S705, and S808.

[0469] Figure 14 FIG. 31 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 1400 provided by an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1400 may execute the method described in the foregoing method embodiment, and reference may be made to the description of the foregoing method embodiment. The communication device 1400 may be used in a communication device, a circuit, a hardware component, or a chip. For example, the communication device 1400 may be a host CU, a chip in the host CU, a host DU, a chip in the host DU, an access IAB node, or a chip in the access IAB node.

[0470] As Figure 14As described above, the communication device 1400 includes a processing unit 1401 and a communication unit 1402. Optionally, the communication device 1400 further includes a storage unit 1403.

[0471] The processing unit 1401 can be a device with processing functions and may include one or more processors. The processor can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, etc. The processor can be a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control a device (such as a base station, a terminal, or a chip, etc.), execute software programs, and process data of software programs.

[0472] The communication unit 1402 can be a device with signal input (reception) or output (transmission), and is used for signal transmission with other network devices or other components in the device.

[0473] The storage unit 1403 can be a device with storage functions and may include one or more memories.

[0474] Optionally, the processing unit 1401, the communication unit 1402, and the storage unit 1403 are connected through a communication bus.

[0475] Optionally, the storage unit 1403 can exist independently and is connected to the processing unit 1401 through a communication bus. The storage unit 1403 can also be integrated with the processing unit 1401.

[0476] The communication device 1400 can be the host DU in the embodiments of the present application. The schematic diagram of the host DU can be as Figure 13 shown by DU1101. Optionally, the communication unit 1402 of the device 1400 can include an interface between DU1101 and CU1102. Optionally, the communication unit 1402 can further include the radio frequency unit 11012 and the antenna 11011 of DU1101.

[0477] The communication device 1400 can be a chip in the host DU in the embodiments of the present application. The communication unit 1402 can be an input or output interface, a pin, or a circuit, etc. The storage unit 1403 can be a register, a cache, or a RAM, etc. The storage unit 1403 can be integrated with the processing unit 1401; the storage unit 1403 can be a ROM or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, and the storage unit 1403 can be independent of the processing unit 1401. Optionally, with the development of wireless communication technology, the radio frequency unit can be integrated on the communication device 1400. For example, the communication unit 1402 integrates Figure 13 the radio frequency unit 11012 shown.

[0478] When the communication device 800 is the host DU or a chip in the host DU, the processing unit 1401 can implement the methods executed by the host DU in the above embodiments.

[0479] In a possible design, the processing unit 1401 may include instructions that can be run on the processor, enabling the communication device 1400 to execute the methods of the terminal in the above embodiments.

[0480] In yet another possible design, instructions are stored in the storage unit 1403 and can be run on the processing unit 1401, enabling the communication device 1400 to execute the methods of the terminal in the above embodiments. Optionally, data may also be stored in the storage unit 1403. Optionally, instructions and / or data may also be stored in the processing unit 1401.

[0481] For example, the communication unit 1402 can receive Figures 6 to 12B the configuration information from the host CU, the communication unit 1402 can receive data packets from the host CU or other network devices, and the processing unit 1401 can determine the RLC channel of the data packet or determine the mapping field. For details, reference can be made to Figures 6 to 12B the relevant content of the host DU therein, which will not be elaborated here.

[0482] The communication device 1400 can be the host CU in the embodiments of the present application. The schematic diagram of the host CU can be as shown by Figure 13 CU1102 therein. Optionally, the communication unit 1402 of the device 1400 may include the interface between DU1101 and CU1102. Optionally, the communication unit 1402 may further include the interface between the host CU and other network devices.

[0483] The communication device 1400 can be a chip in the host CU in the embodiments of the present application. The communication unit 1402 can be an input or output interface, a pin, or a circuit, etc. The storage unit 1403 can be a register, a cache, or a RAM, etc., and the storage unit 1403 can be integrated with the processing unit 1401; the storage unit 1403 can be a ROM or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, and the storage unit 1403 can be independent of the processing unit 1401.

[0484] When the communication device 1400 is the host CU or a chip in the host CU, the processing unit 1401 can implement the methods executed by the host CU in the above embodiments.

[0485] In a possible design, the processing unit 1401 may include instructions that can be run on the processor, enabling the communication device 1400 to execute the methods of the host CU in the above embodiments.

[0486] In yet another possible design, instructions are stored in the storage unit 1403, and the instructions can be run on the processing unit 1401, so that the communication device 1400 executes the method of the access network device in the above embodiments. Optionally, data may also be stored in the storage unit 1403. Optionally, instructions and / or data may also be stored in the processing unit 1401.

[0487] For example, the processing unit 1401 may obtain Figures 6 to 12B the configuration information therein, and the communication unit 1402 may send the configuration information to the host DU. Specifically, reference may be made to Figures 6 to 12B the relevant content of the host CU therein, which will not be elaborated herein.

[0488] The communication device 1400 may be an IAB node in the embodiments of the present application, such as an access IAB node or a sub-node of the host DU. Optionally, the communication unit 1402 of the device 1400 may include a transceiver and an antenna of the access IAB node. Optionally, the communication unit 1402 may further include an interface between the access IAB node and other network devices, such as an F1 interface with the host CU.

[0489] The communication device 1400 may be a chip in the host IAB node in the embodiments of the present application. The communication unit 1402 may be an input or output interface, a pin, or a circuit, etc. The storage unit 1403 may be a register, a cache, or a RAM, etc., and the storage unit 1403 may be integrated with the processing unit 1401; the storage unit 1403 may be a ROM or other type of static storage device that can store static information and instructions, and the storage unit 1403 may be independent of the processing unit 1401.

[0490] When the communication device 1400 is a sub-node of the host DU or a chip in the sub-node of the host DU, the processing unit 1401 may complete the method executed by the sub-node of the host DU in the above embodiments.

[0491] In one possible design, the processing unit 1401 may include instructions that can be run on the processor, so that the communication device 1400 executes the method of the sub-node of the host DU in the above embodiments.

[0492] In yet another possible design, instructions are stored in the storage unit 1403, and the instructions can be run on the processing unit 1401, so that the communication device 1400 executes the method of the sub-node of the host DU in the above embodiments. Optionally, data may also be stored in the storage unit 1403. Optionally, instructions and / or data may also be stored in the processing unit 1401.

[0493] For example, the communication unit 1402 may receive data packets from the host DU through the RLC channel. For details, reference may be made to Figures 6 to 12B the relevant content of the sub-node of the host DU therein, which will not be elaborated herein.

[0494] When the communication device 1400 is an access IAB node or a chip in an access IAB node, the processing unit 1401 may implement the method performed by the access IAB node in the foregoing embodiments.

[0495] In a possible design, the processing unit 1401 may include instructions that can be run on the processor, enabling the communication device 1400 to execute the method of the access IAB node in the foregoing embodiments.

[0496] In still another possible design, instructions are stored in the storage unit 1403, and the instructions can be run on the processing unit 1401, enabling the communication device 1400 to execute the method of the access IAB node in the foregoing embodiments. Optionally, data may also be stored in the storage unit 1403. Optionally, instructions and / or data may also be stored in the processing unit 1401.

[0497] For example, the communication unit 1402 may receive configuration information from the host CU. The communication unit 1402 may receive data packets from the host CU or other network devices. The processing unit 1401 may determine the RLC channel of the data packet or determine the mapping field. The communication unit 1402 may send the data packet to the parent node of the access IAB node through the RLC channel. For details, reference may be made to the content in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0498] The method flowcharts of the embodiments of the present application are introduced above. It should be understood that the host CU may have functional units (means) corresponding to the steps of the host CU method or process, and the host DU may have functional units corresponding to the steps of the host DU method or process. One or more of the above modules or units may be implemented by software, hardware, or a combination of both. When any of the above modules or units is implemented by software, the software exists in the form of computer program instructions and is stored in the memory. The processor may be used to execute the program instructions to implement the above method flow.

[0499] The processor in this application may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: central processing unit (CPU), microprocessor, digital signal processor (DSP), microcontroller unit (MCU), or various computing devices that run software such as artificial intelligence processors. Each computing device may include one or more cores for executing software instructions to perform operations or processing. The processor may be a single semiconductor chip or may be integrated with other circuits into a semiconductor chip. For example, it may form a system on a chip (SoC) with other circuits (such as codec circuits, hardware acceleration circuits, or various bus and interface circuits), or may be integrated as an embedded processor of an ASIC into the ASIC. The ASIC integrated with the processor may be packaged separately or may be packaged together with other circuits. In addition to the cores for executing software instructions to perform operations or processing, the processor may further include necessary hardware accelerators, such as field programmable gate array (FPGA), programmable logic device (PLD), or logic circuits for implementing dedicated logical operations.

[0500] The memory in the embodiments of this application may include at least one of the following types: read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, random access memory (RAM) or other types of dynamic storage devices that can store information and instructions, or may also be electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). In some scenarios, the memory may also be a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compact discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital versatile discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disk storage media, or 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 to this.

[0501] In addition to the data bus, the bus may further include a power bus, a control bus, a status signal bus, etc. However, for the sake of clear illustration, all kinds of buses are labeled as buses in the figure.

[0502] In the implementation process, each step of the above method can be completed by the integrated logic circuit of the hardware in the processor or the instructions in the form of software. The steps of the method disclosed in combination with the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as being executed and completed by the hardware processor, or executed and completed by the combination of the hardware and software modules in the processor. The software module can be located in a mature storage medium in the art such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, or electrically erasable programmable memory, register, etc. This storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and combines its hardware to complete the steps of the above method. To avoid repetition, it will not be described in detail here.

[0503] According to the method provided by the embodiments of the present application, the embodiments of the present application further provide a system, which includes the aforementioned device and one or more network devices.

[0504] It should also be understood that the first, second, third, fourth, and various digital numbers involved herein are only for the convenience of description and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application.

[0505] It should be understood that the term "and / or" in this article is only a description of the association relationship of the associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / " in this article generally represents an "or" relationship between the front and rear associated objects.

[0506] It should be understood that in various embodiments of the present application, the magnitudes of the sequence numbers of the above processes do not mean the order of execution. The order of execution of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation to the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0507] Those of ordinary skill in the art can realize that the various illustrative logical blocks and steps described in combination with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented by electronic hardware, or by a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are executed in a hardware or software manner depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional technicians can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of the present application.

[0508] In several embodiments provided by 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 merely illustrative. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, 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 displayed or discussed coupling or direct coupling or communication connection to each other can be through some interfaces. The indirect coupling or communication connection of the devices or units can be in electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0509] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable devices. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center by wire (such as coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (such as infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.). The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that the computer can access or a data storage device such as a server, data center, etc. that contains one or more integrated available media. The available media can be magnetic media (such as floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (such as DVDs), or semiconductor media (such as solid-state drives), etc.

[0510] The above is only the specific implementation manner of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed by the present application can easily think of changes or substitutions, which should all be covered by the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A configuration method, characterized in that, The method includes: The host distribution unit DU receives first configuration information from the host central unit CU. The first configuration information indicates that when the values of one or more first fields in a data packet respectively satisfy the first value ranges of the one or more first fields, the data packet is transmitted through a first channel between the host DU and a child node of the host DU; the first configuration information is further used to indicate that when the values of one or more second fields in the data packet respectively satisfy the second value ranges of the one or more second fields, the data packet is transmitted through a second channel between the host DU and the child node; wherein, the data packet satisfies one of 1) and 2): 1) the values of the one or more first fields respectively satisfy the first value ranges of the one or more first fields, 2) the values of the one or more second fields respectively satisfy the second value ranges of the one or more second fields; The host DU saves the first configuration information.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The method further includes: The host DU receives a first data packet; When the values of one or more first fields in the first data packet respectively satisfy the first value ranges of the one or more first fields, the host DU transmits the data packet through the first channel between the host DU and the child node.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein The first configuration information includes a mapping relationship between the first value ranges of the one or more first fields and the identifier of the first channel.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first value range of each field in the one or more first fields includes one value, or multiple consecutive values, or multiple discrete values.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The one or more first fields include one or more fields among a source Internet Protocol IP address, a destination IP address, a Differentiated Services Code Point DSCP, a flow label, a transport layer protocol type, a source transport layer port number, and a destination transport layer port number.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The first configuration information is carried in an F1 application protocol message.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The first configuration information further includes a mapping relationship between the second value ranges of the one or more second fields and the identifier of the second channel.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The one or more second fields include one or more fields among a source Internet Protocol IP address, a destination IP address, a Differentiated Services Code Point DSCP, a flow label, a transport layer protocol type, a source transport layer port number, and a destination transport layer port number.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The one or more first fields include some of the one or more second fields.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The one or more first fields do not include any of the one or more second fields.

11. A configuration method, characterized in that, including: The host CU obtains first configuration information, where the first configuration information indicates that when the values of one or more first fields in a data packet respectively meet the first value ranges of the one or more first fields, the data packet is transmitted through a first channel between the host DU and a child node of the host DU; the first configuration information is further used to indicate that when the values of one or more second fields in the data packet respectively meet the second value ranges of the one or more second fields, the data packet is transmitted through a second channel between the host DU and the child node; wherein, the data packet meets one of 1) and 2): 1) the values of the one or more first fields respectively meet the first value ranges of the one or more first fields, 2) the values of the one or more second fields respectively meet the second value ranges of the one or more second fields; The host CU sends the first configuration information to the host DU.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein The first configuration information includes a mapping relationship between the first value ranges of the one or more first fields and the identifier of the first channel.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein The first value range of each field in the one or more first fields includes one value, or multiple consecutive values, or multiple discrete values.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11-13, characterized in that, The one or more first fields include one or more fields among a source Internet Protocol (IP) address, a destination IP address, a Differentiated Services Code Point (DSCP), a flow label, a transport layer protocol type, a source transport layer port number, and a destination transport layer port number.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11-13, characterized in that The first configuration information is carried in an F1 application protocol message.

16. The method according to any one of claims 11-13, characterized in that, The first configuration information further includes a mapping relationship between the second value ranges of the one or more second fields and the identifier of the second channel.

17. The method according to any one of claims 11-13, characterized in that, The one or more second fields include one or more fields among a source Internet Protocol (IP) address, a destination IP address, a Differentiated Services Code Point (DSCP), a flow label, a transport layer protocol type, a source transport layer port number, and a destination transport layer port number.

18. The method according to any one of claims 11-13, characterized in that, The one or more first fields include some of the one or more second fields.

19. The method according to any one of claims 11-13, characterized in that, The one or more first fields do not include any of the one or more second fields.

20. A communication device, characterized in that, Comprising a processor, the processor is coupled to a memory, the memory is used to store a computer program or instruction, and the processor is used to execute the computer program or instruction in the memory, so that the method according to any one of claims 1-10 is executed, or so that the method according to any one of claims 11-19 is executed.

21. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, Stored with a program or instruction for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1-10, or stored with a program or instruction for implementing the method according to any one of claims 11-19.

22. A communication system, characterized in that, The communication system includes a host DU for executing the method according to any one of claims 1-10 and a host CU for executing the method according to any one of claims 11-19.

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